If you’re a business owner, you know just how important office supplies are for your organization. However, these little things can also take a big chunk out of your budget and make dealing with your company’s finances even more difficult than it already is. But what if we told you that you can save a lot, just by following a few simple tips? Here are five of them that might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Give free software a go
We now live in the age of technology and software falls in the office supplies category. No matter what kind of work your company does, there has to be software that can make your employees’ lives a lot easier. Whether we’re talking about project management software or web design software, there are free options available and relying on these might turn out to be a great idea. Let’s say you’re just starting out and anything you manage to save can be a game-changer for your company. In a scenario like this, free antivirus software is probably a much better option than buying an expensive one.
Repurpose everything
Even if you use your office supplies carefully, chances are, a number of these things get thrown away when they could still be used. Everything you manage to repurpose can not only help you save money but preserve the environment as well. If you and your staff members use a lot of paper, think about creating a pile of old documents that still have enough space to write on. Or did you get a note in a crisp new envelope? Put it in your drawer and use it the next time something needs to be sent.
Order supplies online
Who says you have to buy office supplies from a local supplier? Chances are, you can get a better deal if you buy these things online and have them delivered to your office. All it takes is a little bit of research and you might be able to find quality supplies at a better price. Buying office supplies online might also help you save time which is extremely valuable, especially if you’re just starting out.
Set an example
This may seem a bit obvious but you’d be surprised by how many business owners fail to set an example for their employees when it comes to saving money on office supplies. Just think about it – why would your employees save paper if you print dozens of worthless documents every day? Show initiative by sending emails instead of distributing documents to everyone in the office. No matter what kind of office supplies policy you come up with, make sure you follow it as much as possible as it’s the only way to ensure your staff members do the same.
Track your inventory
There’s nothing that can hurt your company’s budget such as unnecessary purchases. Even if we’re talking about inexpensive office supplies, it all piles up and drains money from your company. To make sure this doesn’t happen, make it a habit to track your inventory. All you need to do is check your inventory every couple of days and keep a list of items you need. You can even start using an office supplies inventory management software and ensure every purchase you make makes sense. The best free inventory management software at the moment includes those such as inFlow Inventory and Odoo.
Saving money on office supplies is extremely easy. It’s all about deciding that you really want to do it and being ready to make a couple of changes in your approach. Start by following the five tips covered in this post and there’s no doubt you’ll have more money left in your budget at the end of each month.
