by Alex Plachta

I’m taking a break from the “Custom Printing for Newbies” series I have been publishing to give a breakdown and my thoughts on managing the current delays in the print industry. This is surface level as there are thousands of articles out there on supply chain and labor shortages going on around the world currently.

First, I want to list the reasons why there are currently slowdowns:

If you’ve found yourself overwhelmed by the amount of work you need to do, you’re not alone. Try the tips below to see if they help you reach maximum efficiency and get things done faster.

by Diana L. Martin

Welcome back! The next thing to consider in your search for an office supply vendor is products and delivery.

PRODUCTS

A big question here is: Does the supplier carry the items you purchase regularly?

Ideally, the answer is yes. A good office supply vendor will carry a vast array of items - not just typical office supplies like paper, writing instruments and binder clips. Can your company buy its basic supplies, ink and toner, electronics, furniture, breakroom and janitorial supplies all from the same vendor? What about specialty supplies? Make a list of your frequently ordered items and verify that the supplier carries them. If not, are you willing to switch brands? A good supplier will offer multiple name brand and generic ("house brand") items to choose from. Also, is the supplier willing and able to special order items for you?

Last month we asked you to pick what the best tech invention of the 21st century was, from smartphones to artificial intelligence. The overwhelming majority coined smartphones as the greatest, followed by online streaming. The truth is all the tech inventions of the 21st century have helped to transform how we do business today.

by Valerie Glander

NeoCon was back for 2021! The annual commercial design show features the latest trends and newest products from furniture manufacturers and finish vendors across the industry. Furniture trends continue to show softer designs, quite literally. Velvet was featured everywhere! Soft curves, warm colors in furnishings created inviting and comfortable spaces in our vendors’ showrooms. Keep scrolling to see some of our favorite things!

When it comes to ideal qualities in a leader, people may think of integrity, confidence, and determination. But rarely is laziness mentioned as a virtue. However, when those in a leadership position take a more hands-off approach they can give others the chance to realize what they’re capable of.

by Diana L. Martin

Everyone has had bad customer service experiences - some worse than others. I know I've had many, many more than I care to remember. Customer service is a fundamental part of any business and should be one of your top priorities when selecting an office products vendor - or, for that matter, any other supplier.

Usually people start with price when evaluating suppliers, and we’ll get to that in a future blog, but customer service before, during and after the sale is extremely important. Can you call and speak with a live person or are you limited only to email or chat? Does the supplier hide their phone number on their website? Is their phone tree endless? Do they have knowledgeable representatives with industry experience who can answer your questions or are they outsourced (usually overseas) and reading off a script? Do they even offer customer service?

In collaboration with Kilano Design + Build, the OEX design team helped create a vibrant, modern workspace for Match Rx in Royal Oak, MI. Their remodeled office is now fit with new furniture, collaborative spaces & interior graphics that will allow their team grow and work productively under one roof, building on their current success! This video features the numerous window graphics being installed, and the end result looks awesome.

Last month we asked if you tend to multitask when in online meetings. The overwhelming majority of you said you typically are doing two things at once, while a small group indicated that they occasionally multitask, and the minority stating that they try not to, but their mind tends to wander. Wherever you fall on this list, have no fear! Here are some of the best ways to multitask like a pro and get your work done efficiently.

by Alex Plachta

This sounds like a more complicated topic than it really is - I promise! This article is intended to give a functional understanding to a casual person who needs to order print but does not have a graphic design background. It will not provide any ground-breaking information to someone with design experience!

Basically, file type is important because certain files may not translate well to physical printed products even if they look alright on your computer screen. These files (known as raster images) and their images are made up of many individual color pixels

Did you know that hiking can have physical and emotional benefits? If your organization is looking to fuel productivity and develop leaders, hiking may just be the answer. Here are just a few potential benefits to consider.

by Diana L. Martin

Go to any office product supplier's website and read their blog and you'll undoubtedly find a post about how to choose an office products supplier. They'll talk about price, selection, ordering, brands, delivery, etc. And they'll always give you reasons why they're the best choice. So ..............here you are reading my blog post titled "How to Choose an Office Supply Vendor" ......................and I'm not going to be that much different. I mean, really - you don't expect me to recommend someone else, do you?

Yes, in this and subsequent "parts" I will discuss those topics - and others- but I'm going to start today with one that everybody else seems to forget. And yes, I'm going to tell you that Office Express is great at it - because we are. That topic is:

Department sectioning, hoteling workstations, task spaces? OEX interior design manager, Valerie, shows us different uses for panel systems/cubicle walls that may be overlooked when designing your office layout. Let us help you design or reconfigure your space!

Last month, we asked you to tell us what your productivity secret was, from coffee and meditation to music and to-do lists. The majority of you chose music as your secret weapon, while to-do lists came in a close second. No matter what your current productivity hack is, it can be helpful to try some new techniques.

You might be surprised at how little $100 will get you in a chair... Take care of yourself and put your money to good use by choosing the chair your back is begging you for. Don't believe us? Stop by and test them both out for yourself!

www.oexusa.com

by Diana L. Martin

I don't belong to any warehouse clubs because I refuse to pay someone for the privilege of shopping in their store. You will make your money off of me when I buy your products at the register - I am not going to pay you just for the ability to walk through your door. I have so many loyalty/member card key fobs on my auto key ring that I think the key ring weighs more than I do! But they're all free cards - if someone tries to sell me a card, I always decline. <deep breath> But I digress. Let me climb off my soapbox now and get to the real point of today's topic.

Positive affirmations, otherwise known as mantras are statements that can provide encouragement and motivation for yourself or others. While they can be used in every facet of life, mantras in the workplace can offer a tremendous amount of benefits, from improving confidence to overcoming negative habits. Here are just some of the ways positive affirmations can transform your mindset at work.

by Diana L. Martin

Are you Zoomed out? Tired of the constant video meetings? Do you need a little break in your day?

Just for fun, I thought we’d play a game today. It’s a version of “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader” but all the questions are about office supplies. Solve the riddles below and tell me to which office supply the riddles refer.

Last month, we asked you to tell us where you’ve been working: at home, in the office, or under a hybrid model of both. The majority of you indicated that you’re back in commercial workspaces, while the minority are working from home and a handful are doing a hybrid mix of both. Regardless of your current workspace, adding feng shui into the design plan can bring some helpful benefits to your professional life.

by Alex Plachta

In this “For Newbies” blog I want to cover the basic options for ordering booklets. Booklets are not too complicated, so I am going to jump right into three main options:

The most basic option is the stapled booklet - also called “Saddle-Stitched.” This is the least expensive type of booklet and is a great option for most situations. The only special condition to be aware of is that the page count must be in multiples of four. This is required because the process involves stapling sheets that are folded in half (for example 11”x17” sheets if your booklet is going to be 8.5”x11”). Here are a few pictures: