Yearly Archives: 2017

Choosing the Best Stationery Supplier for Your Office Needs

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First Impressions Count

Whether we like it or not, first impressions count and clients form an impression of your business based on the brand they can see, hear and touch. So it’s not only about how you speak to them, how reliable you are and the quality of the job or service you provide, but also the tangible things that they can see and feel. Your business stationery is one such tangible, and it’s important to get it right – choosing a quality stationery supplier is the first step.

How do You Choose a Quality Stationery Supplier?

There are a number of things you should consider when making a decision. Firstly, it’s worth considering what you think you might need from them. Are you quite creative and able to design your own logo, letterhead and direct mail pieces or will you need some design input and help with ideas? Do you know your pantones from your fonts or is that all a mystery to you? What about grammes per square metre and the various printing methods? If you have little or no experience in this area it’s worth considering a ‘full service’ stationery supplier, one who can help with your full printed requirements from concept and design, through to production and delivery, who also has branding experience.

Secondly, what sort of relationship do you want with your stationery supplier? Are you happy with a faceless interaction with a web page to keep costs as low as possible or do you want a more personal touch with a dedicated company representative who will see your order through from start to finish? If something goes wrong with your order do you want to be able to speak directly to someone with the knowledge and expertise to put it right or try to rectify things with a series of emails? How important is it to you that your stationery supplier had taken the time to understand your business and what you’re trying to achieve with your brand and budget?

Finally, what about the company itself? Are you simply looking for the cheapest price or does the heritage and reputation of your stationery supplier matter? Most quality stationery suppliers should be able to provide you with a varied range of samples of their work, from business cards and letterheads to direct mail and promotional items, and also be able to share testimonials from other satisfied customers. Do they understand that things don’t always go smoothly in business and sometimes you need them to have a can do attitude and be able to turn things round quickly for you?

Forming a new relationship with any supplier can be a difficult decision to make and it requires you to take a balanced view of what’s important to you versus what the supplier can provide you with. Choosing from the many quality stationery suppliers is a big decision, and if you get it right you will only have to make it once.

The Importance of Professional Business Card Printing

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With digital technology behind so many things in our lives today, you might be forgiven for thinking that a ‘traditional’ business card has had its day, particularly if you are just starting out in business.

We send emails now over ‘snail mail’ and can send documents anywhere in the world at the click of a button, so surely there’s no need for a little card to put in a pocket or wallet?

On the contrary. Here are some very good reasons why you should get some professional cards made and then always carry a stock of them with you.

1. First Impressions Count

A business card might be the first time someone comes into contact with your brand, so make sure it’s a good impression. Look up professional business card printing in Essex, or wherever is local to you, and use quality cards.

It’s worth investing in your cards because anyone could be a potential customer, and you want to be memorable for the right reasons – not for being someone who saved a few quid and got cheap cards. It’s about more than just a mechanism for passing on your phone number.

2. A Personal Touch

Think about when you might have given someone a business card in the past – it’s all about networking. And that is still the same. Even in a digital world and with networking sites like LinkedIn, making connections is far more effective in person.

A genuine conversation, brought to a close by an exchange of contact information, is still the best way to be remembered, and using a professional business card is better than sending an email from your smartphone as you stand in front of someone.

Eye contact is the best way to build a relationship, so avoid ‘screen time’ when someone is talking to you.

3. No Better Direct Marketing Tool

When you set off for a trade show or business conference, you prepare in advance and make sure you have enough product or business collateral with you. The beauty of a business card is that it can help you out when you’re not expecting to meet a lead or make a new contact, perhaps at an airport or even at the pub! Thanks to business card printing in Essex and nationwide, you can be ready to capitalise on any opportunity.

4. Creativity Will Continue to Reward

A professional business card is a must-have, but making it creative and stand-out amongst the others will leave a lasting impact that people might even pass on to their own contacts, making it work harder for you. There are die-cut options beyond the standard white rectangle, and even rounding a single corner will look different. Use your business card to show off your brand, or your personality if your business is you. There is nothing to say you can’t use imagination – and colour or images – to make your business cards unique.

Invest in your business – print some quality cards.

What Qualities Should You Look for in a Stationery Supplier

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Budgets are tight and getting tighter in the current climate as businesses up and down the country brace themselves for Brexit uncertainty. Stationery is one area where potentially savings can be made, though be aware not to sacrifice efficiency for the sake of a cheap product.

There are quality stationery suppliers out there, but it’s worth completing some research to find one that can meet all your requirements, quality, price, service and efficiency are all key areas to focus on.

Product Range

Of course, if you’re looking to cut costs by reducing the number of suppliers or by getting a bigger discount through placing larger orders, then the range of products a company can supply will be critical. If you regularly order something very specific, be sure to check the company’s ability to supply that before you commit.

Price

Where cost cutting is the name of the game, price will naturally be a factor. Spend some time looking into value rather than cost alone, because the product with the lowest price tag might not suit your needs and could be a false economy, don’t forget service, this always makes a big difference. Quality stationery suppliers will not tend to sell the very cheapest products because they have to guarantee satisfaction to protect their reputation, but they might be able to offer added value in the way of discounted prices or expedited delivery.

Deliveries

Even the most efficient businesses sometimes find they need something immediately or sooner, so having a reliable supplier that can support those emergencies is invaluable. Check whether your supplier can fulfil next day delivery on orders, and if there is a time cut-off for that. There might be restrictions on days, too.

A supplier might be able to deliver next day, but the cost might be more than your business is willing to pay, so do be sure to check it all out beforehand. What about regular delivery charges? Are they free? Maybe free over a certain amount? It doesn’t help much if a supplier can give you the goods at a good price, but then charges over the odds to get them to you.

After Sales Support

Another area where quality stationery suppliers are able to give added value is through offering free returns. If you’re ordering consumables, you probably won’t want to return them, but if you buy a product that isn’t as expected, you’ll want to be able to send it back and receive a refund cheaply and easily.

The best companies to deal with are those that will be able to offer you advice on the products you are buying and have an understanding of the way your business works. They’ll be able to help you choose the right products first time.

In summary, make a list of all the things you would want from a single stationery supplier, and then look around to see how many boxes each is able to tick. You might prefer to create a ‘points’ system and award more points for being able to meet those requirements. Top score wins the business!

Five Must-Have Features for your Business Cards

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If you run a business, then your business card says who you are and what you do. If you are meeting with a potential client or customer and you give them your card, this could help them decide whether they want to do business with you as usually, it’s the first point of contact. So, getting it right is important. Here we look at the five key features that all business cards should include.

Space

It can be tempting to fill the small amount of space on your business card with every single piece of information that you can think of. However, the amount of space left blank is almost as important as the included information. Using too much information can make the card cluttered and difficult to read. It can also look unprofessional, so think carefully about what is essential.

Essential Information

Your business card must include some basic information about what your business is or a short summary of what you do. For example, if you do business card printing in Essex, then make sure you say this on the card. Including your job title can also be useful for potential clients or customers, and you are more likely to be remembered than someone whose card only includes their name.

Your Name

Although it seems obvious, not everyone includes their name on their business card. This can make it difficult if people want to try to get hold of you following a meeting, as filing a card that doesn’t include a name is virtually impossible.

Contact Details

Part of a business card’s value is that it provides all of your contact details so people can immediately see the various ways they can get hold of you, although these needn’t be exhaustive. At the very least, your card should include a phone number and email as well as any social media routes such as Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Good Quality

It is pointless getting the content of a business card exactly right if the quality of the card isn’t really up to much. Your card will help people to decide if they want to work with you, and if the quality isn’t great then they may make their mind up before you even have the meeting. Recommendations are a great way to find good printing services, so if you are looking for business card printing in Essex, for example, then recommendations are a great way to test the quality of the product you will be getting.

If your business card doesn’t include all of these, then maybe it is time for a re-design. Your card will help you create new opportunities and is your ‘shop window’ for new customers and clients at a first face-to-face meeting. This is why making sure it includes all of the key features is important. Hopefully, this has given you some ideas for ways that your business card could be improved and help you to win more business. It’s something that could ultimately add to your success.

BRANDING WITH PERSONALISED BUSINESS CARD PRINTING

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Whether you are employed, self-employed or searching for a new job, business cards are an essential tool. Meakins is a company which offers business card printing in Essex with a high quality service and finished product. Here are a few of the advantages of having a business card of your own, and why you should choose Meakins.

The Benefits of Business Cards

If you are a freelancer looking for new projects or you are currently out of work, business cards can be used in your favour. Just think, you unexpectedly get talking to somebody about your skills and experience when they show an interest and ask you for your details. Won’t it look far more professional to simply offer them a business card rather than fumbling around trying to find a pen and some paper? Not only that, but it allows you to give them a variety of contact details at once, all the while highlighting your efficiency and proactive approach to work. If you work in a creative field, your business card design can instantly give a prospective client an idea of your style too.
Being settled in a job is no reason not to need a business card, as they can be used as much for marketing or making sales as they can for advertising your skills. By giving your cards to potential customers or employers you are setting yourself apart from the competition. For example, if a possible buyer of your product meets you and three other sales executives at a conference, who are they going to contact first – the one with all the talk but who ends their conversation with: “look up my details and give me a call”, or the one who coolly hands all of their professional details to them on a crisp and stylish business card?

Why Choose Meakins?

For business card printing in Essex, there is no better choice than Meakins Ltd. Meakins is a family-run business that has been operating as a printing and promotional services provider since 1986. In addition to supplying printed materials to professionals across all industries, we also offer stationery and office supplies, all brought to you with the special Meakins touch. Customers can discuss their requirements with an enthusiastic and attentive representative and can feel confident in their ability to create exactly what they had pictured for their business cards. As well as offering a friendly and efficient service, Meakins also have unbeatable prices with free next delivery no matter the size of your order. So, whether you a small firm or a multi-national corporation, you can benefit from competitive prices on a wide variety of goods.

As you can see, even in this age of advanced technology, a business card is still an optimum tool for networking and improving your professional prospects. So don’t delay any further – start thinking about what you want your business card to say about you or your company and contact Meakins for the best business card printing in Essex.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

GUIDE TO CHOOSING A QUALITY STATIONERY SUPPLIER

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Office supplies are the mainstay of any business. Letters, presentations, agendas, reports, memos – not one of these could happen unless there is toner, paper and all the other stationery essentials employees use. Despite this, it is all too easy to take these supplies for granted.

Quality Stationery Suppliers

Saving money is high on the list of priorities for every firm. However, there is a fine line between getting a good deal on products and false economy. Bargain products may not be what they seem, and spending a little more upfront to ensure you are getting a good-quality product can save not only money but a lot of work too.
Take paper, for example. There are varying grades of paper, and using the right sort for your machines could avoid frequent paper jams and the resulting expensive downtime. In the same way, toner can have a huge effect on the quality of documents – and the impression made on customers, partners and clients.

Cut Down on Complexity

Office supplies do not need to be complicated. So keep things simple. In this way employees can be free to carry out their jobs without having to worry about problems associated with printing and ordering. Businesses which do not have a set protocol when it comes to maintaining equipment and ordering various supplies risk losing control. Setting out approved suppliers, which products are required, how much, when and who is responsible for ordering them will save time, space and money in the long term.

To save even more time and money, firms should consider using a supplier where ordering online is quick and easy. No more lengthy catalogues to go through! Saving certain products as favourites to ensure you can check out in just a few seconds is another time-saving trick. Avoid any uncertainty by having a strict limit on who can complete orders (and authorise them). This will also help prevent ordering too much or the wrong items.

Ordering office supplies can turn into a lengthy task, taking regular employees away from their core competencies and responsibilities. Although it may seem like just a few minutes at a time, this can soon add up. Employers should consider limiting this additional admin from staff by creating simple order methods with quality stationery suppliers, either automated, over the phone or online. Add in clear instructions in terms of who is allowed to order and it will make the whole process easier and more efficient for everyone.

Finally

Try to use quality stationery suppliers who are able to provide the majority of your supplies and then combine all items into one easy-to-read invoice. This makes the payment process far easier. Many office suppliers are happy to provide management reports to their customers. These will clarify any hidden costs and give finance departments a better idea as to total stationery costs. With a clearer outline of what is being used, cost-saving adjustments can be made where necessary.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

TOP 5 USES FOR MAGNETIC WHITEBOARDS IN OFFICES

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All too often whiteboards are seen as just a classroom or boardroom tool to be scribbled on, erased and forgotten about. However, creative workspaces are showing us just how versatile they can be. Suppliers of magnetic whiteboards in Essex have seen a huge rise in novel approaches to getting work done and here are some of the best ideas to date.

1. As an idea catcher

The great thing about writing on a whiteboard is that it is temporary, however, that can also be its greatest drawback. Its second biggest advantage is that it allows ideas to evolve, be written down, erased and re-worded. But again, every time a word is erased it could be lost forever. For this reason, we love taking a photo every few minutes to track the progress. These photos can then be projected and new connections and ideas between the generations found.

2. The interactive virtual assistant

One of the most effective uses of magnetic whiteboards in Essex has to be the group calendar and schedule planner. This requires that users populate the shared daily, weekly or monthly planner with their schedules to create an office overview. This has the advantage over Outlook of being of a much larger format and this helps teams get a concise overview. The end effect is an office assistant who isn’t really there. Every user makes micro adjustments to improve the flow of the day.

3. Multimedia eye catcher

Just like a scrapbook, a magnetic whiteboard can be used to display a range of media. Attach printed images and physical samples to the board and then link them together with words and drawings in pen. This approach to displaying ideas has far more impact that a printed presentation and certainly more than a whiteboard full of scribbles. Users can also personalise their designs by adding a magnetic photo frame with their photo inside.

4. Your new desk

If you’re the type of person who needs to scribble while you talk or write information down which is only used once, a whiteboard desk might be the answer. Users of magnetic whiteboards in Essex are singing the advantages of this approach in the paper-free office. At the end of the day, once you’ve packed your notebook away, just write ‘Clean Me’ in the middle to let Building Services know they can wipe it clean.

5. Team building games

Not every team has the time or the budget to head out to a country house for the weekend, but a whiteboard marker and magnetic dart can quickly be turned into an impromptu team building experience. Simply draw a target and invite team members to join in. Don’t forget to leave space for a scoreboard too.
With these top ideas, every office can use their whiteboard to increase productivity and team adhesion without investing in new equipment. However, with so many good concepts, you might want to finance a few more magnetic whiteboards.