March 1, 2010
A Note From Mike Carr
2010
I can’t believe it’s already 2010 and February is over. It seems like just yesterday I was preparing for the end of the world due to the pending Y2K disaster. A lot has happened over the last year, let alone the last decade. For most of us, 2009 was a financial disaster and we are cautiously looking forward to better things to come this year.
I have seen some encouraging signs. One of our customers has had many of their products made in China for several years. They recently made the financial decision that it’s more effective to produce it right here in Michigan.
In January, I went to a daddy-daughter dance with my daughter and I spoke with a couple of other Dads who own businesses. They said they were down right busy. Even though both companies have smaller staffs than they had a year ago, it is still encouraging. Of course, I’m always the eternal optimist. Why am I optimistic?
Optimistic or Pessimistic?
Some people think I’m delusional, but I just can’t seem to help it. Whenever circumstances create set backs for me, I’m always reminded that so many people are in worse situations than myself. When challenged by a set back, I always think to myself that there is nothing I can do about it now, even when I am the cause of the set back. I just try to find a way to pick myself up, one step at a time.
I found this article by Carolyn Butler which was printed in the Washington Post 
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/main/6818125.html .
My fellow optimist has found that research suggests that a sunnier outlook on life is associated with a lower risk of heart disease and mortality. The research, which tracked more than 97,000 women older than 50 for eight years, found that optimists were 9 percent less likely to develop heart disease and 14 percent less likely to die from any cause than their pessimistic counterparts. Those with a high degree of “cynical hostility” were 16 percent more likely than all others to die during that same period.
“This is really consistent with a number of other studies in the past, with the strongest findings in the realm of coronary heart disease: There is good evidence to suggest optimism is protective and that pessimism seems to be detrimental, when it comes to the development of disease and future outcomes,” says Laura Kubzansky, an associate professor at the Harvard School of Public Health who has focused on these issues. “But what's a little less clear is what the mechanisms are, or how that protective effect occurs.”
I don’t know about you, but based on this I’m going to stay delusional if that’s what it takes.
Am I Delusional?
I can’t be so delusional to not see that Michigan and our own Metropolitan area doesn’t have its share of problems. Some things that have happened such as Chrysler and GM going bankrupt and some of the auto dealership closings are just flat out unbelievable. At least 2 of these dealerships were friends and customers of mine who were running profitable businesses. In an instant, they were closing, selling inventories for pennies on the dollar, and are now stuck with buildings to sell in what is still a lousy economy. Despite those set backs, it still goes back to the same thing - I can’t do anything about those things (even though I wish I could), so we just have to plan a different way to survive.
At Office Express, we had made a bold plan for growth 2 years ago after we moved. The first year went great and we were up over 23% in 2008, but in 2009, we slid back about 11%. To meet our aggressive goal (from 2 years ago) for this year, we will have to raise our sales by 50%. Some people might say we have to adjust our goal, but I think we can still do it.
Reasons why and reasons for hope
I have 3 main reasons why I think we can still achieve our sales goals for 2010.
1. We are going to target some larger accounts and win their business. Large accounts all too often dismiss what a smaller, service-orientated business can do for them in regards to saving money. Face it, we all want to save money and we have a strategy to save customers money, especially larger customers. Savings start with strategy. We have developed strategies to save customers money especially in supplies and printing. As pricing has become more competitive in almost every industry, savings on specific products are minimal. If you are interested in a savings strategy, call or e-mail us. It’s kind of like that Ford commercial that says “don’t you like it when a plan comes together?” By the way, I didn’t even know who that actor was in that commercial. I thought Ford was just trying to save money and hired some guy off the street.
2. We are developing specialty web stores, which will be open soon and will focus on furniture and printing. I think this web thing is here to stay, so all of us have to learn how to better use the web to show customers and prospects the information they need and in a way that makes ordering easy.
The furniture site will feature Hon Office Furniture. We sold over 20% more Hon furniture last year than the year before. Hon Office Furniture is made in the USA and is one of the largest office furniture companies in the world. Hon has always been known as a great value and I believe that’s why our customers are buying Hon products more than ever. Their product line keeps getting better-rounded and the value is still great. Hon has become appealing to many more furniture buyers. This site will initially show the products that are available for immediate shipment. By mid year, more options will be shown on a variable quick ship program that HON has developed. Office Express has achieved Hon’s highest level of dealer status, which entitles us to its largest discount and a wide variety of products (beyond what is in stock). Most orders from the factory ship in about 12 working days and virtually everything ships within 4 weeks.
The printing web site will feature our most printed items in a web store were you can view the pricing for the most frequently ordered quantities. Many printing jobs are unique and have little intricacies within them, but even if your job has special details, you should be able to get a close idea of what your job will cost instantly. These items will feature our best and most commonly ordered papers. By focusing on these papers in bulk, we can save you money. Additionally, this web site will have the capability to give you an instant proof for your business cards. Customers with multiple locations will be able to view their forms on the site and place an order for the specific item they need. This will also enable larger customers to order in bulk, which can save a significant amount of money. Does any one want to save significant amounts of money?
3. Our employees. It almost seems like a cliché when companies point to their people as a reason for their success, but we have been blessed to have several outstanding people join our staff over the last 2 years. These are people who probably would have never been available to come and work with us previously. These include several previous owners of office supply and furniture businesses as well as a woman who previously owned a printing company. In addition, we have 2 furniture sales people who worked for a large local furniture company that went out of business last year. We have a talented graphic artist that leads our marketing and graphics department. We have added an experienced phone sales person to let you know of special offers and incentives. I believe it all adds up to success when it is combined with dedication and hard work.
Reasons for Hope
You have heard the how, but now for my biggest reason for hope. I think more and more, businesses in Michigan are realizing that we have to stick together. From our customer that was running jobs in China and is now running them here in Michigan to the Township that put their business out to bid and went with us. I think more people are giving the nod to the local business instead of the big box.
We have mentioned economic studies in the past and they are still out there, but it just makes sense. If we don’t support each other in this metropolitan area there isn’t going to be anything left. It’s a 2-way street. We’re willing to support your business too. Let us know what you’re selling and if we need it, we will seek you out first and give you the last bid. We can publicize your business on our web site; we can publicize it through our marketing department. We can even build a web site for you too. Let’s stick together and see what happens.
Local Spotlight
Recaro, Inc.
Check back later for article
Employee Spotlight
Rob, Lisa and Allison Mahon
Alright, Lisa was already in the employee spotlight a year and a half ago when she was still Lisa Birch. That was just before she got married so now we can meet both of the Mahons together.
As I mentioned in the article about Recaro, Lisa received a free car seat when she was pregnant. That’s right, was pregnant. She had her baby Saturday January 9th. A beautiful little girl named Allison. Check her out!
Rob Mahon is a big Facebook enthusiast. I checked his page and I saw he’s working hard to help Lisa out.
Lisa and Rob met when working at another office supply store that is now out of business. Lisa came to work here first and Rob followed later. Rob is our all around “go-to guy” who works in the warehouse at Office Express. He jokes that he came to provide extra help to the company one day four years ago and just never left! Rob spends a good amount of his time assembling furniture for our customers, but he also fills in on the delivery routes when needed. After four years, he knows the industry well and is always willing to step in and help whenever there is a need. He has been a great asset to the Office Express team.
In his spare time, Rob enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He is always up for watching or attending a sporting event. In the summer, he enjoys traveling up north and going camping.
Rob’s newest interest is his three week old baby girl, Allison. Rob is thoroughly enjoying his new role as a father and can’t wait to show her off! All of us at Office Express are very excited for Rob and Lisa as they begin this new journey of parenthood.
Charity Corner: Capuchin Soup Kitchen
Christmas and New Years have long passed and we all sufficiently stuffed ourselves to the brim with the holiday foods that we indulge in only at that time of year. Then we turn right around and vow to loose the extra few pounds we put on during the holidays.
Yet while we are trying to lose those extra pounds, there are others in our state that don’t have enough food and many that go to bed hungry at the end of the day. The Capuchin Soup Kitchen, which has been serving the metro area since 1929, is dedicated to fighting this growing problem in our state. They are working to meet the basic needs of people in the metro area regardless of race, sex, age, color, national origin, religious preference, handicap or income.
For more information or to donate to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen visit: http://www.cskdetroit.org/index.cfm.
Productivity Pointers – Business Cards
Over the last two years, our country has faced harsh economic down-turns causing many people to seek new jobs, obtain more education and become innovative thinkers. As people re-image themselves it has become even more essential to know how to brand yourself and your company. One of the top ways to put your best foot forward is through your business card. Your business card is like a “mini-resume” and it must be something that differentiates you from the rest of the pile.
A well-done business card can make it easier to get into the conversation when it is able to speak for itself. So what makes a business card stand out?
Spending a little time with a graphic designer is a good place to start. They can point out paper stock that is good for printing along with font sizes, styles, and colors that will be visually appealing, yet easy to read. For a sleeker look, you can also select a matte or glossy finish or foil-accents. To really set you apart from the crowd, you might consider using a graphic such as a map for hard-to-find physical locations. This could prove to be very helpful and time-saving for a potential new customer.
Another option is to have your information printed vertically, rather than horizontally. For those that wish to be environmentally savvy, there are a variety of card stocks that are made from recycled materials. Contemplate leaving room on your card for special messages or appointment slots. 
Whatever your niche, there are a wide array of templates tailored to fit your needs. When considering that much of the networking today is done via e-mail and social networking sites, you don’t want to neglect your electronic business card as well. Overall, you will want a business card that is unique, tasteful, and colorful.
Your branding does not have to stop at just business cards. Office Express can help you to take your efforts a step further with personalized postcards, letterheads, presentation folders, promotional products, note cards, return address labels, stamps, announcements, invitations and much more.
