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State-of-the-art
technology and fancy office supplies are big-time budget
busters for many small-business owners. Let’s face it,
price puts many of today’s hottest gizmos out of
reach.
However, being short on cash doesn’t mean you have
to stay stuck in the dark ages. And it doesn’t mean you
have to give boring cheese balls or sausage logs as stocking
stuffers again this holiday season.
With a little imagination and ingenuity, you can find
plenty of handy gadgets for yourself or for your favorite
colleagues. Here are a few we found that sell for under
$25.
Desk Organizers
Is your desk a mess? If computer disks and CDs run amuck,
check out the QuickTrieve storage line from Kensington
Products. QuickTrieve’s functional design maximizes
desk space by providing a stackable storage solution for
multimedia. At the low price of $9.99, it offers a
convenient and economical way to store all popular media
such as CDs, Zip disks, 3.5-inch diskettes and tape
cartridges. At maximum capacity, it holds 16 CDs, 18 Zip
disks or 64 diskettes. The top of the QuickTrieve doubles as
a cushioned pad to hold your desktop speakers. Not only does
it elevate them for better sound, but it also absorbs
vibration. Available at major office supply retailers
New Generation Address Books
Replace your old, beat-up address book and
planner with a sleek, portable electronic organizer. These
new organizers serve as high-tech address books and can
store notes or other important information. Most models
include scheduling calendars, clocks, calculators and metric
and currency conversions. Although many carry big-ticket
prices, you can find some affordable options.
Royal offers four models that retail for under $20. The
DM70EX is based on Royal’s top-selling organizer and
stores up to 250 items. It offers a three-line display, six
language prompts and a field for e-mail and URL address
storage. It’s a real bargain at only $9.99. For $14.99,
you can store over 1000 items with the DM75EX. The identical
DM78EX features a bonus leatherette wallet and notepad and
sells for $16.99. If you’re in the mood to splurge, the
DM80EX offers 64K memory and an optional PC link that’s
nearly impossible to find at the low price of $19.99.
Available at major office supply retailers.
On-The-Go Cases
If you’re looking for a way to protect CDs in transit,
then the novel CD Wetsuit line from Kensington Sport might
be just the gadget you need. This functional, cutting-edge
line features circular carrying cases made of soft, brightly
colored stretch neoprene, the same material used to make
divers’ wet suits. The squishy non-slip fabric protects
CD-ROM software and compact disks from travel wear and the
elements while providing lightweight, space-efficient
portability. Removable polypropylene CD sleeves and soft
cloth liners wipe away lint and dust from disks as
they’re removed for use, giving you maximum protection
in or out of the case. The black, royal blue or purple cases
come nicely equipped with durable large-toothed zippers and
pull-string handles. CD Wetsuits come in three sizes that
hold 12, 24 or 36 CDs. They retail for $9.95 to $19.95 and
are available at major office supply retailers.
Compact Shredder
These days, you don’t have to be involved in
top-secret espionage to need a paper shredder. Credit card
bills, bank statements and other financial documents in the
wrong hands can spell big trouble for you and your business.
But if you thought shredders were too bulky and pricey,
think again. Royal’s new Jaws Mini Shredder is the
perfect size for home or office and at just $19.95, the
perfect price for your budget. At a mere 6.5 inches wide and
5 inches tall, the shredder hangs neatly on the inside rim
of any standard wastebasket. It’s small enough to leave
in the trash can between uses, yet still not be in your way.
The tiny shredder packs a punch with a shredding speed of 12
feet per minute, great for getting rid of the evidence or
just those personal documents. Available at major office
supply retailers.
Pick a Card
Bring a little fun and laughter into the
sometimes stuffy business world with Busicard™ business
card holders from Hendrickson Studios. The original cartoons
printed on the holders help salespeople break the ice during
cold calls. They’re also great for trade shows.
Attendees and exhibitors receive thousands of business cards
at a single show, so you need to make yours stand out from
the pack. Hand someone your card inside a Busicard, and
they’re sure to remember you. The 80-count Busicard
Deck contains 20 each of four original Hendrickson cartoons
and sells for $12. With four different sets of cartoons to
choose from, you’re sure to find one to give even the
most serious client the giggles. Call 888-474-8667 to
order.
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Recharge
Your Batteries
No matter how many gadgets adorn your desk, sitting in an
office all day can still put stress and strain on your
muscles and joints. Here’s a low-tech solution to those
high-tech pains -- Bob Anderson’s book Stretching at
Your Computer or Desk. Anderson’s illustrated guide
shows simple stretches you can perform in only a minute or
two. Stand at a copier and stretch. Stretch while
you’re shredding papers. The easy exercises don’t
require any fancy equipment. And you won’t even break a
sweat. Stretching at Your Computer or Desk from Shelter
Publications is sold at major bookstores and retails for
$9.95. More information is available online at www.shelterpub.com
or by calling 415-868-0280.
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