Auditel Consultant:
Denis & Rhys Brennan

Could you save real money on your stationery costs?

06 Feb 2010 | Filed under: Cost Management

In my dealings with prospective and actual clients, many people express concern about their energy bills. “Can you do something about my electricity and gas prices?” Well of course, we can and do, not only reducing tariffs but analysing usage, advising on correct pricing profiles etc… However, many businesses seem to be unaware of other areas of overhead expenditure where the same rigorous approach to analysing bills allied with systematic and detailed tendering can reap big rewards.

Take as an often overlooked example the cost of office consumables and stationery. I have recently been analysing an accountancy practice’s expenditure. This is a reasonably-sized but not particularly large practice and I was able to save the client over 25% on their electricity and gas prices. However, when we tendered for their consumables and stationery supply, the savings percentage of almost 50% produced an almost identical cash saving.

The moral of the story? Well, there are numerous opportunities to reduce your overheads in business; you just need to have the time and experience to focus on identifying and then exploiting these opportunities. Most small to medium-sized businesses simply cannot apply this focus, through lack of time and resource. In the example I’ve quoted, the percentage saving was so great simply because over time, the focus on stationery costs was lacking and for understandable reasons. If you need staples, paper or pens, well you just have to order them. That’s why a business should consider outsourcing to the experts who can devote time and expertise to these overlooked areas. If you would like us to help your business focus on getting costs under control call 01554 770816 or email Auditel now.