5 Tips for Running a Better Office

by Startacus Admin

Running an office can be very demanding. Although from the outside it may seem like furniture and computers, offices actually have millions of ‘moving parts’ that need to be managed and coordinated.

No matter what type of office you work in, managing staff, directing workflow, and handling enquiries can take up a lot of your time. The better an office is run, the more successful the business will be, so making sure your office runs smoothly is imperative. We’ve put together this simple guide of five tips that can help anyone run a better office, regardless of what type of business they run.

Get Organised, and Stay That Way

Getting organised takes time, planning, and preparation. It may seem like it is going to take a lot of time and effort to organise your office, but it will save you time every day if you maintain order.

Many office managers and workers lose time every day because of poor organisation, and time is money. These minutes soon add up to hours, and poor organisation in your office could be costing your business thousands a year in unproductive payroll expenses. With some smarter arrangements, well organised supplies and consumables, and by removing clutter and old equipment, you can see a real difference in profitability from investing a little time and effort in organisation. 

Get Multi-tasking, and Work More Efficiently

Office managers need to be good at multi-tasking, and the better they are at it, the better their business will perform. 

Managing an office often means dealing with problems and ‘fighting fires’, while also balancing your own workload and responsibilities. If you take some time to work on your multi-tasking skills, you will see an improvement in your own efficiency and effectiveness. You can also pass these skills on to your subordinates, and help them to become more effective multi-taskers.

Be Self-Sufficient, and Promote Self-Sufficiency in Your Staff

The best way to lead is by example. Your employees need to be able to rely upon you, but if you are micro-managing their job roles, then you are wasting your own time and costing your office time and money. 

A self-sufficient employee is capable of their own decision-making and troubleshooting, giving you more time to concentrate on your own tasks and responsibilities. By encouraging office workers to make decisions for themselves with confidence, and giving them the tools that they need to troubleshoot issues for themselves, you will have a much more efficient and effective office.  

Stop Overheads from Hanging Over Your Head

Every office comes with regular expenses that you need to keep control of to balance the books and maintain efficiency. These costs can sometimes be a distraction, as you need to look after the pennies so the pounds look after themselves, but your time is valuable.

Many people save hundreds of pounds a year on their home utility bills by shopping around for better energy tariffs and deals, and businesses and offices can do the same. Look for some no obligation quotes comparing energy suppliers; you might end up paying a lot less than you are currently paying. Simple savings like these can add up quickly, and you can rest assured that you have got a good deal for your business and concentrate on workflow and customer enquiries.

Stay Positive

If you are an office manager, then you are a leader, and your levels of positivity and energy will have an impact on your employees. A happy office is a productive office, so stay positive and keep the atmosphere fun and relaxed, but professional and productive.

These five simple tips should help you to save yourself and your office some time and money, and help you and your staff become more efficient and productive.

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Published on: 19th June 2020