Closets Redefined
Take a look at Marie Newton’s ‘Closets Redefined’ for ideas and inspiration.
Clutter versus Hoarding
It can be very difficult to differentiate between clutter and hoarding – especially if you are personally attached to the person it involves.
The fact that opinions differ on this sensitive area makes complete sense. Individuals can struggle with knowing the difference between clutter and hoarding for two main reasons:
Primary personality traits that conflict – we all know someone who appears acutely organized who is successful and we all know someone who is not, who is still successful.
Learn more about Personality Assessments
Lack of knowledge – it’s inaccurate to judge someone who ‘collects’ as a hoarder.
Learn more about the Institute for Challenging Disorganization and their Clutter – Hoarding Scale
If you are concerned about an individual in your life we recommendation contacting the Professional Organizing Association in Canada, National Association of Professional Organizers in the US or the Institute for Challenging Disorganization or contact kAos Group
Delay Emails from Sending
In a recent conversation with Sandy and Janis from Conext I was informed of an easy way to postpone sending your emails called delay sending. .
This is one more reason why we tell our clients to ask their peers their favorite feature in Outlook because you’ll learn about incredible options you didn’t know existed.
The True Meaning of Valentine’s Day
It’s here again – that time of year when all the ad campaigns are asking “What are you buying him/her for Valentine’s Day?” with an ever so slight, smug undertone indicating that you’ve messed up in the past or this is your only chance to show them you really love them.
If you feel Valentine’s Day is shrouded in mystery because of marketing and retail sales then check out this link for the real story. Personally, I believe the real desire that perpetuates us to celebrate is because love feels good. Love is about how you act not what you buy.
If you want to let people know you love them give from your heart and if you still want to buy something edible make sure it’s healthy or at the very least, it’s the really good chocolate.
To help you our all you need are these two links:
Great edible bouquets of fruit: Edible Arrangements
Great Chocolate: Purdy’s
One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: that word is love.
- Sophocles -
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Contact information in the Clouds
Are you wondering how your data base could be more easily accessible to your virtual assistant? Do you want to track your sales process? Do you need to make your client information more accessible to your contracted marketing firm?
If you are a small business owner there are lot’s of reasons to consider transitioning your contacts from something like Outlook or gMail to a cloud based CRM (Customer Relationship Management) service such as ZOHO and Sales Force. They are certainly easy to start using but before you spend time downloading and getting started we recommend asking yourself some of the following questions first:
1. How much money do you want to spend?
2. How many users will you have?
3. Are there additional costs to syncing with your PDA?
4. Who is going to help you transition your existing information to your new platform?
5. Why are you thinking of transitioning?
6. Who will train you on how to use the new platform?
Remember – there is a dollar value attached to everything you spend time doing yourself or paying someone to do for you. It can cost you money in ways that you may not have even thought of like: your time spent learning the system, transferring your date to the new platform, training new team members and in the worse case scenario….hiring someone to come in and fix your mess later on.
If you’re thinking of transitioning your computer based CRM give us a call at 416.347.9002 or email dk@kaosgroup.com – I’d be happy to discuss the behind the scenes details to help you transition.
If you’re presently looking for ZOHO training consider contact our associate Lorin Bourassa at lorin@gloo.biz or the Gloo web site for more information on how they can help you.
Clearing Computer Clutter with PIC
Billable hours trump hours spent searching for misplaced documents is what we all agreed to by the end of my presentation to the Professional Independent Communicators IABC/PIC at Metro Hall earlier this month.
I know organizing computer documents may make you yawn and others cringe but it’s time well spent when planned out and executed systematically.
One attendee and MAC user was nice enough to post his opinion and photo’s of the night – thanks Alan.
When attendees were asked “what one idea from today’s session will you put into practice?” Here were some of the answers: “create a more consistent naming convention”, “set aside the time to set up filing conventions”, “back-up more often”, “use a To-Read folder”, “archive files with z_”, “write out and set up hierarchy”, “create primary folders”, “use shortcuts on desktop for current projects”, “figure out a personal plan” and “be realistic about the time good computer organization takes – it is possible – I can now work up a system. Thank you. Excellent Presentation”
National do not call list with a 5 year block
Cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketers and you can be charged for these calls. If you are a consumer in Canada you can choose to reduce the number of telemarketing calls you receive by registering your residential, wireless, fax or VoIP telephone number on the National DNCL (Do Not Call List).
4 questions to help you plan this year’s content
Barb Sawyers of Sticky Communications and author of Write Like You Talk Only Better has given me a framework to follow so that I don’t ramble on and put my readers to sleep (I don’t always follow the rules 
) but thank goodness for her easy-to-follow systems that strengthen what I offer.
Read her blog: informative, funny and always helpful.
4 questions to help you plan this year’s content
Planning how you’re going to share your expertise this year may be almost as important as those promises about getting in shape.
To make those content resolutions, ask yourself how often, what topics, how to manage when you’re too busy and how to improve.
Are Those Spices Still Good?
Have you ever opened your kitchen cupboard and realized that your spices or dried goods have been there for quite some time? How long should you keep these items? How long do your spices maintain their flavor?
Here are some guidelines to help you get the food in your kitchen up to date.
Oils
Vegetable oils last for approximately 6 months when stored in a cool dark place. Nut oils last 3 months but should be refrigerated.
Vinegars
Red wine, white wine and aged balsamic can last up to one year when stored in a cool, dark place.
Beans & Grains
Lentils, peas, and beans can be stored for up to one year. Cornmeal should be stored in the freezer for freshness.
Baking Ingredients
Extracts last several years and yeasts lose their potency after approximately one year.
Sugars
Store in well sealed containers. Double wrap brown sugars to keep them moist or add a slice of brown bread to soften up hardened sugar.
Vegetables
Onions and garlic last approximately one month in the pantry. Dried mushrooms will last several months.
Spices
Store in airtight containers away from light and heat. Spices will lose their flavor naturally after approximately one year or faster if stored incorrectly.
kAos Group is in the business of organization – they work closely with clients to help identify inefficiencies – the clutter and disorganization that prevents professional and personal growth – and help clients streamline their business and personal lives to reduce stress and increase productivity.
Visit www.kaosgroup.com for more information
What Kind of Organizing Support Do You Need?
To help our readers understand the scope of the kAos Group customized professional organizing support services, we’ve included a quick quiz for you to complete.
Add up how many areas you tick off as you read through the lists below. Then scroll to the bottom for some insights….
You might contact us for Moving and Relocation if you or a loved one:
- are moving or relocating
- are moving and have items that you would like to sell such as collection(s), art work, furniture or china
- are struggling with sorting, packing, purging, disposing, selling, hiring movers (that you can trust) and unpacking at the other end
- are moving an elderly parent or
- are in charge of an estate
You might contact us for Office Support if you:
- are bringing on new staff
- see productivity issues but are challenged with creating and implementing the solutions
- require filing or scanning on a regular basis
- require systems for your office at work or at home
- are often frustrated with what you do and don’t accomplish each day
You may contact us for Household Management Support if you:
- have one or more events at your home, especially over the holiday season, that you require assistance with
- would like help with shopping or gift wrapping
- would like to sort, organize and create systems for all of your seasonal decorations
- need things around your house repaired, installed and maintained
- are struggling with paper flow throughout your home
1-3: You are juggling and keep the balls in the air, most of the time
4-6: You are juggling and drop balls regularly
7+: You gave up juggling and have gone for crumpets and tea…. you’ll regroup and deal with it all later
