Our company recently did some downsizing and one of the positions that got cut was our office manager. That has left me doing the ordering, looking for replacement toner cartridges, bulk paper, card stock, etc. I did not know what I was getting myself into.
Honestly I guess I did not know what our office manager did before she left. I knew she handled the logistics but I always assumed that was a pretty minor thing. I am never happy to see someone laid off, but since our company, like everyone else, is experiencing tough times in the economic downturn, I felt it must have been a call to get rid of some not-so-essential positions. Maybe it was, but I am no longer sure hers was one of them!
Take the toner cartridges for example. I have access to all her old files so I know where she ordered from before, but she seemed to shop around a lot. I had no idea that cartridges came in so many types. We usually do not order from the company that made our copiers and printers, we usually order compatible cartridges that are cheaper. But knowing which ones to get can be tough. And if I spend more on them than she did, it is not going to look good for my own career future!
At first I spent hours shopping for this stuff, but I am starting to get the hang of it. I still hope we will have the budget to add an office manager again soon, but at least I do not feel so lost anymore!
-bt