Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from October, 2008

RECOMMENDED READING

4 Weeks to an Organized Life with ADHD by Jeffrey Freed, M.A.T. and Joan Shapiro, M.D. This innovative program offers practical, useful strategies for people with AD/HD so that they can make use of their brain functions that do work well and learn day-to-day skills that may be otherwise too difficult to master. Based on the concept of visual thinking and filled with tips on how to keep the body at its highest functioning level, this program helps AD/HD sufferers become more successful in their everyday lives. The authors share simple yet powerful techniques to develop and harness the strengths of the visual right brain.

ASK THE TRAINER

Question: I have been meaning to call for advice. I got all ready and then have stalled. I wanted bit more experience before I really promoted myself, but that does not seem to have happened. I am "working" on 4 jobs but none are finished. 1. Playroom: I did the initial consult. Suggested some storage units. She chose some and we made plans to continue when they arrived - one week. She called a week later to say that she had changed her mind on her choice. So I sent her four other product line choices. 2. Garage re-do. Great project. 3rd garage to be filled with shelves and racks. Did consult, she wanted to paint garage first. Very excited. Paint done. ($1000) They are real estate agents in a slow market, so it may be a few weeks before they have $500 to continue so I am in wait mode. 3. Holiday storage room. This lady has over 40 large totes in a 8x 10 room. You could not step into it. We did consult, and cleaned out bins. I suggested some carpenters for inexpensive shel

WEEKLY MARKETING TIP

Join a networking group such as your local Chamber of Commerce , Business Network International (BNI), Rotary Club , or Ladies Who Launch . Word of mouth is one of the most effective marketing tools, because marketing is all about RELATIONSHIPS.

RECOMMENDED READING

Susan C. Pinsky ; Organizing Solutions for People with Attention Deficit Disorder Offering easy steps and simple solutions. Pinsky states, " The best organizational system for someone with ADD is the one that is most efficient, simplest, most convenient, and the easiest to maintain, because it requires the least amount of steps and materials."

ASK THE TRAINER

QUESTION : What is your guidance around completely emptying the room? Always? If you are focusing on just one section of it, per client request, i.e. one table of papers stacked, I am assuming you don't always need to empty out the furniture and all, but.....I am thinking of two scenarios: 1. The thought for one client, of completely emptying out her kitchen and starting over, FREAKED her out, so I tried to work within/around it.....thankfully I was volunteering....it went ok/not great.... 2. A different client.....HOARDER to the hilt......we started in the kitchen (stuff in boxes, she had moved and due to a huge accompanying life transition - divorce etc., she had been unpacked for months.) The only place available to even start sorting through the boxes (stuff all thrown in there to move quickly) was the front yard, there literally was not adequate room to sort inside because every room was a disaster. She did not want to do this, so I made due with this very uncomfortable tiny

WEEKLY MARKETING TIP

First , read Do You Have 16 Boxes at Seth Godin's site. Second , if you are in your first year as a Professional Organizer review the action list you received at your training with me (Business Plan session). What on your action list is unfinished? If your business has slowed due to the economy there isn't a lot you can do about that--unless you can now control the economy :) That isn't in my power so I'm not focusing there. However, you can focus on what you can finish on your action list. When the economy picks up, turn around, or whatever it will do to stimulate the general population to start spending their discretionary income again, you will be ready for new clients. If you have been in business for more than a year, you most likely have a great list of contacts (leads, clients, and other interested people). Create a newsletter or blog if you haven't already. If you have created one of these marketing pieces, now is the time to send out more with lots of juic

WEEKLY MARKETING TIP

Create an RSS blog feeder to receive up-to-date information on your profession, industry, product, target market groups, etc. Or, read articles from trade magazines and newsletters. Not sure where to find a blog on organizing? Google it! These are the blogs in my reader: 43 Folders Disorder2Order Blog Home Office Organizer Organising Queen (10) Professional Organize... [ real neat ] - real ... See Jane Work Seth's Blog SolutionsForYou, Inc. Story of Stuff The Clutter Diet Blog Virtually Organized Your Life. Organized. . For tips on managing blogging visit Marcia Francois's blog the Organizing Queen . Better tip, start blogging and send me your blog site when you do.

ASK THE TRAINER

Question: Hi Anne, The training program manuals are great ‘after training’ references. I have been reviewing the information and I have a question about the actual work with clients. I understand the "30 second hook" has the first phase as the complimentary needs assessment.... Is this done over the phone or in the client's house? Has there been a commitment to use your services at this point? Actually onsite certainly allows for better assessment but this could get expensive if they don't follow through. What are you thoughts on how this is usually handled? Answer: Good question. First of all, the needs assessment doesn’t need to be complimentary. Second, the assessment can be done other than on-site. You can do assessments by phone, e-mail, web site form, in person, or however you choose. I would suggest you do all of your assessments onsite until you are comfortable with the needs assessment questions and have performed enough onsite assessments to understand wha

Welcome

The purpose of my training program blog is to stay in touch and support training participants after completing their training program, keep the public informed of our upcoming programs, hear what our participants are saying about the programs, and to provide you with industry information that may be helpful in your pursuit as a Professional Organizer. I want to provide you with information you are seeking. If you have ideas for a blog, please send them to me. Also, send me your questions for the "Ask the Trainer" blog posts where in future blog postings I will provide you with answers based on my experiences, training and education.