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4 Tips for a More Productive Office | TLC Office Systems

TLC Office Systems — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 07:00:04 EST

We all want to increase productivity in the office, right? It’s easier than you might think. TLC Office Systems has several tips to help you get more done during the work day.

De-Clutter Daily.
Each day, take some time to organize communal spaces around the office. A clutter-free environment helps everyone think more clearly and produce the best results. Better organization increases everyone’s productivity and reduces the time spent searching for various items.

Add color and living plants.
Did you know that color can make a major impact on our mood and productivity? Green is a great calming color while blue helps with focus and red helps you pay attention to detail. And it’s not just color. Plants are also very helpful in aiding focus. Multiple studies show that when employees are exposed to plants in an office without windows, they were less stressed, as well as more productive and attentive.

Encourage brief breaks.
Contrary to popular belief, our productivity suffers when we power through our work for extended periods without any breaks. Encourage employees to take brief breaks–simply grabbing coffee, taking a quick walk, or chatting with a co-worker can all help provide a much needed reprieve to keep productivity high.

Make exercise easy.
Anything you can do to help make it easier for your employees to exercise is a win for your office. Physical activity can make a positive impact upon work performance, mental health and focus. That might mean adding a fitness center to your facility or implementing a wellness program with incentives for reaching fitness goals, or offering employees a subsidized gym membership.

If you’re ready to take your office productivity to the next level, call on TLC Office Systems to help make your office better. We offer a wide range of cutting-edge service and solutions to be more effective everyday. Visit our website today to learn more.

Avoiding Illness in the Office | TLC Office Systems

TLC Office Systems — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 07:00:05 EST

While the cold and flu season typically peaks in January or February, did you know that it can extend through May? It’s a wise idea to brush up on office health tips while the sick season is still going strong. Check out these tips from TLC Office Systems that you can implement in the workplace to help keep your and your employees healthy.

When it comes to viruses like the cold, flu, or norovirus, it’s all about preventative measures. That means taking action to practice proper hygiene before anyone gets sick.

Encourage employees to get a flu shot every year. Host a flu shot clinic at work or make a list of the local pharmacies and clinics where workers can quickly stop by to get vaccinated. Continue to out reminders throughout the flu season to remind your employees to get the flu shot if they haven’t yet done so. Sometimes when people don’t get the flu shot early on, they miss out getting it in later months because they don’t think it will work. But for most people, it’s still better late than never.
Educate employees about proper hygiene practices in the office like routine hand washing and sneezing or coughing into the crook of their elbow increased of their hands. Post hand washing reminders in the bathroom and provide waterless hand sanitizing stations around the workplace. Have supplies readily available for employees to sanitize their desk surfaces. Put a plan into effect to sanitize conference room tables and all doorknobs regularly.
Because some employees will inevitably become ill with one of these viruses, it’s imperative to communicate the expectations about staying home from work. Employees with the flu or norovirus (which is frequently called the “stomach flu”) should not come into work because they can easily infect others.
The norovirus is a gastrointestinal virus that’s much more difficult to prevent than the common flu. There’s no vaccine for it, and it’s more contagious. Because it can cause both vomiting and diarrhea, handwashing is especially crucial since the virus can linger after symptoms end, which means a seemingly healthy person can be contagious.

We all want to enjoy a more productive 2017 in the office, and the right tools will help you do just that. Visit our website today to learn more about our services and solutions to help make sure your day-to-do-day office needs are fulfilled with ease.

3 Tips to Support Employee Heart Health

TLC Office Systems — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 07:00:03 EST

Did you know February is American Heart Month? That’s right, February is all about love, and to show their love to employees, offices across the country can make a concentrated effort to encourage better employee heart health.

When you run an office, it may be tempting to overlook the importance of employee wellness. But illness of any kind is a significant hurdle in the workplace that costs time, money and much-needed morale.

Heart disease itself is the leading cause of death worldwide, and a considerable cause of premature death in the US. It’s no secret that a sedentary job inside an office can easily become an unhealthy culture. The good news is that employers can accomplish much when they address employee heart health.

Here are just some of the ways you can help support employee heart health.

Encourage healthy diets all around.
Pizza, cake, donuts and bagels are pretty regular office fare in the US. Commit to offering healthier choices whenever possible. That might mean changing the selection in company vending machines, bringing in more veggies and fruit, and thinking outside of the usual pizza box. Sponsor heart healthy potlucks, and if you’re set on using food as incentive, or conduct a survey to find out which nutritious foods will best motivate your employees.

Make physical activity more accessible.
Your employees will perform better if they spend some time on their feet during the workday. Consider “walk and talk” meetings, start fitness clubs, or partner with a local gym to get your employee membership discounts. Even better? Put a gym or fitness center on-site so workers can break a sweat before or after their shift.

Provide an employee wellness program.
These days, employee wellness programs address all or most aspects of an employee’s well-being. That means healthy social, emotional, physical, and financial support. Offering such an inclusive program is a wise investment to create a culture of health within your business.

Will your office invest in better employee heart health in 2017? Remember that TLC Office Systems is there to give you an unparalleled level of support. When you let us help you with day-to-day office needs, you free up time and energy to focus on building a healthy culture. Visit our website to learn more about our services today.

What Needs Improvement in 2017?

TLC Office Systems — Sun, 15 Jan 2017 07:00:04 EST

The month of January is an ideal time to take stock of every aspect of our lives–including the workplace! Have you chosen any new year’s resolutions for your office?

While the options may seem endless, and possibly even overwhelming, there are ways to make it much easier to narrow down your office goals for 2017.

The first place to start is with your staff. Learn from their experiences. Ask your employees what improvements could be made to make their jobs run more smoothly. Since they’re working with the day-to-day operations, they will be able to see details a manager may miss.

As you get more input from your people, here are three areas of improvement for you to consider.

Everything in its place
Every office needs to be organized. That begins with workspaces and office supplies, but extends to your technology and record keeping system. Working with TLC Office Systems is a great way to have expert help at your fingertips. We help can make your inventory system a breeze!

Time-saving tech
We’ve all heard the expression, “work smarter, not harder.” Nowhere is this so fitting as in the office. Consider whether or not new equipment could help your teams function better. For example, multifunctional printers have come a very long way from the cumbersome copiers of yesteryear. Sharp MFPs are precision engineered to help increase workflow efficiency and provide exceptional image quality.

Process improvement
When is the last time you looked at your improving your processes and procedures? This is a key area for you to get employee feedback on daily tasks that could use some lean process improvement. Find out if there are any unnecessary tasks happening, like printing documents that could just be handled digitally.

Whatever your office resolutions for 2017, TLC Office Systems is there for you! Visit our website today to learn more about our effective products and services.

January is National Mentoring Month

TLC Office Systems — Sun, 01 Jan 2017 07:00:02 EST

Did you know that January is National Mentoring Month? This is a month-long campaign to promote youth mentoring in the US that began in 2002.

A wide variety of groups participate in this campaign from national nonprofit organizations, government agencies and small businesses. It is also a wonderful opportunity for your office to get more involved with your local community.

Mentors can make a huge impact upon the individuals the serve and the communities they are in. Below are some of the most important traits for an effective mentorship.

A successful mentorship requires active listening. That means both parties take notes when the other is speaking, they ask questions and provide non-verbal gestures which indicate that they are truly engaged in the discussion.
Both mentors and mentees should be dedicated to a successful partnership. Each party must take pride in their own work and professional future, as well as the success of the other person. True mentorships are mutually beneficial despite the differences in experience and responsibilities.
Effective mentorships involve people who are also committed to the success of the business or organization itself. This is vital because people who believe “it’s about more than themselves” are more willing to genuinely invest themselves into the relationship.
The very best mentors and mentees are naturally curious individuals who go looking for the answers they need. These are the people who will put time and effort into reading articles on mentoring best practices and listen to tutorials to help forge a strong mentorship.
Successful mentoring relationships include individuals who are truly engaged. They see work as something more than a job. Essentially, they have a big picture mentality of the world that allows for a more effective mentorship.
Finally, ideal candidates for a mentorship can move outside their comfort zones. They will try new things and consider new ideas or perspectives in an endeavor to grow personally and professionally.

In this new year, consider starting up a mentorship program in your own office. You might work with nonprofit groups, local organizations, or your employee’s families to benefit the youth in your community and grow as business leaders. And for more products and services to better equip your office, visit our website today.

Four End-of-Year Clean Up Tips

TLC Office Systems — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 07:00:02 EST

With 2016 quickly coming to an end, offices everywhere must plan for success in the new year. You can give your business the upper hand by following a few simple office clean up tips.

Cut the paperwork. Go through any stacks of paper that are cluttering up the office. File those which much be kept, shred any papers with sensitive data which you no longer need, and recycle the rest of the papers that are no longer necessary. Wherever possible, make plans to go paperless.

Take inventory of office supplies. Take stock of any supplies that are running low, as well as any equipment that may need to be updated or replaced. This is the best time of year to look over what’s been working or not working–to make appropriate changes.

Clear the computer clutter. Talk to employees about getting rid of files that are no longer needed, then backup and organize those that are critical. Consider implementing a new folder hierarchy, and decide whether or not your office might benefit from cloud services.

Get expert help. You can count on TLC Office Systems for IT services and support that are tailored to your business needs. We are a one-stop shop for all of your business supplies and equipment. Whether you want to rent, lease, or buy, the experts at TLC are ready to assist and help you plan for a great 2017.

Taking these steps before the new year will help ensure a better year for your entire office. Visit our website today to learn more about our services.

National Thank You Note Day

TLC Office Systems — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 07:00:02 EST

Did you know that National Thank You Note Day is recognized each year on December 26? In this digital age, it is a good opportunity to take the time to hand write a thank you note with pen on paper, and send it through the mail.

Taking the time to thank your family and friends with a personalized message that has special meaning to the receiver might seem like a no-brainer. But have you considered also extending handwritten “thank yous” to your employees and co-workers in the office?

Never underestimate the power of saying thank you. Most employees will enjoy receiving an unexpected card in the mail with a thoughtful message to show your appreciation of their hard work and efforts. Saying thanks for a specific contribution or accomplishment is a genuine way to appreciate employees, and may be displayed for years.

If you’d like to join the celebration, it’s as simple as picking up a pen and notecard, then writing down your heartfelt thanks. But if you’d also like to participate in the event online, you can post about your experience on social media with the hashtag #NationalThankYouNoteDay.

As an employer or manager, there are countless other ways to thank employees at the end of a good year. You might combine other rewards with your thank you notes, such as:

A pizza party or luncheon.
Casual Fridays.
Flexible hours.
A floating holiday or a few hours off.
A vendor facility tour.
Cake or ice cream social.
New office supplies or equipment.

How will you thank your employees before the end of the year? Head over to our website today to explore our cutting edge office products!

Six Skills Employees Need

TLC Office Systems — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 07:00:03 EST

Today’s business world demands that workers have the necessary skills to successfully navigate a rapidly changing environment. Here are some of the skills excellent employees have–and hiring managers should seek.

The Ability to Wear Multiple Hats
The best employees in offices today are eager to handle more than what’s written in their job description. These workers are happy to take on multiple roles to get each task done.

They Stay Positive
Hiring people who are able to maintain a positive attitude is good for the entire workplace. Upbeat employees help drive success while negative-minded workers drag down performance and morale.

They’re Critical Thinkers
Employees who have the ability to think critically and make well-thought-out choices are a breath of relief to business leaders. Critical thinkers can be trusted to be proactive and find solutions without the need for micromanagement.

They’re Passionate About Work
If an office worker is passionate about the company’s vision, they will feel more connected to the business and work harder. At that point, it’s more than a job.

They Keep Organized
A good employee doesn’t need to be a neat freak or obsessive about organization, but they do need to add value to the business by keeping their work organized. Disorganized employees can quickly drain time and resources.

They Are Consistent
When we talk about dependable workers, what we really mean is a person who can be counted on to consistently to get the task completed. That means they show up on time and don’t make excuses throughout the day.

What skills do you look for when you’re hiring a new employee? At TLC Office Systems, we work hard to supply your business with the perfect office supplies and services, so you and your workers can focus on what matters. Visit our website today to learn more!

Three Tips for a Less Stressful Office

TLC Office Systems — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 07:00:04 EDT

The cost of stress in the workplace takes a huge toll on employers and employees alike. Lost revenues arise from employee turnover, absenteeism, and reduced productivity. Studies have shown that the leading factors which cause stress for American workers include:

Low wages and salaries.
Too heavy workload or unrealistic expectations.
Too long or inflexible work hours.
Work which interferes with personal and family time.
A lack of professional growth and advancement.
A lack of participation in decision making.
Uncertain or undefined job expectations.
Fears surrounding job insecurity.

If you’d like to help employees better manage stress, here are three ways to create a more stress-free office environment.

Better Work-Life Balance
The more technology-enabled an office environment, the better potential to establish effective work-life balance. Utilize technology to help establish more flexible work schedules, telecommuting options, and other remote methods of communication and job completion.

Strategic Compensation
Low salaries and poor benefits only add exponential stress to employees. Use performance-based compensation to pay workers well according to their years of service and loyalty to the company. Look for ways to include additional benefits, such as corporate wellness programs and healthy incentives.

Well-Defined Expectations
Employees having trouble handling workloads is a problem requiring a prompt solution. Complete a skills assessment of all employees, review and update every job description, create a standard onboarding process as well as standard operating procedures. Shift work tasks to the employees best matched for the job.

When you’re ready to give your employees a better environment, we’re ready to provide you with all of the technology your office needs. Visit our website today to explore our services!

Halloween Costumes Perfect for the Office

TLC Office Systems — Sat, 15 Oct 2016 07:00:03 EDT

There are two types of people in the world. Those who love Halloween and those who don’t. If you’re in the former camp, and you happen to work in an office that encourages costumes on October 31, we have a few work-friendly ideas for you.

Clark Kent
This might be the very best office costume for someone who doesn’t want to feel like they’re wearing one at work. All you do is wear a regular suit with a superman shield beneath your button-down. Throw on some plastic spectacles and you’re set!

Flo from Progressive Auto Insurance
Sure to be recognizable, this one is easier than it looks. Don an all white ensemble, add an apron, dark bobbed wig and navy headband. Don’t forget the red lipstick and quirky spirit!

Ferris Bueller
Head over to your local thrift store for a plain white tee, some throwback jeans and an 80s vest. You’ll be the hit of the party and maybe they’ll have you lead the parade?

Bad Yearbook Photo
We all remember the days of tacky-yet-fancy backdrops and school photos that never turned out quite right! Master that teenage angst by wearing a badly outdated outfit and create your own cheesy background on tagboard to wear on your back.

**Run, Forrest, Run. **
Grab some running clothes from the thrift store and pair them with a beard to replicate Forrest Gump’s extended run across the country. Remember to perfect your southern drawl!

Brawny Man
So simple. Pull on some jeans, rugged boots and a comfy plaid flannel shirt. Walk around with a roll of Brawny paper towels attached to your hand. You can offer to help your co-workers clean up their spills in the break room!

Men in black
This costume works great solo or with a partner. War a black suit, add some black sunglasses, and walk around with your own “memory eraser” made from a jumbo marker and duct tape.

Clue Characters
Here’s a great group costume idea that’s a lot of fun at work. Dress up like characters from the board game. Try to have a Professor Plum, Colonel Mustard, Mr. Green, Miss Scarlet, and Mrs. White. Then have your other coworkers guess whodunit!

While your office is enjoying the fall festivities, remember to visit our website for all your office needs!

Exploring Our Services

TLC Office Systems — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 07:00:03 EDT

Did you know that TLC Office Systems is Houston’s largest independent office dealer? We’ve learned a lot about providing quality and cutting edge services over the past 25+ years!

As Houston’s biggest independent dealer, you’ll find that we are large enough to handle all of your needs but still small enough to appreciate your business.

Have you taken advantage of all our professional services, available from the technology hospital?

Our managed print services offer innovative assessment and management solutions designed to maximize the potential of the printing technology you currently have while, sourcing the most efficient devices when it’s time to upgrade.

We’re proud to offer exclusive carrier services for business solutions from the best, most trusted brands like Century Link, AT&T, Auravox, Fusion, Level 3, Logic and Windstream. Our telecom consultation will determine the right communications method and carrier for your office with low rates and uninterrupted service.

We offer quality equipment for short term or long term rental without the commitment of a lease under competitive rates and flexible terms. For offices, construction sites, special events, seminars, and more, we have the office equipment you need to get your work done.

When you’re ready to buy a piece of new equipment for your office, consider our own in-house leasing option we call The Leader’s Choice. The Leader’s Choice program has unparalleled benefits such as a single invoice for all services, generous cancellation provisions, zero property tax, a guaranteed 10% reduction every 2 years of service and more.

Could your office use a little TLC? Visit our website today to explore these services and more, and discover what makes us your best one-stop office shop!

Why We Love Digital Printers

TLC Office Systems — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 07:00:02 EDT

Even in today’s ever-changing world, most offices do a lot of in-house printing, faxing and copying. If it’s time for your office to consider a new copy machine, it’s time to look at a digital model. Today’s digital copiers come with a slew of benefits to keep in mind:

Quick print speeds
On average, the newer digital copiers print between 30 to 100 ppm. Warm-up speeds range from about 3.5 to 7.5 seconds for the first copy.

High print volume
While most basic models can hold 100 sheets in the tray and 250 in the cassette, the larger, multifunction machines can accommodate up to 500 sheets in the tray and more than 2,000 sheets distributed throughout the cassettes.

Multifunction printers (MFP)
Added features may include wireless connectivity, an interactive touch-screen, easy image editing, built-in hard drives for document storage, enhanced security and reduced costs through Energy Star compliance.

Better graphics
Multifunction printer models with enhanced graphic capabilities offer the highest resolution and five-color control. Such models make a reliable and exact reproduction of the source material, whether it’s a physical document or digital image.

More cost savings
Investing in a quality MFP will save money in the long run with its enhanced features and Energy Star compliance, but you can take additional steps to save even more. You can set the defaults of your printer to black and white, 2-sided printing. You’ll save on paper and ink.

The Sharp advantage
When you’re in the market for a new office copier, be sure to consider a Sharp Multifunction Printer. Sharp’s professional MFPs are equipped with all of the bells and whistles you want from a high-end model, yet bring far more value than your average piece of office equipment. Sharp features include a customizable user interface, exclusive Sharp OSA technology that transforms your machine into an information portal, top-of-the-line security, Sharp Scan2 technology and more.

Ready to learn more? Visit our website today to get your free quote and discover how TLC Office Systems circles your office with cutting edge solutions to get more work done every day.

Getting to Know VoIP

TLC Office Systems — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 07:00:04 EDT

What is VoIP?
Voice over Internet Protocol phone systems send voice data through an internet connection in digital form rather than plugging into a phone jack to carry sound over the public switched telephone network. VoIP was first introduced to businesses in the 90s, and the technology has improved dramatically. Early adopters reported that the sound quality on VoIP was lacking compared to landlines, but those issues have been resolved.

What are the benefits of VoIP?
Today, VoIP continues to gain momentum as more than a third of all businesses use it. In fact, the advancement of technology in high-definition codecs means that today’s VoIP networks sound even better than current landline networks!

The proliferation of the cloud means that VoIP is also more accessible than ever. A cloud-hosted VoIP phone service requires no additional equipment or IT staff to install and maintain it–they simply need a broadband connection.

Is VoIP right for your business?
When considering VoIP for your business, you’ll need to determine if you have enough upload bandwidth to run multiple calls simultaneously, whether the bandwidth is great enough to handle other non-phone-related traffic on the network, and whether or not your firewall and router will be able to prioritize VoIP traffic above regular traffic.

If your network can support it, VoIP offers the benefits of cost reduction, ease of use and enhanced features ordinarily only available to an enterprise-level PBX. Features such as voicemail, call forwarding, call recording, on-hold music, voicemail-to-email, conference calling, instant messaging, call screening, call logs and more can be accessed on most VoIP networks.

Interested in learning more? Call TLC Office Systems today to find out how our VoIP services can benefit you!

3 Ways to Encourage Work-Life Balance

TLC Office Systems — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 07:00:03 EDT

You might know the importance of better work-life balance, but do you know how to help your employees achieve that balance? Office management and leaders are in a unique position to encourage healthy habits in the workplace that positively influence employees’ personal lives as well.

Look out for Burnout
Office leadership must attend to an employee’s well-being and job performance. Most employees won’t admit when they feel overworked. Signs that an employee may be burned out include absenteeism, higher error rates, and obvious physical/mental/emotional exhaustion. If you recognize possible burnout, try to avoid giving them extra work and help educate them about the wellness benefits available through your company.

Encourage Employees to Work Smarter, Not Harder
Rather than focusing on giving your employees more work or longer hours, encourage them to find new ways to work more efficiently. Ask your employees to help create standard operating procedures for the tasks they do every day, and get their ideas about how those processes might be improved. Such focus will help boost morale and reduce stress.

Implement a Wellness Program
More and more companies are finding ways to embrace wellness at work by offering wellness programs. That might include offering employees gym memberships, sponsoring health drives, bringing plants into the workplace or holding yoga classes on site. The possibilities are endless, but go a long way to generating happier and healthier employees.

There are numerous ways to better the lives of your employees and benefit the entire business. TLC Office Systems is proud to offer solutions for every aspect of office management to let you focus on your workers. Visit our website today to learn more about our services!

3 Sharp Business Solutions

TLC Office Systems — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 07:00:02 EDT

TLC Office Systems is proud to put tender loving care into your office management. Our services circle the needs of your business, so you can focus on the most important parts of your company’s success without getting bogged down in mundane operations. We couldn’t deliver our quality service and innovation without relying upon the best technology and cutting-edge solutions.

That’s why at every step of the way, we rely upon expertly designed products and services from Sharp. Sharp solutions have stood the test of time and continued to receive recognition for quality. Have you considered some of the amazing ways Sharp can benefit your office?

Document Systems
Sharp document products and solutions consistently receive prestigious awards from the leading MFP testing organizations. When you choose a Sharp document system, you know you’ve selected the brand that is most trusted by industry experts and satisfied customers. Sharp copiers and printers are well-known for their innovation, user-friendly operation, reliability, security, and expandability, which all demonstrate the company’s commitment to quality and excellence.

Aquos Board®
Sharp’s new Aquos Board® interactive display systems are designed for seamless and effortless communication in virtually any context. The highly-responsive touch pens allow multiple people to write on the same screen simultaneously, Display Connect software enables effective wireless communication. From the boardroom to the classroom, Sharp changes the way you communicate and allows you complete control.

Professional Displays
When more businesses trust Sharp Professional LCD displays to share their message with the world, you know there are good things to come. Sharp is America’s #1 selling brand of large format commercial displays with touch technology. These professional displays are exclusively engineered for business applications and are available in a vast range of sizes and capabilities. Sharp helps you communicate, collaborate and disseminate information brilliantly across the board.

Interested in more information? Contact us for a free quote today, and discover how Sharp and TLC Office Systems can advance your business!