|
We often hear the phrase ‘time is money’ but time isn’t the only thing that can impact business profits. With so many demands on entrepreneurs’ attention, the way you use business space could also be draining your bank account. Clever use of space can help plug those drains, and create more streamlined business operations at the same time. Virtual Document Storage Solutions Cloud storage is a convenient way to keep all documents together and accessible on the move, doing away with the need to print and store. You won’t eliminate paper completely for day to day running, but you can certainly avoid long-term filing cabinet storage in many instances. Investigate free options to start. Possibilities include Google Drive or iCloud. Both provide generous cloud storage to get started, with inexpensive upgrades when they’re needed. If you need CRM or enhanced staff collaboration capabilities, Office 365 for Business is a fully mobile-enabled alternative. Confident Business Growth Ecommerce offers various options and easy-entry points for startups. Find a product with high demand and you can achieve rapid growth. The downside is additional pressure on stock storage space. Warehousing may seem a sensible option but it’s expensive, not very flexible in lease terms, and may be in an out-of-the-way location. An alternative is self storage units. Not only are there no additional payments (such as VAT or utility charges), the short term rentals run from just a week, which can inspire confidence if you’re not certain steady growth will continue. You could, for instance, accommodate seasonal fluctuations by renting an additional room for a few weeks then scaling back when the seasonal stock is sold. Also, by renting a slightly larger storage room than you need, you can make way for a desk in the corner, which provides a packing surface and storage for packing materials, cutting down travelling time and streamlining processes. Delivery Considerations Home storage may work while just a few boxes of stock are involved, but success can bring rapid growth, and restricted stock storage can lead to missed opportunities. Before starting out with home storage, it’s a good idea to consider future needs and potential problems. For instance, residential areas tend to be inaccessible to large delivery vehicles, and have other obstacles such as steps or kerbs and narrow entry points. Increased stock levels also present dangers in domestic surroundings in the form of trip or topple hazards and muddled or misplaced items. Ideally, your storage area will have space for large delivery vehicles to manoeuvre. Access to fork lifts or pallet trucks would be another boon. Space Saving Office Solutions A home office can help keep costs down when you’re just starting. Create one by claiming a small corner in a quiet part of the house (a spare room is perfect but not everybody has one). Install shelving for book or stationery storage, and make it a house rule that no one touches your office supplies without permission. Having a dedicated work area at home helps with that all important work/leisure balance. For those already renting offices, you can save money and make your rented space work harder by putting historical paper records into storage and getting rid of bulky filing cabinets. Use the created space for an extra desk, then boost income by renting this out to a fellow business owner or freelancer. Your desk rental charges will easily cover any expense incurred in remote document storage. Make sure you’re not violating lease agreements before you put this solution into practice. Exploring alternatives or new ideas is part of the entrepreneur mindset. Adjusting and streamlining keeps you ahead of the competition and frees up creative energy for new ventures.
Related Articles -
storage, business storage, self storage,
| 
