subject: How To Achieve Office Efficiency [print this page] Nearly every office, be it commercial or home-based, may have areas of inefficiency that can be improved upon. This is about inefficient waste and resource management and not about sales figures, profit margins, or budgets. How consumption can be reduced and how to make better use of resources are what you can consider when you look at some common aspects.
Not all paper work and receipts need to be shredded, but sometimes, for the sake of security, it is necessary. You have a choice of whether you would recycle this shredded paper or contribute it in layers to a compost or worm bin. It can also be donated to animal shelters or pet stores where it is used in the bottom of cages to help keep them clean. Not only will the animals be more comfortable in their cages, but it will keep operational costs down and the workloads on staff will be easier. Easily composted is the animal waste along with the bedding.
Because of technology, we can send emails and so saving paper on a daily basis is possible. Compared to communicating via postal system, a lot of time can be saved. When sending a fax, if possible, refrain from using a cover sheet. Use the paper at the photocopy machine for efficiency and set it to automatically print pages on both sides. The reverse side of any suitable scrap paper can be used when making draft copies with the photocopier or printer. It would be a good idea to keep a box of this paper handy for visiting children to color and draw upon. You can use the blank side or scrap papers for reminder notes, shopping lists, game scoring, or to do lists.
Sheets of adhesive labels are what you may often use in your office printer. There is one fourth remaining unused material in the edges, bottom, and top of each used sheet. These can be trimmed to convenient lengths and stored in a small jar (or other storage container of choice). These labels will be useful when you need to put labels on items for the freezer, jam jars, shop and craft supplies and bulk food.
Turn off scanners, external drives, and other computer equipment when they are not in use and only turn them on for the duration that they are needed. You can eliminate stand-by power like lights or clock displays by using a power bar or manually unplugging the equipment. When not in use, like during lunch, meetings, or coffee, sleep the computer during the day and turn off all equipment before leaving at the end of the day.
These are some simple suggestions, yet they will save time, money, and resources, which is in the best interest of any office.
