Inventory: When doing inventory, whether it be monthly or annually, make sure it makes sense, simplify the process as much as is possible for everyone’s sake.

Have sheets that have items laid out the way they are in the store or warehouse, so you are not bouncing around looking for things, which can be time consuming.

As items are discontinued, or no longer ordered throughout the month or year, take these items off of your reports and lists or put that they are discontinued in the description, so that people are not spending time looking for these items to count.

Do up a separate sheet for overstock items – count these items first and add them to the sheet just prior to the count. This will make things easier.

Make sure items are located in one spot only, so that they are only counted once.

Take the necessary time to have things organized prior to the count, that everything is in its rightful place, and that any receiving’s have been added into the system and put away.

Inventory is always a stressful, trying time, try to make it as simple as possible, and it will go smoother.

Sometimes, it is beneficial to close the place of business for a day or two to assist in the ease of this process.

Questions to Ponder:

Is your inventory as organized and clean as it can be to be ready for the inventory count?

Are your sheets as up to date as possible?

If things have been moved around, have the sheets been updated?

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