Posts Tagged ‘Staples Canada’

By Small Business Expert Roger Pierce, BizLaunch

Your computer is probably your most used business tool. As a small business owner, you likely use it to communicate with customers, to store your business information and to keep your life organized. Yet so many entrepreneurs take their computer for granted…until it crashes.

Keep your computer in top running condition by following some of these suggestions:

  • Back it up. Don’t wait until it’s too late to save your precious data. Backup systems are available for very little money. Your data is certainly worth the investment.
  • Take security seriously. Viruses, spyware and scams are very common nowadays. Invest in security measures to protect your sensitive data.
  • Clean your computer. Buying a new computer may be unnecessary. Hire a professional to clean your system before spending big bucks on a new one.
  • Hire a pro to fix your computer. Many people ask a friend or relative “who knows a lot about computers” to fix a computer when they encounter problems. Your data is too important to trust to amateurs. Invest in a professional service.

You can learn more about this and other how-to topics in a free STAPLES BizLaunch Webinar. To find one near you, please visit http://www.staples.ca/bizlaunch today.


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ROGER PIERCE is passionate about helping entrepreneurs achieve success. Co-founder of Canada’s largest small business training company, BizLaunch.ca, he’s launched eleven small businesses of his own and personally experienced what he calls “the good, the bad and the ugly” sides of entrepreneurship.

BizLaunch advises thousands of Canadian startups through its popular how-to seminars and webinars delivered with partners such as STAPLES.

 

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By Small Business Expert Roger Pierce, BizLaunch

New small businesses must find ways to stand out in the crowd. It’s simply not enough to offer a quality product or service – you’ve got to get customer attention by putting some “wow” into your biz.

Here’s how you can create unexpected benefits for your customers:

Remove the risk. Make it really easy for customers to buy from you by removing all purchase risk. Ditch fear-invoking policies such as “return only with receipt” or “return for store credit only”. Don’t make the customer worry about dealing with you.

Surprise and delight. A hair salon welcomes its customers to return within a few days of their haircut for free touch-up work. Exceed your sales promises after the sale is made by going that extra mile.

Sweat the small stuff. Hotel guests often won’t remember paying $300 for a room but they will remember the complimentary bathrobe and crisp daily newspaper at their door.

Let prospects test your wares. Unlike the furniture store that places a ‘do not sit in the leather chair’ sign yet expects people to buy the product, openly encourage your prospects to sample your stuff. One minivan dealership reports fantastic sales by letting customers take a vehicle home for a whole weekend.

You can learn more about this and other how-to topics in a free STAPLES BizLaunch Webinar. To find one near you, please visit http://www.staples.ca/bizlaunch today.


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ROGER PIERCE is passionate about helping entrepreneurs achieve success. Co-founder of Canada’s largest small business training company, BizLaunch.ca, he’s launched eleven small businesses of his own and personally experienced what he calls “the good, the bad and the ugly” sides of entrepreneurship.

BizLaunch advises thousands of Canadian startups through its popular how-to seminars and webinars delivered with partners such as STAPLES.

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By Rachel Swiednicki

clip_image002The majority of STAPLES stores will be closed on the day that Canada celebrates its 143rd birthday, with the exception of some stores in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Because this year’s Canada Day falls on a Thursday, many employees will also be requesting the Friday off, resulting in decreased productivity levels and delayed customer service response times.

 clip_image004Take solace in knowing that your small business is not alone. Many companies, large and small, share this problem. One small business owner told me that he has decided to just give all his employees the Friday off with pay, otherwise he would be operating with a skeleton staff and, at the end of the day, not running productively anyway, since many of his suppliers will also be shut down. It made more since to give employees the time off, since they are always more productive after a long rest.

For more information on Canada’s statutory holidays, visit here.

Rachel

 

Rachel Swiednicki is a professional communicator, with ten years of experience in the communications industry. Eight of those years were spent as a journalist before moving into a career in public relations/corporate communications.

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By Small Business Expert Roger Pierce, BizLaunch

Some say money makes the world go around. While that statement is debatable, it’s certainly true for a small business.

While you may love your business so much you’d work for free, it’s really money that will keep it alive. You’ll have to make plenty of money decisions as an entrepreneur, such as:

What assets to buy. Invest in things that make you money, such as equipment, machinery or technology. A fancy new leather office chair may look good behind your desk, but a faster printer will more likely contribute to profits.

Taking on overheads. Renting office space or leasing a new vehicle can so easily be justified as necessary business expenses. However, smart small business owners don’t spend it until they’ve earned it. Keep overhead costs low during your early years to give your small business a chance to get on its feet.

Paying yourself first. It’s too easy to shovel all of your personal money into your hungry new small business. Set aside ten percent of your personal draw each month for your own future.

Establishing a cash cushion. As an employee, you wisely set aside three month’s salary in case you lost your job. Small business owners must also establish a cash float to help weather rainy days.

You can learn more about this and other how-to topics in a free STAPLES BizLaunch Webinar. To find one near you, please visit http://www.staples.ca/bizlaunch today.


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ROGER PIERCE is passionate about helping entrepreneurs achieve success. Co-founder of Canada’s largest small business training company, BizLaunch.ca, he’s launched eleven small businesses of his own and personally experienced what he calls “the good, the bad and the ugly” sides of entrepreneurship.

BizLaunch advises thousands of Canadian startups through its popular how-to seminars and webinars delivered with partners such as STAPLES.

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By Donna Marrin

going green pic 1.jpgYou’re launching a new business and you want to outfit your home office with budget-friendly tools and supplies that provide quality and reliability. Before you grab a shopping cart, you might want to consider why switching to environmentally friendly products may be an eco-smart and eco-nomical choice.  

Chris Winter, executive director of the Conservation Council of Ontario  reports that the top three home office problems are energy waste, paper consumption and hazardous waste (batteries, ink and toner cartridges) disposal. So what choices do you have if you want to be kind to the environment while still watching your operating costs?

 Energy savers

 1. May the power bar be with you.

Winter says it’s a myth that you shouldn’t turn off your computer at the end of the day. “Yes, it peaks on startup, but the base operating load of the computer for the next 24 hours far exceeds the startup.” To boot (excuse the pun), items still connected to your computer will continue to drain energy, even when not in use: speakers, printers, scanners, PDAs, etc. Is the power bar your friend? You bet. When all your equipment runs through a power bar, one flick of the switch saves useless energy burn. (Find a powerbar at STAPLES)

energy star logo.jpgWhen you’re shopping for lighting, choose bulbs and fixtures with an Energy Star rating. They use up to two-thirds less energy than the regulars. And—not to sound like the boss of you or anything—don’t forget to turn the lights off when you leave a room.

2. Laptop computers trump desktop computers.

laptop.jpgNot only do laptop computers provide you with use-anywhere mobility, they also consume one-eighth the power of a desktop computer. According to Winter, multiple laptop users under one roof performing a variety of tasks will still not use as much power as one desktop computer!

3. Flatscreen monitors rock.

lcd monitor.jpgFlatscreen or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitors use less than half the energy of traditional CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitors, plus they’re lighter and easier to adjust. With sharper quality and no flickering, text is easier to read and there’s less strain on your eyes.

Recycle!

4. Grandma—who reused EVERYTHING—was actually ahead of her time.

gramma.jpgMany everyday items that we toss away without thought can be reused. The back of used paper—daily desk calendars, sticky notes, etc.—makes great notepaper for jotting ideas or diagrams. Use the two-sided setting on your printer and copier to reduce paper consumption, and again, instead of throwing away already-printed-on-one-side paper, use the backside as notepaper. When you do purchase paper, choose brands made from recycled materials and approved by the Forest Stewardship Council of Canada. Save elastic bands from newspaper deliveries. Buy rechargeable batteries and refillable ink and toner cartridges. Did you know that it takes up to 1,000 years for one cartridge to decompose in a landfill? Instead of trashing them, drop your electronic waste, finished rechargeable batteries and old ink and toner cartridges at a STAPLES store for recycling.

6. Start commuting more often on the information highway

going green pic 2.jpgOnline banking is secure, saves you time and reduces paper trails. Have payments deposited directly into your account instead of accepting cheques. Sign up for monthly online statements. At the same time, sign up for online billing. Many companies now offer this service, as well as allow you to make automatic payments through monthly bank account debits. Not only will you save trees by cutting back on the paper trails, you’ll also save money on envelopes and postage. And—bonus!—electronic files take up much less space than file folders and shoeboxes!

7. Thrift shopping saves more than money

$1 bin.jpgBuying used is very fashionable these days. Scour flea markets and yard sales for used office furniture and other items in good condition. It really is true: “one person’s junk is another person’s treasure”… And the extra treasure in my wallet is nice too!

8. Give non-toxic cleaning products a whirl

cleaning product.jpgWhy choose non-toxic cleaning products when you can get cheaper stuff at a dollar store? Because while you’re sanitizing your office and home, you and everyone else under your roof are inhaling a cocktail of chemicals such as chlorine bleach, ammonia, petrochemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The result? Indoor air pollution as well as environmental pollution through drainage. Non-toxic products might cost a little bit more, but clean breathing air and groundwater is priceless. (Check out STAPLES’ line of eco easy products)

Donna Marrin is a freelance Senior Writer/Editor specializing in corporate communications and advertising. She also founded and runs the Markham Village Writers. You can visit their website at www.markhamvillagewriters.com

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By Rachel Swiednicki

clip_image002STAPLES stores in Canada will be closed on Victoria Day only in the provinces of Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland. STAPLES stores in other provinces will remain open.

Other institutions and services closed on Victoria Day include banks, government services, libraries and schools. Beer and liquor stores will also be closed in Ontario. As a tourist attraction, the Eaton Centre in downtown Toronto will remain open with limited hours. GO Transit and the TTC will both run on holiday schedules.

Is it a good idea for a small business to shut its doors on a statutory holiday? Some entrepreneurs are divided on this; while it’s an opportunity to make more money, more is usually spent. Some small business owners offer employees a chance to work the holiday, compensating them either with time off at a later date or overtime earnings. For some, the holiday is a good time to be in the office since it’s unusually quiet and you can achieve lots of work. For others, a mental health day to “recharge batteries” is far more important.

For more information on public holidays in Canada visit here.

Rachel

 

Rachel Swiednicki is a professional communicator, with ten years of experience in the communications industry. Eight of those years were spent as a journalist before moving into a career in public relations/corporate communications.

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By Mike Robinson

Whether you’re concerned with megahertz, gigabytes or battery life, buying a laptop nowadays can be a confusing, if not overwhelming experience. The simple guidelines below will help you understand the basics before you buy your next laptop computer.

Laptops are categorized into four main groups:

Netbook laptops: Small and compact with a 10″ or smaller LCD screen. Perfect for surfing the Web, handling emails, word processing, etc.

Ultra-mobile laptops: Thin and light with a 12″ or 13″ LCD screen and extended battery life. Ideal choice for people do a lot of traveling while they work.

Mainstream laptops: The most common category, with a 14″ to 17″ LCD screen and lots of power. Still portable, though heavier than the ultra-mobile laptops.

Desktop replacement: Replaces the desktop computer and features a 17″+ LCD screen. Fully capable of handling your HD video, gaming, media needs and more.

To help guide you toward the buying decision that you’ll be most satisfied with, take some time to review your long-term requirements before you determine which category will best complement your lifestyle and work needs.

Once you have narrowed down your category, you need to consider the speed, feeds and other preferences you require. These are factors that will drive the cost up or down.

CPU (Intel or AMD Processor) will usually drive the price of the laptop more than any other component. Today’s technology provides consumers with a vast array of performance options to choose from. For basic computing, users will be satisfied with more entry-level technologies, while the power user will always want the best. It really comes down to how future-proof you want your purchase to be. Unless you really need cutting-edge performance, a good rule of thumb is not to buy the most expensive product on the shelf, but something in the middle—a decision that will give you the best bang for your buck. Your laptop computer’s productive lifespan should last between two and four years.

Memory is another “how much do I need” question to be considered. With today’s systems, 3 GB or more is the standard. Windows 7 will run optimally on 2 GB or 3 GB; as a rule, the more the better. For netbooks, 1 GB is the standard for most, if not all current models.

Hard drive capacity in GB (gigabytes) is a measure of how much data your computer can manage. The good news—today’s laptop computers feature larger drives (320 GB or more) and prices that have decreased significantly.

Connections (USB, HDMI, etc.) are also a common consideration among most models. Some will feature more USB ports than others, while others will offer HD video output. Again, the choice hinges on your current needs, as well as what you may need a year from now.

Ultimately, selecting the category (directly tied to screen size) that best suits your needs will be your first decision. Your choices that follow will depend on your performance needs and budget.

To learn more information, the computer consultant at any STAPLES store in Canada will be happy to help.

 

Mike Robinson is a Purchasing Manager specializing in Computer Hardware for Staples Canada.

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By Rachel Swiednicki

You’ve cleaned out your office and home and you’re not sure what to do with your unwanted electronics. STAPLES Canada is now an official Ontario Electronic Stewardship drop-off depot.

STAPLES Canada recently expanded their requirements for recyclable electronic waste collection at stores, as the retailer enters phase II of their Ontario Electronic Stewardship (OES). Effective as of April 1, STAPLES stores in Ontario will enter the second phase of their recycling program by accepting items such as televisions, desktop and laptop computers, telephones and answering machines, projectors, digital cameras and speakers.

Steve Matyas and Leigh Pearson

Steve Matyas and Leigh Pearson

“We are trying to create the easiest eco-solution for customers. They now have a place where they can drop off even more unwanted electronic items. We want customers to think of us during spring cleaning and know that there’s an easily accessible location available to handle their recycling needs,” says Leigh Pearson, facilities and environmental services manager for STAPLES Canada.

STAPLES Canada has undertaken a number of major sustainable initiatives: reducing energy consumption by reducing light bulb wattage at all locations, expansion of recycling programs, and more. STAPLES Canada continues to seek ways to improve sustainability. “Phase two of our recycling plan includes accepting everything from speakers to desktop printers. We also are a depot for waste recycling in several other provinces, as well,” continued Pearson.

For more information, please visit staples.ca/environment.

Rachel

 

Rachel Swiednicki is a professional communicator, with ten years of experience in the communications industry. Eight of those years were spent as a journalist before moving into a career in public relations/corporate communications.

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