State of the Industry: 2023 Paper Market
While inflation, supply and the COVID-19 rebound were some key factors affecting the paper industry last year, this year looked a little different. In a recent report, Fastmarkets provided insight on the current state of the paper industry and what happened throughout 2023.
The Benefits of Using a Stand-Up Desk
Between the morning and evening commutes, office meetings, and desk work, we spend many hours of each workday sitting down.
Following the Paper Trail: the Paper Recycling Process Explained
America Recycles Day, celebrated annually on November 15, is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States. Its purpose is to educate and encourage individuals on how to be more mindful of what they consume, where and how to properly recycle, and to pledge to recycle more and recycle right in their everyday lives.
The Circular Economy and the Sustainability of Paper Products
As American consumers grow more conscious of the environmental consequences of products they buy, a significant disparity still exists between their perceptions and the actual sustainability of paper products.
The Power of Handwritten Thank-You/Appreciation Notes
As National Boss’s Day approaches on October 16th, there’s no better time to explore the power of handwritten thank-you and appreciation notes.
Employees and Technology Drive Evolving Office Culture
The workforce is evolving as office culture changes and adapts to the ideas and values of the 21st century. Technological advancements, a growing emphasis on work-life balance, and the aftermath of a global pandemic have all played a role in reshaping the way people work and interact in professional settings.
Building Strong Relationships with Paper Suppliers: Key Tips for Effective Procurement
For any business, establishing and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers is crucial for ensuring a smooth and efficient supply chain. Whether your business relies on paper for packaging, printing or other essential operations, forming a solid partnership with your paper supplier can help keep your business running efficiently.
How to Avoid Paper Jams
One of the most frustrating experiences when printing or copying is when you encounter a paper jam. Not only does it disrupt workflow, but it also wastes time and resources. To help avoid paper jams and keep your printing and copying processes running smoothly, here are a few useful tips.
Back-to-School: Five Key Considerations for Sourcing Paper for the Education Industry
Even in today’s technology-driven world, paper remains an essential component in educational settings. Here are five factors to keep top-of-mind when sourcing paper for the education industry for this coming school year.
Creating a Positive Remote Culture
Working remotely offers numerous benefits, such as increased flexibility and improved work-life balance, but it also presents unique challenges for managers aiming to foster a positive company culture.
How to Prepare for (and Nail) your Next Performance Review
Performance reviews are an important part of professional development. They provide an opportunity for employees to receive feedback on their work and set goals for future growth. However, performance reviews can be nerve-wracking if you’re not adequately prepared.
Five Industries That Should Rely on Premium Paper to Look Their Best
Printing on premium paper can help enhance the visual appeal and professional quality of documents for a variety of industries. Here are five industries that could benefit from using premium paper:
Tips for Reducing Paper Waste by Optimizing Printing
Printing is a common and sometimes essential part of our daily work routine, but it can also be a large source of paper waste in the home or office. The good news is that with a few simple changes, you can optimize your printing practices and reduce paper waste. Here are four tips to help you get started.
A Professional’s Guide to Writing Emails
According to Oberlo, over 347 billion emails will be sent and received per day in 2023. That’s a lot of digital communication! For many people in the workforce, sending emails has become second nature.
How Employees and Companies Can Prioritize Mental Health
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and while we often address mental health in our personal lives, it’s a less common topic in the workplace. Since the onset of COVID, the expectation for companies to address mental health has increased.
3 Things You’ve Never Considered About Paper
Paper is just paper, right? Well, not quite. Paper is an essential part of our lives, providing us with the ability to express ideas, organize thoughts, and communicate with others. The role it plays is big, but smaller details can often be overlooked.
5 Ways to Support Small Businesses
National Small Business Week (April 30 – May 6, 2023) has been celebrated in the U.S. for more than 50 years and recognizes the critical contributions of American entrepreneurs and small business owners.
2022 Fire Impacting Recycled Paper Production
If you noticed it was harder to get recycled paper over the past several months, you weren’t alone. On Oct. 6, 2022, a large fire broke out at the Resolute Forest Products warehouse in Menominee, Michigan. Resolute – a global leader in the forest products industry, producing market pulp, paper, tissue, and wood products – is one of the largest producers of the pulp used to make recycled office paper in North America.
Women in Leadership Roles Foster Innovation, Engagement
The theme of International Women’s Day 2023 (March 8) is “Embrace Equity,” which calls on everyone to celebrate the achievement of women, raise awareness about discrimination and take action to drive gender parity.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Recycling Like a Pro
Recycling is beneficial for our communities and planet for a number of reasons. Not only does it save energy and resources, but it also reduces landfills and pollution and creates jobs.
How to Thrive at Work Through the Gloomiest Time of the Year
In many areas, January and February are the gloomiest times of the year as low temperatures, intermittent storms, seasonal illnesses, and post-holiday blues all take hold.
Four Procurement Trends to Keep Top-of-Mind in 2023
Almost three years after the onset of the pandemic, supply chains may have recovered from early pandemic hurdles, but new challenges and trends have emerged as the economy changed.
Staying Organized to Build Productivity in 2023
Many people have just one New Year’s resolution: get. more. done. Who wouldn’t want to be productive, stay organized, and lessen stress in 2023? But it’s not always easy. Productivity often means creating daily habits that require effort, consistency, planning, and using the right tools to stay organized. Here are a few to get you started.
Inflation, Supply, and the COVID-19 Rebound Impact Paper Industry in 2022
With the pandemic restrictions in place globally throughout 2020 and 2021, we faced two of the most tumultuous years in modern business history. While COVID-19 continues to be a factor, 2022 saw some businesses return to normal and others begin a new, post-pandemic phase.
How Paper Is Made: From Sustainable Forestry to Your Office Printer
Paper is an essential part of our lives, helping us solve problems, express creativity, and connect on a personal level. Most people know that paper comes from trees, but have you ever wondered just how the paper you use gets from the forest to your desk?
Tips to Reduce Waste During the Holiday Season
It’s officially the holiday season, which means gathering with loved ones for festivities, food, and fun. This season is the perfect time to celebrate and reflect on the things that are important to us, including the environment.
Get the Most Out of Color Printing
With the rise of inflation, even the smallest expenses are under scrutiny. Color ink is notorious for being expensive, but there are ways to optimize the quality and quantity of your printing. Make the most out of your ink investment with a few of these tips:
Learning with Paper in a Digital Age
Over the last decade, people of all ages and demographics have turned to remote learning and work, keeping notes online and using digital calendars and to-do lists. But for many, using pen and paper to take notes is a better way to learn and remember.
How to Store and Load Paper for Optimal Performance
At Boise Paper, we pride ourselves on providing the products you need with the service you deserve. Our paper products are rigorously tested and engineered to deliver the best results. To get the most out of your paper, follow these five steps for optimal performance.
Mentor Programs Improve Employee Experience
Mentor programs in the workplace are often used to integrate new employees into their new role. However, a mentoring program is also important for ongoing employee satisfaction and retention, as well as building an overall positive company culture.
Back-to-School Sends Parents Back-to the Wallet with Inflation, Higher Spending
After two years of ups and downs due to the pandemic, everyone hoped for a “normal” back-to-school season in 2022. However, mounting inflation has taken center stage as a new problem for parents as trends predict spending to reach new heights this year.
Value Propositions to Consider when Buying Paper
Paper is one of the most utilized tools in the workplace and is likely a large part of a business’s spending, so the price of paper is a main concern. However, price is just one component of the total cost of buying and consuming paper. Other factors that impact cost include performance, consistency, appearance, and manufacturer support.
Return on Sustainability: The Value and ROI of Sustainable Procurement
For many years, companies have focused sustainability efforts around their own carbon footprint, but today they have shifted their attention to the entire life cycle of their product or service.
Seven procurement trends to consider in 2022
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chains have faced unprecedented challenges at every step of the process. Logistical problems have affected multiple industries, and regardless of your specific sector of business, challenges and accompanying trends are expected to continue.
Complying with the Made in USA Standard
Over the years, the rules for what can be claimed as a product made in the U.S. has changed. Originally, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said that the product had to be completely made in the U.S. or close to it.
Value of Sustainable Procurement Practices
Since sustainability is still relatively new to procurement practices, the ability to express these benefits in financial terms is one of the key drivers needed to make a case for implementing sustainable practices into business models.
Is Your Sustainable Procurement Program Oriented Toward Outcome and Impact?
Our society, planet, and markets are changing at a rapid rate, so we must ask ourselves if the sustainable efforts we’re making now are enough.
Why Should You Choose a Sustainable Procurement Strategy?
As the conversation around “going green” and sustainability continues to evolve, consumers and businesses alike are forced to look at the role we play in this. For consumers, that often means taking a deeper look into the business you’re buying from.
Five Key Supply Chain and Transportation Considerations for Paper Selection
A guide to the five key factors you should consider when evaluating the supply chain and customer service capabilities of your paper supplier. You know making the right paper sourcing decision is not just about selecting the product, but also finding a good fit with the company behind it.
Four Powerful Benefits of Supply Chain Collaboration
Collaboration between business partners happens organically after spending enough time together, allowing them to harmonize quality production and ethical working standards. Similarly, supply chain collaboration is when autonomous businesses begin working together to improve operations in their supply chain.
Measuring Sustainability. Creating Value.
While implementing sustainable practices within a business can be challenging, leaders are starting to see that improving ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategies can increase the performance of their business!
Sourcing for Sustainability: How to Evaluate a Paper Manufacturer’s Sustainability Practices
The first step to understanding your manufacturer’s commitment to sustainability is to check for third-party certification, which in the forest products industry are the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI), the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®), and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).
A Supply Management View of Sustainability
As sustainability continues to become a driving force for companies, it’s important to understand the extent of the efforts being taken by companies across the United States. Many companies and organizations have sustainability goals set in order to meet stakeholder and customer expectations.
Sustainable Procurement Barometer 2021
Over the past decade, businesses have been feeling the pressure to move toward more sustainable practices. With the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, many were forced to re-examine their supply chains.
Supply Chain Optimization: Levers for Rapid EBITDA
Even though supply chains are at the core of moving physical goods within and between companies, they represent one of the largest unaddressed cost blocks.
Internal Memo or Important Presentation? Get the Right Paper for Your Job
All office papers may look the same at a glance, but there is a lot to learn when it comes to which paper is right for your needs. Simply put, different types of documents call for different paper. Since no one sheet fits every project, we’ve compiled a list of paper attributes to consider when looking for the right paper for the job.
Cost Efficiency Drives Value for Procurement Organizations
Cost reduction is at the top of the agenda for any business, according to an article by The Hackett Group titled, “Achieving Procurement Excellence in the Age of Digital Disruption.” The report highlights five key areas of development that procurement organizations need to address to deliver new value and higher efficiency:
Why “Made in the USA” is an Environmental Choice
For decades, Boise Paper has been made right here in the United States. But why is “Made in the USA” an important distinction when shopping for paper? Here are some of the reasons why U.S.-made paper is a more environmentally friendly option than imported products.
The Diminishing Effect of Buying Imports VS Investing in U.S. Made
Manufacturing goods here in the U.S. also affects many local businesses and people. The return of the dollar spent on American goods and manufacturing is $2.89. When we use our money to keep investing in products made in the U.S., it compounds and helps the businesses all around us.
How to Stand Out During the Virtual Hiring Process
The COVID-19 pandemic and the “Great Resignation” have altered employee expectations in many ways, and companies are reevaluating internal communications practices in response.
How to Evaluate Sustainable Paper Options
Did you know not all sustainable products are created equal? Every month more brands pop up claiming to be more sustainable. Unfortunately, sustainability can be a complex topic that many customers don’t fully understand. When it comes to paper, some think “sustainable” and “recycled” are the same thing, but they’re not.
Snagging Top Talent in a Difficult Job Market
The “Great Resignation” is real, and many employers are struggling to fill vacant roles as competition for talent is more intense than ever.
Employee Expectations Drive Changes in Internal Communications
The COVID-19 pandemic and the “Great Resignation” have altered employee expectations in many ways, and companies are reevaluating internal communications practices in response.
2022 Supply Chain Outlook and Trends
Last year was difficult for everyone – including the supply chain and logistics industries. The world faced historic supply chain congestion, labor shortages, and high inflation. There is hope 2022 will see infrastructure, prices, and consumer demand begin to stabilize, but there are also a lot of headwinds. Keeping an eye on supply and demand trends can help companies position themselves for success.
Three Types of Paper Every Business Should Stock
Finding the best paper options for your office can be a challenging task. Every office should stock a variety of paper types to ensure the quality of the finished print aligns with your project needs. Here are some paper types to consider when stocking up at work or at home
Five Tips to Master Virtual Leadership
Being a good leader in the workplace is challenging, but managing remote workers adds a whole new set of difficulties. COVID-19 accelerated the trend towards remote and hybrid work situations – and it looks like regular collaboration with remote teammates is here to stay.
Three Factors to Consider when Identifying a Paper Manufacturer
The beginning of the new year is a great chance to evaluate your office supplies to ensure you have the best for your business. When it comes to paper, not all brands are created equal. Here are some elements to consider when evaluating which manufacturer is right for you.
Business Coach vs. Professional Mentor – Who Are They and Which is Best for You?
In almost every stage of your career, it’s helpful to have objective input on how you’re doing and what you might try next. Last time you needed help moving your professional life forward, did you consider looking for a mentor or a coach?
Sustainability Breakdown: Social, Economic and Environment
For many, the idea of “sustainability” is synonymous with “environmental protection.” But for companies committed to it, sustainability is a much broader, far-reaching term that encompasses three different areas: social responsibility, economic impact, and environmental stewardship.
Speech Writing and Presenting 101
If the thought of public speaking makes you sweat in your seat, you’re not alone. In fact, in one study conducted among business school students, three out of four individuals admitted to being afraid of public speaking.
Preparing Your Home Office for Productive Printing
If you are one of the many employees consistently working from your home office, it’s essential to evaluate your home printing needs. Is one small printer and a single ream of paper still the right fit?
Online Networking Tips in a Virtual World
Maintaining and building great relationships is important for career development, but the good old days of handshakes, client dinners, and conference meet-and-greets are gone – at least for a while.
Wildfire Season: Forestry Impact
Exceptionally hot and dry weather is once again fueling dozens of wildfires across North America, sending smoke all the way from the West coast to the East, and nearing yet another record-breaking year.
Tips and Tools to Use Time Wisely at Work
For many people, today’s hybrid work environment allows for greater work/life balance – if they’re able to get the work done. Adding efficiency into your workday can mean more time for family, friends, and fun. Here are some tips and tools to be more productive and efficient with work time, so you’ll have more play time in the long run.
Greenwashing: What is it and how to avoid it
When it comes to what we buy, the vast majority of consumers are interested in making better, more sustainable choices for the planet. In fact, a recent survey by LendingTree reports that 55% of respondents said they were willing to pay more for environmentally friendly products, and 41% of millennials reported spending more on eco-friendly products.
Unexpected Tools to Make Office Life Easier
It’s easy to get stuck in a rut of day-to-day work, using the same tips, tricks, and tools for years. Refresh your office routine by swapping in a few new tools to make your everyday work life easier.
Using Habits Developed During COVID-19 to Stay Healthy at Work
Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all learned a tremendous amount about protecting ourselves and staying healthy. As remote workers return to the office, it’s important to continue taking safety measures and creating long-term habits to protect yourself and your coworkers. Here are four tips to help you stay safe.
Best Indoor Plants to Make Your Office Greener – Literally
Whether you’re in a well-lit window office, a corner cubicle, or a desk at home, plants can brighten up any workspace. They are proven to reduce stress, increase productivity and creativity, and clean the air.
How College Graduates Can Navigate the Virtual Hiring Process
COVID-19 has had a profound impact across the workforce, particularly when it comes to the hiring process and especially for recent college graduates looking to land their first job.
The Best Multitasking Paper for the Whole Family
More than ever, the home has become the center of daily life, serving as the office, school, daycare, restaurant, and more. Even as the world gets back to “normal” with in-person activities starting up again, working and learning from home – at least part of the time – will likely be the “new normal” moving forward.
Face-time vs. Phone-time: Which type of meeting should you schedule?
Video conferencing has quickly grown in popularity over the last year with the mass transition to remote work. While video conferencing is a powerful tool to bridge the location gap and connect teams virtually, the rapid increase in popularity has overshadowed audio-only calls as the best option for certain meetings.
The “New” Work Necessities: One Year Later
Our shift to remote work, the increased reliance on technology, the change in our daily commute, and the growing need to maintain a solid work-life balance. With this shift came a reliance on a new set of necessary tools for the workday.
The “New” Office Life: One Year Later
When COVID-19 disrupted the world in March 2020, everyone was forced to alter their typical routines. What initially started as a two-week lockdown turned into our “new normal;” and even when the world gets back to business post-COVID, many changes to how we work are expected to last.
4 Easy Ways to Give Back During the Pandemic
When we think about giving back, our minds often gravitate toward causes that require cash donations. Money is always helpful. But giving back to your community during the pandemic can be much more rewarding and fun if you step a little outside of the box.
Everyday Products for a More Sustainable Life
Many people have committed to the basics of sustainable living – consistent recycling, limiting single-use products, driving less to regulate gas use, etc.
Finding Quality Products Starts with You
When we think about quality, we often think about how well or poorly something is made. With paper, that’s partially true. The manufacturing process is important in creating a quality sheet, but what’s more important in determining total quality are performance and outcomes – how well-suited a paper is for what you need to accomplish.
Innovation in a time of crisis: Entrepreneurship in the COVID-19 Era
There’s no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has hit both individuals and businesses hard around the world. And yet, as the challenges associated with the pandemic continue to mount, there is no shortage of innovative entrepreneurs who have stepped up to help.
Small Business Marketing Trends for 2021
Marketing lies at the core of small business success. You can sell the best products or offer the best services, but you will not succeed if no one knows you exist.
A New Administration Sets Its Course
Last month, a new administration took over in Washington D.C., with the inauguration of President Joe Biden. Many new senators and representatives also assumed new roles within the government.
Setting Up a Reach Out and Read Site is as Easy as ABC
Imagine a world in which every kid looks forward to going to the doctor. Where story time happens not only at the library, but also in local pediatricians’ offices. Where reading and literacy are viewed with the same developmental importance as waving goodbye or learning to tie your shoes.
Tips and Tricks to Make Your Home Office More Comfortable
Whether working at home or in the office, your filing system can support the management and growth of your business – if implemented the right way. Here are five essential elements to creating an office filing system that works.
A Simple Formula to Influence Strategy
Traditionally, procurement and supply chain management have been viewed as secondary functions compared to others in management. Depending on whether your company is Finance, Operations, Sales or Marketing driven, it seems like key decisions are made by others and procurement is responsible for negotiating the best deals to make it happen.
The Right Tools to Use to Save Big
The COVID-19 pandemic has been brutal to nearly all businesses. With nearly 79% of small businesses reporting a negative effect by last summer*, cutting costs is more important than ever to survive in this tough environment. Here are some user-friendly virtual tools to help you get work done on a budget.
Create an Office Filing System That Works
Whether working at home or in the office, your filing system can support the management and growth of your business – if implemented the right way. Here are five essential elements to creating an office filing system that works.
How I Make End of the Year Reports and Presentations Pop
During the first quarter of the year, you may find yourself working on projects that call for recapping the work you’ve accomplished over the last year. This usually means creating reports and presentations that share data and information in a meaningful and well-thought out way.
Quality vs. Cost: Three Office Products That Can Impact Your Bottom Line
For many business owners, saving money is a priority, especially as the country continues to weather the COVID-19 pandemic.
Four Tips to Improve Workflow and Efficiency
Do you know what causes paper jams? If not, you’re not alone. According to a recent survey by Boise Paper, more than 50% of office paper buyers believe that equipment malfunctions most often cause paper jams. In fact, low-quality paper is often to blame – a fact known by only 26% of buyers in the survey.
Most Office Paper Buyers Lose Time to Paper Jams – and They Don’t Know What Causes Them
Do you know what causes paper jams? If not, you’re not alone. According to a recent survey by Boise Paper, more than 50% of office paper buyers believe that equipment malfunctions most often cause paper jams. In fact, low-quality paper is often to blame – a fact known by only 26% of buyers in the survey.
Five Tips to Declutter Your Desk for Success
No matter where you’re working, it’s important to have a workspace that encourages productivity and allows you to focus on your priorities, free of distraction. Piles of paper, unorganized office supplies, and leftover snacks or lunch can make it hard to be productive.
How to Judge the Quality of Office Paper
Paper is paper, right? Wrong! Office paper is categorized by a variety of properties that determine the quality of the finished product. From weight to brightness, below are some elements to look for when selecting a high-quality office paper.
Evaluating Wellness Programs
One of the five most frequently cited ways businesses measure health and safety goals are through health and wellness initiatives and programs (83%), according to a recent white paper from the Institute for Supply Management® completed in partnership with Boise Paper*.
5 Ways to Protect Yourself Against Misinformation
With the rise of the Internet and social media as primary news sources, we’ve seen a steady uptick in the spread of both misinformation and disinformation.
One Way to Stay Afloat During a Trade War: Buy Products Made in the USA
In 2019, imported goods declined 1.7% overall, the first decrease in three years. This decline was in large part due to the U.S. tariffs placed on goods from China and other foreign countries.
How Groundwood and Uncoated Freesheet (UFS) Paper Stack Up
We often hear people – particularly those involved in tax supported bids – are confused about the difference between groundwood and uncoated freesheet (UFS) paper. They encounter groundwood products positioned to have comparable performance (and sometimes preferable environmental qualities) to UFS papers, but at a lower cost.
How to Support the American Red Cross and Those in Need during COVID-19
It’s only natural to feel helpless during difficult times. However, even during a global pandemic, there are safe and easy ways to help those in need. Supporting the American Red Cross by donating blood is one of them.
The ASPEN Difference
There’s a reason Boise® ASPEN® is America’s top-selling recycled paper brand*. Thanks to technological advances and rigorous production standards, Boise Paper’s high-quality ASPEN products are designed to exceed your expectations and provide consistent document production.
This is the Best Time to Schedule a Meeting
Some meetings seem to go more smoothly than others – but why is that the case? Science shows it could be as simple as scheduling meetings at a better time and day of the week.
Monitor Expenses to Find Ongoing Savings
Now more than ever, every dollar counts – especially for small businesses. Most businesses take stock of their expenses at the end of each year and implement a few changes based on their findings.
Sustainability Certifications to Measure
A demonstrated commitment to environmentally friendly materials and business practices is a core component of sustainability.
3 Tips on the Best Background for Your Next Virtual Meeting
Months into working from home, most people are familiar with joining video meetings and are starting to forget to double-check their background. Reassess your video set-up to ensure you are putting forth the right image.