Pre-pandemic impressing your colleagues was a piece of cake—quite literally—and surprising the office with a sweet afternoon dessert pick-me-up was a no-fail plan to ‘woo’ the team. So were shoes, striding into the office with a new pair of Jimmy Choos always managed to get the attention you desired!
“Since lockdown, in order to impress your workmates, you need to look inside-the-box. Or rather, inside your 13-inch Zoom call screen,” Office Products Depot, CEO, Gavin Ward said.
“Strategically positioning and using some new home office products in your next online video call is the key to impressing your colleagues in the virtual world.”
Gavin Ward has shared his top six home office gems that are sure to impress your co-workers or potential clients.
Accessorise with some new headphones
“Your old tangled, barely-functioning earbuds are not impressing anyone. Not only do they not look professional, they also can cause sound disturbances for everyone else on the call,” Ward said.
“A new set of headphones will transform your working-from-home persona from the person constantly asking everyone to repeat themselves, to the one leading the conversations. Being a beat behind your co-workers—due to sound delays—is not going to impress.”
According to Ward, the range of headphones on the market these days is huge. Office Products Depot has had to increase stock of headphones including Bluetooth, noise cancelling, advanced-microphone headphones in order to deal with increased demand for the products in-store and online. “Whether you want black, silver, pink, red or any other colour with flashing lights, there are plenty of headphones to choose from,” Ward added.
Blend… But don’t blend in
“There is no denying the reaction a fresh juice or green smoothie can have on a crowd—you look healthy, organised and put-together,” Ward said.
“Positioning a blender or juicer in the foreground or background of your Zoom call while you sip on your beverage will let everyone know your kale, carrot and walnut superfood smoothie has the perfect consistency.
“You’ll be known as the ‘one’ with the coolest desk toys. Products like bullet blenders come in a range of different styles, shapes and colours. Why not add a funky fruit bowl to the mix to make it look like you have all the produce you need for the perfect smoothie—on demand!”
Flash around some new pens
“Fine-tip, erasable, refillable, gel ink… There really is a pen for every occasion. A new pen on a subconscious level makes you want to write more, which in turn is impressive to anyone on the other end of a video call,” Ward said.
“Pens also double as great props. Body language often says more about your confidence than your words do. So, next time you’re presenting or pitching one of your ideas, flashing around a pen in your hand while you speak will impress your co-workers with your self-assurance.”
Show you care with a 12-month planner
Is there an easier way to impress someone than remembering their birthday? I don’t think so.
“Next time you jump on to Zoom, let your co-workers know that you miss them and care about them by hanging a 12-month planner on the wall behind you with their birthdays highlighted,” Ward said.
“You won’t only reap the rewards of impressing them when they spot the wall, as their birthdays approach you will know and be able to get organised. A virtual office birthday party is certain to impress your colleagues.”
Sip on the delights of impressing your colleagues
“A new drink bottle, coffee mug or teacup is the perfect way to inject some of your personality into your home office or onto your colleagues,” Ward said.
“Drink bottles come in a variety of shapes and sizes and even include lights that change colour.”
Spin your way to the top
“You know those movie character CEOs that impress everyone by walking on the treadmill perfectly positioned in their offices? You can achieve that same look with a spin-desk,” Ward said.
“Spin desks are the latest in desk innovation—they allow you to work while exercising and that is impressive. The Sylex Spin desk is well designed and includes wheels so it can be moved around when not in use.”
Office Products Depot is part of the Office Brands network—the largest network of independent stationery stores in Australia with over 160 stores. Brands include Office National, Office Products Depot, and O-Net.
