Optimizing Business Organization with Proper Filing

Julie Starr • June 29, 2021



Storing your documents correctly is important if you are to have an organized and efficient office space. This is why it is imperative to choose filing cabinets with care. What is right for someone else’s business may not be right for your company. You need to carefully consider what type of files you are going to be storing and how much space you have available, and this should lead you to the right type of cabinet for your needs. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Plan ahead 

Don’t just consider your needs now, but think about the future. After all, your filing needs may be more substantial in a year’s time, making it important to select a filing cabinet that offers room for expansion.

Type of cabinet 

One of the main decisions you need to make is whether to opt for a lateral file cabinet or a vertical file cabinet. The former is the wider of the two. Lateral filing cabinets are built for high-volume capacity. They have anything from two to five drawers, which can hold legal or letter-size documents. They can be placed in areas that vertical filing cabinets cannot, as they require less space for drawer expansion. If you have a narrow office or a hallway area, a lateral cabinet would be ideal. 

On the other hand, you may want to go with a vertical filing cabinet, which is the most popular option. They don’t use a lot of wall space, as they are taller than they are wide. They also hold legal and letter-size documents and have anything from two to five drawers. Such filing cabinets demand an office with a lot of walking space, however, their compactness makes them ideal for long-term storage.

Mobility

Are you intending to use a set of files a lot? Do they need to be moved around the office space ? If so, you may want to consider a mobile filing cart. They tend to be no wider than 15 inches, and no higher than 30 inches. They are handy and can be tucked under a desk or table when no one is using them.

Safeguarding your documents

When storing confidential files , it is important to take their protection into consideration. Search for filing cabinets that have a central locking feature, which means the same mechanism is used to secure all of the drawers so that one key is used for all. You may also want to think about a fireproof cabinet.

Safety features

Opting for a poor-quality cabinet can actually end up dangerous. Look for something that has an anti-tip feature, as this will stop more than one drawer in the filing cabinet from opening at the same time.

Material

Last but not least, the material that has been used to construct the filing cabinet is vital, as it has a direct link with quality, durability, and construction. Wood is good for small work offices and home offices when there is not a lot of use. However, steel is the preferred choice in bigger offices, as it can withstand a lot of use and is extremely durable.

Simple Steps To Make Your Office Space More Eco-Friendly

By Julie Starr • 07 Oct, 2024
Becoming more eco-friendly and running a greener business is a responsibility that business owners really need to think more about. The good news is that if you spend a lot of time in your office, there are plenty of ways to make it more eco-friendly without having to overhaul everything and start again (which isn’t just disruptive, but expensive too). So, if you’re ready to get started, here are some simple steps to make your office space more eco-friendly; read on to find out more. Use Energy-Efficient Lighting This idea is a simple one that you can do no matter what else might be on your list of tasks - it’s quick, easy, and really makes a difference; change your light bulbs to something more energy efficient. If you’re still using traditional fluorescent bulbs, it’s time to upgrade to LED which doesn’t just last longer, but also uses a lot less energy. They’re easy to install and they’ll help you cut down on your office’s energy usage almost instantly. If possible, you should make the most of natural light too, so think about rearranging your workspace to let in more sunlight, which saves energy and can boost your mood - it’s a win-win that you can do right away. Prioritize Air Quality The air you breathe matters, and keeping it clean can do wonders for your health and the planet. One way to improve air quality is by adding plants to your workspace because plants are natural air purifiers, and as a bonus, they’ll make your office feel more inviting. Another great idea is to make sure your office’s HVAC system is working efficiently, and having air duct cleaning done by professionals is an easy step you can take to improve air quality and ensure your heating and cooling systems aren’t wasting energy. Clean air ducts mean cleaner air, less strain on your system, and even lower energy bills, so it’s a simple but really effective thing to do. Switch To Reusable Products If your office is still stocking up on single-use plastic items, it’s time for a change - swap your disposable cups, utensils, and plates for reusable ones and you’ll be surprised at how much waste to eliminate. And what about encouraging people to bring their own mugs and water bottles to work? Give them tea, coffee, and water to refill everything with, and you’ll be doing your bit to help the planet and have less waste to deal with as well. And don’t stop with these things either - there are loads of reusable products that could be useful in your office. You could have refillable pens and ink cartridges for your printer, for example. Go Paperless Speaking of your printer, is that an office machine you actually need? If you were to go digital and aim for a paperless office , you might be able to do away with the printer, which means less money spent on ink and paper, and less energy used altogether. You should be able to set up a system where documents can be shared online and stored electronically, and there are plenty of tools around to help you do exactly that (and much more). If you don’t need to print something and you don’t need a physical copy of a document, don’t make one - just use the digital version instead and you’ll be a lot more eco-friendly.

3 Most Unsustainable Industries & What They're Doing To Be More Eco-Conscious

By Julie Starr • 04 Oct, 2024
Sustainability often gets pushed on the common person. Joe Public is told to be more sustainable with their daily habits as the government pushes for more eco-friendly measures. This is all well and good - but does it really matter when 71% of greenhouse gas emissions come from just 100 companies around the world? Small business owners are desperate to prove their sustainability, but what are bigger companies in some of the most polluting industries doing to help? We’ve taken three of the least sustainable sectors on the planet and explored the unique ways they’re trying to cut down on emissions and be more eco-friendly. Mining Any industry revolving around drilling underground will not be very environmentally friendly! Mining causes a lot of pollution, but its unsustainability often comes from the way it damages local environments and ecosystems. So, what is this industry doing to change things? It’s largely focusing on more responsible mining practices to reduce waste and mitigate the impact on local environments. This is done through mining dust suppression systems to prevent airborne pollution, reforesting mining sites when they’re no longer in use, and recycling as many materials as possible. Is it perfect? No, but it’s a step in the right direction. Fossil Fuels Shock horror; the fossil fuels industry is the most damaging to our environment. Finding ways to change the scope of this sector is the key to ensuring a better future for all. Some companies in this industry are trying to do this through carbon capture and storage. This is a technique where CO2 emissions are captured before they’re released into the atmosphere and stored underground. Realistically, the main thing fossil fuel companies should be doing is pushing for more renewable energy sources. Many are doing this - though reports suggest they’re not investing as much as they should. If fossil fuel companies dumped more money into developing biofuels and other renewable sources, pollution from this industry would drop dramatically. Fashion The most unbelievable stat to take from this post is that the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of our global carbon footprint . That’s remarkable (and worrying), considering how most of us don’t view it as a “dangerous” industry. Fast fashion is the main problem; poorly-made goods are pumped out at a rapid rate, and consumers constantly buy new things. Fashion companies are trying their best to resolve this. Most big brands will now have sustainable lines using recyclable materials. Consumers also hold the key to solving this problem: stop buying new clothes all the time and wear yours for longer. Or buy pre-owned clothes to slow down the fashion production line. Companies can still do more as well: they are trying to adopt more eco-friendly production processes that use less water and energy. The moral of this post is that everyone can do their bit to fight for a more sustainable future. Keep this in mind for your small business . It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in; there will always be ways to promote eco-friendly practices.
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