How To...

Design Your Own Custom Stamp!

Design Your Own Custom Stamp!

It’s been almost two years since we introduced our new online custom stamp ordering site and we’ve received a lot of great compliments on the site from those of you who are using it. We love hearing your feedback - thank you for sending it to us!

Two common questions we get are: 1) How do I get to the site? and 2) Why doesn’t it recognize me when I try to login on the checkout page? Give me just a few minutes of your time and I’ll answer those for you - it’s super easy.

Returns Are Now Online!

Returns Are Now Online!

Have you seen it? It’s AWESOME!

We’re pleased to announce another enhancement to our website - online returns! You asked if there was a way to submit a return request online and we heard you! It’s quick and easy - and it’s live now!

There are several ways to get to the return screen - I’ll show you two of them.

Seasonal Affective Disorder in the Office

Seasonal Affective Disorder in the Office

My dad struggles every fall and winter when the days start getting shorter. He’s seriously influenced by the lack of sunlight and it takes a heavy toll on him. This condition is called Seasonal Affective Disorder. People who have it may feel unusually tired or sad and have a lack of drive or energy during the short winter days. Extreme cases can result in depression.3

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can occur in your office as well. Employees may lack energy and lose focus, even fall asleep at their desks. You may be wondering what can be done to offset this or prevent it altogether. I’m glad you asked because there are some relatively simple changes that can be made to help keep your employees cheery and productive.

Buying Guide: How to Choose a Headset

Buying Guide:  How to Choose a Headset

Ergonomics are frequently discussed in relation to workplace environments, as is productivity. Employers spend a significant amount of time and resources trying to revamp processes to make their employees more productive. For workers who spend a majority of their day on phone calls, a headset will address both issues. Working with your neck constantly tilted to the side, either on a shoulder rest or just cradling the phone between your neck and shoulder, is not good for you. And trying to take an order or type a message while on the phone without a headset results in a definite loss of speed and productivity.

Save Time With Recurring Orders

Save Time With Recurring Orders

Ordering supplies for your office - whether it be pens, paper, janitorial, breakroom or some other category - can be time consuming.  Especially if your company has a formal purchasing department and there are requisitions and purchase orders involved.

We are excited to announce a new function on our website that will save you time if you find yourself ordering the same items over and over again - Recurring Orders.  Recurring Orders allow you to create an order and schedule the frequency of the delivery - the order will be automatically sent to you on your schedule.  You can edit items and quantities or reschedule the delivery date as needed.  

Best of all, it's SIMPLE! 

Buying Guide: File Folder Basics

Buying Guide:  File Folder Basics

Today we're continuing our discussion on filing as a way to keep you organized and on task at work (or at home, for that matter).  What kind of file folders do you need?  Why do you choose the ones you use now?  Is there a better solution for your needs?

Let's talk some file folder basics.  There are 3 things to consider when choosing your file folders - style, size and tabs.  We'll begin with style.

Stay Organized and on Task at Work

Stay Organized and on Task at Work

This month our weekly eblasts will be focusing on items to help you stay organized and on task at work.  Since I know that's easier said than done for many of you, I'm going to start off the month with some handy file folders to aid you in your quest. 

Now, there are seemingly ZILLIONS of filing products out there - all made by very good companies - and a file folder is a file folder, right?  All the companies pretty much make them out of the same material, with similar features, so it usually comes down to the price.  Not so, my young Jedi.  Teach you the ways of the force, I will.

Summer Picnics at Work

Summer Picnics at Work

Lots of companies have picnics for their employees during the warm summer months  - perhaps your company is one of these.  Some are held at local parks as a whole family event, others are held at the office after working hours.  But what if your employee base is really spread out in terms of where they live?  Maybe the staff likes the idea of a picnic but doesn't want to stay after working a long day, especially knowing that they have a long drive home.  Or maybe you just can't find a central location for a weekend picnic that makes everyone happy. You want to include everyone, but there just doesn't seem to be a good way to do it.

Buying Guide: Mechanical Pencil Leads

Buying Guide:  Mechanical Pencil Leads

Can you believe we're halfway through the year? It's just flying by for me. It may be inventory time for your company now and if you have a supply stock room, you may be evaluating needs for that and stocking up on some of the essentials.  One such essential may be refill lead for mechanical pencils.

Really, an article about pencil lead? (How lame!)  Well, you might be surprised how many people have a difficult time choosing the right type of lead.  This won't be a novel by any means, but rather a quick "how to" guide to make your life easier.

How to Have Fun in the Office

How to Have Fun in the Office

Last week I wrote about the fact that employees like to feel appreciated.  Well, something else employees like is to have fun at work.  An occasional prank or practical joke helps to lighten the mood and make everyone's day a little more enjoyable.  From time to time, I search the web for posts about office humor and boy, did I find a good one this time!  

From the site 5funfacts.com, I give you excerpts from 23 people Who Know How to Shake Up a Dull Working Day at the Office

Do You Show Your Appreciation to Your Employees?

Do You Show Your Appreciation to Your Employees?

Everyone wants to be appreciated in their job.  Regardless of your level, we all want to know that we're doing a good job and that our boss notices. It's part of our nature and it's part of what drives our performance.  If we work hard and no one notices or recognizes us for our performance, we become passionless and uncaring.  We need that "atta boy!"

There are many different ways for bosses to reward employees and the trick is to find out what each employee values most.  Some people only want verbal recognition - a simple "Good Work, James!"  A stellar performance review in their file.  Others value monetary gains - bonuses, pay raises, profit sharing, etc. 

It's a New Year - Start with Organization!

It's a New Year - Start with Organization!

The beginning of a new year is always a busy time.  Filing and storing last year's documents, setting up new files, decluttering the office, organizing the supply cabinet, etc.  A good way to organize is by using storage compartments and modules.  These units give you a place to put the small items (pens, sticky notes, glue sticks, nuts, bolts, etc.).  They'll save space and create a well-designed storage unit.

Buying Guide: Choosing the Right File Cabinet

Buying Guide:  Choosing the Right File Cabinet

Storage space is a key component in offices and which type of storage you use is determined by several factors, such as floor or wall space, frequency of use, decor and type of business.  Today we're going to focus on file cabinets.  I'll showcase a few of the options and, hopefully, give you information that will help you decide which type is the right one for your office.

Are Your Chemical Labels GHS Compliant?

Are Your Chemical Labels GHS Compliant?

The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals is a worldwide initiative to promote standard criteria for classifying chemicals according to their health, physical and environmental hazards.  It uses pictograms, hazard statements and the words "Danger" and "Warning" to communicate hazard information on product labels and safety data sheets in a logical and comprehensive way. The primary goal of GHS is better protection of human health and the environment by providing chemical user and handlers, emergency first responders and the public with enhanced and consistent information on chemical hazards (www2.epa.gov).

Ask Us Anything!

Ask Us Anything!

It's been a little over two years since we started this blog and we hope that you have found it useful, informative, witty and, at times, fun.  I spend a lot of time trying to come up with interesting topics and things that I can share with you that will be interesting and timely.

So how am I doing?  Is there something you'd like to know about that I haven't discussed? Are you looking for a particular item that you just can't find anywhere (or wonder whether it even exists)?  Do you want to know how to do something (like hooking up a new router)? Do you want to know something about our company or our services?