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”!

Thank you Blount County Chamber for the warm welcome at last month’s seminar “Organizing Secrets Revealed for the Home and Office”.  The 40 plus who attended enthusiastically participated in the program.  The facility was first class, the professional staff and members showed true southern hospitality.

The program revealed seven secrets to getting organized.  The citizens of Blount County asked provolking questions and give their insite throughout the 90 minte program.  

I support chamber’s of commerce for they work provide in nurturing the local business community.  The West Hollywood Chamber is my hometown business community.  If you are looking for foundation for your business, check out your local chamber.   

Would your chamber like a program to inspire its members to be more productive and organized in their business?  Contact us for more information.

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

Tax day is over and it is time to celebrate!  The third week of April is National Organize Your Files Week.  If you are in the Knoxville/Blount County area Wednesday, April 22, 2009, join the Blount County Chamber of Commerce for a workshop sure to be fun while demystifying the steps to organization.

Organizing Secrets Revealed
for Your Home and Office

April 22 – 9:00 – 10:30 am
Blount County Chamber office

Los Angeles organizing expert Chris McKenry will be in Tennessee on his way to the NAPO National Conference in Orlando.  During his stop over he will be addressing chamber members in an interactive setting sharing information and answering questions to make you more organized and clutter-free.  Besides recognizing the Organize Your Files celebration the seminar will look at ways to be more organized in the garage, kitchen, closets, office and with your time.

Click here for more information and to save your spot.

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.

If you are organizing addict in the San Diego area there is an event coming up better than Friday night at the movies.  On March 13th, the San Diego chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers will hold their annual Organizing Expo at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center in La Jolla for 6 – 8:30 pm. 

The Expo is an opportunity for organizing busineseese to exhibit and interact on a personal level.  Companies showcasing their products include Pendaflex, 800-Got-Junk, Dovetail Organizing, Organize.com, Critical Digital Data, Securita Inc., Shelf Improvement, Certified Staging Professionals, Pixilyand many more.  “This is a unique and wonderful opportunity to meet with company representatives.  If you have an interest in getting organized, becoming a professional organizer or learning about the industry this is the event to attend”, said Dhawn Hansen, President of NAPO-San Diego.

Cost is only $5 at the door.  For more information visit www.naposandiego.com.

Great questions came from the audience at the Small Business Seminar I led this week at the West Hollywood Chamber.  One participant asked “what do I do as  I never have time to follow up with committee members who do not reply if they are attending meetings?”   What a great question.  This is something probably most of us experience.

During the “Time Management” portion of the program I shared that using a calendar correctly will help set necessary boundaries on time.  Time is probably the most difficult area for us to organize since we can see or touch it like physical clutter.

As the “follow up” problem occurs before each meeting the answer is to schedule time in your calendar to make the needed calls.  If an appointment is in your calendar, and the calendar is referenced throughout the day, there will be enough time for all the tasks at hand.

If you are not currently using a calendar, check out Franklin Covey for products that will fit your needs.

Chris

What were people saying about Chris’ program: 
“I really enjoyed your presentation yesterday at the WeHo chamber.  I have already started using some of the techniques with my paperwork and time management.”  -R.H.

“I really enjoyed your presentation and focusing on organization – both mentally and physically.  You motivated me to be more aware about decisions or procrastination regarding new information and records.” -J.B.