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May 28, 2014

Volunteer Appreciation on a Small Budget

Filed under: Employee Recognition Ideas — Tags: — PDWriter @ 10:23 am

Volunteer Casual CertificatesYour volunteers make extraordinary sacrifices to promote your organization, and all without any expectation of compensation. Although they may continue to provide their assistance for the sheer joy of helping out, it’s worth your while to reward their hard work on occasion.

Unfortunately, if you’re lacking in adequate funding, you might not be able to throw the volunteer gala you’ve always dreamed of. Major scholarships and prize drawings may similarly be out of reach. However, volunteer appreciation on a small budget does not have to be a complete impossibility.

Consider utilizing one of these unique ideas as you strive to show your volunteers how much their service means!

Silly Volunteer Awards

Remember the Dundies on The Office? If your volunteers have established close friendships and enjoy goofing off with one another, they are the perfect candidates for silly awards.

These don’t have to be as negative as Michael Scott’s Dundies: awards for best hair or biggest coffee fiend should do the trick. Be sure to give winners certificates to cement their status as honored volunteers.

Useful Totes

Your volunteers may be providing their assistance in hopes of bolstering their resumes Important Piece Tote Bag by PaperDirectand eventually gaining employment in a related field. This phenomenon is particularly common among volunteers working with children and seniors.

Your volunteer opportunity may have provided these individuals with vital skills for the workplace, but you can offer further assistance with the right gift. A tote bag adorned with an inspirational message makes for a valued and useful gift. Inside, you can include essentials for the workplace; these may include water bottles, pens, mouse pads or paper weights.

Volunteer Trophies

Kids take participation trophies for granted, but after graduation, such awards may be
Kudos Star Award by PaperDirectfew and far between. Longtime volunteers who have consistently gone the extra mile deserve special awards; with a trophy, you can show them that their service really does make a difference. The trophy could mark a certain number of years of service or, perhaps, a specific achievement that took place due to the volunteer’s efforts. Be sure to highlight the nature of the award by including a personalized engraving.

Volunteers work hard to make the world a better place and while they never expect compensation, they certainly appreciate receiving tokens of appreciation. You don’t need a huge budget to make a special volunteer appreciation event a reality; simply invest in a few personal gifts and awards to show that you care.

May 23, 2014

5 Motivational Game Ideas to Energize Desk Workers

Filed under: Employee Recognition Ideas — PDWriter @ 10:08 am

White Plinko Game by PaperDirectYour employees may love their jobs, but after years of sitting at desks and staring at their computers, they’re beginning to get a bit lethargic. This could be problematic for customer relations, as clients want to interact with energetic and enthusiastic company representatives. Consider revitalizing your workplace with one or more of the following motivational game ideas:

1. Musical Chairs

Sometimes, employees just need a few minutes to let loose and act like kids. What better way to accomplish this than with an old-fashioned game of musical chairs?

This game can easily be held in empty meeting rooms or anywhere else you happen to have a bit of free space. If the weather is nice and your workplace has the luxury of a nice outdoor area, consider playing the game with cushions in the grass.

2. Beach Ball Toss

Have you recently added new members to your team? It’s time to build a sense of camaraderie with an ice-breaking game.

Use a permanent marker to write one interesting question on each section of a beach ball — examples could include childhood memories or favorite local venues. When a participant catches the beach ball, he or she is required to answer one of the questions his or her hands are touching.

3. Office Award Nominations

Stars Casual Certificates by PaperDirect

Remember the Dundies from The Office? Michael Scott awarded these haphazardly, but you can up the ante by having employees nominate each other for silly awards such as most creative or worst morning person.

After the nominations are complete, have a voting round and then present certificates or trophies at a special potluck or banquet.

4. Work-Related Trivia

Hold a contestant in which participants are required to answer trivia questions related to the history of your company or the product you sell. Be sure to offer an award to the winner, be it a gift card or free mug.

5. Office Charades

Mini Wheel of Fortune by PaperDirect

There’s nothing like a good game of charades to break up a monotonous day at the office. Consider appointing one or two individuals to write out topics on note cards. Once the charades ideas have been completed, place them in a bag and have somebody select a note card at random. This person must act out the topic on the card while everybody else tries to guess what is written there.

Maintaining enthusiasm in the workplace may seem impossible, but by incorporating the right motivational game ideas, you can transform your office from dull to exciting. Feel free to add an extra element of motivation by awarding game winners certificates and other prizes from PaperDirect!

May 21, 2014

How to Get Customers to Your Business Open House

Filed under: Business Marketing Ideas — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 4:06 pm

Open House Vinyl Banners by PaperDirectAn open house can be highly beneficial for your company’s local reputation; not only will it rapidly increase your number of contacts, it can easily show prospective customers or clients the basics surrounding your personal philosophy and approach to business. Unfortunately, actually attracting people to your event can be difficult.

Today’s customers are incredibly busy and do not have the luxury of extra time for promotional events. However, if you turn your open house into a special occasion, prospective clients just might be willing to carve out an extra half hour. The key to understanding how to get customers to your business open house is to think like one of them; what type of event would you find exciting enough to warrant a visit?

Offer Food and Drink

An open house without food isn’t really an open house. Even if your budget is small, bake some cookies and put out iced tea. Even small bites can help people stick around and have a conversation- plus it gives a great impression.

Hold a Raffle

Giveaway baseball tickets, electronic gadgets or gift cards. This is also a great way to get business cards and see who came to your open house.

Get Social

Use a hashtag that attendees can tweet, Facebook or Instagram. This will create some buzz on these platforms and gain you even more attention.

Send Colorful Flyers

Happy Balloons Border Paper By PaperDirectIn an age of social media, business leaders tend to assume that they can get away with neglecting paper-based promotions. Consider sending flyers or postcards out to local homes and businesses; these should include the vital information surrounding the event, as well as catchy color schemes and images.

Feel free to integrate your mail marketing with your web approach by including your Twitter handle or Facebook page; interested parties will be eager to turn to these resources for more information.

Include SWAG

If there’s one thing that will attract otherwise reluctant individuals out for an open house,it’s the prospect of scoring free goodies. Refreshments always help, but it’s also great to give away freebies branded with the name of your business.

Spot On Performance Tote Bag by PaperDirect

This promotional SWAG could include anything from magnets to calendars; whatever you think customers will find appealing. Depending on the nature of your business, it may also be helpful to provide free samples of your product; if visitors like what you have to offer, they’ll be more inclined to return in the future.

You already understand the importance of throwing a promotional event, but, until now, have remained clueless as to how to get customers to your business open house. Ultimately, you need to promote an event locals can get excited about; this means colorful flyers, refreshments and, of course, plenty of freebies.

May 19, 2014

Are Seal and Send Wedding Invitations Formal Enough?

Filed under: DIY Wedding Ideas — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 8:44 am

Apple Blossoms Fold-Up Invitations by PaperDirectChances are highly unlikely you’d ever catch Cinderella’s helpers sending out seal and send invitations for her highly formal wedding to Prince Charming.

Seal and send invitations are relative newcomers onto the wedding invitation scene, and they consist of a single piece of card stock that contains all the necessary information. You simply fold it in thirds, secure it closed with an included seal then pop it in the mail.

While seal and send invitations may lack the highly formal vibe you get with traditional wedding invitations, they do have a number of benefits.

No complicated components

At the very least, traditional wedding invites typically include the Jardin Fold-Up Invitations by PaperDirectinvitation, the invitation’s envelope, an RSVP card and the RSVP card’s envelope. Some may contain a photo of the happy couple or a map to the wedding destination.

While all these components can add to the formal vibe guests can expect from the actual event, they can also be a major hassle.

Not only are guests prone to losing one or more of the components, but whomever is stuck stuffing all those components into their little envelopes has one heck of a job to complete. Seal and send invitations remove the hassle and chances of losing the components by delivering all required information in one fell swoop. Most versions even come with a perforated RSVP card guests can simply fill out, detach and send back as a postcard.

Lower cost

Fewer components mean fewer things to pay for, making seal and send invitations typically less expensive than their traditional counterparts. Instead of paying separately for the invitations, the envelopes, the RSVP cards and envelopes, and any inserts, the seal and send option gives you one cost for the entire setup.

Limited versatility

One of the drawbacks of theVintage Filigree Fold-Up Invitations by PaperDirect seal and send option is the limited versatility. Traditional wedding invitations let you select a specific size, shape and design for the invite, along with your choice of envelopes and enclosures.

Seal and send invitations offer a variety of designs, but you can’t mix and match components because there are no components to mix and match.

Either type of invitation will certainly do the job of making sure people know about your upcoming wedding. Weighing the pros and cons of both can help you select the type that works best for you. Check out your choices at PaperDirect.com. 

May 16, 2014

Beat the Summer Heat – How to Energize Your Employees in the Summer

Filed under: Recognition & Motivation Ideas — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 3:27 pm

Floral Motivation NoteCards by PaperDirectThe hot and sultry summer has a strange way of making people feel lazy, but your employees don’t have to fall prey. You can energize employees and motivate them to keep up the great work they’ve been doing all year long with a few helpful hints.

Make summer work fun work. Hold your daily business meetings outside and your weekly meetings at a nearby park. Encourage employees to enjoy the season by offering each employee a personal day or flex hours they can arrange to fit around activities.

You may even want to consider keeping special summer business hours. Closing the office a tad early on Fridays can go a long way toward keeping employees refreshed and ready for business on Monday.

Keep it comfy. A comfortable summer work environment is a must, starting with an indoor temperature than neither bakes nor freezes your workers. Add a bit of summer flair to the workplace with fresh flowers, ice-cold lemonade and other seasonal perks that can help energize Dancing Daisies Lettertop Certificates by PaperDirectemployees and keep them at their best.

Reward and surprise them. Rewarding work well done is a great way to ensure you’ll keep getting more of it. Surprising employees with a certificate or award can boost morale as well as the overall workflow.

You could even go for a weekly summer award for the employee that best beat the heat with the top job performance over the past five days. Baseball tickets are an inexpensive gift ideas that everyone enjoys!

Give them incentives. Setting specific summer goals can keepemployees on track, as can serving up a number of incentives for them to meet those goals.

Floral Motivation Water Bottle by PaperDirect

Certificates and awards can again work, as can summer-oriented, motivational gifts, such as a personalized water bottle.

Get the company into the summer swing. Hold an employee barbecue or picnic one Saturday by the lake. Or meet up after work one day at the coolest outdoor café.

Schedule at least one, just-for-fun company event that helps generate camaraderie and lets workers enjoy each other’s company without a deadline or overstuffed in-box looming in the background.

Mix, match and combine the tips as needed to continue a summer-long stretch of energized employees.

Check out PaperDirect.com for more ideas on incentives, rewards and certificates, although the fresh flowers and lemonade are all up to you.

May 14, 2014

Creative Summer BBQ Invitations

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — Tags: , , , — PDWriter @ 10:17 am

Click for Details: BarbequeAs cherry blossoms fall and temperatures soar, it’s time to break out the grill. Bring people to your door this summer with an assortment of summer BBQ invitations from PaperDirect. You can print them out from the comfort of your office on quality designer paper, or customize free downloadable templates and have PaperDirect do the rest. Here’s a taste of the hot-off-the-grill products PaperDirect offers:

Personalized Border Papers

These fun flyers are sure to get noticed. Choose your message and print it on specialty designer paper, or design the flyers yourself and have PaperDirect custom print it for you. Designs include Grillin’, Watermelon, Barbecue and Picnic.

Fold-Up Invitations

Add an element of excitement this summer with personalized fold-up invitations. Just print, fold, seal and ship! Each box of 28 invitations Includes clear water seals and response cards. Choose from trendy designs like Picnic, Barbecue and more.

Summer-Themed Postcards

On The Grill Postcards by PaperDirect

Available in Jumbo and Standard sizes, these colorful two-sidedpostcards are sure to get taste buds tingling. Choose the style and count and get them hot off your printer. Or pick your own font, layout, logo and image, and let PaperDirect handle the rest. You’ll have to stop by PaperDirect to see all the innovative designs available!

Crescent Envelopes

Like a good steak, sometimes your invitations need an extra layer of oomph. In this case, it’s not BBQ sauce, but a well-designed crescent envelope. A perfect fit for folded border papers, postcards and other PaperDirect potpourri. Designs include the fun Watermelon Party, the classy On the Grill and the bold Red, White & BBQ.

BBQ Party Tear-Off Tickets

Get your special event off the grill and onto the Picnic II Tear-Off Tickets by PaperDirectplatter with personalized BBQ party tear-off tickets. With an easy-tear perforation, these tickets are add a professional touch to any event.

Want more ways to help your business stand out? Visit PaperDirect for summer BBQ invitations and more innovative paper products that are sure to kick summer off with a sizzle.

May 12, 2014

Resume Writing: Dos and Don’ts

Filed under: Designing Your Business Communication — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 10:06 am

Earth Tones Resume Paper by PaperDirectIf there’s one piece of paper that makes more impact than any other, it’s your résumé. Usually only a page or two, this document is one thing you want to make a great first impression.

By printing your résumé on specialty paper from PaperDirect, you can add a touch of professional sophistication that will always stand out from the pile of plain paper résumés.

To help you make sure the content on your résumé is as polished and attention-grabbing as the stationery, check out these dos and don’ts from the pros:

DO: Be Specific

Environment Recycled Resume-Papers by PaperDirectIt’s easy to list the duties you performed on your résumé, but try to think a little more about what you helped your employer accomplish when you performed those duties. Rather than mentioning you were “responsible for filing client records,” consider specifying the goal you accompished. Instead, try saying you “streamlined client database by developing and implementing a new filing system.” Now you’ve demonstrated how your work helped the business!

DON’T: Copy and Paste

Each applicant is different, as well as the employers and companies that are doing the hiring. Don’t use the same résumé (or cover letter, for that matter) for every application. Depending on the position, you may want to include certain skills and tailor your statement of purpose in order to more closely match the job description. Those details show the hiring manager that you paid close attention to the position requirements.

DO: Think Digital

In today’s world, when nearly everything can be done online, you should think the same way and give the hiring manager a way to learn more about you. Include a link to your LinkedIn profile or a portfolio of your work samples, if relevant. Make sure your LinkedIn profile matches your résumé by keeping all the information up-to-date.

DON’T: Cut Important Information

After listing specific job skills and responsibilities, many people forget to include non-work related activities that could give them an extra edge. Remember to include a brief summary of any organizations, clubs, volunteer projects, or other interesting extra-curricular activities to give the employer an idea of who you are as a person in and out of the office. Even a sport or hobby can make an interesting talking point, but keep the list short and still focus on the most relevant skills first.

DO: Make It Pretty

Naturale 24lb Letter Papers Resume Papers

If you print on a high-quality paper from PaperDirect, make the résumé text just asvisually pleasing by keeping the layout simple, uncluttered, and of course, error-free. Try to keep the font and formatting similar, with just a few headers and sub headers for emphasis and organization.

Remember, With a stylish résumé paper from PaperDirect, you’ll get the right kind of attention! Good luck!

May 2, 2014

When to Send Greeting Cards to Business Associates and What to Say

Filed under: Designing Your Business Communication — Tags: — PDWriter @ 9:59 am

Birthday Dazzle Deluxe Greeting Cards by PaperDirectThe greeting card can be an excellent tool for fostering close relationships with your clients and business associates. The right card can transform you from a simple professional contact into a real person, capable of connecting on a deeper level. However, walking that fine line between just personal enough and inappropriate can be difficult; it’s important for your to know exactly when to send greeting cards. The following are a few situations in which greeting cards are appropriate:

“Birthdays”

If you know your client’s business’s anniversary is quickly approaching, it’s in your interest to mark the occasion with a memorable card. Congratulate their # of years with a fun, colorful birthday card. This keeps the tone light, yet thoughtful. Be sure to include a friendly message on the inside of the card — your client will appreciate your thoughtfulness!

Christmas

Season's Sparkle Printable Greeting Cards by PaperDirect

When December arrives, business leaders begin sending out dozens of holiday cards. You’ll want to follow suit, for you really don’t want to be the one contact that fails to send a touching message. It’s also important that you carefully consider the type of card you’re going to send, as you run the risk of offending your business associate if you send the wrong message. If you don’t recall your client making references to Christmas in the past, you might want to play it safe with a “Happy Holidays” card. Either way, you’ll be able to share the spirit of the season with the help of a cheerful card from Paper Direct.

New Year’s Day

If you’re willing about the possibility of offending a client during the holiday season, consider swapping your go-to Christmas card for a New Year’s message. The great thing about this type of holiday greeting is that you can harness your creativity, perhaps with a card that incorporates the calendar for the coming year.

Autumn Colors Deluxe Greeting Card by PaperDirectThanksgiving

If you want to break out of the mold and set yourself apart from the competition, there’s no better way to do it than with a Thanksgiving card. Incorporate fall colors in the design and, on the inside of the card, tell your associate that you’re grateful for your continued relationship. This message will stand out, as your contact is not likely to receive many additional Thanksgiving cards.

No matter when you decide to send your best wishes, you’ll be able to find a card that perfectly captures your sentiments with the help of Paper Direct.

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