| You've got the office space you need and you've | | | | Staplers |
| purchased all the furniture and electronic equipment | | | | Tools |
| required. The phone lines are in, the computer network | | | | White boards |
| is connected, and you're ready to do business. But wait | | | | Now, when you're done with your shopping, there are |
| - you still have some important shopping to do. Don't | | | | a few basic rules to keep in mind in order to be sure |
| forget the office supplies! | | | | that you'll have everything you need to keep your |
| Yes, office supplies may seem a bit trivial when | | | | office functioning smoothly. |
| compared to the other equipment you have to | | | | First, always keep a small stash of supplies available. |
| purchase and set up, but think about it for a second: | | | | You'd be surprised to know the amount of time |
| what office would be complete without office | | | | wasted in traveling back and forth from the supply |
| supplies? Even the Fortune 500 companies need pen | | | | room to your desk. And that goes for your clerks and |
| and paper, you know. | | | | secretaries, too. A desk drawer or even a small |
| But what supplies do you need to order right away, | | | | cabinet near you will do just fine. Now you'll save time |
| and what are those that can wait until much later? If | | | | and energy getting supplies and use them instead for |
| you think that all you need in your office are a dozen | | | | what's more important - taking care of business. |
| pens and a couple reams of paper, then you are in for | | | | Second, there are some supplies that you really don't |
| a rude awakening. There's much more to setting up | | | | need to have near you 24/7. These include stacks of |
| shop when it comes to office supplies, and this article | | | | stationery, piles and piles of message pads, Post-Its, |
| may be what you need to guide you in your office | | | | and rolls of tape. All of these stuff can make your |
| supplies shopping adventure. | | | | office look messy and disorganized, which I'm sure you |
| Here is a master list for your guidance. You do not | | | | don't want. Organize the supplies according to how |
| have to buy all items on the list, although it will help if | | | | often you need them. For example, the items you |
| you include most of it, if not all: | | | | need on a monthly basis should be kept in a cabinet or |
| Printer cartridges | | | | on a shelf. Other supplies you use less often than that |
| Fax paper | | | | should be kept in a supply room or closet. |
| Stationery | | | | Third, remember that master list? You can use it to |
| Bathroom and cleaning supplies | | | | take note of the supplies that are running low, and how |
| Calculators | | | | often. You don't have to shop for supplies very week. |
| Calendars | | | | Once a month will be fine, as long as your master list is |
| Computer disks | | | | updated. That way, you'll no longer need to fear |
| Cork boards | | | | running out of markers in the middle of an important |
| Glue | | | | presentation. |
| Envelopes | | | | You'll also need to check and analyze how much you |
| Invoices | | | | are spending for office supplies. You can assign a |
| Mailing labels | | | | staff member or two to do some comparison |
| Manila folders | | | | shopping, especially for the supplies you use most |
| Markers | | | | often. Usually, there are office supply stores in your |
| Note and message pads | | | | local area and on the Internet where you can find the |
| Packing tape | | | | best prices for what you need. Some vendors are |
| Paper clips | | | | even willing to give discounts in exchange for your |
| Pencils | | | | loyalty. If you can, buy in bulk for even bigger savings, |
| Pens | | | | but don't overdo it. You don't really need to buy |
| Rubber bands | | | | supplies that will last until December when it's only June, |
| Scissors | | | | right? |