Good job I have my wordpress password stored automatically by FF!

There’s been a few changes on the website at whistleink.co.uk

Firstly in as we specialise in supplying businesses small and large with their printer consumables, we should make this more visible on our website. So we have created this so far…

Hopefully when I hear back from the web developer we can get the full drop down works on the home page. Yes I did create the box above myself - its amazing what you can do with Photoshop… Elements!!!

Also there has been some layout changes on the detailed product descriptions pages. The product name is clearly visible across the top of the page above the image this time.

The details of the products are now easier to read as they are no longer in a huge paragraph! The back end allowed me to create lists and the detailed description was available in access format but with and without carriage return.

I need to keep the carriage return format thing but then put each line of one description into a list. How did I do it? Took me ages. I searched googled for ages ‘converting carriage returns in excel’ and ‘find and replace’ reagrding this.

In a post I came across a link to this: ASAP Utilities

AMAZING STUFF!

There’s a function on there that can find all the carriage returns and replace them with whatever you want. Job done! The utility is free for 90 days. I shall be purchasing my copy soon!

We should really be calling them repositional notes but Post-it notes are what people call them because they are so popular and it seems preferred.

We asked SMEs what they thought about repositional notes and if they preferred the leading Post-it Notes brand of if they used alternatives which are cheaper. We also asked them for the reasons for their choice.

The main reason for small businesses sticking to original Post-it Notes is because of their stickiness.

Nicola Kelsall  |  Spiralling Meditation and Sound Therapy says:

I’ve used both, but prefer the originals. I find that the adhesive on cheaper alternatives loses its ability to be posted anywhere once you’ve taken it off the pad, and then you end up with a little pile of dried up post-its, like autumn leaves but less crunchy! My favourite post-it notes product is the 3M Post-It Notes Yellow 3×5 655YE. I’ve used lots of different shaped ones in various courses – heart, oval, and some patterned ones.  I still prefer the traditional yellow – they are easier to read and to write on.

The price difference between branded and budget brands like 5 Star which we stock can be HUGE. Almost half the price. And these value bramds do have their supporters:

I use alternative brands of repositonal notes because they are cheaper and just as good. My favourite pads are the smaller ones like Post It Note 11/2x 2 Flrl Rbw 653FL pk12 . I have used the shaped post-it notes, heart ones of course lol!

Suzi Beaman  |  Fuzzydon (Cartoon cards, gifts & caricatures)

 Take a look at some more comments on our post-it notes page and see the price difference also.

An interesting thought is how many times we remove and restick a post-it note. In our case here at Whistle Ink - it’s usually just once or twice.

If you run or work for a business we would love to hear your opinion on repositional notes! Which ones ones do you prefer and why? You can tell by using the contact form on the post-it notes page.

When it comes to office supplies companies serving B2B they don’t get much bigger than Lyreco and Corporate Express.

Now Corporate Express plans to buy Lyreco for mega bucks. Staples wanted Corporate Express but they felt they were undervalued.

What dies this mean for office supplies customer? No idea really. The already must have big purchasing power themselves.

It might be worth taking a look at our comparison of certain products and see how much cheaper we are than most. There is no risk involved in buying from Whistle Ink - your businesses will get the same level of high service and reliability throughout - just as you would expect!

We also offer the same terms - FREE 30 day payments terms, online ordering for convenience and email support that carries on outside normal working hours!

Whistle Ink is the new name in office supplies!, office stationery, business

The BBC reported recently that some research has suggested that ‘Some computer keyboards harbour more harmful bacteria than a toilet seat’.

We can believe this. As we are all such hard workers nowadays, we tend to work through lunch - eating it our desks. Ploughing through the work with a Ploughmans!

When did you last clean your keyboard or desk in fact? If it is being considered isn’t it usually at the end of a certain period at work? When some big project has finished or is about to start.

Cleaning your desk and keyboard is also an option for those that are bored at work!

It doesn’t take that long to do (and we like washing our hands after handling computer wipes) and might stop you feeling ill!!!

Computer cleaning products aren’t that expensive either.  So getting of your back side you dirty (but hardworking) office workers and so this:

1) Lift your keyboard up and turn it upside down. Now shake it from side to side gently. Watch in amazement as you manage to make up a 3 course meal - albeit - with stuff growing on it.

2) Get some wipes, maybe an air dutser too and get that keyboard clean with gentle pressure on the keys.

(We wouldn’t recommend KFC wipes : P)

DON’T FORGET YOUR MOUSE!

Okay now for the shamless plug. For very little cost you can keep in stock a small amount of computer cleaning products. Individually wrapped sachets of cleaning wipes are ideal.

To find more products like air dusters click here to see the rest of our computer cleaning product range.

The Apprentice - everyone loves it.

While I was watching the recent episode of The Apprentice - Your Fired, I had to do a double take, well rewind on my pc (obviously after the show finished)!

I noticed that the wanna-be Apprentices had been using a product that Whistle Ink stocks.

They must have been jotting their ideas and planning on the

Recycled Post-it Meeting Chart 559RP

Very well actually. We probably come out on top compared to some.

It’s hard work I tell you trying to create some sort comparison. There I was open in front of me a BIG Whistle Ink catalogue and one from Staples, Viking Direct and Lyreco. I had to find products that all suppliers stocked so I could compare them properly and show you our website price was brilliant.

Here is the result - office supplies comparison

This page isn’t made reference to on the website yet - so you get a sneak preview. Lucky things. As far as I know it’s probably the biggest published office supplies price comparison by a supplier. No doubt after seeing this some may do a Whistle Ink comparison of their own.

So there’s a few office stationery products at various prices and then how we compare. We will try and keep this up to date as much as possible.

It’s really there just to give an indication that we have low prices but as our testimonials show provide a top class service to businesses. If we are cheaper on these items - how many more products are we cheaper on?

If you are spending a £100 or more on office supplies per month, then saving pennies (in the high numbers) or few pounds on each product will eventually add to a few crisp notes.

If you have any feedback on our comparison please let us know.

If away from work you like to seek out a bargain you will love the new special offers section on the Whistle Ink site.

We have a whole load of offers on a range of popular office supplies that you might use in your office.

Not only offers on branded office stationery but low priced value alternatives. Like Tesco Value beans - just like Heinz beans in a sense - but mega cheap!

To see the special offers we have click on the sign below!

Enjoy!

I recently attended another Tameside Business Family event. This time it was about ‘Maximising your PR opportunities’. It was delivered by Mike Dinsdale (marketing Director of the Tame Valley Partnership and Communications Director or Brother UK.

I think the main thing that I got from it was that I could get interest in Whistle Ink or at least get Whistle Ink mentioned for free. Mike gave examples of how much it would to place adverts in papers etc but whereas it you had something interesting to say about your small business - you could get coverage / space for free.

Am I going to do it? As always it’s great getting these tips for free - but they need to be acted upon too.

He’s even helped us by giving us a template to write a press release!

I think I just need to find an interesting angle - that might be worth reading about.

Hi,

Finding your printer consumables was always easy at the Whistle Ink site. Choosing from three drop down boxes took you straight to your ink and toner cartridges. But it was different from the old site - and some customers liked the way they could see a full list.

So we have added it back on! Now you can choose the method that best suits you.

With the drop down consumables finder we couldn’t;t really send people links to their ‘printer’ - but now we can do that again.

Great stuff! If you have any other features you would like to see please let us know!

To find ink and toner cartridges for your printers click here to go to the ink cartridges finder

Ok I took the plunge and went to our first business type event which was organised by the Tameside Business Family unit.

The main event was a talk by Andy ‘Cold Calling’ Preston. He’s a great guy that has given me some useful tips for when I decide to pick that phone up and tell businesses about Whistle Ink.

I was very nervous and so didn’t make full use of the buffet laid on (I will do next time though). I must also try and dress a bit smarter too. It was an informal event and I met some business people.

I haven’t quiet managed to pick the phone up yet, simply because I can’t find it…..

If you are doing cold calling or planning to check out the link above - there’s free tips to be had and if you are serious about it - Andy will be able to help you and your sales team.

If you are from Tameside check out the Tameside Business Family website and make sure you are listed in the directory, which is FREE!!

The guy from the Chamber of Commerce who I spoke to about signing up said ‘People buy from people’. I can see that it is probably true. I have taken the first step, getting out of my office!

Watch out Tameside!