Around this time of year, I always start thinking about redecorating my house - maybe paint a few rooms, redo the floors…..you get the idea. It’s also a great time to refresh your workspace and I have a quick and easy way to add a little character to your office.

Change your clocks! No, I don’t mean for daylight savings time. A lot of businesses have the same basic clocks on the walls. How about one with a little more style? Here are a few new items we’ve added this year:

t’s January - and you know what that means. New Year’s resolutions. The time of year when people vow to lose weight, exercise more, eat right and………….get organized. It’s also the time of year when I like to start showing you new products that will make your work life easier. Today we’ll kill two birds with one stone - figuratively, of course.

We all know that a happy employee is a productive employee - and most employees need their cup of coffee (or, if you’re me, hot chocolate) to get started in the morning.

It seems that lately I’ve been into history mode - older songs, older TV shows, etc. Today’s trivia is goes back even further than the others I’ve done lately, as I test your knowledge of:

Movie Musicals Trivia

I read an article where the author said that as online shopping becomes more prevalent, customer service is no longer necessary.

Wow.

Really? Are you serious?

I was shocked.  No, scratch that.  I was completely and utterly dumbfounded and flabbergasted.  Is this the way companies are thinking now? 

Sit-to-stand furniture has been the hot thing in furniture for some time now - it's the "in" thing for healthy office environments and helping employees to be more active at work.  A sit-stand desk can be the perfect solution for someone with nagging back problems or circulation problems because it allows them to get up and stretch their legs and back while still being able to do their work.  Even if you don't have issues, it's still a good idea to change positions every so often and not stay seated all day long.

Welcome back! I hope you had a wonderful holiday break. Today I have the last trivia question of 2018 for you and I decided to go with your favorite category:

Common Denominators

Are you looking for a sophisticated pen with a high-end style, but not the high-end price? You all know how much I love to play with writing instruments and this one came on my radar a few days ago. It’s called the Sarasa Grand Gel Retractable Pen and it’s made by Zebra Pen.

The Sarasa Grand is a metal pen - not cheap plastic - and it has significant weight to it, so it feels good in your hand. It comes in 3 barrel colors - gold, navy and rose gold.

Have you seen it? It’s AWESOME!

We’re pleased to announce another enhancement to our website - online returns! You asked if there was a way to submit a return request online and we heard you! It’s quick and easy - and it’s live now!

There are several ways to get to the return screen - I’ll show you two of them.

It’s December - you know what that means! No, no, NO - not snow, ice and traffic accidents!

Christmas is coming!!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

With the kids jingle-belling

and everyone telling you be of good cheer.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Am I being a bit obvious? Yeah, I guess I am. Today’s topic is:

Christmas Trivia

A number of studies have been done on the issue of whether carpeting is good or bad as a floor surface. Proponents note that it reduces noise levels, especially on open floor plans, and that it is aesthetically pleasing. Opponents say that it has an adverse effect on air quality and collects dust, dirt and allergens which then make people sick. You can read an interesting article on the debate here on the National Center for Biotechnology Information’s website.

My dad struggles every fall and winter when the days start getting shorter. He’s seriously influenced by the lack of sunlight and it takes a heavy toll on him. This condition is called Seasonal Affective Disorder. People who have it may feel unusually tired or sad and have a lack of drive or energy during the short winter days. Extreme cases can result in depression.3

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can occur in your office as well. Employees may lack energy and lose focus, even fall asleep at their desks. You may be wondering what can be done to offset this or prevent it altogether. I’m glad you asked because there are some relatively simple changes that can be made to help keep your employees cheery and productive.

It never ceases to amaze me how I can have 2000 channels on my cable service and there’s nothing good on to watch. Kind of makes me wish for the good ‘ol days.

Sometimes.

I know, I know - there are lots of reboots on right now to fulfill my yearning, but honestly, those shows have had their days in the sun. I prefer something new and original.

Having said that, I am feeling a bit nostalgic right now, so we’re going to go back in time. Today’s topic is:

80’s TV Trivia

AARRGHHHH!!!!!!!

The paper is curling in my printer AGAIN!! WHY DOES IT DO THAT?????

If you saw yourself in those first sentences, take a deep breath and read on. I can help you. Paper curling is a fairly common problem and can usually be solved with a few simple steps.

Technology has made our lives easier in many ways. In recent years, DVR & cable providers have given us the ability to skip over commercials. Bet that really tees off the companies and their advertising agencies! So, how many commercials (and, therefore, product slogans) do you actually pay attention to now?

Today’s topic is:

Commercials Trivia

Ergonomics are frequently discussed in relation to workplace environments, as is productivity. Employers spend a significant amount of time and resources trying to revamp processes to make their employees more productive. For workers who spend a majority of their day on phone calls, a headset will address both issues. Working with your neck constantly tilted to the side, either on a shoulder rest or just cradling the phone between your neck and shoulder, is not good for you. And trying to take an order or type a message while on the phone without a headset results in a definite loss of speed and productivity.

Is your office space configured for maximum productivity? Do your employees have both the spaces and the tools necessary for creative collaboration? Is the space comfortable? Is it flexible? These are all questions to consider when evaluating your current work space. Companies spend time and money evaluating processes and procedures and trying to find best practices to move the company forward and make it the best it can be; the work environment also needs to be considered in those evaluations.

My favorite beverage when I was a kid was Coca-Cola.  I liked others too - Vernors, Faygo Red Pop, A & W Root Beer - but Coke was #1.  (Don't get me started on that whole new formula disaster.)  I recently received this question from one of my readers and thought it would be a good one, so here goes. The topic today is:

Coca-Cola Trivia

September is Productivity Month!  This month our weekly eblasts have focused on products to help you be productive in the office through innovation, technology and value.  Today, I'm going to walk you through how to choose the best laminator for your office.

Ordering supplies for your office - whether it be pens, paper, janitorial, breakroom or some other category - can be time consuming.  Especially if your company has a formal purchasing department and there are requisitions and purchase orders involved.

We are excited to announce a new function on our website that will save you time if you find yourself ordering the same items over and over again - Recurring Orders.  Recurring Orders allow you to create an order and schedule the frequency of the delivery - the order will be automatically sent to you on your schedule.  You can edit items and quantities or reschedule the delivery date as needed.  

Best of all, it's SIMPLE! 

People have asked me many times where I get the trivia questions that I use.  I get them from a variety of sources - books, online trivia sites, newspaper articles, submissions from readers, etc. Most I get from my own life - a song that was on the radio as I drove to work, a TV show I used to watch or that I recently watched, a vacation I took, etc. 

Recently, I was doing my grocery shopping at Meijer and the cashier who rang me up gave me an interesting trivia tidbit, which I will classify as

Miscellaneous Trivia