In business, everyone is looking for a way to gain the competitive edge, but sometimes it’s easy to overlook the simple things – such as organisation - that can have the most impact. Structure and systems are after all the linchpins that hold every successful corporation together, which if implemented properly will allow it to be strategic, nurture its employees and experience growth.
That’s why we recently surveyed 1,000 UK office managers, who are responsible for the day-to-day running of businesses like yours, to find out how they achieved their goals and targets. Perhaps not surprisingly, almost three-quarters (74%) of the professionals polled said organisation was a key workplace priority, helping with a multitude of agendas including recruitment, customer relations, brand awareness, profitability and growth.
But what are the best tools to fulfil these objectives? Well we took a closer look and can reveal the essential products office managers believe will help you achieve more in 2018.
1. Smartphones
Smartphones were seen as the key driver of company efficiency and productivity by 44% of our survey group, with employees able to keep tabs on their projects online no matter where they go. Not only do they enable employees to manage client and colleague emails, they also do away with the need for operating a separate mobile phone, calculator, diary and address book.
2. Desktop organisers
Desktop organisers keep you in order in the place it counts the most – your desk. The undisputed unsung hero of the bunch was voted into second place, with a significant 28% of the people surveyed saying it saved them precious time by helping to keep all their desk top items in their designated place.
3. Notebooks
Notebooks – the great communicators – came third in our study, with 27.9% of respondents believing these to be especially useful when hiring and for expansion too, as office managers use them to jot down thoughts on potential new recruits and company plans. From project brief to completion, the humble notebook is where you get to put down just about everything you do, from your meeting notes to first drafts of a client pitch.
4. Files and folders
Files and folders, according to 26% of our survey, are a cornerstone of effective office organisation. Businesses need to keep tabs on customers, calls and (heaven forbid) complaints which, without the order and structure of a good filing system, could be total chaos. Two-fifths (40%) of respondents also credited clear filing systems that make it simple for people to find and refer to useful business information, with a significant increase in staff expertise.
5. Desk calendars
Desk calendars were credited by 22% of our survey respondents with driving productivity and efficiency, as they act as a daily reminder of any pertinent dates and up and coming deadlines, effectively helping staff to prioritise tasks, plan their workload and ensure objectives are achieved on schedule.
While exploring the office supplies that aid productivity, we also asked respondents to reveal which goals effective organisation will help them with in 2018:
The positive effects of staying organised at work cannot be stressed enough – and judging by the results of our survey, almost three-quarters of businesses agree on its contribution to meeting their goals for 2018.
You can call a Staples representative at the following number:
+44 (0) 121 322 1000
You can also fill out the form below and one of our representatives will get in touch with you shortly.
