According to NAPO (
https://www.napo.net), January is GO (Get Organized & be Productive) Month. Many people are in need of these services but have no idea how or where to start to get help. Because of this and in honor of GO month, I’d like to summarize NAPO’s suggestions on how to hire a Professional Organizer and/or Productivity Consultant.
Let me first start out by sharing NAPO’s definitions of/distinctions between Organizing & Productivity Professionals.
- Professional Organizers support evaluation, decision-making, and action around objects, spaces, and data, helping clients achieve desired outcomes regarding function, order, and clarity.
- Productivity Consultants support evaluation, decision-making, and action around time, energy, and resources, helping clients achieve desired outcomes regarding goals, effectiveness, and priorities.
Why Hire a NAPO member? There are individuals who offer these services that are not NAPO members. So why hire a NAPO member?
- Because NAPO offers its members countless and exceptional professional development opportunities which we take advantage of in order to stay current with trends.
- We also vow to adhere to NAPO’s Code of Ethics which encourages fair and equitable practices, including working with clients and colleagues, handling client confidentiality, and how we assess fees and expenses.
- Last but not least, we have a built in network of fellow NAPO members we can reach out to for suggestions, resources, questions, etc.
Things to consider before contacting an Organizing/Productivity professional:
- Do you have a specific project or projects in mind?
- What are your goals?
- What is your budget?
- Do you have a timeframe in which it needs to be accomplished?
What should you expect to pay? Fees will vary based on the professional’s experience, your geographic location and the services you’re requesting. Some charge by the hour, while others offer packages or charge by the project. It’s best to establish a budget that is comfortable for you and keep this in mind when choosing who to work with. Be aware of any initial consultation fees, additional costs for needed materials and supplies, and disposal fees that may or may not be included.
What should you consider when hiring? Formal training, education, and experience can vary widely. You should consider the individual’s experience in your particular problem area or project, how many years they’ve been in business, any certifications or advanced training they may have, and how they work with clients (approach, time-frame, availability).
Not sure what questions to ask when you’re vetting professionals? NAPO has made it easy for you by providing a
Hiring Guide which includes a list of 15 great questions to ask.
How do you pick the right professional for you? This is a very personal decision. Avoid choosing strictly by price. Instead, focus on finding someone with the personality and skill set that matches your needs. It’s a good idea to have an initial interview to get to know them and consider getting referrals to help you make your decision.
How do you find NAPO members in your geographic area? It’s simple! Click on this NAPO
link then simply enter your zip code, distance and other information that’s important to you.
I hope this has demystified the process of hiring someone to help you (or a loved one, colleague, etc.) get more organized and/or be more productive. If you still have questions, feel free to contact me.
Quote:
“You can’t reach for anything new if your hands are still full of yesterdays junk” ~Louise Smith~
Brenda Tringali, Organizing/Productivity Specialist
At Your Fingertips Organizing
Serving Greater Myrtle Beach, SC or “virtually” anywhere (via phone/video)
Cell/Text: 603.490.6062
Email:
Brenda@AtYourFingertipsOrganizing.com
Web:
www.AtYourFingertipsOrganizing.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AtYourFingertipsOrganizing/
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendatringali/
Brenda Tringali is the owner of At Your Fingertips Organizing. She provides Life/Workplace/Residential Organizing & Productivity services to clients in the Myrtle Beach, SC area & “virtually” anywhere via video, phone, etc. Drawing from her 30 years of Human Resources/Staffing experience, she also helps clients with HR/Staffing/Job Search needs as well. Brenda is an active member of NAPO (National Association of Productivity and Organizing professionals). She is also Chair of the NAPOCares Committee which highlights the community outreach efforts of NAPO members, NAPO Chapters, and NAPO Business Partners as they reach out to share the three “T’s” of Social Responsibility: their Time, Treasures, and Talents.
