Every so often, someone will ask us at On Time Supplies where they can find the Material Data Safety Sheets for a product. While we are happy to provide MSDS sheets when asked, you can find them for yourself on our website. Just search our MSDS Database to find  of downloadable, printable MSDS Sheets for thousands of office supplies.

Hope that helps! If you have any trouble finding your MSDS Sheets for your office supplies, contact us toll free at 1-866-501-6055.

We’ve got a real treat for today’s installment of Getting to Know OnTimeSupplies.com: the company’s CEO and owner Miles Young. Miles started the company with Sridhar Balasubramanian in 2004. Today, Miles tells us what the job of CEO entails, what it takes to run the business from his home in Atlanta, and reveals his favorite office supply.

How has your job changed since you started at OTS?

It has always been a little bit of everything, and as we have grown it has been more of working on strategic direction of our company. I will say that the key to our success is always thinking of our customer first and finding new ways to serve them. The thought of serving others and sincerely trying to help our customers is the core to everything I do. So whether I am helping a customer, selling them product or working on our website, I think of how this will help our customers first.

What does your current job entail?

Working on corporate direction. I devote a lot of my time looking at current technology and trends in the market. I will say that the internet has really excelled since smart phones have become so popular. In 2004, search was really one dimensional: you have a need, go to Google, look it up and buy. Now we have to consider geolocation, how a customer would like to buy (each vs. bulk orders), and having the best information to help the customer make a decision. There are more companies selling office supplies on the internet and it is not enough to just have a ton of products to sell. You need to deliver value to the customer, be unique, and anticipate what your customer will need in the future. It is a big challenge, but a ton of fun.

What’s your favorite part of the job?

That is easy. Serving our customers because they are the reason that we are in business. I like to be the first one to answer the phone and it is a huge reward for me when a customer calls back to thank us for our service. We are always looking for customer feedback on how we can service our customer better and I read every customer review that comes in.

What’s your favorite/handiest office supply?

I really like having a big note book at my side while I work. I have been using the big 200 sheet Genesis Notebook, and love keeping my notes here.

Do you have any tips for other people working from home?

Working from home takes a lot of discipline. When I was in the corporate world I use to think how easy it would be to work from home with all the comforts and no rush hour commute. What I found out was that you have to turn off the tv or radio, don’t spend time browsing the web, but sit down and focus on work. I would also say that you should consider taking little breaks as “rewards” during the day, and make a point to get outside once a day. On occasion I will work outside or on vacation with my laptop when I can, but the other thing to remember is to make sure you turn off your work and spend time with your loved ones.

Anything you wish to add?

I consider myself a very fortunate person. I am allowed the opportunity to do what I love, which is serving others. I take tremendous pride that our business helps our employees provide for their families, offers tons of flexibility, and we have tons of fun with what we do. I think that building a business with a great team is an amazing experience. I really think that the people who work for On Time Supplies enjoy serving others and think our company has tremendous opportunity for everyone..

We’re introducing one of the bigwigs at OnTimeSupplies.com today, co-founder and Chief Technical Officer Sridhar Balasubramanian.  I know him as Sri, the nice guy who helps me with everything from navigating WordPress to picking out a new laptop (thanks Sri, the Lenovo is working out great!)  But apparently, being CTO involves a bit more than that! Today, Sri tells us how the business has changed over the last eight years, shares his tips for working from home, and reveals his favorite office supplies.

How has your job changed since you started OTS?
The internet has evolved a lot and has become more complex. It is a challenge to keep up with new trends and technologies and stay fresh and current with our customers.

What does your current job entail?
I handle all things tech: developing new features for our website and our backend systems, and keeping the website running smoothly.

What’s your favorite part of the job?
Having the freedom to get ideas implemented without red tape, and having flexible working hours.

What’s your favorite/handiest office supply?
Post-it Notes: I use them to set reminders and make lists!

Do you have any tips for other people working from home?
Unlike in an office, you can’t work till closing time or for the weekend. You have to be more project oriented and set goals in order to stay focused. You also have to reward yourself when you achieve your goal, whether it’s a gift for yourself or a vacation to somewhere fun.

Anything you wish to add?
Despite the ups and downs, this is the greatest job I’ve ever had. I enjoy working with the amazing employees, having the freedom to set my own schedule and gaining self-satisfaction from getting my work done.

Steve, our VP of Sales, is the newest addition the the OnTimeSupplies.com family. Steve’s been with us four months and is based in Atlanta.  Today he tells us his favorite part of his new job and why his favorite office supply is the pen.

How has your job changed since you started at OTS?
The addition of many great new website features.

What does your current job entail?
As the VP of Sales my goal is to build the inside sales team bringing top notch customer service and support to all of On Time’s customers. Then by providing the best pricing, website, customer service and a dedicated sales representative to accounts to further accelerate our growth and successful future in the marketplace.

What’s your favorite part of the job?
Speaking with all our great customers!

What’s your favorite/handiest office supply?
The PEN – because it is truly mightier than the sword. : )

Do you have any tips for other people working from home?
Have a pet.

Anything you wish to add?
Looking forward to meeting more of our great customers!

Call in to OnTimeSupplies.com with an order, a question, or a return, then there’s a better than even chance you’ll talk to Debbie, one of our Atlanta-based Customer Service Representatives. Debbie’s been with OnTimeSupplies.com for 6 years. Today she talks about how her job has changed in that time, the importance of fresh air for us telecommuters, and about her “trademark” pen.

What does your current job entail? 
I handle returns and credits, order processing, online customer service chats, emails, phone calls, etc.

How has your job changed since you started at OTS?
The main focus was returns and credits. Now I do that along with the order processing, answering chats, and anything else that needs to be done

What’s your favorite part of the job?
Getting things accomplished and making customers happy.

What’s your favorite/handiest office supply?
My pink uniball Signo Gel Pen. It is my trademark!

Do you have any tips for other people working from home?
Be sure you have outside activities to be active in, whether it is volunteer work or church activities.

Anything you wish to add?
It is truly amazing the things our little team is able to accomplish! It’s only possible because we truly believe in teamwork.

We’ve started a new series introducing you to the people who keep OnTimeSupplies.com up, running and delivering great service. Today’s installment is about Shari, the longest serving OnTimeSupplies.com employee. Living in gorgeous, sunny Gold Coast, Australia, she’s also the employee with the most enviable address. (Can you tell your blog mistress lives in already-cold Chicago?)

Shari’s job title is Customer Service Manager, but she wears about 50 different hats at the company. Today, she talks a little about her responsibilities, how she became a bona fide expert in all things related to office furniture and supplies, offers some tips for telecommuters, and of course, which office supplies she can’t live without.

How long have you worked for OnTimeSupplies.com?
8 years.

How has your job changed since you started?
I am a Human Resource/Payroll Specialist by trade, and have become a specialist in all Office Supplies, I am now Furniture Specialist and love dealing with all issues from trivial to major. etc. One thing that hasn’t changed is my belief in GREAT customer service.

What does your current job entail?
Over the past few years, I have managed customer service for OnTimeSupplies. I am responsible for our Amazon sales and ensuring that Amazon has enough stock to fulfill our orders. I currently process all out of hours orders and deal with all major issues as they arise. I am responsible for the day to day running of OnTimeSupplies, make sure our staff are paid on time as are our various vendors. I utilize and analyze many different reports to ensure we are doing our job well, and ensure that customer service remains a priority. I love speaking to customers and solving all sorts of simple and more complex problems. I love speaking to customers and solving all sorts of simple and more complex problems.

What’s your favorite part of the job?
I love the flexibility that my job provides!!

What’s your favorite/handiest office supply?
Pens!!! In every color and style.

Do you have any tips for other people working from home?
While telecommuting has many great benefits, it poses special challenges. Even for part-time telecommuters, certain people and their living situations are better suited to telecommuting than others. Employees best suited to telecommuting are self-motivated, adaptable, independent, computer literate, have good communication skills and can balance work and non-work activities well. Importantly, employees need to have an appropriate workspace. They must have enough room in their home to work, including the space for necessary office equipment.

We’re starting new series here at the Office Ink, introducing you to the people at OnTimeSupplies.com. We thought you might like a peek behind the curtain. We’re a small business, with just a handful of employees running a 24 hour online office supplies store. First up is Rachel, an OnTimeSupplies.com Customer Service Representative in Atlanta, and one of the newer members of our team. Rachel talks about the ins and outs of her job, her favorite office supplies, and how she stays sane and productive while working from home.
How long have you worked for OTS?
A little over a year.
How has your job changed since you started at OTS?
When I first started with OTS I was part-time but now I’m full-time. Originally, I was taking calls and processing orders but now I do that and some other things as well.
What does your current job entail?
I have the privilege of serving our customers. Sometimes that involves taking an order and other times it requires getting them product information, assisting with a return, or finding the right product to meet their needs.
What’s your favorite part of the job?
I love our customers and that we are company that seeks to make our customers happy and to give them the best experience we that we can.
What’s your favorite/handiest office supply?
I have two – my wireless mouse and my personal organizer. I hate the mouse on laptops and am so glad I have the wireless mouse to ease my frustrations. I’m really big into priority planning. My husband teases me because I’m a little old school and prefer hard copy calendars over electronic assistants so, I have a personal organizer by Franklin Covey to help me manage my time and commitments.
Do you have any tips for other people working from home?
Make sure you have a space that you can work from that is separate from the rest of your home life. It is way to easy to open your laptop in the kitchen and get distracted by dishes sitting in the sink. I have a dedicated work space in my home which allows me to set boundaries to go “to” and “from” work as if I worked away from home.

OnTimeSupplies.com has new 2013 calendars in stock. Here’s a round up of the cutest, in our completely objective, unbiased opinion.

Puppy Calendar: nothing’s cuter than puppy pictures…

House of Doolittle Monthly Calendar

…except maybe kitty pictures: Kitten Calendar

House of Doolittle Monthly Calendar

Nature Photo Calendar: a better view than your cubical walls or the parking lot.

AT-A-GLANCE Erasable Yearly Calendar

Floral Calendar: a pretty calendar to get you through the drab winter months.

AT-A-GLANCE Desk Pad Calendar

Pink Ribbon Calendar: cute calendar & GREAT cause!

AT A GLANCE Pink Ribbon  Monthly Calender. A portion of proceeds goes to City of Hope.

Fantasy Island Calendar: a scenic calendar to fuel your fantasies of retiring in Tahiti.

AT-GLANCE Monthly Calendar

Cute calendars are a great way to brighten up your work area, without going to extremes. These 2013 calendars will brighten up the dreariest office cubicle. You can see more pretty calendars for sale at OnTimeSupplies.com.

Great time to purchase Hon Furniture! We received a note today that Hon Office Furniture is going to have a price increase next month. With the price of raw materials increasing and increased shipping costs, office furniture manufacturers have to increase pricing to cover cost. If you knew that you could save money today over the cost of buying something tomorrow, would you do it? Here is the note we received from HON:

HON AND BASYX PRICE CHANGE – September 1, 2011 HON will be having a price change effective September 1, 2011. These changes will reflect an increase that varies by product between -14.5% and 9.8%.

Hon will not provide us with exact product numbers or sku’s that are going to increase the most, but looking at the last couple of price increases, we think Hon office chairs, office desks, bookcases, and file cabinets will have the largest price increase. If you know you need new office furniture, make your purchase before the price increases at the end of the month!

On Time Supplies is doing good and getting noticed! The Pink Ribbon Giveaway, our Breast Cancer Awareness Month charity drive and giveaway is featured in the Wall Street Journal:

OnTimeSupplies LLC, an online office-supply retailer, launched an initiative earlier this month in which it promises to donate 25 cents to a breast-cancer charity every time someone posts an update on Facebook or Twitter mentioning it. “We’ve always depended a lot on word of mouth… whether it’s people trading stories in the cafeteria or on Facebook,” says Miles Young, chief executive and co-founder of the Atlanta firm.

Enter the Pink Ribbon Giveaway to  get a chance to win free pink ribbon office supplies and you’ll raise money for Living Beyond Breast Cancer, a fantastic national education and support organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of women diagnosed with breast cancer. I’ll announce the Pink Ribbon Giveaway winner next Friday, October 29 right here at Office Ink! Good luck and thanks for helping us raise money for LBBC!