Putting in place simple office procedures and systems, which are quite often overlooked as they are not direct to your revenues, can ensure that your office runs smoothly. Improving your business systems will allow you to work in an efficient manner which in turn brings fewer frustrations, lower costs, more time and value to your business.
It would be very easy for me to sit here and tell you to do this and do that when running your business; but we all know that we have different personalities, work patterns and run different types of businesses. However, we all have to manage the day-to-day demands and the decision making processes unique to our business. Having an efficient office can improve your success and help you achieve your goals.
Below are some specific points to consider when putting in place office systems:
Office Layout
For an office to be efficient you firstly need to think about your furniture and equipment. Avoid using built-in desks and other furniture if possible, as your business grows your workflow will change and movable equipment is easily rearranged.
Think carefully when planning your office space. Save precious time in your day-to-day work by having active storage – organise what you need to be nearby and where you use it. Use your common sense, there is no point filing a book you use daily right on the top shelf. Avoid placing equipment and supplies where you’ll have to move them again and again to reach other items.
Business Documents
Design your logo, documents and fonts to reflect your business. Documents include letters, invoices, emails, compliment slips and signatures for example. Setting up standard templates ensures consistency.
Filing system
A filing systems is only useful if you know where to find the information you need and a good one means that a piece of paper only needs to be handled once before it goes where it belongs.
Your office filing system should separate all information into logical and easy to find categories. All documents that are important e.g. correspondence, reports, minutes, proposals, accounts, contracts and job descriptions should be filed.
Unless clients regularly visit your office, the efficiency of your system is probably more important than how it looks.
Archive documents to minimise expensive office space – microfilm, storage containers, PST files, CD/DVD copies are some ways of achieving this.
Information Systems
Everyone in your office should have easy access to certain important information. This can be achieved by setting up an Intranet, placing charts/lists on walls or setting up a paper file centrally in the office. Examples of information that should be available are:
- Standard Office Procedures (Further information can be found at http://factoidz.com/the-basics-and-benefits-of-standard-office-procedures-sops/)
- Company Aims and Plans
- A calendar of important dates e.g. business meetings, deadlines, staff holidays
- A chart that maps progress of projects
- A list of employees, contractors and services with contact details
- Blank forms and templates e.g. timesheets, financial claim forms
But all of the above needs to be up to date. Plan in time to ensure that the above is reviewed.
Computers
Your computer will run more efficiently if you regularly check for updates to your machine, ensure antivirus software is current and regularly back up files. Ensure that you are consistent with filenames and where electronic information is filed. Make sure you schedule in time weekly to ensure these tasks are fulfilled.
Time Management
Good time management, and planning, helps to improve business.
Keep task lists, plan your time and set yourself realistic time frames. Don’t flit between jobs and tasks, you will lose the thread and often feel that you haven’t accomplished anything.
Below is a list, which although may seem very basic will help you to be in control and free up time for paid work.
- Set up a timetable for regular tasks e.g. beginning of the month for your accounts, Friday morning file, once a month or once a week update your contacts, banking on a Friday, stock take on a Monday… whatever suits your needs
.
- Between 9 and 10 is a good time to make phone calls as most people are at their desk then
or early in the afternoon.
- First thing in the morning deal with emails, then again after lunch and just before you finish for the day
.
Office Housekeeping
Office housekeeping requires skill, time and patience and is an essential part of keeping your office running smoothly. Applying the concept little and often will keep systems running smoothly, emails and paperwork easily accessible and your in-tray a place you want to be!
Information, people and resources are the lifeblood of any organisation. If you do not have systems for managing and controlling all these things your organisation can become inefficient. Setting up these systems will help you now and in the future as your business grows. These procedures will already be set up and as you employ more people procedures will be in place for them to follow.
Eliminate stress, clutter, and unnecessary interruptions and your office will run more efficiently. Time is money and any system which frees up your time to work on generating profits is essential to your business.
Published on The Entrepreneur Club
