Analysis paralysis" in the office supplies market

Citation

(2001), "Analysis paralysis" in the office supplies market", Facilities, Vol. 19 No. 10. https://doi.org/10.1108/f.2001.06919jab.001

"Analysis paralysis" in the office supplies market

"Analysis paralysis" in the office supplies marketKeywords: Office supplies, Business productivity, Costs

Office products need to be viewed as productivity catalysts not overhead costs when undertaking cost reduction analysis.

OfficeSMART has launched an attack on the traditional view of the office supplies sector. In a recent US presentation, Peter Frost, CEO, OfficeSMART, argued that office products should no longer be viewed as an overhead cost to business but as an investment in improving productivity.

Peter Frost, CEO, OfficeSMART, stated:

Over the last 20 years the landscape of the British workplace has changed irrevocably. Where the blue-collar worker once made up the majority, the white-collar now reigns supreme. As offices have become the focus for work, office supplies catalogues have adapted to reflect this. The market leading business supplies catalogues today cover everything from computer consumables and furniture to business gifts and catering supplies alongside the traditional stationery products. Office products or "business supplies" as they are now widely defined, should no longer be viewed as overhead costs but performance-enhancing, productivity catalysts.

To continue to flourish, office product suppliers need to focus on this concept, and reinforce the message that effective work tools improve productivity and enable workers to focus on their mainstream activity. Performance-enhancing products typically include high-impact presentation tools; ergonomic accessories to improve comfort and safety, environmental solutions to enable networking within workplaces and data storage solutions.

In addition to the physical elements, the responsive local office-product supplier has specialist knowledge and will provide a personalised service to help the customer make the most of their environment and staff. The office supplies industry is no longer just about pens and paperclips.

With productivity and performance in mind, tightening the purse strings should avoid slashing of the office supplies budget. Removing vital performance-enhancing tools can reduce productivity levels and, in the long term, negatively effect income. Cost-reduction consultants have great difficulty measuring these tailored service solutions. When employing such companies to analyse expenditure it is worth checking that local, flexible service providers are included in the benchmarking exercise.

Peter Frost continues: "It is important not to succumb to a state of analysis paralysis when looking at ways to reduce costs. True cost reduction should take into account peoples time and the positive effect the service provider has on the company's productivity and performance."

As we jump over one technological hurdle after another, shopping on-line is becoming a realistic option. New and diverse competitors are springing up and "survival of the fittest" dictates that there have to be some losers. The best office products suppliers, the survivors, will meet the challenges head on, building business with specialist knowledge and personalised service.

For further information please contact: Emily Taylor/Janet Aikman, Spreckley Partners Ltd. Tel: +44 (0) 20 7388 9988.