How to Enjoy Some Paper and Still Be Paperless

Unbelievable, You Can Have Paper and Still Be Paperless!

Ever look at the piles of papers on your desk and think “Why can’t we go paperless and get rid of all of this?” 

When people use the term “paperless” typically, they are misusing it. The common presumption is paperless means paper-free, when in fact it’s not the case. Let’s start by outlining these two concepts. Both refer to how much paper is in and around the office. “Paper-free” means there is NO paper in the office – none, zip, zilch! Everything is digital, everything is online, and nothing gets printed. AND… this is an unrealistic goal.

“Paperless” is much more realistic and achievable concept. When people talk about a paperless office, most often they are thinking paper-free. In reality paperless means less paper! Much like stainless Steel can sometimes get stained, a paperless office can still use paper. In a paperless office, you can use some paper, but keep the information in a digital space.
The misconception about what paperless means has been around for years. People are uncomfortable with taking away their ability to HAVE paper, let alone print anything. Taking away all the paper is not the objective. The objective is being able to rely less on paper and letting the information drive business process.

It’s OK to print – sometimes

If you’re planning on printing something, then do so. Want to take some notes on a piece of paper during a meeting, go ahead. It’s a well-known fact, you are more likely to remember something if you write it down. After the meeting is over and you finished writing all your notes, scan and recycle the paper. Once your document is in a digital file and in a document management system, keeping the hard copy makes little sense. Presto – the outcome of this practice is paperless.

Doing this will not only organize your digital life, but also tidy up your desk. Keeping your documents, and especially your copies and versions, digitally is a simple way to keep multiple copies of something and not have a pile of paper on your desk that’s unrecognizable after six months.

Paperless advantages

There are many advantages to this in the professional world. If someone is looking for a file you were working on, you can send it to them electronically. They don’t have to come to your desk to get it. Productivity sores when the document shows up in their inbox because you were able to locate and send it efficiently.

If you are looking for a way to reduce the amount of paper and clutter you have in your life, going paperless is the best way to go. A digital information system means you can keep your information organized in a simple and easy way. For most, the main problem of “going paperless” is trusting their files in a digital space they can’t see or feel. Younger generations have less of an issue with this problem, because they grew up in a digital word. For the rest who are clinging onto the analog concept of paper, eBizDocs can help establish logical and methodical methods for you to easily file and find all documents and the information you need.

Take the next step by starting a fact finding, no obligation, conversation with eBizDocs about your goals and objectives.