Get Organized: Organizing Tips to Improve Your Productivity

• Organize Your Business Records: Create a filing system that will track sales, client follow-up and inventory. In addition, create and maintain an impeccable filing system for clients and prospects that will allow you to find what you need when you need it. Remember, your clients are your bread and butter today and your prospects are your bread and butter tomorrow, so excellent customer service - made possible by an excellent record-keeping system - is imperative.
  
   
• Stick with 1 Filing System: It's easy to find what you're looking for if you use the same filing structure for all your files, regardless of type. This means that you should use the same headings for files in your file cabinets, on your computer, in your email in-box and in your Internet bookmarks directory, and stick with a uniform system for naming documents
  
   
• Handle It Once: Strive to handle pieces of paper only once, and avoid shuffling papers from one stack to the other. Pick up a piece of paper and make a decision: Is it something you need to handle that day? If so, place it in a folder labeled "Action Item." Is it something you need to handle, but not today? If so, place it in a folder labeled "Future Action Items." Or is it something you don't need at all? If so, throw it away.

• Measure before You Shop: When purchasing files, bins and boxes to complete your organizing project, be sure to measure your office space, shelves and drawers before you go shopping. Bring a list of the items you need and the precise size each item needs to be to fit your work space. This organizational tool will save you time and money returning items that you don't need or don't fit. Remember, everything you buy for your business and every minute away from your business cuts into your profit, so do your best to be cost- and time-conscious.
  
  
• Separate Business from Personal: Keep your personal projects and records separate from your business projects and records. For those who work at home, a great home office organization tip is to cut down on the "distraction factor" by setting up a completely separate space for personal projects. In addition, be sure to create separate filing systems for your business and personal records, in order to simplify things at tax season.