QUESTION : I would like to learn how to do workplace assessments for litigation lawyers. Most of them have paralegals and other staff dealing with the paper. The lawyer needs an integrated system to file and retrieve others' work, and integrate her/his own work with theirs . Any ideas? ANSWER : The Paper Tiger software would address it. For more information look at www.thepapertiger.com .

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...

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 ...

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...