Running an office is not a joke. It is a fact that a good amount of money is spent on office supplies. So depending upon the size of the office and the number of the employees, the number can easily be too high.
Businesses need money to stay alive and such expenses can easily kill the company. So it really becomes necessary to think and spend every penny when it comes to buying office supplies. So if you too are facing the same issues, then the following tips will help you to have control on your spending and stay within the budget.
Shop in bulk
There are certain items you need regularly to run the office like pens, printers, printing paper, toner, ink cartridges, etc. So it would be wise to buy them in bulk and store. Buying in bulk means you will be getting a better rate compared to the single unit price of the products. Moreover, most of the stores offer a decent discount when you buy in bulk. You can easily find such deals at Dealslands.co.uk.
Go generic
Ask yourself whether it is necessary to buy from brands? Most of the time it is not. The price of branded products is high as people recognize and know them. This does not mean that their products are always superior compared to the generic ones available in the market. On the other hand, the generic products are less known and so they are cheaper compared to the branded ones.
Look for best deals online
One of the best places to shop for office essentials is to go for online stores. With good competition out there in the market, it would be better to check for better deals there. You can compare the rates of the different retailers within a few seconds. Just make sure that you consider the shipping costs too when searching for a deal so that you are not duped by the numbers. Always use Discount codes and Voucher when shopping online for office supplies.
Keep an eye on employees
More than 90 per cent employees have admitted to the fact that they steal office supplies. This action is not intentional or to harm the office but, they end up doing so. When said so it does not mean that they go for pricey ones. They mostly take up pens or sticky notes or scissors or duct tape, etc. Even though the items are not that costly, they add up to the expenses at the end of the year.
Set rations
We have seen above that employees take up office supplies to home. To avoid such scenario and control the spending on office supplies it would be better to set rations. You can set an allowance for each employee and ask them to stay within the limit and only go beyond that if necessary. This will save a decent amount at the end of the year.
Keep track of the money flow
When running the business you are the only person responsible for the spending. How much money you have and how much you can spend solely depends on you. So for the same reason, it becomes necessary to track the expenses. Do you know how much money was spent last year on ink cartridges? If no then it is time you start knowing it.
Replenish the stock on time
It is a good habit to refill your office supply stock from time to time. If you come to know the products are out of stock you may be compelled to head to the nearest store and buy products at higher rates. On the contrary, if you know that stock is low you can place a bulk order and save good money.
Taking a few wise steps here and there is what you need. Be proactive and you will be able to run the office smoothly at less expenditure.