August, 2011 - PaperDirect Blog

August 30, 2011

Creative Presentation Ideas That Won’t Bore Your Audience

Filed under: Marketing & Sales Promotion Techniques — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

We all know those feelings–the fighting-to-look-interested feeling. The trying-to-keep-your-eyes-propped-open feeling. The hoping-no-one-sees-how-many-times-I’ve-yawned feeling. And the boy-I-hope-no one-can read-my-mind feeling that accompanies a painfully boring presentation by a colleague or conference speaker.

If you have to give a business presentation, the most important point to keep in mind is that you must keep your audience interested by giving a creative presentation. Monotone lectures and ordinary slide shows are going to turn your audience off before you even get to the meat of your message. Consider these creative presentation ideas to wow your audience:

Use dynamic visuals–By dynamic visuals, we don’t mean a slideshow or PowerPoint presentation as these tend to be extremely boring. Use video or live people to demonstrate a point in your presentation. Avoid handouts and other paper visuals that require no audience interaction. You will put your audience to sleep in record time if you don’t allow them to watch something that is in motion and sound.

Motivate your audience to return promptly from breaks–To get your audience to come back on time after an intermission, you can use raffle tickets for a drawing or offer some type of quiz with a prize for the winner. While this may sound like something more for kids, adults need to be stimulated, too, and offering an incentive to return to your presentation is a great way to ensure the audience will come back after a short break.

Dress up in costume–If dressing up in costume can possibly fit into your presentation, then do it. It will show your audience you’re committed, and it will show them you’re enthusiastic about your topic. While the costume can be light-hearted and fun, you don’t want it to be so silly that your message is totally lost on the audience.

Provide food and/or drinks–The best way to win over an audience and to keep them interested is to feed them. Light snacks and drinks are a welcome addition to any business presentation.

For any creative presentation, have a back-up plan just in case things don’t go as planned.

Please visit PaperDirect for a full line of presentation helpers, presentation displays, and presentation folders.

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August 24, 2011

Motivate With These Employee Incentive Ideas

Filed under: Employee Recognition Ideas — Tags: office gifts — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Who doesn’t want a pat on the back every now and then? Regardless of age, all people want recognition for a job well done, and people in the business world are no exception. No matter how high your position in a company, you, too, probably want a little acknowledgement when you go above and beyond the call of duty. Not all employee recognition must come in the form of a raise or bonus. There are many ways to reward employees and motivate your staff to work hard besides money.

If you are an employer, you may feel your employees are doing what they are supposed to do, and that the salary they are paid should be incentive enough to keep up the good work. However, in today’s workplace, to retain the efficient and hard-working employees, it is important to view the world from their point of view and fulfill any legitimate demands or requirements they pose. Giving them some incentives and recognition will help.

Here are some employee incentive ideas that will work for just about any type of business:

Make an effort to learn your employees’ interests and hobbies. When it comes to time to provide an employee incentive or reward, you can offer a gift certificate to the local nursery for your employee who gardens on the weekends. A gift certificate to a book certificate will be appreciated by the avid reader in the office.
Acknowledge years of service. No matter what size your company is, you should acknowledge your employees’ years of service with a certificate, plaque or trophy.
Plan an office outing such as a picnic or happy hour when a project is completed. Schedule the reward ahead of time, so the staff knows there is a fun activity planned at the conclusion of the difficult project. Be sure the location of the event is out of the office and is casual in nature. This is a time when the employees can get to know each other.
Reward employees with good attendance with a paid day off. You will be amazed at how much this is appreciated and how rejuvenating one single day off with pay is to an employee.
Allow workers to recognize the work of colleagues. You can set up a box in which employees can put nice comments about their co-workers. Read the comments out loud at a staff meeting or put them in the company newsletter. This is a great incentive to keep doing great work because it has been acknowledged.
Hand write a thank you note. Taking the time to write a personal note of thanks to an employee who did an especially good job will mean the world to that employee and will be an incentive to do even more great things at work.

PaperDirect has a full line of employee recognition and incentive materials.

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August 22, 2011

The Key to Success is a Great Tagline

Filed under: Designing Your Business Communication — Tags: tagline — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Just do it. Don’t leave home without it. Reach out and touch someone. The quicker-picker-upper. The king of beers. Have it your way. Do the Dew.

What are these? Great taglines. Great taglines are the crucial ingredient in the recipe for success. Taglines are memorable, they catch our attention, and they succinctly explain the product or service at hand and how it benefits consumers. A great tagline is a must for a business to thrive.

Great taglines typically capture three elements:

Your mission
Your promise
Your brand

Coming up with a great tagline can be quite challenging, and it’s sometimes the number one obstacle new companies face as they try to open their doors. Many companies focus too much on what the product or service is and not enough on what it offers.

Here are some tips on how to create a great tagline:

Understand your true mission and be clear. Oftentimes, business owners put too much effort into being clever rather than clear. Decide what you are offering and stick with it.
Understand the benefits of your product or service to the consumer and focus on them. By adding benefits to a tagline, you’re telling the consumer what is in it for him and what he can get from your company. Instead of focusing on how great your product or service is, focus on how it will benefit the consumer. Benefits equal better business.
Add branding to your tagline and differentiate yourself from the competition. Show your business’ personality and give people a sample of what your business is all about.

Paper Direct has a large selection of business cards and business products.

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August 17, 2011

Creative Employee-of-the-Month Recognition Suggestions

Filed under: Employee Recognition Ideas — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Most people are motivated by money to do well at their job, but employee recognition is equally important if you want enthusiastic, motivated employees working with you.

In difficult economic times, when money isn’t necessarily available to reward employees, creative employee recognition ideas can certainly come in handy.

Ideas for rewarding employees in creative ways are limited only by your imagination!

Pro Tip: When acknowledging an employee’s good work, keep in mind that not all people appreciate the same type of recognition. Some employees may want their recognition given publicly, while others prefer a more private acknowledgement of a job well done.

Here are some creative employee-of-the-month recognition ideas to start your creative juices flowing.

Thoughtful Ideas:

Handwritten thank-you card
Letter of appreciation in employee’s file
Recognition posted on employee bulletin board
Recognition in the company newsletter
Verbal praise either privately or at a company gathering
Take the employee out to lunch
Send the employee to a conference she/he wants to attend
Ask the employee to represent his/her department at a meeting
Give the employee company merchandise (shirt, hat, coffee mug, etc.)
Award certificate
Plaque
Banner
Larger work space
Better equipment
Privileges (leaving early, work-from-home, etc.)

Obviously, these ideas can work for any type of employee recognition–not just employee-of-the-month awards. Use these and any other ideas you can think of to remind your employees how valuable they are to the company. Remember that positive reinforcement is a great motivator!

PaperDirect has a full line of employee recognition tools perfect for all types of companies.

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August 15, 2011

10 Helpful Business Card Tips

Filed under: Designing Your Business Communication — Tags: business cards — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Your business card is a marketing tool that must say lot in a limited space. The right business card can be the key to a thriving business. Here are 10 helpful business card tips for the large and small business owner:

Communicate more than just your contact information with a creative, catchy tag line.
Order a large number of cards as this will reduce the cost of making the business cards.
Avoid the use of clip art for your business logo; have a logo professionally designed that is unique to your company. You can have a logo designed for as little $30.
Be sure to include your company’s URL on your business card. The absence of a web address may cause you to lose credibility.
Keep all of your information current. There is nothing worse than calling a business and getting a “disconnected number” message.
Keep the language and font on the card simple. Make sure your main message does not get lost. Make the card easy to read.
Limit your business card to the standard size of 3.5″ X 2″. Anything different will not fit into standard business card holders.
Be sure your business card reflects your image. A funeral home business card should not be flashy and colorful. Keep somber tones for more somber companies and save the artsy images for the flashier companies.
Be sure the company name is the bit of information that stands out the most on the business card.
Keep your business cards with you at all time: car, home, office, and wallet or purse.

Keep these helpful business card tips in mind as you market your new company. Paper Direct has a full line of business cards from which to choose.

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August 11, 2011

Tips on Holiday Invitation Wording

Filed under: Christmas & Holiday Party Tips — Tags: christmas, holiday invitation, wording — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Sometimes it’s more important how you say something than what you say.

When it comes to invites, holiday invitation wording is just as important (if not more so) than the invitation’s design. Wording holiday invitations properly will pack the house and put everyone in the holiday spirit.

Tips for Wording:

Keep it Affiliate-Free

It’s important to keep your audience in mind while wording your holiday invitations. So as not to offend, it’s important to respect your guests’ religious affiliations. The most common mistake people make when wording holiday invitations is to assume everyone celebrates Christmas.

If you are hosting a party and wish to only acknowledge Christmas, and you are sure no other religious affiliations will be in attendance, then it’s fine to use the word “Christmas” in your holiday invitation wording, but if you are inviting people of varied religious backgrounds, we recommend you keep the wording general such as a “holiday celebration” or “special time of year,” or “festive gathering.” None of those phrases excludes any religious group.

Keep it Concise:

While you may want to include one or two details about food or games, don’t spoil the surprise by making it lengthy. Stick to the bare necessities with one fun and cheery mention.

Include a Contact Email

At the bottom of the invitation, include an email where you can answer questions and RSVPs. Guests may be wondering if they can arrive late, etc so you’ll want to provide them a contact.

Keep it Merry!

Stay in the spirit of the holidays by including a warm message on the invite. We have a few suggestions below to get you brainstorming.

Here are some examples of holiday invitation wording that includes everyone that are politically correct.

Wording Example #1:

Please join us
for an evening of merriment
on Saturday, December 16th at 6 PM
Cocktails and Dinner
at the Richards’ Home
82 Johnson Road
Regrets Only by December 5th
555-2345
Susie and John

Wording Example #2:

Let the warmth of friendship
take the chill from the air
and the spirit of the season
make winter easier to bear.
Clayton Corp. invites you and
a guest
to our Holiday Gathering….
Saturday, December 12th,
2010
3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Clayton Plaza

With folded, flat and pocket invitations, PaperDirect surely has something for your holiday party invitation needs.

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August 10, 2011

Different Types of Diplomas and What They Mean

Filed under: Student Recognition Ideas — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Not all diplomas are alike and must reflect the exact nature of the education that has been completed. Diploma types vary from school to school, and in most states, decisions about diploma requirements are made by state education officials.

Students should speak with parents and counselors and think carefully before deciding which type of diploma is best for them. Ideally, students should decide on a curriculum before starting their freshman year, although it is sometimes possible to make changes to the chosen curriculum after it’s begun. Students are not really locked into a certain diploma track once they start. Students may begin a curriculum that becomes too demanding and switch to a new track at some point. While switching tracks is OK in some cases, it’s not the best thing to do. Students who switch tracks often run the risk of overlooking a class requirement until late in the curriculum. This can lead to summer school or, even worse, a late graduation.

The type of diploma a student chooses will affect future choices. Students who choose to complete a vocational or technical prep diploma will be slightly limited in their options after high school. In most cases, this type of degree prepares students for entering the workplace or enrolling in a technical college.

Many colleges require the completion of a college prep diploma as an admissions requirement. If you have would like to attend college, be sure to check the minimum admission requirement and plan your diploma track accordingly.

More selective schools require that students complete a more rigorous curriculum than the one required in a general college prep diploma, and those colleges may require an honors diploma, an advanced college prep diploma, or an International Baccalaureate diploma. You must carefully read the admissions requirements for each college or university to which you apply.

Different Types of Diplomas

Technical/Vocational	Students must complete a combination of academic courses and vocational or technical courses.
General	Student must complete a certain number of credits and maintain a minimum GPA.
College Prep	Students must complete a state-mandated curriculum and maintain a certain GPA.
Honors College Prep	Students must complete a state-mandated curriculum that is complemented by additional rigorous coursework. Students must achieve a high academic level and maintain a certain GPA.
International Baccalaureate	Students must complete a specific two-year international curriculum to meet standards set by The International Baccalaureate Organization. This challenging curriculum is normally completed in the final two years of high school by qualified students who have completed a highly academic pre-baccalaureate curriculum.

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August 3, 2011

Design a Diploma Certificate for Preschool

Filed under: Student Recognition Ideas — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

We should always recognize a child’s first school experience, so it’s important to design a diploma certificate for pre-school students if you are the director of the school. Receiving some kind of award will make that day even more special and will give the child and parents something tangible to remind them of that wonderful landmark in the child’s life.

Even the youngest students deserve an official diploma at the end of their school term to recognize completion of another level of studies. Design a diploma for your pre-schoolers and congratulate them on a job well done!