How to manage office supplies inventory

To manage an office supplies inventory you need to have eyes in the back of your head...and on the side; the top; and all around the office. It is rare that someone will come to you and say, "Hey there Office Supplies Order Agent. I have taken the last pad of highly sought-after graph paper and I wish for you to order more immediately so the next treasured co-worker of mine who is in need will have their needs met as well. Thank you so much!" The reality is that most offices and some homes abide by the rule of "Every man for himself." Here is my way of combating that bad habit of others.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Look over your office supplies storage and determine which items are used the most for your particular industry. Make a list of them.

2. Also, make a list of the items that would bring business, as you know it, to a screeching halt; such as printer paper, ink cartridges, toner, vellum and lead, correction tape, ...etc. (These items vary by industry, of course.)

3. In a locked storage drawer, keep a stashed supply of these valuable items. If it takes 2 weeks to get copier paper delivered, keep a 3 week supply in hiding at all times.

4. When someone comes to you to say, "There is no more correction tape in the cabinet. I can't function under these conditions!"...You can hand them one from your drawer and life, as they know it, is good again.

5. Proceed to list the item that you just handed them on your next "Office Supplies Order Form".

6. Also, each day look over the items on the lists that you made in step 1 and step 2 to see that you have enough of them to keep people productive, in spite of themselves.

Tips & Warnings

• I try to keep a sense of humor and pity the selfish.