This post is sponsored by the Staples brand products that help your small business stock up for less.
To be effective these days, a small business owner still needs more than a computer or a smartphone. Consumable office supplies still are required to complete daily work. I’ve teamed up with Staples brand products to create a list of top 10 necessities you need for your office.
Here are the ten items that are needed and what to do instead when they run low:
Pens and pencils. Most people comprehend and remember ideas better when they are written down. The important thing is to get instruments you are comfortable writing with and that are not easily lost. Try Staples OptiFlow™ Rollerball Pens ($9.99)
Erasers. Have these on hand since small business owners make mistakes frequently. Crossing things out makes it harder to read later on.
Highlighters. Using markers to highlight key passages (LINK Needed) or points will make it much easier to reference any document a second time without rereading it. Try Staples Hype!™ Pen-Style Highlighters ($5.49)
Pads. Easy for note taking. Use either blank or lined paper based on the type of notes that are taken. Buy pads with cardboard backs so notes can be taken even if there is no writing service available.
Folders. Documents need to be filed and the effectiveness of any system is rapid retrieval of those pages. Use manila folders inside green hanging folders as a method to further refine the separation of documents.
Paper. In this paperless world, companies now use more paper than ever. The office printer constantly needs refilling. Use a paper type with the appropriate thickness and brightness based on intended use. If paper is only for internal use, go with thin and brightness of 85. If the paper is sent to clients, use a thicker type and higher brightness.
Hand Sanitizer. Business owners shake a lot of hands and they have no paid sick days.
Paper Clips. Multiple documents need to be organized by clipping them together. Paper clips are the number one thing that are always disappearing from an office besides pens.
Staples. These seem to always last a long time until they run out. Select staples based on how many pages on average they need to be used on.
Rubber bands. These should be placed over folders and files when traveling so paper does not fall out.
Scanner. Not all documents need to be kept in physical form. Use a scanner to ensure they are filed systematically.
What are your top supplies you can’t run your office without?
