Some stress is inevitable when running a small business, but that stress increases tenfold in a disorganized business. The better you organize your work, the better your business will operate. This becomes especially vital in the fast-paced door, frame, and hardware industry. Here are tips on how to cut away the chaos and pave a smooth path to success.
- Optimize Office Space
Curating a comfortable physical space is necessary for a comfortable mental space. If you’re working among piles of papers and tangled wires, your work is likely suffering from it; you may struggle to locate necessary paperwork and lose precious time. Even just the scenery of a messy office with no free space can create stress that lasts the whole day, hindering your quality of life.
Take in the space you have and plan accordingly. You should make sure that everything in your office helps you in some way. If it doesn’t make you happy or aid your workflow, you should consider removing it or filing it into labeled folders or drawers.
Indeed.com also suggests reducing crowding by replacing bulky furniture with sleeker pieces. A more open office environment encourages employees to get up and take small breaks throughout the day, which is important for staying productive and happy.
Customizing your space with little things that you enjoy, like pictures of loved ones or small plants, can also provide a morale boost throughout a stressful day.
- Take Paper out of the Picture
When it comes to paperwork, you might find success in setting aside time each day to go through things – throwing out what you don’t need and filing away what you do. Another solution is taking paper out of the picture entirely.
With technology, you can store information digitally to free up physical space. Software for Hardware does this for door, frame, and hardware distributors by digitizing the drawing and estimating processes – thus minimizing the amount of paper needed. Estimating software simplifies your workflow and avoids errors that often pop up with manual hand-drawing methods.
Working within a cloud-based system specifically ensures your documents are backed up and secure. The cloud’s remote capabilities also make it an excellent place to create lists, as you can jot down and check off tasks on the go. Neil Patel of NP Digital agrees, advising against writing things on loose paper scraps and recommending software that lets you customize a notes system.
- Keep a Clean Computer
Having an organized digital space also matters, especially if you’ll be making greater use of project management software and the cloud.
Create a computer folder system that makes sense to you so you can properly find files and emails when you need them. The more time you take looking for something, the more time you take away from deadline-driven tasks. Try not to leave files obscuring your home screen, as the messy visual can become overwhelming.
While these tips prove useful for many, it’s also important to remember that there’s no one way to organize. What works best for you may not work for another person, so try experimenting with different methods and sharing ideas with co-workers to find solutions. You’ll find that it’s time well-spent.
After all, an organized business is a business primed for greater productivity, growth, and happiness.
Anna Litofsky, Marketing Coordinator, Software For Hardware, Atlanta, GA.
