How to Declutter Your Business: What to Store and What to Throw Away

Although spring is the perfect time to give your business a bit of a clean and declutter, you don’t have to wait. It’s perfectly acceptable, and a great idea, to do it at regular intervals throughout the year. It’s always amazing how much paraphernalia accumulates over the year, and it is worth taking a small amount of time at the end of each day to get your decluttering done and dusted.

Whenever we discuss decluttering, it’s nearly always in relation to our homes. Without realising it, we discount the benefits businesses can enjoy by repeating the same formula in their workplace. And if you keep on top of things, it won’t turn into a mammoth task. We’ll discuss some practical tips business owners can use to organise this winter and beyond.

Businesses Also Need to Declutter –

When the word decluttering is mentioned, it tends to go down poorly amongst most people. It’s often because it involves a lot of tidying up and a thorough top-to-bottom clean. More often than not, it’s a domestic chore that we’ll do anything to avoid undertaking. But we’re about to upset many business owners by saying it’s also something you need in the office.

Before you go running to the hills screaming in terror – we want you to think of the benefits first. Many companies who were brave enough to declutter now have cleared entire backrooms. It gives you the option of rethinking your current premises and trading in for something cheaper. Retail stores might be able to relocate somewhere smaller but in a location with more passing trade.

The main thing to understand here is this level of organisation gives you more choices and potential advantages. Plus, you’ll be able to improve the spaces in your workplace and put them to better purposes. We’ll also go into some hands-on tips for improving things like environmentally sounder practices. Let’s start with how decluttering can improve your office area.

Start With Your Office Space –

This more manageable task will help get you in the right frame of mind to tackle the more important jobs. This doesn’t mean that you have to redecorate your office thoroughly, but perhaps make sure that any old equipment is recycled, that your desk is tidy, and that all of your files are in order. Encourage others to do so, and make sure you take the time to review how you arrange your office space. – it makes a lot more difference than you think.

Another way to reduce clutter issues within the office is to consider greener practices and implement them. It’s possible to lower your dependency on paper documents and go with digital options. Additionally, remember to refrain from printing emails and set some office rules around this. If you use paper, make sure there’s a solid recycling and reuse policy.

Instore Storage can help you open up space while assisting your long-term plan for better office usage. We offer a document storage option within our Business Storage services. That means you can retain your essential documents in a safe and secure setting. You’ll undoubtedly need to have legal documents in their original form, and you can also get rid of those bulging filing cabinets while you’re at it.

Buy New Supplies –

Once you have sorted through office clutter, now is the time to think about new office supplies which will help you keep your workspace clear throughout the year. For example, colour coded files and labels to help you arrange and order them. You can also think about using household storage containers to organise things, so they fit under spaces to utilise them.

It’s always possible to do things in a sounder manner, and the information is available on how to do this in practical terms. Recycling any used printer toners and buying from a local supplier is one suggestion. They tend to reuse the cartridges and fill them with toner. This can save you money and be more eco-friendly than buying newer ones.

Whenever you buy office supplies or furniture, look around for ones made from recycled materials. Things are changing rapidly, and many producers are sourcing things differently to help the environment. Previously, these were harder to come by and might cost more. Now it’s far more straightforward, more transparent, and they can deliver to your office.

Is Your Software Up to Date?

This is another essential part of decluttering your business. Up to date systems improve efficiency in a company. More modern Customer Relationship Management software will enable you to keep better tabs on sales, manage customer information and retain your client base. This will centralise everything, and the better CRMs also have several other invaluable features for any business and a range of pricing.

You should also ask yourself a blunt question: what would happen if all your company’s digital records disappeared or were broken? By the latter, we mean a document becomes corrupt and is essentially unusable. This would be disastrous to most businesses, but it could be worse for ones that rely on client databases. The reality is that you could lose everything overnight with no recourse or way of retrieving the data.

That’s why you should look at CRMs that also have a cloud storage feature. That said, you can get one regardless without a management system. People still use Dropbox for personal and business purposes, and Google also has a user-friendly option that links to their Google Drive app. The main takeaway is having a backup in place while tidying up your digital systems and records.

Look Over Your Inventory –

This doesn’t get the attention it should, but there’s lots of unnecessary waste that’s regularly caused by businesses overstocking. Make sure you take the time to look over your warehouse and speak to staff members. You want to be efficient in your stock storage and ensure that you are not constantly paying for the storage of unsold stock. The old and damaged stock should also be another concern.

While it might represent another expense, you should consider going digital and purchasing a stock control system that automatically checks items in and out. The initial cost might reduce your running costs in the long run, though, when you have a more efficient stock process. Furthermore, you’ll always know where specific items are.

Depending on what industry you work in, it might also be advantageous to have computer records of purchases and sell-by dates. And when it comes to compiling data, a comprehensive stock system should allow you to collate and download documents for you. Your accountant will also thank you for making part of their job easier.

Use Business Storage to Organise – 

If you’re looking to do something on a long-term basis, then you’ll need to think about using storage. It’s the sure-fire way to organise your workplace and keep it that way. You’ll free up huge spaces in your office or factory. And you’ll enjoy the best security for your equipment, documents, and products. Instore Storage boats an unbeatable level of onsite security measures that prevent issues of theft or damage from occurring.

That’s one of the advantages of using self storage that most work buildings can’t match unless they employ security guards and install CCTV. Storage gives you peace of mind and confidence your goods and other work items are safe and secure. You can then use it as a dedicated workspace if you don’t have a suitable provision. All without the headache of a lease or the expense of monthly rental costs.

Instore Storage has worked with companies in every business sector over the years. We have a wealth of experience to fall back on when necessary, and we have processes in place to ensure your items remain in perfect condition. This level of expertise means we can accommodate any type of business. All that’s needed is for you to send us an initial inquiry, and we’ll undertake an assessment.

Instore Storage – Dorset’s Business-Friendly Storage Company –

There’s no upside to allowing and keeping clutter when you think about it. Whether it’s your home or the office, it just gets in the way and doesn’t improve anything, even if you pack it away. That’s why it’s more than organising a clear-out once every few months. You need to keep on top of things and think of ways to maintain it, which might involve professional cleaning services. And if you require the latter, we can make a referral.

Storage is one of the simplest ways to achieve long-lasting results that promote and continue better workplace organisation. You can move entire filing cabinets out of the office and efficiently utilise the area. In some situations, it’s possible to use a storage unit for your entire stock and control it offsite. There are various ways to use storage to make more space in your workplace.

It’s time to take back control of your office and remove any unnecessary clutter. Click here, and we’ll discuss your storage needs and provide you with a free quote.