Ten Office Supplies Every Business Needs
Are you looking to restock your office with new supplies? Or are you a brand new business who is wondering what your office will need to get up and running?
Office supplies are essential to running a good business. In fact, estimates indicate that businesses spend £200 per employee per year on office supplies.
In the modern days of technology, not every office will need tons of traditional supplies but it's important that you purchase the office supplies that are relevant to your business and helpful to your employees.
So, we've put together this guide of the top 10 office supplies we think everyone needs.
1) High-Quality Printer
Even though most files are saved digitally, there will always be times when you or your team need hard copies of work, files or documents.
if you invest in a high-quality printer it will last for many years. Buying a printer that also functions as a copier will mean all of your needs are met with one machine.
A great printer will also do your stapling for you and complete other functions. This will ultimately save everyone time.
2) Standing Desks
Sitting for eight hours a day is not good for the health of you or your employees.
You can fix this by purchasing standing desks so that your employees have the option to sit or stand.
This gesture will show that you care about your employees' health and will win you major brownie points.
Standing up throughout the day is shown to increase blood flow and help people think more clearly.
3) Tablets
Nothing shows that you're in touch with the world of technology better than buying your employees iPads.
Tablets allow your employees to walk around while they work. Tablets can easily be used to take notes in meetings.
They're a great addition to traditional desktop computers found in more workplaces. Plus, if you have customers coming in or out of your office, they can pay by swiping their cards on your tablet card reader.
4) File Cabinets
Your office will need file cabinets to store all of your printed documents and keep your spaces tidy.
It's always a good idea to pick an organisational system early and stick to it. Documents should consistently be placed in the right section of the cabinet to avoid wasting time and mass chaos!
Good systems for filing can be alphabetical or chronological. Using different colours for different types of files is also a good idea.
5) White Board
While a whiteboard might seem outdated, they are ideal for those classic office brainstorming sessions.
There is something great about turning off the tech and putting your minds together in front of a whiteboard. You can write everybody's ideas down quickly and efficiently on the whiteboard and then take a picture of it on your smartphone after if you have to!
A whiteboard is also a good place to write down weekly goals for you and your employees and cross them out when you finish them. There's something satisfying about working when you have goals you can visually see.
6) Coffee Maker
Without tea and coffee, your office's productivity would plummet. Most of us have at least one cup every day. Providing a coffee maker in the workplace cuts down on afternoon trips to the cafe.
Traditional coffee makers are probably best for most offices as they provide plenty of coffee for multiple people at once.
7) Cleaning Supplies
It's easy when you're working hard to forget to keep the office clean.
Keeping the office clean with good quality cleaning supplies will fend off germs and keep your employees well. If you want to decrease sick days, then wipe off surfaces that are commonly touched by your employees.
You can split the cleaning chores up between different departments in the office if you want to lessen the load and teach responsibility.
Emphasise cleanliness to your employees so that chores don't build up. You want your office looking clean if prospective customers or clients visit.
8) Mail Supplies
It is inevitable that your office will need to send mail out.
Be sure to stock up on mailroom supplies such as stamps, sorters, envelopes and elastic bands. Printing return stickers with your office address will save a lot of time and keep you from having to rewrite the address every time you send a letter out.
9) Camera
Investing in a digital camera is a good move for your business.
We live in a world where everything is documented online. You don't want to leave your business out of the online sphere.
Take high-quality photos of your office so that you can post them online and people can get a better idea for the feel of your company. Presenting your company well will attract the right kinds of people towards you.
10) Basic Paper Supplies
Don't be caught in a meeting with a dead laptop and not be able to take notes.
Always have plenty of paper products lying around the office in case technology fails.
Notebooks, legal pads, loose leaf paper, and folders should all be easily accessible to your employees. Of course, there's no point in having paper if you have no pens so invest in a large number of pens as well.
