Spring is drawing closer, which means people everywhere are beginning to dust, soak, scrub and sweep various parts of their homes. But spring cleaning isn’t just an at-home necessity. It’s also a great time to take a look at different aspects of your business and do some reorganizing, decluttering and updating. In my experience, taking the time to upgrade and adjust parts of a business at least once a year can help improve its efficiency and overall success. Here are some “spring cleaning” tasks you should do at the office:
Update social media
Your online presence is more important than ever – it’s an extension of your brand that’s likely the first aspect of your business any new customer or client will come into contact with. Update your social media profiles, including changing the pictures, improving the descriptions or business summaries, and overhauling your friends or connections lists. Remove any spam accounts or inactive users and start connecting with some more businesses along with current and potential clients. Once your social media profiles are updated, make sure your website links back to them.
Declutter customer lists
Whether you use Constant Contact or an old-school spreadsheet to keep track of customers and their contact information, it’s time to update that list. Delete any recurring names or email addresses and do your best to add email, home or business addresses for any clients who are lacking that information currently. When it comes time to send out your next round of business thank you cards or holiday cards, you’ll be glad you have all the information you need.
Stock up
Do an inventory of your office and kitchen supplies, and start stocking up on whatever you need more of. If you need to, update your inventory and ordering procedures to cut costs and buy only what you need. Order anything you’re low on, from legal pads and pens to personalized stationery.
Replace equipment
Do you still have computers or a microwave from the 1990s when you first opened your business? If you have any equipment that’s woefully out of date, it’s time for an upgrade. You may be surprised at how excited your team gets about new and improved gadgets.
Check in with employees
Speaking of employees, how long has it been since you sent around a survey or checked in with your teams about how everything is running? Take some time to gather information from them about what’s working and what isn’t. Then, make sure you implement new strategies for improving whatever people aren’t liking. I’ve found that there’s nothing worse for office morale than not taking action after people voice concerns or issues.
Clean off your desk
Finally, do a little bit of actual cleaning and organizing in your personal office. Go through your computer’s desktop and emails and declutter. Then, clean out your physical desk and drawers. Make sure everything’s filed, tidied and cleaned, from your stock of business cards to your expense receipts. You’ll likely find your newly organized office refreshing and easier to work in.