In the seemingly never ending quest to be paperless, are we storing paper items for too long? Are you guilty of having filing cabinets packed with papers which date back years? Do you really need them?
Put simply, in this day and age, no you don’t.
Tax items need to be stored for a set amount of time, and this is something you should certainly adhere to. The rest? You need to think carefully about each item and consider whether you really need it.
Personal items, such as staff records, need to be kept for as long as that person is a member of your staff, and then they can be archived, perhaps stored on digital storage? In fact, digital storage, such as using the Cloud or encrypted USB flash drive, is actually a fantastic way to rid yourself of too much storage space and allow your business to be far more streamlined as a result.
How about a storage wall? That would free up floor space, but you should also think about whether it’s time to have a total clear out. If you’re hoarding items which are older than five years of age, it’s time to bid them goodbye. Unless they’re official, you don’t need them, and that means shredding or disposing of them as confidential waste.
Having an effective and smooth running business isn’t just about the latest luxury office desk and it’s not about having the best office seating methods for your staff, it’s about a whole picture, and that includes less clutter and more efficiency!
How much office storage do you really need? Do you have any storage tips?