An office is a particular community where workers, or employees have to mutually communicate and organize in order to accomplish certain tasks that coincide with the long-term goals of the company. However, things don’t always run smoothly, because there are many obstacles of both internal and external nature which have to be overcame if progress is to be made. With these few tips you can get things back on track and increase the overall efficiency rate, so let’s delve a little deeper to learn more about these practical office changes and makeovers.
Clean up
Workspaces tend to get chaotic and full of unnecessary stuff, so the first step is to get rid of all the unwanted things which take up your valuable space. Get rid of all the paper duplicates, clean the desks, drawers, cabinets and throw out or better yet recycle all items which you haven’t used for at least half a year. Once you relieve yourself of all the excess clutter, then you can rearrange and organize everything else.
Rearrange and organize
Evaluate the furniture layout, arrange it accordingly and make sure that you can easily access all of your files, storages and even trash. As for the stationaries themselves, well, we live in a digital era where you don’t need a ton of little gadgets, supplies, items and whatnots to get your job done. A computer, a phone, some pens and a notepad is all you need at the reach of your arm.
Patty Kreamer, a certified organizer coach, claims that you can divide the items you use into 3 categories. The first ones are your so-called friends, stuff that you use on a regular basis and they should be around you at all times at your office desk. The second ones are you acquaintances, items you use periodically and should be kept near, while the last ones are your strangers, stuff that you rarely need and maybe shouldn’t even be in your office in the first place.
Filing system
It may take some time to organize all of your files, but once you finish putting everything in order, you’re bound to increase productivity, especially due to easy access. All you have to decide is how you want to maintain things – either alphabetically, or by projects, clients, or some other method which helps you keep track. Also, the sound thing to do is store everything electronically, because it is much more efficient and you can easily search for any file that you require. Oh, and try to keep the new, recent files at the front of everything and make sure to archive the old ones accordingly.
Time management
Nobody likes to waste time and time is money. That is why it is important to have a to-do list, so you can stay on schedule and keep track of your appointments as well as deadlines. Also, use your technology well, so hook up your mobile phone with your computer calendar. Wherever you go, you will have complete insight on your daily, weekly and monthly activities, so you won’t miss a beat. If you want to plan things ahead properly and stay in the game without losing precious time, update your calendar regularly and stick to it.
Keep everything functional
You simply have to maintain your gadgets, devices, appliances and all of the office equipment if you want things to run smoothly. Plan ahead your replacement of ink cartridges, because every workspace needs a properly operating printer; keep your computers virus-free, protected and updated; check every electronic device every now and then (for instance your alarm system) so that no unwanted surprises might befall you; etc. Ritualize your work day, update your to-do list, completed projects and replace in-progress items in their proper place, so that tomorrow morning you can resume your business in a clean and organized manner.