The Los Angeles Organizing Expo is the only expo in Los Angeles dedicated to the productivity industry happens this Monday, September 21.  The fifth annual NAPO-LA event will showcase time saving products, organizing solutions, tools and services held at the Olympic Collection in West Los Angeles from 5:30-8:30 pm.

We invite you to come and visit our booth at the expo which will showcase our closet, office and garage design services.  We will also share information on our Residential Inventory and Home Procedures Manual, Clutter Control and Relocation Services.

Before the Expo at 4 pm…
Organziing secrets will be revealed at the annual “Ask the Organizer” Panel, which will precede The Organizing Expo.  The 90 minute interactive discussion is open tot the public and will feature accomplished professional organizers from NAPO-LA’s Golden Circle.  These are experts in the field of personal productivity, office systems, relocations, storage design, special needs training, media and coaching.

This year’s panel will feature Chris McKenry of Get It Together LA!, Dolores Kaytes, of Highly Organized, Donna McMillan of McMillan & Company, and Barbara Ricketts , aka The Mess Doctor.  The Panel will be facilitated by Lynne Gilberg of Lynne Gilberg Organizing.

For Ask the Organizer Panel and Los Angeles Organizing Expo ticket information visit www.napola.org. 

Remember, stop by the Get It Together LA! booth and say “Bye to Clutter”!

Elfreth's Alley

It’s summer and vacation time.  On a recent business trip to Philadelphia, I enjoyed a day to myself sight seeing the historic area of the city.  The week before I was working in the picturesque beach community of Newport  Beach in California featuring scenic views reminiscent of the Italian coast.  Now I was back in time at Elfreth’s Alley.  This neighborhood has the distinction of being the oldest residential community in our nation.  The homes have been occupied since the early 18th century.

As someone who appreciates colonial architecture, loves history, and is a professional organizer I can’t help but apprecite how our ancestors lived 250 years ago.  Then beauty was appreciated along with simplicity.  Walk-in closets, let alone most any closets, were not even in these homes.  It’s a good thing Costco was not around in 1776.

A few organizing tips for your next business/pleasure trip:

1. Plan your time off.
2. Research the city’s website before the trip.
3. Keep travels to a limited area.
4. Walk and take in the city.
5. During lunch ask the wait staff what is not to be missed in the area.

Don’t forget to use a Travel Checklist to keep from forgetting power chargers, reservation information, and other essential needs.  For a complimentary checklist from Get It Together LA! click here and write Travel Checklist in the subject line.

Now enjoy your next trip.

This weekend I enjoyed going to the movies and seeing Star Trek.  It seems others thought it would be a good place to send text messages and check e-mails.  Even the week before the person next to me was continually using his Blackberry during the first act of a play.

During the ”Time Management at the Age of Speed” session at the NAPO Conference in Orlando last month, Harlod Taylor shared that the fast devours the slow.  Think about it, we have more information to manage than ever before.  Not so long ago, we became overwhelmed by the fax machine.  Now we are averaging over 190 message a day because of the phone, email, Facebook, Twitter and more.

Need to See Time?

Time is essential to staying organized.  Do you find it is difficult to see time as it passes each hour?  Are you constantly running in circles to meet deadlines?

Check out our latest “O-Tips” for more information to make your life easy. 

The National Associationof Professional Organizers (NAPO)  just completed their 21st annual conference and it was rejuvenating, inspiring, and motivating.  The theme was “Making Business Dreams Come True” and Orlando was the setting.  

Lorie Marreo of The Clutter Diet and me at the NAPO Conference

 The education was only equalled by the networking with my peers.  Time spent in the hallways, at the lounge, or around a restaurant table was as beneficial as learning a new technology. 

The keynote by Scott McKain focused on the importance of making your business stand out from the competition.  He shared the principles outlined in his book Collapse of Distinction.  He encouraged us to live in the moment and not wait to enjoy the simple things in life; the ocean view, a mountain breeze or even just a clear sunset.  How fitting we stayed a extra day for down time and visit EPCOT.

 If you have never attended a conference or convention for your business or industry I suggest you plan to check one out this year.  The investment just might help set you apart from others not sharing your dedication to professional excellence.  And take time to enjoy the journey.

Chris

The interior design industry desended upon the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood last week for West Week - an annual gathering to examine the latest products, styles, and trends for home decor.  Kicking off West Week was an elite panel of experts discussing The Business of Design, sponsored by Architectural Digest.

Donna Livingston, Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, Mimi London, and Stephen Shadley shared their beginnings in the design industry and answered questions on how to succeed during the current economic conditions.  All are at the top of their field and recognized as Architectural Digest’s AD100 list.

When asked how to thrive during this economy, all emphasized that they are focused on the future.  All but one offers product lines.  Stephen Shadley principal works out of a live/work space in New York where he enjoys working late if necessary.  Martyn Lawrence-Bullard stressed his products are highest in style and quality but price for a broader market.  Commenting on his new candle line he shared “you may not spend thousands on furnishings, but almost everyone can afford a $30 candle”.

Donna Livingston shared “difficult times define who we are.”  She went on to emphasis the importance of on-line networking and the power of blogs.  Ms. Livingston’s portfolio has appeared in numerous international publications.  Though she does not advertise she likes to feature “rooms of the month” for direct marketing pieces to clients. 

Mimi London, like the rest of the panel emphasized the importance of  learning the “business” in design.  It’s not enough to be creative, you have to invoice, market, and make your business work.  Those new to the industry were encouraged to began their careers working and learning in established firms before branching out on their own. 

The organizing industry shares the same business principles as the design industry.  Both industries work to make homes a place for enjoyment.  The ability to work closely with clients and understand how they live is something both groups share. 

The entire panel was optimistic for the coming year.  While spending may not be as it was a year ago we all agree having a beautiful and organized space gives comfort and enriches everyones life.

You have a small office that needs the elements necessary for organization and style of an executive suite.  By designing a floating desk with return the furniture will be scaled to the space available.  Grommets on the desk top will keep phone and computer cords hidden.  Custom bookshelves fit perfectly under windows and provide adjustable storage. 

And don’t forget the supply room – or cabinet in this one room office.  Only five feet high and placed behind the door, this cabinet is not imposing in the office.  Paper trays for letterhead, bins for clips, pens, and other supplies are handy for projects as needed.

Designs by Get It Togehter LA!

Dave Linden is doing it again, and for the sixth time in Costa Mesa.  Orange County’s Largest Mixer VI will be held Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at the OC Fair & Event Center.  Several hundred businesses will exhibit their products and services and the event is a great networking opportunity if you do business in the OC.

Before attending a business expo,  home show, or sports exhibit spend time listing what you would like to accomplish.  If possible, review exhibitor rosters to identify those companies you deem of interest. 

Keep the clutter to a minimum. 

Take only “freebees” that you really want.  When you return to the office, review the business cards collected and recycle those contacts that are not of interest.  As you enter the information from business cards into your contact management database, categorize different industries and include notes to help find a contact when needed.

The Largest Mixer series is also held in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and the Inland Empire.  These events are sponsored by area chamber’s of commerce.  Follow this simple steps and make the OC Largest Mixer one of the most productive business opportunites you hit this year. 

For ticket information click here.

A reach in closet will have more room if all the wall space is utilized.  Home office closets may have several uses.  Extra coats, office supplies, family photographs, and shredder just don’t work in a closet with one rod and shelf.

Once you identify your needs, a good closet designer and make your “prime real estate” work for you.  Cubbies for paper supplies, adjustable shelves get things in sight.  If over-sized times are stored, have a ”home” designed for easy access.  For example, extra table leafs for the dining room table are now easy to reach.

Even if your system is melamine, choose a finish you like.  There are many options other than white.  Fun containers, like these form The Container Store,  will finish off your project and make working at home more fun and productive.

This closet was designed by Get It Together LA!

Clutter is everyone’s enemy.  Just as potholes slow traffic and damage our cars, clutter is the hole that keeps projects from on time completion and damage our productivity.  Clutter comes in many forms, but in the office paper is the biggest culprit.  It can be defined as excess, but my colleague Barbara Hemphill best describes clutter as ”postponed decisions”. 

Well it’s February 2009 which means it is time archive.  There are many documents probably no longer used at our desks.  Spend a few minutes to go through the files and removed the old files.  If the information must be kept and can not be recycled or shreded,  add them to archive files.  Take advantage of National Archive Your Files Month by reclaiming your workspace for the work that is to come this year.

Chris

The setting was the London Hotel in West Hollywood.  The event was the 25th Annual Creative Business Awards honoring the most innovative companies in the city.  The November event was sponsored by the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Corp Shorts produced the following video showcasing the glam of the night.

And the winners were:

Chris McKenry,Get It Together LA! - Ambassador of the Year
TOTO USA, Inc. – Art & Design
Equality California - Civic/Community Service
CBS Outdoor – Communications
California National Bank - Financial Services
Cake & Art – Retail/Service
Sunset Marquis Hotel and Villas - Travel & Tourism
Deborah Kallick, Cedars-Sinai Health System - Thomas Crail Lifetime Achievement Award

Congratulations to these West Hollywood business leaders. 

Other Events:
The West Hollywood Chamber is holding a Business Seminar on Monday, February 9, 2009 free to its members. 
Topic:  The Organized Office:  Secrets Revealed
Information can be found at wehochamber.com