A few decades ago when computers were in their infancy, IBM hailed the beginning of the ‘paperless office’. Fast-forward to 2015 and, despite the huge technological advances that have taken place, this marketing slogan is yet to materialise in physical office spaces in Brisbane or beyond. There is, however, a trend toward reduction and, as strong believers in greener office spaces, Corporate House hope to encourage the trend. Over the next few blogs, we will explain some of the benefits and limitations of a ‘paperless office’ and how to go about reducing your own environmental impact.
Benefits
The obvious benefit of going paperless in your office space in Brisbane or the Gold Coast is green in nature. Vast swathes of forest are cut down every year to supply offices around the world with paper and much of it is used needlessly. Environmental concerns, however, are now not only at the forefront of our minds at an individual and collective level, but also part of many marketing strategies.
Paperless also equals less overheads and a better image for your company. The reams of paper being pushed through printers on a daily basis add up in a financial sense and although many people in corporate offices in Brisbane and beyond still have an ‘I’m just one person, I can’t make a difference’ mindset, a whole office can certainly make a difference. Many consumers these days also have strong eco-friendly beliefs and will seek out businesses with similar values. In becoming paperless and ‘greener’, your business might start to look more attractive to potential clients.
Less readily recognised benefits of going paperless are the physical space saved and the increased opportunity to work remotely. Filing cabinets are a bulky and not entirely reliable archival method. Some businesses literally have rooms full of archive boxes that, in this day and age, could and should be stored digitally. A company could potentially take up a smaller office space in Brisbane or the Gold Coast if they transferred these documents. At the very least they could save money on unnecessary storage rooms.
Working completely digitally also increases the possibility of moving from a traditional office altogether. Many businesses are choosing to work remotely and ridding themselves of the office paper trail helps facilitate this relocation. The work that once required bulky computers, printers and a static environment can now be completed from a laptop, tablet or phone while on the move. Remote businesses generally take up a virtual office in Brisbane or beyond to retain professional facilities, an office address and reception services.