5 “Staples” for Small Businesses (Win! A $100 Staples Canada Gift Card!)

October is Small Business Month, dedicated to celebrating small businesses (like Vita Daily!) across Canada and recognizing the important contributions entrepreneurs make in their local communities. Whether your small business is just getting off the ground or you’re looking to streamline your day-to-day operations, here are some must-have "staples," courtesy of our friends at Staples Canada, that can help set up any small business for success:

get organized. Whether you’re working with contracts, order forms or invoices (or all of the above!), the key to any organized space is a good filing system. For smaller spaces, a two-drawer vertical letter file cabinet can be tucked under or beside your desk for easy access and efficient storage with a small footprint. And a four-drawer vertical legal file cabinet will help ensure confidential documents remain private and located in a single, secure place. To take your office organization to the next level, keeping a label maker or bright and colourful sticky notes on hand will make it quick and easy to organize any file or drawer.

be accessible from anywhere. For many small-business owners, the ability to be accessible from anywhere, at any time is crucial. With a multi-purpose laptop, it’s a breeze to check and send emails, make video calls and access your important documents. If you’re often on-the-go, a lightweight multi-purpose tablet is the perfect size to fit in your briefcase, backpack or purse. An important tip: when choosing a tablet, a smaller, seven-inch screen is great for portability, but a larger, 12-inch screen is better suited for sending emails or reading documents. When you’re travelling or need to work from a noisy area, blocking out background noise can improve your productivity. Wireless headphones, like the Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones II, are a great high-quality, noise-cancelling option for working remotely. If you like using your headphones to make phone or video calls, the Bose SoundLink Wireless Headphones II are specifically designed to make sure your customers can hear you loud and clear.

stay secure. Unfortunately, thieves are everywhere—including online. With just a few clicks, you can safeguard all your devices from viruses, malware, spam or theft with Norton Small Business. But don’t forget that sensitive information isn’t just digital. Protect financial and customer information by shredding confidential documents. With machines that can micro-cut up to seven feet of paper per minute and have a 10-minute auto-feed mode, it’s never been easier! And avoid the frustration and heartache of losing important documents and hours of hard work. Always, always back up your work to an external hard drive.

everyday items for your small business. If you’re like many Canadians who need a little kickstart in the morning or burst of energy after a long day, don’t underestimate the importance of investing in a good coffee station. It can be as simple as an easy-to-use Keurig Brewing System, paired with a Keurig Universal Drawer. With the ability to brew coffee, tea or hot chocolate, every employee can enjoy a cup just how they like it.

last but not least. Finally, the most important small business staple: don’t forget to spread the word out about your small business. A well-designed business card or custom stamp can help ensure that you’re always top of mind!

What are your small-business staples? Let us know in the comments! —Vita Daily

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Win! A $100 Staples Canada Gift Card!

We have a winner! Congratulations Kristi F. of St. Albert, Alberta, who won a $100 Staples Canada gift card!