The Office AllSorts Blog

Brighten Up your Office for Summer

June 12th, 2013

Summer is just around the bend and with it come sunnier days and a bit more time spent outdoors. For many of us, this means shedding a few dark winter layers and enjoying a lighter wardrobe. But summer attitude doesn’t have to be limited to your wardrobe- you can take advantage of the changing seasons to give your office an update as well.

For some, an office update may be as simple as replacing a piece of outdated equipment with something new and efficient. If you’ve got one of those printers that always seem to need coaxing to work properly, why not replace it with a new one from Office Allsorts?

Almost any office can benefit from a high quality multifunction printer; the Epson Workforce Pro is a great example of a printer that can easily send print, send faxes, copy and scan. This option is perfect for companies that rely heavily on printed material, using over three reams of paper per month.

In other words, it is a very reliable printer, but what really makes it stand out is its low Total Cost of Ownership, or TCO. The Epson Workforce Pro can print up to 10,000 pages from a single toner cartridge and uses 80 per cent less energy than a laser printer.

If you feel you’ve got everything you need in terms of function, why not work on your office’s style? Add a nice new rug in a lovely summery hue, or switch out your artwork for some classic framed photos of summer landscapes. Remember, you spend a great deal of time working within this space, and sometimes an update to your surroundings can really help motivate you to reach your goals.

With a good base of elegant furniture and décor, you can rotate your design accents according to your whims, so don’t be afraid to play with different colours and accessories for summer as well.

Posted in Printing | No Comments »

The Best Deals on Low Cost Office Supplies

June 12th, 2013

In our never-ending quest to provide our customers with the best low cost office products available, Office Allsorts has yet another way to find what you need on our website. Sometimes it’s helpful to be able to see the low prices to take advantage of right now, instead of have to browse through different categories to see what might just be on sale.

We’d like to create an environment where our customers feel comfortable ‘just stopping by’, whether it’s to say hello on Facebook, drop us a line on Twitter, or just check in on the website to see which deals we have going on today.

Our Top Deals section is a great place to visit often, for all the latest and last-minute special prices on a range of essential items for the office. Here you’ll find anything from highlighters to notebooks to great coffee and tea promotions. It always pays to be prepared, so instead of waiting until the last minute (or the last pen to run out!), why not stock up on bargains while they last?

Pick up packs of folders to take care of your year-end filing, or discounted labels for shipping you know you’ll always need a steady supply of.

We also have the office standards that you’ll always seem to add to your order lists, like Bic Crystal Ball Pens in Blue, Red and Green. These are currently discounted by a massive 49% off the recommended retail price. You’ll want to visit our top deals and grab these while they last!

If you’re ever in doubt about the lowest price available on any particular item, you can be sure our friendly advisers can guide you in the right direction and explain the benefit of either a less costly or higher quality option for any product.

Posted in Office Supplies | No Comments »

Office Cleaning Supplies to Save you Money

June 7th, 2013

The subject of cleaning your office often comes as an afterthought. Desks, chairs and office carpeting don’t seem to get that dirty. Especially for those of us with small children or pets at home, the work place may actually seem quite sanitary in comparison.

However, just as with any space inhabited by humans on a daily basis, it needs to be kept clean. Certain cleaning supplies and practises can even save you money in the long run.

Phone Cleaner

A telephone used by more than one person can harbour a shocking amount of harmful bacteria and infectious microbes if not cleaned properly. This is one of the best ways to pass around the dreaded office cold or one of the new strains of stomach flu that seem to come out every year.

Save money on staff sick days by keeping a good stock of phone cleaner on hand; once the bug hits you could be looking at up to a week of employees who are unable to come to work. Office Allsorts carries convenient bactericidal wipes to keep on every desk, reminding you to wipe down every phone regularly.

Computer and Equipment Cleaners

Keep your computer and other electronics like printers grime and dust-free and you can save your cash flow by avoiding having to buy replacements. Dust is one of the leading causes of equipment failure, so it’s important to pay attention to daily maintenance of the things you depend on to keep your business up and running.

Our Superclean Moist Cleaning Wipes are a good multi-purpose cleaning option to use on everything.

Office Allsorts also carries a convenient laptop cleaning kit, non-scratch cloths for cleaning screens and many more office cleaning supplies that can actually save you money. To find out how to clean a certain item, feel free to contact our customer service team.

Posted in Computer Cleaning | No Comments »

Holding a Weight Loss Challenge at Work

June 5th, 2013

It’s not something people love to talk about, but losing weight might be important to many members of your staff. In fact, working in an office can even contribute to significant weight gain.

Experts agree that the human body was not exactly meant to remain sitting for extended periods of time. Many of us are also prone to snacking throughout the work day; this coupled with lack of exercise is a great way to pack on the pounds.

Apple

With all this in mind, why not hold a weight loss challenge at work? It can be good for motivation and support in a weight loss journey, and also a great (and cheap!) team-building exercise.

Weight loss challenges are simple to organise. To start off, you’ll have to find out who’s interested, to get an idea of how many people will be participating. Next, decide how long the challenge will last and schedule your weigh-in dates.

You’ll also want to prepare the information you’ll be providing along the way. It’s important to share materials related to healthy diet and exercise routines for maximum success. You can also distribute either paper or virtual tracking systems for each person to use. Or, have everyone download the same fitness App to their smartphone to record activity.

The initial weigh-in is next. You won’t find many people willing to step on the scale in public, but you do need to have everyone document their accurate starting weight. Have a trusted member of your staff record starting weights in private, and assure everyone that the info will be kept confidential if they wish.

Offer a great prize for the winner of the challenge. How about a digital camera from Office Allsorts, or even just a paid day off? If the challenge goes well, you can run it again for even better results in the second round.

Posted in Office Health | No Comments »

Follow Office Allsorts on Social Media!

May 30th, 2013

We know, nearly every website you visit these days has one of those ubiquitous logos for Facebook and Twitter. Some even have a long list of social media sites, many of which you never even knew existed.

For many of us, our Facebook account is a great way to keep in touch with family and friends, share photos, etc. We can all become mini-bloggers this way, sharing each little clever thought or insightful anecdote that comes to mind. It hardly seems necessary, however, to befriend your local grocer, much less your office supply provider.

Connecting to your favourite businesses (read, Office Allsorts) on social media is actually a very smart decision. Our lucky followers have access to a range of special benefits that are published nowhere else but our Facebook and Twitter profiles.

In February of this year, our Facebook friends were treated to an exclusive 10% off coupon, as well as a first look at some of our latest products.

On Twitter, we showed followers how to get a special free gift with their purchase, and shared some excellent business advice we came across. Also, for all you pet lovers out there, Twitter was the perfect place to show the world our new office pet. We even gave out the details on getting a gym pass with the purchase of some simple boxes of Bic pens.

Our social media profiles are the place to connect with us for any advice you might need. Just drop us a line and we’ll be sure to get back with you right away. This is just one more way for us to offer our assistance and show you the difference between shopping at a big box store and a local supplier.

Join us today, on Facebook and Twitter.

Posted in Business | No Comments »

Fax Machines: Still Popular in Many Offices

May 30th, 2013

With the advent of scanners, it may seem as though the traditional fax machine has become obsolete. But, here at Office Allsorts we still find these ‘historic’ machines very much in demand.

Some offices have a traditional standalone fax machine, while others make use of one as part of a larger printer with various functions.

Fax Machine

In this age of the internet and emails, you might be receiving fewer and fewer requests for faxed documents, but it’s important to remember some the benefits of faxing over scanning.

Even with advanced computers, scanning a document for sending is still a multi-step process; you often have to print it out, sign it, scan it, save it again and then attach it to an email message to the recipient, who will then have to print it out on their end.

With a fax machine, you receive the document in its physical form, quickly add your signature and fax it back.

Fax machines are familiar to many established offices, and are easy to use even in places without advanced technology. Some companies just like to do things in the old school way, so it’s great to have a fax machine to keep them comfortable with their processes. You won’t want to have to spend hours on the telephone painstakingly explaining how to sign and send a scanned document when trying to win a new client’s business.

Internationally, fax machines are still widely used. In the technologically advanced countries of China and Japan, for example, many government offices still prefer faxed enquiries and applications, as they can be printed out and quickly stamped for approval. So, if any of your business is conducted overseas, having access to a fax machine may be vital to your office. Click here to read more about fax machine use in Japan.

View our entire range of fax machines, and don’t hesitate to call our friendly advisers with any queries.

Posted in Fax Machines | No Comments »

5 Ways to Welcome New Members of your Team

May 17th, 2013

After a lengthy recruitment and interview process, you’ve hired a qualified person you feel will make an excellent addition to your team. Now all that remains is to set the start date for their first day on the job. But, it’s important to make people feel welcome and create a positive experience with your company from Day 1.

It sounds simple: they’ll come in, you’ll show them their desk and they’ll get on with it, right? Unfortunately any of us who have started a new job know that there is a certain level of anxiety when starting a new position and of course meeting new people. Those first few weeks are a period of learning and adjustment to your company even for someone who is an expert in their field.

Make Time for an Orientation

Your new hire’s first day on the job is just another step for you in the process of acquiring their talents for your office. Schedule the time in your diary to get them settled and comfortable in their new position.

Introductions

Make sure to introduce your new team member to each and every person they might come across in the office. This will help avoid any awkward situations, and show them who does what and where they can be found.

Get Them Involved

Start involving your new hire in decisions as soon as possible, even if it’s just to decide which office supplies to order or where you’ll be holding the office lunch at the end of the week. This will encourage them to become part of the team.

Have Someone Look After Them

Of course your new staff member is not a child, but it can be nice to have one specific person to turn to for anything and everything. If you’ve got a dynamic person on your team who is great with people and knows all about the inner workings of the firm, put them in charge of your newbie.

Kit out Their Space

Everyone has their favourite office supplies and equipment to help get the job done. This is where Office Allsorts comes in! Place an order for all of the things your newbie prefers, and they’ll be ready to become a productive member of your team. Click here to see some of our best selling items.

Posted in Business Management | No Comments »

The Little Extras: Office Bins and More

May 10th, 2013

So the idea has taken seed in your mind, and you’ve made the decision to start your own business. This of course comes with a world of decisions to make. From finding the appropriate space and location for your office to deciding who it is you’ll hire, you’ll have a range of aspects to consider.

When first starting out, it’s important to cover all the basics first. This includes naming your company, obtaining a business licence, and kitting out your space with the essentials.

Having what you need to perform simple tasks and conduct the transactions that will bring in revenue is important, but there are also certain little extras you won’t want to forget.

Office Bins

So, you’re unpacking all that shiny new equipment and realise you have no place to toss the plastic and Styrofoam it came in. Or, your first office lunch was a success, but where will you throw your paper cups? Don’t get caught without proper disposal facilities. Be sure to put office bins on your list of must-have supplies.

Cleaning Supplies

In a perfect world, tidying up around the office would be simple. However, you’ll need to have everything necessary to keep your equipment dust-free and give your bathroom a thorough cleansing. If your office has a kitchen, you’ll also want to have dish soap and sponges readily available.
Chairs for Visitors

Having an attractive, well-functioning office is great, but if you don’t have a place for visitors to sit you may find yourself in trouble. When purchasing your furniture be sure to plan for chairs near the entrance and in each office space.
If you’ve already checked office bins, cleaning items and extra chairs off your list and are still worried you may be forgetting something, give us a call here at Office Allsorts. Our experts will be happy to make appropriate suggestions for your needs.

Posted in Office Environment | No Comments »

Ring Binders for Everyday Use

May 3rd, 2013

Certain things never seem to go out of style. From classic apparel like blue jeans and old recipes that still taste lovely each and every time, there are some things in life that need no updating or improvements to keep them useful.

In a business or office situation we often see old favourites still in use years after they first began to be produced.

Items like ballpoint pens will still be found in almost any company. No matter how advanced technology may become, people will still need to jot things down quickly from time to time. Even businesses that operate only on the internet still provide standard notebooks and pens to employees for convenience.

Ring Binders

Another oldie but goody is your traditional ring binder. Here at Office Allsorts we still receive regular requests for these useful pieces of filing equipment. Businesses requiring document storage of papers ranging from invoices to client correspondence use ring binders both in the office and at off-site storage facilities. They are also often used on the go, by companies that need to provide estimates or receipts at mobile locations.

While the ring binders of old haven’t been modified to a large extent, they do currently feature certain elements that make them even easier to use. Components like plastic pockets eliminate the need to punch a hole in every document, and elastic closing systems can now better protect your papers.

Many ring binders from Office Allsorts are sold in packs of three, five or ten, making it easy to equip your office with a matching set and set the foundation for an organised filing system.

You can also choose from a range of materials, depending on the desired durability of your binder. Some filing jobs require a very basic model made of paper covered board, while others will be best protected in a full polypropylene cover.

Click here to see all of our ring binders, and for any queries don’t hesitate to contact our friendly experts.

Posted in Filing | No Comments »

Waste Bins to Suit Every Office

March 20th, 2013

Waste bins are items that receive little thought in the planning of an office or new business. With things like payroll, rental expenses, desks, chairs and computer equipment to consider, the humble waste bin may come in last in terms of priority.

However, every space needs a proper place to dispose of rubbish; from simple minimalist offices to gorgeous executive suites. Whether your office is the former or the latter, you’ll need office bins that serve their purpose and last you for years to come.

At Office Allsorts we have waste bins to suit every style and budget. We also have recycling bins to ensure your business is as environmentally friendly as possible.

Some of our most popular bins are those that fit discretely under desks. The Avery DR500 is a great example. This bin features a flat back to reduce the area it requires, and its rim helps secure liners and keeps them in place.

Another bin with a flat side is our attractive Semicircular Metal Bin with decorative perforated trim. A high-end option to complement any sophisticated office, this bin is also very durable, with scratch resistant coating.

Mesh bins such as the Osco Mesh Office Waste bin in silver or black are a versatile option for many businesses. They are sturdy, corrosion and scratch resistant, and great for simple paper waste. They also feature large capacity, meaning they won’t need to be emptied as often.

One of Office Allsorts’ best budget bins is the 5 Star Office Bin in your choice of grey or cobalt blue. Made of polypropylene, this bin is durable yet lightweight; perfect for every room in your office. They also have tapered walls to give them a more interesting shape.

For the best and largest variety of office waste bins, be sure to visit Office Allsorts.