If you work in an office environment, you will no doubt be well aware of just how time-consuming certain administrative tasks can be. You may have spent several hours manually scanning technical books so that everyone has access to these on the company system. Or you might regularly have to set aside time to package and label parcels and letters for mailing to customers and potential clients. To help you streamline your administrative processes, here are four techniques that help make admin tasks easier for your office.
- All-in-one printer
An all-in-one printer, such as the internationally renowned Xerox machine, is an essential piece of multitasking equipment for your office: rather than buying separate printers, scanners, and photocopiers, these tasks are amalgamated into a single machine. Many all-in-one printers even offer a faxing service if this is a form of communication your business still uses. These pieces of equipment are specifically designed to cope with the heavy loads expected of them by businesses, so you can rest assured that your all-in-one printer will not easily break down. However, it is advisable that you train your staff in how to use them properly so that they are used to their fullest advantage to maximize office efficiency.
- Label printer and applicator
Your office might require you to package and label a lot of packages to be sent out to customers, which can easily become an arduous and time-consuming task that takes you away from other roles. A label printer and applicator system, as leased by Diagraph, can help to speed up and streamline this process. This is because you can print exactly the right number of labels, complete with the necessary information, and then apply the labels directly to the packaging, streamlining a drawn-out labeling process.
- Delegate effectively
Administrative tasks can be made easier and more efficient by being delegated effectively. For instance, if you have a member of staff who has a particular skillset that means that the task in question would be completed quickly and correctly, you should assign that task to them. Someone who is trained and experienced in touch typing, for instance, would be able to quickly and efficiently type up documents. Furthermore, you should consider the seniority and particular job descriptions of members of staff when delegating. You might find that certain people are going above and beyond in order to make up for those who are not pulling their weight in the workplace, so ensure that you are aware of this and delegate tasks accordingly to avoid staff burnout.
- Use macros
If your administrative tasks involve carrying out the same function repeatedly, you could set up a macro on software like Microsoft Word and Excel so that you have a shortcut for carrying out a particular function. This allows repetitive tasks to be automated with high speed and reliability, boosting the efficiency of your admin tasks which can make your business more productive.