Reduce Costs In Minutes

Copyright (c) 2010 Jamie Lyons

The balance between profit and loss is at the core of any business. The central strategy of most companies is to try to drive revenue, but it can be equally beneficial to spend some time on cutting costs too. All companies are different and must reduce outgoings in different areas to maximise profit. Although all companies are different, a reduction in the amount spent on office supplies is always beneficial. With this in mind, the following tips strive to aid in the reduction of expenditure on office equipment without comprimising daily operations.

1. Stay on top of the office supplies inventory

It is imperative that the supplies cupboard is adequately stocked at all times to avoid frustration and even in some cases: lost earnings. By the same token it is not sensible practice to lodge a standard order with an office supplier, as this can result in an excessive surplus of specific items. The individual responsible for keeping the office stocked with stationery should keep a meticulous inventory of which items are needed and which are sufficiently in supply. By staying on top of the levels of each individual product and ordering only that which is required, the weekly or monthly bill will be dramatically reduced.

2. Buy in bulk where possible

Some offices will work their way through a huge amount of printer paper whereas others will rapidly exhaust their supplies of packaging materials. Ordering a large quantity of a specific line rather than frequent small purchases (in accordance with the requirements of the inventory) will reduce the cost per item and ultimately shave a few pounds off the annual cost. If an inventory of equipment currently in supply is maintained and regularly updated, the individual responsible for office supplies is in a much better position to make informed decisions as to precisely which items can be purchased in bulk: bringing economies of scale and it's benefits into play.

3. Shop Around

The office equipment supplier that are currently being used are not necessarily the cheapest. More often than not, the larger companies offer less incentive when it comes to price. Shopping around on the internet could result in surprising discoveries with regard to obtaining the same products for less than is currently being paid. Equally, there is no harm in haggling, slightly smaller office supplies companies will be more interested in generating and keeping new orders and so are more likely to negotiate on price to keep the customer happy.

4. Consider generic rather than premium brands

As with any industry, you pay a premium price for a premium brand...but this does not mean that their products are necessarily higher quality than those of a less well known brand. There are an abundance of generic brands which quite often are exclusive to a particular supplier, it is well worth trying these products to see if they differ from the brand that is currently being purchased: if the cheaper item can't be differentiated from the more costly when in use, then switching permanently makes sound business sense.

5. Look at 'compatible consumables'

This last point is particularly relevant when considering printer cartridges. Although the majority of established printer manufacturers purport that their own cartridges are of a higher quality than the cheaper alternatives: this is not always the case. Compatible rather than official ink cartridges often cost 70-80% less and in many instances there is no visible difference in print quality or longevity. If printer cartridges are regularly purchases, then large savings can easily accumulate and equate to a serious reduction in the amount spent on office supplies over the course of the year. It is however vital to ensure that use of a compatible cartridge won't invalidate a printer's warranty before purchase.


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By Jamie Rock Lyons- SEO Manchester for OfficeYoo Office Supplies