Business Products Company

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E-Zine NEWS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

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Business Products Company

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E-Zine NEWS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

From

Business Products Company

Vol. 3, Issue 12

In This Issue: :

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Business Products

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This Electronic News Issue November /December2008

A HUGE selection of articles destined to help you save time, keep up to date with new trends and new technology!

Is it Holiday Mailing Time?

It’s the best of times, and the worst of times. It’s the last season of the year. For most of us, it’s the busiest time of the year. It’s a time of warmth and camaraderie, long lines and short time frames. Too much to do and not enough hours in the day to get it done.

Much of is fun. Like reaching out to friends, clients and customers, shopping for holiday gifts and picking out holiday cards. Of course, some of it isn’t fun. Things like addressing all those holiday cards, mailing those packages and waiting in line at the post office, ™ hoping your packages will arrive on time. Between office responsibilities and personal demands, it can all seem exhausting.

That’s why this issue is dedicated to making things a little less stressful and a little more fun. By minimizing the partsof the job that are time consuming and tedious, while maximizing the parts of these tasks that are rewarding and enjoyable.

From creating personalized holiday cards, to getting mailings out easily, avoiding long lines at the Post Office™ this issue can make many of your holiday tasks a little easier.

Because the good news is, that by planning ahead just a bit, and taking advantage of some tools you may have forgotten, you can save lots of time on the tasks that are less gratifying, and spend it on the many tasks that are much more satisfying this holiday season. So pour a cup of eggnog and browse through this issue.

I love the holidays. It’s the one time of the year I know I’ll hear from and reach out to all the people I care about, wherever they are. And I’m happy to say the list of customers and people I care about gets longer every year!

It could daunting to think about communicating with so many people in relatively short period of time, but there are two thing that could make it more manageable. First, if your mailing list is updated your home free, it you have to update your list it may take a little longer. When your list is up to date, look to other ways to use the advancement in software or hardware to save you time. Microsoft Word® has a mail merge program along with Avery®. The mail merge function has always made it easy to go from mailing list to label, but now they’ve made it simple and better. Plus, now you can add logos and graphics within the Avery Wizard program, which will help you add creativity to your mailing list this year. (Now, if Avery and Micro Soft would come up with something to help with Holiday shopping!)

On an average day, the United States Postal Service® handles enough mail to circle the globe three times. But on the busiest day of the year (coming up), the mail could take an extra spin around the earth. So, print your labels and print you postage on line plus you can schedule to have your packages picked up as well. No lines, no post office , no hassle. If you go online your holiday packages can be shipped from your home or office using Click-N-Ship® from the USPS® just go to www.usps.com/clicknship.

Eating healthy can be difficult during the holidays, which makes it a great time to brush up on what’s right for you. Forget the fancy plans and go to www.MyPyramid.gov This is a free online food guide.

Renting your office equipment may be an alternative for your company. Choosing to rent equipment allows you to have updated models without the worry that two years down the line, those same units will be obsolete. You can then upgrade, when necessary, without sacrificing the growing needs of your business. Renting generally requires less capital up front – an advance payment may not even be needed. All of our rentals are fixed amount and include all service and supplies so you can budget for the year plus you will not have unexpected repairs. To get details send us a fax to 371-8803 and request information about rentals.

Preparation For A Productive Business Meeting

Always have a summary of your agenda typed prior to the meeting, which can be distributed to those who will be in attendance. This gives your presentation more structure, therefore making it easier to follow for others.

Back up your speech by the use of visual aids such as laptop presentation, overhead projector, flip charts, cue cards etc...This breaks the monotony for your audience, who will now something else to look at other than yourself!

Involve your audience in the proceedings by means of role playing or questionnaires to illustrate the point you are trying to make. This approach seem to make people more relaxed and helps prompt healthy discussion and debate.

Use body language and eye contact to keep your audience alert and interested. It is difficult to dose off during a presentation, if the person making it appears to keep looking at you.

SUGGESTIONS FROM SBA FOR THE YEAR AHEAD

Every company should have a clearly defined strategy for their coming year…Defining your strategy companies which lack strategy lack direction, and tend to drift from one year to the next without stopping, looking around and deciding if they are moving in the right direction.

The task of giving a company a goal is the job of senior management or directors. Broadly speaking, the following steps need to be followed.

1. Define your company goal.

E.g. to be #1 in your industry.

2. Calculate strategies to reach that goal.

Need to improve customer service, product quality, stronger marketing, better backup etc……………….

3. Implement new strategy.

Strengthen your customer service and marketing program etc.

4. Appraise progress…..Don’t set goals without reviewing them to see if they have been achieved.

5. Publicize activity…Let your staff and customers know of your aims and targets. Although this type of planning is a continuous process, there is no better time than the coming year to implement such changes, whether it is the start of the calendar or financial year. Do not delay. Implement such changes immediately and look forward to a year of new direction……….GOOD LUCK

If you are receiving this E-zine News other than by email we need your email address if you would like to continue receiving this e-zine. Please send your email address to day@choiceonemail.com and request our Ezine news.

If you are receiving this in error or no longer want to receive this E-zine please send us a email saying REMOVE me and we will take care of it. Please allow one week. Thank you.

Business Products Company Postage

P.O. Box 427

Clifton Park, NY 12065

This Ezine News sent by email, fax or mail. If you want to change the way you receive this ezine news or remove your name go to the instructions on the last page.

October 2008___

In This Issue

Employees survey reveals some surprises.

Ban the Spam

Tips from Avery

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Get a Gas Buddy & Save Money

Let’s face it, gas prices have become an issue. But have you ever noticed now many gas prices can vary widely within just a few blocks? Now you don’t have time to drive all over town in search of a gas bargin. Visit www.GasBuddy.com and enter your zip code or click your state to find the best prices in your area. You’ll save on gas and driving time!

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Employees - who are we looking for?

A recent survey cited the top three capabilities employers seek when hiring new employees - “strong communication skills, a positive attitude and a team player approach”. Perhaps not too surprising. But the next three sought-after qualities were more interesting and perhaps indicative of how the business world is changing.

Number four was “flexibility,” which is understandable since experts predict that people entering the work force today will change not only jobs, but careers, six times during the course of their working lives. “Problem-solving skills” ranked five, with “thinking outside of the box” coming close in sixth. These qualities support the fact that business people now realise they must be more than merely providers of goods or services. In effect, they must be providers of solutions, with the goal of fully understanding the needs of their customers, then finding creative ways to meet them.

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BAN THE SPAM

Do you find it overwhelming to go through all your email? Why not take about 5 minutes to ban at least some of spam? Go to www.dmaconsumers.org/offemaillist.htm and register your email address. Your name will be removed from unsolicited commercial (spam) email list. It may not eliminate al the junk, but it will certainly help.

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Advertisement Here

SCX-6322DN

Is it time you looked at a Digital Copying System from Business Products Company?

The premise is simple. Start with a familiar copier, add an elegant software program and harness the full range of your computer into a dynamic network system.

Now by adding options, such as scanning, faxing, network printing and it will save you time and instantly provide critical data. The powerful embedded software will allow you to scan, with ease print and fax from any computer on the network, to anywhere in the world.

By using a familiar copier – so that instead of spending time on extensive training everyone can be productive immediately.

But at Business Products Company we feel that providing superior products is only half the job. So we have invested considerable time and resources in backing our products with a level of genuine support that goes beyond the ordinary.

The results is a DIGITAL SYSTEM from Business Products a complete system that combines the simplicity of a copier with the power of your computer a complete computerized system. Samsung has developed an elegant, expandable solution that economically enhances any business from a small business to a large multi location business. It’s easy to use, easy to learn.

Sound Interesting? Please take a moment to fax fill in the information at the bottom and fax it to me at 371-8803. I will fax, email you additional information.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Network ready delivers fast print
Automatic Document feeder
Copies at 22 pages per minute
Standard duplex feature
Includes fast 33.3 fax modem
Optional Quick scan of documents
First copy out In 8.5 seconds
Copies letter or legal
We can add a second tray
Has a toner save button
Plus many more features

SAMSUNG SCX-6322DNFS Digital Copier

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If you have a subject you would like to read about please let us know by fax 518-371-8803 or email day@choiceonemail.com.

If you know someone that would benefit by this Ezine news please send me a email at day@choiceonemail.com please include your name and the name of the person you want us to send the Ezine to along with their email address if you have it. Thank you!

If you are receiving this in error or no longer want to receive this Ezine News please send us a email (day@choiceonemail.com) Put REMOVE me and include your Company name, we will take care of it. Please allow one month to be removed. Thank you.

Tip of the month.

If you return someone’s phone call and get a receptionist or secretary on the line, begin your call by saying that you are returning the boss’ call. If you take that approach instead of just asking for the person by name, you are more likely to get through.

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Business Products Company

1763 Rt. 9

PO Box 427

Clifton Park, NY 12065

E-Zine NEWS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

From

Business Products Company

Vol . 5 Issue 20

This Ezine News sent by email, fax or mail. If you want to change the way you receive this ezine news or remove your name go to the instructions on the last page.

September 2008___

In This Issue

How to Write More Effectively

Provided by Avery Label

Some Important Web sites, Post Office Services

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Welcome to September eZine created just for you, the office professional. Each articles is designed to help you save time, keep up to date with new trends and new technology!

If you are receiving this at your email address you are getting all of the complete articles. If you want to receive your Ezine News for your business via email please send us your email address and name. If you are receiving this via fax, or mail and want to change also let us know. ____________________________________________________________

Our US Post Office’s Web Site Delivers…

Need a zip code quickly? Want to know how much postage to put on a package or letter? The Postal Service’s Web site is the place to look for information on zip codes go to www.usps.gov. For postage rates –both domestic and international – go to the business center section. Be sure to save these sites in your “favourites”

Section for quick and easy access.

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Is there a Color Laser in Your Future?

Guess what? Those fabulous commercial color laser copier – printers which formerly cost mega dollars are becoming more and more affordable for small companies. With prices for commercial grade at about $2,000, manufacturers such as Samsung, Canon and Hewlett Packard, are producing affordable models. The benefits of color digita lasers include crisp clear color resolution and fast printing. Plus they can be networked for multiple users.

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How to Write More Effectively

Provided by Avery Label

Is there a closely guarded secret to writing good letters, memos, and reports? No! But there is a technique that will make your writing more effective-whether you’re corresponding with a client, writing a report, or sending a memo to your colleagues down the hall. Getting organized is where you begin.

Here’s a handy formula to follow.

First make a list of the information that you want to convey.
Now, prioritize the list, putting the items in order. Start with the most important end with the least important.
Writ your first paragraph touching on all the items on your list.
Then, write a short paragraph that explains each item in order of importance.
In your closing paragraph state any action .
If your closing paragraph state any action that has to be taken by the person who receives your letter, memo or report.
Saying out loud what you’re trying to put down on paper is a great tool for avoiding “wordiness.” “Words will pop out that you can easily eliminate-making your writing more effective.
Pay attention to grammar. If you don’t already have a copy, buy “The Elements of Style” by Strunk and White. It’s packed with information that will improve your writing. (you can peek at its contents online at www.bartleby.com/index.html).
Don’t try to impress your reader with huge vocabulary. Simple language works best in the business world where people are usually in a hurry to get things done.
Stay away from jargon that your reader might not understand. Writing in “computerese” in a memo to someone who isn’t familiar with this language will only confuse and frustrate them.
Don’t rely on spell check programs for proofing. These programs can’t tell the between ‘to “too” or “two”. Print out your work and proof a hard copy. To be doubly safe, get someone to proofread your writing for you. Check your writing for redundancies such as free gift or three o’clock A.M.
Think of your writing as a product you’re selling to your reader! Package it attractively. A report that appears in a folder with a printed logo will emphasize that there’s something important inside.
It takes practice to write effectively but it’s a skill that will enhance your career and one you’ll get better at with each letter, memo or report you write.

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Advertisement Here

Remember we are a drop off for ”Support Our Troops”

From 9/1/08 to 12/10/08 we are collecting Christmas gifts for the 42^nd Infantry Family Readiness for information call 885-8811

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Partners in Productivity Tips

Searching for the ‘Perfect’ Word

Sometimes you simply don’t have time to whip out your thesaurus to find the perfect word! Here’s a tip that a professional writer shared with us-she uses a quick email word finder called “Wordsmith” you’ll find Wordsmith’s Web page, with complete and easy-to-follow directions, on line at www.wordsmith.org this is a perfect place to search for synonyms, definitions, even acronyms. And you might want to sign up for “A Word a Day” email program, a fun way to bolster your vocabulary!

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HOW TO UNDERSTAND TECHIE TALK

Are you the liaison for computer software problems in you office but sometimes get confused by computer jargon and technical terms? Point your browser to www.trinity.edu/~jensen/245glosf.htm#pointer.

This Web site has the latest in computer talk and definitions of the unique language used by the soft-ware techies you might deal with.

If you have a subject you would like to read about please let us know by fax 518-371-8803 or email day@choiceonemail.com.

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Business Products Company 1763 Rt. 9 PO Box 427 Clifton Park, NY 12065

July 2008

In This Issue

Be a leading communicator - Does your promotion pass the 20 second test?
Partners in productivity. - Tip of the month.

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Our best selection of articles destined to help you save time, keep up to date with new trends and new technology! If you are receiving this at your email address you are getting all of the complete articles. If you want to receive your Ezine News For Your Business via email please send us your email address and name. If you are receiving this via fax, or mail and want to change also let us know.

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Be a leading communicator

Clued up and successful managers and supervisors make it regular practice to communicate openly with their staff. There are times, however, when we think we’re communicating, when in fact our messages are falling through the cracks. To avoid these communication chasms, consider the following “Five C’s” of effective communication.

Make sure you’re communicating:

n Clearly. Use language that is easy to understand, avoid vague terminology and, if possible, provide concrete examples. If necessary, plan in advance what you need to say, to avoid backtracking and longer-than-necessary explanations. Ask questions after your message is relayed to help ensure complete understanding.

n Consistently. Avoid sending mixed signals. When you do need to deliver two seemingly conflicting messages, do your best to explain the discrepancy. For example, “I know this seems to contradict our discussion last week about cutting costs, but this is an investment in our future growth that can’t be delayed, because.....”

n Convincingly. As a leader, part of your responsibility is to increase peoples’ willingness to act (as opposed to forcing their compliance). Your ability to persuade others is enhanced not only by what you say, but by the way you say it and the example you set on a daily basis.

n Constantly. A good rule of thumb is to over-communicate. Important messages may need to be repeated a number of times and in different ways to get the point across.

n Co-operatively. A manager needs the ability to convey ideas, knowledge and skills to others, but it is equally important that he or she is an outstanding listener. Through active listening, you can gauge whether or not your message is getting through.... and you stand to learn a great deal from it too.

You Can Advertise Here

Remember we are a drop off for ”Support Our Troops”

What article would you like to see in our Ezine?

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Partners in Productivity Tips

Approaching the summer months, when the humidity is high and the first few copies come out less than sharp and clear, try taking one of the sheets of paper you already ran and run it through the machine again on the back side. If the document comes out clear and sharp then there is moisture in the paper and change the paper and let the paper you took out dry out before re-using it. Keep open packages of paper in a plastic bag to keep out the moisture.

Tip of the month- Try to be positive

NEGATIVE	POSITIVE
I haven’t got time	I’m available
I don’t like it	Let’s generate some alternatives
You’re wrong	Please consider
It won’t work	How can we make it work?
I can’t do it	I can do it /when/if
The staff are useless	The staff need training /briefing/extra skills

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Does your promotional material pass the 20 second test?

We are suffering increasingly from information overload and as there’s a limit to how much we can take in, the superfluity of facts - both relevant and otherwise - is heightening the need for brevity and clarity, simplicity and relevance in all forms of communication (keeping sentences short like this one!). None more so than in the traditional brochure.

Brochure apathy is almost a recognized disease and this brochuritis has spread chiefly because too few examples of the genre do what they’re meant to be doing; they are not concise or clear, not well written or designed to make an impact. Anything that looks like junk mail usually ends up in the bin.

A good brochure invariably makes its point in the first twenty seconds. If it fails it will be discarded. If it passes the twenty second test but is not read in its entirety, the very least you hope is that it will be kept on file. In this respect, business cards may have a longer shelf life than the average brochure.

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Business Cards - show at a glance

A business card will invariably tell what you do. But with a little imagination, you can show and tell. For example, a professional tutor may use a bookmark as a business card; a photographer can use a reduced-in-size image; an interior designer may wish to print details on a wallpaper equivalent or embossed material, cut down to the required size.

However, for certain professions - it could be worth sticking to the trusted 335gsm ivory board.

“You can quote me”

“A critic is someone who finds a little bad in the best of things”

Joseph P. Ritz

“Some things have to be believed to be seen”

Ralph Hodgson

“Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving in words evidence of the fact”

If you have a subject you would like to read about please let us know by fax 518-371-8803 or email day@choiceonemail.com.

If you know someone that would benefit by this Ezine news please send me an email at day@choiceonemail.com please include your name and the name of the person you want us to send the Ezine to along with their email address if you have it. Thank you!

If you are receiving this in error or no longer want to receive this Ezine News please send us a email saying REMOVE me and include your Company name, we will take care of it. Please allow one week to be removed. Thank you.

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Previous e-Zines

June 2008 e-zine

Contact Information

Telephone: (518) 371-1102
FAX: (518) 371-8803
Postal address: 1763 Route 9 P.O. Box 427 Clifton Park, NY 12065
Electronic mail: General Information: key@choiceonemail.com
Sales: mailto:key@choiceonemail.com

Webmaster: mailto:day@choiceonemail.com