Productivity suffers in a cluttered and chaotic environment. According to the National Association of Professional Organizers, paper clutter is the number 1 problem for most businesses because it’s relatively easy to overlook scraps until it turns into a monster pile. Studies have shown that the average person wastes 4.3 hours a week searching for papers, which can add to a more stressful workplace.
If your small business looks and feels like a scene from the movie Twister, it’s time to get organized, and fast! Get rid of your clutter with these organization hacks.
1. Start with your Workstation
Change has to start from the top, so start with your own workstation. Eliminate everything you don’t need. Throw away pens that don’t write, scraps of paper, old receipts, old post it notes and other stuff you won’t be using. Organize your files in drawers and if you need to, get one of those old school “IN-OUT” trays for incoming and outgoing paperwork.
If you have three desk drawers, label each one. For example, drawer 1 is for your personal stuff, drawer 2 is for office documents and drawer 3 is for employee files.
2. Streamline your Equipment
If you have the funds, ditch your old printer, scanner and copy machine for one of those all-in-one machines. You’ll be saving space, energy and the hassle of having to take care of three separate pieces of equipment.
3. Choose a Filing System
You can do this in a number of ways. You can go old school and start color coding your physical filing system so it would be easier to store and locate documents or files, especially when a new employee starts working for you. Another option is to go paperless. You can scan every file, document, contract and receipt, which will then be stored on a computer, a backup HDD and/or the cloud.
It’s easier to locate files this way because you can use a name and numbering system that’s easy to recall. The important thing to do here is to decide which method you want to keep using moving forward – having two or more methods will eat up your time and is extremely redundant.
4. Use the Cloud
Businesses know that it’s a risky proposition to store all office files and documents on-site because a fire, theft or natural disaster could wipe out everything in one fell swoop. That’s one of the reasons why a majority of businesses rely on cloud computing to handle the storage of all their data. Cloud computing refers to using internet servers to store information and data. Keeping all the important files in the cloud means that it’s always safe and accessible to anyone with the right credentials, anywhere and anytime.
5. There’s an App for that
Apps and other office productivity software is a must if you want to run a tight, organized ship. From the simple yet effective collaborative list app Wunderlist, to the highly effective office suite Google Docs, apps and software that allow team members to communicate and collaborate freely are a time saver.
If your business has multiple social media accounts, you can use Hootsuite or Sprout Social to schedule updates and posts, giving you more time to handle other areas of your business that need your attention.
We can Help!
We have folders, stationary, pens, notebooks, and other office essentials that can help you organize your small business. Add your logo to any of our products to create a cohesive work station that any employee and business owner would be proud to show off.
If you still don’t have a logo that means business, try our free logo design tool where you can create your own logo in minutes. Choose from thousands of combinations and use unlimited edits until you find your professional identity.
For more organizational tips, check out “7 Tips for Getting Your Business Organized“.
