How Can Businesses Save Money on Furnishings and Office Supplies?
As a business manager, keeping your overhead down is key to keeping profits up. Two key areas where you can save money are furnishings and office supplies. Follow these four simple tips for saving money on these parts of your business needs.
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Visit Surplus Goods Auctions
Surplus goods auctions are set up by governmental agencies and other organizations. They are designed to quickly get rid of extra furnishings and pieces of equipment. One of these auctions or sales will require that you pick up the items quickly and pay for what you buy at the time of the sale. Some good items to buy at a surplus goods sale include filing cabinets, tables, chairs and projectors.
Purchase Used Desks for the Office
Purchase used desks for the office. Used desks work just as well at holding up papers and computer monitors as new desks do, but they cost less money. When you purchase used desks for the office, you are also helping to reduce your company’s carbon footprint and keep usable goods out of local landfills. You should choose used desks that are made from quality materials such as hardwood.
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Buy Essential Supplies in Bulk
When you know that your business goes through a case of printer paper every month, it makes sense to buy it in bulk. Other key office supplies, such as pens, notepads, toner, and sticky notes can also be purchased in bulk. If you are unsure of whether or not a bulk buy would be worthwhile, keep track of how much of a supply gets used over a specific period of time and weigh it against the opportunity cost of storing it. Consider bulk purchases of toilet paper, hand soap, and paper towels too.
You also might be interested in 5 Ways for Businesses to Dig out of Debt.
Choose Furnishings That Are Multi-Functional
If you need to save money and space, choose furnishings that are multi-functional. For example, instead of buying one huge table for your conference room, select several smaller tables that could be rearranged for employee training sessions or used as work spaces for projects by multiple members of your staff. Select pieces of furniture that are made to last.
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It is important to anticipate your future needs. If you plan on hiring ten new staff members over the next year and will need furniture for them, start looking for the used desks and other essential furnishings a few months in advance of hiring. This gives you time to plan ahead for your needs and choose the best deal.