2023 Office Technology Trends to Watch For
Technology is always evolving, which is great news for the workplace! Tech has revolutionized the way we work to allow many teams to work smarter, not harder. If you’re interested in staying on top of the latest and greatest in office technology, we’re here to help! Providing your team with the right tools, including high-quality office supplies and helpful tech solutions, can aid in keeping everyone happy and productive. Curious about what’s to come in 2023? Here are a few of the top trends to watch for:
LED Video Walls
LED video walls are an exciting addition to an increasing number of offices. From the conference room to the lobby, large LED video displays can serve multiple purposes, from broadcasting important information to the team to providing entertainment in the rec area. There’s no denying that an LED video wall makes a statement, and this technology trend can be both stylish and functional.
Internet of Things
Internet of things (IoT) technology is getting more mainstream each year. Most of us encounter numerous IoT devices every day, so it’s no surprise that the workplace is getting the IoT treatment. Devices such as smart refrigerators can help the office manager keep the breakroom well-stocked with the team’s favorite refreshments, while smart thermostats can improve the building’s energy efficiency. There’s really no limit to the number of IoT devices that are applicable to the office, so there are plenty of options to consider.
The Rise of AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay and getting more sophisticated. From AI-integrated meeting spaces to AI-powered recruiting and hiring, there are an abundance of opportunities for businesses to use this technology. An increasing number of industries are poised to jump on the AI bandwagon, including retailers, healthcare, data security firms, financiers, and more.
If you’re looking for ways to help your team maximize productivity while reducing stress, technology can play a role in taking over some of the workload. Since tech remains on a forward trajectory, there are new and exciting introductions into the market each year. When you’re ready to stock your workplace with technology solutions and high-quality office supplies, we can help! The EON team carries everything from technology products to breakroom supplies and beyond. If you have any questions about how we can help, we’d love to answer them for you! Please contact our customer service team to chat.
How to Streamline Office Supply Inventory Management
Office supplies are a vital component of any business. Part of helping your team stay productive is ensuring that your company has all necessary supplies on hand. Many of us have experienced the frustration of going to the supply room only to realize that the cabinet is out of essentials. What good is a printer without paper or a pen that just ran out of ink? These experiences can really put a damper on your day, but fortunately, they’re avoidable with a solid inventory management system. If you’re looking for a way to streamline your office supply inventory management, we can help. Here are a few ideas to improve efficiency:
Create a Tracking Process
Keeping track of office supplies is often put on the backburner, but closely tracking inventory can potentially save your company thousands. If the thought of creating and implementing an inventory system stresses you out, take a deep breath! You may be surprised to learn that supply tracking doesn’t have to be a hassle (thanks to great tools like office inventory tracking software!).
Use the First-In, First-Out Principle
If your goal is to be more efficient in managing inventory levels, consider using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Although this method is typically used for shipping out manufactured goods, the idea applies to office inventory too: use older inventory first before moving on to newer materials. This strategy is excellent for reducing waste, and also ensures that your staff has access to high-quality supplies (rather than items that have been sitting on the supply shelf for months or years).
Work With a Great Supplier
Even when you have a great tracking system in place, it helps to have a good relationship with a supplier. When you realize that you’re unexpectedly running low on essentials or would like to explore new options, it should be easy to contact and order from your office supply partner.
Office supplies are essential for helping your employees achieve maximum productivity and keeping your business running smoothly. If you’ve been experiencing inventory management issues, the tips mentioned above may help you create a system that works for you and your team. When it’s time to order a new batch of the office supplies, we can help! Whether you prefer to talk to one of our friendly and knowledgeable customer service representatives or order online through our portal, we can accommodate. If you have any questions about the products we carry, we’re always here to assist you. Please contact us to learn more!
How to Create a Better POS Experience For Your Customers
The customer experience is an important component in the success of any business. When the point-of-sale (POS) experience is less than ideal, customers will remember and may be less likely to make subsequent purchases. To ensure satisfaction, it’s important to think about ways to improve POS operations. From investing in the right business office supplies to training customers, there are many ways to achieve this goal. Interested in learning more? Here’s how you can improve the point of sale checkout process:
Streamlined Checkout Options at the Point of Sale
Whether your operations are in-person or online (or both), it’s critical to modernize the POS system with streamlined checkout options. For brick-and-mortar stores, this means investing in modern card-reading technology. An outdated card reader that doesn’t have tap technology or is finicky about swiping can be frustrating for customers, so upgrading your card reading machine when necessary is crucial.
For the online POS experience, consider using software to expedite the process and make repeat orders as simple as possible. Software such as Shopify makes it possible to securely store information to streamline purchases and save customers time.
Invest in Employee Training
Even cutting edge technology can’t replace human interactions. If you operate a brick-and-mortar storefront, employees play a critical role in the POS experience. To ensure timely checkouts and happy customers, be sure to create a solid training program for all team members. When each employee is confident in navigating your company’s procedures and technology, they can help ensure that the POS experience is pleasant and straightforward.
Offer Several Types of Receipts
Regardless of your business’s target audience, offering proof of payment in several ways is recommended. While some customers won’t ask for a receipt, others prefer to keep tabs on every expense. You can provide a better POS process by offering paper receipts and digital versions. If your storefront offers paper receipts, consider stocking up on high-quality paper rolls that are BPA-free and fingerprint resistant.
The POS experience is a factor that has a significant impact on customer impressions. The goal is to provide a checkout experience that’s quick, hassle-free, and encourages more purchases in the future. When you’re ready to implement the tips mentioned here, we’ve got you covered at EON. In addition to our business office supplies, we carry POS products such as paper rolls, printers, and credit card machines by Hypercom and Verifone. If you have any questions, we’re happy to help you find the best products for your needs. Please contact our customer service team to chat.
2022 Holiday Gift Guide For the Office Supply Lover
The holiday season has arrived! If you’re shopping for someone who loves office supplies, we’ve got some great suggestions for you. Whether the special person on your list loves organization or needs accessories to promote comfort, you can find everything you need at EON. Ready for some inspiration? Here are a few of our top gift suggestions:
Fellowes Professional Series Back Support With Microban Protection
If your loved one has been putting in long hours at work and complaining of back pain, give the gift of comfort with Fellowes Professional Series Back Support With Microban Protection. We love this product because its memory foam cushion provides spinal support to the mid-back and is designed with ergonomics in mind.
U Brands Vena Four-Piece Accessory Kit
You can never go wrong with trendy accessories for those who enjoy bringing individuality to the office. For adding some chic flair to the workspace, U Brands has several great options. The Vena four-piece accessory kit includes a wire cup, wire letter sorter, and two stackable letter trays. Available in eye-catching gold or classic black, this accessory kit is perfect for staying organized in style.
AT-A-GLANCE Mackenzie Weekly/Monthly Planner
Most office supply enthusiasts love the opportunity to start fresh with a new planner. The New Year is the best time to get organized and set goals, which is why planners make for such popular gifts. This year, consider gifting the new Mackenzie Weekly/Monthly Planner by AT-A-GLANCE. These planners are packed with desirable features, including ruled daily blocks, plenty of ruled space, and tabbed months.
OttLite Purify Sanitizing LED Desk Light With Wireless Charging
When you’re on the search for a gift that can multitask, take a look at the OttLite Purify Sanitizing LED Desk Light With Wireless Charging. This effective product has several functions: it works as a desk light to reduce eye strain, utilizes patented SpectraClean technology to neutralize bacteria, and has an integrated wireless charging station.
Parker Urban Fountain Pen
We all know someone who has an affinity for great pens. When you’re shopping for this person, the Parker Urban Fountain Pen won’t disappoint. Bold and dynamic, this pen is available in a variety of finishes and is designed for durability and high performance.
As you begin your search for the perfect gifts, office supplies can be a surprisingly fun category. In addition to delighting the office supply enthusiast in your life, products to bring style and functionality to the workplace can appeal to just about anyone. Whether you’re ready to purchase one of the products highlighted here or you have further questions, we’re here to help! Please contact our customer service team, and we’ll happily help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Workplace Technology for Improving Time Management
Time is valuable, and optimizing productivity is a skill that we all should strive to improve. Whether you’re trying to improve your own time management or are hoping to help your team get ahead, there are several tools to consider. In addition to getting organized with the right office supply products, technology can be instrumental in helping you manage your time. Interested in learning more about tools for time management? Here are a few of our favorites:
ProofHub
When you’re looking for a comprehensive tool for the workplace, ProofHub is an excellent option. This software offers multiple features all under one platform, which makes it simple to track time, tasks, reports, and more. ProofHub is designed for goal-setting and tracking, so you can create time estimates and run reports to compare how long the project took to complete.
Toggl
Need a simple, yet effective time-tracking tool? Toggl is great for efficiently keeping track of time. With the option to use a timer or add time manually, this tracking software is user-friendly so employees can jump right in without a learning curve. Toggl also features unlimited projects and sub-projects, so it’s easy to track with accuracy.
focus booster
Even the most dedicated workers can struggle with procrastination from time to time (or even chronically). To combat this issue, focus booster was born. This app is all about boosting productivity and giving users the boost they need to tackle a project they would ordinarily put off. It utilizes the Pomodoro technique to break down projects into more manageable, less intimidating tasks. You can also reward yourself with refreshing breaks after periods of focused work.
Monday
If you’re planning for a larger team, Monday is a platform that offers a plethora of tools. From task management to optimizing workflow with automation, this software is comprehensive and ideal for larger firms. Because it’s so in-depth, Monday costs more than the other tools mentioned here–but it may be worth it if you’re looking for an all-in-one solution for work management.
We all want to make the most of our time, and fortunately, technology is making it easier than ever to track goals and improve productivity. The tools highlighted here are designed to simplify time management and have a positive effect on workflow. However, optimal productivity requires the basics–so don’t overlook the importance of high-quality office supply products and equipment. We carry everything you need for the office at EON, and we’re always happy to help you find what you need. If you have any questions, we’re here! Give us a call or send us an email any time.
Easy Ways to Make Meetings Better
Meetings seem to occur often, be occasionally disappointing, and don’t always accomplish what the presenter intended. Staff can become frustrated with meetings that run over, don’t have an agenda, or don’t contain actionable items relevant to their positions. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can improve team meeting productivity and efficiency. Here are some tips.
Highlight the Reason for the Meeting in Advance
In today’s typical office, meetings can get called for a variety of reasons. From staff updates to particular projects, bringing people together is an effective way to inspire creativity, foster a team-mentality, and solve problems. However, bringing people together for reasons that are unclear is one of the quickest ways to frustrate your employees and crush creativity.
Before kicking off a meeting, make sure everyone knows why. Share a planned agenda in advance so participants know how much time they’ll need to allocate. Invite others to ask questions or provide feedback before the meeting so everyone’s time can be spent as effectively as possible.
Invite Attendees Strategically
Depending on the subject matter, it’s likely that not everyone in the office will need to attend every meeting. After you’ve created an agenda, identify the staff members whose presence and input is pertinent. Dividing meetings up this way is usually the most efficient and productive use of company time.
Prepare Materials in Advance
There’s nothing more aggravating than sitting through a meeting in which the presenter is dealing with technical difficulties, unprepared during a slide presentation, or wandering off track to tell unrelated anecdotes. Determine the best way to convey necessary information and create a presentation in advance. Whether this is via handouts, video, or a slide presentation, reviewing your material ahead of the meeting is crucial for productivity. If you are going to rely on technology, setting up audio and visual beforehand and running through it at least once will allow time for troubleshooting any problems that may arise.
Offer an Incentive
If you have a weekly staff meeting, double down on the time spent together and offer some sort of incentive. Provide breakfast or lunch, conduct a raffle, or create another incentive-type program that gets staff members excited to attend the meeting. Creating a strong team aids in productivity, collaboration, and creativity. Use routine meetings to foster a team-mentality so that everyone looks forward to mandatory staff meetings because it’s a time for them to come together, take a break from the daily routine, and share a meal, game, or activity.
There are a plethora of ways to spice meetings up and make them more fun. However, the most important aspect to consider is ensuring that everyone feels appreciated, heard, and valued. Encourage camaraderie and mutual respect by treating their time and energy like precious resources to conserve.
EON Office partners with businesses to help daily operations go off without a hitch. From office supply deliveries to breakroom supplies, we handle everything behind the scenes while you take care of running a profitable and successful company. Contact us to learn more.