As of the end of December, My Organized Biz will be closing as b5media discontinues Bizzia and the business blogs.  I’ve been writing this blog for several months and hope I’ve brought you helpful information about organizing your business, your office, and your marketing. 
 It has been enjoyable blogging here and getting to know so many of my readers.  As with  many opportunities in life, there comes a time to go on to something else.
I shall be activating two business blogs I established at Blogger some time ago and will publish future business and organizational tips there so that my readers will have information to refer to.  …read more

As one year comes to an end and another begins, it’s time to take stock and see where you might make changes.  Also, you’ll want to do some organizing for 2010.
Consider practices and products that weren’t so successful this past year.  It might not be your fault at all but is due to the changes in the economy and spending power of your customers.
What can you do this year to minimize losses and even drive up profits?

Discontinue unprofitable products
Brainstorm for new products/services that meet people’s needs in a changing economy.
Assess what promotional practices worked. 
Discontinue those that didn’t meet with success over …read more

This is a good time to get one’s office organized and start a new year with a clean slate…clean desk and ordered file cabinets. 
 I’ve been organizing throughout the year, but haven’t reached the ultimate solution.
I’ve resolved over the coming week, when one of my outside-the-home jobs (substitute teaching) is on vacation, to take that time and finish my clean up and organizational tasks.  Then I need to make sure I’ve developed, or am at least in the process of developing, organizational strategies that will be easy to follow throughout 2010.

Some files I won’t be able to box up for storage …read more

At the end of each month, I present a round-up of five posts that have been popular or have generated interest at My Organized Biz. 
Here are 5 for December:
Organizing Your Packaging for “Green” Products
Organizing a Studio in a Loft
Pearl Harbor Day – December 7
More Organizational Tips from a Reader
Reader’s Response to Internet Disfunction Post
Did you have a favorite post?

With so much emphasis on being “green” and environmentally conscious, you might want to consider how you can comply for 2010 without being excessively neurotic.  Some people get carried to the extreme with being “green,” that they’re not practical at all.
However, there are some things you can do.  Such as:

Separate trash in office and home, especially if your city or town has separated collection containers or bins.
Take separated materials to recycling areas.  Some of these even give you money for what you’ve collected, particularly in states where you must pay deposits on cans and containers.
Reuse paper…for instance, we use the …read more

Developing a brand or recognition of your name and/or business has become a hot topic nowadays.  Focusing your interests under a related “umbrella” enables you to brand a wider group of activities.
I’ve written about a number of branding strategists at Home Biz Notes.  Perhaps none of them started out deciding to develop a brand, but slowly it has evolved for them and is worthwhile building upon now.
Susan Gunelius on Branding Your Business – The Playboy Way
Branding – The Elm Creek Way
Kyra E. Hicks Discovers Her Writing Niche or Brand
How Do I Brand My Home Business?
Can I Brand – The Trails End Quilters Way?
Have …read more

Do you take time to write “thank you” notes to customers, friends, potential customers, your suppliers and the occasional person who’s done you a favor?   In today’s fast paced world, notes of appreciation seem to have gone by the wayside.
There are many ways to say “thank you” and to show your appreciation.  Take time to utilize one of them and organize this gesture into your schedule.

A sticky note attached to an invoice, a product, or something you’ve borrowed and are returning.
A note specifically designed for the occasion.
A note you’ve designed with your computer program.
A note you’ve made by hand
An e-mail
A phone …read more

Organization of time, work, goals and work space often seem challenging.  Even when we have good intentions, we sometimes go astray.
From Business Know How, we have Getting Organized: 5 Secrets to Help You Get Started by Maria Garcia.  Here Maria gives you five organizational tips, but breaks them down even further for ease in getting yourself started.  This could be a good way to start the New Year in your business.
How are you organizing for the New Year?

Before you can organize an office or studio, you must have one to organize. 
 What shall you use for an office?  There are many options. 

Use a loft area as my daughter is doing for her fabric art studio.  One corner does have a bed, dresser and bookshelves for her daughter when home from college.
Convert one corner or end of a bedroom, as I’ve often had to do.
Use one section of a living room or dining room.  I’ve had to do this, too.  My daughter had her fabric art area at one end of our living room until the loft area became …read more

As the hours wind down toward Christmas Day, are you stressed out trying to meet business commitments, finish orders and get deliveries made, along with family holiday plans?  Or are you well organized so that everything is running smoothly?
If you still have much to do:

Prioritize and decide what really needs to be done and in what order.
Is there anything you don’t need to do until after Christmas Day…or even the holiday season?
Can you get someone to help you with these commitments?
Is there something else you can put off that you thought you needed to accomplish?
Take a few minutes, here and there, …read more