By Peggy Jo Goodfellow, Arizona Farm Bureau: It can be a huge undertaking to set up an office.You’ll most likely have to find the right location, design your workspace, choose whether to lease or buy a premise, and ensure you have all the office furniture, storage and supplies you’ll need.

Don't forget computer keyboard and mouse. And, do you want a cordless mouse and keyboard? All considerations and questions when setting up a new office. 

Whether you are equipping your first office or sprucing up and re-stocking your current one, the following checklist will help you determine and track which technology, furniture and supplies you need to help your business run more smoothly

Office Furniture and Equipment                          

  • Desk 
  • Comfortable chair
  • File cabinets
  • Client seating
  • Fire-proof safe
  • Desktop and pocket calculators
  • Bookcases
  • Worktable(s)
  • Wall whiteboard and markers
  • Paper shredder
  • Photocopier
  • Wastebasket
  • Fax Machine
  • Alarm system
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First-aid kit
  • Telephone                                                      

General Office Supplies

  • Business cards
  • Envelopes
  • Stationery
  • Post-it Notes
  • Imprinted advertising specialties
  • Postage stamps
  • Printer cartridges
  • CD and disks
  • Pencils and pens
  • Xerox paper
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Notepads
  • File folders
  • Stapler
  • Scissors

Computer Hardware and Accessories

  • Desktop computer and monitor
  • Keyboard and mouse
  • Printer
  • Modem
  • Scanner
  • Digital camera
  • Projector

Computer Software

  • Word processing software
  • Virus protection software
  • Accounting software
  • Desktop publishing software
  • Contact management software
  • Website building and maintenance software
  • Payment processing software
  • E-commerce software
  • Inventory management software

Farm Bureau members are fortunate to have Office Depot/Office Max as a member benefit provider. Members can save up to 60% at Office Depot/Office Max on all office essentials, at www.azfb.org, login and then click on Member Benefits.

 Editor’s note: For more information on our member benefits including our regional benefits go to Arizona Farm Bureau’s member benefits page online. Or, download the Member Benefits app to your smart phone for easy, everyday access to your benefits.