It’s All About Business at NAPO-LA

What’s Your Marketing Plan?

“Get Organized Month” - Will you be taking advantage of the marketing blitz our industry will experience in January? Retail chains will be promoting organizing products during the yearly January “GO Month” event. NAPO-LA’s participation in this annual event helps a local charity clear its clutter in order to gain more productivity. This year we are partnering with our associate member 1-800-Got Junk? What will your organizing firm do to take advantage of all the “hype”?

One idea is to consider planning a community educational program at your local library, which usually has meeting rooms available at no cost. Possible topics include a workshop for “Busy Moms” or one for “The Overwhelmed Home Office”. Market your business by submitting articles to local newspapers, or see if your school’s PTA would like a short presentation. The possibilities are endless.

What Is Your Professional Plan?

Leadership Forum - Would you attend a corporate training program designed to take the nation’s top executives to the next level in their careers? As a perk of membership in NAPO’s Los Angeles chapter, members will have the opportunity to experience this training by Bill Murray, CEO of RockSolid Achievements .

Bill will be our quest speaker on November 27 and will provide an introduction to the January 13, four-hour corporate training program. The Leadership Forum is free to chapter members who register in advance. More information to follow.

What Is Your Educational Plan?

Certification - NAPO is sponsoring a national certification program for professional organizers to be governed by an independent group and operated as a separate entity. Eligibility requirements can be found at www.napo.net.

The first test will be administered at NAPO’s annual conference in Minneapolis on April 25, 2007. Please confirm that all requirements for applying for certification are correct as audits will be made. If incorrect information is discovered, the applicant will be barred from ever taking the test.

At NAPO-LA, it is all about your business and your success.

The Board of Directors is excited to announce that Bill Murray, CEO of Rock Solid Achievements, corporate coach and trainer will be the featured speaker at our November holiday meeting. With over 22 years of business experience, Mr. Murray has focused the last seven years on coaching and training individuals and companies to greatness. Specializing in developing leaders and managers for bottom-line results, he inspires his clients to take practical action immediately. As a confident, polished, and engaging speaker, Mr. Murray presents his rich knowledge in a dynamic way that educates his audience to use his proven tools/principles as well as specific ways to apply them. He will present his Introduction to Business Success: Rock Solid Achievements Five mandates of Success and Leverage by Unlocking Dreams--to help increase Volunteer Activities.

Coffee and tea will be served. Please bring a favorite dessert to share.

See you in January! Check the napola.org calendar for information on all the events that will be taking place in January and February.

The chapter would like to thank the Golden Circle panel of Diana Ryan, Beverly Clower and Marci Melton, as well as moderator, Donna McMillan, for sharing their experiences with us at the September meeting. These three veterans answered in retrospect, "If I knew then, what I know now..." Their insights and responses to questions from the audience will enable us to avoid some pitfalls and make better business decisions.

NAPO-LA is currently recruiting “Get Organized Month” (known as "GO Month") volunteers for our annual “GO Month” event to be held in January, date and place to be determined.

This is your opportunity to show off your organizing skills, create team building, and really make a huge difference for a Los Angeles non-profit organization desperately in need of our services for one full day.

Full details will be announced at the November 27 chapter meeting.

To volunteer,
contact Michelle Quintana,
“GO Month” Coordinator
Email: michelle@thesimpleorganizer.com

The Public and Chapter Members may vote for the following:

• Best Organizing Products Resource
• Best Book About Organizing
• Best National Organizing Show
• Best Eco Friendly Organizing Product or Service
• Best Garage Design Company
• Best Closet Design Company

Only Chapter members may vote for the following:

• Most Supportive Local Media Outlet
• Most Helpful Organizing Technology
• Most Organizer-Friendly Charity
• Best Office Organizing Product
• Best Residential Organizing Product
• Most Innovative Organizer
• Best Organizer as Coach or Mentor
• Most Valuable Educational Resource

Board Members will select the following:

• The NAPO-LA Corporate Spotlight Award
• The Volunteer of the Year Award
• The Raising the Bar Award
• The Leading Edge Award

Sponsorships available by contacting
Maria Parkinson, Director of Finance
213-926-4901

John Trosko is president of OrganizingLA, a Los Angeles–based organizing and lifestyle consulting company he founded in 2004. More than an organizing consultant, however, John has become a lifestyle guru helping a diverse mix of clients, including Hollywood’s elite, to transform their homes from unbelievable messes to spectacular showcases.

John, whose vision, skill and passion have quickly launched him to the top of his field, has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, Estates West magazine and Frontiers Newsmagazine. Both John and his company have been showcased on Los Angeles news channels KABC, KCBS, and KCAL-9 and touted on the popular blogs DailyCandy, Apartment Therapy, Décor8, Delight and Yahoo! Technology News.

Another one of John’s many talents is as the creator of the blog, OrganizingLA.com, which is fast becoming known for its daily dose of fashionable tips and organizing strategies for readers with discerning palates and busy lives. The blog introduces innovative organizing products, technologies and ideas, as well as explores the “how-to” of increasing productivity, killing clutter, and reducing anxiety precipitated by the exhilarating pace of living in L.A.

The 2006 recipient of the “Raising the Bar Award” from the Los Angeles Organizing Awards, John is a member of NAPO-LA. He has served on the NAPO-LA board for the last two years, first as the Director of Professional Development and currently as Vice President. John is responsible for spearheading NAPO-LA’s larger events, including the Networking Expo and the Los Angeles Organizing Awards.

Born in Princeton, New Jersey, John has a background in organizational management, having worked with Disney Animation, South Coast Repertory and Big Apple Circus. He resides poolside just steps from the Sunset Strip.

Bid high on John at the November meeting!

NOTE: The Silent Auction is a regular fundraiser for our NAPO-LA chapter and is held at most chapter meetings. During the meeting, the Silent Auction Volunteer will be announced and a clipboard will be circulated. Bidding takes place by simply entering your bid on the sign-up sheet as it circulates the room. The "winner" is announced at the end of the meeting and is entitled to a one-hour session with the Silent Auction Volunteer either in person or on the phone.

By Deborah Kawashima
creativeOrganizer
and NAPO-LA Director of Marketing

Kristine Oller started personalized organization in 1999 as a generalist until she gradually found her specialty: Helping creative entrepreneurs and performing artists with hands-on organizing and career strategies. Kristine writes a monthly column, “Organizing for Actors,” in Backstage, the national trade newspaper for actors.

“I can organize anything!” Sound familiar? All POs start out as generalists taking any kind of job to discover what we really love to do. You can certainly build a business as a generalist, but the strength of our industry and our NAPO chapter members is that the majority of POs become specialists.

“Figuring out your specialty takes experience, but the sooner you hone in on what you are great at doing, the faster your business will grow,” suggests Oller. “Don’t be afraid to limit your business by declaring your area of expertise.”

~Common Misconceptions~
Afraid to take the leap and declare your specialty?

Being a professional organizer doesn't guarantee that the holidays will be any less stressful for us than for other people, but we do have a better chance of putting good systems in place.

My motto is: If you do anything more than once, organize it and simplify it! That's so true of the holidays since they show up every November and December right on schedule.

Here are some tips you might personally use:

~Company's Coming. If you have people coming to stay with you, there are two important things to do: keep them fed and keep them moving! Plan menus and activities you personally enjoy - or send the guests off with directions to a local favorite.

~A Holiday Notebook. You probably do this for your clients all year long, but make sure you have a holiday notebook for yourself. Keep gift lists, holiday dinner menus, receipts, and Christmas/Hanukkah card lists together. Pull it out year after year to simplify your planning.

~A Holiday Gift Wrap Center. This includes seven items never to be moved from that spot: Scotch tape, scissors, pen, gift cards, wrapping paper, fresh tissue paper, plus ribbons and bows. Coordinate the colors to minimize wrapping clutter.

~A Personal Challenge. For example, organize your photos from the past year to put on the coffee table to share at the holidays. Everyone will be pleased. And that way you won't get behind on photo organizing if you display a new book each year.

~Maximize your limited social time. When you attend a party or holiday event, arrange to meet friends for a meal beforehand or dessert afterwards.

~Brighten up your calendar (and your outlook). Use holiday stickers or write special events with a red pen.

~Mark your calendar. Set 2-hour appointments for preparations; e.g., Thursdays-bake, Fridays-decorate, Saturdays-shop & clean.

~Enlist a "Holiday Buddy." Call each weekend and plan for the coming week.

~Multi-task. While making dinner, have your kids or spouse stuff envelopes and lick stamps.

~Buy gifts in the same category. Different sweaters or favorite restaurant gift certificates for everyone; CD's or books for gifts to be mailed.

~Simplify your shopping. Buy everything on-line or at one mall.

~E-mail a short, multiple choice gift list to the people you're stuck on. Ask what they would REALLY like to get this year.

~To get you through the season, buy a novel to curl up with at day's end.

~Savor one event or conversation each day by jotting it down in a holiday journal of "The Best Things that Happened to Me This Season."

Marcia Ramsland's gift-giving tips and her holiday notebook are currently featured in Better Homes and Gardens special magazine, CHRISTMAS IDEAS. Her newest book, “Simplify Your Time", is available at bookstores and from her web site, OrganizingPro.com.

By Deborah Kawashima
creativeOrganizer
and Director of Marketing

The NAPO in the Schools program is going national! The president of NAPO, Barry Izsak, has announced that the NAPO Board voted in favor of the school program going national. This action is being taken as part of NAPO’s strategic plans for the next few years to focus on NAPO’s educational theme by bringing awareness and empowerment to the public.

This is very exciting news! I have been asked to chair the task force for NAPO in the Schools (the new program name) and will be in charge of developing this program for students in elementary grades through high school. I look forward to making this a dynamic nationwide program for both NAPO and those students who will ultimately benefit.

The newly revised “School Presentation Packet” has been sent out to volunteers of NAPO in the Schools and will help organizers with their school presentations. A teleconference will be scheduled to review this packet and answer questions.

Karen Stark, Your Organized Life, has accepted the position of schedule coordinator for NAPO in the Schools. She will keep track of all schools involved with the program. Volunteers with scheduled schools please email karen@yourorganizedlife.net

To volunteer, contact Deborah Kawashima
Email: deborah@creativeorganizer.com

The Los Angeles area Golden Circle met recently at the new Torrance home of Beverly Clower. Christine Reiter was the Co-Host. Sixteen members enjoyed a great brunch and a time of networking and sharing information.

The 2007 meeting schedule was discussed and members volunteered to write articles for the Golden Circle column in the chapter newsletter. The column is dedicated to bringing educational information to the membership. Ideas for 2007 quarterly meetings included a field trip to the Container Store and sharing client/business challenges.

Chris McKenry encouraged our involvement in the upcoming Awards Event and suggested ways in which we can participate.

Jean Furuya, of the MET committee, discussed volunteering and educational opportunities for members. Ann Thurley brought information on a community cancer project.

Members were encouraged to submit organizing tips, either by email or at each chapter meeting, to be published in the newsletter and on the NAPO-LA website. Chris Reiter will bring the Tips Project information to each chapter meeting.

The recent LA chapter Golden Circle panel program was well received. Thanks to Donna McMillan, Beverly Clower, Diana Ryan and Marcy Melton for an excellent discussion. Members volunteered for the 2007 panel program and possible topics were discussed.

For more information on Golden Circle,
contact Ann Gambrell
Email: gambrellann@aol.com

By Barb Schmit
Associate Member, Esselte

One of Esselte’s most useful and colorful items is the Pendaflex Mobile File. It’s been around awhile but deserves another look.

What makes the Mobile File so useful is its ability to pack up and travel with you – a mobile office!

And the six bright colors - blue, green, yellow, orange, pink and purple – can’t help but organize you or your client. For instance, how about assigning a folder to each of the kids, yourself, your significant other? Or use one folder for each day of the work week with the last one for the weekend? Keep track of bills, projects, forms, anything that is used in the workplace. Soon you will know where everything is just by the color - no need to even read the labels!

Use the versatility of the Mobile File to your advantage. It can hang on a wall, over a door or inside a cubicle. Vertical space is “free” so why not use it? Stop piling things on the desk or floor and use the walls to help you get organized.

Tips Program

Delete Emails Faster
In order to quickly scan your bulk mail box for "legitimate mail" that has been placed in there mistakenly by your ISP, click on the "subject" column to have the subject lines appear in alphabetical order. It will allow you to scan your bulk mail more quickly for legitimate mail before bulk deletion. It is amazing how quickly you can scan when there are so many repetitions of a subject line! The valid ones are much easier to pick out.

A.D.D. Friendly Product
When working with ADD clients consider using an over-the-door, clear shoe hanger/holder to hold papers. The pockets can be labeled “Bills to Pay,” “School Schedules,” etc. Other pockets can hold keys, change and some of those many things that collect on kitchen counter tops and dressers. Clients love the labeled pockets and the fact that they can see through the clear plastic. Very A.D.D friendly feature.

About the TIPS Program:
NAPO-LA has instigated a TIPS Program managed by the chapter's Golden Circle members. Ann Gambrell is the chair and invites all chapter members to submit their organizing tips via email, postal mail or on index cards that will be available at the monthly chapter meetings for deposit into the “Organizing Tips” box.

TIPS are requested in two categories:

If you are working consistently on an ongoing basis with chronically disorganized clients, you are invited to participate in our support group meetings which are held every two to three months. Please check the NAPO-LA website for the next meeting to be held in 2007. Limited to 10 attendees.

For more information, contact Jean Furuya
Email: jean@theofficejeanie.com
Phone: 310-316-1753

MET Program Classifieds

Check out the MET Program Classifieds on the NAPO-LA website. They are an excellent opportunity for advertisers to share their knowledge and for others to investigate ways to move their businesses forward. If you really intend to grow your business, check out the MET classifieds for an experienced organizer who can help you get to where you want to go! Click below for details:

Met Classifieds