Are you looking for a new way to jazz up your ring binder system? The very first ring binder or lever arch file you’ll ever own will be for organisational purposes, and this will continue to be the case for every binder you own throughout the years. Most people find that their first is during the educational period of their lives, most likely beginning during the year prior to GCSE’s, when course work and studies have begun and work must come home, must be kept safe and is of great importance. Using a binder then will ensure that any work you produce that will count towards your grade can be kept safe and pristine, and any study materials can be kept together ensuring optimum organisation and ease of successful studying. Having said this however, my daughter had her first ring binder a couple of years back in 4 or 5 in junior school! This was purely for ‘club’ purposes with her friends and for her drawings.

Later on, as the years go on, you’ll find that binders are useful in your home for keeping you bills and paper work together. Used together with plastic pockets, ring binders are perfect for storing not only your utility bills, but your various certificates too, whether this be children’s awards and achievements (and your own), or your birth, deed-pole and/or marriage certificates! You’ll also find them very useful for other area’s in the home such as to store your recopies, and in my strange and wonderful families case; to store the bizarrely adjusted lyrics to traditional Christmas songs for ‘Sing Alongs’ on Christmas Eve.

In the workplace the binder is used, normally as a collection in order to file various customer and client accounts. Used as a set these binders can be grouped together and filed upon a shelf, stored alphabetically for ease of retrieval. With the addition of dividers and indexes, you’ll find you can create the perfect filing tool! Another popular use for the binder in an office environment is for various guides and manuals. Commonly used for training guides, health and safety reference folders, but also to showcase work and services for prospective clients and customers; the binder in a priceless tool.

Most ring binders and lever arch files have the facility to add a cover so that it can either be personalised or so that the binder can be labelling in some way. A cover will indicate a variety of things such as who it belongs to, what it contains, which date or letter of the alphabet the binder covers, the name of the club or association and so on. One unique way of producing a binder cover is to use OHP Film, also known as Over Head Projector film. This clear film can be written upon or fed through and printer for more accurate fonts and designs. We’ve found that black printing on transparencies is very effective, attention grabbing and can look exceptionally professional.

At Office 365 you will not only find a complete array of ring binders and lever arch files, but you will also enjoy the full spectrum of transparencies too. You can place orders online, or for enquires, quotes for bulk orders, or simply to speak to a human when placing your order, you can call on 0870 766 1624.

When giving a presentation in front of an audience, it is pivotal that you get it right! If you’re audience pick up on your nerves, a lack of confidence in what you are saying or obvious errors; then you’re wasting your time. Ok, so it’s not like they’ll throw rotten vegetables at you, boo or hiss, however what will happen is they won’t buy your product, nor will they learn from what it is you’re trying to lecture; they won’t sign up for your cause and they certainly will not recommend you, your company or your product. Nowadays, people expect more than a lengthy speech which will ultimately send them to sleep, even if you do add a little humor. They expect imagery, demonstrations, technology and general interactive content. So before you begin, make sure you have the supplies you need to get your audience involved!

• Find a retailer of good value presentation supplies
• Be Organised – Make sure your content flows well and has a clear focus set out from the start of your presentation. Have some patience; set out your objective first and make sure that you presentation is planned in such a way that the message is clearly put across to your audience, and they understand the goal. Remember, if you’re unsure of your objective, then your audience will stand no chance of understanding what you’d like to achieve.
• Use Various Interaction Methods – It may also help you to know that according to a study done by the Navy, the average adult’s attention span is 18 minutes, so make sure that you vary your speech, it’s format and your interaction methods. Use a flipchart pad for your Q & A section incorporating the audience into your presentation. To illustrate key points, use projector transparencies, making sure not to shadow your projection! Use display systems from table to table providing basic information of your cause, product or business.
• Q & A Section – No matter how objective your questioner is, remain cool and respectful. Rehearse obvious questions before the presentation so that you can be prepared and give clear, concise and intelligent answers. It often goes down well to redirect the question, getting your audience involved and communicating with each other. If you believe the question that has been asked is not clear to others, rephrase it first and then answer.

There are a number of ways that you can make sure that you give an effective presentation, however other than the skill to demonstrate, the most important element are the supplies in which you use to put your message across. At Office 365 you will find a number of presentation supplies which are priceless in terms of their positive effects on your demonstration. Take a look at our Copier film from top quality brands, our Flipchart Pads which are available in various sizes, our inkjet film, laser film and write on film to work in conjunction with your projectors and various other presentation supplies. If you’re looking for the apparatus to perform your presentation, take a look at our presentation equipment section.

In most every classroom and conference room the overhead projector is still a familiar feature. They are a key tool for presentations and are generally used to illustrate crucial points in presentations. Even with the introduction of more advanced technology, you’ll still find that the OHP is prominent in most public speaking venues and schools. This is because they are still widely available, inexpensive to run and the parts are cheap. In fact, they are so cost effective that you’ll generally find one in every classroom of a school. To use an OHP you must use copier film for transparencies. By placing an overhead transparency on top of the flat glass surface of the projector, whatever is illustrated or written on the transparency is then projected onto a wall or screen. Transparencies can either be written on directly with an OHP pen, or fed into a laser printer where information from programs can be directly printed onto the transparency.

Our 3M OHP Film is a perfect example of quality copier film.

• Economy colour laser copier film
• Removable sensing strip along long edge
• Pack 50
• A4
• 24% Off!
• Free Delivery!

Remember when using these transparencies, to stand to one side of the overhead, facing the audience. It is a very common mistake to stand between the overhead projector and the screen which causes a shadow over the projected image. If you stand to one side however, you are allowing your audience to see you as their presenter, whilst also allowing them to see the image on the screen! Also, don’t forget a spare bulb!

The Green Bit

Corporate responsibility is now high on everyones agendas. Yet 3M has long held the belief that reputation depends not solely on their financial performance but also on the way they run their business. In 1975, 3M was one of the first major manufacturing companies actively to address environmental issues and, as with their drive for innovation, they involved employees through their benchmark programme Pollution Prevention Pays. In the UK and Ireland they have achieved Carbon Trust Standard certification for reducing their carbon footprint year-on-year. They believe they have a sound record of achievement in corporate responsibility but continually strive to improve their performance and address the ongoing challenges and opportunities. 3M are committed to sustainable development through a proactive approach to environmental protection, social responsibility and strong economic progress.

3M’s 2005 - 2010 Corporate Environment Goals

• Reduce Volatile Air Emissions by 25%
• Improve Energy Efficiency by 20%
• Reduce Waste (NonProduct Output) by 20%
• Complete 800 Pollution Prevention Pays projects.