Frugal at the workplace?
Posted by oxymoron33 on February 7, 2008
Something came up yesterday at the office that was absolutely stunning to me. We hired a new employee. That brings us up to three in the office. Small business, yes indeedy. My boss, the owner, said “I think we should get rid of your computer monitor and replace it with a flat screen”. The new employee who now shares this computer recommended this “update”.
I was asked my opinion. I responded with; “I can see everything clearly on the screen. What is the problem?” My boss said “It is outdated and a flat panel would look nicer.” We are not in an industry where a customer would walk in and see our “antiquated” fifteen inch monitor and decide not to do business with us. This new, and young, employee wanted a “fresh looking” monitor. Heck, no customers see what is on this desk.
I heard both the owners side: “We have the money available for it” and the new guys side: “Why wouldn’t you want a flat panel monitor?” Then it was time for my side.
1) If it is not broken, do not fix it.
2) Put that money into new products that I can/will sell.
3) How does replacing something that does not need replacing profit the company?
It made me reflect on how frugal I am in the workplace, even more so than I am at home. Mind you, I have never worked for Fortune 500/multinational companies. It has almost always been family owned businesses. I have always believe that if the company profits so shall I. For the most part that has worked for me.
Some frugal workplace things that I do:
1) If I err and misprint something and it does not take up too much space on a page, I put that page in the fax machine. It saves on paper.
2) I monitor the temperature in our building like it is my own.
3) I use the backside of inbound spam faxes to jot down notes and such.
4) I use open source software.
5) I wash plastic utensils.
6) I repair our printers and fax machines. I am a bit of a geek and find this easy. I do not recommend this to everyone but it is a cost savings.
I spent time with a customer yesterday looking through his disheveled inventory to help him find a part that I would have and could have supplied to him. But I knew he had it already. He said to me “I would not have spent that time like you did, I would have just ordered it from you.” I lost a sale, but earned trust. There is NO price on trust, and to me that is the better sale.
WHY do we not look at our employer’s money as our own? Because it is! If you can save money at the workplace and it is noticed, eventually it will come back to you.
joetaxpayerblog said
Be careful. If I were a manager and paid someone say, $30/hr, I’d think $0.50/minute. If you are at the sink washing five cent plastic spoons on my time, I’d tell you to throw them out. I once witnessed someone spend an hour to salvage what was probably $5 worth of paper, removing the staples and planning to use the blank side. Certainly ‘green’, but not productive.
JOE
Mrs. Micah said
I think your side makes plenty of sense if no customers see it. Plus as a small business it’s always best not to spend what you don’t have to.
About the thermostat, make sure you don’t turn it down to unbearable levels. Some people can handle 64 degrees in their home and thus do so, but it makes coworkers miserable. As for me, I was always cold in my old office because the ductwork was bad and I wasn’t getting the warm air. But I also didn’t turn up the thermostat because my boss was always toasty.
oxymoron33 said
Joe, I see I really left the procedure out concerning the plastic-ware. I do not do them at the office, I bring them home and toss them in my dishwasher. I too have seen a stapler incident and that is a bit extreme. I should have been more clear-cut in my post.
There is a definite line between frugality and wastefulness. Each needs to be looked at in terms of production values.
Thanks for the input!
oxymoron33 said
Mrs Micah I am the “toasty” one in the building. Is 54ยบ too cold? That’s what I keep our warehouse at when I am back there. LOL.
Thank you very much for reading and dropping a comment.