Organize Your Office Supply Cabinet
Wed, Oct 17, 2007
Does she mean this one?
OK, now that I’ve posted the picture, I need to use Maria’s article to clean it up!
I CAN tell you the number one strategy of my own that I will be using is going to be to get rid of a ton of stuff - namely old magazines, there are piles of them in them there hills.
This really is not strictly a supplies closet, there are lots of other things too, as you can probably tell.
It’s Wednesday, I am going to challenge myself to work on it over the weekend and post another picture on Monday. I can rebuild it!
My reward, I will certainly need one, will be to give myself permission to mercilessly hound my husband to put the sliding doors on it that I’ve been asking for for about 4 years now!
ORGANIZE YOUR OFFICE SUPPLY CABINET - by Maria Gracia
Are you tired of that overflowing, overstuffed Office Supply Cabinet?
You know, the tall, 3-shelf one that you’re literally scared to open.
It’s bulging with pens, labels, disks, binders, post-it notes, paper pads, paper clips and more. It’s so full that you don’t even know what’s in there. You can’t find what you need when you need it, which causes your blood to boil in frustration. Plus, you’re constantly running out of supplies because there’s no system to let you know when you’re running low.
Get it organized and eliminate the stress. Here’s a simple, 7 step system
- TOO MANY COOKS SPOIL THE POT. The first thing I’d suggest is that 1 person be in charge of the supplies, whether taking supplies out, or putting supplies back in. This person is either going to be you, or someone you delegate this responsibility to.
- DIVIDE AND CONQUER. One of the reasons that it’s so difficult to find things is because everything is just stacked, one item on top of another and one item in front of another. Try dividing supplies, especially the smaller ones, into labeled organizing containers.Covered, plastic Rubbermaid containers work well here, especially the ones you could see through. They stack nicely on top of each other, without toppling. Make sure each container is labeled; not on top — in front so you can immediately identify the contents.
- EMPTY IT OUT. In order to truly organize that cabinet, it’s going to have to be emptied out completely.
- PLAN AND DESIGNATE. If you have an even mix of supplies, you might consider designating each shelf a different category:
- Shelf A: Computer Supplies (disks, disk holders)
- Shelf B: Desk Supplies (paper clips, pens, labels)
- Shelf C: Large Pads of Paper, 3 Ring Binders and Larger Items
- TAKE AN INVENTORY. As you’re putting the supplies back into the cabinet, make a running list of everything inside (do this on your computer, alphabetically within each section A, B, and C.) Also list how many of each item you currently have while you’re at it. For instance:
- Shelf A
Disks (3.5 HD) - 10
Disk Mailers - 50
Toner Cartridges - 4 - Shelf B
Pens - 20 boxes
Pencils - 25 boxes
Paper Clips - 15 boxes
Scotch Tape - 18 rolls - Shelf C
Binders (1 inch) - 12
Binders (1 1/2 inch) -14
Binders (2 inch) - 9
When you’re done making your list, you should have a pretty good idea of what’s inside and where.
- Shelf A
- GIVING OUT SUPPLIES. When somebody needs supplies, they should ask you for them. You can give them what they need, while adjusting how many are now left on the list. (Example: If there were 12 - 1 inch binders and someone just took 5, then there are 7 left.) Indicate this on your list. (By the way, if you’re using the computer for this list, it will be easier to update.)
- KEEPING TRACK. Once you notice that a particular office supply is running low, you can simply re-order, without having to take a physical inventory of the cabinet.
by Maria Gracia - Get Organized Now!
Want to get organized? Get your FREE Get Organized Now! Idea-Pak, filled with tips and ideas to help you organize your home, your office and your life, at the Get Organized Now! Web site
http://www.getorganizednow.com
October 29th, 2007 at 11:55 am
I read an article earlier which discussed some new evidence to show that younger employees had no qualms about taking office supplies home for their personal use! Having someone in charge and recording what gets taken and by whom would help control this situation. Good post!
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:19 pm
As the old saying goes, a tidy office is a clean mind…if an office is more organised, stationary is easier to find and the filling can be colated correctly.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:34 am
I have bookmarked this article. I always appreciate another good set of tips. Have a wonderful day and happy blogging.
August 20th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Great article, but Jossi Campbell:
As a “younger” employee, I’ve found that constantly feeling like you’re being accused of theft is both disempowering and morale-debilitating. I understand that some employee will (and do) take certain liberties, but I don’t think you can necessarily make generational divisions like that.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Hi Younger One, I agree that people of any age can be guilty. I once worked in a restaurant where a mother and son where working as cooks. The mother was fired for stealing a huge amount of food from the inventory.
My son recently was hassled as a customer by an employee at a large chain store when he was shopping for a woofer for his radio in his truck.
The guy accused him of not having any money (even said, ok if you do, show me - can you imagine?) because, I’m assuming, he was in with a few of his friends. He doesn’t look like a bum, there is no reason other than his age. My son has a job and was legitimately looking, he’s been on ebay for ages scoping out pricing etc, if thier price was better, he would have bought. If I had been there, I would have gone to the manager for that one.
And you can bet it never would have happened to an adult.
My daughter also was hassled by a store clerk for lingering in the make up department. She was waiting for me and of course, being about 13 at the time, was interested in that section. While I know it is targeting for shoplifting, the attitude was not necessary. She refused to go in a store alone for a long time after that.
And I could go on, I’ve witnessed ‘attitude’ against kids at schools for no other reason than that the adult’s in charge can get away with it. It is a topic that really gets my goat. (not to say that there aren’t some amazing teachers, btw. I thank god for them!)
As you have mentioned, nothing will kill a young spirit faster than being accused on the basis of age only, and does nothing but foster the very attitude that may not have existed before.
I do agree that having someone in charge may reduce theft by anyone on staff.
As for the study, I can’t say if it’s accurate or not, my view on most studies is that you can always find one to discount the first if you try.
I think the best policy is to always use your own judgement.
There’s a lot of good stuff inside of the young people of today, and a lot more if it is encouraged without letting a few bad apples spoil the bunch.