Budgets may not lend themselves to a full revamp of your office or home office but a few simple and inexpensive changes could make you feel like you’ve had a re-look. From a canvas on the wall to new desk accessories and lamps what could be nicer to add a splash of colour, add that feel good factor and still be practical? Nowadays colours are vibrant, styles modern and quirky and where wall art is concerned you are limited only...
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Pens are indispensable aren’t they?
Pens are indispensable aren’t they? But what happens when they get a mind of their own and end up putting ink on our office furniture – how do we get it off?
If you are lucky enough to have a leather chair then we recommend that you check the manufacturers guidelines as they often can give help on how to remove different stains. In some cases it’s a question of getting a damp cloth and a leather cleaner...
Safety Equipment
As most of us know (and respect) it is law to provide employees with the correct safety equipment to do their jobs. This could be:
- EYE / EAR PROTECTION
- HEAD COVER
- VISIBILTY CLOTHING
- CORRECT FOOTWEAR
- BREATHING APARATUS
However not only should employees be provided with the right PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) but they should also receive the right training on how to use it, how...
Read MoreThe paperless office
Well we haven’t quite got there – the reason being everyone needs and uses paper. If you thought we supplied just bog standard copies paper think again. We have specialist paper for blotting, listing and printed photos. We’get different thicknesses and shades depending on what your project is. If you need branded paper or own brand paper we can help.
We are at the end of the phone or email if you are not sure what you want. Speak... Read More
Work space changes
You may not be moving offices but your workspace might be in need of a facelift. Do you need extra storage or privacy? It doesn’t take a lot of money to overhaul where you work – the placing of a screen or bookcase can sometimes make a huge difference to the feel and running of an office. Our furniture specialists can take you through what’s available and come and visit you place of work to make sure that the changes...
Read Moremailroom / warehouses
If your business has a mailroom or warehouses, we have a large range of specialist products that you need to keep it going. From packing equipment to furniture, trollies, racking and vehicle accessories. Have a look at our webstore for the full selection of items and get your business running smoothly and your goods out quickly.
And don’t forget if you need something specialist then we can source that too – just let our friendly customer service or your account... Read More
Let it snow let it snow
Oh no we don’t want it to do that!! BUT if it does we have just what you need to keep you safe. Check out our slat and grit bins together with sacks of salt and shovels. For indoors we have grib tiles to avoid slips from wet shoes and wet floor warning signs just to give that extra protection.
Protect your staff and visitors indoors and out!
(And pray for warm, sunny... Read MoreNew Year Resolution
Don’t make your New Year Resolution all about weight loss and taking more exercise. What about looking closer to home or should we say work. Ever aspired to be that person with the tidiest desk? You CAN be – simply invest in some items to declutter your workspace. Drawers to store important paperwork, pen pot to hold all you favourite writing materials, stacking trays for those bits of paper that you need to keep to hand – and a shredder...
Read MoreBe prepared on the roads
Are you ready for what winter will through at you? Chances are you will have thought of some things but don’t forget if you commute by car you could get stuck in some bad weather. Keep warm clothes/ blankets in your vehicle, make sure you have de-icer and what about putting in one of our emergency winter car kits?
Get some reassurance from knowing that you are ready for the... Read More
Workspace
The daylight hours seem less and less and until the days grow longer again why not make your workspace or home office a bit cheerier to get you through winter? A well-positioned desk lamp can give you the extra light that might just help you beat the blues. Why not invest in some canvases to brighten the walls – choose your favourite photographs of faraway hot climes to give you a warm feeling.
Keep the winter chills out by investing in... Read More
The season of ‘snivels’
Well it’s that time of year when our colleagues come to work with runny noses and coughs. We might not be able to stop them but we can reduce the chance of catching their bugs. Keep communal areas as germ free as possible with hygienic wipes and clean regularly. Whilst you are at it use it as an excuse to give your desk, keyboard and other germ carrying devices an early Spring Clean!
Check out our hygiene products... Read More
Interesting facts about safety clothing Part II
Whilst WW1 chemical warfare ‘helped’ the development of respirators, the first inception of the respirator that we know today actually dates back to Iraq in the 9th Century. Invented by two brothers it was intended to help workers breath whilst going down into polluted wells. The gas mask that we know today has evolved over the years from these first cumbersome pieces of kit.
We are all familiar with Hi Visibility garments and even use the trendy term...
Interesting facts about safety clothing Part I
PPE isn’t a modern invention! Today we are familiar with safety wear – goggles, boots, gloves and such like but our ancestors were also mindful of how dangerous working environments could be.
In Japan warriors would wear metal body armour to protect themselves, in France workers wore ‘sabots’ a type of wooden clog to protect their feet from damage. (Interestingly the word ‘sabotage’ comes from the action, during the French Revolution of throwing cogs into the wheels of...
Do you ever wonder how things get invented?
Do you ever wonder how things get invented? Take for example the hoodie. First developed in the 1920s and 30s it’s intention was to offer a softer and warmer alternative to woollen clothing and was first aimed at sports people and labourers in the US. The term hoodie came into popular culture in the 1970s and re-emerged as a trend setter in the 1990s. Today they are used in all types of formal and informal situations, practical and stylish. Rapper Sean...
Read MoreInteresting facts about office supplies products you use every day 4 & 5
4 – King Louise XIV invented the first stapler!
The first stapler known to man was invented by the King of France in the 18th Century. Not only that but apparently each staple had the insignia of the royal court on it. Not sure how big each one was though!
5 – The RAF and the Biro
Lazlo Biro, who was a Hungarian Journalist, invented the biro in 1938 albeit accidentally. He used to fill his...
Interesting facts about office supplies products you use every day 1 – 3
1- BIC worked out that each of their ballpoint pens can produce up to two miles of writing, so given than there are 238,855 miles to the moon from earth, it would take nearly half a million ballpoint pens to draw a straight line from this planet to our only natural satellite.
2- Pens lids cause an average of 100 deaths a year!
Have you ever noticed the little hole at the top of the pen lid...
TIME TO REVIEW WHO YOUR OFFICE SUPPLIES PROVIDER IS?
If you are looking at ways to cut costs and run your organisation in a more streamlined fashion, don’t overlook how you buy in your office supplies. A short time spent looking at this could result in not only time saved in the long run but also money. If your current supplier doesn’t do these then it may be time to look around and find one that does – BOS!
- 1. Product consolidation
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How to be happy at work Part III
9. Get Organised
One thing you don’t want when working is the additional stress of clutter, loose papers and lever arch files hanging around your desk making it difficult to do your job. Having an organised workplace will help you be better prepared throughout the day, whilst also taking away the stress, resulting in an all-round stress-free environment.
10. Don't Multitask
Many of us thrive with our workload when multi-tasking, although some of us struggle. Instead...
How to be happy in your work PART II
Work is a part of everyone’s lives at some point, and as much as we would prefer to be lying on a sunny beach in the Caribbean, we must earn our money somehow. Being happy at work is another thing because we can’t always be satisfied with what we do – it’s just human nature! Although, there are a few ways that we could brighten up our own days up whilst at work.
Here is the second list of tips...
Read MoreHow to be Happy at work Part II
4. Move Around
As much as many of us forget to get up and move around in our busy working lives, sitting all day and working on a computer can lead to health concerns.
Moving around throughout the workday has many beneficial effects, even if you already do exercise outside of work. Whether it’s finding the time to walk around the office or going out for a walk at lunch, exercise will make you feel better and put you in a better...
Read MoreHow to be happy in your work PART I
Work is a part of everyone’s lives at some point, and as much as we would prefer to be lying on a sunny beach in the Caribbean, we must earn our money somehow. Being happy at work is another thing because we can’t always be satisfied with what we do – it’s just human nature! Although, there are a few ways that we could brighten up our own days up whilst at work.
Try these proven tactics over the next...
Read MoreTired? Go for Tea not coffee
For we workers a brew is an ideal time to unwind a little or pep ourselves up. Caffeine is present in both tea and coffee but whereas coffee contains twice as much caffeine as tea and can cause anxiety and other health problems, tea also contains an amino acid called L-theanine which with caffeine produces dopamine and serotonin. These two chemicals make us feel happy and together with L- theanine, the brain gets a stable energy boost that improves your...
Read MoreConference calls taken to the next level
Smarter offices are coming to a place near you – gone is the ‘old’ technology of projectors and loudspeaker phone to interact with colleagues miles away. Smart technology is about internet intelligent TV screens or monitors, streaming devices and mobiles apps to make video and mobile phone conferences easier, quicker and clearer. Rummaging about for the right cables to link laptops and mobiles will be left to memories of how life used to be!
Ask us about our range or telephony... Read More
Generation Z heading to our workplaces
At the risk of making millennials sound a thing of the past, Generation Z is made up of people born between 1994 and 2010. Almost born with a mobile device in their hands Gen Zers have been born into the digital era and are the least likely to use desktop computers. They currently make up just shy of 30% of the world population and their views on how the workplace should function will directly influence how offices are set up. Wellbeing ...
Read MoreA desk that ‘tells on you’.
Following on from our blog about ergonomics…
It seems that technology just won’t stay still. From sitting desks to standing desks we now have data responsive desks. In a bid to improve our wellbeing, these ‘smart desks’ will take ergonomics to the next level. Imagine receiving a text alert from your desk to tell you that you have been sitting too long and it’s time to have a walk about!
It’s not only our wellbeing that is at the forefront...
Read MoreErgonomic workspaces – have we got it wrong?
No one is disputing that how we sit at our desks and use our laptops have a direct link to problems with posture and eyesight. New research however has shown that we tend to work more collaboratively ie move to other parts of the office or workspace to interact with our colleagues – even using break out areas to discuss work.
As a result we should be looking at more flexible work areas where ergonomics will also have to play a...
Read More5 tips to keep cool
With the heat on the way all of us will be looking for ways to stay cool at home and in the office. It’s definitely possible to enjoy the nice summer weather without having to deal with overheating, but you’ll need to be prepared with a few tips and tricks. Don’t let the heat get you down!
5 tips to keep cool:
1. Fans a perfect for small spaces like office desks. Prop...
Boost your brainpower with colour!
Did you know that colour not only appeals to our senses but it also provides a better connection to the parts of the brain that are responsible for memory. It would therefore make sense for us to highlight certain important points on notes, documents, speeches, presentation etc in colour.
Studies have shown that the right combination of colours is key to improving memory function.
- Red – use this to draw attention to important or urgent items
- Orange – prevents... Read More
Make your workplace more environmentally friendly
In our second blog on how we can make our workplace more environmentally friendly here are some more ideas:
Reduce, re-use and recycle
The three Rs are as important as ever but can be easy to forget in the run of day to day office life when people aren’t regularly reminded. Asking colleagues to print only what’s necessary or save important information on storage devices rather than print it out can make a...
Eco Warriors
We hear a lot about eco friendly paper and inks but what about other things we can do in our workspaces to make us into Eco Warriors (without the face paint)
Over the next couple of weeks we will be looking at some of the things we can do that literally needn’t cost the earth.
Any type of business that’s tendering for new contracts, working towards an accreditation or explaining its progressive approach to customers, employees or...