Investment Executive | Spring-clean your office
An organized work space shows clients that you are in control.
Try this exercise: the next time you walk into your office, imagine that you’re a prospective client visiting for the first time. What do you notice? Is the space neat and well ordered, or is it cluttered and chaotic?
The condition of your workspace tells people a lot about you, says Isolde O’Neil, Toronto-based president of Getting It Together Organizing. A well organized office creates the impression that you have things under control; a messy space makes you look unprofessional and disorganized.
The image you project to others is not the only reason to have an organized office. Research indicates that, on average, executives lose one hour a day looking for lost or misplaced information, notes Jane Veldhoven, president of Get Organized! Professional Services in Halifax.
“Keeping your office tidy and well organized helps you work more efficiently and productively,” Veldhoven says. “It also boosts morale and reduces stress because you can find what you want when you need it.”
Here are some tips for creating a tidy, organized work area: