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The Organizing Corner
Jody Adams, CPO�        724.850.7282       [email protected]
 

AUGUST 2008

In This Issue. . .
:: Do You See What They See?
:: Earth-Friendly Organizing
:: Do You Know These People In Your Neighborhood?
:: What Do I Do With. . . ?
 Greetings!
 
Welcome to the first issue of The Organizing Corner! 
 
We hope you'll use the helpful information and resources to make your life easier.  And if there's an organizing topic you'd like to know more about, or if you have a suggestion for future issues, please let us know! 
 
Enjoy!
Jody Adams, CPO�
Owner of In Its Place

Do You See What They See?
Is clutter impacting your business?

As a business owner, you strive to provide your customers with the best products and services and a positive work environment for your employees.  In the daily hustle and bustle of running your business, it's easy for little details to fall by the wayside.  But sometimes it's those little things that make a big difference.

Picture this: piles of paper and files on desks and counters, office supplies stashed in every corner, overflowing file cabinets, and unpacked deliveries blocking the hallway.  If you were a prospective customer and walked into this setting, would you want to do business with this company?  If you were an employee or a potential new-hire, would you want to work here?
 
Clutter and disorganization can create a negative first impression, hinder your ability to find what you need when you need it, and ultimately have an effect on productivity and your bottom line. 
 
What can you do about it?  1) Identify your goals and how you want your office to function.  2) Sort through the supplies, papers, and files and donate, recycle, or shred what you don't need.  3) Establish systems that support your goals and that are easy to maintain, ideally storing similar items together and where you use them most often.

Need help with organization or space planning? Call 724.850.7282 or email for details.
Earth-Friendly Organizing
The latest green scoop. . . 
    
If  you want to live a little greener,  
Westmoreland Cleanways has made it a little easier to do just that.  If you don't have curbside recycling pickup, or if your pickup excludes certain types of materials, this is a great solution. 
 
Single Stream recycling (one collection container for all glass, plastic, paper,  and metal recyclables) is available in many locations.  Click here to find out if there's one near you!


If you've made the switch to CFL (compact fluorescent light) light bulbs, there's now a place to take them when they finally do stop shining.  Just take your expired, unbroken bulbs to The Home Depot store near you for recycling.  For more info on this free program and their other green efforts, click here.


You can find more donation and recycling resources from In Its Place here.
 
What Do I Do With. . . ? 
In Its Place answers your questions about end-of-summer organizing.

Q1.   My kids have a ton of outdoor toys.  How do I organize and store them through the winter?
 
A1.  1st: Go through all of the toys - throw away/recycle any that are broken and donate the ones your children have outgrown. 
2nd: Clean off those toys that you decide to keep so they're ready to go next spring. 
3rd: Depending on the size of the toys and how much storage room you have, store the cleaned toys in clearly marked bins and containers. Wrap larger toys in old sheets or tablecloths and stow them in the basement or an out-of-the-way spot in the garage.
 
 
Q2. It's still summer, but I want to get my kids' wardrobes ready for school.  Where should I start?
 
A2.  1) For each child, go through all of their clothing and pull out the items they've outgrown or that they never wore.   These can be given to a younger sibling or donated.  If some clothes are badly torn or stained, use as rags, re-purpose the fabric into grocery store bags, or (alas!) toss.  2)  Make a list of the clothing each child still needs so you're ready to go when the "back-to-school" sales begin.  
 
If you have an organizing question, please send us an email.
Do You Know These People In Your Neighborhood?
 
The folks at these companies and organizations offer products and services that can come in handy as you're getting organized. . .
 
Pittsburgh's only nonprofit building material reuse retailer.  
 
Check out Dennis's selection of Scratch & Dent furniture!
 
Environmentally friendly garage storage and flooring solutions.
 
This locally owned and operated firm does custom design, fabrication, and installation. 
 
Professional ebay sales to get cash for your unneeded items.
Thank you for spending a little time with us.  If you have any questions or are interested in our services, feel free to call 724.850.7282,  email, or visit our web site.
 
Enjoy the rest of your summer.  See you next month!
 
Jody
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Buy four hours,
GET ONE FREE! 
 
 Mention this coupon when you purchase a
four-hour hands-on organizing session and
get an additional hour at no charge!
 
 
 Offer good through September 4, 2008
for residential and commercial clients.
Contact: Jody Adams, CPO�        724.850.7282          [email protected] 
 
Offer not valid on gift certificates.   Not redeemable for cash.   Limit: 3 sessions per client.