Archive for the ‘In The Know-What's Hot In Organizing’ Category

New Kitchen Organizing Product

Thursday, August 6th, 2009

SpiceCareAs professional organizers, we are always looking for new products to share with our clients and here’s one I came across the other day (from a friend on Facebook).  The company is called SpiceTable and the product is SpiceCare; a spice storage system. 

With the SpiceCare system, “You keep spices them fresh and simplify storage–in containers as distinctive as the spices they contain.”  The SpiceCare System is sold as a convenient boxed set or as individual containers, allowing you to build the perfect size spice collection for your needs. Extra screens, lids and labels are also available to help you manage and organize your growing collection.

SpiceCare could be a potential product choice for clients with limited storage space, clients who needs to see things to know they are there and clients who enjoy aesthetically appealing products on their kitchen counter.   Check it out and let us know what you think!

Start Getting Results From Social Media

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

It goes without saying that social media is changing the way we market ourselves.  All of a sudden we can get our message to so many more people for virtually no cost, but our time.  Since we offer training to professional organizers, and other service based professionals, we had to get some answers on this new phenomenon.  We had an Embrace Social Media, a TeleSummit a few months ago and it was a huge success and I learned so much on each of the eight expert callsSocial Media .  How to use Facebook effectively, how to turn followers into fans and how to manage my time, yet still use these amazing and ground breaking tools. 

Our Embrace Social Media, a  TeleSummit Audios and Transcripts will be available soon, so stay tuned or email us at info@aredbench.com to be the first to hear of their release.  But in the meantime, here are a few of my own takeaways from the event. 

  • Start with a blog first.  If you are heading down the path of social media, the first step is to get a blog so you own all your intellectual property.   If everything you write is on Facebook or Twitter, you don’t own your material.  Create a blog and then link your blog to the various social media tools.  For help getting started purchase and listen to our class called How to Plan, Build and Promote Your Blog with Blog Expert and 2 Time NAPO Conference Speaker Rich Brooks. 
  • Add Value:   If you are using social media solely for the purpose of personal use, then sure post that your child just pooped himself.  But if you are using social media for your business think about how you can add value and what would attract people to your.  What problems or challenges do your followers have and how can you provide some help and solutions. 

It’s up to you if you want to participate, but there is a lot of opportunity out there and the world has certainly become a lot smaller with so many friends waiting for more information.

We will launch the Embrace Social Media, a  TeleSummit Audios and Transcripts one at a time or you can get all eight very soon!  More details coming soon!

Christa Wagner Nominated for 2009 Harold Taylor Organizing Award

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009

I recently received my POC Talk newsletter and was shocked and thrilled to see that I have been nominated for the 2009 Harold Taylor Award.  What an honor and a surprise!!!  Thank you so much to whoever nominated me.  I did not see this coming and am just thrilled to be apart of such a distinguished list of organizers.  Professional Organizers in Canada

Nominees are the people who have been recognized by their peers as having given something back to POC, its members, and the organizing industry. The winner will be announced at the National POC Conference in Calgary this November.  I will be a speaker the conference.  The presentation is From Organizer to Infopreneur– Using Information Products to Boost Profitability. I look forward to meeting many organizers.

Thank you for this honor.  I am proud to be apart of POC and have always wanted to give as much as I can to other organizers and the organizing industry.   That is why A Red Bench was born!

The Best Tool To Manage Clients Files and Paper Clutter

Friday, July 3rd, 2009

Many of you work with your client’s files and paper.  I don’t know about you, but many of my clients have trouble mainintaing their files.  Even in the most organized of systems, if you don’t review the paper annually it builds up quickly. 

One of the best products I have found to manage paper is the FreedomFiler; its a fantastic filing system we use with nearly every single client. We encourage you to look into this product and use it with your clients to help them magage their paper and tell them how long to keep it.  What I love the product is that how you file your paper tells you how long you keep it.  FreedomFiler

Recently, I was talking to my good friend, Debbie Rosemont of Simply Placed, based in Sammamish, WA.  We were talking about the FreedomFiler and how we can best use this tool with our clients.  We both have been using the product for years and many people want us to help them implement the system, but others have different needs.  Here are some ways you can use the FreedomFiler with your clients.

A la Carte:  Your clients purchase a FreedomFiler ala carte at www.freedomfiler.com.  I would encourage you to become a FreedomFiler affiliate.  Email us at info@aredbench.com if you would like more information on this.

Pre-Made kit:  You can put together the FreedomFiler for your client.  I know you don’t what to see this product become another product that sits on the counter.   Put it together and your client will have functioning files with minimal investment.

FreedomFiler Workshop:  You can offer workshops where attendees build their Freedomfiler in a group setting.

FreedomFiler Consultation:  In just a few hours, you can show your client how to use the product, how to implement it and build their  system.  In my experience, your clients can have files they will never have to re-organize again in less than 3 hours.FreedomFiler

Both Angela and I love the FreedomFiler and you will too!  It’s a great tool for your clients and can also provide you with some passive income by becoming an affiliate.  If I had one wish for every home, it would be to have a FreedomFiler.  You will be a lifesaver to your clients as you can save them from their paper pain.

Gearing Up For NAPO Conference

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

With only days away we are getting really excited for the NAPO Conference.  We arrive in Orlando on Tuesday anlobbyd are looking forward to meeting organizers from all over the world.  A Red Bench has a booth in the expo (booth #409); please come visit our booth and let us know what’s going on with you and your business.  We will have lots to share with you.

Use your airplane time wisely and plan out how you’re going to spend your conference time.  What classes do you want to attend?  Who do you want to meet?  What questions do you want to get answered?  Conference is a great time to connect with other organizers, to network and learn.  Make sure you plan your time accordingly to get the most from your conference experience.

See you in Orlando!

Must See Movie for Organizers

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009

The powerful documentary My Mother’s Garden airs on MSNBC April 5, 2009 in the evening. The movie’s web-site states that it will run at 10 PM, but does not indicate a time zone so be sure to check your local listings for exact time. This is a powerful movie documenting how one family dealt with their mother’s dangerous hoarding disorder. Set your DVR or watch it live to get an insight into what the families of hoarders are going through.   We would love to hear your thoughts and comments after the movie.

Read the film synopsis below:
In the suburban setting of a quiet tree-lined street in Granada Hills, California we see a 61 year old woman pushing a grocery cart to her front door. We watch her climb through a window covered in ivy and cob webs into her house, stepping on top of stacks of newspapers, piles of debris, rotting material, clothing, and toys; a living mass of waste that has literally pushed her out of the house and into her garden.
My Mother’s Garden is the story of Eugenia Lester whose hoarding disorder has entered a dangerous and life threatening stage. Directed by her daughter Cynthia, it documents how one family comes together to cope with their mother’s disorder and rebuild a lost sense of family. My Mother’s Garden was an official selection of the 2006 New York IFP Market and was a finalist for the IFP Socially Conscious Documentary Award. The film has also received support from the 2007 New York State Council For the Arts and the 2007 Pacific Pioneer Fund.