The Orana team saw the global pandemic as an opportunity to slash our paper usage. Gone are the days of hanging around the printer, waiting for documents to emerge! We’ve switched to digital technology to lift our game, save money and help the environment
Some of the advantages at a glance:
- Lowered printing and paper costs by thousands of dollars a year
- Significantly reduced the time we spend on contracts and paperwork
- Stronger communication with clients and each other
- Happier clients and tenants
- Staff are more relaxed and less stressed
This article explores the operational, financial and ecological benefits of a paperless office for property managers. We also talk about the challenges we faced, and our tips on making a smooth transition!
If you’d rather hear about our experience, tune in to our podcast.
First, what’s the problem with paper in our workplaces?
Too many offices rely heavily on paper, most of which is thrown away.
This wastage comes with a massive price tag.
Research from PwC shows that companies with 1,000 workers spend over $3 million on paper management every year.
Those of us working in property management feel this pinch too.
It’s no secret that some real estate workplaces spend AT LEAST $80,000 per annum on stationary – money that could be saved during these tough economic times.
That’s not the worst of it though.
Poor paper management also slows us down and compromises workplace performance.
We all know how time-consuming (and overwhelming) it is to sort through piles of paper to find what
we need.
Consider this eye-opening statistic: the average office worker squanders around 30 to 40 per cent of their day searching for printed documents. This time could be better spent closing a deal or liaising with tenants!
A lot of energy is also wasted repeating tasks, chasing signatures and clearing up misunderstandings with clients.
But it’s not just the financial and operational strain that worries us.
What about the impact on the planet?
Before the global health pandemic, the average Aussie office worker used around 50 kilograms of paper each year. That translates to roughly 10,000 sheets of A4 paper per person.
Please don’t underestimate the ecological cost of producing virgin office paper. For a single tonne:
- 24 trees are chopped down
- 90,000 litres of water is used
- 1.6 tonnes of greenhouses gas emissions
