We all know that a chain is only as strong as the weakest link. Far too often a church office tries to shave off a few dollars from it’s budget by buying cheaper items. What results is fractional monetary savings and a noticeable decline in the performance of the tool. Here are five items your church office shouldn’t cheap out on to maintain peak productivity.
1. Ink and Printer Toner
Printers and copiers are the unsung heroes of every church office. They are slaves to the demands that every ministry puts on them and they need to be top performs every day. Don’t be hooked by ink refill services, third-party manufactures and online discount websites claiming to save you money. These knockoffs can lead to your hardware not working or functional errors. Save your staff future headaches by buying only genuine inks and toner cartridges.
2. Pens, Markers and Highlighters
Yes, computers and tablets are taking over the world, but that doesn’t mean we have shelved physical instruments like ballpoint pens, whiteboard markers and colored highlighters These tools are vital for ministry and they need to be ready to work 24/7. Buy only quality supplies and they will always perform when you need them to.
3. Desk Chairs
Studies have shown that sitting in a chair all day is very unhealthy, so don’t multiple the problem by purchasing bargain bin office furniture. A chair should be comfortable, adjustable and be fitted for the individual that is using it. One size does not fit all when it comes to office chairs. An investment in high quality office furniture is an investment in the health of your staff and community.
4. Computer Hardware
Like the other items listed above, computers need to be ready to work when you are. The sticker price on a well-built machine might seem high when you purchase it, but remember that this device will be around for many years and will be used for thousands of hours. Buy the right computer the first time and save your time and money on future upgrades and repairs.
5. Coffee
I’m hugely unqualified to discuss this item, because I don’t drink coffee, but a large percentage of the word’s population does and that is why it has made my list. Coffee is the second largest legally traded commodity in the world (crude oil being number one) and it comes in varying levels of quality. People want to drink great coffee so why not provide it for them? One other suggestion is to buy coffee that is fair-trade. This will help ensure that the farmers and labourers harvesting your coffee beans will be compensated fairly for their work.
What are other items church offices shouldn’t cheap out on?