Diane Gottsman | Leading Etiquette Expert | Modern Manners Authority

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School Supplies for Executives

03 Aug 2012 By: Diane Gottsman

Just because you are a successful exec doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the fun and excitement of shopping for school supplies! Take this seasonal opportunity to stock up on supplies for your desk and the office.

  • Keurig. Coffee can be a great start for the morning for those who partake, and Keurigs make the brewing coffee easier! Instead of making one pot of coffee that someone always ends up emptying without refilling, make every person in charge of their own cup. And who can resist the assortment of flavors?
  • Fancy ball point pens. If you are anything like me, your pens routinely get lost in the pockets of your briefcase or purse. Treat yourself to some quality new pens and pencils to celebrate the school supply shopping season. Get fancy and purchase your pens and pencils in rainbow colors so you won’t “lose” them in your office. Stick to black ink but go wild on the outside plastic!
  • Desk calendars. Not only do they provide an excellent way to keep track of appointments, but they also help protect your nice wooden desk from getting scratched up with writing marks.
  • Organizer/planner. You can get one for yourself and one for your boss to keep track of meetings, trips, deadlines and personal appointments. Whether to get a thick book with week to week planning or a skinny monthly calendar is strictly up to your preference.
  • Comfy desk chairs. When you are sitting from 8:00-5:00 p.m., comfort counts. From a desk chair that has plenty of cushion and support, to an exercise ball that keeps you healthy and balanced, now is the time to find a great sale. Your company may even pay for it – what a treat!
  • File folders. I use at least one per day, and have many more in filing cabinets and storage. When you use multicolored ones you can increase organization and clarity, and let’s be honest, they are a lot more fun to look at than the boring plain vanilla.
  • Air fresheners. Nothing too strong, but a nice breeze of scent can do wonders to freshen up your office and your spirit. If you find yourself missing the beach, a tropical scent is only a mega store away.
  • Everyday details. Make sure you’re stocked up on paper clips, staples, rubber bands and tape before heading into the fall season.
  • Label maker. My assistant swears by one of these, although I can’t think of a reason why we need one! News alert: Deanna says that “Labeling is one of the most effective ways to stay organized and keep clients and projects straight.” There you go…
  • Tech gadgets. If you’re the boss and you haven’t updated your office technology in a while, take this opportunity to upscale. If your assistant waits longer for her computer to download a file than it does to make a cup of coffee in your new Keurig, it’s time to think about an update. How about your printer? Would your employees work more efficiently with an iPad or iPhone? Making an investment in the future of your company is definitely a good reason to go electronic school supply shopping.
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Diane Gottsman

Diane Gottsman is a national etiquette expert and modern manners professional, sought out industry leader, television personality, accomplished speaker, Huffington Post blogger, author, and the owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a company specializing in executive leadership and etiquette training. Diane is routinely quoted in national and international media including The New York Times, The BBC, CNN, Bloomberg Business Week, Kiplinger, Huffington Post Canada, U.S. News and World Report, and Forbes. She is the resident etiquette expert for two popular morning talk shows, SA Living and Good Day Austin. She has been seen on The TODAY Show, HLN Headline News, WGN Chicago, and CBS Sunday Morning. Her clients range from university students to Fortune 500 companies and her workshops cover topics ranging from tattoos in the workplace to technology at the dinner table and the proper use of social media.