Which Working Environment is more Productive?

August 17, 2011 · a bit of fun, office environment, office supplies · Comments Off

The famous debate of whether working from home is more productive

A common on-going argument is whether the home is more productive than the office. Employees nod their heads vigorously when asked the question whilst managers shudder at the thought of their workforce switching office tasks for This Morning. There are many aspects of working at home and in the office which divide managers and their employees’ opinions.
working from home

Travel

A common argument of working in the office is the time spent commuting. Many people argue their time spent travelling to the office could be used as working time instead. Bosses argue they know their workers too well to trust them with such a responsibility.

Home: The 2 hour commute to the office can be switched for valuable working/TV time.

Office: The fact workers have to travel to the office means they have to get out of bed. It’s up to you to decide whether this is a pro or a con…

Distractions

Many bosses believe there will be too many distractions if working from home that effect productivity, resulting in less work being completed. What they don’t realise is that there are probably even more distractions in the workplace.

Home: Screaming children will actually drive a worker into their home office, instructing their partner to tame their offspring as they “have work to do”.

Office: Water coolers prove more of a gossip meeting point rather than providing a thirst for knowledge.

Stationery

Working from home means employees have to be responsible for their own office supplies, in the workplace everything is provided, generally in one cupboard. There is the other factor that supplies within the office tend to go missing.

Home: All stationery is one tidy place and home workers generally know where this is in their own office. Stationery supplies can also make excellent weapons, convenient for attacking intruders or annoying partners.

Office: If an employee is running low on supplies there are many other workers they can steal their much needed stationery from.

Facilities

Home comforts are much more appealing than the communal facilities that are on offer in the workplace. Sharing a fridge with the rest of the workforce generally results in some thieves being named and shamed.

Home: Having a fully functioning kitchen within the building means the ready meal diet can be ditched.

Office: Communal toilets means listening to co-workers perform their daily bathroom businesses which can be a great source of entertainment.

Although there are pros and cons to working at home and in the office it generally depends on the person. Some people are more productive in the home whereas others prefer to leave the house and have a change of scenery. Bosses should assess the person on their productivity in the office in order to decide whether they are better working at home or in the office.

Top 5 Essential Office Supplies

July 21, 2011 · a bit of fun, office furniture, office supplies · Comments Off

Aside from the basic stationery resources; pens, pencils and paper, there are a range of office supplies available which serve many different purposes. Some are to assist productivity and others are to lighten the mood. Some can also improve communication between colleagues in the office and ensure important messages are easily accessible to different people.

Display board/ notice board

Display and notice boards are an excellent means of communication between certain groups of office workers. They can be easily assembled using glue guns and allow for notices to be pinned to them. Company news and progress can be displayed on them along with targets and achievements. They can also be used as a community board, alerting employees of future charity events and job opportunities.

Notice board

Appropriate use: They are extremely convenient for larger firms whose employees’ may not all be in the same office at the same time.

Inappropriate use: Display boards and colleagues should be treated with respect, pinning a picture of you baring your behind at the Christmas party is something your colleagues could probably live without.

Post-it notes

Sticky notes are another convenient method of communication between few individuals rather than a large group or department. They’re very handy for jotting contact details down on and reminding yourself or others of an important task that needs finishing. The adhesive which is created using glue sticks makes them easy to stick anywhere.

post-it notes

Appropriate use: Giving your colleague details of someone they need to contact, along with a reminder.

Inappropriate use: Writing your phone number and sticking it in various places around the office in a desperate bid to get yourself a date isn’t attractive. Writing “hottie” as the name of contact won’t help either.

Desktop friends

For those who have made themselves increasingly unpopular over the years a desktop friend may be the last resort of social interaction. Placing a soft toy or action hero on your desk can make your work space feel more personal.

super hero

Appropriate use: Having a superhero on desk will make you feel invincible and ready to tackle any workload.

Inappropriate use: A blow-up doll will probably result in a letter of dismissal heading your way.

Water cooler

water cooler

Although water coolers may appear to function solely as a meeting point for gossip queens, drinking water throughout the day can improve productivity levels and brain function. Staring at a computer screen all day can result in mid-afternoon headaches, keeping replenished on water can help to keep you hydrated and reduce headaches.

Appropriate use: Replenishing water supplies to remain hydrated, they’re also a great excuse to stretch your legs.

Inappropriate use: “Accidentally” spilling a glass of water over female colleagues so their top becomes translucent. You will be deemed as the office creep.

Kettle

kettle

Productivity levels wouldn’t be the same without regular caffeine fixes. You may notice employee numbers will diminish without the presence of a kettle; it’s definitely one of the most essential office products.

Appropriate use: Making a cheeky pot noodle when the canteen is a few too many strides away.

Inappropriate use: Overfilling the kettle so it overflows onto a plug socket in an attempt to be sent home for the day. You may end up footing the repairman’s bill.

Top 5 Social Media Drawbacks on Office Life

July 1, 2011 · a bit of fun · Comments Off

With technology evolving at continually rapid rates it’s no wonder human interaction has contracted a middle man in the form of social media sites. Popping into your boss’s office with a query or complaint is rapidly becoming a thing of the past.


Electronic messages, including emails and social media messages, aren’t only fast and convenient but they’re also private and prevent nosey colleagues from eaves dropping. However, technology has its drawbacks on working life, making information about your personal life easily accessible to colleagues who you don’t necessarily want to share it with. Here are some common e-blunders and their effects on your working life.

1. Privacy from your employees is minimal

If you have a friend who relishes in your embarrassment then beware of cringe worthy photographs being uploaded at your expense. Pictures of you urinating in a bush on a boozy weekend will be easily accessible to your colleagues and superiors. There’s no doubt you will be branded as the office clown for the duration of your employment.

2. You will start to worry about your credentials as a stalker

Adding your colleagues as friends can result in serious symptoms of a stalker becoming apparent. If you find yourself “happening to land on your colleague’s mum’s profile” then you’ve caught the online stalking bug.

3. Leaving your profile uploaded in your absence is a rookie mistake

There’s nothing more enlightening for the office slump than a casual profile hacking. If you leave to make everyone a brew and return to find horrific tweets in your name – you’re evidently a victim of online office mockery. In this situation you must delete the offending tweets and seek revenge ASAP. Also, advice your co-workers there are more appreciative methods of thanking you for your hospitality.

4. Your two faces will be brought to light

Social profile updates venting anger can have disastrous consequences – using foul and offensive language to describe your boss isn’t advisable. You may not exactly who can view your profile and who does so, on a regular basis.

5. The internet’s one big tell-tale

Sharing your secret with the internet is like informing a tabloid newspaper of football-related gossip. Posting statuses of how much alcohol you’ve consumed on a Sunday night aren’t going to land you a promotion in the foreseeable future. Your boss will not only suspect a hangover the following day but has concrete evidence to support his claim. Furthermore, faking a sick day and then sharing incriminating information with the world such as “just having a round of golf” is equally as disastrous.

The bottom line of social media is that it can be a lethal combination when used in-line with work. You’re effectively broadcasting intimate details of your social and personal life and they are accessible to everyone involved in your life, including your boss. Before sharing information think wisely of whether it’s appropriate for viewing by the people who have access to it.

Top 10 Ways to Annoy Your Colleagues

May 9, 2011 · a bit of fun, office environment, stationery · Comments Off

Typical to any office, there’s always one colleague that bugs you beyond the point of your head exploding. Instead of allowing them to drive you to insanity take a leaf out of Tim’s book (The Office UK) and get that stapler in the jelly!

  1. 1. Tapping in time to music

Not only does the tapping rhythm drive your colleagues insane because of its audio qualities, but the kinetic energy that surges through the floor, causing your colleague’s desk to wobble viciously will surely rattle their cage.

  1. 2. Unleashing Your Smelly Feet

This is an excellent irritant technique. Your colleague will deal with a parmesan-like stench filling the air and they will probably feel too bad to address you about it, meaning the office can smell like a piece of Stinking Bishop week-in week-out.

  1. 3. Oops, butter fingers…

Tipping too much sugar in someone’s brew and not telling them is a method to use if your aim is to watch your colleague’s face physically crumble. This is particularly effective if your colleague is attempting a diet or if you are tired of being the “designated brewer”.

  1. 4. Eating their favourite food

If your colleague rambles on about a particular cuisine they have brought in for lunch that they “can’t wait for”, then this is the perfect time to raid the refrigerator and eat it before them. This must be carried out with the utmost care and caution as being reported for theft could hinder your chances of returning to steal more bewildered co-workers lunches.

  1. 5. Chewing incredibly loudly

This is a classic tool for annoyance and is great in any situation, so you don’t have to be in the office to annoy people. Simply bring a bag of midget gems in to munch on throughout the course of the day, they are ultra-sticky and will physically force you to chew loud and disgustingly in order to free your teeth.

  1. 6. Shift your mess

Onto someone else’s desk! Yes, leaving your crisp packets and chocolate wrappers on your colleague’s desk will really begin to irritate, particularly when their stationery items begin to resemble a confectionary store.

  1. 7. Yet more theft

If stealing their lunch doesn’t quite give you full satisfaction it’s time to steal some stationery and desk objects. Particularly interesting items to steal are: planners containing all their important meetings and appointments and their entire pen collection.

Note: the theft of the pen collection should be staggered so they gradually run out of pens.

  1. 8. Constantly peer over their shoulder

Standing behind your colleague and peering over their shoulder whilst they work is an idea that should be used more often. By pretending to show an interest in their work you are secretly putting them under pressure by watching from behind, causing them to make errors.

  1. 9. Releasing bad smells

This relates to the passing of bodily gases in order to create a bad smell for your colleagues’ to slowly die in. This is particularly effective prior to swiftly exiting the room, causing the odour to spread and allowing you some time to laugh to yourself.

  1. 10. The Almighty “Frape”

Yes, I saved the best until last. This could be a one-off opportunity in which your colleague has to leave the room without a chance to log out of their social media account. This is where the fun begins, when you start updating their status to various silly things. In order for it to have comedy value it must be somewhat believable, so think imaginatively!

Please note: I cannot be held responsible for any disciplinary action, hatred or revenge cast upon you as a consequence to you attempting various points referred to in this article. Proceed with caution, determination and guts.

stapler in jelly the office

Five Top Tips For Lightening The Office Gloom

April 12, 2011 · Recycling, a bit of fun, office environment, office supplies, stationery · Comments Off

Okay, so you’re thinking how can stationary possibly change the desk dynamic? There’s always going to be drawling silence that only the photocopier manages to break. Or the humdrum lady who enjoys sharing the most interesting photographs of her offspring, wearing a coating of chocolate, on different climbing apparatus in the park. Well at least it’s better than hearing about your male supervisor’s divorce that he just can’t come to terms with whilst trying to avoid the stale whiskey from his breath that circulates the confined space every time the fan chooses to direct gusts into your face. Well, by bringing some colour and contrast to the situation you can leave the Monday feeling strictly for Mondays.

Here, I have conjured up a list of essential stationary do’s and don’ts when spicing up your stationary so you can become the ray of sunshine that slowly tans a smile onto your colleagues’ pale faces.

DO invest in some funky stationary.

Colour is the key here, the bolder and brighter the better. Think rainbow pens which you can lend to the duller of your colleagues which will make for some cheerful note taking. Plus, the vibrant colours ensure they won’t get lost as easily as the regular ball point option. You could even go green, in the eco (and colour) sense, with DGOS as they have an abundance of recycled stationery that covers every category of the colour chart, so you’ll be helping the environment whilst watching everyone go green with envy at your new purchases.

DON’T copy off your colleagues.

Be original! Bring in your original office supplies and before you can say “stationary cupboard” you’ll have everyone chatting to each other rather than cursing at their monitors. Try to bring in interesting stationary that aren’t run of the mill. Never forget a message again with these neon pink and purple pads.

DO have a large clock visible to all involved.

Refrain from chewing your rainbow pens by clock watching instead! Everyone’s guilty of it so why deny it anymore? Plus, it helps you to prioritise your workload more efficiently if you have constant track of the time.

DON’T be surprised if your stationary starts to go missing.

We all know how irritating it is when we can’t place a vital piece of equipment and then it “appears” on your colleague’s desk. An investment into furniture, cabinets and padlocks could curb wandering possessions and reduce the expenditure on replacing equipment.

DON’T use your new stapler as a weapon.

This manoeuvre could undo all the magical stationary dust that has been sprinkled over your newly revitalised work mates. Also, it won’t go down well with a health and safety assessor.

All things said and done, a revamp of your working environment could really give the atmosphere a lift and maybe even spark a whole new passion for work! Fair enough, we’re not promising miracles, but a touch of colour and variety could add some fun and happiness and who wouldn’t want that?

Add A Touch of Romance to Your Office Supplies Order

February 14, 2011 · a bit of fun, office supplies, stationery · Comments Off

I’ll be the first to admit that although office supplies can be considered to be many things – romantic isn’t necessarily one of them in the eyes of most people. Given that it’s Valentine’s Day though, today seemed as good a day as any to try and uncover some office trinkets, accessories and stationery which provide at least a glimmer of heart-warming sentiment.

After a little searching I’ve managed to uncover a selection of little items which should help to set the scene for office romance…whilst also serving a legitimate and useful office function.

Heart-Shaped Post-It Notes

Heart Post-It Notes

These heart-shaped, sticky memo notes are just the ticket for spreading a little love round the office on any day of the year. Whilst the more traditional yellow post-it note often induces a sense of dread for the recipient, these bright and cute sheets will warm the cockles (whilst also demanding they write a report within 2 hours). Spread naughty messages around the office, decorate your monitor with attractive reminders or indeed write ‘kick me’ on one and affix it to a nearby jacket.

Heart Pattern Filofax

Pink Filofax

The Filofax is an institution; it evokes memories of outrageous hair, even more outrageous suits and a time before the laptop and mobile phone monopolised our attention. You’ll be glad to hear that this iconic scheduler extraordinaire is still very much alive and kicking but clad in contemporary covers – including an ‘awww’ inducing pink with hearts design. Give the gift of well organised love and your anniversary will never be forgotten again – alternatively get it as a gift to yourself to show sensitivity and a flair for nostalgia to all who glance in your bag or briefcase.

Pink Rollerball Pen

Pink Rollerball

The pen is at its mightiest over the Valentine’s season. For a start, how romantic can you really be with a sword? (Please don’t answer that). From scribing sweet nothings in a card through to jotting down pertinent thoughts in your new heart clad Filofax; a suitable pen is an absolute must. A two-tone pink, ergonomic rollerball is precisely what you need. A specially contoured grip prevents aching while you pen a heart-felt sonnet and a rollerball tip which prevents blotting means no unsightly ink spots and blotches. Furthermore, if you do decide to treat your sweetheart or colleagues to heart shaped post-it notes then they’ll need something to write on them with.

So there we have it – office (supplies) romance at it’s very best. Best of all, as opposed to calorific chocolates or a soon to wilt bouquet, all of these suggestions offer functionality year-round as well as lashings of mirthful sentiment.

5 Gift Wrapping Tips

December 22, 2010 · a bit of fun, news, stationery · Comments Off

Well wrapped gift

Hopefully you’ve managed to buy or make the vast majority of your Christmas gifts by now (if you haven’t then be sure to read our previous post). All that remains to transform a thoughtful purchase into a dazzling gift is the application of gift wrap of some sort. Wrapping presents is an art form, with some people able to craft intricate and beautiful presents in minutes, whilst others struggle with the paper, wrestle with the adhesive tape and ultimately turn a carefully selected object into a visual carbuncle. If you’ve been considering handing over your presents in taped up carrier bags to hide your wrapping deficiencies then hopefully these 5 tips will help give you the means and confidence to join the wrapping elite and produce sensational packages.

1 – Buy Decent Wrapping Paper

Be thrifty by all means but thin and listless wrapping paper will make the wrapping process all the more awkward. A more heavy duty wrapping paper is less likely to crease, wrinkle or split when being used to wrap awkward shapes. Not only is a decent wrapping paper likely to sport a more attractive design or finish, but the extra thickness will also provide a more professional result – regardless of your wrapping dexterity.

2 – Equip Yourself

In addition to wrapping paper and that which you intend to wrap, you will also need a few other essentials. Although standard Sellotape is sufficient, for a truly great gift with minimum fuss and mess you’re best off using a specialised gift wrapping tape dispenser which will dispatch with common problems such as trying to find the end of the tape on the roll and tape teeth tearing by furnishing the user with ready cut strips. These tape strips are also pretty much invisible on gift wrap.

3 – Less Is More in Some Cases

Make sure to measure out your wrapping paper before cutting it- not only to guarantee that the piece is long enough but also to check that it isn’t too long – using an excessive amount of paper often has scruffy and bulbous repercussions. Similarly, don’t get carried away with the sticky tape or your recipient will be struggling for hours to remove the laminate covering.

4 – Hide Messy Areas with Bows and Ribbons

If you do happen to tear, scuff, crease or mark your paper then a self-adhesive bow is your best friend. These shiny little adornments both hide problems and add an extra special touch to your gifts. Even if your parcel has been perfectly wrapped, a metallic ribbon and bow can give it that extra wow factor – so whatever your level of gift wrapping proficiency, these little touches are a worthwhile investment.

5 – If All Else Fails, Use a Gift Bag

If in spite of these titbits of advice you’re struggling to wrap a present in a manner worthy of its contents then a gift bag is always an option. With decorated bags of all sizes widely available, they may be something of a cheat, but they’re sure to look good and are a very quick and easy option.

Happy wrapping and have an exceptionally Merry Christmas!

Last Minute Christmas Gifts – Made Using Items from the Stationery Cupboard

December 21, 2010 · a bit of fun · Comments Off

Given how close we are to Christmas and the chaotic unpredictability of the postal service due to the arctic weather it’s with a heavy heart that I share the news that it is unlikely that any gifts you order online from this point onwards are going to arrive in time for Christmas. The hard working ladies and gents out there may also find that they are stuck working up until Christmas Day itself and are as such unable to find the time to actively go out and purchase last minute gifts for friends and loved ones. This is something of a predicament, but thankfully one which can be solved with ingenuity, moderate dexterity, creativity and a well stocked stationery cupboard.

Homemade (or in this case ‘officemade’) gifts show true effort and consideration which goes beyond merely buying last minute token items from a 24 hour petrol station. They are also allowed to be a little bit shoddy as ‘it’s the thought that counts’, with this in mind here are 3 ideas for thoughtful, last minute Christmas gifts made using office supplies surplus:

The Recycled Trinket Storage Unit

Environmental awareness shows sensitivity, compassion and realism – all admirable traits which are exemplified by the creation and giving of this innovative trinket storage unit. Have a rummage through your stationery cupboard and liberate different sized storage boxes, from marker pen boxes, through to staple boxes – empty the contents (neatly) and you find yourself a rigid piece of cardboard. Glue the boxes to the cardboard in any configuration you desire (ensuring ease of individual box opening) and decorate using whatever tools you have at your disposal, whether correction fluid, marker pen or if you’re lucky ; glitter. Personalise the storage unit to show that you really care and be sure to note on it that it is 100% recycled. Give as a gift to a loved one who has an abundance of small items in need of storage and an appreciation of environmental issues.

The Groovy Disco Ball

Young children, fans of glam rock and furry pets all love shiny things – it’s a fact of life. With a pile of unwanted CDs, sellotape, a biro and a stack of old paper you can appeal to this facet of their personality with aplomb. Scrunch the paper into a dense ball about the size of a football and hold together with generous lashings of sellotape, cover the surface with the CDs with the shiny side facing outwards and secure in place with further lashings of sticky tape. Jam the biro (point first) into the ball so that it is firmly wedged, voila: a shiny, wonder object which can be rotated by rolling the biro handle between the palms of your hands! The end result is comparable to a portable (silent) disco.

The Mystery Envelope

If time is incredibly short then the mystery envelope could well be your only hope of gift redemption. Find an unused envelope (size irrelevant) and stuff with anything that will fit inside it (pens, staplers, confidential documents, biscuits etc), fasten the envelope and write ‘Mystery Envelope’ on the front. This minimal fuss ‘lucky bag’ is best given anonymously to enforce the mystery aspect.

Resolving the ‘Christmas Gift for the Boss’ Dilemma

November 10, 2010 · a bit of fun, office politics · Comments Off

It may seem a little early to be considering these things…but preparation is key and Christmas decorations are rapidly springing up left, right and centre. Christmas gifts for friends and family aren’t generally too hard to source, provided you’ve paid attention to their subtle hints during the course of the year and have a vague understanding of their hobbies and interests. The Christmas Gift for the Boss Dilemma however is somewhat less ‘cut and dry’. If your company have a well documented ‘no gifts policy’ then you can stop reading- abiding by company policy is bound to be a sure-fire hit with the boss. Similarly, a ‘Secret Santa’ system which is inclusive of all levels of staff will get you off the hook…unless of course you end up with the boss as your gift recipient – in which case skip a paragraph.

Those of you who are still unsure as to whether you should buy a gift for your superior- it’s time to consider a few factors. Firstly, do you think they’ll expect one? This question is simple enough, and the resolution is equally straight-forward: if the answer is yes then you should most certainly get them something, if the answer is no then you should probably get them something…particularly if there is a potential pay rise or promotion on the horizon. In short, unless your boss or activity within the company has explicitly suggested that you don’t need to furnish them with a festive treat- then you’d best crack on with the shopping!

So, having established that it would probably be beneficial to get your boss a gift, it’s time to actually do the deed. With little or nothing to go on in terms of what they actually like ‘in real life’ this can be a testing challenge (think psychometric test combined with performing a cartwheel). This obstacle is however incredibly easy to overcome by simply ignoring their social life altogether and focussing on something they can use in their office. Whether that is an elegant pen- which makes them fondly recall your taste and generosity every time they sign a cheque, a digital photo frame – which allows them to cast the occasional loving gaze over snaps of the family whilst ‘pulling an all-nighter’ or simply a decent bottle of scotch- with which to celebrate your promotion with you.

If any of these suggestions fall terribly flat (or fail to live up to the idealised imagery) then please don’t hold me accountable…you just need a more appreciative boss!

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