The Business of The Business of

Professional OrganizingProfessional Organizing

Presentation Prepared by

Cyndi SeidlerCopyright © 1998-2004 HandyGirl. All Rights Reserved.

AgendaAgenda

�Industry Overview

�Work Management

�Business Management

�Practice Management

�Career Management

INDUSTRY OVERVIEWINDUSTRY OVERVIEW

NAPONAPO

Established in 1985, NAPO is a non-profit professional organization whose members include organizing consultants, speakers, trainers, authors, and manufacturers of organizing products.

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZERS

The Organizing IndustryThe Organizing Industry

20 Hot Job Tracks in US News 1998 Career Guide:

“Time-saving services like

professional organizing are one of the

fastest-growing areas for home-

based businesses.”

Benefits Of An OrganizerBenefits Of An Organizer

�Temporary, quality assistance without adding to a company’s overhead.

� Increased efficiency.

� Increased productivity and income.

�Systems that save time and money.

�Less stress and more time.

Specialized ExpertiseSpecialized Expertise

Organizing consultants vary in expertise.

The one common denominator that all

possess however, is the ability to create

order out of disorder.

WORK MANAGEMENTWORK MANAGEMENT

Office SystemsOffice Systems

�Filing system

�Paper and information system

�Tracking systems

�Communication systems

�Production systems

�Work flow

Business SystemsBusiness Systems

� Organization Flow Charts & Company

Structure

� Procedures & Policies

� Project Development

� Business Planning

� Space Planning

� Production Coordination

Management SystemsManagement Systems

�File Management

�Time Management

�Contact Management

�Document & Records Management

�Project Management

�Cash Management

Personal OrganizationPersonal Organization

�Closets / Closet Design�Kitchen and/or room organization� Interior Decorating�Relocations�Estate Planning�Household Inventory and collectibles�Behavior Modification�Event or Party Planning

Other Special ServicesOther Special Services

�Desktop publishing

�Technical writing

�Research

�Online assistance

�Web site design

Coaching & ConsultationsCoaching & Consultations

While consultants are in the business of selling their expertise, coaches are in the business of bringing out the best in the business person.

CoachingCoaching

� A good business coach helps in bringing a perspective to a company’s plans and activities.

� A coach can prove to be a valuable team player in the development and growth of a business.

� A coach finds creative alternatives and brings out the best in the business person.

� A coach’s primary mission is to provide guidance, support, develop and empower the business person.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENTBUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Setting Up Your BusinessSetting Up Your Business

An Organizer can keep another job while doing their organizing business part-time and phase into full-time operations when jobs increase.

Management StrategiesManagement Strategies

Look at the overall, big picture. See where you are now and where you want to be.

You’ll be undertaking a discovery process that will give you guidelines that lead you to your goals.

Your Business PlanYour Business Plan

A person going into business needs to take responsibility as a business owner. This includes a plan -- A Business Plan.

For a business to develop and expand, it must strategize, stay on top of market changes, and continually plan ahead.

Your Marketing PlanYour Marketing Plan

�Set a marketing objective for your plan.

�List actions that are needed to reach goal.

�Set targets on completing the activities of the plan.

�Always stay on top of market trends.

�Never stop brainstorming for marketing ideas and creating new strategies.

Your Publicity PlanYour Publicity Plan

Unlike advertising, publicity does not require payment for time or space. Publicity is part of your public relations activities.

PRACTICE MANAGEMENTPRACTICE MANAGEMENT

Working With Your ClientWorking With Your Client

Clients should understand that they are buying your professional expertise, as well as your time, and that working with you on the project is necessary in order to achieve the best results.

Growing To The Next LevelGrowing To The Next Level

Marketing is a process, not an event. With essential planning, an individual will expand.

� Stay on top of market changes.

� Continually plan ahead and strategize.

� Carry out all the promotional activities you’ve

targeted.

� Always prepare for growth and deliver good

service.

PartneringPartnering

Establishing strategic alliances is an approach to “vertical selling” or cross-promotional marketing via partnering.

Joining forces with other companies has proven to be a clever growth strategy in complementing existing products and services.

CAREER MANAGEMENTCAREER MANAGEMENT

Professional DevelopmentProfessional Development

� Use business coaches to be your “sounding

board” to help bring out the best in you.

� Take classes and seminars/workshops for

continued education.

� Attend trade conferences.

� Read and study trade books and materials.

� Join and participate in your trade association.

The Sky Is Your LimitThe Sky Is Your Limit

The only people who fail in business is giving up.

Being determined, persistent, and focused will bring success in any endeavor.

Go for it!