Universal Desktop Laminator
Where to buy: www.buyonlinenow.com

Laminators are a low cost way to preserve your important business documents from wet, damp or damage, especially if they are being handled often. The Universal Desktop Laminator is a handy device, which easily and quickly laminates and protects your documents and reports. It is black in color and looks modern and stylish in any office. I also like the idea that it is portable, which makes it easier to take along on business travel or when meeting with clients etc.

It is easy to operate: just insert your document into the lamination pouch and feed into the laminator slot. 3 or 5 mm pouches can be used.

Overall, I think that laminators are a must-have device in any office. Laminated documents or reports due for clients just look more professional. I like the Universal desktop Laminator for its price tag, but also its portability.

Order: Universal® Desktop 9″ Laminator

Where to buy: www.amazon.com

Computers are wonderful things, if they work properly that is. If you find that your computer all of a sudden runs very slowly and freezes up, then a proper clean up of electronic junk and clutter on your machine should be undertaken.

The WinCleaner One-Click is a software product that cleans and optimizes your Windows Registry and gives you extra disk space. It removes broken shortcuts, junk files and thereby protecting your privacy by disenabling third party tracking of your internet and web browsing habits. Start-up problems should also be fixed once you clean your computer with this product.

Overall, the WinCleaner One-Click is a thumbs-up product as it makes your computer reliable and safe to use. Especially if you work with your machine day-in day-out, the last thing you want is a frustratingly slow and unsafe computer to work on.

Order: WinCleaner One Click Professional Clean Version 12

Where to buy: www.amazon.com

If you run a home office and are in need of a labeler, have a look at the Brother PT1290 Home and Office Labeler. This handheld device creates professional looking labels in no time at all. The printed labels can be used for things such as office equipment, binders, presentation material, cell phones, DVDs/CDs. The device has two professional looking fonts and 15 different mode patterns to create decorative labels of your choice. The device comes with a 15 character LCD display, which allows users to easily preview the text before printing it off.

Another key feature is the memory ability of the labeler. It can store up to 9 of your favorite labels you use over and over again. .

Overall, if you are looking for a good and not too expensive labeling machine, the Brother PT1290 is perfect for your small business needs. It is easy to use to create labels – type the text, print, peel and stick. The labels are up to ½” wide and made from waterproof and durable laminated material.

Order: Brother PT1290 Home and Office Labeler

The Smart Pen is a high tech pen with a difference. If you haven’t heard about it yet, it is a pen-looking device that can capture and convert handwriting and at the same time record audio. Essentially, the Smart Pen records everything you write as well as hear and translates it into computer-editable text. This text can easily be forwarded to other people, colleagues or clients. The pulse feature on the pen allows you to replay the recorded audio by tapping the pen directly on your written notes. The 2GB Smart Pen can record over 200 hours of audio.

The Smart Pen only works with the dot paper by Livescribe, which is included with the purchase of the pen. The pen comes in a smart looking Titanium color. The soft case protects the pen when not in use. Also provided are two ink cartridges, a USB docking station and a 3-D recording headset.

The instruction guide gives ideas on how to use the pen

Overall, I think the smart pen is a great choice for anybody who needs to jot down lots of notes, either during client visits or business meetings. Instead of transcribing your written notes onto the computer, the Smart Pen does it for you.

Order: Livescribe 2 GB Pulse Smartpen

Where to buy: www.amazon.com

We all use them over and over again – little sticky notes to scribble down phone numbers, appointment dates or things we need to remember to do. The fantastic thing about this product is that it is 100% recycled. The notes come in four different colors: green, blue, pink and yellow and are self-stick.

These notes not only allow you to get your most pressing thoughts onto paper and stick them where you won’t forget, but they also feel good for your eco-conscience. Every bit we do for our environment is good – no matter how small.

Overall, I think this is a must-have product for every office and household.

Order: 100% Recycled Notes, 3 x 3, Four Colors, 12 100-Sheet Pads/Pack

Every small business needs various items of electronic office equipment. If you have a small office, a compact and all-in-one machine is the answer. I like the KX-FLM651 Laser Fax/Printer/Copier/Scanner. It is a multifunction machine that can be used for various processes.

The laser printer prints off professional looking documents quickly and efficiently, with a 600×600 dpi resolution. The machine also allows you to scan images to your computer, send faxes and make photocopies. Copies can be enlarged and reduced. It also comes with a 20 page automatic paper feeder to make printing easy and quick.

I like the fact that this machine is Energy Star Qualified, which means that is runs more energy-efficiently, saves money and helps protect the environment.

Overall, if you run a small business in a confined space, this multifunction fax, printer, copier and scanner is a great way of using minimum space for maximum output.

Order Panasonic KX-FLM651Multi-Function Laser Fax, PC-Printer, Copier and Scanner

Where to buy: www.amazon.com

If you are an eco-conscious person at home, there are quite a lot of things you can do in your office as well – from saving energy to buying green products.

One of these green products is this letter-size No-Post Letter Stacking Desk Tray, made from textured steel. It is made from 30% post consumer recycled products and meets EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Guidelines.

Every office needs desk trays to keep documents and ‘to-do’ piles neat and safe from being mislaid. I think that buying post consumer and greener products for the office is a great way of helping to protect our environment. I also like the fact that this product is made in the USA.

Overall, this product would be a good choice if you are in need of new desk trays. Yes, it is a bit more pricey than ordinary plastic types, but the above mentioned tray is made from much sturdier steel and most importantly is made from partially post consumer products.

Order No-Post Letter Stacking Desk Trays, Steel, Black.

Where to buy: www.amazon.com

Are you looking for a stylish, but smallish work station for your home office? The Orispace office in a Box Desk/Bookcase Combo is, in my opinion, a great product. First of all it is compact and should fit in small spaces quite easily. It is a combo and comes with a sleek desk to put your computer/laptop on and a small bookcase to place some of your files or business books on.

The desk is made from strong and good quality MDF boards and is 32” H x 32” W x 20” D. It has stylish aluminium-look legs. The bookcase is of similar design, with MDF board as shelves and aluminium-look legs.

The combo desk/bookcase comes, in my opinion, at a very good price and its basic design looks stylish and is ideal for your small home office.

Order Orispace Office in a Box Desk/Bookcase Combo

A virtual assistant is basically an office assistant, but not an employ in your office. Virtual Assistants are business owners and entrepreneurs, just like yourself. Virtual Assistant’s typically work from their home, via the Internet and offer a wide range of services. Most virtual assistants (VA’s) specialize in only a few areas of service, so some business owners may find it most useful to sub-contract two or more VA’s.

The benefits of sub-contracting a virtual assistant are:

• No hourly wage or salary to pay
• Money isn’t wasted on idle time…you pay for only the time the VA is actually working on your project
• Your business doesn’t have to pay for employee benefits like insurance or worker’s compensation, or vacation

The name of my business is Professional Virtual Business Solutions, or ProVBS for short. I specialize writing services: short articles for blog posts, articles and reports on a wide range of topics, recipes, food articles, and much more. If you need a writing service not listed, please request a quote.

I also specialize in setting up blogs and websites using WordPress and WordPress Theme customization, including customized header graphics.

So, business owners, be sure to think of ProVBS when you need an extra hand!