​At Strive Workplace Solutions, we’ve always been able to say that our employees are good about washing their hands.

It’s that most basic function that we learn as toddlers at our parents’ knees: soaping up our hands, singing the ABCs and making sure that all the bad germs wash down the drain.

Now, as COVID-19 winds to a close (we hope!), businesses the world over will make the slow return to normalcy. Sure, the steps might be halting at first – not unlike those of that toddler learning to scrub up – but they will grow surer and more insistent. And when they do, when offices are reopening and people are working from home less, employers will want to ensure that employees feel safe.

Let us help. At Strive Workplace Solutions, we have so many cleaning supplies to sanitize surfaces and air, as well as everything you need to make handwashing effective and enjoyable.

We have worked hard to provide our customers with an unparalleled selection of office and cleaning supplies, seeking out partnerships with companies whose commitment to excellence is as strong as our own.

We have found that partner in Tork, where a guiding principle is that good hygiene is everyone’s business.
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​​As the world’s leading provider of hygiene products, Tork makes it easy to outfit your bathrooms and kitchens with the latest, most stylish, hygiene supplies, like touch-free soap and towel dispensers.

In our post-COVID world, safe hygiene practices are no longer an afterthought. Instead, they are business critical, no matter your industry. As you take steps to ensure the safety of both customers and employees, consider these on-trend points:

1. Air dryers have fallen from favor, with more than half of restroom users preferring self-dispensing paper towels to dry their hands.
2. Paper towels that dispense one at time cut down on paper waste, and the friction of paper against skin helps to remove more germs.
3. Touch-free soap dispensers for both liquid and foam soap are stylish, intuitive to use and fill, and help minimize the spread of germs.

And, as people return to work, don’t forget to remind them of the benefits of good handwashing, particularly after nose-blowing, coughing or sneezing, before and after preparing food and eating, and after using the toilet or touching trash.

We are truly in this together, and working together to keep our workplaces safe helps to keep all of our workers safe both now and as we continue adjusting to our new-normal in a post-COVID world.

Each generation brings a new approach to the art of management. Generation Y — more commonly called the Millennial generation — is no different. Well, actually they are different in key aspects, and that turns out to be a positive thing in many cases.
In the past few years, Millennials (generally identified as those born between 1981 and 1996) have become the largest segment of the U.S. population and now represent the largest portion of the U.S. workforce. They are on their way to becoming the biggest force in management today, leaving the Boomers and Gen Xers in their dust. So, what exactly do people in their 20s and early 30s bring to the world of management? Here are a few trends:

A shift in measuring employee performance. Research shows that Millennial managers are more likely to measure employee performance not by how many hours are spent in the office but by key performance metrics and hard data. This age group definitely embraces the idea of work-life balance and the “work smarter, not harder” mantra. As a group, Millennials also are much more open to and desire flexible working arrangements — including telecommuting.

An understanding of Millennial workers. Millennial managers know that many young adults want regular feedback and do not want to wait for a yearly performance review to hear how they’re doing. Providing feedback early and often is a great idea with any age group!

Technology savvy. Millennials are significantly more tech-savvy than their older counterparts, both as innovators and consumers. Millennials are the only generation to have grown up with social media. Social media is now a powerful marketing tool for businesses. Many Millennials know the ins and outs of multiple social platforms.

Enthusiasm. Studies show that Millennials are more enthusiastic about their jobs than are Baby Boomers and Gen Xers. When leaders are enthusiastic, it instills a positive workplace culture that trickles down to the entire staff.
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In the end, generational stereotypes are just that — broad generalizations. Get to know each potential employee and keep an open mind to what they can bring to the table.

​2. They can enhance your company’s appeal.
After months of working in sometimes dark home offices, workers are looking for more natural light (a condition conducive to growing plants). In a job seeker’s market, they’re going to prioritize roles that fit their skill set but also have aesthetic appeal. For instance, surveys indicate that a third of jobseekers say that workplace design and environment would influence their decision to join a company.

3. They filter the air.
There’s more interest in indoor air quality now more than ever, in part because of the pandemic. Did you know that plants can play a role in helping your employee breath a little better? Now for the good news? Scientists discovered that plants are natural air purifiers. In other words, plants make it a little easier to breathe in indoor environments. Even a modest-sized plant can make a big difference in air quality. This is especially beneficial to people with respiratory conditions who may be sensitive to dust and other allergens.

4. They help to reduce noise levels.
Does your office get loud when people gather? This can negatively impact focus and concentration. By absorbing sounds, plants can help to drown out such background noise. It’s a good idea to place larger planters in multiple locations in the edges and corners of a room is a proven strategy to create buffers.

​Of course, plants are only as good if they’re in the context of a functional office environment. We can help! Look to us for your office supplies, printing, janitorial, break room, personal protection equipment and furniture needs, so you can concentrate on doing what you do best.

Feedback — in all of its forms — is critical to helping people identify their strengths and weaknesses. Delivered correctly, it can help foster professional growth and help companies become more successful.
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But most people don’t like getting feedback if it’s a mix of positive and negative. It’s human nature: Most people focus only on the positive aspects of their personalities and behavior and tend to ignore or gloss over the negative. Research also shows that many of us also tend to be more critical of the behavior of others than of our own behavior. Researchers at Harvard Business School and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that in addition, we don’t always react well when people tend to disrupt our view of ourselves.

Wow! Can you believe it has been one year since our family of companies re-branded under our new name, Strive Workplace Solutions? What once was a company with five different brands, in seven different locations, in three different states is now just Strive, formerly: Southwest Office Supply (Portland/Tigard, Oregon), Cascade Office Supply (Bend, Oregon), Office Value (Meridian/Twin Falls, Idaho and Salt Lake City, Utah), ROSI (Salt Lake City, Utah) and Layton’s (Layton, Utah). We thank you for continuing to support a locally operated, family-owned business! Looking forward to year 2!

Paul Savory - Owner/CEO

The COVID Pandemic has changed all of our lives. We all have experienced how valuable connections are and the importance of relating to each other. The best part of this weird year? The strong bonds we are building in our communities. We are standing together.

​Layton Office Supply started in 1984 as a family owned business and are known for their excellent customer service, strong core values, and a friendly demeanor. We here at Strive believe in hard work, a friendly environment, laughter, strong values, and above all, the best customer service we can provide. The Layton team has all of these values and we are thrilled to have them join our team.

Strive is one big family joining together to offer a strong support staff for local businesses in six cities.
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​It's how we do it.

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