From dental offices to law enforcement agencies, almost all organizations and offices require a filing system of some sort. The issue can become troublesome however. Over time files become disorganized or put under different titles and not everyone knows what title to look for to retrieve the file. Hire someone new and just the time it takes to explain the filing system or for the new hire to actually work with it and make sense of it, can be costly man hours. Not to mention, that one person in the office who knows where everything is, goes on vacation or has to be out of the office for any length of time, and the frustration builds when documents can’t be found.
The paper filing system is an important task for any organization because retrieval is crucial. Without all these important documents organized properly, your company would be in chaos and could cause legal trouble. Come tax time, being able to get to all files necessary is what will make your timely tax preparation submission possible. Ever get audited and find yourself unable to locate certain records or receipts, and you could find yourself in trouble with the IRS.
Without an organized filing system you can’t accomplish what you need to in a timely manner. It is estimated that the average person wastes 150 hours per year looking for lost information.
With Paper Tiger Filing System software, you can declutter your professional office space and be certain your paper files are in order and can be found when needed. Not only that but you can be assured you will have a method in which you can save time, be more efficient, and train others to use it in no time at all. In other words, you can redesign your paper filing so that the workflow of your operation will be in perfect working order and never cause you stress again.
Your document management can be made simple, as well as new and improved, by implementing an indexing system for your paper files to remember for you where everything is! By using this type of document management software, you can have your hanging file folders numbered instead of trying to decide whether to alphabetize or what type of name to give something that everyone will understand and remember when searching for a file.
You simply type into the software database an item name and additional keywords that relate to all documents in each numbered hanging file folder and file it away. You can give items multiple keywords such as “Jones dental records” or “Xrays for Bob Jones” and any other keyword that would relate to the contents of the folder. By doing this, no matter what a staff member types in for a search term, he or she will be able to find the file with no problem. This enables anyone to find anything using this simple to use style of document management.
One of the great things about this type of indexing system is you can also use it for so many other things for both your professional and personal life. You can imagine how much easier it can be to declutter all aspects of your life by using this type of filing system. You can keep track of bins of collectibles or boxes for seasonal clothing or archive old paper files to an off-site storage and still be able to locate exactly where an item is with just a quick search in the database. As long as it can be numbered, it can be documented or indexed in Paper Tiger Filing System software.
In this article, Linda Cossel says she’s retired, however in her retirement, she is a Wedding Minister, a writer, a hostess, and a Computer Graphics Designer. Wow! That’s a lot to keep up with! How does she do it? Well, read on to see how Linda uses Paper Tiger Filing System software to stay organized in every area of her life! How many jobs do you juggle and have to keep track of things in your work and personal life?
I use Paper Tiger in several ways! First, I have a very busy retired life. I am a wedding minister, a grant writer, a writer, hostess and computer graphic designer for a restaurant. I also have an actual file cabinet that I store papers in and I have a virtual file cabinet where I store word processed documents.
As a wedding minister, I have to keep track of marriage licenses. I also have to store business cards for other wedding services so that I can refer my brides to them. In addition, I have to write numerous different ceremonies for my brides. I store the licenses and business cards in my file cabinet (tab no 27 and 6) and the ceremonies in my virtual file cabinet (tab 27 also).
As a grant writer, I need files for active, reference, and archived grant information. Under my active grants title, I have folders for all the grants that I am working on. Under the research title, I have information on local granting agencies, forms that I might use while working on grants, and any other information that I might need to write a grant. Under the archive area, I keep all past grants that have been accepted or denied. These are all virtual files on my computer set up with numbered folders just as if I were actually setting up a physical file cabinet.
I keep all my writing information and research in virtual files, as well as all my graphic design work. I simply set up a folder with a title, and then add 50 subfolders with numbers. In Paper Tiger’s database, I list all the subfolders so that I know exactly where I have stored all my work. This has greatly helped me to organize all the stuff on my computer and make it so easy to find!
In my actual file cabinet, I keep all the stuff that comes in the mail or that I collect in my Paper Tiger folders. I also keep a current print out of my File Index report from Paper Tiger in the top drawer for easy access. As I add to the folders, I write on the lines of my printout the new files and when I have time, I add them to the Paper Tiger program on my computer.
Before I started using Paper Tiger, I had so many piles and never could find anything. Just keeping all my business cards together was horribly challenging. Now, I have a place to put them so that they are available at a moment’s notice.
Recently, when my husband passed away, I had so many items that had to be dealt with from his estate. I filed all the papers and notices in the Paper Tiger filing system and when the different deadlines came up, I had all the death certificates, cards, and other paperwork I needed at my fingertips.
Paper Tiger has organized my unorganized house! I can find anything I need instantly and add new files just as quick. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate being able to finally find the papers that used to be in piles everywhere in my house!
Linda C. Cossel
Wedding Minister/Writer/Hostess/Computer Graphics Designer
Sarek: Spock, you are fully capable of deciding your own destiny. The question you face is: which path will you choose? This is something only you can decide.
Star Trek the Movie
You’ve probably already made a list of New Year’s resolutions, and it’s possible that getting organized is on your list. Let 2012 be the year you make the resolution to get your life organized. Get your filing system started and get those papers, records and other documents in order. You can, in fact, use Paper Tiger Filing System software to organize other aspects of your life, as well to declutter your environment.
If you have been living under a mound of clutter and are ready to take back control of your home, office or life, it’s time to declutter. Too many people put off getting their things organized and end up making the piles of clutter worse. Not only is this unsightly, it also makes it difficult to find anything when you truly need it. Straighten up your life by tidying up your papers, DVDs, books, photos, collectibles or other items that could be cataloged.
If you are organizing papers, you obviously need to be placing them in filing cabinets. Hanging file folders are a great system to use. When organizing your paper files, you can group them together by category. If you are using an indexing system you won’t even need to do that and can skip that step all together.
An indexing system takes the confusion and wasted time and effort out of what the old standard alphabetic filing system does. Using the indexing program on your computer, you type in the keywords that each paper or records could be classified as. By doing this, you won’t have to worry about forgetting what you called the paper file. Also, it means other people can access the system and find the paper in case you have an employee or family member retrieve something for you. The final step is simply to put the paper in the numbered file that coincides with it assigned by the software database. Then of course, you can add documents relating to the same topic by editing the item in the database to add keywords if necessary and add to the relating hanging file folder.
Say you have a collection of baseball caps or have more DVDs than you can possibly fit on the one shelf designated for it, you can file these items away and still make it easy to find later. You can put the extra DVDs in boxes or plastic storage bins. Each container gets a number and if you need to look for a certain movie, simply look it up on your indexing system and you will know exactly which bin to grab.
This works really well for things you may also keep in storage in the garage or at a storage rental unit away from your property. So, if you want to preserve that baseball cap collection, you can put them in sealed containers in storage. At some point when you are looking for one specifically, simply conduct a Google-like search in the software database. Gone are the days of opening every box in search of that one specific item.
Basically, if it can be numbered, it can be documented in Paper Tiger Filing System software. Make this the year that you declutter your home or office and finally get organized. Get started now and make keeping your life clutter free and organized your resolution. Then make the decision to maintain by taking 20-30 minutes everyday to file or put away what has come in for the day. You will be able to find what you need, when you need it and be more productive in no time!
During this expert webinar, Anne demonstrated how to get started with Paper Tiger Online filing system software and demonstrated a work-flow example by filing items from her inbox through the life-cycle of document management to help you use Paper Tiger more effectively to get organized and be more productive. She included specific examples in how to use the File Cleanout Report to prepare for and possibly delegate purging or reorganizing your filing system, such as how to transfer files from Action to Reference locations (those actionable items that have been accomplished and now need to be moved from your action file drawer to the file cabinet), and gave some tips in how to maintain after your initial getting organized project. In this webinar, Anne also demonstrated how to index magazine articles, because anything you can number, you can Paper Tiger! Watch this webinar to see how you can Find Anything In Your Office In 5 Seconds or Less…Guaranteed!
As information, Anne is a professional speaker, productivity expert, professional organizer and author. If you want to learn more about Anne and her services, please visit her website at www.StrategizeAndOrganize.com. She may be in Colorado, but she’s nationally recognized as an expert and works with people throughout the US in person and virtually.
You can contact Anne at amcgurty@strategizeandorganize.com or by phone at 303 881-0174.
See more information here on Paper Tiger Filing System Software for Document Management
Q: How much time to set this up, typically–several weekends, 2 months?
A: Of course, this depends on how much you have to organize, but the secret is to not get overwhelmed before you start. See our blog post Customize Your Filing System with Paper Tiger’s Indexing Method
Q: I used Paper Tiger years ago but got out of the habit when it required a paid upgrade whenever I was connected to the Internet. Now I’m drowning in unfiled paper again. How will the old Paper Tiger files I have migrate into the current version?
A: When you upgrade to the latest version of the desktop version or if you decide you want the online version that Anne is showing today, you will be able to convert your old desktop version database.
Q: What can I do to keep articles torn out of magazines to keep them in order?
A: If you have a lot of magazine articles that you keep track of, create a Location in your database specifically named Magazine Articles. You can then index your articles.
If you only have a few that you want to keep track of, you can index them in your Reference location, and maybe give these a Category named Magazine Articles.
Q: What’s the best way to organize books? In a separate database dedicated to books? Or, a location within a database??
A: That depends on whether you want to see search results for your books along with all other files. Having different databases is only advantageous if you want to keep different filing systems separate and do not want to search for all files in all databases at one time because Paper Tiger does not search across databases. For example, if you have an Office database and a Home database, you do not want items to pop up from your Office database when conducting a search for an item in your Home database.
Q: Specific dates as to how long to keep different types of records.
A: Please take a look at our articles we’ve prepared and posted on our blog relating to this topic. I think you’ll find these helpful: http://www.thepapertiger.com/blog/category/retention-how-long-should-you-keep-records/
This article by Denise Landers, founder and CEO of Key Organization Systems Inc. and a Paper Tiger Expert, gives us a clue as to why our productivity is not as good as it should be through the holiday season, and gives some tips to help. Denise also recommends Paper Tiger Filing System Software and Document Management to help with organizing and clearing out your clutter so that your productivity doesn’t have to suffer because you’ll be able to find everything you need – when you need it.
Of course, the holidays are not traditionally a time to concentrate on productivity, and we may spend December thinking about our families, celebrations, and possibly some upcoming time off of work. Most of us will still have work responsibilities during that time, however, and the last thing you need in January is a bigger list of unfinished projects than you would already have.
With that in mind, here are five holiday season productivity killers to avoid:
Late night, midweek holiday parties. Once the schedule starts to get full, people will be tempted to throw parties and get-togethers in the middle of the week. Staying out late on a Tuesday night is a great way to wreck your productivity for three days, though, so try to avoid these types of gatherings… or at least get to bed early.
Sleeping in. As the weather turns cold and our brains shift into holiday mode, it is going to be easy to start softening on your morning routine, especially when it comes to things like workouts and early meetings. Missing one of these is not usually a big deal, but it could throw you off your normal schedule or leave you feeling sluggish, so try to keep up if you can.
Unnecessary travel. Is that mid-December layover in Chicago really worth the headaches? There are a lot of reasons to skip face-to-face meetings in favor of webinars, teleconferencing, and other forms of virtual contact these days. That’s especially true during the holiday season when airports are overloaded and the weather is bad.
Short visits to relatives across town. Of course you should not skip out on seeing your family altogether, but those drop-in visits never turn out to be as quick as you think they will, do they? Somewhere around your third cup of coffee and a conversation about your cousin’s stint in rehab, you realize that you didn’t leave enough time to really catch up. Try to set up family get-togethers for days and occasions when you have plenty of time without cutting into your sleep or productivity.
Crunch time gift shopping. Most of us do not enjoy crowded shopping malls, and it is often easier to shop on the Internet, anyway. Either way, try not to leave your holiday shopping to the last minute; you won’t have to rush if you take care of it early, and it will not be on your mind and affecting your productivity later.
The holidays are not really about productivity, but they do not have to be a drag on your working life, either. Simply follow these tips, and make the most of your December. Then consider taking time to clear out the clutter in your life as the new year begins.
Please note that Paper Tiger’s office is in Atlanta, Georgia, USA in the Eastern time zone.
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Just because your small business consists of just one CPA, which is you, doesn’t mean you can’t be taken seriously as a professional. Whether you run your own insurance agency, travel agency, medical practice, antique store or any other type of small, independent business, you can get organized in a manner that will have your customers, clients or patients seeing you as professional as any larger, established business. The details are important, and one of the most vital steps is to be organized.
Getting organized is not just about putting things away or cleaning it up, but also to be able to retrieve those items again at the time that you need them. An important office management tool to assist you in retrieval is to use Paper Tiger Filing System software to keep track of what you have, what you are storing and where it is being stored so that the items can be easily and quickly retrieved. Whether you need to find a receipt for tax purposes or that antique plate for a customer, indexing your documents and other items you need to keep track of will cut down on time spent looking for items and cut down on stress because you can’t find something when needed.
Even if you are the owner, operator and entrepreneur behind your own home office based business, you have to keep things organized and make sure to keep your office area decluttered. The main trick to this is keeping your records in order. While many businesses and offices are switching to keep things as paperless as possible, it is not realistic to expect you will not have any physical documents to manage. Not to mention, some physical documentation just can’t be paperless, such as passports, books, binders, CDs, etc. For one reason or another, you are going to have some paper files or other documents, and have to create a filing system.
Thinking like a small business is one way businesses take a wrong turn. If you think like a small business, you will end up acting like one. In return your potential customers, clients or patients will see you the same way. Go ahead and envision your business as growing into the next megastar in the industry. Set yourself up for success this way.
One way you can do this is to make sure your office has the organization required to function like a larger business, agency or practice. It starts with the filing system you have set in place. As an example, if you have a travel agency and a couple comes in and you want to show them brochures for a trip to Italy, but cannot locate the documentation you need, you are going to come across as unprofessional. Not to mention, you will more than likely end up losing out on business each time you struggle to find some sort of document. This is true for any records for any type of business. People have less time than ever to wait while you try to find their health records, tax filing or whatever records they want or need.
Getting Paper Tiger file indexing system software in place is a great way to make the most of your record management system. What this software does is enable you to type into your database not only the names of files but also many other keywords that you could name each file. By using different search terms for each record, you will never have to struggle to recall what you’ve named the file and you’re not confined to the one or two-word name on the hanging file folder tab if you were filing alphabetically. To retrieve the document you will use the filing system software search engine to type in one of the possible keywords and your software will tell you exactly what file number it is and where it is located.
So for paper filing, you would first set up all hanging file folders in your file cabinets at one time using the numbered tabs that you print out from the software and they never change. You input information relating to each document in the database’s digital file location. Paper Tiger assigns the file number to the document or set of relating documents that you want to put in the same hanging file folder. You can give the document any name you want without any worry about finding it later. This is because the system will allow you to tag keywords that describe all documents that you put in your hanging file folders. For documents that you want to add to the same file, simply edit the Item and add additional keywords necessary for the new document(s).
Because the hanging file folders are already setup and waiting for your information, you eliminate the time-consuming hassle of having to find and create a file folder and tab each time you want to file something. Again, the software will assign an index number to each file you add to be put in the first available empty hanging folder.
When you’ve converted your filing system to Paper Tiger, and you need to find a file later, you simply conduct a Google-like search in the database for whatever keyword you’re thinking on that day to find where your file is located.
By indexing your paper files that need to be kept in hard copy, you don’t have to spend hours searching through stacks or boxes or filing cabinets just to find one particular file. It has never been easier to keep track of important company documents, and using Paper Tiger Filing System Software for document management will help you get organized and stay organized! And remember, anything that you can put a number onto, you can index into Paper Tiger for an organized life!
This article by Anne McGurty of Strategize and Organize, and a Paper Tiger Expert, gives us some of the benefits of hiring a productivity expert to super-charge the process of getting organized to become more productive! A productivity expert has already done the research on different types of products and will know what will work for your work-style. Also click here to see the latest webinar recording available where Anne demonstrates how to use Paper Tiger Filing System Software for Document Management more effectively.
Are you ready to get organized, but stalling because of a lack of time, money, or motivation? Don’t despair! A productivity consultant is just what you need! Make an investment in yourself, your business, and your staff that will provide amazing advantages for years to come.
Here are some of the benefits you can look forward to once you get organized:
You can save money. Once you get organized, you’ll know what you already own, eliminating the need to buy duplicate items. You’ll also be able to buy what you need when it’s on sale, rather than buying at the last minute. Your productivity consultant can also help you find the perfect organizing and productivity products and technology for your space and work style, so you stop wasting money on notebooks and gadgets that just don’t work.
You can become more productive and efficient. A productivity consultant can create order and structure out of chaos. You’ll receive systems that work for your dominant learning style, your work style, your needs, your challenges, and your dreams. Whether at work or at home, you’ll increase productivity once you have an organized and efficient schedule to keep you on track. You’ll be amazed at how much you get done in shorter amounts of time. And by focusing on your priorities and goals, you’ll be able to finally move ahead toward reaching them.
You’ll have a positive self-image and ditch the shame. Once your office is neat and tidy, you won’t feel embarrassed to have guests visit. The guilt will fade away as you take pride in your surroundings. Your organized office will allow you to present a professional image to co-workers, clients, and superiors. Your organized office and new-found habits to keep it that way will set a great example for your staff and co-workers.
You can create a healthier environment. Physical and emotional clutter obscures your surroundings. A clutter-free environment is simply easier to manage. A productivity consultant can help you clear out your space so you can see that you and your surroundings are fine just as they are.
Your stress level will decrease dramatically. When you can find what you need, are on top of your to-dos, and arrive on time, you’ll feel calmer and have more peace of mind. No more feeling overwhelmed by life — you’ll be the one in control.
You’ll discover more time for yourself. When you’re organized, your days go as planned, and you get a lot done. That leaves more time to indulge in making money in your business or career and achieve a little “me time”.
Your energy will shine. Clutter is a mask. A productivity consultant can help you take off that mask and let people see your vibrancy! Once the clutter is removed, you can showcase your talents, skills, and personality and have the life you deserve.
Getting organized is not about putting things away or cleaning it up, it’s about understanding what got you into a state of disarray and chaos. This chaos affects people in different ways. In the case of this particular executive, it was holding him back from hiring an assistant and re-energizing his business development after the recession lull of the last two years. We didn’t even touch on how it may be affecting him personally.
All that being said though, it came down to him saying to me that he needed someone to organize him. Do you sometimes think that you need someone to just tell you what to do? I think we all look for someone to tell us what to do at some point in time or another, but are we listening? Not always.
I told this client that I understood his frustration, because when you’re in such a state of chaos, you’re also possibly dealing with “a running tape of thoughts” in your head, saying things like “no one understands me”.
A perfectly put together professional who has all the answers may get his office organized, but he may not understand the need to have someone to be accountable to — like a coach. We hear about success stories all the time — someone who loses a ton of weight and then coaches others and is extremely effective. The reason the former overweight person is so effective is that they understand when the client is dying for that banana cream pie, the coach understands that having just a taste is not satisfying the behavior to eat the whole darn pie — it is sabotaging their success.
I told my client that I’m like the former overweight person; I wanted the whole banana cream pie. I often made a mess of my world because I wasn’t brought up in a naturally organized, balanced life or family setting. I grew up thinking you had to work all the time and if you didn’t work hard enough you weren’t worthy. (You can learn more about that when you hear my keynote!) I learned best by people who understood my journey … or bumpy road.
We came to the solution with my client that he needed someone to manage him. Yes, I would come in and get the office organized to start. Then, beginning with a fresh office, we would identify all the projects on his list and set his priorities. As we go through this process, his habits will become apparent and I can start making recommendations of where he needs to delegate and where we can incorporate efficient tools and systems to maximize his productivity. Along the way, we’ll hire an administrative assistant, someone to handle the daily tasks of organization (filing, phone calls, etc… that are not money making tasks for this executive). This project will be an opportunity to supervise his behaviors and give him tools to learn how to manage himself. A good mentor is really what he needs and as a productivity expert, mentoring is a way to help someone learn how to move onto managing their own lives.
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About Anne:
Anne McGurty is CEO of Strategize & Organize, a company devoted to training individual’s to be more effective with the tools and resources to be productive in their work environment.
If you liked today’s issue, you’ll love Anne’s transforming productivity training and organizing products to help you organize your business — and yourself — ranging from productivity consulting for individuals and executives to small business coaching programs to keynote speaking and corporate training programs to improve efficiencies in the workplace and improve productivity.
While Anne is best known for her expertise in productivity and expert office organizing, her clients share that her biggest impact comes from her philosophy of “personalizing her programs to fit the needs of her clients so they can streamline more efficiently with existing processes” – ensuring to create a sustainable work environment. This, Anne says, is the most important key to bringing an individual to personal freedom with time and organization.
You can learn more about Anne and her services, programs, and products for small businesses, as well as keynote speaking at www.StrategizeAndOrganize.com.
It’s that time of year again, time to get the house spruced up for whatever winter holiday you and your family recognize and celebrate. Even if it isn’t the winter holiday, before you know it, Valentine’s arrives or St. Patrick’s Day or Easter. No matter the area of the world you’re in, practically every month there is some need to locate and pull out different types of decorations.
It can be a chore when trying to locate where you have certain decorations stored when it seems some are in the garage, some are in the attic and some have made their way into the basement. Or you may have them all tangled together just to keep them all in one place. The problem is, this big tangled mess can cause damage to the seasonal décor you have stored. This may even make you so frustrated you opt to forgo adding any holiday cheer to your home or lawn altogether.
The important thing really is to use a filing system software like Paper Tiger to keep track of what you own, what you are storing and where it is being stored so that the items can be easily and quickly retrieved when you need them. Indexing your items into Paper Tiger filing system will ensure that you know exactly where these things are, before you end up buying duplicates of something because you can’t find the original. Documenting or indexing your belongings also helps other people who may need to retrieve things for you. With a quick search in the software database, anyone will be able to find an item and also know where it should be placed when it needs to go back to the storage location.
You don’t have to give up on decorating your home out of frustration. Locating those holiday decorations doesn’t even have to be an overwhelming task anymore. In fact, it no longer has to cause a sense of dread even putting all the decorations away after the holiday is over. All you have to do is get an organization system in place, and the rest practically takes care of itself. It will take a little effort to get things in order to begin with, but once you invest this initial work into the project, your holiday decorating will be easy as can be for each occasion.
The first thing you will want to do is decide what type of storage you want to use. Plastic bins are one of the most popular choices for most people. The size of bins you need will depend on the amount of decorations you have. Then simply decide how you want the items divided up. For the majority of people, it makes most sense to store different holiday decorations in different bins, for example, all spring items in one bin, all fall items in one bin, all Thanksgiving items in one bin, etc. Keeping like-holiday items together will make retrieving them later much easier.
The next step is to enter the list of items in each bin into your filing system software database. So for bin number one, you type in all the items being stored including alternate keywords into the database. If you are creating a Halloween bin, for example, you may enter keywords such as “electric jack o’ lantern,” or “plug in pumpkin.” If you include both of these as possible search terms, you never have to worry later when you cannot recall what name you used to index the items. That type of problem is common with filing systems that simply use alphabetizing as the organization approach.
Finally number that bin, pack the contents inside and move on to the next one. You can store the bins in any area of the house or outside storage areas and always be able to find exactly the holiday decorations you want. You can even make a note in your filing system of where each bin is, garage for example, to make the task of retrieval as simple as possible.
During this expert webinar, Anne demonstrated how to get started with Paper Tiger Online filing system software and demonstrated a work-flow example by filing items from her inbox through the life-cycle of document management to help you use Paper Tiger more effectively to get organized and be more productive. She included specific examples in how to transfer files from Action to Reference locations (those actionable items that have been accomplished and now need to be moved from your action file drawer to the file cabinet), and how to use the confirmation function to product a Transfer Report to then delegate to someone else on your staff the physical moving of files to match Paper Tiger. In this webinar, Anne also demonstrated how to index CDs, because anything you can number, you can Paper Tiger! Watch this webinar to see how you can Find Anything In Your Office In 5 Seconds or Less…Guaranteed!
As information, Anne is a professional speaker, productivity expert, professional organizer and author. If you want to learn more about Anne and her services, please visit her website at www.StrategizeAndOrganize.com. She may be in Colorado, but she’s nationally recognized as an expert and works with people throughout the US in person and virtually.
You can contact Anne at amcgurty@strategizeandorganize.com or by phone at 303 881-0174.
See more information here on Paper Tiger Filing System Software for Document Management
Q: ‘Naming / Titling’ items is a challenge for me.
A: With Paper Tiger, you don’t have to worry what specific name for an item, because you can add as many keywords as you want in Paper Tiger and be able to retrieve/find the item later by searching whatever name you’re thinking of on that particular day. So you’re not confined to the hanging file folder tab for naming your paper files.
Q: Can you increase the item number after the initial setup of a Location?
A: Yes, you would check the Location that you want to increase the capacity for and then click Edit. See this knowledge base article for how to make changes to a Location.
Q: I just bought the online version online–Does that also include desk top
A: No, the desktop and the online versions do not work together. They are separate products.
Q: You can sign into Paper Tiger Online from any computer, right?
A: Yes, you can sign on from any computer with an Internet access, similar to how you sign into your email account.
Q: What is review frequency?
A: Review Frequency is basically the frequency in which you need to view a Location to take action on Items in the Location. You can set a review frequency for a Location for Paper Tiger to give you a reminder to review in two options X number of Weeks or X number of Months. The reminder shows up as a reminder flag pop-up at the top of the application when you log into Paper Tiger Online.
Q: I have an older version of Paper Tiger (Single User Basic 3.0.) If I upgrade to the most recent version, can I upload my old files?
A: Yes, absolutely. You will be able to convert the database if you upgrade to the desktop version 4, or if you switch to the online version that Anne is showing today, you will be able to import the database.
Q: Can I switch my Paper Tiger files from a PC to my new MacBook Pro?
A: If you switch to Paper Tiger Online, you will be able to use it on the MacBook. Paper Tiger Online works on any computer with an Internet access including Mac. Browsers supported:
-Mozilla Firefox 3 and newer
-Safari 3 and newer
-Google Chrome 4 and newer
-Internet Explorer 7 and newer
Our desktop, downloadable version of Paper Tiger is a Windows only software so if you wanted a version that wasn’t web-based, you would need to install Paper Tiger desktop onto a virtual Windows program for the Mac such as Parallels.
It is that time of year again to get ready to clean out and dispose of those files and records you no longer need. Document management is an important tool for getting and staying organized, and keeps your filing cabinets from getting too full and over-flowing. Of course, much of it depends on whether you are cleaning out your filing system for your personal life or professional one. Either way, using an indexing filing system like Paper Tiger Filing System Software for document management, will help make your document review, tracking and disposal that much easier.
The important thing is to realize what documents you should keep and which ones you can dispose of. Income tax statements for example, should be kept forever. While you should keep supporting documents like receipts in case of an audit, for a minimum of seven years, the actual filings should be kept for good. Other records to keep indefinitely include anything of a legal nature and for businesses, all of your financial records.
There are some things you should keep for around three to five years. See articles at Records Retention: How long should you keep records? to assist you in making your personal records retention policy. Getting your paper files in order for proper document management is an ongoing process, but setting up your filing system so that it is easy to maintain will help you carry forward your momentum.
In order to keep your paper files in order, you of course need to file them first so that you can find them later, because retrieval when you need a file is most important, but you should know when you will be cleaning out your filing system as well. If it is only once a year, mark that date on your calendar so you have a goal date to start and to complete this task. It is a good idea however, to make sorting through your documentation on a more regular basis than annually or set action dates in Paper Tiger for when specific files should be tossed or archived at certain times throughout the year. Disposing of records, making sure they are in the right place or making sure paper files added are indexed into the filing system software database should be done on an as needed basis.
Sure, you may know what a filing system is, but you may not be familiar with an indexing system. This is a way for you to keep track of what records you have and where you can find them. No more confusing file names or forgetting which topic you filed your papers under. When you receive a new document, you type the name and keywords of what it could be filed under into the filing system software database. For example, instead of just “car repair bill” as a file name, you may also put automobile maintenance, vehicle work or Audi repairs as keywords. If it is the result of an insurance claim, you may even use that and the word accident as keywords, too.
Once you enter the data, you put the paper in the corresponding numbered file in your filing cabinet. When you’ve converted your filing system to Paper Tiger, and you need to find a file later, you simply conduct a Google-like search in the database for whatever keyword you’re thinking on that day to find where your file is located. This also makes disposing of papers from your document management system easy. Instead of pulling out each file and shuffling through each paper to see if you need it, you can read the list of which papers you have and decide from your computer screen which to keep. Or you can print a File Cleanout Report from Paper Tiger to make the decisions ahead of time or for an assistant to complete.
Implementing Paper Tiger Filing System Software for document management will help put a stop to over-flowing filing cabinets, so you’ll be better organized and more productive.
During this webinar, Anne demonstrated how to get started with Paper Tiger Online filing system software, such as describing what is a Database, creating a Location, creating Items, printing labels for your items. Anne demonstrated a work-flow example by filing items from her inbox through the life-cycle of document management to help you use Paper Tiger more effectively to get organized and be more productive. She included a specific example asked by one of the attendees to show how to file her personal medical records and insurance claims. Watch this webinar to see how you can Find Anything In Your Office In 5 Seconds or Less…Guaranteed!
As information, Anne is a professional speaker, productivity expert, professional organizer and author. If you want to learn more about Anne and her services, please visit her website at www.StrategizeAndOrganize.com. She may be in Colorado, but she’s nationally recognized as an expert and works with people throughout the US in person and virtually.
You can contact Anne at amcgurty@strategizeandorganize.com or by phone at 303 881-0174.
See more information here on Paper Tiger Filing System Software for Document Management
Testimony submitted from one of the webinar attendees:
“I LOOOVVE Paper Tiger. It is wonderful for our contract management.”
Q: Can Paper Tiger be used for inventory?
A: Yes, absolutely. Just name your Location in Paper Tiger database relating to what you’re inventorying, just like what she is doing with books. You can see different examples of indexing your inventory from our Not Just For Paper Filing webpage.
Q: What’s the best way to use Paper Tiger for categorizing medical information, such as my own insurance files?
A: Anne demonstrates this in the webinar. She created an item name in her Reference Location named Medical with keywords such as policy, agent information, historical records. In addition, she created an item name in her Action Location for a current medical situation example. She named this item Current Medical with keywords insurance claims, explanation of benefits from insurance company, bills to verify. Then when you receive new mail that relates to your medical information, you would simply need to decide if that new mail relates to your current situation or if it should go in your Reference files. When you’re over your current situation, you can then merge the Current Medical file into the Medical file in the Reference location.
Q: If I already use Paper Tiger but not the digital version and I want to move them over to the digital version, is this easy?
A: Yes, you would simply purchase Paper Tiger Online, then import your desktop version database.
Q: How would you import multiple databases from version 4 running on my server?
A: You would import them individually by clicking the Import an Old Database link when signed into Paper Tiger Online and following instructions, or email all of the databases to our support@thepapertiger.com and let them know the email address that your online account is under and they will be able to import the databases for you.
Q: Are you still supporting the old desktop versions of Paper Tiger?
A: We are supporting version 4 of the desktop version of Paper Tiger, but not supporting versions 1, 2, or 3.
Q: What is the cost for Anne’s book? Incl shipping…
A: The cost for Anne’s book, Lost in Your Own Office, is $12.95 plus s&h.
Q: Could you review the best uses for Categories?
A: Please see our knowledge base article for What are Categories?
Q: Can we create a relationship between 2 labels?
A: You can use the Category section to create a relationship between multiple items.
Q: We have several people who think differently; some think inside the box and some outside the box. How do you find the keyword that will work for all?
A: The key here is to put all keywords that you can think of that relates to the item being indexed. Ask for input or have the other users input additional keywords in relation to how they think about the items being indexed.
Q: You seem to be using the Keywords field for two different things. 1) Keywords that can be used for searching and 2) notes about what the file is about…I don’t understand using it as a notes field
A: The Keywords field can be used for any information that you need or want to input. The more information, the better for your search later. This is totally up to the user and how the individual thinks and works.
Q: I notice that your demo is on the online version of Paper Tiger. I own the stand alone, does everything you’ve been showing also go well for the stand alone version?
A: Yes, except there are a few differences in the way the 2 versions function.
Q: I already own the Paper Tiger stand alone version. I note that your demo is on the online version. Are there differences I should be aware of?
A: The basic differences between the two versions are:
Paper Tiger desktop version:
- it is a one computer software program, meaning you can only access from one computer since it is a licensed downloadable software
- needs to be installed, is a Windows only software. Can only be used on Macs if installed on a virtual Windows program such as Parallels
- database is housed on that one computer, database secure only if the computer is secure
- customer responsible for backing up their database
-upgrades would need to be purchased when next version is available
Paper Tiger Online version:
Our developers tried to make Paper Tiger Online as close to the desktop version as possible, so that the look and feel wouldn’t be too much of a difference for our current users that wanted an online version.
In addition, the most prevalent features we have added to Paper Tiger Online are:
-accessible from any computer with an Internet connection, including Macs and devices such as iPad, iPhone, etc. (not tied to one computer and no installation)
-Because Paper Tiger Online is accessible from any computer with an Internet access, clients can find or file from anywhere.
-search result highlights the searched word
-ability to choose multiple items to either toss or edit the Action Date
-ability to create a new item in a selected item number
-dashboard shows a running log of changes/activity the user had made to their database
-we will be able to provide enhancements to the online version as they become available that are not possible with the current desktop version
-we automatically backup the databases every night on our secure servers
-does not require installation, so account set up and ready to work in about 60 seconds
If you are one of those people who dreads tax time each year because of the hassle of getting your records together, it is time to put an end to that. It may not be tax time yet, but this is now the time to prepare and get ready for it. This year, make getting those tax records and other documentation a priority as well as a goal, and one you will accomplish. You make getting your records in order and keeping it that way by using a proper, efficient and effective filing system. Implementing Paper Tiger Filing System Software for document management will help you can carry the momentum forward once set up so that it will be easy to maintain your document management as well as be able to find anything in your office in 5 seconds or less.
Too many people keep their documents stacked up and unorganized which makes it difficult to make sense of or find the files when the need arises. For taxes and legal documentation, it is vital to keep these records well organized. Not only does it help for upcoming filings, it is essential in times of audits. Keep your past, present and future documents, receipts, and other crucial records so that you can file taxes, deal with audits or be prepared for subpoenas. The more organized your records, the easier this will be.
The best thing you can do for yourself is set up an effective indexing filing system. A traditional alphabetical filing system alone will still leave you frazzled and feeling overwhelmed. A lot of paper files are miscellaneous and difficult to think of that one or two word file name to put on the hanging file folder tab, so you’re afraid you won’t find it again if you file it. And the stacks just get larger. Or you forget that you’ve filed a similar document under one file name and so you create a duplicate hanging file under a different name. But once you set up your indexing system, your filing system method will be that much easier to use.
Indexing systems enable you to find all your records in a matter of seconds, saving you so much time and effort. You would first set up all hanging file folders in your file cabinets at one time using the numbered tabs that you print out from the software and they never change. You type in information relating to each document in the Paper Tiger’s database file location. Paper Tiger assigns the file number to the document or set of relating documents that you want to put in the same hanging file folder. You can give the document any name you want without any worry about finding it later. This is because the system will allow you to tag keywords that describe all documents that you put in your hanging file folders. For documents that you want to add to the same file, simply edit the Item and add additional keywords necessary for the new document(s).
When you’ve converted your filing system to Paper Tiger’s indexing method, and you need to find a file later, you simply conduct a Google-like search in the database for whatever keyword you’re thinking on that day to find where your file is located.
One thing very few people realize is how long they should keep certain records. Be it documentation for your personal life or professional life, you have to keep some of those records around. Of course, by using an indexing filing system, you can make a plan for how long your records should be kept, and when you know when the paper files can be tossed, it will be easier to declutter your life. There are certain documents you must keep and others which are optional and certainly up to what you want to keep and for how long. So when you know when a file could or should be tossed, then it will save you time in the long run.
Income tax returns and payment checks for example, should be kept, always. You should also plan on keeping stock records, retirement and pension records, as well as legal documents forever, just to name a few. Some records that you should hold on to for a minimum of six years are purchase records, supporting documents for tax returns such as receipts, and accident reports and claims. Again, this is just a short list from a wide range of documents you should keep filed away for at least six years.
For a three-year period, some records you may want to keep include credit card statements, medical bills and any expired insurance policies. Other records you should check on before disposing of. Of course you may also have documents you want to keep. Car records, for example, you would keep until you sell or get rid of the automobile. Also, things like property records should be kept, even for a period following the sale of the land or property.
See our other articles with specific lists for what you should keep and for how long under Retention Guidelines: How long should you keep records?
The bottom line is, when you get organized it makes it that much easier to stay organized. Declutter your life with Paper Tiger Filing System Software for document management to help make sense of it all. Don’t put it off any longer – simplify your life and organize your home or office by getting started on this project right away.
You may be starting your own new business, moving your office into your home or just ready to stop having to look through stacks of papers everywhere to find that one file you need. Whatever the reason, getting a filing system in place is a good idea. It will help you to get and stay organized. Whether you want a document management system for your personal or professional life, getting your papers in order can help you manage your life better and be more productive.
Getting Your Things in Order
More than likely, you want to declutter your home or personal workspace and get all those papers in files to make sense of it all. Most people still prefer the hanging files to use for document management. Depending on how many paper files, records and other types of documents you have will help you determine how many filing cabinets or drawers in your filing cabinets you will need.
Sort through all the papers you have and group them into different categories, to make it easier. While doing this you can also decide if there are any papers or records you can dispose of. When in doubt, it is always a good idea to keep a paper or document if you are not sure. Then, you are ready to file your papers. The best thing you can do is use an indexing system to do so, like Paper Tiger Filing System Software for document management.
By using an indexing system, you wouldn’t even necessarily have to divide your papers into different categories, unless you just wanted to.
You would first set up all hanging file folders in your file cabinets at one time using the numbered tabs that you print out from the software and they never change. You type in information relating to each document in the Paper Tiger’s database file location. Paper Tiger assigns the file number to the document or set of relating documents that you want to put in the same hanging file folder. You can give the document any name you want without any worry about finding it later. This is because the system will allow you to tag keywords that describe all documents that you put in your hanging file folders. For documents that you want to add to the same file, simply edit the Item and add additional keywords necessary for the new document(s).
For example, if you run a business, accounting records for a client, could be called “Bob’s finances,” “Bob Jones accounting records” or “work for client number 1234.” By doing this, you make it easier for you or anyone who may access your filing system to find what is you are looking for that much easier. If you forget you called the records “Bob’s finances” and are looking under your “J” files for Jones, it just takes longer to find your papers. Or, if someone who works for you is seeking those records, they may not have any idea what you called the records.
Whatever keyword you use to look for it, once you have it located on your computer screen you will know which file number to look in to retrieve it. When you’ve converted your filing system to Paper Tiger, and you need to find a file later, you simply conduct a Google-like search in the database for whatever keyword you’re thinking on that day to find where your file is located. So, instead of searching for hours through the alphabetized files or through stacks on your desk trying to remember where you put something, you look it up on your computer and simply grab that number file.
In addition, because the hanging file folders are already setup and waiting for your information, you eliminate the time-consuming hassle of having to find and create a file folder and tab each time you want to file something. Again, the software will assign an index number to each file you add to be put in the first available empty hanging folder.
If you are trying to get ready for tax time, you know how frustrating it can be to try to locate each receipt and slip of paper you need for filing. This is especially true if you are filing for both personal taxes and for a small business. Keep your accounting and financial records in order, for either your home or business. Getting a filing system in place and one that includes an indexing system means that employees or family members can also gain access to use the system.
Implementing Paper Tiger Filing System Software for document management will save you and/or your staff time because you eliminate the wasted time looking for information.
This article by Ann Gomez of Clear Concept Inc., explains a few benefits of getting organized and gives us some great simple tips to boost productivity without being overwhelmed!
In addition to Ann’s paper filing tips, when you implement Paper Tiger Filing System Software for document management, you will be more productive, you’ll spend less time searching for files, and you’ll spend even less time filing new documents or re-filing documents you’ve pulled.
Many people are overwhelmed by the thought of getting organized. Managing the avalanche of information can be a bit like drinking from a fire hose. It’s been said that a weekday edition of The New York Times contains more information than the average person was likely to come across in a lifetime in the 17th century England. More new information has been produced within the last 30 years than in the last 5,000. Yikes!
Ok – I admit it. I like to be organized. In fact, I sometimes find myself procrastinating by organizing. When I walk past an unorganized office, I need to resist the urge to jump in and start sorting. But enough about me …
Getting organized is one of the easiest ways to boost our productivity. It doesn’t strain the brain, yet it yields some immediate positive results.
Most of us know what we need to do to get organized. The biggest challenge is likely finding the time. So my first tip would be to clear your schedule for 2-3 hours. My second tip would be to recruit some help. An assistant, an eager colleague or a dutiful friend all work. Finally, make it fun! Bring some snacks, turn on some music or even uncork some wine.
As you dust off your piles, consider the following organizing tips:
So there you have it – a low-key, easy project that can boost your productivity.
Ann Gomez is a productivity consultant and the president of Clear Concept Inc, which she founded in 2004. Ann helps her clients effectively manage their products and leverage their time across their many competing priorities. She works with several top law firms as well as large clients across Canada and the U.S. Recent clients include Royal Bank of Canada, Bank of Montreal, AstraZeneca, Yahoo!, Procter & Gamble, Grand & Toy and Queen’s School of Business. To learn more, see Ann’s full blog: www.clearconceptinc.ca/blog/ and follow her on Twitter: @ClearConceptInc.
9251 Yonge Street, Suite 8922
Richmond Hill, ON L4C 9T3
Tel: 905.237.1651
Email: info@clearconceptinc.ca
Web: www.clearconceptinc.ca
