AM Exclusive Technicity Newsletter Issue 2 | Page 3

3 TIPS TO KEEP SUMMER
HUMIDITY FROM AFFECTING
YOUR PRINT JOBS
3 WAYS TO LEAD VS. MANAGE AND WHY
IT WILL HELP YOUR BUSINESS
BY: ARASELE NAZARIO, ACCOUNTING MANAGER,
A M EXCLUSIVE BUSINESS MACHINES, INC.
H
ave you noticed your print jobs coming out
with a curl at the end? Toner not sticking well
to the paper? Or does your printer or copier
seem to be jamming more frequently? While
your first thoughts might point to an issue
with the printer, during this time of year with the blazing
summer heat in New York and New Jersey, the likely
culprit could be your paper.
Here are some tips to prevent paper issues and keep
your productivity up!
#1 BE MINDFUL OF WHERE YOU STORE YOUR
PAPER
Paper should be stored in a temperature-controlled
atmosphere and out of direct sunlight until the minute
you put it in the printer. The optimum range of relative
humidity for paper preservation is 45 percent to 60
percent.
#2 DO NOT REMOVE PAPER FROM ITS PACKAGING
UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO USE IT
Most paper wrappers contain moisture-blocking
coatings, so it is best to leave them on until the point you
are ready to replace the paper in your machine. That
means, as often as possible, wait to add more paper into
your printer until you can fit a full ream into it.
#3 BUY BETTER PAPER
The old adage that “You get what you pay for” is very
true when it comes to paper. Normally, more expensive,
higher-quality paper is not affected as much by the
weather. Not only because of how it is manufactured
but also because of how vendors store it along the
supply chain. If you are looking to get the best quality
paper at the best price, we recommend that you check
out a local, woman-owned business, Mrs. Paper (www.
mrspaper.com).
“One is too small a number
to achieve greatness.”
—John C. Maxwell
L
eadership is a word that has gained popularity in the last 20 years.
Organizations have come to realize that the focus on management
lacked an important factor. While management deals primarily
with systems, leadership, on the other hand, focuses on people and
their potential. Once you add people to the equation, you can make
great things happen. Here are three ways to start developing and nurturing
a leadership culture to create a difference in your organization.
# 1: PUT PEOPLE ABOVE TASKS
One of the most important lessons learned in leadership is that people “buy
in” to the leader before they “buy in” to the vision of the organization. In the
21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell, John speaks about the
“Law of Connection” which says leaders touch a heart before they ask for a
hand. People are motivated by leaders who genuinely care about them. That
is why it is important to put people above tasks.
In Be Nice (Or Else!) by Winn Claybaugh, Winn critiques the common phrase
“It’s business, not personal.” Winn says “….here’s where businesses often go
blind—to every task that must be performed, a human being is attached. I
would like to propose that your relationship with those human beings is far
more important than getting the task accomplished.”
#2: EMPOWER AND ENCOURAGE YOUR TEAM
Teams are crucial to an organization. When you put together a strong
team and empower them, extraordinary things can happen. Leaders must
recognize the strengths and weaknesses of their people. A team is as strong
as its weakest link. If you place people in the area of their strength, they will
shine. Not only will they perform well but they will also develop a passion for
the overall vision of the organization. Don’t expect your team to step up on
their own. They need your permission and encouragement to lead in their
role.
#3: LEARN ABOUT DIFFERENT PERSONALITY TYPES TO CREATE
HEALTHY CONFLICT
We all work and process life differently—it is these differences that make us
so great! So why is it that people have such a hard time working together?
The main reason is a lack of understanding. Addressing that is the key to
creating healthy conflict in your organization. In the past, we didn’t have the
tools we have today to pinpoint personality types. Now there are countless
assessments that can help you and your team to learn more about each
other’s personality and how to work best with others. When you come
to understand the mechanics of the people you lead, you can create a
structure that makes sense to your vision and the people you have.
As you are growing your small business, consider the leadership approach.
Don’t just manage your company—lead it. You will discover that there is a
great difference and your organization will be better for it.