NOVEMBER 2014 R50. INC VAT THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE STATIONERY, HOME AND OFFICE PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION HAND SANITATION FOR HEALTH HOW TO SELL TEACHING AIDS My Office Magazine www.facebook.com/shopsa.ZA BUMPER BUSINESS FOR BTS SEASON SCHOOL BAG PROCUREMENT “We’ve got all your Home, Office and School Stationery needs at affordable prices” Head Office contact details: Tel: 032 459 2820 Fax: 032 459 3255 Email: [email protected] Website: www.freedomstationery.co.za
Transcript
NOVEMBER 2014 R50. inc vat THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE STATIONERY, HOME AND OFFICE PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION
HAND SANITATION FOR HEALTH
HOW TO SELL TEACHING AIDS
My Office Magazinewww.facebook.com/shopsa.ZA BUMPER BUSINESS
FOR BTS SEASON
SCHOOL BAG PROCUREMENT
“We’ve got all your Home, Office and School Stationery needs at affordable prices”
NEWS04 | GO FIGURE WITH FACTS Stats to study, analyse, interpret and present42 | INDUSTRY NEWS Industry-related news and trade business announcements52 | FINANCIAL BYTES Facts and figures from the business world46 | ECO PAGESA green sustainability update, sponsored by Mondi
SALES SAVVY10 | THE BORING BASICS Sometimes businesses try to be the best at the cost of marketing basics12 | HOW TO SELL: TEACHING AIDS By calling on all the five senses, teaching aids motivate learners to learn and retain knowledge16 | INTERNATIONAL COMMENT: BEYOND BROKEN OPI’s Rick Marlette looks at the high cost of low pricing28 | IT’S IN THE BAG School bags are an essential item, and parents must focus on quality and health benefits
RETAIL SAVVY36 | LABEL LOGIC A labelling solution for every task and environment38 | FOR ART’S SAKE Add a twist to your art box with these unique tools
BUSINESS SAVVY06 | LABOUR LAW: DEALING WITH POOR PERFORMANCE Dr Ivan Israelstam looks at what to do when senior employees fail to perform duties properly08 | PRESENCE IS A STATE OF MIND Gavin Moffat examines the benefits of paying attention to your surroundings
SPECIAL FEATURES50 | WIN THIS Giveaway products to win and sample63 | NEEDFUL THINGS A selection of handy, compact and protective items for back to school
18 BACK TO SCHOOL As the back to school (BTS) season gets underway, scholastic essentials are in high demand
IN EVERY ISSUE03 | EDITOR’S WELCOME 48 | CRIME ALERT 52 | WEB BUTTONS54 | PRODUCT SHOWCASE 56 | BUYERS’ GUIDE64 | PUNCHLINE
40 CLEAN HANDS, HEALTHY BODIES
Waterless options to keep hands clean and germ-free
Office paper sponsored by
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My Office Magazine is the official magazine of
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25 000 buyers and sellers of stationery and office
Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy the
publisher and editor cannot accept responsibility
for supplied material. The opinions of contributors
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Vol 98 | November 2014
w w w . s h o p - s a . c o . z a
e d i t o r ’ s l e t t e r
Mercédes
Power to the BTS season
The back to school (BTS) season is boom time for suppliers and retailers, and usually lasts from November until February, assisted by the back to office upsurge in January.
This important season is reflected in the bumper size of this November issue, which focuses on the BTS trade environment.
Despite the predictable price wars and discount jockey-style trade manoeuvres, which end up serving no-one, we can also expect to see more creative sales and marketing campaigns across the Web and mobile networks, together with intelligent promotions and solid service level agreements that will underpin office products and office automation strategy this season. Take a look at some of the stats data revealed on page 4.
In our lead BTS feature on page 18, we take a look at the traditional top sellers - brands which have stood the test of time within the South African market along with the ever-increasing spread of opportunity into Africa.
During peak season, retailers will be
challenged to stay focused on the unique selling points (USPs) that help products become best sellers: what challenge it helps the customer overcome, and product facts and figures which best serve the sale. This won’t be a time of referring to product catalogues; instead, consumer-facing sales representatives will need to know the product characteristics and values of each product, as well as the related guarantees, warranties and after-sales service agreements which come with the offering in order to streamline time and communication interfaces. Our feature on school bag procurement on page 28 as well as our teaching aids feature on page 12 support this sharing of product knowledge.
We explore the convenience of hand sanitizers on page 40 – a portable and effective product made available in packaging and dispensers for personal desk drawers, school bags and large-application manufacturing hygiene.
I would like to ask readers to please take special note of our international comment on page 16. Written by Rick Marlette for www.opi.net, it challenges the problems of loss-leader pricing in the global marketplace. In the December issue of My Office magazine, we will be providing a
more local perspective. Please e-mail with your thoughts and comments to [email protected]. We will respect any requests to remain anonymous in order to be able to reflect on all significant opinions within the sector.
We love being able to give you something for free. Enter our lucky draw competition in the Win This section on page 50 and stand a chance to experience products first-hand, made available by a selection of our valued members and advertisers.
If you would like to receive your own issue of My Office magazine, please visit www.shop-sa.co.za to register for a free subscription. We are delighted to announce that this month will see the launch of the My Office Online magazine and weekly newsletter, which will reach the end-user/consumer market with its direct editorial and marketing drives.
Until next time,
m y o f f i c e m a g a z i n e 3
The number of cell phones in South Africa surpasses the number of people living here. On the average, every one of about 51-million South Africans (babies included) has 1,17 (or so) cell phones.
The country has 5,3-million personal computer users, making up 11% of the total population.
More South Africans use mobile phones (29-million) than listen to the radio (28-million) or use a personal computer (6-million).
85% of mobile users are Facebook users.
A Nielsen survey identifies Nokia as South Africa’s most popular cell phone – with smartphones an “aspirational” purchase. n
Go figure with factsWe give you stats to study, analyse, interpret and present
South Africa’s online advertising industry is worth R319-million - and it is growing rapidly. Online retail generates R688-million in sales, and online air ticket sales R3-billion.
Overall growth rate for self-paced e-learning in Africa is 15,2%.
Senegal has the highest growth rate in Africa at 30,4%, followed by Zambia at 27,9%, Zimbabwe at 25,1% and Kenya at 24,9%.
The South African government aims to have 1-million students enrolled at higher learning colleges by 2014.
“We’re not using our buying power properly,” says National Treasury chief director of strategic procurement Estelle Setan, of the shortcomings of the government’s existing public procurement processes. “There is also a lack of policy direction and certainty, as well as a lack of standardisation around common goods procured by government throughout the country, such as school desks. This gives us less control on monitoring and opens the door for corruption.”
It’s been estimated that SA has lost R650-billion to corruption over the last 18 years.
Manufacturing production decreased by 1,2% in August 2014 compared with August 2013. The 1,2% year-on-year decrease in manufacturing production was mainly due to lower production:• Wood and wood products, paper,
publishing and printing (-11,3% and contributing 1,1 percentage points);
• Petroleum, chemical products and rubber and plastic products (-3,9% and contributing -0,9 of a percentage point);
• Glass and non-metallic mineral products (-13,4% and contributing -0,6 of a percentage point);
• Basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery (-3,1% and contributing 0,6 of a percentage point); and
• Food and beverages (-2,0% and contributing -0,5 of a percentage point).
Using 3D printers imported from Germany and costing approximately €500 000 (R7,1-million), South African medical specialists have successfully created jaw bones for two facially deformed men at the Kimberley Hospital Complex in the Northern Cape.
The bulk of South African exports are concentrated in a few mega firms which ship products to countries around the world, with approximately 1 000 companies generating 93% of all of the country’s exports. The rest of South Africa’s 20 000 exporting firms export small amounts.
Exports decreased from July to August by R8,19-billion (9,6%) and imports increased from July to August by R1,28-billion (1,4%). The cumulative deficit for 2014 is R70,74-billion compared to R51,88-billion in 2013.
In 2010 South Africa currently has over 12-million learners, some 386 600 teachers and approximately 26 000 schools, including 1 098 registered independent or privately owned schools.
The NEIMS Report highlights that of South Africa’s 24 793 public schools:19 037 schools do not have a computer centre, whilst a further 3 267 have a room designed as a computer centre but are not stocked with computers.
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d a t a & d i g i t s
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London, January 2014 – PARKER reveals three new luxurious and contemporary finishes for its
IM line. The new collection is inspired by the emblematic Vacumatic pen which took the industry by
storm when it was first launched in 1933. This classic pen has inspired a fresh new finish for Parker’s
contemporary collection of striking pens. In keeping with Parker’s tradition of both craftsmanship and
innovation this new collection perfectly marries modern design with the brand’s rich heritage.
The Revolution is backPARKER IM unveils its new Metallic
Available at all leading stationers and pen specialistswww.parkerpen.com www.silveray.co.za
an elegant and modern accessory
Stripe Collection
SSC Parker Vacumatic A4 ad 2 2014/10/16 1:35 PM
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l a b o u r l a w
Dealing with poor performanceA look at what to do when senior employees fail to perform duties properly
Confusion reigns amongst employers and employees as to what an employer can or cannot do when a senior employee fails to perform their duties properly. Much
of this confusion lies in the apparently inconsistent findings on this issue amongst arbitrators. The problem lies more in the faulty interpretation of the arbitration awards than in the awards themselves.
Item 9 of the Code of Good Practice: Dismissal in Schedule 8 of the Labour Relations Act (LRA) states that:
“Any person determining whether a dismissal for poor work performance is unfair should consider:• Whether or not the employee failed
to meet a performance standard, and if the employee did not meet a required performance standard whether or not the employee was aware, or could reasonably have been expected to be aware, of the required performance standard;
• The employee was given a fair opportunity to meet the required performance standard; and
• Dismissal was an appropriate sanction for not meeting the required performance standard.”
Items of the abovementioned code provide that:• An employee should not be
dismissed for unsatisfactory performance unless the employer has given the employee appropriate evaluation, instruction, guidance, training or counselling; and after
a reasonable period of time for improvement, the employee continues to perform unsatisfactorily.
• The procedure leading to dismissal should include an investigation to establish the reasons for the unsatisfactory performance and the employer should consider other ways, short of dismissal, to remedy the matter.
These guidelines make it clear that the employer does have the right to dismiss poor performers. However, this can only be acceptable if the employer can prove factually that it has, prior to the dismissal, complied with all the substantive and procedural requirements of the law. That is, the onus at the CCMA falls entirely on the employer to bring solid proof that it followed the procedural guidelines quoted above; and also that, regardless of the procedure followed, the dismissal decision itself was appropriate under the circumstances.
Poor performance by senior employees is even more crucial than that of junior staff. For example, where a senior executive fails to manage their division properly the whole division could be brought down and could even cause the demise of the entire enterprise.
Therefore, all arbitrators agree that employers have the right to terminate the employment of senior employees who misperform where the consequences or potential consequences of the misperformance are serious.
The big question revolves around how this must be done. That is, can the executive be fired without having received:• Clarity on the required performance
standards; • Counselling; and • A chance to improve.
As shown here, the LRA requires that the standards of performance be set clearly at the outset and that the employee receives counselling and a chance to improve before being dismissed. In addition, it is vital that there is an investigation, part of which includes the employee’s opportunity to explain the alleged poor performance.
However, despite the above, it is common practice amongst arbitrators that the statutory procedures laid down in the LRA are less strictly applied when it comes to senior employees such as executives. For example, many arbitrators believe that a senior employee would require fewer prior warnings - if any - before being dismissed. While this less protective approach in respect of senior employees is fairly standard, it does not mean that the employer may ignore all the legislation when it wishes to dismiss a poor performing senior executive.
For example, in the recent case of Fortuin versus Shoprite (2004, 3 BALR 314) Fortuin, a store manager, was dismissed for poor timekeeping and stock losses. The arbitrator found that there were no good reasons to justify the dismissal and that proper procedure had not been followed. Although the employee was a manager he was still entitled to be counselled and to be given an opportunity to improve. As this had not happened, the manager was awarded one year’s remuneration in compensation.
This case throws doubt on the belief that a senior executive can, in all circumstances, be dismissed for a first offence of poor performance. It also means that, unless employers jack up their understanding and implementation of the law, more and more senior employees will be taking them to the CCMA and winning huge compensation awards. n
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
DR IVAN ISRAELSTAM
m y o f f i c e m a g a z i n e6
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o n l i n e l a n d s c a p e
Presence is a state of mindPaying attention to your surroundings has multiple benefits at work and at home
So there I was, having a henna tattoo drawn on the inside of my wrists. My wife had just had a beautiful one drawn across the top of her left hand and over her wrist. I had chosen the word
“present” for the left wrist and “mindful” for the right.
I proceeded to be neither present nor mindful as the lady was doing her magic on my wrists. This resulted in me giving her insufficient direction, and I ended up with the word “present” looking like it was written in Elvish and “mindful” spelt with two “l”s. So much for being present and mindful.
The reason that I chose those two words is that they are the sum of so much more than just their definitions. In order to be aware of where we are and who we are with, we need to be in the
moment, take part fully and engage as best we can. We need to be both present and mindful. It’s amazing how we can be there in body, but not present. Many people may be in the room but most are certainly not present. The best descriptor I have heard is “they are home but the lights aren’t on”.
Today’s technology has certainly not contributed in any way to being present. People now sit on mobile phones just about everywhere and children are kept amused with iPads. The worst example I’ve seen is kids on their iPads while on a game drive in the bush, “so that they can be busy in between seeing the animals”. What happened to the adventure of spotting the animals and being present in the moment of searching for the next animal?
You choose how to live your life and whether to be present or not. It’s tough to maintain presence. There are tons of distractions. It is most apparent when you are around young children whose parents are not attentive and there for them. How often have you seen a child
call for their parent’s attention over and over again, just to be ignored? Instead of labelling the child as a brat, watch next time and wonder why it is that the child does that. It’s not their fault; it’s the fault of the parents for not being present.
Being present at work has rewards. It means that you’re probably one of the few people that are. You will notice things about others, such as how they are really feeling, be in touch with nuances of human communication and linguistic inflections. You may even end up more in touch with the undertone or core values that people express in everything they do and say.
Being mindful in an office surrounding also means that you will probably be thinking before you respond and listening to entire sentences or questions before constructing your comeback.
Generally, being present and mindful will mean that you will avoid having semi-permanent tattoos in Elvish and misspelt words on your body. n
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
GAVIN MOFFAT
m y o f f i c e m a g a z i n e8
London, January 2014 – PARKER reveals three new luxurious and contemporary finishes for its
Urban line. The new collection is inspired by the emblematic Vacumatic pen which took the industry by
storm when it was first launched in 1933. This classic pen has inspired a fresh new finish for Parker’s
contemporary collection of striking pens. In keeping with Parker’s tradition of both craftsmanship and
innovation this new collection perfectly marries modern design with the brand’s rich heritage.
The Revolution is backPARKER Urban unveils its new Metallic
Available at all leading stationers and pen specialistswww.parkerpen.com www.silveray.co.za
an elegant and modern accessory
Stripe Collection
SSC Parker Vacumatic A4 ad 4 2014/10/16 1:35 PM
The boring basicsSometimes businesses try to be the best at the cost of marketing basics
Today’s conventional wisdom - in incredibly competitive markets - is that the customer is the most important entity in a business and, in order to beat competitors, one must
offer something unique and distinct in an already over-supplied market.
And that the only answer is to differentiate through branding, service and personal, memorable experiences.
But to focus on these without looking at the reality of most companies’ practices, we exaggerate the importance of being “special”. For example, how many customers do you think feel like they are number one in your business? Perhaps 1%?
Ask customers when they last had an amazing service experience and there is usually silence. But if you ask any customer about their latest bad experience, they will tell you about one of many transactions that drove them to drink just last week. Shoddy quality and workmanship; processes and rules that just don’t work; seemingly indifferent, incompetent or discourteous staff; products as advertised not being available; long delays and queues; Web sites or ATMs that just don’t work; and,
most of all, a lack of willingness or desire to fix what is broken.
We think that offering something unique to customers will be great for attracting and keeping them loyal, but we couldn’t be further from the truth. Customers want something and are prepared to pay for it if it meets their basic needs. If you do that better and more conveniently than your rivals, you are off to a great start. If you don’t get the basics incredibly right, no matter what else you do it will fall flat. The foundation must be strong, or everything will crumble, and no amount of differentiation or innovation will fix this. Once the basics are in place, and you ensure that your business can reliably meet your customers’ reasonable expectations, then you can start looking at your emotional branding and create radical, distinctive and innovative experiences.
Why do we seem to fail to do this in most organisations? First, top managers don’t spend enough time speaking directly with their customers, or experiencing what their customers are experiencing in their business. Second, the people on the front line who do deal with customers don’t tell their bosses the bad news. Third, because of the repetitive and routine nature of most work in business, people get bored and want to try things out that are more exciting – without checking whether this
is what customers actually want. We go for the latest management fads; pursuing novelty and uniqueness, and what matters most to us.
Some of you may remember a chain of bakeries that opened in Johannesburg in the 1980s call La Baguette. They focused mainly on bread and pastries, and the products were brilliant - crispy breads, delicious croissants and beautifully crafted tarts. They were so popular that queues jammed the door. They had brought a little bit of Paris to customers.
And then they suddenly closed down. What happened? To put it bluntly, it was
a hassle. Cars double and triple parked outside. As delicious as the products were, there was nothing else that one could buy. There was no convenience of picking up your milk and newspapers while you were there, or ordering your child’s birthday cake when you bought all the other stuff for the same party.
The primary way to gain customers and create loyalty is to differentiate your business from your competitors in ways that matter to customers. And for most of them it’s first about getting the boring basics right: quality products; decent treatment; fair prices; stock availability; short queues; a nice environment; a focus on safety; good hygiene and security; and so on.
It’s not so hard, really. n
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m a r k e t i n g s a v v y
AKI KALLIATAKIS
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
m y o f f i c e m a g a z i n e10
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h o w t o s e l l
Teaching aidsBy calling on all five senses, teaching aids motivate students to learn and retain knowledge
With children reading fewer books on their own, reading comprehension is at an all-time low amongst
students of today. This is just one of the areas where teaching aids have become highly important as a learning tool. They can also be used to explain complicated concepts or to show students something they may never see in reality.
Since we all have a tendency to forget, teaching aids, in addition to the learning process, enable students to retain information too. This is because teaching aids create an actual
experience which stimulates the senses and create interest and excitement in the learner. A classroom full of bored and demotivated students is not going to be attentive, alert or open to learning anything.
When students are actively involved in the learning process – instead of just being in receipt of a one-way stream of information – they are better able to define abstract concepts precisely, quickly and easily.
Teaching aids which appeal to all the senses promote faster learning and better comprehension. This ranges from the basics right through to cutting-edge digital hardware and software, such as a blackboard or whiteboard, audio visual equipment, video projectors, tablets, radio, printed materials,
Points to consider for the school environment
Learning aids:• Must be appropriate for the
lesson, otherwise they may cause confusion;
• Should be large enough to be seen by pupils at back of the classroom;
• Must be easily understood by all the cognitive levels of pupils;
• Must be easily connected to the topic at hand;
• Must encourage pupil participation and engage their attention;
• Should be as natural as possible and near to the real thing; and
• Should be able to be manipulated for better interactivity.
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ANY PAD FITS
Rexel raises over R1m for CANSA!
www.rexelsa.co.za
Nobo Easels
Binders
Fusion Laminators
ColourHide Notebooks
Rexel Easy Touch Staplers
Rexel ET230 Punch
A percentage of the sale of these products is donated to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA)’s Women’s Health campaign.
posters and pin boards, instruction manuals, computers and computer software, film, the World Wide Web, live demonstrations, digital images and interactive objects and toys.
Today’s learning tools provide effective activities that have been creatively designed to improve vocabulary and reading comprehension. Most importantly, teaching aids provide a new and exciting way in which learners can engage with the material and thereby access new information.
CAPS-aligned educational resources from Grade R throughout the Foundation, Intermediate and Senior Phase underpin the school curricula but Early Childhood Development and early detection of learning difficulties should already be the focus at kindergarten level.
Not just aimed at younger students, learning tools are available for high school learners, university students, corporate and business learning environments, and support products for the trainers and teachers themselves. For example, support in teaching languages and effective business skills, teacher training “survival guides” and teaching plans.
Bright Start learners recently benefited from the handover of 37 iPads donated by FUEL - an organisation focused on providing out-of-classroom support for learners. Despite the children never having held an iPad before, they easily managed to interact with the intuitive apps and games – underlining the power engagement has in learning.
Studies in neurobiology, neurodevelopment and early intervention show that the years from birth to age five are critically important for brain development. There is a plethora of educational apps available which have been developed for iPads. These apps are intuitive; help improve fine motor development; and grow colour, letter and number recognition - all in an engaging way.
A recent study conducted in a US pre-school showed that for every dollar invested in early learning, society would save up to seven times that amount in later education and other societal costs. Says FUEL’s CEO, Craig Reid: “We have seen first-hand the high levels of adult illiteracy and the challenges that this brings within a corporate environment, and we believe passionately that intervening at the early childhood
Craig Reid CEO of FUEL and Carolynne Stelling, executive director at Bright Start
Qama Tyawana in pre-primary school with her mother Busi
Naeema in pink with Ave Thandwa also in pre-primary school and her mother Bulelwa in grey
m y o f f i c e m a g a z i n e14
h o w t o s e l l
Points to consider for the e-learning environment
• Corporate training requires rapid training facilitation in order to retrain people in new technologies, products, services and programmes.
• Training needs to be highly interactive in design and customised to the purpose.
• Programmes must be formulated and administered by dedicated specialists.
• All stages of learning need to provide rich visuals, infographics, video, gamification, and scenario-based training to allow for realtime student communication with lecturers, tutors and one another during all stages of learning.
• Materials must provide case studies, video lectures from industry thought leaders, practically focused projects and interactive learning methods such as module notes, discussion forums, practice quizzes, tests, recommended reading and references.
• Hardware and bandwidth needs to provide for adequate web speeds and facilitation of online learning data.
development phase can make a big difference.”
Faith Makgoba, a Sunward Park learner, says the launch of e-textbooks in the classroom has made the learning experience that much easier and more enjoyable, adding that the initiative had also relieved them of school bags full of heavy text books that they used to carry to school every day. “We can now access previous question papers, which will help us with our exam preparations, as well as general learning. We also are no longer limited to the resources provided at the school - the tablets enable us to access all e-learning material from the portal.”
E-learning refers to any form of learning and teaching that is supported electronically. The related benefits of e-learning prove to be a fantastic brand offering initiative too. With the objective of enhancing professionalism within the industry, Camargue launched a free
online, IISA-accredited training initiative. “This is an industry first - no other insurance company in South Africa offers this type of service,” says MD Mitch Marescia.
As part of its initiative to enable students across Africa to study with high-touch interactive support, the University of Cape Town’s Faculty of Commerce, in partnership with GetSmarter, launched a suite of online postgraduate diplomas late last month.
Sangari has launched The iBox, which turns any urban or rural classroom, office and learning institution into an interactive teaching and learning environment, irrespective of the location. The locally-assembled iBox incorporates a projector, laptop, PC, teacher tablet, sound system and whiteboard. The compact unit can be stored in a safe place after use and, because it is portable, can be used in any environment where an image can be projected.
At corporate level, e-learning further streamlines the learning process since “students” have complete control over their own learning process. Each user is given their own user name and password, and they are able to log out of a training session at any time and resume it later when it suits them. Users have to reach specific levels of achievement before passing a module, and have to pass one section before they can move on to the next. Users are given three attempts to pass before moving on along programmes that are customised and follow a structured and specific sequence.
E-learning, no matter the size of business, can cut training costs by up to 70% - partly due to the fact that trainers and training material don’t have to be transported to outlying areas. n
Google’s Connected Classrooms
Google has launched “Connected Classrooms”, which is aimed at exploring historic spots related to South Africa’s 20 Years of Democracy. The second in the series, it offers schools from across the world the opportunity to visit South Africa’s famous Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, without leaving their classrooms.
The virtual field trip, organised by Google and 21 Icons, allowed children to follow a tour through the Constitutional Court, the Old Fort and Number 4 prison, participate in interactive learning sessions and ask questions of historians. Classrooms could join via Google+, Hangouts, or
watch live and chat on YouTube.
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i n t e r n a t i o n a l c o m m e n t
Procurement systems: beyond brokenThe high cost of low pricing
You’ve likely heard about Staples’ New York State contract last year when it bid one penny on around 200 of the top office supply
items used by the state.
Some think this is a great deal for the state, while others are laughing at Staples having to deliver on these ridiculous promises. I see a procurement system that is broken beyond any hope of correction.
There are products and services that can benefit from centralised purchasing agencies, such as high-cost and complex items, intricate configurations or difficult installations. Run-of-the-mill office supplies are none of these and do not require special purchasing skills.
What has happened in many organisations is that centralised purchasing departments have hijacked these everyday items to bolster their own existence. The more dollars that are under their control, the more power these agencies have.
Another problem is the cost that gets added to the process. Many state office supply contracts include an “administrative fee” of up to 5% to cover the added cost these agencies generate.
This fee is paid by the vendor. When you ask the purchasing agency about these fees, it claims that none of the fee is passed along to the state.
The process used to work until the national chains showed up. If you were a local business and you wanted to do business with your state, you had to play by the rules. The state wielded tremendous power over your business, with or without a state contract, and to intentionally do the state wrong meant certain doom for your business.
The reverse is true when it comes to the chains. Handing out million-dollar prebate cheques buys you a lot of “looking the other way”. And if that doesn’t work, there are always the lawyers and the threat of a lawsuit.
With the New York contract, Staples revealed how all the loss-leader contracts work. A few items are priced cheap – absurdly so in the case of New York – with the intention of making it up elsewhere. The minute a loss-leader contract is signed, a team of skilled individuals commences work on the task of making sure you can’t take advantage
of these low-priced items without also paying for them many times over by buying the high-priced items.
So what happens when users cannot get the contracted items? They purchase off contract and pay dearly for them. The contractor knows that once they get a user off contract, they stay off contract and the high cost of the low price quickly starts to add up.
In order to honestly evaluate these loss-leader contracts, you have to take into consideration every item that was purchased off contract that could have been purchased on contract and add in those additional costs.
Then you need to check Web sites that have to compete for business every day. You may find half of the items purchased under contract are being sold to the general public for 15% less than the contracted price.
Every time I have used this method of evaluating a loss-leader contract, it consistently works out that the organisation would be better off paying the full price for everything.
The office supply industry, like many others, has changed drastically with the Internet; however, this archaic bidding on a core list of items remains stubbornly entrenched in many organisations. Who does this process really serve? n
Visit our Web site, www.myofficemagazine.co.za, to read the article entitled Staples struggles to fill orders for one cent office
products.
This article by Rick Marlette first appeared in www.opi.net and is reprinted with permission. It has been shortened for space.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Comments can be sent to [email protected]. Anonymous letters accepted.
m y o f f i c e m a g a z i n e16
ENERGY SMART
AUTOMATIC REVERSE
Back to school best sellersAs the back to school (BTS) season gets underway, scholastic essentials are in high demand
With parents and students preparing for the return to school in January, suppliers and retail
environments will experience high demand for stationery, school supplies and electronic items necessary for school, college and university students across the country.
Schools often send out lists of recommended brands, sizes, and quantities of items, depending on the courses being studied. These lists may include items such as mechanical pens, notebooks, flash drives, phones and chargers, calculators, thesauruses and specific styles of display books and binders.
Consumers, constrained by the economy and tighter budgets, will be shopping with price considerations in mind. Retailers and suppliers will be
challenged to focus on delivering the value propositions of a branded item’s performance, quality and durability. In order to avoid seasonal queues over this busy buying season, retailers will need prior understanding and working knowledge of the benefits of each individual product’s specifications.
As many as two-thirds of parents say their children influence their purchases when shopping. This supports the need for an additional stream of cartoon-branded products and accessories for
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display alongside the traditional BTS products on retail shelves. With a little creativity and small, inexpensive add-on offerings, retailers can expand the basic BTS product sales to include child-inspired merchandise.
PensPens allow for complete consumer customisation to the specific requirements for a task. Consumers can choose almost every aspect of their pen, from size to shape of the cylinder body and the type of nib. These nibs are ball point, roller ball or felt tip, and can further be defined by size for micro, fine, medium or wide point script. Traditional colour inks for students and teachers come in a range of blue, black, green and red inks in standard ball point pens, while craft and specialty pens widen the range with a variety of gel roller ball colours in neon and pearlescent. Ball point pens use oil-based inks, while roller ball pens use water-based inks which are more easily absorbed by the paper. A gel pen uses ink in which pigment is suspended in a water-based gel, and because the ink is thick and opaque, it shows up more clearly on dark or slick, smooth surfaces. Modern inks also offer the erasable pen, with the ink made up of a rubber cement solution which can be lifted off the page. However, these are not encouraged in learning environments. For portability and cleanliness, some nibs can be retracted with twist or click cylinders. Some pens come with a removable cap. The cylinder of the pen is usually made of a coloured or clear barrel in plastic, stainless steel or even recycled materials, such as those in the eco pen ranges. A pen’s barrel is usually cylindrical but can also be three- or multi-sided for improved grip.
Marker pens: bullet or chisel headsMarker pens feature pressed fibre felt tips in red, blue, green and black, and are designed for use on most surfaces. The heads of the markers come in bullet or chisel shapes. Permanent markers are used for tagging and marking stationery or for conveying information on surfaces such as glass, plastic, wood, metal and stone. The ink is resistant to rubbing and water and can last for many years. Non-permanent markers use erasable ink for use on smooth, non-porous surfaces such as classroom whiteboards and overhead projectors, and can be used by children as they do not contain the chemical compounds xylene or toluene as used in permanent markers.
Highlighter pensHighlighter pens are used to draw attention to sections of text for learning or teaching. Much like the traditional writing pen, its design is offered in a barrel or rectangular shape, with retractable and round, chisel or fine point nibs. These enable a fine underline or highlight two lines of text at a time. Colours are offered in vivid fluorescent tints, along with unique selling points such as technology to prevent the pen drying, and wax or gel stick formats which offer smear protection and colour that won’t bleed though paper. Both ink and highlighter pens are offered with pocket-style clip lids, as well as retail-ready packaged varieties and bulk boxes offering a range of assorted colours. Highlighters for desktop use are also sold with easy access display tubes and containers.
Colouring pensFibre-tipped colouring pens, or kokis, are suitable for all tasks. The broad-tipped pens are best for colouring larger areas and the fine tips are suitable for detailed work. Safe for use children’s varieties provide double-ended colours and barrel grips, with ink that can easily be washed out of clothing.
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CrayonsFrom vibrant rich colours to lighter pastel shades, colouring crayons come in moulded non-toxic wax, gel, oil pastels and chalk varieties for paper and board of varying media. The grip can be cylindrical with paper wrap, hexagonal, in a twist up barrel, or self-sharpening for older age groups. Available in box packs of 12s and 24s, they expand all the way up to artist kits featuring over 100 colours.
PencilsHB pencils are the writing instruments required by children up to Grade 4, so that work can be erased and redone in order to refine the learning process. With a variety of harder and softer graphite leads, they are also used in the office and art and craft environments. For school use, there are now wood-free pencils made from synthetic resin material - which resists splintering, breaking and chewing - and eco-friendly pencils made from recycled materials. Some varieties offer an eraser on the tip, or come in combination packs with additional sharpener and erasers.
Mechanical pencilsMechanical or clutch pencils can be used for basic office or school activities but also for drafting, art and drawing. They offer a replaceable lead of graphite or solid pigments which can be moved forward without the need for sharpening. They provide for a constant line thickness. Divided into two types, there are those that hold the lead and push it forward during use; and those that hold the lead in place and are moved forward with a top or side button, or twist mechanism. The clutch pencil can hold thicker leads (2mm to 5,6mm) while some pencils offer several mechanisms that fit into the same cylinder housing to offer a range of thicknesses (0,3mm to 0,7mm) within one shaft. Mechanical pencils are particularly relevant for specialist functions where the grip and balance of weight must stay consistent. There is no sharpening required and it can be used for many years.
Coloured pencilsA mainstay of every school pencil case, rich and softly coloured pencils allow small children to be creative, but they can also be used for adult projects. Available in varying sizes and lengths to fit the hand, they come in eco-friendly and erasable set varieties.
StaplersTop back to school staplers are durable yet lightweight and easily portable, and innovatively engineered to reduce staple jams with smooth, low-force operations. The number of pages that can be stapled at one time, or sheet capacity, and throat depth specifications are important when handling different levels of tasks. Long reach staplers are ideal for accurate centre stapling of booklets, reports and brochures, and can provide permanent stapling options. Whether stainless steel or made from recycled plastic, their weighted base make them stable on a flat surface.
SharpenersHand-held sharpeners lead the BTS market, while electric and battery-operated portable sharpeners meet the needs of the Back to Office trade season. In an array of colours and shapes, school sharpeners feature either a single opening for standard pencils or a double opening for larger art pencils, with a blade to shave the
Add-ons for retail shelvesWater bottles, wallets, cyclist
reflector straps or jackets, sunscreen, pocket tissues, hair accessories, watches, cell phones, skateboards, educational games and
wood surrounding the lead thereby sharpening the point. Electric pencil sharpeners work in much the same way with a cylindrical cutter rotated by an electric motor. Specific models can include an auto-stop feature when it senses the tip of the pencil is sharp enough.
RulersDesk rulers are used to rule straight lines, measure length and act as a guide for cutting with a blade. Made from wood, plastic or metal, they can also have a raised centre piece with which to hold it in place. Coloured and branded rulers come in many different themes, while shorter varieties can fit into pockets or smaller zip cases. Geometry ruler sets for maths class provide four piece 20cm or 30cm size ruler selections.
ErasersScented, layered, coloured or quality branded, the BTS season sees a variety of shapes, sizes and colours of erasers. Typically made from synthetic materials, more specialised varieties include vinyl, gum or soy-based gum. Vinyl erasers are softer and less abrasive than standard erasers, and therefore less likely to damage canvas or paper. They are used for light marks and precision erasing, such as those made by engineers on technical drawings. Felt erasers are used for markings on chalk or whiteboards and consist of a felt pad that absorbs the surface materials.
Math setsMath sets form part of the school curriculum’s stationery requirements. Standard sets usually include a self-centring compass, 9cm pencil, 30cm folding ruler, mechanical pencil, metal sharpener, eraser, protractor and two set squares. Nine- and 15-piece technical drawing sets provide more precision tools required for technical tasks.
Files and storageEssential for keeping papers and data protected and organised for mobility, presentation and revision purposes, files and folders come in a wide range of formats. Hanging or suspension files meet the needs of people who need their data close at hand. Box files are used for long term storage that is easy to access, while slim-line plastic files and cardboard folders enable easy access and portability. Projects can be transported in both folders. Pouches, flip files and display books provide for different size and page combinations. The addition of index dividers in alphabetic, colour-coded combos and adhesive tabs make the addition of directories easier.
USB flash drives in pocket-size designs offer expansive capacities for reliable flash memory storage and file transfer. They can offer password protection facilities to protect personal data when in sharing or transit.
Lap desksMany children in South Africa don’t have the privilege of working at a desk and this is where lap desks provide a practical solution. Light and durable (less than 1kg), a lap desk rests on a child’s lap and provides them with a surface to write on, whether they are sitting on a chair or the floor. Highly portable, they also make the task of doing homework easier. According to teachers surveyed, lap desks have enhanced learner’s handwriting, making it easier to read, with a 65% improvement in homework delivery. Teachers also noted that 72% of learners were able to write more during a lesson, 69% of learners showed improved concentration, and 76% of learners were more motivated after receiving and using their own portable lap desk. Made from safe mixed polymer to provide flexibility, lap desks come with a six-year guarantee and form an essential role in educating the nation’s less advantaged learners. n
Covering books is child’s play with CroxleyCroxley, the leading name for the best quality paper and stationery products, is proud to introduce the Croxley All-in-One A4 72 Page Exercise Book. This innovative product removes the need for coloured covers, plastic covers, labels and tape. The book comes complete with a strong laminated cover, integrated self-
adhesive label and a colour-coding strip.It’s the end of the “book covering
production line”.By following six simple instructions
found inside the front cover, the book is labelled, colour-coded and ready to use. The target market for this book is primary and high school pupils.
Hillel Cohen, Croxley business manager at Silveray Stationary Company, says: “Most people dislike covering books and this provides an easy, time-saving solution.”
The product will be available at leading retailers and stationery suppliers from 1 November 2014.
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Denton Office Solutions: Helping you to protect yourselfWith the rush to benefit from Back to School deals, retail stores can plan on seeing more customers this quarter than at any other time. Please do not be a victim of identity theft this festive season.
The South African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) has revealed that they receive up to 25 identity theft complaints per day, and that a shocking 23% of all fraud cases are linked to impersonation.
Criminals obtain personal information from dustbins, credit card slips, purchased items and invoices and can duplicate your details in various ways to register for new credit or bank cards and run up debt in your name.
“The effects of ID theft are devastating”, says Mr Vernon Denton, who has over 40 years of identity theft awareness. “Potentially, it can mess up your credit records for years to come and it takes forever to rectify the problem.”
To assist you reduce the risk over this busy season, Denton Office Solutions (D.O.S) advises:
• Obtain a report of your credit profile on a regular basis to check for irregularities.
• As a consumer you have the right to obtain one free credit report each year from each credit bureau. Use these reports to check if any institutions have made enquiries about you. This could indicate that your details have been used without your authorisation.
• Report identity theft immediately to the South African Police Services (SAPS).
• Always shred documents that contain personal information instead of throwing them away. Your rubbish bin is a great source of information, so ensure your documents are unreadable before you dispose of them.
Contact D.O.S on 060 000 1777 or visit www.dosptyltd.biz to learn about security standards on document shredding and how to select the most efficient way of destroying evidence that could lead to crime against you. Together we can “nip it in the bud”.
Keeping track of your belongings is child’s play with a durable label from your P-Touch® labelling machineWhy do Brother P-Touch laminated labels last longer? It’s because our laminated TZe tapes consist of six layers of materials, resulting in a thin yet extremely strong label. The thermal transfer ink is sandwiched between two protective layers of PET (polyester film), which protects the text against the effects of liquids, abrasion, temperature, chemicals and sunlight. So all our labels have been tested to the extreme and you can be confident of a professional-quality label that has been designed to last.
Tapes for all types of jobsChoosing the correct TZe label tape for the job is crucial. That is why Brother has a range of tapes specifically designed for different labelling applications.
• TZe Laminated Tape: Unlike ordinary labels, our unique laminated tape technology ensures that your text is sandwiched between a layer of super-clear polyethylene and the durable base layer.
• Flexible: Designed for wrapping around small-diameter curved surfaces such as power cables and conduit/pipes, they are also perfect for where the label needs to be stuck on to itself (flagging).
• Strong Adhesive: Our strong adhesive tape demonstrates 50% more adhesive strength on average compared to our standard tape.
• Acid Free: Safe for photo-labeling, scrapbooking, and other photo-
sensitive materials.• Fabric Tape: Letters printed on cloth
tape can be adhered by ironing on to other cloth.
• Security Tape: Security Tape has a tamper-evident substrate so when the label is disturbed it leaves a checkerboard pattern. Use it for labels that must not be removed, such as those on company assets.
By using our unique lamination process and specially developed adhesives, you can be sure that your labels will withstand the harshest conditions, year after year.
With P-Touch® TZe laminated labels you can label just about anything, anywhere, anytime!
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It’s in the bagSchool bags are an essential item, and parents must focus on quality and health benefits
Types of bagsSchool bags come in the form of a briefcase, backpack or trolley. There are also ranges for sports kit bags, lunch bags, music bags and project or art bags. Smaller bags which can be included in the offering are wallets, which are sometimes offered as a matching attachment to a school bag, as well as cell phone cases and covers. University students will often need a laptop bag in briefcase or backpack style.
It is important to be able to offer customers a range of sizes from junior to senior - as well as for boys and girls - as a school bag needs to fit the owner correctly in order to avoid damaging the posture of growing spines.
Consumers will need to be advised not to buy an overly-large bag to save money, in the hopes it will last longer, but to purchase a bag that is appropriate to the child’s size and weight-carrying capacity.
Moulded backpacks and frames offer support and an upright structure. Those with adjustable hip straps allow the weight of the bag to rest on the pelvis instead of the shoulders and spine.
Support straps, especially at the shoulders where most of the weight is supported, should have extra padding to help reduce the pressure on the neck and shoulder muscles. Adjustable strap lengths are important in order to make allowance for children’s growth.
The bag should also offer multiple
pouches or compartments to allow for the even distribution of weight throughout the bag. This promotes better balance and stability. Compartments will be needed to keep textbooks and lunch boxes separate, while exterior water bottle pouches make access to hydration quick and easy, without the risk of spills.
Cheap school bags offer no infrastructure or support and feature insufficiently padded or shaped straps. If the bag hangs away from the child’s back, it forces the child to compensate by thrusting his shoulders forward, contracting the chest muscles and rounding his back in an attempt to carry the bag’s weight on his back. This posture position will become a habit and the child will ruin his posture for life, with rounded shoulders evident in many teenagers.
Quality“The majority of school bags are designed for the books and not for the kids that carry them,” says Nadine Hirschfield, MD of Totem Bags. “For most families, buying backpacks has become an annual ritual and expense. “Due to the lack of standards testing in South Africa, most schoolbags are guaranteed to break within a year. The bags often fall apart from the excessive weight, resulting in a costly ongoing outlay. Parents tend to lay blame on the poor child for abuse of their school
bags, when in all likelihood the inferior material and production methods are the contributing factors.”With a three-year guarantee on all Totem’s schoolbags, Hirschfield says the brand has been torture-tested to withstand the normal wear and tear that kids dish out and still see through the guarantee of three years. “Replacing bags once or more a year is an expensive exercise for any parent. Totem bags are endorsed by the Chiropractors
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DID YOU KNOW?Regular use of heavy,
overstuffed school bags and inappropriate carrying
methods can put children at the risk of musculoskeletal
problems and changes to the body’s posture. The globally recommended safe load limit is 10% to 15% of the child’s
body weight.
Association of South Africa (CASA) and genuinely last for three years or more. We get very few returns,” adds Hirschfield.School bags need to be tough, since they are used daily. The fabric will need to be durable and of a good denier polyester, leather or canvas. Bags should also be lightweight, made from breathable material, and be relatively water resistant.Zips and attachments will need to be of good quality, and pockets and seams need double stitching to prevent split seams. Look for brands that offer guarantees on the opening mechanisms and fabric. Reflective fabrics will also offer the benefit of visibility when cycling or walking in low-light hours.
BrandsBranded bags may be more expensive but they also guarantee higher quality and support for the school-goer’s health. Due to the research and development carried out on the proper construction of a bag, brands can offer quality.
As children are still growing, their spines need to be protected from permanent injury caused by the constant strain of picking up and carrying a heavy school bag. Branded school bags are often endorsed by an accredited orthopaedic or chiropractic body, ensuring an ergonomic design that evenly distributes and supports weight.
Comprehensive research in South Africa has established that schoolchildren between the ages of 10 and puberty are the most vulnerable and most likely to suffer with some form of posture problem. The problem is further exacerbated during the formative years, when growth spurts are prevalent and young muscles and joints are straining to develop.
Even if a child is taken to and from school by car or bus, he is still carrying the bag to and from the various lessons. It is an accumulative effect of carrying the load around every day, for months and years. To easily relate to the weight problem, it’s the equivalent of an adult female carrying two 10kg bags of dog food around all day.
Johannesburg-based chiropractor Brad Beira, who specialises in treating children, says that most of the children he treats have tightness and soreness related to their school bags. “Muscles that pull at the neck can set up a cycle which can lead to spinal distress or spinal damage.
“Headaches and back pain can affect children’s concentration and cause
Parents may think a trolley bag is the solution to health considerations, as the weight may be carried on the ground, but it is not an ideal way to carry weight over the long term. Physiotherapists advise that pulling a trolley bag rotates the shoulder backwards and twists the spine. This can encourage distortion by lengthening. It is also cumbersome on an uneven surface and often twists the wrist when the bag flips. The trolley bag is a bag that was primarily designed for short-term use and is most efficient at an airport for limited use.
The trolley bag
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restlessness in the classroom. Chronic back and neck strain related to carrying weight can also lead to depression and poor achievement. Strained muscles also cause conditions such as post nasal drip and congestion.
“Unfortunately the condition is well under-diagnosed.”
By choosing a well-established brand, backed by prevailing health authorities, retailers will experience very few returns.
Bag selection by schoolsMany schools prohibit their pupils from using a bag of their choice and these
children are forced to buy prescribed or “allocated” school bags, with no design consideration given to the child that has to wear the bag. The colour of the bag and the school logo often takes precedence.
Totem Bags now offers schools a healthy option by printing or embroidering the school logo on a custom-coloured school bag, and is already producing schoolbags in various sizes for a number of private schools in South Africa.
Comments Hirschfield: “Parents should collectively take a stronger stance by participating in the selection of the “best choice” of schoolbag. School books
should not take precedence over a child’s health.”
FashionSelecting a school bag that is good, sturdy and big enough won’t necessarily ensure its appeal with the owner. A school bag is an important fashion statement for students: because they use the same bag every day, it becomes a reflection of personal style. If the wearer likes the bag and has an attachment to its style and colours, the bag will be handled more carefully and potentially last much longer. n
Design coming together with practicality in the iStay range. The college of Chiropractors has commended the iStay range for its potential to help users avoid musculoskeletal discomfort and other pains from carrying heavy bags.Rucksack features:• Padded 16” laptop compartment• Water resistant• Two mesh side pockets• Contour organiser zips
• Complete with the non slip iStay patented bag straps
• Gun metal fittings• Multiple compartments
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Label logicA labelling solution for every task and environment
School stationery lists require students to start the year with a large number of newly purchased stationery items - many of which may be hard for children to keep track of.
Retailers can assist consumers by selling them a convenient and task-appropriate labelling solution to ensure that the parents’ investment in stationery isn’t wasted.
When belongings are clearly labelled with the owner’s details, the chances are increased that the article will be returned to the owner. It also assists schools and learning environments in maintaining lost property cupboards.
With a solution for every item needing a label, parents can tag clothing, stationery, books, sports equipment, musical instruments, lunchboxes, medicines, laptops, cell phones, calculators, books, flash drives, bottles, lunch boxes, Tupperware, toiletries, cycling helmets, raincoats, umbrellas, bags, brushes,
combs, diaries, wallets, CDs, DVDs, shoes and socks.
In the office environment, labelling solutions offer identification and sorting activities when handling files, post, packaging and wrapping, stationery, gifts, photographs, CDs and DVDs.
Types of school labelsReady-made, stick-on, adhesive labels are available for naming textbooks, files and personal items such as medicine bottles. This is useful for an allergy alert, or for biology experiments. Name labels provide uniformity for exercise books, and can also be personalised with “colour your own” options that encourage younger children’s creativity and sense of ownership.
Self-adhesive book covers provide a sticky film that is ideal for covering books, files, and cards. It provides a convenient alternative to lamination. Not only does it protect books from the wear and tear of daily use, but it also means they can be wiped clean of spills and sticky fingerprints, increasing their lifespan.
Stickers in both English and Afrikaans languages are a quick and easy way for teachers to inspire younger students
when marking their work. These include smiley faces, stars, hearts and words of encouragement. Creative, fun stickers, such as mood faces and cute animals, can be used by children for decorating letters, cards or school projects. They come in mixed packs of bright, eye-catching colours.
Iron-on labels are effective for tagging school uniforms, sports gear and shoes. Quick to apply with the heat of a hot iron, the labels are flexible and durable,
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and able to withstand a hot wash. Shoe labels, with strong adhesive qualities, keep these expensive items in the possession of the right owner.
T-shirt transfers work in much the same way as iron-on labels but offer a creative style of identification for events such as sports days or as hobby activities for teenage children.
Woven labels with a printed name on the surface offer a high-quality label. However, they are more labour intensive as they have to be individually sewn on to items of clothing - and they can be cut out and removed fairly easily.
Tags and bag labels provide colourful and themed ways for younger children to identify their school bags. It also provides identification for musical instruments and sports kits. They come in a variety of options, either printed or with paper inserts for hand labelling.
There are certain items of stationery which cannot carry a label, and this is where permanent markers assist in tagging belongings. Especially useful for water bottles and lunchboxes which are washed regularly, they provide quick and permanent identification in a variety of colours.
Lever arch labels allow for creativity and colour-coding in the office, offering up to eight colours to match existing décor or to define different filing sections. Ring reinforcement labels prevent punched paper from tearing by creating a sturdy area around the punch hole.
Colour-code labels and dots are used for quick classification and identification when marking items in the range or differentiating products and prices. They can also be used for stock control, highlighting locations on a map, or marketing merchandise.
Address labels assist office professionals in streamlining the postage process. Addresses are quickly and easily printed onto label sheets, and then peeled off and placed on the envelope face. Franking machine labels, manufactured from specially-formulated absorbent paper with fast ink-drying properties to avoid smudging, have strong, permanent adhesive backings making them ideal for mailing bags and parcels.
Ready-made account instruction labels can further identify items with instructions and reminders such as “by hand”, “COD”, “due date”, “confidential”, “thank you”, “urgent”, “don’t fold” and “fragile”. Event
and marketing departments may also make use of seasonal labels, and gift and Christmas-branded labels.
Packaging labels are available in rolls or slit-laid sheets for easy peeling. They convey important despatch and handling information – made all the more visible by brightly coloured labels that are hard to miss and easy to read while in transit.
Notarial seals can be used for sealing official documents and envelopes to ensure confidentiality. These can also be used on awards and certificates.
Photo and CD labels allow for the printing of customised labels for inkjet or laser printers in a variety of sizes and template options. They create a professional look for filing purposes or for the distribution of media to clients.
For schools or companies looking to create their own customised labels, a desktop or portable labelling machine can provide a variety of options for durable, laminated and thermal transfer labels. Able to print from bar code scanners, PC keyboards or their own keyboard interfaces, customised print labels can be quickly produced for the office, store room or factory in a variety of colour or black and white print options. n
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For art’s sakeAdd a twist to your art box with these unique tools
Forget everyday straight lines, pointed corners and plain paper. Artists and craft fans will delight in these unusual art tools that will add flow, colour and sparkle to their
creative feats and festive season fun.
Wave-cut scissorsStock wave-cut scissors and see kids and adults delight in being able to add texture and alternative shapes to crafts like Christmas cards. Crazy cut scissors – also known as pinking shears - come as a standalone pair or with three interchangeable blades for zigzag, scalloped and curved edges. With large, comfortable finger grips and stainless steel blades, they are designed for right- or left-handed use. Their coloured handles set them apart from straight-edge scissors. Paper edges can be creatively trimmed on a variety of materials including paper, cardboard, foam, plastic and fabrics, creating impressive borders and patterns. Creative ideas include decorative edges on photographs, scrapbook pages, cards, gift tags and collage projects.
Corner punchesCorner punches are a quick and easy way
to add interest, dimension and colour to cards, tags and scrapbook pages. The punched shapes, which offer a variety of themed patterns, add a decorative touch to plain or coloured paper. The punched out pieces can also be glued on to projects. Coloured card and paper can be layered behind the punched corners to provide a background effect. Available in press button, lever or palm punch format for single designs, corner punches are also available in lever driven models with a choice of four multiple selector designs for themed projects such as those needing lace or “heritage” effects. Paper guides mean that the pattern appears in exactly the right position in all four corners. A confetti catcher helps to keep work spaces clean.
Glitter and glueFor crafters looking for a bit of sparkle, suppliers can expand their range and offer a choice of glitter tape, glitter glue, glitter sprinkles and shakers, glitter pens and glitter paints. Glitter tape is perfect for borders or adding sparkle to photo edges, cards or homemade books. Glitter glues allow for an even spread of glitter that dries in place without the mess of loose glitter sticking to little fingers and faces.
Glitter pens put a twinkle in your writing, while glitter paint adds sparkle to art and crafts. For personal use of glitter,
a layer of glue – applied in twist stick or craft tube format – can be laid down in the desired pattern with glitter sprinkled on top.
Glue can provide its own effect with application too. Crafters can add a crackle effect to decoupage items, hobbyists can use model construction glue, mosaic enthusiasts will need mosaic cement, those who enjoy sewing can add creative additions with fabric glue and artists can add a quick effect with a spray adhesive.
Poster board and coloured paperWith a sketch board mounted on an 1 800 micron chipboard, illustration boards are effective for sketching on the go. A more durable material than paper or cardboard, Correx board is made from polypropylene material. Described as plastic cardboard, Correx can be printed on, as it is ink receptive, and be used outdoors. For artists who don’t want to carry stretched canvas around when out in the field, canvas paper sheets packaged in a tear pad format provide the perfect canvas background for outdoor art moments. Water paint pads are also available.
For indoor craft classes, fadeless roll paper, coloured and fluorescent poster board in a variety of sheet sizes as well as multi-coloured pads, provide colourful backgrounds and surfaces for any type of project or art work imaginable. n
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Clean hands, healthy bodies
There many ways to keep hands clean and germ-free while on the go
In our busy, modern world, the spread of flu, germs and dirt can have a negative impact on our day-to-day productivity – and, ultimately, our health.
The first and most important place that cleanliness needs to be applied is in public restroom areas, and the kitchen, canteen and health practitioner environments.
According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, researchers at The University of Arizona conducted a study at an office building with 80 employees. They contaminated a push-plate door at the building entrance with a virus called bacteriophage MS-2. It doesn’t infect people, but it is similar in shape, size and survivability to common cold and stomach flu viruses. Within two hours, the virus had contaminated the break
room - coffee pot, microwave button and fridge door handle - and then spread to restrooms, individual offices and cubicles. Researchers found that the virus had heavily contaminated phones, desks and computers. After just four hours, they found the virus on more than 50% of the commonly touched surfaces and on the hands of about half of the employees in the office.
In an intervention, the Arizona researchers then gave about half of the employees hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes to use. After the intervention, detection of the virus on people’s hands went from 39% to 11%.
Studies indicate that the average adult brings their fingers to the nose, mouth or eyes about 16 times an hour. For children aged between two and five, the number is as many as 50 times an hour.
The most basic form of protection against the spread of germs and possible infection is to wash hands with soap
and water for at least 15 to 20 seconds. The rubbing motion creates mechanical friction to loosen and rinse away microbes.
However, such facilities are not always available and this is where hand sanitizers become an important supplement or alternative to hand washing. Available in wipes, gel, foam and liquid solutions, hand sanitizers range from 10ml pocket-sized packaging to wall mounted units.
Hand sanitizers are typically alcohol-based (usually listed as ethyl alcohol), which is the active ingredient in killing most bacteria and viruses on contact. They also contain clarifying agents, thickening agents, fragrances, dyes, preservatives and other inactive ingredients. Some contain moisturisers (such as glycerine, vitamin E and aloe) to counter the drying effects of alcohol. For those with sensitive skins, natural and eco formulas are also available.
According the health experts, hand sanitizers are effective against both bacteria and viruses. This is due to the fact that it disrupts the coating of virus and bacteria particles. By damaging the outside of the particle, the virus becomes deactivated, says Andrew Pekosz, associate professor of microbiology and immunology at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Hand sanitizers work on contact, meaning it’s only effective on the parts of your hands that it touches. If you miss a spot between your fingers, there could still be viruses or bacteria in that place, says Dr Lisa Bernstein, an assistant professor at Emory University School of Medicine. “You have to cover the whole surface of your hands and allow it to dry.”
During a regular workday, using hand sanitizer three to five times throughout the day is advised, and if you’re sneezing or coughing, use it more frequently. It is also recommended for use before and after entering a new room.
According to Berkeley Wellness, a common mistake is not using enough hand sanitizer. The product should be
applied with at least a R5 coin-sized amount to the palm of the hand and hands should be rubbed together, covering all surfaces of both hands - including between the fingers and up around fingertips and nails. It should take about 30 seconds of rubbing both hands together for the product to completely dry.
Hand sanitizing wipes are as effective as they often provide enough friction to remove dirt from hands and under fingernails.
Sanitising wipes and sprays can be
used to keep desks, keyboards, phones and door handles germ-free.
Children especially need to be taught basic hygiene, as grimy, unwashed fingers can find their way into mouths and noses as much as 50 times a day, continuing the spread of germs.
Schools, offices and restaurants also need to take responsibility for encouraging cleanliness within their environments. A good way to do this is to offer hands-free facilities, allowing staff and customers to sanitise hands regularly. n
Studies show that the average desk harbours
400 times more bacteria than the
average toilet seat.
In today’s challenging times, as you juggle the demands of both career and family, it can be difficult to find the correct balance between your work and personal life, leaving you feeling that you are not giving either of these areas your best effort.
To make any significant headway on this common dilemma, we need to implement changes to ourselves, our priorities and our outlook. While we can’t control the demands placed on us, we can control how we react to these demands – both internally and through our actions.
Here are five ways you can achieve a more harmonious work-life balance:Describe what harmony is for you - write down your day-to-day schedule, remembering to give yourself the freedom
to stray from it once in a while. Exercise, go for lunch, and enjoy life.Learn to say “no” - if something doesn’t fit into your schedule or coincide with your priorities; don’t overwhelm yourself by taking on more than you can handle.Know when work is over - one of the hardest aspects is actually switching off from work. Learn to turn off your computer, close the door and shut off for the day - both literally and mentally. Then make a conscious decision to enjoy time with family or friends. Write down your light bulb moments - should your inspiration light bulb spark, get a pen and paper and write it down. It will put your mind at ease if you have it down in a safe place to come back to later.
Make time for relaxation - remember to make time for yourself. No matter how insignificant it may seem, a few minutes of gym or meditation can do wonders.
Finally, in order to consistently perform at your peak, you will need to find the middle ground between perfection and compromising yourself.
Finding that elusive work:life balanceWith the aim of promoting career-orientated, more productive and professional administrative assistants, the South African Secretaries and PA’s Association (SASPA) brings you these tips for staying balanced
Launched in 2006, SASPA offers free membership to nearly 6 000 secretaries, personal and administrative assistants nationally. To find out more about free enrolment visit www.saspa.co.za or call Claire Jettke on (011) 454 5505.
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Pelikan may close toner factory as shares sold
Pelikan Hardcopy’s Monchaltorf toner powder plant in Switzerland may close following the sale of 25-million shares to Singapore-based investors Caprice Capital International. A statement attributed it to “negative currency developments and changing market conditions”. The “loss-making development of toner powder” and the “overcapacity” of the toner production market may force the company to close the site.
SSC Mobeni achieves ISO certification
ISO Certification is the acknowledgement of excellence that South African manufacturers all strive for. Following hours of relentless preparation and extra work by employees and internal auditors, the Silveray Stationery Company (SSC) is proud to announce that the company’s Mobeni manufacturing plant has achieved the SABS audit approved ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System.
This is a major milestone in SSC’s 120 year history and more than proves the factory’s commitment to produce quality products.
Shaping up for the future
Recognising the huge potential of 3D printing, Kemtek has recently launched an exciting joint venture with KwaZulu-Natal-based Rapid 3D. The partnership aims to deliver leading international technologies and expert advice to industry players eager to benefit from 3D printing’s capabilities in packaging and beyond.
A family team, Dave, Pauline and Bryan Bullock of Rapid 3D are now able to offer advanced 3D printers and scanners from the world’s biggest personal and professional manufactures, including 3D Systems (incorporating Z Corporation, Rapidform and Geomagic), EnvisionTEC 3D and Vialux. Applications include re-designing of moulds, dies and mechanical parts; scanning and scaling up artworks; and generating CAD models from hand-made designs and tooling.
“We have numerous 3D printers available nationwide, ranging from R10 000 units to R10-million machines, depending on specific individual requirements,” says Dave Bullock.
“And for those businesses wanting a bureau service, we can apply our technical expertise and comprehensive industry knowledge to take a project from design concept right through to prototype.”
Piing app to revolutionise retail market
Local tech company Beaconeye is launching a new mobile app called Piing for the retail environment. One of the first in South Africa to use iBeacon (indoor proximity system) technology, the app will allow retailers to engage customers directly through their mobile devices, using Bluetooth Smart tech.
Once retailers sign up to the technology and customers have downloaded the free app on to their phones, they immediately start benefitting from tailored discounts and special deals. Customers will receive points by simply walking into the store and passing products with beacons connected to them. They can also compete with friends on the app’s leader board.
Says Geran De Klerk, partner at Beaconeye: “iBeacon technology is brand new, having opened up a whole new level of engagement and marketing for retailers. We’ve all used shopping/couponing apps before but it isn’t long before the app is either forgotten or deleted from the phone. Now the user doesn’t have to remember they have an app. The app does all the work for you.”
Currently in QA (test phase), the developers plan to have Piing running over both iOS and Android by the December holidays.
More information is available at www.piingapp.com.
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FOR TRADE ENQUIRIES:johannesburg (011) 677-0000 fax (011) 677-0016port elizabeth (041) 391-8600 fax (041) 374-4112bloemfontein (051) 447-4641 fax (051) 430-5912cape town (021) 936-5200 fax (021) 936-5201east london (043) 722-3781 fax (043) 743-7359kwazulu natal (031) 462-2081 fax (031) 462-0185
SSC Maped A4 ad.indd 1 2014/10/16 7:02 AM
Inovocom announcements
Office Club welcomes: Mo-Faya Inc, Bloemfontein; Inc Office Supplies, Witbank; and Supquip Office supplies, Witbank.Office Club resignations: Express Stationers; Twin Place Trading; Neon-Ofi Projects; The Paper Case; and Magenta Stationers.Office Active resignations: Koembheki Stationers, Kimberley; and Applebee, Gauteng.
Obituary
Allie Boureau, formerly of Silveray Durban, passed away in September. Boureau had been a stalwart in the industry for 40 plus years. He started with Silveray Durban and then moved to head office in Johannesburg in 1969. During his time there, he held various management positions, mainly in operations. Boureau retired approximately three years ago. Condolences go out to his family.
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French bank to offer money transactions via Twitter
Groupe BPCE, France’s second largest bank by customers, is prepared to offer person-to-person money transfers via Twitter to French consumers, regardless of what bank they use, and without requiring the sender to know the recipient’s banking details.
The move co-incides with Twitter’s own push into the world of online payments as the social network looks for new revenue sources beyond advertising.
Twitter is racing other tech giants Apple and Facebook to get a foothold in new payment services for mobile phones or apps. They are collaborating and, in some cases, competing with banks and credit card issuers that have run the business for decades.
Payment by tweets will be managed via the bank’s S-Money service, which allows money transfers via text message and relies on the credit-card industry’s data security standards.
Last month, Twitter started trials of its own new service, dubbed “Twitter Buy”, allowing consumers to find and buy products on its social network.
The service embeds a “Twitter Buy” button inside tweets posted by more than two dozen stores, music artists and non-profits. Burberry, Home Depot, and musicians such as Pharrell and Megadeth are among the early vendors.
Rakuten Bank in Japan offers a similar “Transfer by Facebook” service that lets users of its mobile banking app send money to anyone in their Facebook friends list.
Source: reuters.com
Takealot.com and Kalahari.com to merge
Two of South Africa’s biggest online retailers, Takealot.com and Kalahari.com have announced plans to merge their operations.
Media and e-commerce group Naspers, which owns Kalahari, will fold the company into Takealot and take a 41% equity position in the company from its current majority shareholder, New York-based technology investment company Tiger Global Management.
In May this year, Takealot announced that it had raised $100-million (more than R1-billion) from Tiger Global Management, which may explain why the Kalahari brand is being ditched in favour of Takealot, even though Kalahari traditionally has had the stronger brand of the two.
When Tiger’s $100-million injection into Takealot was announced, Takealot CEO Kim Reid said the e-retailer would use the money to play a much more aggressive role in South Africa’s e-commerce space.
He added Takealot had enjoyed growth of more than 100% a year and wanted to increase that growth rate. “If you look at the size of the market right now, there is a R550-billion opportunity in which e-commerce is only just beginning to play a role.”
According to the announcement, the decision to merge Takealot and Kalahari was driven by the fact that, without scale, South African e-retailers “can’t compete against local brick-and-mortar retailers and foreign companies such as Amazon and Alibaba”.
According to Takealot, online sales account for only 1,3% of retail sales in South Africa, against as much as 14% in some developed markets.
The proposed merger is still subject to Competition Commission approval.
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FOR TRADE ENQUIRIES:johannesburg (011) 677-0000 fax (011) 677-0016port elizabeth (041) 391-8600 fax (041) 374-4112bloemfontein (051) 447-4641 fax (051) 430-5912cape town (021) 936-5200 fax (021) 936-5201east london (043) 722-3781 fax (043) 743-7359kwazulu natal (031) 462-2081 fax (031) 462-0185
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There is a gap in the market for IT service providers to meet the growing need to implement dedicated green IT budgets, strategies and solutions.
Hendrik Mansvelt, the University of Stellenbosch Business School’s (USB) 2013 top MBA student, has produced a thesis on how the adoption of green IT in South African can be advanced.
He found that green IT strategies were rare in South Africa, with only 7,9% of the 77 companies involved in his research stating that they have a comprehensive green IT strategy in place. Only 17,1% claimed they had a partial strategy in place, and 12,3% indicated a dedicated green IT budget. With 40,8% aiming to have a full green IT strategy in place within the next five years, the time is right for IT service providers to take the lead.
The research focused specifically on “green IT initiatives that reduce the footprint of the traditional IT function and where opportunities exist to increase its level of adoption”.
He defines green IT as the efforts to “green” the production, use and disposal of IT equipment across the organisation in terms of energy consumption, emissions and lowering the carbon footprint. The technologies included in his research were server consolidation and virtualisation, cloud computing, storage virtualisation, print consolidation,
PC power management, new server rooms, IT equipment recycling, virtual desktops and advanced server energy monitoring tools.
Mansvelt found there is a strong desire for assistance in moving towards implementing dedicated green IT budgets, strategies and solutions.
“This creates a substantial opportunity for IT service providers to influence, educate and guide clients on IT strategies to establish and grow a profitable market for green IT.
“The green behaviours of South African companies are very encouraging, with just over 70% reducing paper usage and recycling of paper products. However, it is noticeable that in green behaviour relating to the use of technology, such as turning PCs off, using energy saving modes on PCs, recycling of electronics and telecommuting to limit travelling, South Africa lags substantially compared to the rest of the world. IT service providers could play a leading role here to guide their clients in encouraging such behaviour within their organisations.
“Service providers should assist their clients in the formulation of their green IT strategies and dedicated budgets as this would translate into the adoption of green IT technologies over time. By doing so service providers would position themselves as the green IT provider of choice in the mind of the client, increasing the likelihood of securing any future green IT related business,” he concludes. n
Green IT – the next step in sustainability
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Experts from a wide variety of fields at Continental Tyre are working closely together on the research and development, testing and production sectors to make the tyre of the future even more energy-efficient during the manufacturing, use and recycling stages of its life-cycle.
In the process, they call into question every tyre component, and where possible replace it with more environmentally-compatible materials.
The focus on greater sustainability also embraces the production process at Continental. Innovative technologies have been introduced at some of its plants to return waste rubber to the production cycle, enabling rubber from end-of-life truck tyres to be re-utilised during retreading, and the production of new tyres.
A targeted recycling volume of 4 000 tonnes a year at the ContiLifeCycle plant in Hanover, Germany, translates into a total annual saving of around 2 400 tonnes of rubber and 1 600 tonnes of filler materials such as carbon black and silica.
The latest product to join the Continental line-up is a special tyre developed for hybrid vehicles. The new 17-and 18-inch Conti.eContact boasts a 30% drop in rolling resistance compared to a standard
tyre, yet achieves comparable dry road handling and braking. This increases the distance that can be travelled in electric mode and reduces the reliance on the internal combustion engine. This new addition to the range made its debut in July 2014, and is the first summer tyre from Continental to be awarded top A/A grades for both wet grip and rolling resistance based on the new EU tyre label system.
A fascinating breakthrough development in Continental’s sustainability research and development is the “dandelion tyre”. The company has joined forces with the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology in Germany with the objective of using natural latex obtained from the roots of the dandelion as a commercially viable substitute for natural latex from rainforest plantations.
Dandelions can be cultivated on land that is unsuitable for food crops, thus making it possible to create plantations adjacent to tyre manufacturing plants - with subsequent economic and ecological benefits. Most notably, it would reduce the dependence on rubber trees in rainforest regions which account for between 10% and 30% of the rubber in a car tyre, and an even higher proportion on truck tyres.
Source: www.bizcommunity.com
Thato Kgatlhanye of South Africa has been named a recipient of the 2014 Anzisha Prize, Africa’s premier youth entrepreneurship award, for her solar schoolbags concept.
Kgatlhanye’s business, Repurpose Schoolbags, upcycles plastic bags and integrates solar technology that charges during the day and provides light at night.
Discarded plastic shopping bags are turned into a retro-reflective textile that makes up the bags. An embedded small solar panel charges during the child’s walk to school and transforms into a solar lantern - providing sufficient light for study for up to 12 hours when fully charged.
One of the wonderful aspects of the concept is the children’s families don’t pay anything for the bags.
Disadvantaged schools with children who lack basic school supplies and walk long distances to and from the classroom each day are identified by Repurpose Schoolbags.
Giving Partners then purchase or donate on behalf of the students. Repurpose Schoolbags now has eight full-time employees and numerous plastic bag collectors. The bags are produced in a factory in Rustenburg, South Africa.
So far, 120 children have benefited from the solar schoolbags and over 10 000 plastic bags have been repurposed.
Rethaka is the parent company of Repurpose Schoolbags.
Continental develops energy-efficient tyres
Solar schoolbags light up rural children’s lives
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Free and fair competition
Competition law is governed by the Competition Act of 1998 and is overseen by an independent competition authority. This consists of the Competition Commission,
the Competition Tribunal and the Competition Appeal Court.
The Act also confers on the competition authority’s extensive powers designed to prevent anti-competitive conduct.
Such conduct includes:• Restrictive horizontal and vertical
practices;• Abuse of a dominant position; and• Horizontal and vertical mergers.
A restrictive horizontal practice is any agreement, co-operative or concerted conduct between competing companies which prevents or lessens competition in a market.
The specific prohibitions include:• Directly or indirectly fixing prices or
other trading conditions;• Division of markets by allocating
customers, suppliers, territories or specific types of goods or services; and
• Collusive tendering.
A restrictive vertical practice is any agreement between a company and its suppliers or customers or both which prevents or lessens competition in a market. The practice of minimum resale price maintenance is considered as a specific prohibition. It is defined as any agreement or practice which has the effect of compelling or inducing a reseller of goods or services to charge a particular minimum resale price.
A supplier or producer is permitted to recommend a minimum resale price to a reseller provided that the recommendation is not binding and the words “recommended price” appear next to the stated price.
A dominant company is a company that has market power - including the power to control prices, exclude competition or to behave to an extent independently of its competitors, customers or suppliers. A company that has a market share of at least 45% is deemed to be a dominant company. There are a number of practices that are prohibited, including charging excessive prices, inducing a supplier or consumer to refrain from dealing with a competitor, or selling goods or services below their marginal or average cost.
The Act has introduced a mechanism for the approval, evaluation and control of mergers.
There are three main types of mergers:• Horizontal mergers, which takes
place between companies operating in the same industry;
• Vertical mergers, which take place between companies involved in a seller-buyer relationship in regard to the same or a similar product; and
• Conglomerate mergers, which take place between companies with unrelated activities or products.
South Africa also has the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act of 2004 - a piece of legislation which tries to plug a loophole in the Competition Law. This loophole is the criminal charges that can be filed against officers and company executives for anti-competitive behaviour such as price fixing and rigging of tenders.
Small payments to facilitate routine administrative processes are sometimes called facilitation payments. Some countries’ laws even allow facilitation payments. According to South African law, however, facilitation payments are illegal.
Every SME must have a Code of Ethics in place, which staff must be made aware of. An easy-to-read BUSA SME Anti-corruption Guide is available for download at www.nacf.org.za.
Sources: www.antitrust.co.za; www.vdma.co.za; www.nacf.org.za n
Keeping shop-sa members abreast of criminal and fraudulent activity in the stationery and office products industry To sponsor the Crime Alert page contact 011 781 0370
Renew your Crime Alert sponsorship today! Call Wendy Dancer on 011 781 0370 to book your logo placement on the Crime Alert page as an industry leader in transparency, information sharing and anti-crime business ethics.
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Win Write in and stand a chance to win one of the fabulous prizes on offer below. Send your contact details to [email protected] with either “Tower”, Wonderbag” or “Fila” in the subject line
Fila Cartorama are offering one lucky reader the chance to win a Super Mario backpack and tog bag.The 8cm expandable backpack has a thermoformed base and back panel. The shoulder straps and dual buckle fastening system are adjustable.
Inside there is a double compartment with drawstring and a small zippered pocket.The bag is 600d polyester for greater durability.
Christmas is a time to give something back to those who make a difference in your life, whether they are friends, family or staff members.
The local manufacturer of popular South African export Wonderbag has come up with the perfect solution that will take the stress out of Christmas shopping with their limited edition Festive Hamper.
Wonderbag is the ideal gift for anyone looking to save energy when cooking. Simply bring food to the boil for a few minutes before transferring it into the bag and leaving it to cook to completion.
One lucky reader will win this Festive Hamper, priced at R250, containing a plastic wash basin, a Wonderbag (valued at R200) and an assortment of essential grocery items.
To place your trade orders or to stock Wonderbag at your store, call (031) 536 8220, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.nb-wonderbag.co.za. Prices exclude delivery costs.
Spoil your staff this festive season
FILA CARTORAMA SA (PTY) Ltd
Winner of the Ferrari Backpack - Lindi Foot of BrackenfellWe have a winner!
Stand a chance to win a back to school hamper from Tower. The hamper includes:
W225 Mini LabelsW250 CD LabelsEveryday Photo Paper 108gsmPremium Photo Paper 170gsm
• Learner Driver Sign (with suction cup)
• Tower Kids Magnetic Weekly Planner
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The Rapid F5 Mini Stapler and Hole Punch set is everything you need to organise and file your papers in binders or trays.
The Rapid F5 Mini Stapler is a smart, portable, easy to use stapler which is ideal for home and school/college use. Designed to staple up to 10 sheets of paper and uses Rapid No. 10 staples. It has a solid steel magazine and 2-strip loading capacity for efficiency. Comes complete with an integrated staple remover and is covered by a 5 year guarantee when using Rapid staples.
The Rapid FC10 Compact 2 Hole Punch is a strong metal hole punch with handle and base in reinforced ABS plastic. It punches up to 10 sheets of paper and has an easy to empty confetti holder in the base. Small and compact, it can be stored or used on the move.
The set also includes a handy stapler remover in matching colours.
Features• Convenienttop
loading refill mechanism
• Usesno.10RapidStandardstaples
• 5yearguaranteewhenusingRapidstaples
• Smartandcompact,easytousestapler
• Staplesupto10sheetsofpaper(80gsm)
• Integratedstapleremover
Smart, portable, easy to use stapler with solid steel magazine and 2-strip loading capacity for efficient usage. Integrated staple remover. Great for home and school/college use.
Mini Stapler F5 and Punch Set
FOR TRADE ENQUIRIES:johannesburg (011) 677-0000 fax (011) 677-0016port elizabeth (041) 391-8600 fax (041) 374-4112bloemfontein (051) 447-4641 fax (051) 430-5912cape town (021) 936-5200 fax (021) 936-5201east london (043) 722-3781 fax (043) 743-7359kwazulu natal (031) 462-2081 fax (031) 462-0185
Cross-border mergers and acquisitions garner new customers
JSE lists three new African currency futures
Ellies shares fall 20% to R1.13
f i n a n c i a l b y t e s
Africa’s share of global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) has grown by 7% in the past year as global and African companies alike seek access to customers and natural resources, reveals a new survey by global law firm Baker & McKenzie.
Multinationals investing in Africa are primarily motivated by the continent’s burgeoning middle class and increasing wealth.
“The search for a customer base is driving inward investment - Africa has a great untapped customer base, meaning capital is flowing into the region,” says Morne van der Merwe, head of Baker & McKenzie’s M&A practice in Johannesburg. “Meanwhile African companies are growing more confident and international in their outlook.”
Due diligence remains a challenge, though, with half of all survey respondents identifying establishing the credibility of revenue and financial accounts as the biggest hurdle to doing deals in Africa.
Source: www.bizcommunity.com
Shares of electrical goods maker Ellies collapsed to a five-year low as uncertainty mounted around its upcoming rights issue and asset sale. The stock fell to a low of R1.13. It last traded at these levels in July 2009.
The company‚ which manufactures TV aerials‚ satellite dishes and electrical generators‚ announced that it would sell some non-core assets and implement a rights offer. The group also said it would reschedule its debt.
Profits were dragged lower by delayed projects‚ a weak consumer environment and its cash-hungry infrastructure unit Megatron‚ which Vunani Securities Analyst Anthony Clark expected to be the asset the company sought to sell.
Source: www.bizcommunity.com
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) has listed three new currency futures contracts which track the exchange rate between the rand and the Zambian kwacha, Kenyan shilling and Nigerian naira.
Currency futures allow investors as well as importers and exporters to protect themselves against the currency movement in the foreign country.
“The JSE is very excited about this new ground-breaking initiative as we have been working on this strategy for two years,” says Warren Geers, GM of Capital Markets at the JSE. “With Africa being a global investment destination it makes sense for the JSE as a major exchange player in Africa to be involved in providing appropriate products to mitigate currency risk and exposure when dealing in Africa.”
Source: www.businessday.co.za
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p r o d u c t s h o w c a s e
Tel: 011 473 9800
Web: www.bantex.co.za
DESIGNER BINDERS
The new lever arch designer file has been added alongside the 25mm ringbinder. A4 in bright modern youthful designs, have been developed to complement our 20cm round and 30cm flat pencil bags.
Tel: 011 473 9800
Web: www.bantex.co.za
MCBAG - FLAIR
Quality embossed PVC lined bag, with an embossed puller for easy opening. Comes in assorted trendy designs. The McBag Flair can be more than just a pencil bag. The trendy look lends itself to a cosmetic bag, or just fill with fun personal items.
Tel: 011 473 9800
Web: www.bantex.co.za
MCBAG - VIVID
Top quality lined utility bags. A front flap with inner zip. Comes in Assorted playful designs. Embossed puller for easy opening.
Tel: 011 473 9800
Web: www.bantex.co.za
PERFORATORS
Discover Classic Office Accessories
New from Bantex. A range of perforators offering convenient new features with soft touch handle. An innovative confetti hatch easily disposes of confetti and a handle lock allows for compact storage.The perforators come in 4 sizes and are available in 4 colours; silver, blue, black and red.
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p r o d u c t s h o w c a s e
Tel: 011 248 0300
Web: www.koloksa.co.za
STYLISH NOTEBOOK BACK PACK 17” - E863DB
• 2 Main compartments• 2 Side pockets• Durable Zips• Ergonomically enhanced• Designed for a 17” laptop
Always innovating, this time we’ve come up with a brilliant and creative idea! Every single 100g pack of Prestik will contain, at no added cost, a set of extra-special funky stickers…yet another use for the wonder product with101 uses!
The “wax-like” paper that ensures your Prestik pulls off easily is filled with smiley faced “reward” stickers – a free value-added extra for you to use and share with your friends and family anytime!
Web: www.filacartorama.co.za FILA CARTORAMA SA (PTY) Ltd
LYRA GROOVE
Large ergonomic triangular graphite pencil. Medium hardness lead. Ideal for those making their first foray into writing. Body, 17.5 cm long, is triangular in cross-section, with no added synthetic substances. Natural anti-slip grip makes it easy to hold. Anti-slip grips on sides for the thumb, index finger and middle finger, giving you extra support and making the pencil easy to hold, even after you have sharpened it. Extra-resistant, anti-break, long-lasting lead. Space to write your name.
DAS
Since 1968, Das has been the world’s most famous and widely used self-hardening modelling material. It is mineral-based and gluten-free, and does not need to be fired, as it hardens when exposed to air. It is easy to polish and allows you to create solid, resilient objects that can be personalised and decorated to your liking using paints or fibre pens. It is particularly versatile and can be used to coat a wide range of different surfaces, such as wood, plastic, metal, glass, etc. It does not leave stains and washes off hands with water. It also can be machine-washed from most clothes at the 40°C setting. Available in white or terracotta. Comes in aluminium packs, which help it to keep its freshness for a long time, with a resealable tab on the back.
FILA CARTORAMA SA (PTY) Ltd
www.facebook.com/BostikSouthAfrica
AADDING MACHINE, POINT OF SALE AND MACHINE ROLLSPaperGeni
Rotunda
ADHESIVES, GLUES AND SPRAYSBIC South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Correction Fluid,
V o l 9 8 - N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 4m y o f f i c e m a g a z i n e62
Needful thingsTake a look at our selection of needful things essential for back to school
Add some bling to your life while keeping your cell phone protected - and your money intact - with Mimco’s glitzy gold, silver and leopard print pouches and purses. Call Conversation Capital on (021) 418 1422.
The Optima Lock Box holds 1.1 litre capacities and comes in green, blue, pink, purple, red and yellow. Minimum orders are 300 units with a purchase price of R6.30 each, excluding VAT. Call Plastixportal on (011) 824 5878 to order.
The Coghlan’s Weatherproof Wallet adds weatherproof protection for bus cards and access tickets. Made for quick and easy retrieval, they retail for just R29 at www.takealot.co.za.
Easy for children to carry and separate keys, this funky, kid-friendly GriGri keyring from Pylones can be ordered through Bajo Brand Distributors on (021) 425 9344.
Perfect for home or office use, the Kiwi Leather Care Kit will have shoes shining in no time. Order direct at www.kiwicare.com.
Send us your funniest caption for the photograph below and you stand a chance to win a Rexel Laminator GBC Fusion 1100 A4 valued at R2 000. Send your Punchline and contact details to [email protected] with Punchline in the subject line
WinThe Rexel Laminator is 33% faster than competitor machines, taking just 45 seconds to laminate a standard A4 pouch or 80 pouches per hour, with an additional cold setting for heat sensitive documents. Other features include:• Automatic switch off after 30 minutes of inactivity.• Exit tray keeps pouches straight as they come
through the heated rollers for a perfect, warp-free finish
• Incorporates SureFlow™ Technology that reduces jamming significantly for stress-free laminating and maximum productivity
• Laminates up to A4 size including ID cards, notices and certificates
• Modern, compact design is easy to move around and suits most office and home environments
• Single touch button interface: simple to use, no previous experience required
• Three heat settings • Accepts 2 x 75 micron (150 in total) pouches, 2 x
100 micron (200 in total) and 2 x 125 micron (250 in total).
Caption this!
WINME
m y o f f i c e m a g a z i n e64
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Register on www.myofficemagazine.co.za to receive your free magazine subscription.
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• How to work smarter and faster and with best business practice
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• Be inspired by the hottest trends in interiors, furniture, and workplace ergonomics
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Connect to the largest and most comprehensive database of like-minded professionals in the workplace environment.
My Office magazine is the official publication of the Stationery, Home & Office Products Association of Southern Africa.
Join this expanding community of office
professionals, managers, procurement buyers and
business owners now when you register on www.
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