No Stress Zone, The Form House June 2022

No Stress Zone Newsletter

No

Zone

Vol. 1, Issue 1 June 2022

Ideas to make print and marketing flawless for community banks and credit unions.

Mailed to you monthly.

In print, ‘cause that’s what we do.

Envelope Crunch Employee Transitions and Your Print Documents

Recipient Name 100 Main Street Iron Mountain, MI 49801

IN THIS ISSUE 800 East Blvd Kingsford, MI 49802

Summer is just around the corner! The excitement is palpable. Most people I talk to have exciting plans on the horizon. Whether it’s a family get together, a muchneeded vacation, camping trips in the northwoods, or simply a slower pace to life, summer is an anticipated time for everyone.

At The Form House, it’s our goal to squeeze as much enjoyment from the summer as possible. But first, we’re focused on supporting you. The best way to make your dreams a reality is to have a great team around you. Then, you’re able to accomplish the important tasks on your list and leave work with a feeling of completion. When you have a team you can rely upon, taking a day off or simply leaving work on-time and with a clear mind are within your reach.

Helping you move forward smoothly is the mission we’re pursuing. Whenever you need anything, please reach out.

We’re here to support you in moving forward.

Cheers to a refreshing summer and a to-do list that is a piece of cake.

BACKYARD ADVENTURES LaSalle Falls is just over the border from us in Florence County Wisconsin. During the pandemic, when my kids were all home from school we were always in search of some adventure that wasn’t too far away.

These impressive 22-foot falls are just a brief trail-hike (about 1 mile) in.

<< more info here photo credit: ExploreFlorenceCounty.com

MIX IT UP

Nothing gathers a crowd like refreshment in the summer.

Limeade is a fun twist on the typical lemonade. The summer issue of Magnolia Journal has six great Limeade flavors to mix and match.

Here is our favorite: Prep: 10 minutes | Makes: 6 servings (5 3/4 cups) 1 cup fresh lime juice 1 cup Simple Syrup, chilled 3 12-oz. cans sparkling water with lime, chilled Peaches, Raspberries Ice Lime slices 1. Combine lime juice and Simple Syrup in a 2-qt. glass pitcher.

Slowly pour in sparkling water. Stir to combine.

2. Serve in glasses with ice. Add diced peaches and raspberries.

Garnish with lime slices.

Simple Syrup: Combine 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1 1/2 cups water in a medium saucepan. Heat and stir over medium until sugar dissolves.

Let cool. Transfer to a 1-qt. jar with a lid. Makes 2 1/3 cups.

WHEN YOU’RE FACED WITH TRANSITIONS What happens when the person you rely upon to order documents for your business vacates their position?

It can be all-of-a-sudden, or a planned retirement.

Either way, vacancies in this important position can be frightening.

to convey in words over the phone or in an email. Even sending a scan of a document can provide inaccurate information as most scanners are set to black and white.

Sending a physical sample whenever you’re in doubt is a sure thing!

Here are a few things you can do to get your feet on solid ground.

DUPLICATE WHEN YOU CAN

GATHER DATA Your current vendors keep detailed records. Reach out to them and ask for an order history for the last 24 months. Most vendors are happy to help in this regard.

This will give you an idea of what your business needs and what the frequency of orders has been. Armed with this information, you’ll feel much more confident moving forward.

GET ACADEMIC Going forward, have the person in charge of ordering keep a simple binder with a sample of each document they order. Transparent page protectors work great for this task. They can simply drop one of each item they are responsible for into the binder. That way, when there is a question about a document, they’re all your fingertips.

No more guessing about what they look like, or running around to find a sample.

WHEN IN DOUBT, SEND A SAMPLE When placing an order, if there is any question in your mind as to whether you and a print provider are on the same page, send them a sample. Having an item to see, feel and inspect makes order accuracy almost bullet proof. Often, details about a print document are difficult

It is always best if more than one person orders items for your business. That way, when vacations or illness come up, someone can easily jump in and help out. And, if a person leaves your company, you’ll be covered.

SPREADSHEETS CAN SAVE YOUR DAY Finally, create a spreadsheet of the items your business orders. This is a one-stop resource of every item that gets ordered. Each time an order is placed, a new tab can be created by copying the current sheet. Then, you have a list of items needed as well as your order history all in one place. The key to this spreadsheet is it should be shared with at least one other person (another reason for duplication of duties).

At The Form House, we have an online portal that accomplishes this. 1) All of the major items your bank or credit union orders are on the portal (with new items added in real-time). 2) Order history is captured on the portal just like your favorite online retailer. It’s easy to look back and see what items are ordered and their frequency.

Managing print items seems daunting at first. With a little groundwork, you can get peace of mind that your business is well taken care of. And we’re happy to support you in any way we can so any transition is a smooth one.

ENVELOPE CRUNCH As you are probably aware, envelopes are hard to come by these days. In the beginning of the pandemic, paper supplies were limited and impacted the supply chain.

Currently, the paper market is better, but staff shortages are a factor. Simply put, supply outweighs demand for envelopes. The large nation-wide manufacturers we partner with do not have enough staff to meet the current demand.

If you order envelopes from us, we get a little scrappy.

We’re sourcing solutions wherever we can so you NEVER RUN OUT OF WHAT YOU NEED. This is a critical issue of importance for us in service to you.

Here is one piece of good news: drive-through teller envelopes are not affected. Twice each year, our large manufacturer sets aside 500,000 drive up envelopes just for The Form House customers. These orders are completed four weeks from proof approval.

When it comes to envelopes, order much earlier than you normally would. We’ll keep you updated!

PROMOTIONAL ITEMS Looking for something new?

Or just need to re-stock everyday essentials?

We can help you find what you’re looking for!

THE FORM HOUSE

BY THE NUMBERS - 2022 YTD 452,700 ENVELOPES PRINTED

Whether in-house or with our manufacturing partners, we’re working hard to fulfill your orders!

670,000 SHEETS OF COPY PAPER

You need paper to keep your business moving forward. We’re happy to deliver to your branches!

31,450 BUSINESS CARDS

An essential part of day-to day business. We keep your artwork and info on-file for easy reorders!

1,595 ANNUAL REPORTS

High quality, printed documents for your board members and investors.

LEARN MORE

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CUSTOMER HIGHLIGHT

FIRST BANK

UPPER MICHIGAN

First Bank Upper Michigan has been a customer of The Form House since 1988!

“Jen, and her team, are seamlessly carrying on the forty year tradition of exceptional customer service, at The Form House. The new facility will only increase the capabilities of a company known to exceed customer expectations at all levels.”

Like our design? Let us put it to work for you!

Jon Pryor, Regional President First Bank Upper Michigan