The Value of Bullet Journaling
A bullet journal takes your typical to-do list to another level. Designed to help you practice mindfulness and remain productive, the journal helps you visually organize what tasks you have and haven’t completed, so you can determine what projects need your attention and in what priority.
How to Take the Headache Out of Ordering Office Supplies
by Diana L. Martin
If you’re the person assigned the task of ordering the office supplies and you just dread doing it, I’m here with a couple simple solutions for you today.
We get many calls and emails from customers who need to order an item but they don’t know what it’s called, or they don’t know the item number and they need help. They order all different ways - online, email, phone, etc. - and they know they’ve ordered it previously, but can’t find what they’re looking for at the moment.
The secret isn’t really a secret at all. It’s just this -
Benefits of Workplace Celebrations
Last month we asked you to answer our poll about workplace celebrations. While the majority of you chose to spend time with coworkers as what you enjoyed most, some chose the activities and others chose …
Why Acoustical Products are Having a 'Moment'
by Valerie Glander
Office design trends, by nature, tend to move at a slower pace than other Interior Design trends. Office furniture is expected to have a useful life of seven to ten years, although it is common for offices to have furniture that is upwards of 20 years old. By contrast, the useful life of technology products is about three years.
Over the last decade, we’ve consistently seen the industry move toward open spaces. We have partnered with hundreds of companies to create workspaces with lower panels, no panels, and more collaborative space. These designs allow natural light and improved feelings of spaciousness, but also create higher noise levels.
Running Effective Meetings
According to research conducted by MIT, only 50% of meeting time is used effectively, and ineffective meetings can actually hinder productivity in the long run. Here are some meeting management skills that can help you determine whether the …
Tech Talk - Finding the Right Filter for Your Device
by Diana L. Martin
Over the years, I’ve spoken to many a customer who called to return or exchange the monitor filter they purchased. Usually it was because it was the wrong size and they needed assistance selecting the correct one. Reason number two was that it didn’t do what they wanted it to do.
Finding the right filter for your device needn’t be difficult. There are three basic pieces of information that you need:
Workplace Recognition
Last month we asked you to select what type of recognition you appreciate in the workspace: public, private, peer-to-peer, manager-to-employee, and anonymous recognition. Surprisingly, public recognition was the least popular of them all…
Why Business Signs are Important for Brand Building
When it comes to branding your small business, signs are a great way to grab attention, bring customers in, and leave a lasting impression that people will remember. Here are some of the benefits that come with business signs.
Promo Items People Actually Use!
by Alex Plachta
Does anyone clean their house or apartment during the pandemic? Or just regular old-fashioned spring cleaning? I have and it inspired me to write this blog about the kind of promotional items that had staying power as I cleaned my apartment. While cleaning it seems natural that cheap promotional products would get tossed but that was not always the case for me. Now, just because a plastic cup with a logo on it was tossed does not mean it didn’t serve its purpose, but I wanted to touch on a few items that had me leaving them in the keep pile.
How to Avoid Technical Glitches During Digital Meetings
We rely on technology more than ever throughout the workday and while tremendous advancements have been made over the years, technical glitches can still arise. Before important conference and video calls, it can be helpful to have specific plans in place to reduce issues and make sure your meeting goes off without a hitch. Check out these tips to learn more.
How to Save Money on Ink and Toner
by Diana L. Martin
Cutting costs is at the top of every business owner’s list - especially during the past year when revenue has been so drastically reduced. Supplies purchased for internal use can put a bite into the budget. One way to lower office expenditures is to be smart about how and when you print documents Making a few simple adjustments and implementing them for all your office printers can positively impact your bottom line.
Here’s how you can save money on your ink and toner purchases.
Ways to Improve Your Customer Service
Customer service is an integral part of the success of any organization. Studies estimate that two out of three customers are willing to spend more with businesses where they have received top-quality service. Here are some strategies to keep in mind as you improve your organization’s customer service.
Giving Back Virtually
Giving back to your community is a great bonding experience, but with social distancing at the forefront of interactions this year, you can still make a difference virtually. Here are some great ways to give back.
If You're a Baby Boomer, You May Know This
by Diana L. Martin
The old proverb says that necessity is the mother of invention and that’s absolutely true, but sometimes it’s just a happy accident. Something created for one purpose may find success being used for something completely different. In today’s edition of:
Office Products Trivia
I ask you this:
The Office Experience: How Great Signage Supports a Successful Workplace
by Valerie Glander
As Interior Designers, we spend much of our time with clients discussing staff adjacencies, furniture requirements, finish selections and color schemes. A lesser discussed, but important element of designing an intuitive office environment is often left to an afterthought: wayfinding and signage.
Coffee Taste Test
Expensive taste doesn't mean better taste! Available for a limited-time special buy, Jeff & Michael taste test Office Expresso vs Caribou coffee.
New Product Review: Scotch Box Lock Packaging Tape
by Diana L. Martin
Back in 2018, I wrote a product review on a new line of tape products from a company called T-Rex Tapes. They advertised that their items were ferociously strong - the strongest tapes on the market. You can read that review here: New Product Review: T-Rex Tapes. Fast forward to 2021 and 3M has come out with a new tape to give T-Rex a run for its money. Let’s take a look at the new Scotch Box Lock tape and see how it stacks up.
Masks 101: What's important to you?
Breathable, protective, comfortable, stylish... What's most important to you? Print Manager, Alex Plachta, walks us through the most commonly sold facemasks over this past year.
How to Clean Your Office Keurig
Have you cleaned your coffee maker? Michael shows us how to routinely clean your office Keurig machine, which is especially important after returning from the holiday break. Take care of your coffee maker so it can take care of you!
Custom Printing For Newbies - Bleeds
by Alex Plachta
Hi! I have decided to start a new series of “For Newbies” blogs from the print department here at OEX. Most of these topics have been covered in the past but I thought I would put my own spin on these them as well as covering their real-life implications. I started in the industry only a few years ago so I have some perspective and hopefully explain these topics at a nice basic level. If you have any questions, feel free to email Alex at print@oexusa.com.