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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

Like many of my clients, Melissa is the first to admit the situation isn’t ideal, but she’s so busy that a complete overhaul of her space or her systems just hasn’t been an option.

The goal of the Wednesday Makeover is to give three ideas that will, if implemented, dramatically improve the functioning of your home office and the degree of enjoyment you get from your work.

Suggestion 1: Get rid of the stackable trays.

I honestly wish stackable trays had never been created. They seem so handy, but I hardly see anyone use them efficiently. My two problems with stackable trays are: 1. You can’t see what’s in them – so stuff gets put in there that you’re unlikely to find again. 2. There are better uses for plastic. Like sleds. Or coffee cups.

You’re admittedly not using them, so you can donate them to Goodwill in good conscience and then someone else can put ‘em on their own desk and not use them.

Suggestion 2: Get rid of the TV.

I’ve got a “get rid of” theme going now. Here’s why I think the TV should go: it has nothing at all to do with your business. If you want to be effective working from home, everything that’s in your office must align with your work and support it.

If you have a working television elsewhere in the house, this puppy needs to go. It’s not only taking up precious real estate in your office, but it’s also creating a distraction while you’re working. By watching and listening to it, this keeps you from working (and finishing). Just think – you could spend time doing things with your loved ones instead of being in the office! Crazy?

Suggestion 3: Look at your long-term goals.

What I wanted to say for suggestion 3 was something froofy – like put up a shelf on the long wall to store all of your books.

But I just don’t do froofy very well, so I’ll be compassionately honest instead: Your office is at capacity. Even though it’s tidy-looking, you’re running the equivalent of four businesses from one space, with two part-time helpers, and plans for further expansion.

You don’t need a trip to Office Depot for dividers – you need a good look at where you’re going long-term. You’re at the point where you need a space that allows you to create clear structural divisions between your businesses. Ask yourself:

• What would I love to be spending my time doing?
• What can I delegate?
• What can I cut out?

I loved how you mentioned that you do mental planning for the long term – and even when they’re unwritten goals, you still achieve them. (It’s noteworthy that Melissa is an Enneagram 3, “The Achiever”, which means she can take on the world singlehandedly without batting an eyelash.) Get this ability to work for you by defining your long term business goals for the next 5-10 years. Then you’ll know what to do in your office, rather than the other way around. You’re ready for it – and it will be worth more than 100 froofy suggestions.

I want to thank Melissa for jumping in to be my very first Wednesday Makeover volunteer - a brave soul! And as a thank you, I’ll be giving her a $10 credit to Powells Books (a better alternative to Amazon) to pick up the next thing on your reading list. Thanks, Melissa!

Would you like to receive 3 suggestions about your own office from Jennifer? More info here…

Post from: My Organized Biz

Printer ink cartriges are a small step above often gratuitous packaging, but it’s common for people to throw these little plastic boxes away when they’re drained.

Instead, here are two solutions to consider that save resources and money:

1. Refill:

When I bought my laptop, I fell for the trap of getting a cheapo printer along with it. Call me a sucker, but it seemed like a great deal – until I realized what Dell charges for a plain ol’ black ink cartridge (not to mention 3-color!). Ouch!

Refilling them is an easy process at chain stores like Rapid Refill who take your old cartridge and fill it back up with quality ink. They sometimes throw in a discount on this already inexpensive service if you’re a repeat customer.

HP, Dell, and friends would like you to think that refilling doesn’t work, but I’ve tried it. No problems. In some cases you’ll void your warantee or possibly worse, so be informed. Still, refilling decreases the need to produce new cartridges with virgin material – and can save you money without compromising quality.

2. Resell and recycle

Many Staples stores offer an in-store rebate for brand name ink cartridges – and the bonus is a $3 credit for each. Staples online InkDrop program gives you a pile of free shipping envelopes, a $30 credit, will recycle your old cartridge, and send you a replacement. Easy.

I didn’t unearth any similar programs from other big box office stores. But I did note that a number of them sell recycled cartridges for a slightly lower price than new. This is a great way to support the recycling industry while still saving some cash.

Have you had success with these recommendations? Do you know of other resources? Chime in with your experiences.

Post from: My Organized Biz

Reason 1: It’s expensive. You might be tempted to get organized by taking a trip to your local Big Office Box. All those cool plastic thingers look like they might help, right? But if you fill your cart and plunk down cash (or worse, plastic) for things you don’t need, it’s money down the drain. It adds up.

Reason 2: It’s frustrating.  Some folks like to watch those amazing makeover shows. They flip through glossy magazines and closet organizing catalogs and wish their office looked like that. But there’s a big disconnect between what’s on the page or TV and what your office actually looks like. Frustration happens because you don’t know where to start or what it will cost (back to reason 1).

Reason 3: It’s time-consuming. I know a lot of folks who clean off their desks just to find the same pile has accumulated again a week later. Do this repeatedly for too long and you start feeling like Sisyphus on a good day. And sadly, none of that time spent doing the same cleanup is billable.

For a lot of people, “getting organized” means parting with cash, time, and sanity. No wonder so many don’t bother!

The truth is, organizing can be a really valuable tool for your business when it’s approached with realism and intention. Instead of going for a grandiose organizing plan, you can save yourself time, money, and frustration by taking it one issue at a time.

Instead of the Grandiose Plan, ask yourself 2 questions:

• Q1: What’s your most pressing organizing snag today, right now?
• Q2: What’s one tiny but significant step you can take today on this issue that will help you and your business?

Post from: My Organized Biz