Do you DYMO?

Summer is finally here (or so they tell us) and this is the time of year when many offices slow down. This is the perfect opportunity to organize your office to prepare for the upcoming months when productivity picks up. Here are 5 ways to prepare:

1. Clean out the junk drawer.
   

   Everyone has a drawer that is filled with little knick knacks such as aspirin, gum, pens, post it notes, binder clips, etc. Take this time to throw away empty containers, organize the drawer, and possibly replenish items that have been used up. Go the extra mile and place labels on the file drawers to identify its contents.
   

2. Organize the file cabinets/drawers.
   

   Trying to find one file in a sea of files that are all the same color with handwritten labels is a tedious time waster. Take the time to color code the files and add a special touch by using a DYMO label printer to print labels fast and easy.
   

3. Inventory the supply closet
   

   The second tedious time waster is trying to find supplies in a cluttered closet. Now is the time to organize the closet by using labels to identify containers and plastic storage bins. DYMO label printers can make your inventory closet look 'user friendly' and less chaotic.
   

4. Organize the library of binders
   

   Do you have unidentified binders on book shelves or in cabinets? Putting labels on each binder to identify the contents will cut your search time in half which will increase productivity.
   

5. Organize the media library
   

   Organizing and Labeling the CDs and DVDs that are unmarked and in plain cases need to be labeled so that finding what you need is easier and quicker. Using the DYMO label maker will make the task of searching for the appropriate CD or DVD simple.
   

Now is the time to do some much needed planning and organizing of your home and work office space. While office activities are at a slow pace, pick up your pace and organize your work environment. I have used the DYMO printers in exchange for compensation and I would recommend their products to anyone who wants to organize their office and increase productivity. Do you DYMO?

5 ways to build a positive relationship with your boss

You will spend over 2,000 hours each year at work and the majority, if not all, of that time will be spent interacting with your boss. Building a positive work relationship with your supervisor is essential to your success. Positive relationships eliminate stress, unpleasant work environments, and negative attitudes. Here are five ways you can have a positive working relationship:

1. Know your boss’s routine.Knowing your boss’s routine will allow you to plan daily activities more effectively. If your boss is not a morning person, it is a good practice to schedule meetings in the afternoon.

When your boss is out of the office, plan to get more work done and provide updates when she returns. This will let her know that you have been productive and inform her of your progress.

2. Understand your boss’s needs.Understanding your boss’s needs is important when building a positive working relationship. If your boss prefers correspondence in a certain format, then draft documents in the manner that appeals to them.

3. Use active listening skills.Get clarification, ask questions, and repeat instructions so that you completely understand what is expected. Using active listening skills lets your supervisor know that you understand the task and serves as verification to yourself that you comprehend.

4. Know your boss’s leadership style.Identifying your boss’s leadership style will make your work life much easier. If your boss likes frequent updates on projects, give him what he wants. If your boss is more hands-off, then build a level of trust so that he is confident that you are dependable and reliable.

5. Pay attention to details. Proofread, verify, confirm, and follow-up. Supervisors need to know that they can rely on their assistant to create error-free documents, plan and organize meetings, and make certain that other pertinent details are covered.

The most important relationship within a company is between the supervisor and employee. The benefits for having positive workplace relationships are: increased productivity, respect amongst employees, and reduced stress. Following these tips for building positive relationships will make your employment last a lot longer.

The WHOA Factor – The new shock therapy

You've heard of the WOW factor, the art of creating the element of surprise? Well now there's the WHOA factor, which is the art of creating an element of shock, which leaves a longer, lasting impression on people.

Comparing the WOW and WHOA Factors

WOW Factor	WHOA Factor
A surprise birthday party	Your boyfriend asks you to marry him at the birthday party
Finishing the project by the deadline	Finishing one project by the deadline and completing the next one that isn't due until two weeks from now
Helping a co-worker format a document in MS Word	Conducting Lunch and Learn sessions showing employees how to create outstanding documents in MS Word
Completing everything on your task list for the week	Compiling your to-do list on Friday for the following week

WHOA factors have more lasting power. Are people going to remember a pleasant surprise or the feeling of shock?

How to create the WHOA Factor
The WHOA Factor can be implemented in various ways. The key is to leave an imprint or impression on people so that they remember you. Here are a few ways to create your WHOA factor:

1. Use your talent to your ability
If you are skilled in PowerPoint and can make images dance across the slide, words flying in and create the presentation so that it flows and has meaning, this is your talent. Use it to your ability. Help a co-worker create a presentation. Good news travels fast. Pretty soon your WHOA will be well-know and people will look for your assistance.

2. Exhibit Confident Behavior
Speak, appear, act, and move with confidence. Use assertiveness and stand tall. People will be 'WHOAed' by your presence. Recently, someone told me, "Every time I talk to you, it's as if another day is added to my life." This was a man who I have seen on occasion and spoken to at in a minimum of 10 minute conversations.

3. Think Positively
Positive thoughts create positive results. People will listen to you when you are perceived as a positive person. Learn to see the good in the bad, live optimistically. You are what you think.