There are many different tools and reoccurs on hand for business owners to help them develop and grow their ventures and support operations on a daily basis. From IT to software, AI tools, staff members, and more, you have a variety of options at your fingertips.
One often overlooked aspect and resource is the use of self-storage containers to help improve business functions and efficiency. Far from being a place to store belongings spilling out of an overfilled home, to use when you are moving home or renovating, or simply because you can’t store large items in a smaller property, the humble storage unit has multiple benefits for business owners as well a residential purposes. In fact, it can relieve you from the burden of storage, allowing you to focus on your business operations with a lighter mind.
Every business, from small startups to established enterprises, is unique, and every business owner will face challenges. Increased storage is always a huge concern, regardless of the work you do. An off-site solution like a self-storage unit has been a popular choice for many businesses over the years. For instance, a retail business might use a storage unit to store excess inventory, a manufacturing company might use it for equipment storage, and a service industry business might use it for document archiving. These are just a few examples of how the flexibility and security of self-storage make it a viable option for a wide range of businesses.
But before we discuss the benefits of self-storage for business owners, let’s examine how to determine the correct type of storage facility for your needs and what needs to be stored.
This process involves assessing your storage needs, considering the location and accessibility of the facility, and evaluating the security measures in place.
- Occasional or seasonal items – if you only require the use of certain equipment or products during seasonal periods throughout the year, then these are ideal candidates for storage units. For instance, holiday decorations, seasonal inventory, or equipment used for specific projects can be stored in a self-storage unit, freeing up space in your business premises.
- Frequency of use – you need to factor in how often you will need access to the unit to understand what you need from your recorder. There might be time or free restrictions for accessing the unit, meaning it might not always be accessible when you need it. Talk to the provider about your access to ensure it meets your needs.
- Fragile Items – if you have sensitive or fragile items, they might fare better in a storage unit. This will provide more protection and give you peace of mind that everything is safe and secure.
- Distance – the distance from your unit to the unit should play a huge factor in deciding what you add to the unit and, indeed, the company you use. While one further away might have lower rental costs, if it’s not easily reachable and requires you to travel a fair distance, is the payoff worth it?
Key Takeaways
Self-storage units offer:
- Improved efficiency
- Increased flexibility
- Lower overheads and cost-effective
- Storage units are a valuable asset for business owners
Cost-Effective Storage Solution
If you want to avoid paying high rental costs for a business location or you do not want to expand just yet a storage unit can be the perfect cost-effective compromise. While there might be limits on actually running your business from the unit itself, there is nothing stopping you from storing equipment, products, supplies, etc, in the unit and accessing them as and when you need them.
If you have equipment you don’t use on a daily basis, or you need to free up room in a workspace or office, consider using a storage unit to give you more space.
Flexible
Storage units are completely flexible in various ways. For the most part, you can visit as frequently as you need to as per the rules of the facility you’re using. They are flexible in size and capacity, meaning you only pay for and use what you need; no renting out large units you won’t fill or being forced to rent out two smaller units; you simply discuss your requirements with the storage company, sign a rental agreement, and pay the agreed-upon fees to uncover the right storage options for you.
When choosing a storage company, it’s important to consider its reputation, security measures, and customer service. You might find there are different types of storage units for you to use, including warehouse space and even offices, as well as secure units.
Increased Security
If you are concerned about theft, break-ins, or a lack of security at your home for a home-based business or your location, then choosing to utilize a storage unit can give you added peace of mind. The increased security measures such as CCTV or security guards as well a locked containers not only protect your assets but also instill a sense of confidence for your business operations.
Increased Productivity
While it’s not an obvious benefit like some of the others in this post, increased productivity is a significant benefit of using a storage unit for your business. The reason is you have somewhere separate to remove any office or workshop clutter, meaning people have more space to move around and organize what is left over. This extra space and increased organization mean people can get on with their work properly and find what they need immediately.
Having an inventory on hand of what is in storage that can be accessed means they can give you prior notice of requiring something, enabling it to be brought back for usage. This streamlined process can significantly increase productivity and efficiency in your business operations.
Reduced Loss Or Damage
We touched upon this earlier. However, when things are stored safely and correctly in storage, they are not accessed or moved around by people simply needing to complete their job role. This means you’re likely to experience less damage both in your workplace and to the contents of the unit too.
When discussing loss, it is easy to see how things can easily become lost or misplaced in a cluttered environment. Removing the stuff you hold and creating a comprehensive inventory will enable you to see exactly what you have and where it is and create a more efficient storage system to reduce loss. This, in turn, along with fewer damages, reduces overheads, too.
Competitive Pricing For Retailers
If you are a retailer, one of the most apparent benefits is that you have the space to buy products from suppliers in bulk and have space to store them. This space and dedicated storage area can unlock lower proxies you can then pass on to your customers.
Sure, you have to factor in the cost of the unit rental; however, if you can obtain discounts for bulk purchases, you can make your pricing more competitive, which can work well for you in terms of offering better discounts, lower prices, and repaying customer loyalty.
Seasonal Support
Depending on the industry you are in, you might find that you have busier seasons at certain points throughout the year. Whether it is a holiday season for retailers, a new school year for clothing suppliers, or the start of the football season for sports companies, you can easily accommodate the extra resources and supplies you might need to prepare for this time and have everything you need ahead of time.
The adaptiveness of a storage unit can allow you to put effective measures in place to combat busier periods without falling behind and give you the head start you need without scrambling or falling behind.
Specialized Storage
Do you need to store something fragile? Do you require a temperature-controlled unit? Do you have heavy machinery or oversized goods you need to house easily? It’s no problem for storage units.
All you need to do is tell the company what you need to store, and they can assist you in finding the perfect unit for your needs. The more exact you are about what you plan to use the space for, the easier it will be to find the right options to ensure your belongings get the specialized space they need.
Improved Reputation
While you are not likely to tell your customers that you use a self-storage unit and expect a pat on the back, using self-storage can improve your business reputation.
The reason is that the extra space allows you to increase organization, efficiency, and productivity, which will instantly improve output, meaning you are better placed to hit targets, take on more work, and deliver better standards across the board.
There we go, and there are many benefits of using a self-storage unit for business owners. This post demonstrates the effectiveness of this valuable resource in relation to operating a fully functioning and thriving business, and the benefits include increased flexibility, increased storage options, improved safety, and loss control, to name a few.
Essentially, the humble storage unit should be used as an essential resource, and when factored into operations correctly, it will improve what you do every day.
Thanks for stopping by!
Magda
xoxo