Color comes on strong to increase efficiency. (Cover Story)

Color Comes on Strong To Increase Efficiency

Stressing color's organization benefits has become the selling point for today.

A few years ago, home was a place one rested after work. Today it may be the place one works. An increasing number of people are working out of their homes, whether it be full time or to finish a project from their regular job. Office products manufacturers and dealers have responded with a flurry of product introductions to make this home work environment more pleasant and productive.

With the advent of color files, less expensive filing equipment, and smaller packages of supplies, the home office is better equipped than ever before. Products that enhance space efficiency and help people become more organized are selling well. According to Anne Miller, manager of new business development for Avery Dennison, Covina, CA, "People are doing more professional work from the home, so they're looking at smaller lines and systemized products, and the use of color coding and color scheme is important."

Color has emerged as a major theme in the 90's, for both esthetics and functionality. The idea seems to have taken hold in the late 80's, but stressing color's organizational benefits has become the selling point for today. According to Brenda Browning, vice-president of international marketing for Anthes Universal, Brampton, Ontario, "Color has really been effective in increasing sales. We went to fashion colors in 1988, and we're constantly updating them. We stress the importance of color coding, and the functionality of our folders, which can also be used as report covers."

Playing a Large Role

Kevin Castle, …