Arab British Academy for Higher Education Equipment and Supplies
What is that telephone going to sit on? Not your kitchen table. So you will
have to furnish your home office and buy basic office supplies.
Supplies
Office Depot and Staples are everywhere, but you can also order what you need
by phone and online. And depending on the order, delivery is available.
Office Depot http://www.officedepot.com
Staples http://www.staples.com
In addition to the usual office supplies, you may need specialized supplies for
event planning, such as a CD player, easels, laminator, sign holders, or long
reach stapler. One source of specialty supplies (name tags, etc.) for event
planners is:
PC/Nametag http://www.pcnametag.com
You should also create a list of basic supplies to take to events, such as: box
cutter, calculator, clips, extension cords, first-aid kit, markers, masking tape, name
tags, paper, pens, receipts, scissors, stapler, and tool kit.
You will also bring anything else related to the specific event. This will vary depending
on the event, but might include items such as copies of contracts in a binder, change
for people paying cash at the door, credit card slips and imprinter (available from your
bank if you become a credit card merchant), handouts, posters, registration list,
signs, etc.
Furniture
Both retailers mentioned above offer good prices on new office furniture. And
locally, you can probably find a used or discount office furniture store. But,
especially since you are in a creative business, you might want to consider the
home office furniture sold by two trendy lifestyle stores, Pier One and Ikea.
Pier One has stores everywhere. Ikea has fewer, but they do have a great catalog –
both paper and online – and they ship. Of the two, Ikea offers more in the way of
home office furniture, and it’s inexpensive. You can get a computer desk, chair and
lamp for under $150, and it will be stylish in a Scandinavian modern way.
Pier One doesn’t have office suites, but it does have occasional pieces that can
be useful in home offices, from chairs (like inexpensive director’s chairs to use as
guest chairs) to entertainment centers and wardrobes you might find useful for
your purposes.
Ikea http://www.ikea.com
1 www.abahe.co.uk Arab British Academy for Higher Education Pier One http://www.pier1.com
Computer and Software
Since you are reading this electronic book, you obviously have access to a
computer. However, if it’s not your own computer, you should consider buying or
leasing one for your business as soon as you can afford it. In addition to the
computer, it’s a good idea to get a printer, something to back up your files (such
as a Zip drive or CD-RW), and a digital camera (or a regular camera and
scanner) to take and send electronic photos of events you have planned.
Many computers already have the basic software needed to run a business. Some
versions of Microsoft Office come with a whole suite of small business tools. You
may also want to get a bookkeeping program such as Quicken or QuickBooks as
well as a database program to keep track of your clients. The MS Office Small
Business Suite has one, or you can buy a database program such as ACT! Or File
maker Pro. The staff at a computer store or your office supplies store can give you
more information about specific programs and help you decide which ones are best
for you.
There are a number of professional event planner software packages available.
Al- though costly, you may find one of these programs helpful to your business.
You can find information online about the following programs:
Meeting Planner Plus and Register 1-2-3
Certain Software has been a leader in the planning software market for
many years. They produce Meeting Planner Plus and Register 1-2-3.
Meeting Planner Plus is used for multi-day, multi-session events with
software features that include budgeting, timelines, tasks, room layouts, etc.
Register 1-2-3 is a complete online attendee management solution for
conference and tradeshow planning. At $1,995, Meeting Planner Plus might
be considered by those who specialize in conferences after being in
business for a while. Call certain Software at (888) 237-8246 for current
pricing information on Register 1-2-3, or for more information on Meeting
Planner Plus.
http://certain.com/Products
CVent
CVent is an online event registration and marketing tool that can help
you manage your guest list, and provide feedback and data analysis.
http://www.cvent.com
TIP:
If you’re not yet able to afford event planning
software, you can make do without it, or try a free
online service such as www.EZEventPlanner.com
which includes task tracking, e- mail reminders,
2 www.abahe.co.uk Arab British Academy for Higher Education timetables and an online storage site.
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