Pick of the Pen: A Cost-Savvy Guide to Office Supplies

When it comes to office supplies, there are plenty of reasons to find ways to become a little more cost-savvy. It may seem like low investment items when you look at line items on an office supplies invoice, but when you extrapolate that out over the month or year, it adds up. Many office staff won’t think twice about using office supplies and keep going back to the well. Instead of watching more and more budgets being sunk into office supplies, use this guide to become a cost-savvy business.

Find a wholesaler

If your business is still shopping for individual items or small shops at a big box retailer, then you’ve found the first tip to becoming more cost-savvy. Find yourself stationery wholesalers who can offer your business great cost savings on office suppliers. Stationery wholesalers can achieve economies of scale because they command more attention from manufacturers and place larger orders. These larger orders help lower the costs associated with acquiring the supplies and can pass those savings onto their customers. 

You’ll be amazed at just how much you can save by shopping with a wholesaler instead of buying from a retailer. Wholesalers can also get products more easily and quickly to your door. These kinds of suppliers can have a dramatic impact on your bottom line, so do your business a favor and shop around. 

Manage outgoings

One of the more involved methods of getting office supply expenses under control is to implement a process to manage what staff take. A simple way to implement such a process is to assign someone to manage the supply cupboard or place a lock on it. The other way to create or define a process to control expenditure and become more cost-savvy is to make staff record what they take. 

By creating a register you send the message to staff that the cost is being monitored and who takes the supplies is also being monitored. This process will help staff think twice before taking something they don’t need or make them more responsible with the supplies they do take. By creating a level of responsibility in your staff, you’ll be surprised how quickly the supplies stop disappearing and invoices start reducing. 

Do your research

Selecting one supplier and sticking with them out of some sort of blind brand loyalty is almost certain to cost you more in the long run. To be more cost-savvy with your office supplies, make sure you are constantly looking around at different suppliers. Survey the market and check if there are better deals to be had with other suppliers. You may even choose to go with a couple of different suppliers for different items. Certain companies may be able to get better pricing in particular niches, so it’s worth looking around. Don’t rest on your laurels, make sure you have set up regular checks of the market to identify whether you’re still getting the best deal. 

Work out what you need

Many businesses aren’t actually aware of what they need when it comes to office supplies. They tend to purchase a standard suite of supplies that are commonly regarded as necessary. You can be very cost-savvy if you do an audit of what is actually required in your business. You might be surprised by how much you order that you don’t need. That isn’t to say it’s not being taken from your office supplies, it’s to help you identify when you don’t need the items. Staff may be using them in ways they aren’t designed for or taking them home, which is money wasted for your business. Run a survey or observe the supplies being used in the business, and work out what supplies you can stop ordering to lower your invoice. 

Office supplies may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you’re looking to become a more cost-savvy business. Office supplies can chew up a large part of your outgoings, especially if you don’t pay attention to them. Instead of ignoring your office supplies bill, take the time to look for ways to be cost-savvy in this area. If your business is ready to become more cost-savvy with its office supplies, then use this guide to get started now.