So, you’re thinking about converting your office or small business to an eco-friendly environment, but maybe you’re not sure where to begin. Well, for starters, there are many alternatives to traditional office supplies. Contrary to popular to belief, it’s much easier (and less costly) to switch over to earth-conscious products. While many people think that green items are more expensive, they are typically available at equal price with no less functionality. Simple changes – such as converting your regular light bulbs to the new low-energy fluorescent CFL bulbs – are green alternatives that make sense, both planet and dollar-wise: on average, one compact fluorescent light bulb saves an average of $35 in the energy costs over the life of the bulb, compared to a standard bulb.

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People change careers everyday. It’s not uncommon for people to have at least a few careers in their lifetime. Entrepreneurs change careers by starting new or different businesses while technical people might move from programming or design to management, sales, and then possibly back again. Some people change their careers entirely by switching to totally different fields. Some simply just move to different companies.

However, many people don’t know how to change careers. In fact, many are afraid to think about it. They’re in the position of passively waiting for something to carry them to the right direction.

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Did you know that packaging constitutes as much as one-third of the non-industrial waste stream, which is why 28 countries have laws designed to minimize that waste? Unfortunately, the U.S. is not among them, according to www.idealbite.com.

To ship your holidays gifts the smart way, consider these tips that will help reduce what ends up in our landfills:

1. Instead of throwing away the shreds you get when using a paper shredder, use them to fill packages you send in the mail. It doesn’t cost anything, it can be recycled and it’s an environmentally safer product than Styrofoam.
2. Save cash by reusing. Boxes can cost a few bucks each. Avoid buying new ones by reusing the ones sent to you.
3. If you don’t have old boxes to reuse, insist on mailing boxes that use 10% to 30% recycled paper.
4. Ship early to avoid shipping by air. Energy costs for sending a package for next day delivery are four times higher than the cost of ground shipping.
5. Lighter means more energy-efficient (and cheaper), so make sure you’re using the right size box for the job.
6. Consider using cornstarch packing peanuts. They are made from corn starch and dissolve in water leaving no toxic waste. Organic fill is static free, economical, fast and easy to use. Place them outside and they will either disappear when the birds take them to make their nests or they will melt in the next rainstorm.
7.  Use recycled plastic bubble wrap to cushion the contents of your package.
8.  Reuse plastic shopping bags or shredded newspaper and pack it around breakables.
9. Try gummed paper tape made from recycled Kraft paper.
10. Visit Earth911.com to find a recycling center near you. Simply enter the name of the item you want to recycle and your zip code to find a recycling center nearby that will accept your packaging materials, such as packing peanuts. Most UPS Stores will gladly accept packing peanuts as well if you find your home or office is being consumed by them.
11. For holiday packing materials, try dry pine cones and air-popped popcorn. They’re virtually free, festive and can be fed to the birds or put in the back yard after use.

Discount Office Supplies | Recycled Office Products | Paper Shredder | 3 Ring Binders | Mailing Supplies

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Uni-ball 207 is teaming up with Frank W.Abagnale, one of the most respected experts on identity theft and the person whose life is chronicled in the blockbuster movie “Catch Me If You Can,” to help individuals protect themselves from a common form of check fraud.

Check washing is a process where checks are stolen from the mail or by other means and the ink is erased using common household products. The thieves will then rewrite the check payable to themselves, in the amount of their choosing.

Many uni-bal gel pens use ink that contain color pigments, which are absorbed in to a checks paper fibers. When an individual tries to “wash” the information written on the check, the ink is in effect trapped.

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For some people, there’s nothing more terrifying than having to stand up in front of a roomful of people and deliver a presentation. While it’s only natural to feel some stage fright, there are ways to get comfortable with making presentations that are powerful and persuasive.

The keys to success can be summed up this way: Know the material. Know the audience. Know the room.

It’s all about confidence. To help you get started, here are some things to consider.

Practice Makes Perfect.

A truly great presentation takes a lot of preparation. The place to start is to identify the key objective of what you want to achieve - in effect, what you want your audience to know and/or do after the presentation.

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