In this webinar, Anne McGurty, productivity expert of Strategize and Organize, conducted basic getting started with Paper Tiger Online functions, such as describing what is a Database , creating a Database, creating a Location, creating Items, printing labels for your items.
Then Anne continued by demonstrating the following, in addition to answering questions asked during the webinar:
-How to organize things other than paper files
-Filing items from her inbox
-Searching items, then editing
-How to Transfer to Move an Item, with an explanation of why and how to use Confirmation
-How to use the Cleanout Report and benefits
-How to Toss an item when it is no longer valid
-Using the Confirmation function when transferring or tossing an item
As information, Anne is a professional speaker, productivity expert, 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: Does this work for non-paper things also?
A: Yes, absolutely. In this webinar, Anne demonstrated how to index your bank safe deposit box and a linen closet. Anne also suggested that you would be able to index moving boxes.
Q: Would this work with plastic totes also?
A: Yes, this would work for plastic totes, as well as a CD or DVD collection, craft supplies, books and any other item that you can put a number onto. For other ideas, see our Not Just for Filing Papers webpage.
Q: I am new to the position and have to do a major overhaul of the current filing structure (within Paper Tiger). What’s the easiest way to manage moving files around?
A: Anne suggested printing the Cleanout Report and going through each to decide if you want to Toss, Transfer or leave the file as is. Then perform the actions based on your decisions both physically and in Paper Tiger database.
Q: I purchased my version of Paper Tiger sometime in 2010. This version looks different than mine. Are there updates to keep up with the latest and greatest? If so, how do I obtain?
A: The version of Paper Tiger used in today’s webinar is Paper Tiger Online, which is our web-based version and it does not look exactly like the desktop version. If you have the desktop version, you will notice slight differences.
If you want to make sure that you have the latest build in the desktop version 4, you can go to Help at the top menu and drag down to Check for Updates. Then select your current build and Paper Tiger will let you know if there are later builds than what you currently have. Our latest build if 4.1.28. (Note: if you do not know your current build, you can find out by clicking Help at the top menu, then drag down to About Paper Tiger)
You can switch to the online version if you wish by purchasing a Pro account or one of the multi-user plans, then send us your database so that we can import it for you.
Below are the knowledge base links to show you how the multi-user plans look and work, i.e., inviting users and setting their permissions:
-Paper Tiger Multi-User Concept: http://support.thepapertiger.com/entries/248406-paper-tiger-multi-user-concepts
-How Do Permissions Work: http://support.thepapertiger.com/entries/247588-how-do-permissions-work
-Inviting a User to Your Account: http://support.thepapertiger.com/entries/246912-inviting-a-user-to-your-multi-user-account
-How to Set User Permissions: http://support.thepapertiger.com/entries/247601-how-to-set-user-permissions
-Collision Detection: http://support.thepapertiger.com/entries/248306-collision-detection
Q: Is there a difference in the online vs desktop applications?
A: The basic difference between the two versions is that with 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
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 hosted by Amazon Web Services
Q: If we have desktop version, can we upgrade to online version. What is the cost?
A: Yes, You can switch to the online version if you wish by purchasing a Pro account or one of the multi-user plans, which will be able to import your desktop version database. You can view current prices on our Pricing webpage.
Anyone who talks about the paperless office becoming a reality any time soon is fooling themselves — paper isn’t going anywhere! No matter how much you reduce your pulp consumption, computers will never completely eliminate the need for hard copies of certain documents. Technology has simply changed the way we interact with our files. But if you use technology the right way, your computer can help you stay better organized and actually reduce the amount of paper in your life.
Think Twice Before You Print
It’s almost a Pavlovian response — you create a document or receive an email, and the knee-jerk reaction is to hit the “print” button! So instead of helping you reduce the paper in your life, that high-tech box on your desk is actually doubling the stacks and piles you have to deal with!
The next time you feel the urge to print, stop and ask yourself why. Do you have a specific reason for needing a hard copy of that item, or can you refer back to it just as easily in electronic format? “I might want to read it later” isn’t a good enough reason — you can save a copy on your hard drive instead of creating more paper for your file cabinet. “I should share this with so-and-so” doesn’t cut it either — sending the document as an email attachment is faster and easier than trying to print and mail it. And “I hate reading from a computer screen” simply means that you need to adjust the brightness or glare so it doesn’t bother your eyes.
If you’re worried that you might forget to take care of an action item without a mound of paper littering your desk to remind you, your method of dealing with electronic to-do’s may be at fault. Keeping track of computerized follow-ups should be no different from handling paper ones — the same system applies in both places. Set up a folder in your email program for each action file category (“to read,” “to pay,” “to contact,” etc.) As requests come in that require your attention, put that message into the appropriate folder. Then set aside time on your weekly admin day to empty each in turn, the same way you would your paper to-do files. If you follow the same steps for processing email as snail mail, there really is no need to print every document.
Consolidate And Coordinate
A lot of the battle between electronic and paper comes down to label confusion — you named it something different on your hard drives than you did in your hanging files, and now you can’t find what you’re looking for. The key to resolving this conflict is consistency — make sure that your electronic system mirrors the one in your filing cabinet. Whatever you called a folder in one place should be what you call a folder in the other. If the paper copy is named “utilities,” don’t label it “monthly bills” on your computer, or you’ll just get confused.
Or choose one format for each category of information you maintain, and store everything related to that topic together in one place. So if you like to keep your bank statements on your computer, do it consistently for every account. If it makes more sense to organize utility records in your file drawer, that’s a good reason to request a paper bill. Just be consistent — storing half of one file electronically and the other half in paper format is going to increase the amount of time spent searching for a document.
Set Up A Good Document Management System
Another mistake folks make in the fight between paper information and electronic is to presume that it has to be one way or the other. But that’s not true at all! Your computer and your file cabinet can work together to create a pleasing synchronicity of organization, if you have a good document management software.
With a program like Paper Tiger Filing System Software for Document Management, you never have to ask yourself, “Where did I put it?” or “What did I call it?” As you file a document away in your cabinet, you create a record in Paper Tiger’s database that tells exactly where that item is stored. Then you assign it as many keywords as necessary to jog your memory. For example, if you are filing your tax return for 2010, you might use keywords like “tax,” “taxes,” “IRS,” “Internal Revenue Service,” “finances,” “bookkeeping,” “accounting,” “legal,” “end-of-year,” “2010” — whatever makes sense to you. Then when you want to retrieve that item, you can search by any keyword to find its location — easy as pie!
It will also help with your electronic files if you land on a standardized naming convention, the same format for every file of that type. For example, if you have three different checking accounts, you might name the statements for each one “Checking <bank name> <date>.” So in a given month you have “Checking First Federal 1/11,” “Checking Bank Of America 1/11,” and “Checking Credit Union 1/11” — then the same for February and March and so on throughout the year. In your file list, all of your statements will be grouped together chronologically by institution, making it easy for you to scan through and find the one you need.
About the Author
Ramona Creel is Professional Organizer, NAPO Golden Circle Member, and the original founder of OnlineOrganizing. A former Social Worker, she has always enjoyed helping people find the resources and solutions they need to improve their lives. Ramona now travels the country as a full-time RVer, sharing her story of simplicity with everyone she meets. She leads by example — having worked for more than 10 years as a Professional Organizer, and having radically downsized and simplified her own life as a full-time RVer. Ramona now considers herself a “Renaissance Woman” — bringing all of her passions together into one satisfying career. As a “Virtual Organizer”, she can create a customized organizing plan for your home or office. As a “Simplicity and Accountability Coach “, Ramona provides a proven program for making every area of your life a little bit easier — perfect for those who want to make the time and space to focus on their true priorities. As a Professional Photographer, Ramona captures powerful images of places and people as she travels. And as a freelance writer and blogger, she shares organizing techniques, travel tips, and social commentary with others. You can see all these sides of Ramona — read her articles, browse through her photographs, and even hire her to help get your life in order — at www.RamonaCreel.com. You can also follow her on Twitter, check out her Facebook profile, and subscribe to her blog feeds.
We hear the term ADHD all the time, but many of us have no idea what it really means. ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and although most of us tend to think of it as something that is most common in children, there are many adults who also have this condition. After all, it is not something that most people outgrow, so any child with ADHD can probably expect to have it as an adult as well. Now, those who have ADHD often have problems keeping their lives organized. Often, those who have ADHD find that they start a lot of things, only to put them aside and never get them finished. They go on to other things, and end up with a lot of unfinished projects. This is usually because they cannot keep up with their very creative minds, therefore lack of focus and attention on any one thing at a time.
Some people with this condition are just too hyper to be able to focus long enough to be able to put things away, and they end up being surrounded by clutter, and unable to find things when they need them. This includes important paperwork and other paper files. If you have ADHD, there are things you can do to simplify your life and make things easier, including setting up a record management system, like Paper Tiger Filing System Software for Document Management, that will help you to keep important papers and documents well organized so that you can get your hands on anything you need at any time, and be able to know where it goes when you need to put it back.
Obviously, the first thing you are going to need to do is start going through all the clutter. A lot of the time, people who have ADHD will hang on to things that they do not really need, because they never get around to getting back to them or throwing them away. This of course, can easily lead to even more chaos and feelings of overwhelm.
First, schedule a few minutes up to an hour each day, depending on how much time you think you can stay on task. Don’t pressure yourself to think you have to finish clearing all the clutter in one day.
Then start going through the piles of papers, one stack at a time, and make a decision for each piece of paper. Which ones are actually important and which can just be tossed in the trash or recycle bin. So the only decision you’re making for each piece of paper in this first step is whether it will require action, and if you will need to refer to it later (personal, tax or legal reasons), or if it can be tossed. Have a trash or recycle bin available so that you can go ahead and toss those that you do not need again. You can also go ahead and divide into stacks what will need action and what will need to be filed. You will probably find that about half of the clutter is gone after you have completed this first step.
Next, you need to find a way to organize what is left. The next decision you need to make is for your actionable papers. A good practice would be to write on the paper itself or on a sticky note what the next action is for each piece of paper, and when that action is due. You can put these actionable documents in a dated file folder, then each day refer to that date to see what needs to be done.
Also, implementing Paper Tiger Filing System Software for Document Management, that is a keyword driven index numbered filing system is a really good idea for your reference files, because you can enter as many keywords as you might think of relating to each document into the software’s database, and then put the papers away in a corresponding hanging file folder that has already been set up. In this case, you’re not limited to the one or two words that you might have put on the hanging file folder tab, so you don’t have to worry whether you’ll find it again or not. So let your creative mind go to work and start typing in keywords. When you need to find certain information right away, all you have to do is conduct a google-like search in the software’s database, and based on the keywords you entered previously, be able to find what you need, when you need it!
Once you have all your paper files organized and have gotten rid of the things you don’t need, you will find that your life is a whole lot easier, and less cluttered. You’ll be so enthusiastic because of what you’ve accomplished, you’ll want to get organized in other areas of your life. The right document management system software will also allow you to organize other physical items as well…not just paper, so you can index anything that you can put a number onto.
Having a great document management system will ensure that no matter how overwhelmed you are with things right now, you will be able to whittle your way through the clutter in no time at all. Paper Tiger Filing System Software for Document Management is a great help, so even if you have ADHD and have been letting things go because you jump from one thing to another and can’t focus, you will still be able to get organized and stay organized!
If you are prospective new parents in the adoption process, you are facing a daunting amount of paperwork at every stage of the process, and now is the time to get ready, especially if you are adopting a child from a foreign country. You will need to keep copies of the forms you fill out for your home-study agency, your placement agency and your child’s immigration application. There are documents that are needed for your health, both mental and physical, your finances and personal history. That is just the initial screening; the closer you get to the actual adoption, the more papers you will need to fill out. The more papers that you have on hand, the more you will need a paper filing system, like Paper Tiger Filing System Software for Document Management, to deal with them.
There will be additional documents that you will have to keep on hand for the child as well, including the child’s health records and other documents. Once you get to that next stage, you will be keeping track of travel plans and arrangements, and eventually immigration documents, post placement visits and reports. Everything that you need to keep will need to be kept organized and accessible in the document management system.
In some adoptions, you will be asked to be ready to travel at almost a moment’s notice and you will still need to have all of these papers in order. That being said, there has to be a way to keep all of these critical documents from becoming a confusing mess of papers that have no rhyme or reason. That is where a professional filing system software comes into play.
You might have heard about paperless filing systems that have you scanning everything and then storing it in some little folding pseudo desk, but you can’t scan everything you have. You can’t scan your travel papers like passports and other items and then file the rest away. You might have baby books or other items that were kept for an older child, and those things cannot be scanned and then stored away. That is why the filing system software is the far better answer. It is not a paperless system. It is not one where you scan things and then get rid of them. It is a far better system for far more than just paper.
Here is how Paper Tiger Filing System Software for Document Management works. You file your papers and/or your other physical objects, including the things that you could never have scanned or filed with the other systems. Using item names, along with keywords, the filing system software assigns numbers and locations to index each item. When you need a document, you conduct a search from the filing system software database, and you will know exactly which file that document can be found in. As you update or purge files in your cabinets, you would be able to update the database as well to track where the files are moved to physically.
Every piece of paper that is generated by your adoption process is important. Don’t run the risk of losing anything that will turn out to be vitally important or sentimentally precious in the coming months or years. Don’t trust your important documents to a haphazard filing system when you can use Paper Tiger Filing System Software for Document Management, a professional and organized system that makes sure that everything is where it needs to be with a little help from you.
Thanks to the weekly status report, subordinates can send their summary of activities to their manager, to stay on top of things and be more productive.
The aim of weekly status reports is to allow employees to discuss their performance, and even highlight any requirements that they need, for the immediate attention of management, but must also remain clear and be delivered on time. The objective of the weekly report is to provide communication in an informative, honest and straightforward format. Top level management will really appreciate the key benefits of weekly status reports, as they can use the reports towards appraising how useful employees are, time management in meeting deadlines, and overall work ethic of the business as a whole.
There is a simple procedure to follow for preparing the best weekly report you can, and some examples are provided below:
For Marketing and Sales
1. Market/Sales Update.
2. On-going Projects and Milestones.
3. Dialog and discussions with existing and potential customers.
4. Market Trends and Diversification.
5. Sales figures relative to the business plan.
6. Customer complaints and feedback.
7. Summary
For Manufacturing
1. Weekly Accomplishments.
2. Projected Goals and Timelines.
3. Potential Risks in Meeting Objectives.
4. Staffing Requirements
5. Quality System Compliance
6. Training
7. Summary
Businesses can see in an instant overall progress, by reviewing the weekly summaries of what has already been achieved, and the next week’s lists detailing what is still required and forecast for the future. Some general rules apply for what can be added into a weekly report:
1. Get to the point immediately
2. If recommendations are included, summarize the logical steps towards resolution.
3. Do not include any biased statements or personality conflicts
Being able to see where minor changes can lead to significant improvements in a company, as well as simply creating a better overall awareness of business activities and progress within an organization, are the biggest reasons why weekly status reports are so essential. All businesses have the same general aim of survival into the future, that is to say that maintaining competition, profit generation and overall growth in the marketplace are all first and foremost in order for the business to operate.
Project status reports will not only serve to show to managers how your department has performed, but are also stored in the project management system on an individual basis, meaning managers can see how well you have performed at a glance.
In this webinar, we conducted basic getting started with Paper Tiger Online functions, such as describing the Dashboard and what is shown there, creating a Database, creating a Location, creating Items, printing labels for your items.
Then Anne McGurty, productivity expert of Strategize and Organize, continues by demonstrating the following:
-How to organize things other than paper files
-How to index items other than paper files, such as CDs and other bulky items
-How to use Categories
-Filing items from her inbox
-Searching items, then editing
-How to Transfer to Move an Item, with an explanation of why and how to use Confirmation
-How to use the Cleanout Report and benefits
-Reminders and Reminders Horizon
-Adding a Location for virtual items, such as your Ideas (thoughts, things to do, vacation spots to check out, find a recipe, etc), then Toss an item when it is no longer valid.
As information, Anne is a professional speaker, productivity expert, 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: What is the best use of “category”? I don’t use it now — is it helpful to use?
A: Categories are best described in our knowledge base article entitled What are Categories?, and is basically is dependent on how you want to file your items and how you think. For some people using Paper Tiger’s indexing method, using Categories are helpful to be able to select a category when they want to get a view of where all of their HR files are or where all of their Tax or Financial files are.
In the example that Anne uses in this webinar, she has a music CD by Van Morrison and she also has a document with the lyrics from one of the songs by the same artist. She could have used the Category of ‘Music’ for both of these. The CD and the document would be in 2 different physical locations, but you could choose the Music category and Paper Tiger would show you all items in the Music category, as shown in the screen shot below:
Q: Why put “music” in the item name rather than in the category?
A: In this case, we were simply inputting an item name, no real logic, and definitely could add a Category of Music in this instance.
Q: What is the “notes” section used for? (the column called “Notes” next to “category”)
A: You can use the Notes section for any addition notes that you do not want to be mixed with the Keywords section, i.e., next action to be taken on this item, physical location, who borrowed a book or other item, who pulled the filed last, etc.
Q: Can that confirmation page be printed?
A: For items that you have required confirmation before the transfer completes, you can print a Transfer report from the Reports function.
Q: Why use “MC” instead of “Media Cabinet” as the name? Is there an advantage to the abbreviation?
A: In this instance, Anne used MC instead of Media Cabinet so that the smallest label could be chosen and the entire label would not be taken with the Location name.
Q: What would be best practices for tracking inventory that changes fairly frequently? Better to use item name for item – rivets and then document quantity and description in notes or key words. I have one drawer with all my rivets in.
A: Yes, Probably best would be to use what the item is for the Item Name in Paper Tiger. Then use the Keywords section for description and quantity. Notes section might be used for when and how much to order.
Q: So you are tracking just random things on your desk that need to be tasks? Then when you’re done, what do you do with it? Move to a file location? If you throw it away because it is done, do you just delete and then that number #2 is used forever?
A: You can index anything with Paper Tiger that you can put a number onto. Filing from your inbox is just one example of what can be tracked with Paper Tiger. In your example here, I believe you are asking about Action files, so when you are done with the action or task, you can move it to a reference file or other named location in Paper Tiger or you can toss it. Then the item number will be empty until you file a new item in this location. When you file a new item in that location, Paper Tiger will choose the first available open item, which in this case would be Item Number 2.
Q: Clearing out old files from the system
A: Anne describes how to use the Cleanout Report to assist us in clearing out old files. Then using the Transfer function to either move them to Archives or using the Toss function to delete the items from the database. Also see our knowledge base article entitled What happens to Items in the Trash?
Q: How to move/merge effectively, such as consolidating files into boxes.
A: Transferring files are best described in our knowledge base articles What is a move transfer? and What is a merge transfer?
In your example for consolidating files into boxes, for instance, you might name your boxes ‘Archives’ Location.
-You would Transfer the items from the original location to Archives in Paper Tiger, require Confirmation
-Then print a Transfer report to check off each item as you physically move them to the box.
-Then confirm the Transfers in the Confirm box in Paper Tiger.
-Tape the Transfer report to the box along with the Item numbers of the items you have just archived.
Q: Paper Tiger could probably be used for folders on the computer too.
A: Yes, absolutely, Paper Tiger will work to organize electronic files by treating your electronic or scanned documents as if they were paper.
Q: Where do you get the reminder? Do you need to login in Paper Tiger in order to get the reminder?
A: You do need to log into Paper Tiger and select a Database in order to get the reminder. Reminders show up in the top of the page as banners as seen in the screen shot below:
Q: Is the description the keywords or search words?
A: The description of a Location is simply describing what the Location is being used for and what type of items will be indexed in the respective Location. You can also input where the items are physically located in the description. The search function of Paper Tiger does not search the wording in the Location Description section.
The Search function searches wording input in the Item Name, Keywords, and Notes sections.
Q: How safe is using the Paper Tiger Online?
A: Our servers at Amazon Web Services are in a highly secure environment that prevents physical access, there is complete redundancy and your data is professionally maintained and backed up. Our network is protected by a state-of-the-art firewall. In addition, even our free accounts provide SSL security (data encryption) to ensure your data gets to and from our servers safely. We ensure that your data is safe with nightly data backups within our data centers.
Q: Can you put a url in the notes section that will execute?
A: You can input a url, but it will not execute or link to the web address.
Q: How to use Paper Tiger to track mental processes, i.e., ideas.
A: Create a new Location for Ideas as shown in the screen shot above. Then your Item Names would be your idea, i.e., ‘vacation spots’, ‘find recipe’, ‘to do’, ‘uses for Paper Tiger’, etc.
Q: How to keep work and home organized, but not together?
A: This would be an example of why you would want separate databases. In this case, you would want to create a Database for ‘Office’ and a Database for ‘Home’. When you want to search for something in your home, you would select the Home Database and search results would only come from this database.
Q: How to create databases for CD’s and movies
A: If you do not want search results for your CD’s and movies from your Home Database, you could create a separate database for these items.
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. 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. Paper Tiger does not search across the different databases.
In this article, Anne McGurty of Strategize and Organize, and a Paper Tiger Expert describes the importance of maintaining your paper filing system especially for such events as tax time, plus she recommends Paper Tiger Filing System Software for Document Management to make it happen.
As I watch people during tax season, I am always amazed how frustrated they are with all the paperwork “they need to gather” and how they complain about all the time involved. It really doesn’t need to be that way. Having an efficient filing system in place now, will make things so much easier later.
While it’s fresh in your mind what a headache it has been, I ask you “isn’t it time to finally create a system?” Use this month’s tips to help you get some ideas on getting started.
Happy filing – paper and taxes!
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Even with all the technology in our offices – computers, PDAs, email, internet – there is more paper being used these days than ever before. In fact, every year, the average U.S. office employee generates nearly 10,000 sheets of paper. We’re on paper overload!
Don’t let it take over your office — keep only that which you truly need. (Remember, 80% of what we file is never looked at again.) Resolve to deal with your paper files on a regular basis. Whether first thing in the morning, at the end of the day, or somewhere in between, set aside 30 minutes each day so you don’t end up with overwhelming piles.
For every piece of paper that you encounter, make an immediate decision to either toss it, file it, or act on it. Then, make time each day to file your “keepers.” Although it may not be your favorite task, filing as you go will probably take only a few minutes and will make your office life much less stressful and more productive. If you can’t act on the simpler papers right away, keep them in a “quick-task to-do” file, and deal with them regularly so they don’t pile up. For larger, long-term projects, put each one into a separate file folder. To minimize future paper clutter, don’t hit “print” unless absolutely necessary. Keep electronic files rather than hard copies.
WANT MORE INTERACTIVE CONVERSATIONS AND TIPS: See Anne’s blog
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 this article, 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 (note this is a new website!) and corporate training programs to improve efficiencies in the workplace and improve productivity.
While Anne’s 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 at www.StrategizeAndOrganize.com.
Whether you need to get organized in your home or your office, you know what a major pain it can be. There are so many things that you have to consider before you even get started. If you use a filing cabinet, will you sort your paper files by name, alphabetically or by some other identifying factor? Once you get your documents filed, will you be able to find them again? After all, will you remember a week later or 6 months later, what name you filed everything under? And, consider this: what if someone else uses those items or files? How will they be able to understand your organizational system? Will they be able to retrieve a file, use it and then put it back correctly without needing your assistance every time?
Thankfully, there is Paper Tiger Filing System Software for Document Management that will allow you to get organized and stay that way, no matter how many people are touching or using those items. Once you have indexed your paper files into the filing system database, everyone needing access to the files can conduct a google-like search and be able to find what they need quickly and also be able to know exactly where it should be re-filed. And, unlike the other document management systems, there is no requirement to scan things, especially items that cannot be scanned.
Most home offices are not just comprised of folders and papers – there might be thick and bulky binders and other things like office supplies, CDs, DVDs, and books that need to be organized in such a way that you can locate what you need without a time-consuming search. An efficient filing system software can organize more than just office type things. You can use the system to finally organize your storage containers, craft supplies, stacks of photos, and various other collections, once and for all. There is no way that you can do that with the scanning systems.
Because it is so easy to use, organization is fast and painless, even in the first days. Once you have indexed everything, you can add or delete things as you need with just a few steps to update the software database to coincide with the physical items. Finding something is nothing more than typing a keyword into the search function of the filing system software and then finding the item in the corresponding physical location. It is even so simple that teenagers can be taught how to use it so there will no excuse for things not getting put where they belong and no reason for people to claim that they cannot find something.
Also, remember that Paper Tiger lets you keep everything as is, even the big and bulky items. The only difference is the ability to have everything organized and in the right place. That is the advantage of such a system over all of the others. You don’t have to change things to adapt to some kind of system – this is the system that you use to suit yourself in the best way. Isn’t that part of the reason that you have been putting off getting organized in the first place?
Implementing Paper Tiger Filing System Software for Document Management will help you get organized once and for all.
While organizers love the sight of a clear desk, not all of your paper should be stuck away in a file drawer — those items that are accessed regularly or in the midst of some sort of “to-do” must be kept handy. But that doesn’t mean that you have to suffer with a bunch of disorganized stacks, cluttering up all of your available work surfaces!
What Is A Fingertip File?
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a mom trying to keep track of your kid’s classmates, soccer schedule, and PTA activities — or if you’re a corporate executive struggling to stay on top of your company’s products, vendors, customers, and staff. You need a good document management system for organizing commonly-used reference items within arm’s reach. That’s where the fingertip file comes into play.
A fingertip file is exactly what it sounds like, a place to store papers that you prefer to keep close by. You know the kinds of documents I’m talking about — those bits of information that you need to put your hands on at a moment’s notice (possibly even several times a day), and don’t want to have to dig through a file drawer to find. This includes phone and contact lists, printed schedules and calendars, directories and rosters, cheat sheets and important memos, pricing, product, and vendor lists, and blank forms you use all the time. The goal is to set up a distinct home for these sorts of “quick reference” items, outside of your main file drawer.
Fingertip “Options”
The nice thing about a fingertip file is that it can take any form you choose, depending on how you like to handle your paper. If you prefer to store reference sheets out of sight when you don’t need them, consider a “flip” style document organizer — a sturdy pressboard classification folder with fasteners at the top of each divider or a ring-binder and a set of clear plastic storage sheets. What if your fingertip file doesn’t contain a collection of loose pages, but a number of larger documents? Simple — set up an expanding file or set of hanging folders in a file rack, and assign a category to each section. You can organize your paper by the area of your life it relates to (school, church, marketing, billing) — or the specific document being stored (order forms, phone lists, memos). If the fingertip items you need to store are bigger than will fit in a file (product catalogs, professional journals, magazines), get a few magazine holders that sit upright on a bookshelf (one for each title) — or pick up a set of file bar catalog hangers to store your publications spine-up in a file drawer. And if you’re one of those people who needs to have things in plain view, consider a bulletin or magnetic board for your most important bits of information. Just be careful to clean out when it gets too crowded — an overloaded board is no more useful to you than a pile on your desk. The trick is to choose the system that best matches your work style and the type of paper you are organizing.
Tackling To-Do’s
The next step is to figure out a functional document management system for action items. I often feel that the number one challenge people face with paper is not the quantity (although there is way too much of it about) — it’s lack of motion. When you’ve got a good system for processing, a big pile of to-do’s is a piece of cake. But when any amount of paper lands on your desk and just sits there, it’s going to create problems. The goal is forward momentum — that’s why they call it “work flow,” rather than “work stop!” If you want to keep paper moving through your system (instead of stagnating and clogging up your in-box), you need to “verb” it — that means sorting according to the action required. Start with the nearest pile, ask yourself what you need to do with each item, then create a folder for each answer. You’ll probably come up with categories like:
Set these folders up in a file box or rack, placed in plain view. The goal is to give new paper a place to live until you have a chance to tackle it. Each day, take just a minute to go through the incoming to-do’s and file accordingly. Of course, you may have multiple steps to take with each item (like a credit card statement with an error on it — where you need to make a phone call, then pay the bill, then file it.) Just ask yourself, “What is the NEXT step I need to take to clear this item up?” You start by putting it in “to contact,” and you may only have time for that one step today. Then move it to “to pay” and it will be waiting for you on your next round of to-do’s (plus, you won’t forget where you were in processing that document.)
Rethinking The Way You Do Things
So how do you make sure that everything you put into a file comes back out again, and gets done on time? Don’t wait until you have time. You must make time. Schedule a regular weekly appointment with yourself (maybe an hour or two, once or twice a week) and block off that slot for “admin time”. During admin time, your goal is to go through each To-Do folder in order and try to complete every item inside. If you can’t complete that item for some reason, put it back in the folder and tackle it during your next admin period. And if you finish one step, but then realize that you have another step to take with that paper, make a note or attach a sticky so there’s no confusion later on.
Why would you worry about working through one folder before moving to the next? You will accomplish more in less time when you complete each activity in sequence (paying all of your bills at once, then making all of your calls, then doing all of your filing) — as opposed to bopping back and forth between different tasks. Take a “mass production” tip from Henry Ford — your work will get done faster and easier if you focus on one category at a time. Plus, completing a folder allows that weight to lift from your shoulders — you know that all the bills are paid or all the calls are made, and you can forget about those to-do’s until your next admin period. If you follow this system, you will never accumulate more than a week’s worth of paper at any time, you have no reason to miss a deadline or get hit with a late fee — and you don’t have to continually worry, “When will I get it all done?” because you know that any to-do’s will be taken care of during your next regular admin period. Is that genius, or what?
As you well know, Paper Tiger Filing System Software for Document Management is ideal for indexing all paper files, but you can use the software to help you keep track of what is in your fingertip files and to-do’s also, especially if you have others that need access or share your files and projects.
About the Author
Ramona Creel is Professional Organizer, NAPO Golden Circle Member, and the original founder of OnlineOrganizing. A former Social Worker, she has always enjoyed helping people find the resources and solutions they need to improve their lives. Ramona now travels the country as a full-time RVer, sharing her story of simplicity with everyone she meets. She leads by example — having worked for more than 10 years as a Professional Organizer, and having radically downsized and simplified her own life as a full-time RVer. Ramona now considers herself a “Renaissance Woman” — bringing all of her passions together into one satisfying career. As a “Virtual Organizer”, she can create a customized organizing plan for your home or office. As a “Simplicity and Accountability Coach “, Ramona provides a proven program for making every area of your life a little bit easier — perfect for those who want to make the time and space to focus on their true priorities. As a Professional Photographer, Ramona captures powerful images of places and people as she travels. And as a freelance writer and blogger, she shares organizing techniques, travel tips, and social commentary with others. You can see all these sides of Ramona — read her articles, browse through her photographs, and even hire her to help get your life in order — at www.RamonaCreel.com. You can also follow her on Twitter, check out her Facebook profile, and subscribe to her blog feeds.
In this webinar, we demonstrated basic set up instructions, including naming a Database, naming a Location, and printing labels. And Anne McGurty, productivity expert of Strategize and Organize, took us through her inbox and demonstrated how she indexes her incoming mail into Paper Tiger Filing System Software for document management to answer the frequently asked question ‘how to get started using Paper Tiger.’ She also instructed on how to use Categories, how to Transfer an Item from one Location to another, and described the different Reports, including her favorite report, the Cleanout Report!
Whether you are a beginner or an experience user of Paper Tiger, you will receive tips and tricks to help you as Anne demonstrates how to use Paper Tiger more effectively.
Anne is a professional speaker, productivity expert, 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 phone at 303 881-0174. Contact her to discuss a personal one-on-one plan customized just for you and your office to get organized and be more productive!
To learn more about Paper Tiger, visit www.thepapertiger.com
Q: Is PT case sensitive?
A: No, Paper Tiger search is not case sensitive.
Q: I see you didn’t put a category for every item. When do you add category? In what situation or when do you add category?
A: You do not need to add a Category for every item. You can add a Category in the instances when you might want a virtual view of files that are related even though they may be in different file drawers. See our knowledge base article at How do I use Categories in Paper Tiger? for more information.
Q: After you have entered the ITEM NAME, and you want to, can you change it to make them standard… i.e., 2011 in front of all items like Tax, Medical?
A: Yes, simply click the Edit button and you can change the Item Name. In this instance, Anne suggests that you might also input the original Item Name in the Keywords section because people think differently on different days.
Q: Can you receive email notifications for action dates and reminders?
A: Not currently, but we have this in the queue for our developers to consider for future enhancements.
Q: I have PT both at home and in my office. I would like to move to the online version. How do I convert?
A: Purchase a Paper Tiger Online Pro or one of the multi-user plans, then send your database to our tech support team for importing into your account. Prior to sending your database, make sure all pending items have been confirmed by clicking the Confirm box, and empty the Trash. Then export your database to .CSV file by following the instructions below for all databases if you have more than one database. To export a Paper Tiger CSV file from Paper Tiger 4:
1. Open Paper Tiger and the appropriate database.
2. From the File menu, select Export.
3. Check the Select All box.
4. Click the Browse button to select the preferred directory so that you will know where the file will be saved to and type in a file name for the CSV file, click the Save or Open button
5. Then attach the .CSV file to your email that you’re sending to our tech support team at support@thepapertiger.com.
Q: Will each of these papers go into separate hanging file folders?
A: The paper files would go into separate hanging folders if they were not related. You can file all related documents into a single hanging file folder, and simply edit the item in Paper Tiger to add keywords to that Item Name Keyword section relating to the document(s) you are adding to that hanging folder.
Q: Do the action files include both “home” or personal items, as well as “business” items? Does it matter that they are co-mingled?
A: The decision to keep your home or personal items and your business items co-mingled or separate is entirely up to the individual. We suggest to keep it general at first, then tweak the way you file or index things into Paper Tiger as you see what will work best for you.
Q: Are the “action” files the same as the monthly tabs with daily folders behind them?
A: No, you are referring to a tickler system that is like a follow up system. In Paper Tiger, Action Files are files you use most frequently. See more information on “action” files in this article Action Files (Temporary and Permanent Action, and Tickler File System). There are two categories of Action Files:
Temporary Action Files are files of current projects or events that will come to an end, e.g., files on a new committee assignment or presentation notes for an upcoming meeting.
Permanent Action Files are files for tasks that require ongoing action, e.g., “Call,” “Pay,” and “Write.”
Some people would rather bury themselves under drifts of random papers and stacks of old binders rather than deal with filing any of it. After all, once they file one thing, they will have to keep filing. And, they reason, no matter what type of filing system they use, once a new paper or item comes in, the decision of what to do with it or what item name to file it under still exists. Believe it or not, Paper Tiger Filing System for Document Management Software can change all of that negative thinking from the very start.
You have probably seen the infomercial for the scanning and filing system that ends up the size of a high school student’s binder folder. They take an entire desk worth of papers, scan it and then file it all away. The papers are mysteriously dealt with. And while the infomercials make it seem that those papers are never needed again, that is rarely the truth of it. How will you find the scanned documents again if you need them?
In addition, some people keep their paper files even after they have scanned the documents, because they are fearful they won’t be able to find it again if needed. Or if they don’t keep the paper file, they will end up printing more than they would have if they had kept it physically, simply because they need it again in paper form. You aren’t waving a magic wand with that expensive scanning system after all. One more thing those infomercials do not tell you: those particular systems are only good for flat papers and that is that. Paper clips and sticky notes need to be removed before scanning. In addition, what are you supposed to do about organizing binders and other bulky items that could never be scanned? You also have to think about electronic storage space when you try to go paperless.
You need Paper Tiger Filing System for Document Management Software that is not paperless, and doesn’t require scanning. Yes, this filing system software does not involve scanning anything. In fact, the most technical aspect of the system is your computer. What you do is index your physical items and assign keywords to the items you are organizing, including your paper files, your binders, CD and DVD collections … basically anything that you can put a number onto can be indexed into the software’s database. You enter an Item Name and keywords relating to each item or paper file, and before you know it, everything in your home and office will be organized. It is simple and painless, and unlike other types of systems, you don’t have to completely start over when you bring in new items.
Depending on how disorganized you currently are, you may start in the middle of a pile of papers trying to figure out the best way to get started, but you need an efficient paper filing system software, like Paper Tiger, that allows you to index your information without having to worry about what one or two words to name the file since you’ll be able to add other keywords in the database that will help you find the item later. This relieves you of the stress of making sure the item name on the hanging file folder tab is what you’ll remember when you need to find it again, because you’ll be able to conduct a google-like search based on the keywords you input into the database when indexing your items.
Then all that you need is a few minutes of time to enter new information into the system when you need to index new items as they come in. Based on your volume of work, you would want to schedule time either daily or maybe once per week to ensure that you keep up with your new organized and productive environment.
You’ll be glad you decided to implement Paper Tiger Filing System for Document Management Software to take the pain out of filing and finally clearing the clutter to get organized and be more productive!
If you find that you’re only ever taking short 2 or 3 day breaks here and there because you are worried that your business won’t cope while you’re away, then this article will shed some light on some key things you can do in the lead up to your holiday so that you can take a decent break to recharge your batteries and spend time with your family.
If you’ve decided that you need a week or two away, then the first thing that you must do in preparation for taking a holiday from your business is to write a list of all the things that you do on a daily, weekly, and fortnightly basis. When you have your list of things that you do, separate it out into two columns and write down all the things that absolutely cannot be done by anybody else, and all the things that with some training and instruction, could be done by someone else. Your next focus is to work on the things that could be done by someone else.
Next time you do that task, spend just a little longer doing it, and write down the steps in a checklist. Once you have the checklists done, choose a team member to perform those tasks and walk them through it first, and then get them to do it on their own and you then check it and provide constructive feedback. For the things on your list that you deem can only be done by yourself, you need to work out if they can wait while you are away, or decide if they absolutely need to get done while you are away.
If they absolutely must be done while you are on your holiday, someone else in your team must do them. If you’re going away for a week or two, I recommend that a month before you go, you should know who will be stepping in to “act” in your position and manage the business in your absence.
Its vitally important that one person is appointed to manage your business and oversee the day to day runnings in your absence, so staff and contractors know who is in charge and who they can go to if problems arise, and even if you are contactable, it should only be for emergencies.
Before you go away, you should have a handover session with the person who will be acting and give them clear guidelines as to what they are responsible for, and what decisions they should be making (and not making) in your absence.
You should also let your key customers know that you will be taking a well deserved break and give them the name of the person who will be managing the business in your absence.
Key takeaway: When you’re preparing to go away on holiday and leave your business for more than a few days, you need to make sure that your team have procedures and checklists to do the things that you would normally do and that must absolutely be done in your absence. You should also appoint one person as the “caretaker” of your business so that staff and contractors know who is in charge. Start planning at least 1 month before if you’re planning on going way for a week or two, make sure your key customers know you’ll be out of action and let them know they’ll be in good hands while you’re away.
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Kim Morris is a Business Systems Expert and Business Improvement Coach. Kim works with small business owners and entrepreneurs to help them to systemize and streamline their business. Kim uses a unique system that means you as the owner don’t have to do all the systemizing yourself and that you can have system “Done For You”. To Get Kims FREE Report go to http://entrepreneursystems.com for your FREE 50 page report.
Weekly status reports are summaries that the managers receive from their staff each week. Managers find the reports really useful, as they are often used as a benchmark for improving on current practices, as well as simply keeping the manager informed of the team’s efforts and productivity. The reports can vary depending on the business, as every business will require different information.
Ensuring that your boss is aware of what you have been doing is a major reason for why you need to be sending a project status report to them. Sometimes people feel like they didn’t accomplish anything when they really did. This is why it is so important for them to understand, using status reports, what they have achieved and overall will make for a happier, more efficient workforce. The weekly reporting facilitates looking ahead, so that they can set themselves goals for what they plan to complete in upcoming weeks.
These reports also allow us to silently brag about things that we did via the project management system. Maybe you did more than somebody working next to you and you are proud of being able to do that. You can tell your manager and they can see that without you having to make anybody feel bad.
As a point of reference, weekly status reports are important when it comes to appraisals. It also helps them to see who the most and least quantity of work is coming from and the quality also.
In fact, weekly status reports allow managers to assess the current work situation and decide whether changes are needed. Change may be a sensible move for managers to consider? Staff can get a good overall understanding of where they are as a team for project progress. Project management reports can help teams realize, are they going to be able to finish in the allotted amount of time or do they need to commit more time into it? The status reports will always vary from company to company, as all businesses work in different ways.
This article by Sherry Borsheim of Simply Productive, and a Paper Tiger Expert, is a great step by step approach to getting your desk cleared of clutter to ensure a more productive environment. Sherry always recommends Paper Tiger Filing System software for document management to help you find your paper files and other items again after finding a home for them.
It’s that time of year when we begin to move more outdoors, taking in the crisp fresh air and feeling a sense of renewal. Getting your office and home organized helps to bring that wonderful fresh feeling back into your life. It’s also the perfect time to access where you are with the commitments you made to yourself in January. Did you set out to be more active this year, be on-time for meetings and ahead of deadlines, or maybe you set out to be better organized? Take a close look around your office and honestly ask yourself these 3 questions:
1. “Where are the piles accumulating?”
2. “What items don’t have a home?”
3. “Is your Inbox on your computer overflowing with 100’s or 1000’s of emails?”
Your answers to these questions will give you a clue to where you are to begin your spring cleaning project. Most people only use 20 per cent of what they have 80 per cent of the time. So, let’s get moving and clear command central!
Day 1: Start with the Visible Piles First
To clear command central and to see dramatic visible results immediately, start with the top of your desk first. Most people will start with hidden piles in boxes or items in a drawer and after 2 hours they feel like they have not accomplished anything. Grab a couple of boxes and then take every single piece of paper off your desk and put it into box number one. Use the second box for other desk items, such as pens, CDs, paper clips and whatever else you have on your desk. Now pick up the first piece of paper and use the F.A.S.T. Principle ™ – File it, Act on it, Schedule it, Toss it. Handle each piece of paper in less than 60 seconds. Get rid of any nick-knacks that clutter up your desk.
Action Tip: Play your favorite music and set a timer for 1-2 hours.
Day 2: Always Work in One Area at a Time
When you walked into your office today, how did it feel to have a clear desk? Let’s continue the process by tackling the piles on the floor. Once again, use the F.A.S.T. Principle ™ – File it, Act on it, Schedule it, Toss it. Handle each file or piece of paper in less than 60 seconds. There’s no time for evaluating here. The object of the game is to get this done as fast as possible. Getting organized is a clarifying, cleansing way of connecting to what’s really important to you. You should enjoy the process and reward yourself along the way.
Action Tip: Beware of the cost of clutter – it costs time, money, and space to take care of things you don’t use. Play your favorite music and set a timer for 1-2 hours.
Day 3: Create Zones in Your Office
Think of your work area as different activity zones. Consider how you move things across your desk, what items you use most frequently, and what relationship materials have with different desk activities. Command central zones would be:
1. An In Tray for incoming mail;
2. An Out Tray for outgoing mail
3. To File Tray for papers to be filed
4. Project file zone
5. Reference file zone
6. Resources area
Action Tip: Group like activities together and label for quick and easy access.
Day 4: Conquer the Email Traffic Jam
Incoming email, not managed properly, can become a significant drain on productivity. The more email piles up, the less useful it is to the user & company. An empty Inbox is a delight to look at! It reminds users they are fully caught up. The purpose of an Inbox is a temporary resting ground for information and actions temporarily before they are read. Apply the F.A.S.T. Principle ™ from day one.
Action Tip: My definition of clutter is “Anything you HAVE or DO that does not enhance your life on a regular basis.
Day 5: Organizing is a Process Not a Destination
Congratulate yourself for taking action this week and clearing off your desk! Remember, organizing is a continual process of re-evaluating what your goals are, what activities you enjoy, what you don’t enjoy. Continually ask yourself these questions:
1. “Does it work?”
2. “Do I like it?”
3. “Does it work for others?”
Action Tips: Be willing to adjust your systems as your professional and personal life evolves. In order to clear command central, you start with the visible items first. Also, work in one area at a time and create activity zones in your office to increase efficiency and effectiveness. Don’t worry about mistakes and just keep learning!
About the Author
Sherry Borsheim, owner of Simply Productive, has been helping people to work smarter, not harder for years. She specializes in resolving paper, time and information management issues. To learn more about eliminating the paper pile-up and in vastly improving your productively, contact Simply Productive at 604-233-7076.
You can visit Sherry, access her free article archive and grab lots of free stuff at http://www.simplyproductive.com. Sherry lives in Vancouver, BC Canada with her husband (her high-school sweetheart).
Also check out Sherry’s Calm Your Choas special that will give you a JUMP-START on ORGANIZING your office, home and life. She will give you her trade secrets and steps to setting up your organizing systems, including recommending Paper Tiger filing system software for document management, to be organized and manage the paper files that you need to keep in hard copy format and other physical stuff in your life.
Published with permission.
One of the most common New Year’s resolutions ever made is that of getting organized. Every year, at least a few of the people that you know, yourself included, will announce that things are going to get organized in their home office, their business office and their entire home. But, just like the resolutions that involve weight loss efforts, these are often started with great enthusiasm, but left unfinished by the end of January.
There is no need to think that because January has come and gone that you have missed your window of opportunity. It is never too late to commit yourself to finally getting organized.
Paper Tiger Filing System Software for Document Management cannot help you lose extra pounds, but it can help you finally get organized. Choosing just the right system will not be one of those that require expensive and tedious scanning of papers to organize. Instead, you can leave your physical paper files already set up in your filing system, and index each document into the software’s database with keywords. When you need a file, you can then conduct a google-like search in the filing system software. When you file away your documents and you have confidence that you’ll be able to find them again because you’ve indexed all your paper files in the software, you will be better organized and won’t have to shuffle through stacks and stacks. You will know exactly where things are and what you want to find.
In addition to saving you time when you set up your organizational files and when you need to look for something, this filing system software saves you effort and frustration as well.
There is another bonus since you are not required to scan to be able to index items, so you’re not limited to just flat papers and files with your organizational efforts. With the document management scanning systems, you are limited to just the items that can be scanned … in other words, nothing bulky, nothing oversized and nothing oddly shaped. But what if you have a number of file folders, thick books and other items that need to be organized? With the other systems, that might mean that you have one system in place for papers and a complete different system in place for everything else. The more systems that you have in place, the more likely you are to find that everything is completely out of place, and defeating your purpose because it will be harder to maintain the organizing system you’ve put in place.
The advantage of choosing just the right system is that you can index anything that you can put a number onto. You are not limited to paper files.
After indexing your items into Paper Tiger Filing System Software for Document Management, you click the mouse, type a keyword to search in the database, and then you’ll know exactly where to find what you need.
Accomplishing the task of getting organized will free you of clutter and the time-consuming frustration of looking for lost information and other items; and that will give you the time to tackle another resolution. Finally, a new year’s resolution that you can keep!