Small Businesses

How to Organize Office Supplies to Boost Workplace Productivity

January 23, 2021 By Administrator

By Jacky Xu

This might be your first time to hear it, but we will repeat it: A cluttered workspace is a cluttered mind.

For one, clutter makes it difficult for you to focus. That’s because there is a mess on your table that is taking your attention.

It can also hamper your productivity. Because instead of picking up a pen, you have to spend a minute or two searching for it.

Whether you work in an office or at home, it is imperative to have a clean and organized work desk. Other than being inviting, it also motivates you to get things done.

That said, here are six tips on how you can organize your office supplies to boost workplace productivity:

Choose the Right Desk

If you work in an office, you may have nothing to do with the desk provided to you. But if you are working from home, the first step to a productive workday is to choose the right desk.

Choose a work desk that is large enough to accommodate your laptop and tools that you use often. However, you do not need something that takes too much space. Hence, you should also consider the area where you will place your desk.

Consider Your Workflow

Here’s the thing: The reason you have a messy office table is because you are not using about half of the items on it. The key to organizing your work desk is to consider your workflow.

Robert Half suggests that you remove all the items on your table on a Monday morning. As you work through the day, add the items you will need to get work done. That way, you will only accumulate things that you are using on your desk.

As for the remaining items on the floor, consider finding a new home for them. Anything that is of no use should be disposed of.

Limit Your Personal Knick-knacks

As mentioned earlier, the majority of clutter on your desk are items you are not using. If you want to make the most of your workspace, we suggest that you go easy on your personal knick-knacks.

Sure, it is okay to have a photo frame of your loved ones on your desk. It can also help if you have a space for a small air purifier on your office table. But too many trinkets and souvenirs can be distracting.

Hence, just like with your office supplies, only place personal knick-knacks that you will need. After all, your office table is meant for working and for displaying your collections.

Go Easy on Sticky Notes

We know how important it is to be reminded of your to-dos. However, too many sticky notes on your desk can create visual clutter.

One alternative you can do is use your laptop or desktop sticky notes feature. You can also use productivity apps or tools to receive mobile notifications of your tasks for the day.

Bullet journaling is also growing in popularity when it comes to making people organized and productive. So, if you still cannot let go of pen and paper, perhaps using bujo is the way to go.

Always Have an Empty Space

In case you have everything in order and still have ample space, we suggest not filling it with any items.

In fact, it would be best to have a space near your dominant hand. It should be large enough to accommodate a legal-sized paper. This space could come in handy when you need to sign documents or take down notes.

Declutter Regularly

Of course, the best way to organize your office supplies to improve productivity is to declutter. And it is something that you should do regularly.

For one, it is inevitable to collect things over time. You need to replace old supplies, documents will pile up, and your drawers will start to fill up with unused items.

Hence, at Maid Sailors Home Cleaning Services NYC, we reiterate the importance of regularly decluttering your space. It can be as simple as dusting and wiping off your belongings. Or you can also hire a professional home cleaner so you can spend the free time instead of bonding with your family.

What’s important is that you include regular maintenance into your schedule.

Conclusion: A Clean Office Desk is a Productive Office Desk

An organized office supply and clutter-free desk are more than just having a visually-pleasing space to work. It allows you to reap the following benefits:

Focus and efficiency
Maximized time in doing things that matter
Streamlined work process
Improve health and work-life balance
Positivity

If you are not achieving any of the benefits listed above, then it is time to do a major clean of your office desk. That way, you will have a clean and sanitized workspace.

And with a clean office desk comes an elevated quality of work, a boost in your efficiency, and improvement in your productivity.

How Your Small Business Can Benefit from the Cloud

December 17, 2013 By Administrator

Guest post by Gina Smith

Business owners are continually seeking ways to increase their bottom line. The challenging economy makes this task even more difficult as declines in consumer confidence directly translate into slower sales.

How do you increase your bottom line, especially when sales are sliding? The obvious answer it to re-evaluate your marketing strategy, develop new niche markets and consider diversifying your products and/or services. How and what your market should be examined at least annually, if not more often. But, chasing sales is not the only way to increase your bottom line.

Sometimes reevaluating your infrastructure can yield some interesting options. For instance, shifting your information technology (IT) structure to a cloud environment can have a positive impact on your bottom line and help your employees be more productive. Let’s examine some ways small businesses are reaping the benefits of the cloud.

Less Equipment and Reduced Maintenance
Cloud platforms allow you to save and store all company data on secure remote servers. This can significantly reduce and possibly even eliminate the need for a local network. Less on-site equipment means fewer upgrade purchases and reduced repair and maintenance. The overall cost savings of switching to a cloud environment can be significant.

Little or No Staff Required
Reducing or eliminating your local network means needing less IT staff. This opens up the ability for you to hire additional staff in other areas, or choose to not “rehire” IT positions when an employee leaves your company.

Increased Portability and Productivity
Sales staff in particular benefit from cloud platforms. For one, the cloud gives them 24/7 remote access to any and all their data from any Wi-Fi enabled device. There is no need for employees to make extra trips back to the office in between meetings and appointments. This can translate into a tremendous savings in mileage reimbursement and wear and tear on company vehicles.

“Data Insurance”
Many small business are viewing the cloud as a sort of “data insurance” policy. All data is stored offsite on remote cloud servers. So, if your office falls victim to theft or a natural disaster, your data is still safe. Many companies also consider an additional backup service to protect their data in the event of a botched sync or user error.

While the cloud has many benefits, it is important to thoroughly screen providers to determine which company and option(s) are best for your company. There are many articles on this topic to help aid you in your research. Don’t be afraid to interview different providers and ask for references. It is important to find the right fit to ensure maximum return on investment (ROI).

Gina Smith writes freelance articles for magazines, online outlets and publications for companies such as spanning.com. Smith covers the latest topics in the business, golf, tourism, technology and entertainment industries.

Why a Mobile App is a Must-Have for Your Business

September 18, 2013 By Administrator

For decades, business owners typically needed a few key things in order to be successful: a great product or service, friendly and knowledgeable employees, and affordable prices. Nowadays, business owners may want to add one more piece to the successful business pie: a mobile application. As an InternetProviders blog explains, businesses that typically have a lot of customers should definitely consider getting a mobile app for their company. More than half the adults in the United States own a smartphone which they use to access the Internet, and a variety of apps.

From a local mom and pop bakery that offers the best bagels in town and realtors who want to stay in touch with their clients, to much larger companies such as car dealerships and department stores, there is a plethora of businesses that would definitely benefit from getting a mobile phone application.

For example, as InternetProviders noted, if a business owner accepts credit cards, getting an app to handle these transactions is pretty much a no-brainer. Officially known as a “mobile swipe app,” anyone (from the guy who mows lawns and trims trees, to the owner of a chic clothing boutique) can accept credit card payments quickly and easily.

Business Improvements

The mobile app can also be set up to help improve business. For instance, in addition to scheduling tasks and reminding clients about their appointments, salon owners can use a mobile business app that easily lets customers tell their friends and family about the business. Apps can also help improve customer service. Instead of answering questions about a product over the phone, a customer can engage in an in-app chat.

Apps can also help a company with sales, promotions and deals in order to reach its intended audience. While businesses that send out massive emails announcing a great sale typically find that most of their messages end up in spam folders, push notifications through apps have a better chance of reaching the customer.

App Expectations

Another reason business owners should consider getting a mobile app is because, quite honestly, people expect it, as Forbes points out. Mobile devices make it so easy to access information. We have become spoiled, as we can find out what we want, when we want it. An effective app that looks good and performs well allows business owners to easily offer their products as a ready answer to their customers’ needs.

PC World notes how mobile apps also help to make business sites easier to access on a smartphone, since mobile users won’t have to type in your web address on their tiny screens. While it’s certainly possible to have the business stored as a bookmark on the phone, accessing it means launching a browser and finding the correct link. Apps, on the other hand, are omnipresent, always there and ready to go. For business owners who want to attract as much business as possible, having an easy-to-use and accessible app for a smartphone can make all the difference.

Guest Post by Albert Lester
Al teaches economics and business at his local high school. He blogs about business, finance, teaching and the economy in his spare time.

5 Ways to Connect With Consumers Through Social Media

August 14, 2013 By Administrator

By Sara Collins

Social media offers an amazing platform to engage with your customers and really get to know who they are and what they need from your brand. Whether you’re just getting started with your strategy or looking to refine your current one, it’s important to use your social platforms to find effective ways to connect with your customers.

Try these five tips to connect with your audience and turn them into loyal followers:

• Add Value: You won’t build a lasting follower base by clogging their feeds with product promotions. Of course it’s alright, and even encouraged, to post content about your sales, promotions, new products, events, etc., but don’t make that your only social content. Show your customers that you’re interested in them by starting conversations. For example, on Mondays, ask how their weekends were. Also, find relevant news stories, pictures, and even promotions from other (non-competitors) businesses that might interest them. If your social accounts add value to your customers’ lives, they’ll keep reading what you have to say.

• Provide Customer Service: Social media marks the beginning of an era when people don’t want to call your customer service line or email you with problems, : they want them resolved instantly. Do your best to meet this need by offering customer service on your social media sites. Assign an employee to keep a constant eye on your social sites, so they will be able to see and respond to customer posts quickly. People are constantly connected with social media sites, so they expect a quick reply. Waiting an entire day, or even a few hours, to address an issue could make a customer believe you’re not interested and don’t appreciate their business.

• Poll Them: Use your social sites for market research. Find out what types of products your customers would like to see from your company in the future. When you come up with a new product idea, post it on social media and allow your customers to give feedback. This can be very helpful, as it’s a quick and easy way to gauge customer interest in new products. It also shows loyal customers how much you value their opinion and want to please them. People love it when their favorite brands make them feel included.

• Offer Incentives: Show appreciation to your loyal followers by providing giveaways, coupons, and exclusive invites to events at your business. For example, if you run a restaurant, choose a Twitter follower at random each week to win a coupon for a free appetizer. Or if you own a boutique, extend invitations to your Facebook followers each season to an event showcasing your new arrivals. This makes your followers feel like they’re part of something special and shows them how much you appreciate their support.

• Listen: Take the time to learn about your customers by checking out their social media profiles, reading content they post, and seeing what other businesses they’re following. You can really learn a lot about your customer base this way. For example, if you’re a personal trainer and you see a lot of your clients posting things about their upcoming weddings, creating a bridal boot camp might be a good business venture. Or if you run a bakery and notice the majority of your clientele posting comments about your local football team, it might be a lucrative idea to make baked goods with the team logo on them for next week’s game.

Social media sites are an invaluable tool for brands to get to know their customers on a deeper level. Create a social media strategy that engages your audience and shows them that you’re interested in what they have to say.

Sara Collins is a writer for NerdWallet, a site dedicated to helping users find the best online brokers.