More often than not, inefficient work practices happen because of your physical space, not some fatal character flaw. What a relief!

Three ways to increase efficiency and speed without having to work harder

1. Consider your prime real estate

Sit at your desk in your chair. Hold your arms out at your sides and then move them to meet in front of you. Everything in this semicircular range is called prime real estate.

Look carefully at this area of your desk. The best things to have there include items that you use daily. This is your work area, so leave it uncluttered and pared down to the basics. If you have storage there, move it to a place that’s used less frequently.

This allows you to have uncluttered work space right where you need it – within arms reach.

2. Eliminate barriers

Do you have a stack of filing to do? That’s because you have a barrier. One of my clients had an a-ha recently when she realized that her files were piling because her file drawer was a pain to open and get into: a barrier.

The goal is to have as few barriers to your everyday maintenance tasks as possible. This means removing lids on containers and keeping them off. Declutter a drawer so it’s easier to use. Purge your files so you actually have room to store new ones.

The end result is speed and minimum interruption – so you can get back to what you were doing.

3. Use multi-purpose tools

Most people want a workspace that is spacious and clean because a clutter-free space is easier to work in and more emotionally refreshing.

But most folks don’t know how to create it. In addition to the first two ideas, another is to find multi-purpose products that meet the needs of your business.

To do this, evaluate at the footprint of your current tools. Notice how much space to these take up: phone, printer, computer, fax, charging station (a.k.a. snarl of cords). If you decide you’d rather have more of that space free and open, start looking for products that combine those tasks.

One solution is a multifunctional home office hub that morphs many electronics needs into one elegant unit.

The end result of making these changes is a workspace that is easier to navigate and work in. Plus, you get more time to do the things you want to do.

Now that you know, do you have a pet peeve that’s slowing you down and slurping up time – when you’d rather be working?

Post from: My Organized Biz

To be honest, even though I shop at some of them, just thinking about these companies is enough to get my blood boiling.

Before I break into a full-fledged rant, I have to say that I learned some interesting information about Office Depot that warrants recognition.

In the last four years Office Depot has developed:

• An environmental stewardship page on their website
• A free guide called “20 Ways fo Go Green at Work (and Save Money!)”
• The Green Book(tm) Catalog of Environmentally Preferrable Products – available in printed form or online (to save paper)
• Office Depot Environmental Paper Procurement Policy
• An environmental stewardship Auditing and Verification Policy

You might say that’s all well and good for their image – and the bottom line. But get this: Office Depot has been active in the Forest & Biodiversity Conservation Alliance – a partnership with some of the biggest names in environmental conservation, including the Nature Conservancy.

According to the site, this alliance is “a cooperative working framework that coordinates the complementary strengths and resources of each organization to address forest and biodiversity conservation issues within the paper products supply chain.”

In addition, according to the company’s site, “Office Depot committed $2.2 million in funding over a five-year period to develop new information, standards and tools to advance our forest and biodiversity conservation policies.”

Not bad for a big box. In fact, it makes them next on my list of places I shop for office supplies – after my locally owned office store.

Post from: My Organized Biz

Here’s a small sampling – compiled for your viewing pleasure:

Greener Files – ideas for saving paper, printer ink, and integrating digital records.

Greening Your Electricity at the Office – learn how to prevent juice leaks, maximize natural light, and get connected to renewable energy.

Resources for Recycling Office Electronics – here’s a huge pile of resources for this invasive problem.

Check in often at Greener Assets for ideas and information about how to run your business green!

Post from: My Organized Biz