The funding is set, the opening day is close, and the clients are already setting appointments. Everything looks good for your small business, but are you really ready to launch?
There is one important line item that has a surprising price tag. Small business owners can expect to pay $50 per employee, per month on office supplies. Who knew they were so expensive?
If you need a comprehensive list of office equipment and supplies, this article’s for you. We’ll give you an overview of what you’ll need to start your new business the right way.
Personal Workspace Essentials
The two entries on any office equipment list are, of course, a computer and a desk. You’ll also need file storage, a nice desk chair, and room dividers if you’re in a shared office environment.
Before you invest in a desk, take a quick self-inventory. Do you work best while sitting down or can you get things done at a standing desk?
Also, take into account how large your desk space needs to be. If you’re a spreader, don’t settle for a tiny desk but add an blaux air conditioner.
Finally, take the time to have your desk and chair ergonomically adjusted. That means adjusting the height of your chair from the floor and the position of your monitor and keyboard.
The process takes less than half an hour and you will greatly reduce your risk of repetitive motion injuries like carpal tunnel.
Meeting and Collaboration Zones
When you meet with clients face-to-face, it’s important that your office has a welcoming feeling. You want to inspire confidence and cultivate long-term business associations.
In addition to a meeting table, chairs and whiteboards, you might also want to furnish one or two breakout rooms for smaller groups. Here are a few things to include in meeting rooms and reception areas.
As you design your office space, remember to invest in an easy-to-use phone system. This article will help you develop hold messages that keep customers interested and well-informed.
In addition to user-friendly hold messages and automated menu options, you might want to hire an answering service. They can take messages and schedule appointments while your office is closed, improving customer satisfaction levels.
Paper Products and Printers
Another entry on the list of things you need for a new office is nice stationery. You can download and customize free templates from the internet or you can get them printed locally. Get personalized stationery for your business from a reputed provider online.
A common mistake that business owners make is to use too many colors in their logo. Stick to two or three colors and carry that visual theme through your business cards, brochures, and letterhead.
While your business may not need in-house postal equipment very often, it’s still nice to have on hand as a backup. If the weather is bad and you can’t take your mail to the post office, you’ll be able to print your own ink stamp. But still, visiting this page would be helpful in case you’re looking for the best postal service and your browser history is full of searches like post office hours near me.
You’ll also need a printer for client files and correspondence. Look for a printer that can receive documents through your office wifi and print in high definition. Use print monitoring software services that allow you to know every printer’s status at one glance.
While you can always get used file cabinets, desks, and chairs, you should probably invest in a new printer with a warranty and comprehensive service plan. Why take chances, right?
Required Safety Equipment
As you figure out what you need for a new office, keep a list of safety equipment. If you’re renting an office, it should come with
Ideally, your building’s maintenance staff will test and replace your smoke alarms as needed. Before you sign a lease, make sure that you have a service agreement regarding safety inspections.
While you might think that fire extinguishers don’t expire, the reality is that they do degrade. If your extinguisher has a loose handle or is missing its safety pin, it’s not fit for duty.
Your office kitchen should have a heavy-duty fire extinguisher and a sprinkler system. Avoid having any loose electrical cords or power strips, both common causes of electrical fires.
Additional Office Equipment
Our list of office equipment and supplies is almost complete, but we still have so much to cover. How many wastebaskets will you need? How often will you have to replace whiteboard markers?
This is why you might want to hire an office manager who will keep you stocked with rubber bands, pencils and pens, and first-aid kits.
You’ll also need a safe for confidential documents, room dividers for a shared workspace, and recycling bins.
Entrust a bump key set to your office manager for unforeseen situations. Sophisticated security systems are not foolproof, and it’s always safe to carry spare keys or bump keys, for that matter.
Other essentials for a new office include locks for employee computers, employee computer monitoring software, reliable anti-virus software, and regular computer maintenance.
For remote-working employees, you can get affordable, quality refurbished laptops to save on costs. Quality refurbished laptops work as well as brand-new computers do but cost a fraction of the price. Of course, you should be discerning about where you source your refurbished office equipment. Only buy from trusted suppliers that offer warranties. Buying used computers from reliable merchants can save you money while you get the same level of performance as that of brand-new devices.
The good news about IT services is that you can often outsource them. Why pay for a full-time employee when you can have access to a team of experts for a fraction of the price?
IT managed services will update your computer software, handle data migrations, and update your security protocols. They may also be able to organize your customer database, do online marketing tasks, and help you with web design.
List of Office Equipment and Supplies for Home Office
The list of office equipment and supplies for home offices isn’t much different, but there are some things to keep in mind. See reviews from https://www.vssmonitoring.com/best-ultra-wide-monitor/ for the best monitors you can get in your office work.
First, you need to have a lock on your office door to make sure you don’t compromise client data. If that’s not possible, you’ll need to lock your desk and computer. In the event of a break-in, you’ll be able to avoid a data breach.
Next, you’ll need to do an audit of your lamps and overhead lighting. Fluorescent lighting probably won’t work at home, so you’ll need to make sure you have enough light to work by.
Finally, you’ll need to have a business account online that offers next-day delivery in case you run out of printer paper or other vital supplies.
Now that you know about getting your office going, check out our other blogs. We’ve got insider info on sports, new technology, and gaming.
