Frequently Asked Questions From our Corporate Clients
1. What is a professional organizer exactly?
The National Association of Professional Organizers says:
“A professional organizer enhances the lives of clients by designing systems and processes using organizing principles and through transferring organizing skills. Professional organizers help individuals and businesses take control of their surroundings, their time, their paper and their systems for life.”
2. Who are your usual clients?
Our clients tend to be busy professionals, corporate executives, families in transition and an increasing number of our clients are business owners who see a need for effective efficiency with a more cohesive, organized team working together to reach the company objectives.
3. Are all organizers the same? Do they provide the same kinds of services?
Professional organizers differ greatly in their scope of work, personalities, skill sets and effectiveness. Some choose to specialize so, for instance, they might work only with home owners. Others work exclusively with seniors, or home-based business owners and some professional organizers work solely in the fast paced business environment. These organizers, known as efficiency experts, help business owners and their employees better manage their workloads, space and time.
There are also organizers like myself who are experienced and competent when working with a variety of clients in different settings, both corporate and residential.
4. Is there a benefit to hiring a professional organizer who is a member of NAPO (The National Association of Professional Organizers)?
“When you hire a NAPO professional organizer, you are hiring a skilled professional. NAPO provides its members with quality education, exposure to cutting edge trends in organizing, the latest product knowledge, and access to top organizing-industry manufacturers. … NAPO, celebrating over 20 years as ‘The Organizing Authority’, is the premier national association dedicated to the field of organizing. NAPO has more than 4,200 members.”
(from the NAPO website)
5. Are you a member of NAPO?
Yes, I am a member of NAPO. I am also a member of their prestigious Golden Circle which recognizes members who have an elevated level of experience and who have been engaged in the business of organizing for at least five years.
In addition, I became board certified as a professional organizer following a six month study and after passing a challenging exam in April, 2007. Only a handful of other organizers from our state share this important credential. By becoming nationally board certified, professional organizers validate their knowledge and experience, based on the highest industry, psychometric and legal standards.
6. Why is Organize To Order the right choice for our company?
Most clients who interview other organizers but end up selecting our company tell us that it is because of our impeccable references and because we are not only licensed in the State of Washington but are bonded and insured as well. There appear to be very few professional organizers in Washington who are both board certified, licensed, bonded and insured who work with both businesses and residential clients and who have the same level of experience.
“Our entire staff is indebted to you for working tirelessly with each one of us to make better use of our space and to help us manage our projects far more efficiently. The two week process was on time, under budget and far more effective and fun than we ever thought possible.” Dwayne R., Developer, Bellevue, WA
Something else that attracts clients to us is the fact that we guarantee complete satisfaction with all of our services. If a client is displeased in any way, I will return as often as necessary at no additional charge until the client is satisfied. This has rarely been an issue and never with a corporate client.
There is also my level of commitment. As both a business owner and professional organizer and consultant, I have spent literally thousands of hours working directly with clients in the Puget Sound area. Unlike many of my competitors who have gone on to focus on other aspects of the organizing profession to include marketing, writing and speaking, I prefer to work hands-on with my clients and this is the focus of my business.
7. What is the procedure and how would you work with me, my partners and/or employees?
In businesses, I begin by consulting with the department manager, project manager or with the business owners as to expectations and goals. I would then analyze the current work flow on either a company wide basis; or for a particular project, team or individual depending on the business owner’s objective.
After learning the responsibilities of the various departments or employees; I would work hands-on with either the individuals or teams to help them make consistent improvement in their work space and issues relating to efficiency and time management. This is always done with a high level of confidentiality and respect for the employee’s personal space and belongings.
If other than basic computer organizational processes are involved (using Outlook, organizing files and using basic software programs), I would refer you to a highly qualified associate who is an excellent instructor with an extensive computer background.
It is important to keep in mind that there are never ‘one way suits all’ solutions to everyone’s organizing needs especially when it comes to the management of paper, space and time. This is why I do not subscribe to any one method or training program; filing system or product line. Other traits, characteristics, abilities and preferences have to be taken into consideration as well. Is the individual left handed for instance; or does he or she have vision or auditory deficits or is he or she sensitive to environmental issues or lighting?
While it takes time to analyze the objectives for each employee, team or project, steady progress can be made with measurable results once those perimeters are understood. I also like to conduct group workshops (as well as individual coaching for the employees) as this provides an opportunity for group discussion and team building.
Need a speaker? I can help with that as well and have had experience speaking to small networking groups as well as to large groups of 300 or more.
8. What, specifically, can you help us with?
I like to think of myself as a ‘paperwork expert.’ I have had many years’ experience working with it. Prior to owning my own business, I worked for an attorney and was employed as an Administrative Assistant to high level business executives. I have managed sales consultants and sales companies, forecasted for businesses and managed a sales force, my own business and a family. I understand paper! I am very careful with it and have either reorganized or helped create virtually dozens of filing systems in both large and small companies and in homes and home-based offices.
Fortunately, I tend to ‘catch on’ quickly and have organized everything from maritime law offices to kidney dialysis corporate offices, veterinarian, naturopathic and chiropractic clinics, a retail shop, uniform supply corporate offices, dental offices, bank back offices and others.
It takes longest to see results when working with paper as a decision needs to be made with every piece. However; helping a client organize their paperwork seems to do more to help them relieve stress than anything else. It’s a relief to find what you need when you need it.
There are a number of professional organizers who do not work with paper because of the liability issue. It is very important to employ an expert because of the potential for loss or error. You want to be certain the person deciding whether or not to shred, archive, scan or file your important documentation is knowledgeable and competent.
So, I typically begin the organizing process with those inevitable stacks of paperwork, periodicals, books, post-it notes, contacts, office supplies and workspace paraphernalia after consulting and analyzing. From there, I simply take it step by step, office by office, person by person, project by project, prioritizing as I go.
“It is estimated that the average U.S. executive wastes SIX WEEKS ANNUALLY searching for misplaced information from messy desks and files.” (Fast Company Magazine). This translates to five hours per week or one hour per day PER person. The losses to a business of any size are exponential.
9. Are there any other areas where you can be of assistance?
Once I get a good handle on paperwork, I focus next on physical work space and how best to manage it so that the work day runs smoothly and effectively. While analyzing space lay-out and working to improve it, the employee’s work habits are evaluated at the same time to see if improvements can be made. I make it a point to focus not so much on getting more things done, but on getting the ‘right’ things done.
Other areas where I can assist:
- Re-organization or set up of any room, office or work space (conference room, reception area, store rooms included) to allow for more efficient use of space and improved aesthetics.
- Re-organization or set up of supply areas, mail room or warehouse space. You and your staff will see exactly what you have in stock so you can avoid costly duplicates or over-buying.
- Relocation assistance to include unpacking; ordering necessary materials, assisting with hook-ups, ordering or disconnecting services and the physical organization of your company’s offices and work spaces in a new location
- Assist with emergency preparedness (ordering supplies, training staff, etc)
- Complete reorganization of all filing systems, manuals, marketing materials, products, samples, tools, supplies, etc.
Ask yourself … What would it be like if your staff was more efficient and more effective?
The Wall Street Journal stated recently: “White collar workers waste an average of 40% of their workday not because they aren’t smart, but because they were never taught organizing skills to cope with the increasing workloads and demands.”
10. What is the next step then?
Simply call (425) 531-1314 or e-mail me at Info@OrganizeToOrder.com to arrange for your no-obligation consultation.
“Our entire office was a disaster. No one could find a thing. We had gotten so busy that things piled up and we didn’t have a clue where to begin. A business associate recommended Organize To Order and who would have thought there was a company like this with ‘on-call’ consultants who could do everything our staff could do and more. And…WITHOUT supervision! It was the best money we’ve spent in a long time.” John M., engineering firm, Seattle, WA
