Should You Offer Fidget Toys for Meetings?
Remember fidget spinners? They popped up overnight years ago, then disappeared just as quickly. While they were hot, it was just about the only toy that anyone would talk about, with many users claiming that the toys helped improve focus and reduce anxiety. The fidget spinner, cube, and other variations that came later were created to give anxious hands something to focus on, particularly in classrooms. Now, fidget toys are everywhere, sold online as office supplies and children’s toys alike. Should you offer fidget toys for meetings?
Fidget Toys Help With Focus & Anxiety
Small toys with gears, buttons, textures, and movement have been shown to improve concentration in the classroom and workplace. People use them as a way to direct their focus during meetings, reduce bad habits like nail biting, and even help decrease stress. Experts haven’t fully agreed on their efficacy when it comes to those with ADHD and anxiety, but there is plenty of colloquial evidence showing how fidget toy users experience increased focus.
The Downside of Fidget Toys
Although there has been widespread adoption of fidget toys in classrooms and workplaces, some teachers have banned them due to being too distracting. The eye-catching motion of fidget spinners make them potentially attention-grabbing – the opposite of what speakers want from their audience. Additionally, the material plays a factor in how helpful or distracting a toy can be. Heavy metal and clicky plastic mechanisms might help with fidgeting, but can be more hindrance than help.
Best Fidget Toys for Meetings
When determining if fidget toys will work for your meeting, consider factors like the environment, individual personalities, and actual size of the toys. While there are many beautiful, anxiety-reducing products that work great on an office desk or in a waiting room, many are not portable enough to pass around, or they may be too engaging, taking the user’s attention away from the presentation. Stress balls and silly putty are great alternatives to fidget spinners, with soft, pliable materials and a low profile that can be discreetly held in one hand. There are even fidget pens on the market, with soft sliders and spinners that add a level of functionality to the fidget toy concept.
Fidget toys can be a great way to help improve focus during meetings and give attendees a way to direct their energy in a productive way. Plus, they make a great ice breaker! If you’re searching online for office supplies and fidget toys for your next meeting, we can help. Contact us today for information on how we can elevate your office, from office supply delivery to breakroom services.
Donate to Help a Child In Need With Our 2022 Backpack Drive
With the start of a new school year just around the corner, the parents and teachers among us are probably thinking about stocking up on necessities for the classroom. Unfortunately, the expenses of school supplies are out of reach for many households in our community. Studies have shown that kids who have the necessary equipment for schooling are more likely to stay focused and perform better, so a full backpack is a great start for every child. We’ve partnered with The Salvation Army and our supportive clients to donate backpacks and supplies to kids in our community. Interested in learning more about our backpack drive? Here’s more about this annual backpack drive and how you can help:
Order EONBACKPACK at eonworkplace.com
Families across the country are hit hard by rising costs of living. The price of renting in Denver has climbed 15% in just one year, and coupled with inflated prices of gasoline and household goods, it’s no surprise that more households are struggling.
To help children access the school supplies they need, EON hosts an annual Backpack Drive. In partnership with The Salvation Army, we provide a backpack filled with essentials like pencils, paper, crayons, markers, folders, glue, scissors, and hand sanitizer. For just $20, you can donate one by ordering the item EONBACKPACK online or by calling Customer Service at 866-570-5400. This donation to our backpack drive is tax-deductible and will help hundreds of children across our state. If you’re considering donating, thank you! We’re always touched by the generosity of our clients and partners, and the students in our community will benefit from your goodwill. If you have any questions, our team would love to answer them. Just call us at 866-570-5400 or reach out online and we’re happy to help!
Summer Team Outings for Denver Businesses
Summers in Colorado make it easy to plan fun business events, with plenty of outdoor team-building activities to choose from. Professional team events in Denver can range from mellow, project-based socializing in a cool, air-conditioned building to orienteering challenges in the mountains that rely on group communication and a GPS. While you wait for your office supply delivery to arrive, take a moment to plan out your next unforgettable team outing.
Get Creative at Upstairs Circus
If your team likes to get hands-on with their projects, turn them loose at Upstairs Circus. Team members get to pick from the DIY workshop’s project menu, which includes high-quality DIYs such as concrete coasters, wine glass tumblers, wire jewelry, and more. They will get to show off their creativity in a relaxed social environment, then take home a beautiful souvenir of their own making. Just don’t forget to take a group photo with your completed projects at the end!
Volunteer at Food Bank of the Rockies
For a service-based outing, consider signing up your group to volunteer at Food Bank of the Rockies. As the largest food relief organization in the state, Food Bank of the Rockies is well-prepared to accommodate any group, large or small. Your team will work in a warehouse setting for the day, getting a glimpse at what it takes to distribute nearly 2 million meals along the Front Range to those in need every week.
Navigate the Wilderness with CBST Adventures
CBST Adventures specializes in innovative team outings that are built around your goals for the group. Choose between scavenger hunts, games in the park, GPS-based challenges and more for an adventure that will develop leadership skills and improve your team’s ability to work through problems together.
Stretch Your Legs at Denver Botanic Gardens
A summer in Denver isn’t complete until you’ve visited the Denver Botanic Gardens. Choose one of its event venues, such as those at Chatfield Farms, for a customized outing based on your goal for the event. A day in the sunshine, surrounded by beautiful gardens, is a fantastic way to boost morale and strengthen relationships.
Drive Supercars at Oxotic
For car-lovers and adrenaline junkies, Oxotic is a fantastic choice for a team outing this summer. Oxotic specializes in supercars that you can drive for the day, with options for corporate event spaces and services. Whether you are celebrating a major milestone, hosting a happy hour, or are simply looking for a way to break up a dull meeting, this is a great way to create a memorable experience.
There are countless ways to make the most of a day in Denver with your office-mates, no matter what your goals are for the outing. From office supply delivery to in-house coffee services, EON specializes in supporting your needs in the office, so your team can do what they do best. Contact us today for information on how we can help you create an efficient and fun workspace.
Fourth of July Office Party Ideas
Hoping to encourage team bonding after returning to an in-person setting? Taking time to celebrate national holidays is a tried-and-true way to give your employees an opportunity to relax and get to know one another. Fourth of July is just around the corner, so consider hosting a party to get festive and reward the team’s hard work. If you need some inspiration, check out a few of our favorite Independence Day ideas below. For supplies to make your party (and everyday office life) great, browse our EON office catalog.
Host a Potluck
No Fourth of July party is complete without a plethora of classic American foods. To get the party rolling, create a sign-up sheet and ask each person to bring their favorite dish or get creative with a new recipe. From the basics such as apple pie and on-the-grill fare to festive options (like these red, white, and blue chocolate-covered strawberries), there are many patriotic additions for the potluck table.
Set Up a Photo Booth
Ready to create some workplace memories? Setting up a photobooth is an excellent strategy for encouraging the team to kick back and enjoy themselves. Be sure to include a fun photo op, such as the American flag as a backdrop or a cutout of Uncle Sam. Props like paper sparklers or mini flags are also great additions to the mix.
American-Themed Games
When you’re hoping to spark some friendly competition, trivia is an awesome team building exercise. For a Fourth of July-themed game of trivia, consider including questions that run the gamut from revolutionary era knowledge to American inventions. To motivate the crowd, offer a prize for the winning team. Looking for another option? If you have access to an outdoor courtyard, take the party outside for a game of cornhole–bonus points for red, white, and blue cornhole boards or bean bags!
With the Fourth just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start planning office festivities. Including the ideas mentioned here may help boost morale and encourage employees to grow as a team. Whether you need supplies for party planning or a restock of essentials, EON has everything you need for the workplace. From technology solutions to breakroom supplies, you’ll find it all in the EON office catalog. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We’d love to assist you in finding a product or placing your order.
Organizational Tools For Hybrid Workers
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant changes to workplace culture. Although many companies had begun to experiment with flexible working policies before the onset of the pandemic, it’s clear that remote work is here to stay. If your office is one of the many offering a hybrid work model, your employees will need the right products to stay organized. Interested in stocking the office with organizational tools to support your team? Here are a few of our favorite EON office supplies for hybrid workers:
Magnetic Project Planner
Whether your employees come into the office one day a week, four days per week, or set their own schedule, staying on top of collaborative projects can be challenging. We love the Prestige 2 Magnetic Total Erase Project Planner for its intuitive design and ease of use. This magnetic planner is equipped with easy mounting hardware to make installation a breeze and its even horizontal lines layout ensures that tasks stay organized.
Snap-Closure File Folder
When employees are moving between home and the office, they’ll need a secure way to keep track of important files. A snap-closure file folder is our go-to solution for workers who need to travel back and forth between locations, and we’ve found that the Smead Poly Envelopes with Snap Closure are up to the task. They’re highly durable and water-resistant, providing your employees with a worry-free solution for hybrid working.
Carrying Case
In today’s increasingly mobile work environment, it’s all too easy to forget crucial items or documents at home or the office. If you’re looking for a company-wide gift to welcome employees back to an in-person environment, a carrying case may be a versatile option. We like the Samsonite Classic Business 2.0 Carrying Case for its ergonomic wrapped handles, spacious interior that accommodates laptops up to 17”, and durable zippers.
Dry Erase Computer Pad
Dry erase pads are excellent for jotting down notes, and having a pad that’s placed on the desktop allows ideal visibility. The Quartet Glass Dry-Erase Desktop Computer Pad is the perfect size to fit between the monitor and keyboard, allowing users to see their notes the moment they sit down at their desk. This pad is crafted with heavy-duty tempered glass for durability and its angles are adjustable for optimal comfort and viewing.
The hybrid work model offers flexibility that many people love. If your company is already operating under this setup or you’re considering transitioning toward a hybrid schedule, you’ll need to find ways to support your employees. Staying organized is a must wherever you work, and the EON office supplies mentioned here will help your team stay on top of tasks and deadlines from home or at the office. The supplies highlighted here are just a small sample of what EON stocks, and we’d love to speak with you about how we can help. When you’re ready to chat about your workplace needs, please contact our team.
Tips for Boosting Morale as a Manager
Whether your team is still working remotely or has made the transition back into the office, morale is a critical component of maintaining a positive work environment. Employees with high morale often work well with colleagues, are more productive, and are more likely to remain with the company. If you’re a manager, part of your job is to provide the support that team members need to feel satisfied and confident in their roles. When you’re looking for ways to boost employee morale, there are many steps you can take. From big-picture actions like asking for feedback to simple gestures such as providing office coffee service, there’s no shortage of strategies for showing employees how much they matter. Need some inspiration? Here, we share insight into how you can encourage healthy team morale:
Closely Monitor Morale
Most employees are more than happy to provide input about what’s working and what needs improvement in the workplace. To ensure that the team is feeling energized about their work, be sure to schedule regular check-ins with each person individually. Having close relationships with each employee will help you gain a deeper understanding of team dynamics and allow you to take their valuable feedback into account.
Focus on Growth
During your scheduled meetings with team members, do everything you can to focus on growth. Workplace morale often dips when employees feel that there’s no room for growth, and companies that offer opportunities for advancement tend to have better retention rates. To improve your management skills, step into an advocacy role for your team and look for ways to help each individual along their desired career trajectory.
Provide the Tools They Need to Succeed
Whether you’ve been working in management for years or you’ve just stepped into this position, you more than likely recognize how frustrating it is when you don’t have the tools you need. Your employees feel this same frustration when the workplace lacks adequate technology, supplies, or systems. Once you’ve collected employee feedback and have a feel for what needs improvement, you can begin the process of setting the team up for success. Whether the office needs new devices or supplies, more in-depth training, or team building, you’ll notice a difference in morale once necessary changes are in place.
A great manager is invaluable to a company and acts as both a mentor and advocate for their team. If you’re looking for ways to keep team morale high, the tips mentioned here may help you achieve this goal. In addition to building strong relationships with your employees, it’s important to acknowledge hard work with essentials such as breakroom supplies or office coffee service. The EON team has everything you need to keep the breakroom (and supply room) well-stocked, and we’d love to assist you in finding just what you need for a healthy and happy workplace. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.