Acme Westcott scissor review via Shoplet.com

Time for another Shoplet.com review! I love their great selection for office supplies. They are the number one e-tailer for all your office needs. This time, I’m showcasing a pair Acme Westcott Carbo TitaniumStraight Scissors.

I’ve had scissors of all sorts around the hours before. But I have never owned anything as serious as these bad boys. I can cut through cardboard and plastic! These things are super comfortable in my grip. The blades are titanium-bonded which makes them stronger than steel and they should stay sharper longer. I also appreciate the pointed tip which helps keep your cuts precise.

When thinking about uses for these scissors, my first instinct would be for crafting. I mean… they can cut through wire and cardboard… thin plastic… It almost seems a shame to use them on just regular paper. But I know if I did, it would be just as smooth a cut. They are actually listed as a crafting and rec room product though.

The only con I really have for these would be the price. $24.81 a piece seems steep. Granted, I don’t buy high end scissors so I could be off and these could be a steal!

What would you use these for? I'm thinking these might even work in a bug out bag...

Shoplet has other things for your home or office needs. Such as cleaning supplies, other Westcott products, medical supplies and office furniture. So be sure and check them out.

Kangeaux information and discount

US Family Guide has partnered up with Kangeaux to share discounts and information about an awesome product that I think could be useful to parents everywhere. Kangeaux Outdoors.

Here is the information provided by Kangeaux.

New carrying concept, the Walkabout by Kangeaux Outdoors, is designed to be an industrial-strength and multifunctional carrying tool for the outdoor adventurer and sports enthusiast alike. With the development of the Walkabout, Kangeaux Outdoors has designed a carrier like none other. It is predicted to become a standard for those "In The Field" -- but just as easily, it's ergonomic fit is ideal for the everyday carry. The Walkabout's adaptable nature creates easy solutions for both athletic essentials like sports bottles and baseball caps, as well as everyday items like keys, phones, sunglasses, etc. There is truly no other carrier like the Walkabout. Save 20% on your entire purchase! Sign up and stay up to date with our Kangeaux Newsletter and receive a coupon code for 20% off your entire purchase! http://www.kangeaux.com

So what do you think? Can you see yourself using something like this? I can think of a few uses. I'm thinking to add it to my bug out bag. Check them out and don't forget to use the discount if you order!

Being Happy with your Choices

I’ve been reflecting on the choices I make daily, weekly, monthly and in general. How can I do better? How can I be more efficient? How can I improve my situations in life? And something was put into perspective by a conversation I had with a fellow employee of the company I work for.

Every week, the employees of 22 centers connected by the same franchise gather up for a Lync meeting. Some just listen and watch, some are able to be on the webcam, and all are expected to share in the triumphs and news of everyone else. At the location I’m employed in, we like to shake up these meetings. The Vice President of Sales is my manager. He’s also quite the prankster. My supervisor is also a prankster. Between the two of them, we bring laughter and silliness to these once-a-week meetings. This past Thursday was no different. We all put on red clown noses and when the camera panned to us for our reports, there was stunned silence followed by laughter.

After the meeting, I was on Lync with another employee who had missed this week’s huddle. She told me how thankful she was for our shenanigans. Why? Simply because it brightened her long day and brought the end of the week closer to a close with a smile. Not everyone will see it that way. But so many will still laugh or even smile at our antics. And that is all that matters. Laughter is the best medicine. And in the sales business… you need that release from time to time.
While talking with her, I made the comment that you are only truly successful when you are happy. Give that a thought. Money and power won’t truly bring lasting happiness. But being happy with the choices you make, will. If you are happy with your job, enjoy what you do, like the people you work with – you will work harder and be more productive. Being more productive can lead to higher success rates. And for some people, that means that the paycheck will be better as well. I know that I feel more willing to put in additional effort because of how much I enjoy my job.

There are other choices that I have to weigh my happiness with these days. I’m moving this weekend. While I’m wary, I’m trying to imagine all the ways it will be better. Certain health issues are making an appearance. Health is one of those things I like to avoid thinking about. Mine isn’t the greatest, no matter how hard I try. But I try to find happiness in the fact that it can always be worse.

So what about you? Can you look at your life today and see joy-inducing pieces spread over every aspect? Are you happy with the choices you have and are making? If not… maybe it is time to look for a change.

Show your appreciation

When do you appreciate your Boss?

How many times have you had a supervisor or a manager that you appreciated whole-heartedly? Did you have one that you could trust to go to bat for you? Someone that you would work harder for, if for no other reason than because you had a deeper respect for them than anyone else?

Now did you show your appreciation? When it was their birthday or Christmas, did you get them a gift?

Give yourself a moment to consider this. A great leader is one who leads by example. It is one that you have high respect for, and that you will strive harder for. But how often do you let them know that you believe they are that better person? They deserve to know. Especially as they are few and far between. Managers and other leaders are mostly chosen by degrees, it seems, these days. So few of them have the knowledge or understanding – they lack the connection ability necessary to guide their employees with confidence. They won’t have people willing to go the extra mile on the job unless there is some kind of monetary bonus or kickback they want. This is sad. Leaders should be approachable by everyone. They should have a defined respect from everyone around them, that can be seen by those coming in from the outside.

I’m happy to say I work for one such guy. My manager, Mark or Mr. V. is a guy that connects with his employees. He has managers under him to supervise the departments, but that doesn’t stop him from offering his help or talking to those other employees one-on-one. He wants to see everyone succeed. He knows how to run a tight ship, but his sense of humor keeps the mood light. He is a bit of a prankster, and he can handle getting it dished back. So when his birthday came around this week, you better believe that we treated him with as much as we could muster.

My supervisor took the time and effort to decorate his office,

take a group picture that she had a poster made of,

and coordinate with everyone in the office to help in the celebration.

I baked him a cake in the theme of his favorite candy bar, Baby Ruth.

The surprise was a fantastic success.

He really did expect the room to be filled with balloons thanks to having the balloons crammed in his window.

You don't have to go all out, but take the time to show your appreciation. Those worthy of such are a rare treasure in the business world. They need to know how much they mean to others sometimes.