What a Year!

It was the “Year of Professional Excellence,” and what a year it was for NAPO-LA!

The Board dedicated its vision to making our services more visible to the Southern California market, while at the same time making our organization a place for professionals to network and nurture their businesses.

As is the tradition, I am sharing the accomplishments of the 2005-06 Board of Directors:

MAY 22: National Archive Overview

By Dolores Kaytes, Highly-Organized
NAPO Director of Professional Development

We are proud to announce that Paul Wormser of the National Archives and Records Administration/Pacific Region will be joining us for our exciting May program. Mr. Wormser, who serves as the Director of Archival Operations at the Laguna Niguel facility, will provide the chapter with a fascinating overview for the collection, record keeping, filing, digitalization and maintenance of local historical documents and artifacts.

Hear about his department’s transition from a paper-tracking system to digital on-line management. The program will be followed by a Q&A session.

June 26: Idea Exchange

A return to the popular “Idea Exchange,” a roundtable discussion of important business issues and ideas. More information about this will be announced at the May meeting.

Special Thanks

The Chapter would like to thank Dr. Sherie Zander for her preparation and participation in our April chapter meeting program, “Secret Strategies to Organize Male and Female Clients.” Dr. Zander is available privately to answer questions or provide assistance in her psychotherapy practice. She may be contacted at DrSherieZander@aol.com.

NAPO-LA honored the Founders of NAPO (Beverly Clower, Ann Gambrell, Maxine Ordesky and Stephanie Culp) with lifetime L.A.Chapter memberships. Three of those original Founders (Beverly, Ann and Maxine) accepted their awards in person from President Chris McKenry. A letter of appreciation from Stephanie Culp was read.

Business Networking Event Coming This July

Join Meetings and Mixers and Los Angeles area chambers of commerce and business organizations for the ultimate business networking event! Mix and mingle with business people representing hundreds of industries and companies in and around Southern California.

Held in the recently renovated Penthouse at the California Market Center featuring a panoramic view of downtown Los Angeles, L.A.’s Largest Mixer VIII is a great opportunity to reach small to large companies, meet new clients and learn how the different chambers of commerce and business organizations can make your business grow.

Mixer admission is $20 per person. For exhibitor or general information: 323-860-9999.

Since founding her business Personalized Organization in 1999, Kristine has been in constant demand as a residential organizer. As word has spread about her expertise in boosting the marketing results and career momentum of entrepreneurs and performing artists, the career strategy segment of her business has grown to include clients nationwide.

Kristine is the national columnist on organizing for Back Stage (and Back Stage West). Her monthly column focuses on helping actors and performers across the country pursue their careers in a thoughtful, organized way. Media appearances include several guest spots on DIY Crafts on Scripps' Do-It-Yourself Network as well as Before and After'noon Movies on the USA Network. She is a Golden Circle member of NAPO and just completed a term on the Board of NAPO-LA.

Bid high on the Silent Auction clipboard for Kristine. She has a wealth of information to share in the areas of marketing, networking, growing your business from part-time to full-time, selling your value (so you can charge higher fees) and creating a niche for yourself which can actually increase (not limit!) your client base.

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. Anyone can bid by signing the sheet as it goes around.

Susan Culligan, Volunteer Who Enjoys a Challenge

By Dee Saar
Space Diviner

Susan Culligan, recognized in March for her contributions to the maintenance and upgrades occurring on the NAPO-LA website, states that one of the best parts of her journey into the organizing world has been volunteering and the sense of community it brings. Launching herself into unknown territory has been a lifelong habit, but not something that until now has had the support and encouragement of such a terrific group of people which she says makes a huge difference.

Susan started her business Got to Get Organized in March 2005. One of the things she finds the most challenging and enjoyable is figuring out how her clients think so that she can tailor organizational systems to the way their minds work. It gets really interesting when it becomes evident that a business is being run based on the way the client thinks and that modifications need to be made to improve office systems and conditions more suitable to its staff. Susan’s prior experience in computer technology and publishing provides a strong skill set for working in her favorite setting – the home office.

Susan always had a drive to organize, so when she began her career as a professional organizer she threw herself into reading everything she could find on the subject. Most of all, however, she attributes the time she spent assisting Barbara Ricketts and learning how a pro works as instrumental to her advancement. Susan credits much of her development and confidence to Barbara as her mentor.

Susan has just accepted a position on the Board as Director of Communications and Technology. Thank you Susan for all your hard work – you’re an asset to our chapter!

To volunteer, please contact Mishele Vieira at 818-907-9714 or mishelevieira@napola.org.

By Susan Culligan
HomeWorksLosAngeles
Director of Communications and Technology

I have taken over for Jodi McDaniel as your new Director of Communications and Technology and have some big shoes to fill (actually, her feet are tiny but her footprint is large).

Jodi did an outstanding job, going way beyond what anyone expected in designing and driving the completion of the new website, improving member communication through the Yahoo group, and the many other projects that she and her team completed during her term. There are myriad tasks to learn and much to do, but I look forward to working with you and welcome any suggestions for improvement along the way.

Our volunteer webmasters are the most crucial part of getting this job done. We have several openings for webmasters, and I am formally asking for your help. This is a terrific way to become involved in volunteering for the chapter; we are responsible for the workings of our most visible “face” to the public— our website. Each volunteer has his or her own small area, so it’s not an overwhelming job for any one person. I’ll teach you what you need to know and it shouldn’t take you more than an hour or two a week.

If you would like to volunteer to update the Calendar, the Press Room, the Membership Printable Roster, the quarterly pricing changes to the New Membership Application, or the Assistant’s List, send me an email at sculligan@napola.org.

These are just some of the jobs that need to be handled. There are lots more!

Old-Fashioned Marketing Basics

By Michelle Quintana
The Simple Organizer

I’ll have to admit that during my eight years as a professional organizer I have certainly tried dozens of “marketing techniques” to increase my income and build my client base. Recently, however, the marketing strategies that I have implemented have been good old-fashioned common sense and getting back to the basics. Both of these “marketing techniques” have successfully helped to build my repeat business and client loyalty.

Let me explain.

When a potential client calls, I ask the usual series of questions regarding specific needs, etc. I really want to understand how large the scope of the organizing project is and how serious they are about investing their resources into finishing the project. What I now do differently is tell them that working with me is a commitment to get the project done in its entirety. I advise them that I don’t want to begin (for example) in the garage and not complete it. By stating this in your initial phone contact, you help the prospect to better understand the process of organizing and the resources necessary to complete some of the more challenging projects. There are no surprises.

If prospects can’t afford my services, that’s okay; they probably wouldn’t have been happy with the results due to a limited budget and unrealistic time expectations. Most of us know how long some organizing projects can take. Add to that a client who is very slow in making decisions (assuming you are working one on one) and you could have a job that goes on and on and on and on.

For years I had forgotten to mention to the client that hiring a professional organizer was like hiring a general contractor; i.e., get the J.O.B. done, period.

From a marketing perspective, I have found that using this simple technique truly helps qualify the prospects who are serious about organizing EVERYTHING from those prospects who just aren’t sure they can afford me or who need to know exactly how long something is going to take. Often during an initial phone call, prospects will mention that they need so much to get organized but they don’t know where to begin. Listen carefully because that is the core to repeat business. Commit the prospect to one room or area of the home or office. Work with the prospect then ask for another room commitment. Bold? Not really. Remember 80% of our income comes from 20% of our clients. This is one way to keep your calendar and client commitments going strong.

This technique also provides simultaneous excellent customer service because the prospects “hear” that you are as committed in getting the project done as they are. Simple but incredibly powerful.

Boston Rocked for this “Newbie”

By Laura Johnson
Let Me Rearrange You

As a first-time NAPO conference attendee, I’m still trying to digest the massive info influx to my brain! Exhilarating, awesome, overwhelming, educational, and exhausting are but a few adjectives that describe my experience. Almost 900 organizers were gathered, but it was amazing how we made special connections with gals and guys from across the nation. Did you see us on the Sunday Morning show on CBS? It was a terrific segment about the organizing craze with NAPO being the Organizing Authority.

The most worthwhile and popular program for me was the “Ask the Organizer” panel. There are two networking tips that I’ve already put into practice:

1. Treat your business cards as if they are $100 bills. Make them count by giving them to no more than four people during a networking session.
2. Write a note on the back of the card to remind you of the contact and be sure to follow up to build a relationship.

High-energy workshops are a must for the late afternoon - no napping allowed! For those with lots of thoughts and ideas bouncing around, have you ever heard of Mind Mapping? It’s a great way to organize your thoughts (or your clients) and is something one can do on a computer, transferring it over to a Word type document in outline form.

Of course, there are things I’d do differently. Mainly, I’d be more flexible – it’s OK to change workshops. I’d also strive to get some quiet time each evening to review the day’s information. I can’t begin to tell you how overwhelming this can be for a “newbie,” and how many tidbits of valuable information I picked up.

One last tip that I can’t resist: For the more mature, may I respectfully recommend wearing pants with some give! We did a lot of sitting and a lot of eating (Boston rocks!).

School Program Gets National Attention

By Deborah Kawashima
creativeOrganizer

NAPO-LA in the Schools Program went to conference!

At the NAPO National Conference in March this year, NAPO members from chapters across the country got together for an informal meeting to talk about the School Program.

The object of the program is to bring organizing awareness to kids. NAPO members saw the need and the potential of such a program and were eager to bring it into their local communities. Organizers shared their own experiences about going into classrooms, comparing what works and what doesn’t with kids from elementary to middle-school grades.

We exchanged ideas on the different ways to communicate the value of being organized and also discussed various hands-on organizing exercises we could do in the classroom within our 45 minute program time.

As an added bonus, a reporter from the Christian Science Monitor newspaper was there to report on the fun. (She had seen our meeting posted on the conference bulletin board and dropped by!)

Even as we begin to expand this program nationally, the School Program continues to grow in the Los Angeles area. We welcome any school contacts you might have! Also, if you are interested in doing presentations and/or have school contacts, please let us know. (Some informal training is required to assure a positive experience!)

Contact Deborah Kawashima by sending her an email to Deborah@creativeorganizer.com and writing "NAPO Schools" in the subject line.

By Ann Gambrell
Creative Time-Plus

The Los Angeles area Golden Circle members met on April 22nd for a tea party brunch at the home of Barbara Glass and co-hosted by Ann Thurley. They presented a lovely array of goodies. Some members arrived in optional hats & gloves for the second quarterly meeting.

Ann Gambrell, Golden Circle liaison, welcomed the 15 members including new member, Chris McKenry, NAPO-LA Chapter President, to his first meeting. Ann then presented information regarding the newest project of the L.A. chapter’s Golden Circle: “The Tips Project,” which includes a collection of organizing tips offered by chapter members for both clients and other organizers. “The Tips” will appear on the NAPO-LA website as well as in the chapter newsletter.

Ann also gave an update on NAPO national activities to Golden Circle.

Members discussed the format for future chapter Golden Circle meetings. It was decided to continue the current meeting format of using our quarterly meetings to network and to share both ideas and information with fellow veteran members.

The next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, July 15th, and will be co-hosted by Dolores Kaytes and Karen Fulks.

NOTE: Golden Circle status is open to NAPO members who have been in business a minimum of five years and a NAPO member for at least one year. Those qualifying for Golden Circle status can register online at www.napo.net or email gambrellann@aol.com for additional information.

Children’s Rooms

When two children share a room, color code storage containers, bed linens and separate closet space by dividing the closet rod by color.
Submitted by Barbara Glass, The Clutterbuster

Address Label Use

Carry your address labels in your wallet or date book. Use them to complete forms, for mailing lists and to put on the backs of business cards. They may be easier to read than your handwriting and it saves time!
Submitted by Elizabeth Butler, Extra Wife

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:

• "Tips from Pros" are organzing tips for clients/the public.
• "Tips of the Trade" are tips for organizers to use in their businesses.

When submitting TIPS, you are invited (optional) to include your name, business name and contact information. This will serve to promote you when the client/public TIPS are posted on the NAPO-LA website's home page. A link to the “Find an Organizer” section of the website is in the works. “The Tips of the Trade” will also be included in the chapter newsletter.

Email your TIPS to gambrellann@aol.com or mail them to Ann Gambrell, 2667 Monterey St., Torrance, CA 90503.

Donna McMillan of McMillan & Company Professional Organizing was quoted in the American Express Business Platinum Ventures Magazine Spring 2006 issue. The article, "Clearing up Your Paper Trail - It's Not Just Your E-Mail That Can Leak Information," features expert advice regarding security for your paper documents. Business Platinum Ventures Magazine is a benefit of membership.

John Trosko, NAPO-L.A.’s Vice President, and his company, OrganizingLA, are currently being featured in Daily Candy Los Angeles, a trend-spotting phenomenally popular website with over 100,000 subscribers in Southern California alone.

Orange County member Rachel Sparks of Sparks Organizing Services was featured in the April 2006 issue of the North Orange County Magazine. The article, “Life Uncluttered,” offered simple tips on getting organized and doing spring cleaning.

Evelyn Gray, Productivity Expert & Certified Action Coach of Organizing for Success, specializes in working with Attention Deficient Disorder and chronically disorganized individuals. She was recently nominated for the Los Angeles Business Journal's 2006 Women Making a Difference Awards as a "Rising Star." The event, which took place in May at the Millenium Biltmore Hotel, drew more than 750 of the most influential decision makers in the Los Angeles business community, where women are recognized in business for their outstanding professional and community achievements.

In March, country radio station KZLA (93.9 FM) mentioned NAPO-LA and our website to listeners interested in some good spring cleaning. As part of “Ashley’s Tips for Living,” the list of tips for spring cleaning and getting organized were read on the air on March 22nd and are on the KZLA website. Click here.

June Meeting Planned

By Jean Furuya
The Office Jeanie

If you are working consistently and on an on-going basis with chronically disorganized clients, you are invited to participate in an informal support group.

Our next meeting will be on Thursday, June 22nd, from 6-8:30 PM. The topic will be "Who is in charge...the organizer or the client?"

Please RSVP to Jean Furuya at 310-316-1753.

By Marilyn Crouch
Avenues to Organization

Q&A Conference Call – Level 1 June 1st

The Mentoring, Education and Training (MET) program is offering a Q&A Conference Call – Level 1 for new and aspiring organizers to have their questions and concerns addressed and answered by two veteran NAPO members. The conference call will be held on Thursday, June 1st, from 6-8 pm. This is a great educational opportunity!

Here's what past participants have said about the call...

“The veteran organizers were fabulous - direct, candid, and full of great information. I feel I got a ‘leg up’ on some of the important issues for me."

"We had plenty of time to ask questions. It was fantastic for us because there were so few people and we could each ask a lot of questions. Also, the convenience of the conference call was enormous."

Register for this Q&A Conference Call.

Q&A Conference Call - Level 2 July 6th

Would you like to take your business to the next level? Are you feeling burned out, need a change or a new challenge? This informative teleconference call is for you!

Jean Furuya and Ann Gambrell will facilitate this call and answer any questions you may have about your business, clients, etc. You will also benefit from the interaction with other organizers on the call and will have an opportunity to get new and fresh ideas for your business. Join in to learn from the knowledge and expertise of other organizers.

Register for this Q&A Conference Call

The chapter website has been updated with the MET Program Classifieds. The classifieds are an excellent opportunity for advertisers to share their knowledge and for others to investigate ways to move their businesses forward. If you would like to grow your business in 2006, check out the MET classifieds for an experienced organizer who can help you get to where you want to go. Just click here: MET Classified.