Great River Office Products Blog

Folders, Folders Everywhere and Not One Is Clearly Marked

Posted on May 8, 2012 by admin

Does this sound like your filing system? You’re not alone. Many office filing systems leave a lot to be desired including some in our office! However, one of the most important, but often one of the most neglected systems in an office is the paper filing system. Even in today’s digital office, paper and paper files still have a place and making sure your system works well for you and others is important.

Recently, our operations manager and systems administrator, Jim, redid his filing system. Even though Jim’s old system worked well for him, it was sometimes difficult for others to find things. It’s important when setting up a filing system to note who all of the users will be of the files. In Jim’s case, his files were often needed by our accounting and ordering departments. To begin the project, Jim assigned a color to sets of file folders. In his case file folders were grouped and color coded according to accounting items such as taxes, reports, invoices and receivables. Each file was given an easy to read label so it is now simple to see, at a glance, what items are contained in what folders. See the before and after shots below.

Before

After

Smead’s new Viewables filing folder and tabs were used to create Jim’s new system. Some of the benefits noted by Smead regarding Viewables include: Customizable tabs with multiple fonts and custom colors Custom color-coded labels may be created on your PC The system helps to eliminate misfiled folders Files are found faster Your office will look and feel more organized For Jim, the new filing system has increased productivity not just for him but for all of the staff using these files. Jim notes, “Paperwork used to get misplace/filed before but now that it is all clearly marked and easy to read the misfiling has been considerably less. Having very organized files makes my job easier to find and file the things I need to versus guessing where to put it. The system looks more professional as well. The best part though is removing the cluttered look. The professional, uncluttered look makes filing almost fun now.”

For more information, or to order Smead Viewables click here. Visit our website to learn more about Great River Office Products.

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Your Office Chair Has A lot to Answer For.

Posted on April 20, 2012 by admin

Making Your Chair Fit

Is your office chair the culprit in making you uncomfortable at work?

Office workers sit a remarkable number of hours each day with little thought given, in most cases, to how their chair fits them and their desk. An ill-fitting chair may cause straining or slouching that creates a poor posture situation. Ergonomically fitting your work space, specifically your chair, can significantly reduce the discomfort you feel each day.

The first order of business then is to assess whether or not your chair is performing optimally for you.

When choosing your chair, there are many factors to consider. Below is a list and short synopsis of things that make a difference in comfort for traditional office chairs.

1.   Seat height. Choose a chair that is easy to adjust as you are sitting in it. The seat height should be 16”-21”. Be sure that the seat height allows you to place your feet flat on the floor. If your feet are not able to sit flat on the floor, consider using a foot rest.
2.   Seat width and depth. A good seat width is 17”-20”. To see what width is good for you, sit with your back against the chair and note if there is at least 2”-4” between the back of your knees and the edge of the seat. You’ll also want to look for a chair that has a seat edge that cascades toward the floor.
3.   Lumbar support. The lumbar spine has an inward curve. Sitting for a long time with no support can lead to slouching which flattens the curve and puts strain on the spine structure. Your office chair should have a back rest that is between 12”-19” wide and be adjustable.
4.   Material padding. While an executive, leather office chair sounds very luxurious, it may not be the best option for you. Cloth tends to breathe better and is usually more comfortable. You’ll also want to be sure your chair has an adequate amount of padding for comfort.
5.   Armrests. Armrests should be adjusted so that your shoulders rest comfortably in a relaxed manner. The perfect adjustment allows elbows and lower arms to rest lightly while the forearm is not on the rest while typing. Some chairs come with short armrests that make it easier to get close to your work.
6.   Swivel. The office chair should rotate easily so you are able to reach other areas of the desk without straining.
Just owning an ergonomic chair is not enough. Adjusting it to fit you and your needs is as important as the chair itself. Our office furniture staff members are experts in fitting chairs to our customer’s ergonomic needs.

No matter what chair you have, remember to take short breaks. Getting up encourages stronger posture, relieves strain on the eyes, and reduces fatigue.

Other helpful tidbits include moving desk items closer to you so you reduce reaching and straining. By simply adjusting your most used desk items so they are easily within reach reduces the daily wear and tear on your body.

To learn more about our office furniture selections and office ergonomics, contact Great River Office Products at 651-293-1135. We’d be happy to help!

Posted in Ergonomics, Office furniture | Tagged adjustable office chairs, desk organization, ergonomic posture, office chair ergonomics, office chairs, office ergonomics, office furniture, Office products, Office products in St. Paul | Leave a comment

Ink – It’s a Dark Subject, But Great River Office Products Has Your Solution

Posted on March 21, 2012 by admin

Ink can be confusing business. There are lots of brands, ‘mysterious’ numbers on the boxes that don’t necessarily match printer models, and many offices need to maintain more than one printer thus compounding your troubles. It’s very likely each printer in your office is a different model! Yet, even in this digital age we live in printing documents is a necessity.
The fortunate part is Great River Office Products has some really excellent resources for you to help determine exactly what is right for your printer.

When I asked Dayna, our receptionist extraordinaire, about resources to help people with their toner cartridge needs she pointed me to the Great River Office Products catalog. On pages 979 and 1005, of the 2012 catalog, you will find a handy set of tables and charts to help you figure it all out. These charts answer questions such as what the big mystery number on the front of the HP box really means. Hewlett Packard, by the way, owns a large share of the printer market therefore knowing what toner cartridge works with what printers in the HP world will solve the vast majority of printer and ink questions.

Great River’s other very helpful resource, well resource for just about anything really, is Dayna. “If you’ve spent 5 minutes or more trying to figure out your ink question on your own, you really need to just call me,” says Dayna. Your ink question is not likely to be a new one for her. She’s been in the office products business for a number of years.
Once you know what toner cartridge your printer needs, you’ll be faced with the big question we are asked about inks, “Can I use a re-fillable cartridge in my printer”? The answer to this is simple, don’t do it! You are not likely to be happy with your results. In fact, most printer manufacturer’s warranties will become void if you’ve used a re-fillable ink cartridge in your machine. We do not recommend this option!

So, what toner option is a great value and also safe to use in your printers? Great River Office Products carries an excellent toner cartridge that is HP compatible. Expressions toner cartridges are fully guaranteed. You’ll find Expressions on the Great River Office Products Core Values List. It is a great product at an exceptional price.

To learn more, visit our website at www.greatriverofficeproducts.com. Remember, if you do have toner cartridge questions, don’t toil over them. Instead, just call Great River Office Products. We’ll find the answer for you and we ship products throughout the continental United States. 651-293-1135, or toll free at 877-793-1135.

Posted in Office Supplies, Toner Cartridges | Tagged Great River Office Products, Office products, Office products in St. Paul, office supplies, office supply, Printer ink, St. Paul, st. Paul MN, Toner cartridges, Toner for HP Printers | Leave a comment

A Peaceful Office is a Well-Supplied Office

Posted on March 5, 2012 by admin

Does running out of printer paper cause your staff to “freak the proverbial freak out”? Running out of items like paper, ink, staples, and rubber bands is not only really inconvenient, but it can also be costly for your bottom line. Running to a big box store to pick up file folders or a can of bathroom cleaner doesn’t seem like an expensive proposition until you add up all the associated costs. Costs like unproductive staff time, extra travel expense, the additional up charge you’ll pay by buying the items in small quantity; add it all up and that seemingly inexpensive trip doesn’t seem so inexpensive anymore.
To make sure you have everything that you need on hand and readily accessible, Dunn and Bradstreet suggest keeping these general guidelines in mind:
1.   Keep a small cache of supplies handy. You’ll save a surprisingly large amount of time if you keep essential supplies within easy reach, perhaps in a desk drawer. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself making two or three daily trips to the supply closet. That can break your rhythm and waste your time.
2.   Hide supplies you don’t use every day. Stacks of stationary, rolls of tape, piles of legal pads — it all adds up to an unsightly and distracting mess. Stuff you use monthly should be on a shelf; stuff you use less often should be in a closet.
3.   Compile and maintain a master list of the supplies you need. Note whenever an item on the list is running low. Replenish supplies weekly or monthly so that you won´t run out of printer ink in the middle of an important print job.
Compiling a master supply list is probably the best thing you can do to make sure your office supplies are purchased at the best price and quality available. Your master list should include most, if not all, of the items listed below:
•   Printer cartridges
•   Stationary
•   Bathroom and cleaning supplies
•   Calculators
•   Calendars
•   Coffeemaker and coffee
•   Computer disks
•   Cork boards
•   Custom stamps
•   Digital postage scale
•   Glue
•   Envelopes
•   Invoices
•   Mailing labels
•   Manila folders
•   Markers
•   Note pads
•   Packing tape
•   Paper clips
•   Pencils
•   Pens
•   Rubber bands
•   Scissors
•   Staplers
•   Telephone headsets
•   Tools
•   White boards and markers
Once you know what to purchase, consider your system for ordering. Depending on the number of people in the office, you may need to designate one person to control the purchasing process.
Great River Office Products has compiled a list of many essential office supply items in our Core Values List. These frequently purchased items are high quality products we’ve tested and they’re priced low so you know you’re getting the very best value for your money.
We believe in giving our customers value above and beyond the big box stores. We want you to find excellent pricing, quality products, and exceptional customer service with us every day.

If you’ve never tried Great River Office Products, you should. Compare our prices and then try our service. Contact us today at 651-293-1135, or toll free at 877-793-1135. www.greatriverofficeproducts.com.

Posted in Office Supplies | Tagged copy paper, Great River Office Products, Office products, office supplies, office supply, st. Paul MN | Leave a comment

What Is Your Reception Area Saying About Your Business?

Posted on January 30, 2012 by admin

Bad Impression!

We’ve all heard you only have one chance to make a first impression. This usually is in reference to a job interview or a first date, but your business makes a first impression everyday through your reception area.

Like it or not the quality of your business is judged on that first impression.
Take a minute to look around your reception area. Are you thinking, “This looked great in 1985 when wall paper and big hair bands were totally in what happened”? Or are you thinking, “Geez, someone needs to clean this place up!” Maybe your furniture is too stuffy for the creative business you’re in. If you’re seeing things you don’t like, so are your potential customers. Outdated, cluttered, damaged are all big signs you need to make a change.

The good news is Great River Office Products can help with all of it right down to replacing your dirty floor mats. We are more than just your resource for office paper, cleaning supplies, and coffee. We are your first impression rescue squad.
Designing office furniture for style, comfort and function is one of our main specialties. Unlike a big box store where you can find new office furniture, but you’ll still need to design your space and assemble it all, Great River Office Products is your design consultant and your put-it-together-save-you-time-and headache answer.

Our trained consultants will help you find the right style furniture to compliment your brand image. We’ll work with you and your employees to find the chairs, desks, and work stations to fit ergonomically. We’ll also be on-site to assemble your new products and place them for you.

Let us help you make a right first impression. Call us today for your office furniture consultation. Call us at 651-293-1135 or toll free at 877-793-1135.

Posted in Ergonomics, Office furniture | Tagged Great River Office Products, office chairs, office furniture, Office products, Office products in St. Paul, office supplies, office supply, st. Paul MN | 1 Comment

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Posted on January 12, 2012 by admin

“Customers buy from you because of who you are and what you represent.” Founder, Bill Harris
“We believe it takes people to understand what your office needs.” Owner, Sandy Schmidt
“Actions speak louder than words.” Owner, Sandy Schmidt

2012 marks Great River Office Products 50th year in business. We’d like to take a few moments and tell you a bit more about our company and the values upon which it is built.
From the quotes at the beginning of this article, you’ve probably gathered we are a people company just as much as we are an office supply company.
Originally called Mercury Office Products, Great River was founded in 1962 by Bill Harris. Harris was a man a great integrity. A real people person who ran his business based on his word and a handshake. Like so many companies from that era, trust and doing the right thing for people dictated the culture at Mercury Office Supply.
In 2012, that culture of doing the right thing for people by real people lives on.
What does this mean for you and your business? It means when you call us your questions are answered by a real person on the other end of the line. Her name is Dayna. Her 15+ years of experience in the office supply world will guide you to whatever you’re looking for.

It also means we have a staff of sales people who visit your office and will help you find solutions to your office supply, office furniture and office break room needs. Having real boots on the ground helps us know your business so we can find the best quality and most affordable products for you; not just something you find on the shelf in a big box store.

Great River Office Products is dedicated to finding the best value products available. That’s why we’ve created our CoreValue product list. This list is comprised of the essential office products you need at incredible prices. A quick look at the list includes things like copy paper, pens, staplers, ink cartridges, cleaning supplies and KCups. The list is a huge variety of products and they are all at exceptional prices.
Most importantly we believe in giving our customer value above and beyond the big box stores. We want you to find excellent pricing, quality products, and exceptional customer service with us every day.
If you’ve never tried Great River Office Products, you should. Compare our prices and then try our service. Take a trip back to 1962 when you could count on people. Try Great River Office Products.
Contact us today at 651-293-1135, or toll free at 877-793-1135. www.greatriverofficeproducts.com.

Posted in About Great River Office Products | Tagged coffee, ergonomic desk, ergonomics, Great River Office Products, Keurig, office ergonomics, office furniture, Office products, Office products in St. Paul, office supplies, st. Paul MN | Leave a comment

The Well Caffeinated Office

Posted on December 30, 2011 by admin

With the United States in first place among the world’s coffee consuming countries, it’s no wonder 56% of the adult population says they drink at least one cup of coffee per day. (National Coffee Association 2010). In fact, the average coffee drinking American consumes 3.2 cups of coffee each day, with 85% of that being consumed in the morning hours.

No wonder the coffee breakroom is so popular. People claim coffee helps them wake up, stay alert, and generally get things done during the day.

Is all the coffee hype really true? According to the Mayo Clinic, the answer is yes. The Mayo website states, “Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, alleviating fatigue, increasing wakefulness, and improving concentration and focus.” (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/caffeine/NU00600)

Coffee helps you wake up, stay alert and generally get things done…well then in the true “Git ‘er done!” spirit, what kind of coffee or coffee brewing machine would be a good choice for your busy office?

The traditional hot pot coffee brewing is still a great choice for many. The ability to brew large quantities of coffee at a time makes the system efficient, but not always the most appetizing. Coffee is always best moments after it is brewed. If your office doesn’t consume a whole pot at a time, it’s entirely possible the coffee will sit for a few hours growing increasingly bitter with each second that passes.

Our recommendation for an office is the Keurig Brewing System. This is possibly the most innovative systems to enter the coffee world in a long, long time. The single cup brewing system ensures you have a great tasting and fresh cup every time. The single K-Cups come in a huge variety of flavors and roast styles so even your most picky office coffee drinker will be able to find a brew just right for them.

This multi-talented system also brews up tea, hot chocolate, and iced drinks. Just pick your K-Cup and off you go.

Hot, fresh gourmet coffee at your employee’s finger tips could be the extra bit of energy your office needs.

Check out our huge selection of K-Cups in our online office products store. We’re sure you’ll find a K-cup that will interest you. Be sure to ask though if you do have questions. Our online live chat is a great feature to help you efficiently find what you’re looking for. Or, call our office. Our phone is answered by a real person with real answers. Dayna will be happy to help!

651-293-1135
877-793-1135 (toll free)
www.greatriverofficeproducts.com

Posted in Keurig Coffee Supplies, Office Breakroom, Office Supplies | Tagged breakroom supplies, coffee, Coffee machines, Great River Office Products, Keurig, Office products, Office products in St. Paul | 1 Comment

Hey Bad Guy, No Info for You!

Posted on December 14, 2011 by admin

Shoulder surfers, wandering eye Walters, Phishers, Keyloggers whatever name you know them by, these pick pockets of the digital world are out there and they are dangerous. Sipping lattes in your favorite coffee shop, standing behind you in the checkout line, or sitting near you on an airplane, Bad Guy is potentially waiting for you. It’s important to arm yourself and your employees with products that will protect your sensitive information.

So, how do you shield your valuable and critical information from ill-intentioned wandering eyes? One excellent way is through privacy screen protectors. 3M has been in the privacy screen protector business for some time now with products for desktop computer screens, handhelds, and laptops, but they have recently introduced a new line designed specifically for mobile tablet devices. These light weight and easy to use filters provide you and your employees the security you need to protect sensitive data wherever you may be working.

3M™ Privacy Screen Protectors for Tablets

Some of the key benefits of this innovative product include:
Protects security of content by providing privacy from side views
Clear finish maintains high clarity of images
Share information by simply changing the tablet orientation
Stay-Clean Edges prevent dust from collecting on edges
Easy application and residue-free removal

For all of your privacy screen choices, visit the 3M website here. You’ll be able to determine what size filter is right for your device.

For information on privacy and compliance issues across the healthcare, financial services and government industries, check out the 3M White Paper.

To order your privacy screen, visit Great River Office Products.

We carry the full line of 3M privacy screens. Our service representatives will also be able to help you find exactly the right product for your situation. Call us at 651-293-1135 or toll free at 877-793-1135. Order your privacy screen today.

Posted in Cool Products | Tagged 3M privacy screens, desktop privacy screens, Great River Office Products, ipad screen filters, mobile privacy screens, Office products, Office products in St. Paul, office supplies, office supply, Privacy screen filters, st. Paul MN | 1 Comment

This is the Season for Germs!

Posted on December 1, 2011 by admin

Clean Up Those Germs!

It seems like every year right around the holidays the office is a buzz with sneezes and sniffles. The cold weather, kids in school passing germs back and forth, extra holiday shopping that has many people out and about all adds up to more places for germs to spread.

And when a ‘bug’ arrives at the office it is likely to work its way through you and your co-workers. There are many places for germs to hang out in your workspace. In fact, the 2004 Porter/Novelli Germ Survey http://uanews.org/pdfs/germsurvey.pdf lists several top spots for germs in the office, but the most notorious place to pick up a bug at the office is via your phone.

The top four places to pick up germs at the office:
• The phone
• Desktops
• Keyboards
• Elevator buttons

It makes complete sense, your co-worker sneezes while on the phone, then proceeds to type up an order from the keyboard the next thing you know boom and boom the phone receiver and the keyboard are now both contaminated. If you have your own workspace, your chances of picking up someone’s cold like this are obviously reduced, but if you share a phone and keyboard with others beware!

Another likely place to pick up an unwanted cold is on the elevator, not because you’re in a small space with many others, but more because you and everyone else will be touching the buttons. From the hand to the surface germs are transferred and passed along for all to share.

What can you do to stay healthy this season?

• Listen to your mother. She was right! Washing your hands does reduce your chance of getting sick. Wash your hands and do it often! Many germs are picked up from touching items that are contaminated and then they are passed to your nose and mouth. Frequent washing reduces your chances of accidentally helping those germs reach your nose and mouth.

• Cleaning your office headset, keyboard, and desktop is another good way to reduce the amount of germs you come in contact with each day. Desk and office wipes are a great way to keep your phone and desk clean. Our 3M desk and office wipe product quickly and easier helps you disinfect and deodorizes your workspace in one easy step.

• Use facial tissue like Kleenex Anti Viral Tissue to kills those little germy critters on contact. This product kills 99.9% of cold and flu viruses.

Wash up those hands and wipe down those surfaces out there folks and stay healthy this winter!

For all of your office supply and office cleaning needs call Great River Office Products at 651-293-1135 or visit us online at www.greatriverofficeproducts.com.

Posted in Office Cleaning Supplies, Office Supplies | Tagged Great River Office Products, office cleaning supplies, Office products, Office products in St. Paul, office supplies, office supply | Leave a comment

A Hot Cup of Coffee Will Make It All Better

Posted on November 20, 2011 by admin

A Hot Cup of Coffee!

Temperatures are falling and so are the snow flakes. Winter in Minnesota is here! It’s time to pull out the snow boots, winter coats, and mittens! It’s also time to get serious about your office coffee station. It is winter and you need a good cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate to keep from freezing!

The problem isn’t just having coffee available in the break room. Anyone can run to Target and buy a coffee maker and a generic bag of jo. No, the issue really is having good coffee available that stays fresh for long periods of time. The solution is a Keurig, single cup coffee maker. It’s a versatile piece of equipment capable of making awesome coffee, a wide variety of tea, and hot chocolate.

The single cup brewing system allows you to brew a single, fresh cup each time. K Cups come in a huge variety of flavors and types. One quick search on our order website and we came up with over 150 options for K Cups. This included yummy sounding warm treats like; Green Mountain Roasters Dark Magic Extra Bold Coffee, Emeril’s Big Easy Coffee, Newman’s Special Blend, Celestial Seasonings Green Tea, and Green Mountain Roasters Hot Cocoa.

A simple touch of the button is all it takes too. No more measuring the water, or spilling coffee grounds on the counter. K Cups come contained with exactly the right, pre-measured amount you’ll need for a perfect cup of whatever it is you desire.

This winter say no to lousy office coffee. Resist watered down and luke warm hot cocoa. We’re hearty Minnesotans who know how to survive winter. We just need an awesome cup of coffee to help us along.

Browse our extensive selection of K Cup varieties. http://www.ecinteractive.com/6274/EnhancedSearch.aspx?clear=1&keywords=k+cups

To learn more about Great River Office Products, call us at 651-293-1135 or visit our website at www.greatriverofficeproducts.com.

Posted in Keurig Coffee Supplies, Office Breakroom | Tagged breakroom supplies, Coffee machines, coffee makers, Great River Office Products, k cups, keurig coffee, kuerig coffee, Office products, Office products in St. Paul, office supplies | 7 Comments