How to give back this holiday season (Pandemic edition)

Posted on December 1, 2020 by OfficePlus

It’s the season of giving. But between work, family and preparing for the holidays, you might not have much time or energy left to give.

The good news? Giving back doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. Consider any of these options!

Holiday Giving

If you can spare your time

Contact a local shelter or donation centre and ask if they could use a few extra hands. Many charities are looking for more volunteers around the holidays. You can also go through a volunteer organization to find the right match.

If you can spare some funds

An office fundraiser is a great way to give back if you’re too time-strapped to volunteer. A simple option is to become the office fundraiser; pick a charity, then send out an office-wide email asking for contributions.

If you can spare coats or non-perishables

Winter clothes can be a big expense for low-income households. And no one should go hungry during the holidays. Set up two bins at the front of the office — one for winter clothes like hats, mittens and coats, and the other for non-perishables — then put up posters around the office asking for donations. Choose a cut-off date for donations, then take the items to your local food and clothing bank.

Having trouble choosing a cause? Make it a democracy. Choose a handful of charities and send out an email asking everyone to vote. The popular option wins!

Tips for Choosing the Right Paper Roll for You!

Posted on November 24, 2020 by OfficePlus

We know paper rolls are important for your business, but trying to navigate through the variety of rolls can sometimes be overwhelming. And in the end, are you really choosing the right paper roll for your application? Below are some tips on what to consider when selecting the right paper roll for you!

Size

There is no standard size when it comes to paper rolls. They are available in several lengths and widths. The width needed will be based on the width of your printer. As for length, longer rolls will be more economical and more convenient as you don’t have to frequently change the roll, however you will need to make sure the longer length roll will fit into your printer.

Quantity

Buying in a larger quantity will likely be more economical, however you will need to consider how much space you have to store them and understand how long it will take you to go through that stock as thermal paper does have a shelf life. If you store thermal paper in a dark place at a low humidity level and a temperature below 25^oC, while also being properly wrapped to avoid toxins from entering, you can store the paper for at least 3 years from the date it was manufactured.

Quality

The thickness and quality of the paper determines how neat and clear the print is. A higher quality paper will ensure that the print does not get blotchy.

Price

As with most things, you do get what you pay for with thermal paper rolls. If you are in need of crisp, clear printing that won’t fade over time, a higher quality (and priced) roll is what you need. However, if your application doesn’t require this, than a more economical roll would suffice.

We hope these tips have helped you in selecting the right roll for you. If you need any assistance in choosing a paper roll for your specific application, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

How to use colour coding to stay organized

Posted on October 26, 2020 by OfficePlus

When trying to create order within your workspace, a good place to start is with developing a colour code system to help keep your notes, files, appointments, etc all organized. Spend less time trying to decide how to organize something at the time, by doing just a bit of preplanning ahead so you will gain a tremendous amount of time in the end.

For example, you can use a colour coding system on such every day tasks as:

Selecting file folder colours – assign colours by categories and/ or departments
Creating your to do list on your calendar – for example use red for due dates, blue for brainstorming, green for budgeting, pink for social events
Taking notes – colour coding notes helps your brain to make connections previously overlooked
Sorting through emails – assign colours by sender or subjects to quickly identify what needs attention

To get started, let’s first understand the psychological properties of colours in order to help you decide which colours to use in your new colour coded organization system!

RED

Associated with: Energy and Power
When to use: Alert coworkers of urgent information

ORANGE

Associated with: Luxury, wisdom and wealth
When to use: New or long-term projects that focus on the future, or improving your business

YELLOW

Associated with: Hope, happiness and positivity
When to use: Production tasks or to communicate new ideas

GREEN

Associated with: Stability and healing
When to use: Financial tasks and environmental initiatives

BLUE

Associated with: Loyalty, intelligence and focus
When to use: Brainstorming, presenting and networking

PURPLE

Associated with: Royalty and luxury
When to use: Creative tasks

PINK

Associated with: Compassion and love
When to use: Personal labels and special occasions

BLACK

Associated with: Prestige and power
When to use: To make other colours stand out and for formal events

WHITE

Associated with: Purity, success and perfection
When to use: Marketing tasks, big meetings and announcements

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