When you are setting up a new business office or you need to turn things around to improve productivity, you need to focus on the most important items. You need equipment for business and communication, furniture, and proper lighting. Equipping an office can get overwhelming and you may find it difficult to focus on the most important items when you are on a limited budget. Use this checklist to create a streamlined list of essential items you should put in your business office.
1. Productive Workspaces
Unless your business is a single-person startup, you will have other employees working with you in your office. That’s why your office space and workstations should be designed to ensure effective communication, collaboration and worker productivity. You need to choose between an open office plan and a partitioned work environment. While an open plan is ideal when you need to make constant verbal communication while working, a glass partioned space may be more effective for knowledge workers, software developers and other workers who need better concentration. Furthermore, did you know that you can earn cash for ink toners or empty cartridges?
2. Computer
Every small business now needs a computer. Regardless of the type of business you are doing, you will need to browse the internet, do online banking, check email and do your bookkeeping using cloud-based software. Before you buy a new computer, do your research and ensure that you get one that will meet your needs. If you are going to be doing business on the move, you need to purchase a laptop for your business instead of a desktop computer.
3. Internet Access
A fast internet connection is absolutely necessary for your business to thrive. To work effectively online, you need a broadband internet connection. A dial-up connection may be adequate for occasional internet surfing and sending of a few mails a day. But you need a fast Wi-Fi internet connection if you want to get your work done quickly. So invest in a Wi-fi connection that you and your team can use on various devices, including your laptop, tablet, and smartphone. Consider investing in ping monitoring tools to optimize the network performance and diagnose network problems simultaneously. If you are looking for broadband internet connection deals visit usave.co.uk broadband and find the best deal in your area.
4. Telephone and VoIP
If you want to purchase a new business phone system, you need to decide on the way you will use it and how it will be housed. If you will have an employee sitting at a desk to pick calls, a physical desk phone will be adequate. But if you are going to be receiving calls on the move, you may choose a voice over IP (VoIP) system that runs on the internet.
5. Software
All businesses will need basic software tools for daily business activities. The most important applications you need include: word processing software, computerized accounting processes such as an ERP system and spreadsheet and presentation software. You will also need an email management application that will aid sending of marketing mails and follow up like Office 365. Learn more about O365 Migration. Other vital software include accounting management software like quickbooks pro hosting.
6. Work Desk
Using the right type of desk can make you more productive and help you get more done in less time. A good work desk should suit your work style, allow you to maximize your work space and make your feel comfortable while working. If you work with a computer for most hours of the day, you need to get a work desk that has compartments for your system unit and keyboard. It should also have wiring holes or channels to make quick electrical connections.
To hide clutter while working, you may also consider using an L-shaped desk. So you can turn away from your computer when you need to talk to someone across your desk. It also helps you to concentrate when you need to write, read or do some serious thinking and decision making.
7. A Comfortable Chair
Taking time to search for and invest in an ergonomic, comfortable chair will yield good returns. A good work chair should have an adjustable height so you can sit comfortably in it without injuring your back. Before you buy your chair, take time to test it, sit inside and make sure you know how to operate its controls properly.
8. Effective Office Lighting
As you sit at your desk to work, you need the right type of lighting to increase your productivity and comfort. You should combine natural lighting with light from bulbs. As much as possible, you should work with natural light. It is more comfortable on the eyes and it stimulates the brain to function better on cognitive tasks. However, if your office does not have adequate daylight for you to see well, you should use artificial light that mimics daylight.
These are some of the important items you should put on your list when you are planning to equip your business office. Do some additional research to ensure that you only buy items that will meet the specific needs of your type of business.
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