It is estimated in any average Canadian company that office supplies account for a $500.00 expense for each employee. Now in some companies that could be higher because of the type of work and in other companies such as manufacturing, it could be less. But whatever the size or type of business most owners agree that expenses in this area are tough to determine and tougher still to control.
Some companies have figured out ways to manage theses costs while most companies struggle with the task. For small business, these expenses are critical to control. Here are five ideas we've encountered to help small business do just that.
Set up a budget for Office Supplies. By assigning a budget, based on previous use patterns and current demand you will be able to focus on the needs and not the wants. Make your employees accountable for the supplies they use and have them take responsibility for the budget.
Establish a good supplier relationship. Rather than have your employees take money from petty cash to pick up supplies on a lunch break…find a good supplier who can meet your needs, your expectations and your budgets and centralize all your purchasing.
Develop a list of pre-authorized supplies. When employees have guidelines for supply purchases it saves both time and money. It saves time because they know exactly what to buy and money because you have already agreed upon the pricing. This way employees won't labour over what pens to purchase, what make of paper to buy and what replacement cartridge is best for the office printers. You are streamlining the process.
Centralize your printing needs for office forms and stationery needs. Work out some plan for your printing needs as small as they might be. Printing costs can sometimes triple or quadruple your budget if you haven't taken an organized approach. Determine your needs beforehand and save money by running your printing jobs together. Sit down with your printer and ask him for any advice he might be able to give you.
Lock up those office supplies. Every notice how the demand for office supplies increases the closer we get to September and back to school? Keep your office supplies in a locked storage area and set up some sort of inventory control method. Make one employee your "go-to" person for office supplies and put them in charge of the stock.
SBBS offers savings of 50% on brand name office supplies through our vendor Dye and Durham. By following a few rules of management, you can stretch your office supplies dollars even farther.
