Unless you run an organization, you will keep wondering if the stationery shops are actually making any profits, why do these shops look so dull yet they run one of the most lucrative niche businesses. If you think about it, office supplier’s work with goods in volume, which also means before you venture into this kind of business your pockets, must be very deep but then again you can slowly startup from the net 30 application plan from crown.
Small offices gradually bloom into big offices with many small offices or cubicles and a conference room; this milestone is worth a celebration but with it comes expenses that must be dealt with. So, to keep your business going you will need to invest in office supplies things like pens, paper clips, photocopy papers, and invoice books, the list is endless and which includes snacks.
For the latter, there is always the tea break to keep your employee’s energy going and while not everyone will be up for something heavy, light snacks will do the trick. Let us, therefore, go through a list of the 7 most essential office supplies that you will need, to get your new office to transacting business.
- Office furniture and Storage cabinets
Discomfort and work cannot be found in the same sentence; you, therefore, have to ensure that you and your employees are comfortable to get the jobs done. You will, therefore, need office chairs that are comfortable, you will also need spacious desks that can take the printer or the monitor and still leave room for the keyboard and the mouse.
For example, when you are shopping for an office printer, it is vital to consider not only the features and specifications of the machine but also how it will fit into your office environment. The printer should be comfortable to use and nicely fit with your furniture. In addition, multifunction office printers should have customized solutions to meet your requirements concerning document strategy. Taking all of these factors into consideration, you will be able to find the perfect fit for your needs.
How you have organized records and other information materials will determine how fast a specific file can be retrieved and how fast the business can be transacted (efficiency). You will therefore, have to invest in storage units that are safe (from theft, fire, and water), they should also be easy to access and easy to retrieve information.
- Technology
ICT supplies involve things like the monitor’s internet cabling (Ethernet), CCTV’s, the alarm systems among others. Technology is a broad concept and for any business, the scope should be wide because technology keeps changing and you must be able to implement when needed at least if you want to stay in business, take for example the current wave of zoom meetings that are going on.
Also, technology enables efficient handling of inventory, supplies, and procurements, including the preparation of employee’s payslips and communication with clients and investors. Besides it is also technology that will enable certain digital payment methods, not to mention the applications and software needed for the performance of certain specific tasks.
- Stationery
well this is where the stationery shops are making a killing because the below list of stationeries are needed daily, meaning that they should be supplied in bulk. The first one being the calendars, sticky notes, the whiteboards, markers, and erasers; we also have the paper clips, staplers, office glue, pens, pencils, and their holders for the sake of neatness.
- Time tracker
Yes your office needs a wall clock and a big one at that, which can be clearly seen from a distance. Remember that you are running an office and not a school, so you are not going to have a bell to inform people of their lunch or evening break rather the wall clock will do that job. It is also essential as it informs the employees of their working hours and when they are to get off, more especially those who are not into the 8hours schedule. - The Bulletin board
You might not be seeing the relevance of this piece of equipment but wait until you want to post a memo or make an announcement early in the morning or late in the evening to your employees. So, be mindful of its positioning as most bulletin boards are placed at the entrance or the exit so that no employee misses the memo or the announcement. - Paper and Ink- printing is an office is a process and you will therefore need to invest in the copy papers, notebooks, and notepads. You will also need cartridges that have ink and can print clear images and words more so if you are preparing for a presentation or are compiling your yearly report to be presented to the investors.
Final Thought
As we have established there is so much that goes into setting up of an office, but there are also office suppliers that run a one-stop-shop for all the things you will need during the initial start-up stage. Some have been in the business for a long time and will, therefore, advise you of the essentials; be sure, therefore, to choose the best company that runs offers and can give you supplies on credit as you start.