Posts Tagged ‘Continuing Education of Professional Organizers’

Powerful Keynote Tim Sanders

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

Tim Sanders opening keynote was noteworthy to say the least.  Tim brought true meaning to the phrase “givers gain”.  He told vivid stories of how many business pioneers blazed the business trail by connecting other people first.  Simply introduce three people who can benefit from each other each week, Tim challenged us, and see the magic unfold.  When you help other people find the resources they need by introducing someone to a new business you will earn their trust and become a valuable resource.  When you are a valuable resource you become the go-to person that people naturally turn to including when they need what you offer or when a friend of theirs needs what you offer. 

Tim was full of incredible information and was very inspiring.  You can learn more from Tim’s books Love is the Killer App: How to Win Business and Influence Friends and The Likeability Factor at his web-site.

So…who are three people that you can introduce to each other?  Maybe you have a client who is moving and you can introduce them to mover and a custom closet company.  When you send the e-mail introducing everyone be sure to include the reasons why you thought they might be able to work with each other. 

Here’s to your new habit!

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The Most 100 Valuable Brands In The World

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

Millward Brown Optimor has released its fifth annual BrandZ report(.pdf file) that shows the 100 most valuable brands in the world–and it shows just how integral technology has become in our lives. The top spot goes to Google, with IBM and Apple following close behind–and out of the top 10, there are just three non-tech brands: McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, and Marlboro. 

Of the 16 categories, however, it was not technology that posted the biggest rise but, rather, financial institutions, with a 12% growth, compared to half of that for tech. Only beer and fast food, with increases of 10% and 1% respectively, showed positive, with the other 12 sectors dropping. It’s worth comparing the list with Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2010.  

The report–its methodology is explained here–has a lot to say about social media and how it affects a company’s brand–especially for those in the tech sector. The BrandZ list didn’t feature Facebook in the top 100, but it slipped in at 20th in the tech rankings. The site, however, featured large in the report, and is seen as a crucial tool in how the big firms will increase their reach using social networking sites. 

Its advice to budding Jobses, Brin/Pages, and Zuckerbergs is to forget about philanthropy (not something, whisper, that either Apple or Facebook is known for) and embrace responsibility, to see mobiles as the new billboards–RIP Don Draper–and that successful brands are built from the top down.

How does this relate to your small business?  If your branding was as strong as your organizing skills, you could drastically increase your revenue.   Once you create a powerful, compelling brand, business comes to you instead of the other way around.  To create a compelling brand purchase audio recording with fellow organizer and brand expert, Krista Green, called Get Noticed, Be Remembered.  You’ll learn how to communicate your values, personality, talents and unique skills to create your own personal brand and influence the way others perceive you.  Brand is not only for the fortune 500 company, perception is everything.

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Posted in Grow Your Business, Marketing, Teleclasses | No Comments »

Unique Closet Organizing Trick

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

I am the type of person who wears the same clothes all the time because I grab the same clothes from my closet.  Same clothes, same exact outfit every time I wear it.  Boring!  So even clothes I once liked, I now dislike, because I’ve worn them so many times the exact same way.  Last month we had an awesome teleclass (now available as an audio purchase) called Brand Yourself Through Your Appearance and since then I have wanted to implement what I learned on that call with expert Darcey Howard of LifeStyled.  Yesterday two friends came to my house and we went through everything in my closet.  We did get rid of some stuff that did not support my goals and style, but the best part was that we created about 50 new outfits from my existing wardrobe.  I am not kidding.  One pair of pants, I thought didn’t match anything in my closet, goes with almost every shirt I own.  It was amazing! 

It was one of the most fun days ever.  We went through all my clothes, drank wine, laughed and just had fun.  My husband is thrilled because now I don’t have to bother him every morning asking him how the same old outfit looks.  As if it looks any different than the 30 times prior I’ve worn it.  I have a few things I need to buy to complete the wardrobe, but I now with them help of our teleclass and my friends, I know how to put clothes together in a whole new way. 

Additionally, they taught me a little trick that is pretty helpful.  Since I always gravitate to the same item, they said instead of organizing my closet by clothing type and then color to only organize it by color.  So now all my black clothes, or brown or red, or blue, or whatever color are in one place regardless of whether they are a shirt, skirt, jacket or pants.  So the next time to go grab the same blue shirt I wear all the time, I will see the other 10 blue shirts with it and the pants opening my mind to many more outfits.  Its a pretty good idea.

So if you find yourself saying you have nothing to wear, give our teleclass a listen and apply what you learn to your closet.   Darcey says, “If you are your own brand then your wardrobe is your logo.”  Best part, as an organizer, using what you learn on this call you can help them project the image they want to portray and use this class as a CEU.

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Posted in Continuing Education, Marketing, Teleclasses | 1 Comment »

What’s Going On With Christa

Friday, April 30th, 2010

I wanted to make you aware of some changes going on in my career.   Prior to being a Professional Organizer, I worked at DDB Worldwide on the McDonald’s business.  This experience helped me greatly in launching my business.  I owned Savvy Solutios for almost six years and it was a thriving business I am very proud of.  But as the years went on I started to miss the hustle and bustle of the marketing world.  It’s truly where I belong. 

Effective March 1st, I went back to my marketing roots joining Nature’s Path Foods, an organic food company located in Vancouver, BC.  I joined their team as the Brand Manager for their “in the bowl” products.   That means granola and granola bars, toaster pastries, waffles, snacks, cookies, etc.  You can find their products at natural food stores, organic stores and many grocers like Safeway, Giant Eagle and Walmart.  I have had a deep passion for marketing and branding, which has helped me tremendously in my own business.  At the same time I feel I will be able to utilize my organizing skills to a much greater degree at Nature’s Path.    They’ve already asked me to organize the electronic documents, do a email organizing seminar and organize the product warehouse. 

I have enjoyed being a professional organizer for almost six years and have loved working with my clients and colleagues.  What does this mean for A Red Bench?   I will continue to have my partnership, with Angela Ploetz and look forward to bring my new learning’s to the business.  I absolutely love A Red Bench; it’s an amazing business model and I truly love my business partner.   We’ve had to adjust the Live Teleclass times to work within my schedule, but it’s working out and we are very excited about what tomorrow will bring.   I do plan to attend NAPO 2011: Angela said I can’t leave her alone at the booth again and I missed my conference roommates.  I look forward to seeing you there. 

Being an organizer is a special gift.   Thank you so much for all your support  and friendship over the years!

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Posted in Grow Your Business | 1 Comment »

Knowing What Paper To Toss

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

The only way to keep paper under control is to let go of anything that is not needed or you will not use.  If you’re not sure if you’ll use it, think about your habits and if you’ve used something in the past.  Like coupons for example, if you have never used a coupon then why are you keeping the ValPak each week?   Every situation is different, so confirm with your accountant regarding your vital or tax papers, but here is a general list of paper you can let go of:

  • Toss ATM, bank deposit slips and receipts for everyday and minor purchases after you’ve checked them against your bank statement. 
  • Product solicitations for things you aren’t ready to buy.
  • Old magazines, books, and articles you haven’t referred to in the last twelve months.
  • Old research materials and literature.
  • Duplicates of documents.
  • Previous drafts of letters and proposals.
  • Information you already know.
  • Business stationery you no longer use.  (Keep one or two sheets in a history file and toss the rest.)
  • Early drafts of creative writing (unless you really do refer back to them).
  • Newspapers.  If they are more than a week old, they are ancient history.
  • Junk mail.
  • Expired coupons.
  • Coupons you won’t use.
  • Outdated schedules or planners.
  • Old greeting cards (unless they contain a very special message, select your absolute favorites).
  • Invitations to past events.
  • Expired warranties and service contracts.
  • Instructions for items you no longer own.
  • Expired insurance policies.
  • Investment and banking brochures that are available online.
  • Business cards from people whose names you don’t recognize.
  • Old tourist brochures from past vacations.
  • Road maps you haven’t referred to in ten years.
  • Solicitations from charities you don’t intend to give to.
  • Recipes you haven’t tried in three years.
  • College notebooks and textbooks.  (If you can’t part with them all, keep a box of your best papers and reports and let the rest go.)

*  A Red Bench is not responsible to lost, misplaced or discarded information.   

Want some additional help managing your client’s paper piles?  Attend Helping Clients Manage the Paper Crisis, attend our next teleclass on January 27th.  There is still time to Register! 

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Kicking Off Continuing Education in 2010

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

As a Certified Professional Organizer®, you are required to earn 45 organizing-related continuing education hours over a 3-year period.  As we are approaching the first re-certification for the inaugural exam, we are getting an overwhelming request for continuing education courses.   Therefore, we are tweaking our programming to include Continuing Education in 2010. 

These calls are designed to not only help you run your business and make you a better professional organizer, but also to help you teach and transfer the skills to your clients.   Here is our current schedule:

  • Helping Your Clients Manage The Paper Crisis
  • Reduce Time Spent On Email

Keep in mind in order to receive Continuing Education Credits (CEU’s) you must attend “live” interactive events and A certificate of attendance will be provided to attendees as well as an audio recording of the live call.  Depending on your scope of work, the calls may apply towards your continuing education. 

Register at http://www.aredbench.com/calendar.php

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Continuing Education Series

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

As a Certified Professional Organizer®, you are required to earn 45 organizing-related continuing education hours over a 3-year period.  It has come to our attention that in order to receive Continuing Education Credits (CEU’s) from the BCPO you must attend “live” interactive events.  Therefore, if you attend our teleclasses “live” you may use them for your CEU’s.  

As we are approaching the first recertification for the innagual exam, we are getting an overwhelming request for continuing education courses.   We are in the process of developing a Continuing Education Series, that will kick off in January, and would like to to know what you need?

Email us at info@aredbench.com and let us know what  organizing related classes would be helfpul to your business.  We look forward to working with you. 

A Red Bench offers continuing education for professional organizers and small business owners.

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Posted in Continuing Education, Grow Your Business, Teleclasses | 1 Comment »

No Permission Equals Lost Clients

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

phone_redIn last week’s blog Are You Chasing Away Clients, I talked about the rule I learned in telemarketing training back in my college days, “three no’s and you go”.  I discussed how in your third attempt to get in contact with a non-responsive client that you should define that you will not be following up with them again but that they can contact you.

But what if you are actually speaking to the client over and over again and you are not getting a “yes”?  On our recent teleclass Relationship Marketing with Donna Smallin she shared with us that she called someone 7 times over two years before they agreed to have a meeting with her and then they hired her for a two year time period.  Wow!  The key to her success was persistence and permission.  Each time she called this person she asked him “would it be okay if I check back with you in a couple of months?”  Each time the prospect said “yes”.  When you get permission to call someone back you don’t feel bad about calling them because they told you it was okay.   In last weeks article Are You Chasing Away Clients, that situation pertains to a non-responsive client, or someone who you keep trying to contact and never can get through to them via phone or e-mail.  In Donna’s example the situation pertains to a client you are actually speaking to who is telling you that they are not ready to use your services right now.  These are two very different situations.

To sum it up, if you have a non-responsive client use the “three no’s and you go” rule of thumb or if you have a client who is not ready to commit you can use the “would it be okay if I check back with you in a couple of months?” technique.

Don’t forget, we’ll be learning more on How to Sell Without Being Salesy from Helen Graves on our August 3rd teleclass. 

Do you have a favorite tip?   We love to learn and share.

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Posted in Marketing, Sales, Teleclasses | 3 Comments »

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.

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