The growing problem of catalytic converter thefts hit our Bend, Oregon location last month. 
Events like this can be frustrating, expensive, disrupt business and spread rapidly through the community. Sharon, one of our Bend Team members notified police of the theft, created this flier and shared it with local businesses to help bring community awareness to the problem.

Thanks to Sharon and our Bend Team's quick response, hopefully other businesses in the area can prevent this from happening to their company and employee vehicles.
​Sharon appeared on local News Channel 21 to share the story with the local community.

Need to do some cleaning around your office? Sani® Professional Wipes are the perfect solution for cleaning hands and surfaces around your office while helping to keep employees and guests safe.

55 years ago today my parents started Southwest Office Supply in Tigard, Oregon which at that time was a small rural community. Today, by good luck, hard work and exceptional employees we have expanded to seven location in three states. I wanted to take just a moment of your time to Thank all of our customers who have supported us over the years and particularly through these very difficult times to continue to service you at the highest possible level. Happy St. Patrick’s Day and with your help let’s hope under our new banner of Strive Workplace Solutions we will be servicing great customers such as yourself for another 55 years!

Paul Savory

​We all want to be more efficient, right? You want to get to the end of the workday and feel as if you’ve crossed a bunch of items off your to-do list. Who doesn’t? Here are some ways to have a more productive day at the office:

Have the right office products and furniture. At Strive Workplace Solutions, we know that the right furniture and supplies can make all the difference when it comes to employee wellness and productivity. Learn more about all of the ways we can help your workplace de-clutter, de-stress, improve ergonomics and pave the way for everyone to have a great day at work.

​Many employers don’t realize that employees’ feelings about the companies they work for are often shaped in the first weeks and months on the job. It’s a critical window of time for employees to find out about the companies they work for and whether the company, culture and co-workers are a good fit.

It’s a time period too important to leave to chance. Studies show there’s one common factor for many employees who leave companies within six months of the time they were hired: A lack of new-hire support. Studies show that as many as half of employees who quit jobs soon after hiring had little in the way of onboarding assistance — or none at all.

​These last 18 months or so have been eye-opening in so many ways, but one of the things we hear people talk about most often is how there’s been a seismic shift in priorities. Things that used to be important aren’t so important anymore, and things that used to be elusive – like time spent with loved ones over a leisurely meal – once again became part of the regular routine.

It’s like someone pressed a giant reset button for society, and as a result, slates filled with endless carpooling and errand running, and too many late nights at the office, were wiped clean and repopulated with the things that really matter to the individual at hand.

We’ve all learned lessons as a result, and perhaps changed our behavior and set new priorities for the coming months and years. It is our sincere hope that among these new priorities and goals, you’ve sprinkled in a few of these:

​Running a business is no small feat. If you ask the U.S. Small Business Administration, they’ll tell you one-third of all new businesses fail in the first two years. If you let them continue, they’ll say half of all new businesses make it four years, and only 40 percent survive for six years or more.

So how do businesses survive? And more importantly, how do they thrive? We thought we’d take a break from industry topics today and focus on a broader business discussion that has undoubtedly touched every entrepreneur reading this blog.

Meeting and networking with new people can be a great benefit to business professionals at nearly any stage in a career and in any industry. But it’s also important when you’re a business leader. Did you know that a strong business network has been linked to a host of benefits, such as better company performance, higher firm value, greater innovation and even more favorable financing terms? It’s true.

Are you effectively growing and leveraging your business network? Here are five great ways to use networking as a business and career development tool: