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    How to Throw a Shredding Party

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    destroyit-2270cc-sm1You may have seen signs around advertising a “Shred Party” and thought to yourself, what is that? Well, it’s exactly what it sounds like, a place for people to come together and shred their unwanted items. These are often organized by a bank, post office, or school. But there is no reason why a business can’t throw one as well. Here is a road map to hosting your very own shred party.

    • First, you’ll want to define your purpose. The reasoning behind organizing any event is vital; knowing your purpose helps you plan your function. If your goal is brand awareness, you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of business cards on hand and maybe a few brochures for your company as well. Employees available to help and discuss your business will guide people in connecting to your brand. Maybe your goal is to get involved in your community. Then you might consider making this a monthly or quarterly event hosted to help people. Or maybe you’re just looking to sell your products. Hosting a shredding party is a great way to give people hands-on experience while helping them. Whatever road you choose, knowing why you’re hosting this function will help to guide your actions as well as tell your employees how to act.
    • Once you know your purpose, you’ll need to figure out which machines to use. If you expect a large number of people, having an industrial shredder on-hand will speed up the process tremendously. However, this will take away from the time you have to spend with potential customers. If you’re looking to sell, supply several different makes and models to encourage people to do some hands-on research. You may even offer a discount on the units used during the party or on any machines purchased that day. But overall, you’ll want to at least have one cross-cut and one strip-cut device to accommodate varying shredding needs. You may even provide a high security or micro-cut shredder, though this isn’t absolutely necessary. Another optional but nice addition to your selection would be a digital media shredder. Whatever you choose, be sure at least one shredder has a continuous duty motor to keep up with a heavy duty workload.
    • After you’ve planned the basics, get the word out. With so many media options available, there are several different ways to advertise. A newspaper ad gives people something tangible to remind them. A Facebook event on your company’s page (and maybe even on your city’s page, depending on how big of an event you wish to have) encourages customers to return to your business. An email message or snail mail postcard to your subscribers is another way to get the word out. And finally, you can always use a good old-fashioned sign on the side of the road.

    Finally, you’re ready! For a community event, consider providing a snack and a beverage to facilitate relationship building. If you’re looking to make a few sales, have product information ready as well as business cards and brochures. You may even host a drawing. Or turn it into a fundraiser for a charity by charging a small fee and donating the proceeds. The possibilities are endless. And if you need a new shredder for your event, MyBinding.com sells a wide selection of them and offers free shipping on all orders over $75.

    What do you think? Did I miss any key points? Have any suggestions for throwing a shredding party? I’d love to hear them!

    Office Tools and Supplies You Should Have at Home

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    Even if you don’t have a home office, there are several office tools and supplies you should have at home. These items can help you protect documents, get organized, and even help shield you from identity theft. Let’s take a look at what they are….

    1.)    A supply of self-sealing laminating pouches. At some point in your life, you may need to laminate something important. It could be a birth certificate, a memento, or even a special photograph. While you could purchase a laminator to protect you item, it’s more cost-effective to use self-sealing laminating pouches. Just buy a package and keep them in your desk so you can laminate your documents in minutes. Some of the best ones are made by GBC, so be sure to look for them.

    2.)    A good stapler. You should have a stapler at home because chances are good you’ll need to use it at some point. (For example, you may need to staple documentation to your tax returns.) You don’t need to purchase an exceptionally fancy one – a good, basic Swingline stapler will be just fine. A Swingline stapler will last for years so you’ll always be able to use it when you need to.

    3.)    A well-made paper shredder. If you’re like most people, you’re probably somewhat worried about fraud and identity theft. The best way to protect yourself is by shredding your private papers. There is a terrific selection of personal-sized machines and they’re made by great manufacturers such as Fellowes. (Swingline is also now making shredders.) You can use the shredder to shred items like old tax returns, canceled checks, and anything else you want to safely dispose of. This will help keep your personal information secure.

    4.)    A good pair of scissors. Like the stapler, you should have a good pair of scissors because you’ll need them at some point for various activities (i.e. sewing, wrapping gifts, crafts, etc.). A lot of different companies make scissors but you really can’t go wrong with a pair made by Dahle, a German manufacturer. They make a variety of scissors and they feature Solingen steel blades, so they’re very durable. Their scissors also feature sturdy plastic handles and they’re available in different lengths so there’s definitely a pair that’s right for you.

    5.)    Three-ring binders and a durable hole-punch. Three-ring binders are terrific supplies that can help you stay organized. You can use them to store schoolwork, recipes, trading card collections, photographs, and more. It doesn’t hurt to have a couple on-hand so you have them if you need them. Companies like Wilson Jones make particularly good binders. You should also have a three-hole punch so you can get your paper ready to go in the binders. Swingline makes some of the most durable punches, so you can be confident you’re getting a great product.

    These are all office tools and supplies you should have at home. They’ll be helpful for a variety of different tasks and they can also help you keep things organized. A paper shredder will definitely help you protect yourself against fraud, as well. Get these tools and supplies today so you have them when you need them.

    Are You FACTA-Compliant?

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    If you’re like the average American, chances are you’ve heard about identity theft. Perhaps you’ve read about it online or heard about it from a friend. Or maybe you’ve even been a victim of it. Whatever your situation may be, it’s well-known that identity theft is a terrible, traumatizing crime and that you need to protect yourself from it. If you run any type of business, it’s now important for you to protect the identities and private information of your customers and employees as well. That’s because of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act of 2003 (FACTA).

    FACTA is a set of federal rules and regulations that require business owners and employers to carefully destroy any unneeded documents containing customer and employee information. This information includes names, contact information, Social Security numbers, financial history, and so on. For every employee, customer, and client you have, you need to safely dispose of this information whether it’s on paper or stored on a CD, floppy disk, etc. This applies to every business from busy parents who hire a nanny for their child to local mom-and-pop retailers all the way up to the most powerful law firms and largest corporations. Some of the documentation you need to properly dispose of include credit reports, medical records, employment applications and histories, and financial documents.

    Not complying with FACTA will get you in bring trouble. You could get sued by customers and former employees which can be embarrassing and detrimental to your reputation. There are also stiff fines you may have to pay: state fines can cost up to $1,000.00 while each federal violation could cost you as much as $2,500.00.

    The good news is that you can make yourself and your business FACTA-compliant by using paper shredders. These machines will properly destroy the documents so that all of that private information won’t become public knowledge. Paper shredders are available in many different sizes. Some are small enough to fit under desks and there are also larger ones that can be shared among multiple people. It would be a good idea to use a high-security cross-cut shredder such as the ones made by manufacturers such as Fellowes, Dahle, MBM, and Formax. For example, there’s the Fellowes Powershred HS-880 which has a Level 6 security rating (Level 6 is the highest rating) and can shred up to 8 sheets of paper per pass. If you’re in need of something that can destroy paper and electronic media, you can’t go wrong with a machine like the GBC Shredmaster GLHS930. It has a Level 5 rating and it can destroy CD’s and DVD’s along with paper. There are a lot of high-security shredders on the market, so you’re bound to find one that’s perfect for your needs.

    Being FACTA-compliant is something you need to do to protect your customers, clients, and your business so buy a paper shredder today. It will be one of the best investments you’ll ever make.

    Office Devices to Be Careful Around

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    It’s hard to imagine life without some of our most utilized office products such as scissors,005-Dahle-Vantage-Scissors2-ma laminators, and paper shredders. However, as helpful as these devices are, they can also be dangerous. Here are the office devices you should be careful around along with suggestions regarding their safe usage.

    1.)    Any type of cutting device. Without a doubt, cutting tools can be some of the most dangerous office devices. This includes scissors/shears, rotary trimmers, and stack and guillotine cutters. One false move with one of these items could easily cause an injury so you need to be very careful when you’re using them. A lot of it boils down to common sense. (Such as, “don’t run with scissors.”) Also, there are so many cutting tools that have safety features to help you prevent injuries. For example, rotary trimmers often have blades that are encased in plastic so that you won’t accidentally run your fingers over the blade. The best guillotine cutters have a spring-loaded blade and a latch hook to keep the blade in place. And stack cutters often require you to use both hands when cutting so that your hands without them getting them trapped near the blade. Most of all, common sense is often the most important component in staying safe when cutting.  As long as you have that, you should be able to cut without any issues.

    2.)    Laminators. Of all the document finishing methods to choose from, laminating is one of the most popular. It’s not too difficult, it’s pretty speedy, and it’s something the whole family can get involved in. However, you need to be careful when laminating, especially when you’re working with a roll laminator. Not only can these devices become extremely warm to the touch, they can also pose a  problem due to their rollers. Hands and fingers can get stuck between the rollers and children in particular are at risk for this. Luckily, you can prevent disaster from occurring by staying mindful of the situation and keeping at eye on everyone (including yourself) using the machine. Some laminators do have safety shields so you should choose a device with this feature if you’ll be laminating around kids.

    3.)    Paper and multimedia shredders. It’s probably no surprise to see paper and multimedia shredders on this list. The shredder is one of the most dangerous office devices invented since it’s basically just a machine designed to chew things up. Depending on the device, you’ll be able to shred paper, CD’s, credit cards, and so on, so you can imagine how powerful shredders are. These machines can really do damage if you’re not careful. The best way to ensure a safe shredding experience is follow the manufacturer’s directions and keep the machine away from kids and even pets. Most shredders have some sort of safety feature (such as an interlock switch), so be sure the machine you choose has one with which you’re comfortable.

    All of these office devices are helpful but you need to be careful when using them. Good luck with your work and stay safe!

    Three Office Devices Every Administrative Assistant Needs

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    mbm-87m-sm13Being an administrative assistant is hard work but the right office machines and supplies can make your job a lot easier. From computers to staplers, paper shredders to letter openers, the right equipment is essential. Thus, here are three office devices that every administrative assistant needs to make his or her day a little easier. Check them out….

    1. The Martin Yale 1624 Letter Opener. First on our list is the 1624, which is a handheld letter opener from Martin Yale. This device is small enough to fit in your desk drawer while still being powerful enough to open an envelope in just a few seconds. It’s powered by 4 AA batteries but is incredibly lightweight so using it is a comfortable experience even when you’re opening a lot of envelopes. This opener’s blades are totally enclosed so you’ll never have to worry about cutting yourself. Also, this letter opener comes with a one-year warranty.
    2. The Techko LF282N Paper Folder. Even though e-mail is now commonly used by just about everyone, there are still times when correspondence needs to be sent through the old-fashioned kind of mail. That’s where a paper folder like the Techko LF282N can come in handy. This machine can fold up to 5 sheets of paper at a time and it’s compatible with both letter- and A4-sized paper. When you use this device, your documents will come out of it perfectly folded so you can pop them into envelopes and move on to something else. Also, the LF282N is small enough to fit on your desk so you can always have easy access to it. Like the 1624 letter opener, it’s backed by a a one-year warranty.
    3. The GBC Shredmaster GDX1813 Cross-Cut Paper Shredder. Finally, every administrative assistant needs to have access a high-quality paper shredder. A particularly good one is the GBC Shredmaster GDX1813, a cross-cut machine that offers Level 3 security. This device can shred up to 18 sheets at a time and it will even destroy CD’s, credit cards, and document fasteners. It’s even equipped with a JamFree technology so you can shred a great deal without having to deal with a paper jam. (This technology will let you know if you’re trying to shred too much at once. You’ll then have a change to remove the materials to prevent a jam.) Since the GDX1813 has a large 13-gallon wastebasket, this would be a good machine for a shared work area. This is a very durable machine that comes with 2-year warranty on parts and labor while the cutting mechanism is covered for 20 years.

    All three of these devices can help make your job as an administrative assistant much easier. The letter opener and paper folder make it easy to process both incoming and outgoing mail so you can spend time on more important matters. The paper shredder will enable you to get rid of unwanted documents and keep your employer’s information private. See if you can get these products for your office to make your job easier.