{"id":7901,"date":"2022-01-21T15:08:51","date_gmt":"2022-01-21T15:08:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/?p=7901"},"modified":"2026-01-07T12:33:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T12:33:18","slug":"zero-paperwork-business-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/zero-paperwork-business-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"6 simple tips to run a zero-paperwork business"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGrowth & Customers<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t6 simple tips to run a zero-paperwork business\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Keir\t\t\t\tKeir Thomas-Bryant<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Paperwork. Managing it can take a lot of time \u2013 and space (think filing cabinets filled with documents and receipts cluttering a drawer).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wouldn’t it be easier if your didn’t have so much paper to deal with for your business?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thankfully, technology is your friend here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With access to mobile devices, paperless billing, e-signatures for documents and more, it’s possible to significantly reduce the amount of paper that’s used in your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only does that mean you can be more efficient, your business will also be kinder to the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we highlight how you can start taking steps in the right direction to become a zero-paperwork business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s what we cover:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The power of mobile technology<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Six ways to get organised and reduce paperwork<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Get a card reader<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Use a pay now button in invoices<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Use apps to record mileage<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Switch to paperless billing<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Use an iPad<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. E-sign documents<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final thoughts: Less paper makes for a better business<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Download your free small business toolkit: a guide, business plan template and cash flow forecast template so you can boss your business<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The power of mobile technology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Business on mobile is a boom industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the first quarter of 2021, the Amazon Appstore showed a 108.98% increase in business apps. By comparison, the second biggest-growing app category \u2013 social networking \u2013 grew by just 6.86% in the same period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned above, you can do your business accounting using an app. It\u2019s important to realise what this means.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that you do little bits of your accounting via the app, but still do most of it using a desktop computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, you can still do that if you want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But a mobile app means you can do the majority of your accounting using a mobile app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think viewing your profit and loss, issuing invoices via email, reconciling payments \u2013 and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And you can do this anywhere. On the bus or in a taxi. In a caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The work that would once have taken a back office full of staff can now be done by you, in the spare moments between jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It gets even better if the accounting app is partnered with another app, such as AutoEntry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This lets you take pictures of business documents\u2014such as receipts, using the phone\u2019s camera \u2013then automatically import the data. Added-in artificial intelligence means the data is automatically added in to where it needs to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The receipt can then be thrown away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But all this is not just about making life easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because the financial data is inputted into your system there and then, you get a real-time view of your finances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You always know how much money you have right now \u2013 how much you\u2019re owed and how much you owe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This makes for infinitely better business decision making because you can be responsive to opportunities and also spot problems arising in the future (e.g. late payments).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Six ways to get organised and reduce paperwork<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Using a mobile app is a great way to reduce the amount of paperwork you have to deal with in your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But there are more things to consider and try too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some more tips to avoid paperwork and boring admin in your business life \u2013 and reap the rewards of better organisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Get a card reader<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your work involves 1:1 contact with the customer or client, using a card machine means you can collect payment there and then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This aids cash flow and helps you avoid having to chase clients for the money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it also reduces the paperwork mountain because, while you\u2019ll still need to issue an invoice and receipt, those two tasks can all be handled in the same process as accepting payment by your payment provider, and are usually done electronically direct to an email address or mobile number (via text message).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Use a pay now button in invoices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Similar to using a card reader, if you issue invoices electronically then modern accounting apps let you include a button that lets people pay online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the very least, this might save bouncing paperwork back and forth chasing up payments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Modern accounting software even includes invoice tracking features too, so you can see when an invoice has been viewed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No longer will people be able to claim they haven\u2019t received your invoice, because you\u2019ll have proof either way!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Use apps to record mileage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you need to drive for your work then you might be able to claim a tax allowance for the mileage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If so then you can use an app to track the mileage, such as MileIQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This makes tracking mileage infinitely more simpler compared to scribbling it down in a notepad, and it\u2019s also more accurate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those fractions of a kilometre can really add up across the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Download your free small business toolkit: a guide, business plan template and cash flow forecast template so you can boss your business<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Switch to paperless billing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is an easy one to put into place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most large companies nowadays are happy to issue bills without needing to post them to you. Instead, you get a reminder to check your online account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utility companies, municipal governments and more are all keen on this approach. And why not?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By simply logging in, or checking your email history, you can access all the bills quickly and easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Use an iPad<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It doesn\u2019t have to be an Apple iPad, of course. Other tablet computers are available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the goal is to always view longer docs you download such as PDFs on a tablet, rather than printing them out and viewing a hard copy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is especially useful for documents such as instruction manuals, ebooks, coursework, government forms, and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. E-sign documents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there\u2019s still a legal requirement to sign many documents, nowadays it\u2019s legal in many countries to sign a document in a digital way, using a tech solution such Adobe eSign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your accountant works out your tax return, for example, they might be happy for you to simply click and type your name in certain fields on official documentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speak to a legal expert about implementing e-signing in your business, or consult relevant legislation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final thoughts: Less paper makes for a better business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s taken some time but we\u2019re now in a position where we really can say that a business without paperwork is not just possible, but also desirable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re starting a business or if your business is young then getting into good habits right now \u2013 and trying to avoid processes built around collecting mountains of paperwork \u2013 is the correct way to move forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it’s worth pointing out that using paper with the goal of recycling it after isn\u2019t an environmentally-friendly solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that two amounts of carbon dioxide are produced, even if it means fewer trees are destroyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s better if that paper isn\u2019t manufactured in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This way, zero carbon dioxide is created via manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Small business toolkit<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Get your free guide, business plan template and cash flow forecast template to help you manage your business and achieve your goals.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDownload your free toolkit<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Subscribe to the Sage Advice newsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Join 1.5 million subscribers and get the best business admin strategies and tactics, as well as actionable advice to help your company thrive, in your inbox every month.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSubscribe now<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tired of managing lots of paper in your business, or want your company to be friendlier to the environment? Here’s what you can do.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":280,"featured_media":8450,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sage_video":false,"post_featured_image_hide":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[162,166],"tags":[334,160],"business_type":[5],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[],"persona":[232],"imagine_tag":[230,335],"coauthors":[393],"class_list":["post-7901","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-growth-customers","category-technology-innovation","tag-sustainability","tag-workplace-technology","business_type-small-business"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-ie","author_name":"Keir Thomas-Bryant","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1313439810.jpg","imagine_tags":{"230":"Small business","335":"Sustainability"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice Ireland","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7901","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/280"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7901"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7901\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/8450"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7901"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7901"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7901"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=7901"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=7901"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=7901"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=7901"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=7901"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=7901"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=7901"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}