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Keep an organised office with our filing and storage facilities

July 27, 2010 by office1mark

Filing cabinetYou probably know the old adage of ‘tidy desk, tidy mind’ – there’s a lot of truth in that, we think. And when it comes to your office, there’s just no substitute for an organised workspace. Without the proper office supplies such as filing and storage facilities, it doesn’t take long for chaos to descend. And whether it’s for office hardware or good old-fashioned paperwork, the average office needs plenty of good storage to create a pleasant working environment and keep running efficiently.

The secret is to think smart when you’re choosing these kinds of office supplies. Look at the furniture and accessories available to you, and consider how you can take advantage of them in your specific office.

The good news is that there is a myriad of options available to anyone looking for these office products. A lot of offices just couldn’t do without their filing cabinets, for example, and we’re pleased to offer a range of these proven workplace favourites. Available in different sizes so you can select according to your requirements, you can choose between steel, wooden, fire-proof and card index cabinets. We really do aim to cover every option!

Our cupboards and lockers give you further space-saving options to choose from, including shelving units and innovative filing systems like filing frames and filing rails to make the most of your cupboard space. And our other storage section covers any other storage office supplies you might need, from printer stands to lever arch filing racks.

Effective office storage is all about making life easier for those who are working in the office. And we feel pretty confident that the range of storage products on our website will have all the components you need to keep your office running smoothly and looking good.

You probably know the old adage of ‘tidy desk, tidy mind’ – there’s a lot of truth in that, we think. And when it comes to your office, there’s just no substitute for an organised workspace. Without the proper office supplies such as filing and storage facilities, it doesn’t take long for chaos to descend. And whether it’s for office hardware or good old-fashioned paperwork, the average office needs plenty of good storage to create a pleasant working environment and keep running efficiently.

The secret is to think smart when you’re choosing these kinds of office supplies. Look at the furniture and accessories available to you, and consider how you can take advantage of them in your specific office.

The good news is that there is a myriad of options available to anyone looking for these office products. A lot of offices just couldn’t do without their filing cabinets, for example, and we’re pleased to offer a range of these proven workplace favourites. Available in different sizes so you can select according to your requirements, you can choose between steel, wooden, fire-proof and card index cabinets. We really do aim to cover every option!

Our cupboards and lockers give you further space-saving options to choose from, including shelving units and innovative filing systems like filing frames and filing rails to make the most of your cupboard space. And our other storage section covers any other storage office supplies you might need, from printer stands to lever arch filing racks.

Effective office storage is all about making life easier for those who are working in the office. And we feel pretty confident that the range of storage products on our website will have all the components you need to keep your office running smoothly and looking good.

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Employee satisfaction: a comfy chair is just the start!

July 21, 2010 by office1mark

comfort at workAs anyone who has worked in an office will tell you, it can be the smallest things that make or break your day. From the various supplies in the stationery cupboard to the office furniture that you use all day long, comfortable and user-friendly office equipment can make all the difference to your working day.

Your experience of the office will start the moment you walk into the building. A thoughtfully designed office maximises space and natural light, and recognises the importance of both of these on the general feel of the office. The good news is that our great range of office furniture allows you plenty of choice in these all-important building blocks of the office, from computer workstations and desks to filing cabinets. We offer our customers office furniture that is a pleasure to use, and that will complement all kinds of office environment.

Of course, it doesn’t stop with your office furniture. Office stationery is vital to the day-to-day running of most offices, and being able to rely on a trusted supplier of quality products takes away a host of common office frustrations. After all, who hasn’t muttered something unmentionable when we realise the toner has run out! And, by choosing quality office supplies, you are helping to ensure the smoother running of your office as a whole.

And let’s not forget the other important office equipment – those items that you won’t get excited over, but that you’d certainly miss if you had to do without them! We stock a comprehensive range of catering supplies, as well as janitorial supplies and the necessary safety and security products.

We all know that a comfortable working environment is reflected

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Recycling facts!

July 3, 2008 by Adi Toal

UK households produced 30.5 million tonnes of waste in 2003/04, of which 17% was collected for recycling. (source: defra.gov.uk) This figure is still quite low compared to some of our neighbouring EU countries, some recycling over 50% of their waste. There is still a great deal of waste which could be recycled that ends up in landfill sites which is harmful to the environment.

Recycling is a tremendous way of conserving energy and helping the environment.
Some interesting facts that may make you change your waste disposal habits

Did you know that:

  • 1 recycled plastic bottle would save enough energy to power a 60-watt light bulb for 3 hours
  • 1 recycled tin can would save enough energy to power a television for 3 hours.
  • 70% less energy is required to recycle paper compared with making it from raw materials.
  • 1 recycled glass bottle would save enough energy to power a computer for 25 minutes.

Some Interesting Facts

  • Up to 60% of the rubbish that ends up in the dustbin could be recycled.
  • The unreleased energy contained in the average dustbin each year could power a television for 5,000 hours.
  • The largest lake in the Britain could be filled with rubbish from the UK in 8 months.
  • On average, 16% of the money you spend on a product pays for the packaging, which ultimately ends up as rubbish.
  • As much as 50% of waste in the average dustbin could be composted.
  • Up to 80% of a vehicle can be recycled.
  • 9 out of 10 people would recycle more if it were made easier.

For more information on recycling visit: http://www.recycling-guide.org.uk/facts.html. It’s a fantastic site full of useful and interesting information.

Source: www.recycling-guide.org.uk

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How to avoid spam!

July 3, 2008 by Adi Toal

1.) Use email filtering software at your email gateway
You should run email filtering software at the email gateway, as this will protect your business from spam, as well as email-borne spyware, viruses and worms.

2.) Never make a purchase from an unsolicited email
By making a purchase, you are funding future spam. Your email address may also be added to lists that are sold to other spammers, so that you receive even more junk email. Worse still, you could be the victim of a fraud.

3.) If you do not know the sender of an unsolicited email, delete it
Most spam is just a nuisance, but sometimes it can contain a virus that damages or compromises the computer when the email is opened.

4.) Never respond to any spam messages or click on any links in the message
If you reply to spam – even to unsubscribe from the mailing list – you confirm that your email address is a valid one, so encouraging more spam.

5.) Don’t use the preview mode in your email viewer
Many spammers can track when a message is viewed, even if you don’t click on the email. The preview setting effectively opens the email and lets spammers know that you receive their messages. When you check your email, try to decide whether a message is spam on the basis of the subject line only.

6.) Use the “bcc” field if you email many people at once
The “bcc” or blind copy field hides the list of recipients from other users. If you put the addresses in the “To” field, spammers may harvest them and add them to mailing lists.

7.) Never provide your email address on the internet
Don’t publish your email address on websites, newsgroup lists or other online public forums. Spammers use programs that surf the internet to find addresses in such places.

8.) Only give your main address to people you trust
Give your main email address only to friends and colleagues.

9.) Use one or two secondary email addresses
If you fill out web registration forms or surveys on sites from which you don’t want further information, use a secondary email address. This protects your main address from spam.

10.) Opt out of further information or offers
When you fill out forms on websites, look for the checkbox that lets you choose whether to accept further information or offers. Check or uncheck the box as appropriate.

Source: www.startups.co.uk

Posted in Tips & Tricks | Leave a Comment »

Why work from home?

July 3, 2008 by Adi Toal

Whatever your reasons – the long, hot and sticky commute, having to spend a good part of your morning drying your trousers after a passing car has sent the contents of a puddle over your suit – the prospect of working from home appeals to a lot of people.

The idea of being chained to your desk from nine-to-five sandwiched between a lengthy commute may seem like your only option, but recent improvements in technology have made working from home not only possible, but often easier than working in the office.

High-speed broadband, BlackBerry mobile phones and PDAs have all made working remotely possible, and there’s no reason why choosing a home based business idea and starting a business from home should have a negative impact on your ability to be successful.

Working from home generally does mean a better working environment for you, with no distractions such as office politics and at home there’s only once person to make tea for.

However, starting a business from home isn’t for everyone. A home based business opportunity can provide flexibility, but if you’re poorly organised it may not be for you.

Starting a home-based business can be an excellent way to be your own boss without facing high bills for renting office space.

Also, there are different issues involved when running a home-based business. Marketing, for example, can prove more difficult when you’re in a different location to your marketing department.

If you feel you could work from home, then a home-based business opportunity may be for you. There are many ways to start a home-based business. One idea is to look at this channel, where you can find everything involved, from finding a home-based business idea to how to start home based business opportunity.

Source: www.startups.co.uk

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Tips for setting up your own business

July 3, 2008 by Adi Toal

So you’ve decided to take the plunge and embark on one the most challenging and rewarding adventures, you’ll ever experience! But you do know that no matter how much you think you’ve eliminated all the risks involved, inevitably something so fundamental wil escape all your careful planning and research. So Business Link have come up with 10 tips to overview the whole process to help ensure that all angles are covered so read on……………

1) Assess your skills
Coming up with a Bright Idea is probably the easiest part. You should ask yourself if you have all the essential skills & talent to run a thriving and profitable business. Being a go-getter goes without saying, but do you have the drive, resolve, initiative, enthusiasm and mental and physical energy and determination to start a business? You’ll need to be a good communicator ( it really helps to have the ability to delegate) and manager, as well as inventive and flexible – and more importantly -  work well under pressure.

2) Research the market
You choice of service or product may be a lifelong passion or pastime, but is there a market out there for and is it a viable business proposition?  Market research is crucial and you need to research thoroughly before taking the plunge or indeed look for investment / financial assistance. All research should be evaluated under the following three criteria:
Who and what are you competitors and what do they offer.
What size is your market base? Who are your customers?
What is the demand for your products and services?

3) Create a winning business plan
A good business plan is central to obtaining finance. It should include a description of your business and management team, information on your products/services, revenue projections and financial requirements, and marketing and operational plans.
For examples:http://www.teneric.co.uk/sample-business-plan.html

4) Take advice
Always seek advice, guidance and support in all aspects of your business – from the initial concept and business planning, to ongoing development and beyond. This will also help you to look at your business objectively, which can be difficult when you are so closely involved.

5) Know the law
Make sure you understand the legal particulars of starting and running a business, including VAT registration, the legal requirements for your type of business (e.g. sole trader, limited company, partnership), partnership contracts, health and safety, and employment law. This can be viewed as endless paperwork and doesn’t seem as exciting as the development of the product / service itself, but is important to keep it up to date so that it doesn’t become an even bigger headache down the line.

6) Examine your best finance options
Once you’ve calculated how much money you need to start and run your business, it’s time to decide where you are going to seek financial assistance from. This could be funds from business partners or investors, a bank loan or overdraft, or you may be able to borrow from friends and family. Work out what’s best and safest for you. If going down the bank route, check out all the financial institutions and shop around for the best deals.

7) Formulate a sales strategy
Again, this comes from identifying your target customer base and their wants and needs. How are you going to present your service / product and then decide on the most cost effective sales channels to reach your target market personal contact (e.g. direct selling, retail), telesales, direct mail or the internet? Look at what your competitors are doing and see what works for them

8) Keep on top of bookkeeping
The paper chase can be incredible when first starting out in business, but it pays to keep on top of it all. Many small business owners end up managing the accounts themselves, especially when first starting out. For this reason it’s essential that you find an accountant that you can trust, and who can advise you on the financial aspects of running a business.

9) Recruit the right staff
When you’re ready to recruit staff, identify the areas of the business where you’ll need help and expertise. Can you afford to employ staff with the relevant experience? Enhance your offering by drawing attention to the breadth of experience an employee will gain working for a start up, as well as opportunities to grow with the company.

10) Find the right location
The decision on where you base your business needs to be carefully considered, taking into account costs, competition and accessibility for staff and clients. Also consider the kind of image you wish to convey with your business premises. Do you need to attract passing trade in a busy area or is it more important to have cheaper or larger premises in a less prominent area?

Source: www.teneric.co.uk

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Guide to writing a business plan

July 3, 2008 by Adi Toal

1) If you want to raise money for your business you will need to have a well presented, carefully researched business plan to support your request.

2) Producing a business plan also helps you to keep control of your business by allowing you to look at how your actual performance differs from your forecast performance â” and forcing you to explain the differences.

3) Preparing the plan can help you clarify your thoughts about the success or failure of your business venture. It can also help highlight in your mind the important steps which need to be taken.

4) Consider whether one plan will suffice for outsiders and inside use, or if two plans will be more helpful to you.

5) Your plan must get across to readers what is interesting about your business. Stress your management ability and demonstrate carefully the market for your product.

6) An ideal format for your plan for outside use is to have between three and ten pages of text which draw out the important points, plus a series of financial figures. Excessive detail should be confined to appendices.

7) You can get help to produce the plan from an advice agency or an accountant. It is crucial to try out your plan on someone independent before you try it out on the financiers.

8) Use the Checklist: what should be in your business plan to help you decide what should be in your business plan.

9) Your plan should be typed and neatly presented in a folder.

10) Include cash flow forecasts, profit forecasts, and possibly a balance sheet forecast. The more money you wish to raise the more detail your forecasts need to have and the greater period they should cover.

Source: www.smallbusiness.co.uk

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Raising finance for your business idea

July 3, 2008 by Adi Toal

RAISING FINANCE
Here’s a quick lowdown on how what you can do to raise money for small to medium business startup.

BANK FINANCE
All banks say that they will lend you money. But they won’t lend on the back of just an idea.
You’ll need to have worked through your idea and how this will generate profits – enough profits to pay back the loan in perhaps a year or so.

You need to therefore prepare a business plan to discuss with your bank before you start raising finance.

Here’s a step by step process for approaching banks:

1) Sketch out a rough idea of your new business onto a couple of pages with rough finances and and idea on how much you’ll need.

2) Put together your own assets and loans you have outstanding

3) Approach your bank and make an initial appointment

4) Discuss the idea with your bank – this is a crucial meeting. You’ll be able to find out if your bank will support you. Also find out what type of information and in what format your bank needs to assess your application – this will include the format of your business plan

5) You’ll need to go back once you have formulated your plan and discuss further.

DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER

If you get refused find out why – there may be many reasons.

1) Your sales and profits are to optimistic

2) The bank feels the risk is too high

3) Your idea is not robust

4) The market for your idea is limited

Find out why and you may be able to change your plan (say, to a more realistic plan) and get less finance but for a small business – to start with – you can build it up later but at least you have started.

Write your business plan with http://www.teneric.co.uk/sample-business-plan.html

Source: www.teneric.co.uk

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Recycling at work

July 3, 2008 by Adi Toal

There are 4 ways in which you can kickstart a recycling trend in your work place. If a business wants to initiate a recycling campaign, it has more success of succeeding if it comes form the top. It should be seen as an overall policy that is actively encouraged by management. Highlight the benefits of recycling at work to your colleagues and bosses. There are 4 simple steps as outlined on http://www.recyclenow.com/what_can_i_do_today/start_recycling_at_2.html

1)    Benefits to your business

  • It’s easy to set up and run
  • It saves space and can reduce clutter
  • It’s cost effective and can save your company money
  • It reduces waste going to landfill, saves energy and helps tackle climate change
  • People also like to be able to recycle at work as they can at home.

2)    Find a local recycling service provider

  • Find a local recycling service provider in your area and crate a list of companies who can fulfil your waste material needs

3)    Setting up a recycling scheme

To ensure that everyone is aware of the recycling scheme, you may want to consider:

  • Hosting a recycling day or event to launch the new recycling scheme to employees. For example, hold a desk recycling amnesty to encourage staff to recycle as much as they can from their desks.
  • Train staff to recognise and understand the different materials that can and cannot be included in your recycling collection
  • Put a list or poster above your recycling containers identifying what can be recycled to make sure that correct items are being recycled in the correct way.
  • Position containers in a convenient location to make it as easy to recycle items as it is to throw them away
  • For posters to promote your recycling scheme, visit www.recyclenowpartners.org.uk

4) What else can you do?

  • Save paper by only printing out what you really need. Also print double sided so less paper is wasted.
  • Re-use scrap paper for notes
  • Help charities by recycling a work. Many of them will be delighted to collect your old mobile phones, computer equipment, stamps and printer cartridges. These can all raise funds for charities.
  • If your company is interested in taking further environmental measures, visit the Carbon Trust website at http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/solutions/

Source: www.recyclenow.com

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