If you are a small business owner, you definitely have a lot on your plate. Yes, you have to think about funding, the cash flow, and marketing, but you cannot forget about your workers. In order to make your business more productive, you have to make sure they are comfortable and have all the necessary software and gadgets. That is why it’s important to properly equip your office. Take a look at some of the essentials.
Find the best furniture
Furniture is one of the basics that you cannot disregard. You have to make sure all workers have ergonomic chairs. This is an investment in your employees’ health so don’t look at it as a huge expense. Moreover, look into desks that are adjustable as that will allow the people to work while standing up as well. Ergonomic computer mouses and keyboards are also quite useful.
If you do not have a lot of money to spend on furniture, you can follow sales online. You can often find huge discounts, especially during national holidays. Moreover, there are regular auctions of office furniture where you are bound to find something that will fit your needs. You can also find complete sets of furniture as some companies that are closing are selling off all their possessions.
Seeing as how you are a small business, you probably do not have a lot of employees, which means that you will not have to spend a fortune on this either way.
Equip the breakroom
Another thing your office needs is a breakroom. That way, you can ensure your employees have space where they can relax or have a snack during their break.
You should provide your workers with a small kitchen if you have the funds. Adding a fridge and a microwave is amazing as then they can safely store and reheat their lunch. Another must if you want them to stay focused is definitely a coffee machine. Ask them about their favorite coffee pod flavors and make sure you stock up on them.
Furthermore, a comfy sofa or armchair will let them rest for a while and go back to work re-energized. If you have the option, designate a room with a window to this purpose. Some fresh air and a view of nature can be very beneficial for boosting one’s mood.
Get the necessary equipment
For starters, you will need computers. Whether you are buying laptops or tablets for your workers, it’s important to stay consistent; therefore, you should purchase the same model for everyone so that no one feels left out. Read some reviews to see which options offer the best value for their price as you want something that is reliable and easy to use.
You should also decide whether you will have a landline for your company. If you think that it’s not necessary, you can conduct all communication over mobile phones or online.
As for other equipment, you can either rent or buy it. For instance, leasing printers and scanners, or an all-in-one machine, might be more cost-efficient if you don’t use them very often. Just pay attention to the maintenance charges. On the other hand, you can also invest in a model that will last for years if you take care of it properly.
Look into your software options
Nowadays, software is used for almost every aspect of a business. Regardless of the type of work your company does, quality software could make or break your operations. For example, if you have a full-time accountant on the premises, they will need special accounting programs. There are programs for drawing and creating graphics, for financial projections and so much more.
Even though you are running a small business, you still need to look into some management software to stay on top of all your obligations. This can help you stay organized, track your progress and make sure you do everything on time. Finding the right software for your company will result in more accuracy and productivity.
If you are running low on funds, you can look into cheaper versions of certain programs or even find some that are free. For instance, OpenOffice is a great substitute for licensed programs.
Take care of the utilities
This might sound very obvious as you are surely not going to forget about electricity, but there are other things to think about as well. For example, you also need to keep water, sewage and trash services in mind.
If you decide to use a landline, you need to find a provider. Compare several offers to see which one fits you best. Furthermore, having fast internet will be crucial for the everyday operations of your business if some aspects of your work are done online. You can even get these services in bulk, which many companies are offering.
Have enough storage space
Depending on the work you do, you might need a lot of storage space. If you cannot dedicate an entire room to this, you should get some filing cabinets, drawers, and shelves that will help you keep everything organized. Everyone should know what goes where and return it to the right place.
You can minimize the usage of paper by using file-sharing platforms. Saving documents on a cloud will make sure there is less clutter and you can access it no matter where you are.
Stock up on supplies
You should stock up on all the necessary office supplies. If you use a lot of it on a daily basis, you should buy paper in bulk. The same goes for envelopes, pens, automatic knives, paper clips, glue etc. You might also need staplers, hole punches, pencil sharpeners, name tags, post-it notes and so on. Consider all that has to be done and purchase these things accordingly.
In addition to the aforementioned items, you cannot forget about properly lighting the space, introducing some greenery to improve everyone’s wellbeing and putting up some motivational posters to make sure your employees are inspired. Equipping an office can be expensive, so it’s up to you to decide which items are the most important and need to be of high quality and on which you can save some money.
