There’s more to retiring paper than just saving trees, especially when it comes to the business world. More and more companies nationwide are cutting paper out of the workplace and never looking back.
Here are just a few benefits of adopting a paperless mindset at your business:
U.S. Companies Going Paperless
When it comes to going paperless, a number of U.S. companies have already made the transition and for good reason. According to The Paperless Project, office workers waste up to four weeks each year just walking back and forth from the fax machine and copier to retrieve documents.
Saving time isn’t the only reason paperless offices are catching on across the country. The benefits are almost endless, which is why both Google and Facebook have gone completely paperless. Likewise, banking institutions like Bank of America and Wells Fargo are encouraging their customers to choose paperless statements.
If you haven’t noticed already, local utilities companies are also encouraging their customers to choose paperless statements.
So, how exactly can your business benefit from a paper-free environment?
Cost Savings
As the following article looks at, whether you choose to take 5 steps to a paperless life or you want to get rid of paper in the office cold turkey, the cost benefits alone will surely keep you paperless for the long haul. From paper and printing supplies to the printers and copying machines themselves, paper is a real budget killer.
By switching to digital files and online document sharing, your business can save money and time. As an added benefit, there’s a good chance your business already has the equipment necessary to make the paperless change – as in computers and an internet connection.
File Sharing Efficiency
Copiers, printers, and those dusty fax machines are quickly being replaced by PDFs and emails.
That’s right, if you’re looking to share documents within your company or with outside parties, paperless file sharing is by far more efficient than paper documents.
You can share files via email, a closed network, the cloud, or via mobile devices. Not only that; whether you need to send a contract that requires a signature or a 400-page report, going the digital route is instantaneous and requires, you guessed it, absolutely no paper!
Disaster Recovery
Disasters can happen at any time in an office environment. Whether it’s something as serious as a break in or something as common as a lost document, it’s nice to know your business has something to fall back on.
With paper files, once they’re gone, they’re gone. However, online documents can be password protected and backed up beyond the point of redundancy. This means whether there’s a natural disaster or a lost document, there’s always a way to recover.
Eco-Friendly Business Practice
It’s more important than ever to promote environmentally friendly practices in the workplace. By going paperless and encouraging your customers to do the same, you are helping to reduce waste and carbon emissions that result from paper production. Your paperless business will benefit not just your budget, but the planet as well.
If your business has the paper blues, turn things around by going green and going paperless.
About the Author: Adam Groff is a freelance writer and creator of content. He writes on a variety of topics including small business and the environment.
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