Office essentials or general office supplies are consumable goods employed daily by organizations. These supplies include business cards, notebooks, pens, ID cards, paper, and letterheads. Irrespective of the size of the company, office supplies are imperative for the efficient, productive, and smooth running of the business. However, the use of these general office supplies can vary depending on the need for individual projects and business purposes.
Importance of general office supplies
Office supplies help add credibility to the business. Therefore, there are various reasons why these supplies are considered vital in the working of an organization. Some of these reasons are:
Representing the company’s positive image
Usually, general office supplies are tangible and represent an organization’s identity. Furthermore, they even aid in the representation of the company’s professional image in a positive light. In most cases, companies leverage the potential of such office supplies by personalizing them according to the company’s identity. This can include the company’s logo and name.
Professionalism
If a company invests in quality office supplies, it can help exude professionalism. Moreover, this helps the company and its employees create a long-lasting impression on the clients. These general office supplies aid in boosting the company’s productivity and efficiency by playing an important role in business correspondence.
Creating brand awareness
Most companies personalize their general office supplies with brand logos to help market their brand. Products like brochures, reports, business cards, and documents are some personalized office supplies that aid in creating and raising awareness about the company and its products and services.
Improve organizing skills
Employees can organize their work with the help of office supplies. A simple notepad and a pen can help them note down important tasks and plans for execution on a daily basis.
List of general office supplies essentials
In most cases, the office supplies chosen by an organization can vary according to their needs. However, some supplies are essential for every organization. Some of these supplies are:
- Calendars
- Pens
- Folders
- Pencils
- Planners
- Post it notes
- Laptops
- Computers
- Wireless router
- Shredders
- Scanners
- Printers
- Surge protectors
- Desks
- Rolling chairs
- Meeting tables
- Filing cabinets
- Shelves
- Bins
- Envelopes
After careful consideration, one can easily create a checklist of the essential office supplies mentioned above. Furthermore, one can also find office furniture in different styles, such as traditional, modern, classic, and transitional. However, one must choose these pieces of furniture according to specific preferences, needs, and budgets. Office furniture can provide comfort for employees while improving their efficiency at work. Businesses can also opt for rental furniture if required.
Best companies to buy general office supplies and equipment
Various companies sell work essentials and cater to the needs of different organizations. Some of the best companies to buy general office supplies are:
Staples
This retail company boasts 35 years of experience in the industry and is hailed as one of the global leaders in providing office supplies. Be it a small or large organization, one can opt for a wide range of office supplies such as cleaning products, office stationery, and even furniture. Staples offers over 20,000 products to its customers. Furthermore, it even provides tailored purchasing programs and customized pricing through the StaplesAdvantage platform. Check out their official website for more detailed information on their offerings.
Pacific Office Automation
This privately owned organization offers a myriad of essential office supplies, such as printers, paper cutters, interactive whiteboards, and digital projectors. In addition, this company also provides a range of office solutions like phone services, carrier services, data security, and even software solutions to improve work efficiency and keep data secure.
Aurora Corp of America
This former calculator distributor now offers its customers a range of general office supplies, including laminators, paper shredders, paper cutters, and filing cabinets. In addition to their one-day turnaround offer fulfillment services, they possess a wide distribution network encompassing national retailers, electronic chain stores, and office superstores.
According to the size, needs, and budgets of the company, one can choose to either buy office supplies or rent them. The average costs for office supplies can range from $50 to $100 per month per employee. So, businesses can also opt for rentals via different companies to find bulk office supplies like printers, copiers, and scanners at budget-friendly prices.
