The Paperless Office Myth: Why Your Business Relies on Paper

At various points in recent history, leading brands and trail-blazing businesses have strived to create what has become known as ‘a paperless office.’ While this is a noble and ecologically aware move that should be applauded, it has almost always ended in failure as companies have been forced to compromise and create a business model that incorporates both paper and electronic documents. This is something to bear in mind when managing your own business, as minimising the consumption of paper is far more realistic than eliminating its use entirely.

The Paperless Office Myth: Why is it Unsustainable in an Age of Technological Advancement?

With the demand for paper rising and the global market having reached a high of 400 million tonnes in 2012, there is a pressing need for business owners to reduce their consumption. The question that remains is why creating a paperless office remains so difficult in an age of technological advancement? Consider the following answers: –

1. Official Documentation and the Variable Needs of Different Industries

Not every industry has been created equal, and each is likely to use paper for alternative documentation needs. It has been relatively easy to eradicate paper from sectors such as transportation, for example, with an estimated 80% of all London Underground journeys now undertaken without a paper ticket being issued. It is far harder to achieve this in industries such as construction or those that involve international shipping, however, as official documentation is generally required to create tenders or negate customs regulations. So while some documents can be shared electronically, others must be delivered in paper form if you are to comply with national law.

2. Business Efficiency Relies on Paper

While this is a point that environmentalists are loathe to accept it, paper remains the cornerstone of business efficiency and reliability. This is because technology remains slightly unreliable and susceptible to failure, and a paperless office could lose access to all files and data in the event of a serve or hardware malfunction. Without paper documents that serve as a back-up for all accumulated information, you could lose valuable time and significant amounts of revenue.

3. The Importance of Letters and Written Communication

Although emails may now account for the vast majority of written communication between businesses, there is still the occasional need for traditional letters and postal services. If you are a start-up venture that is looking to target and engage a carefully selected consumer demographic, for example, you may want to send out sample products along with a creatively worded and welcoming cover note. This remains an extremely effective marketing technique, and it requires you to utilise paper and partner with a reputable service provider such as TNT Express.