In a typical business scenario, companies are focused solely on earning revenues. However, many of them fail to pay attention to minimizing their expenses, which plays an important role in the profitability equation and has a huge impact on the bottom line. Saving on office expenses is just as important as earning revenues–although it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to layoff your workforce, discontinue some services, or even strip your office of furniture and amenities in order to run an efficient and profitable operation. Big changes can be made in the smallest of ways.
Here are 6 Ways To Save On Office Expenses.
- Turn Out The Lights
Workplace meetings happen all the time. Done with your meeting? Make sure the lights are off before you leave the room. Remind your employees or workmates to do the same. If it helps, place a printed “TURN OFF THE LIGHTS WHEN NOT IN USE” sign, so everyone gets the message. Remember, leaving the room with the lights on is paying for electricity you’re not using.
- Power Down As Much As You Can
As mentioned in the first item, turning out the lights is only one of the many easy ways you can save on office expenses. Another straightforward yet doable initiative is making sure everyone powers down their workstations before leaving the office. All computers, TV screens, printers, coffee makers, and microwave ovens should be shut off at the end of the day. While leaving your computer or TV screens on standby consumes minimal energy, completely shutting them off consumes zero energy.
- Switch To Better Lighting Choices
Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) last up to three times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. What is more, they decrease your electricity usage by at least 25% up to as much as 75% on a daily basis.
Have an office window? Move your desk next to the window and take advantage of natural light, which not only allows you to save electricity, it also increases your productivity as well. Natural light is good for your health because it helps produce vitamin D3, a nutrient that allows for better absorption of calcium by the body. That’s hitting two birds with one stone.
- Create A Reusable Supplies Station
Another no-brainer is reducing wastage by reusing your office supplies. Encourage your workmates to reuse and recycle by setting up a supplies station where everyone can contribute. Start by reusing paper! Too often, companies fail to see that they’re spending too much on things that can be reused. If your company doesn’t have a recycle program, it’s never too late to start.
- Purchase Used Equipment
Although having new equipment in the office is exciting, it’s far more practical to invest on used equipment, especially when you’re on a limited budget. The wise thing to do is to find quality items that are in “slightly used” condition. These items can cost 50% to 70% less than new equipment.
Start by investing in used printing equipment, which is a practical business solution for small and medium enterprises. Also, don’t be afraid to explore your options. There are a variety of brands, each with its own strengths; choose what works best for your business.
- Recycle Your Computer Equipment
Other than selling used equipment, some office stores offer discounts when you bring in used computer screens, keyboards, or even ink cartridges for recycling. Not only does this allow you to make money on your old equipment, it also makes purchasing new equipment more affordable.
Furthermore, if your office is planning to shift to a different brand of, say, printers, you can sell all your existing equipment to companies like JJ Bender and trade it in for another brand. While this is extremely simple, it can save your company a lot of money and time.
These are only a few of the many ways you can save on your office expenses. As cliché as it sounds, it’s never too late to start! However, sustaining a culture of saving is another thing. Make sure everyone in the office is on board and committed to making your company more efficient and profitable.
