Business Owner Has Cleared the Clutter and the Stress to Find a More Productive Business
Business Owner Has Cleared the Clutter and the Stress to Find a More Productive Business
But in her husband's eyes, Cathy's strategies did not work. He saw documents, products, toys and boxes stacked in corners of her office and a frequently time-challenged wife. “He had a mission - he has been trying to organize me for the past year. He would get frustrated and I would get frustrated,” Cathy said, referring to her husband. He had tried several approaches including rearranging things himself, but nothing would stick.
Cathy and Jeff experience what is common for many couples whether it is married couples, or business partners. Frequently the challenge is that the duo has very different thinking styles and the person that is trying to help is not able to identify solutions that fit with their counterpart’s style. Add to that, we are all human and when a spouse says something – it is personal. Defense mechanisms go up and productivity goes down.”
The clutter was stressful to Cathy, but the task seemed too overwhelming to tackle on her own. "I'd see it all the time and think, 'ugh.' I couldn't do it," she said. However, she has a goal. As the area’s manager for Arbonne International she knew that she had to get things under control for both her team and her own career growth. So, she turned to a professional organizer. She had recently listened to a presentation that Calahan had given earlier in the month and believed Calahan could be the help she was looking for.
At Greeneberg’s office, they methodically picked through items on the floor, underneath and on the tables, making piles of business supplies, sample products and retail products. They also checked file drawers and cabinets and removed items from crowded shelves.
"I couldn't do this," she said. "It would take me a year." But with Calahan providing the guidance, after a day and a half, the office was transformed.
The baby blankets and toys were gone. The clothes that had not been worn in years were ready for donation. The 10 bags of garbage were removed. The desk space and staging space were clear. Labeled containers now hold all of her products and office supplies and remind Cathy where things belong.
Many people are looking for a quick fix. They want a clean up in 30 minutes like they see on hit T.V. shows like Mission Organization or Clean Sweep. Unfortunately, the quick fix is akin to putting a Band Aid on a stab wound. In order for the new order to have staying power you've got to get to the root of why it got like that in the first place.
We have not implemented the same system for a client since we opened our doors in 2002. Everyone has different thinking, learning, communication and organizing styles. To have one solution for everyone is to ask for a disaster. Recognizing that Cathy’s style was akin to the “out of sight, out of mind” philosophy, all of the systems developed had to be out in open view, but structured.
Clutter, procrastinating, no system for storing or filing items and being reactive rather than proactive are all signs of a lack of organization. Lack of organization can be a source of stress and frustration. It stymies productivity at home and at work.
On the other hand, being organized can be downright blissful. “I can't tell you what this has done for me. I feel like I'm on top of the world. When my office was cluttered, my mind was cluttered and now I'm free! Love it!” stated and excited Cathy.
And unlike some clients, Cathy didn't have trouble tossing old items, even sentimental ones. “It was worthwhile to bring in Stephanie. I can’t imagine why anyone would not do this,” she stated. She has already noted the positive results of increased speed in pulling together presentations and product packages as well as increased confidence.
So what did her husband think of the change? Cathy worked with us while her husband was away on business. When he came home she excitedly showed him her office. He gave her a huge hug and was amazed and pleased.
Business Owner Has Cleared the Clutter and the Stress to Find a More Productive Business - To learn more about this author, visit Stephanie Calahan's Website.
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At one time, Cathy considered herself an organized person, but life has happened since then. Having twins and starting 2 different businesses has changed all that. Even still, she felt she had it pretty together and was progressing positively with her career
But in her husband's eyes, Cathy's strategies did not work. He saw documents, products, toys and boxes stacked in corners of her office and a frequently time-challenged wife. “He had a mission - he has been trying to organize me for the past year. He would get frustrated and I would get frustrated,” Cathy said, referring to her husband. He had tried several approaches including rearranging things himself, but nothing would stick.
Cathy and Jeff experience what is common for many couples whether it is married couples, or business partners. Frequently the challenge is that the duo has very different thinking styles and the person that is trying to help is not able to identify solutions that fit with their counterpart’s style. Add to that, we are all human and when a spouse says something – it is personal. Defense mechanisms go up and productivity goes down.”
The clutter was stressful to Cathy, but the task seemed too overwhelming to tackle on her own. "I'd see it all the time and think, 'ugh.' I couldn't do it," she said. However, she has a goal. As the area’s manager for Arbonne International she knew that she had to get things under control for both her team and her own career growth. So, she turned to a professional organizer. She had recently listened to a presentation that Calahan had given earlier in the month and believed Calahan could be the help she was looking for.
At Greeneberg’s office, they methodically picked through items on the floor, underneath and on the tables, making piles of business supplies, sample products and retail products. They also checked file drawers and cabinets and removed items from crowded shelves.
"I couldn't do this," she said. "It would take me a year." But with Calahan providing the guidance, after a day and a half, the office was transformed.
The baby blankets and toys were gone. The clothes that had not been worn in years were ready for donation. The 10 bags of garbage were removed. The desk space and staging space were clear. Labeled containers now hold all of her products and office supplies and remind Cathy where things belong.
Many people are looking for a quick fix. They want a clean up in 30 minutes like they see on hit T.V. shows like Mission Organization or Clean Sweep. Unfortunately, the quick fix is akin to putting a Band Aid on a stab wound. In order for the new order to have staying power you've got to get to the root of why it got like that in the first place.
We have not implemented the same system for a client since we opened our doors in 2002. Everyone has different thinking, learning, communication and organizing styles. To have one solution for everyone is to ask for a disaster. Recognizing that Cathy’s style was akin to the “out of sight, out of mind” philosophy, all of the systems developed had to be out in open view, but structured.
Clutter, procrastinating, no system for storing or filing items and being reactive rather than proactive are all signs of a lack of organization. Lack of organization can be a source of stress and frustration. It stymies productivity at home and at work.
On the other hand, being organized can be downright blissful. “I can't tell you what this has done for me. I feel like I'm on top of the world. When my office was cluttered, my mind was cluttered and now I'm free! Love it!” stated and excited Cathy.
And unlike some clients, Cathy didn't have trouble tossing old items, even sentimental ones. “It was worthwhile to bring in Stephanie. I can’t imagine why anyone would not do this,” she stated. She has already noted the positive results of increased speed in pulling together presentations and product packages as well as increased confidence.
So what did her husband think of the change? Cathy worked with us while her husband was away on business. When he came home she excitedly showed him her office. He gave her a huge hug and was amazed and pleased.
Business Owner Has Cleared the Clutter and the Stress to Find a More Productive Business - To learn more about this author, visit Stephanie Calahan's Website.
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Anne BarrAnne Barr has over 26 years experience in sales and marketing, six years as a franchisee. She has assisted over 367 business owners and purchasers to achieve their goals in career change, transition and exit strategy. She holds the designation of Certified Franchise Executive from the International Franchise Association, Certified Business Intermediary from the International Business Brokers Association and Board Certified Broker from the Texas Association of Business Brokers. Anne is active in professional organizations, networking groups and volunteers for non-profit entities. As owner/operator of four successful businesses, Anne has proven people skills and enjoys helping clients find the right "fit" in business ownership. Visit www.FranchiseOpportunitySpecialist.com for more information about me and my company. - Visit Anne Barr's Website |
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Leanne Hoagland-SmithAre your sales where you want them to be? Will you be one of the few who achieves sales or business success or one of the many who have failed to change? Are you tired of being told you are like everyone else? Then you may find my first book on sales of interest. Be the Red Jacket in the Sea of Gray Suits, The Keys to Unlocking Sales available at Amazon or at http://www.processspecialist.com/red-jacket.htm. This book is a reflection of my no-nonsense approach to improving sales to overall business results. If you are truly committed to making sustainable changes, then I can help you secure a positive return on your investment because I focus on executable solutions not telling you the problems you already know you have. From training to corporate (group) coaching to executive one on one coaching, my approach is to assess, create awareness, build a goal driven action plan and then execute. The bottom line question is "Not do you or your employees know it, but do you or they want to do it?" Please call for a free strategy session at 219.759.5601. - Visit Leanne Hoagland-Smith's Website |
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Cheryl MatthynssensCheryl is a life skills coach, licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and a 20 year entrepreneur. Cheryl's dedication to achieving a life of balance led to her expanding her teaching from the simple managing of life's daily challenges to adding financial well being as well. A direct marketer with DrinkACT, she is gaining ground in the online community with her concepts of making sure business owners, entreprenuers and employees have well rounded life styles. She opened up a small affiliate site - The Balance Guide- to help others find resources for mental and emotional well being. Visit Cheryl's blog to see more of the diversity beyond business she has began offering online at www.thebalanceguide.blogspot.com - Visit Cheryl Matthynssens's Website |
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David BarrDavid Barr is the President of Venture Opportunities, Inc. David has been a professional business broker/intermediary since 1980 focusing on General Business Brokerage and Mergers and Acquisitions representing client transaction value from $400,000 to $20,000,000. Mr. Barr has handled the sale of over four hundred and fifty companies. David earned a university degree from the State University of New York majoring in economics and business. David holds the Mergers and Acquisition Master Intermediary and the Certified Business Intermediary designations from the International Business Brokers Association. He is also a Senior Business Analyst and a Texas licensed Real Estate Agent. For more information about David and Venture Opportunities, visit www.bizdealmaker.com. - Visit David Barr's Website |
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Casey GollanCasey Gollan, Business Coaching & Mentoring Programs. Add $1 Million to $10 Million in the next 1 to 3 years. Since 1996 Casey has to added hundreds of millions of dollars to businesses. Watch a free video see client results Business Coaching website. - Visit Casey Gollan's Website |
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Kim CastleWith nearly two decades in the advertising and design business, with clients like Domino's Pizza, General Motors, Direct TV, Pedigree, Wolfgang Puck, Higher Octave Music, Hollywood Celebrity Products, Disney, and Paramount, as well as thousands of entrepreneurs around the world define, structure, communicate, and position their business for greater profits, BrandU(R) co-creators Kim Castle and W. Vito Montone discovered that entrepreneurs could experience the same power that big brands command for a fraction of the cost with the world's only process-based results-drive Integral approach to business creation. BrandU(R) is helping entrepreneurs grow with the power of extreme clarity from idea...to brand...to market(TM) and helping one million entrepreneurs become successful and whole so that they can make a difference in the world. Are you one of them? If you want to experience clarity all the way to the bank(TM), get started now at http://www.brandu.com. - Visit Kim Castle's Website |
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Jeff FosterWebBizIdeas.com is a Minneapolis website design company founded to help people start an internet business by providing them with website, business, and internet resources that help foster the growth of successful online businesses and develop innovative Internet business ideas. We specialize in internet consulting & internet marketing. - Visit Jeff Foster's Website |
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Jay Kubassek(Jay's Full Bio: EvanCarmichael.com/jaykubassek) In five years, Canadian-born entrepreneur Jay Kubassek went from selling mufflers at a Midas franchise to revolutionizing Internet marketing with the 2004 launch of CarbonCopyPRO, a online marketing education company, now worth over $20 million with customers in over 160 countries.
As an independent film producer, his upstart film fund Aliquot Films is currently producing a films with Spike Lee and Abel Fererra (starring Ethan Hawke and Dennis Hopper.)
Jay's entrepreneurial spirit is irrepressible. He’s the owner of five companies, a professional speaker and trainer, international real estate developer/investor, extreme sport enthusiast and emerging philanthropist. Jay resides in NYC with his wife Jamie, son Milo and dog Cooper. Visit Jay's official website: www.JayKubassek.com - Visit Jay Kubassek's Website |
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