Welcome Back to school… and 180 days (or so) of endless paper!
Are you ready for the invasion of class work, tests, projects, artwork, schedules, flyers, and newsletters? If not, it's not too late to develop a plan of action to deal with the onslaught of paper.
To start: designate a place for ALL incoming school papers for the KIDS to place the papers. (And not on the counter, entry way, or dinning table!).
This can either be a single in-box for all papers, or designate one per child. If they want the paper signed… Put it HERE. Remind kids to not place incomplete/ungraded schoolwork here, unless it needs your signature.
Next, sort and handle the papers as follows:
A) Papers requiring your attention (signatures, approvals, completion, mark the date events)
After paperwork is completed, either place in an “out-box” for the children to check if they are older to teach responsibility for school papers returning back to school; or if younger, return to their backpacks. Next, put any important dates (holidays, due dates, testing dates, practices, meets, open houses, conferences etc) immediately onto the calendar! By creating and In/Out system for children to deliver and retrieve paperwork for you, you will create a system that creates accountability and is habit building for your children and you!
B) Papers frequently referenced throughout the year (calendars, band/sport schedules, menus, bus schedules, contact info, etc.)
I recommend a school “command center” binder. Use tabs marked either by child, subject (band, menu, bus etc). In this binder place bus schedules, lunch menus, school calendars, band or sports calendars, etc. Anything you need to reference frequently throughout the year. Purge at the end of the school year or at report card time, or as extracurricular activities end during the year.
C) Keepsakes (art, great grades, creative work, certificates etc)
Rule of thumb: Give each “masterpiece” or “90-100%” 1 week on the fridge or other prominent showcase. Then toss. Aim to keep 2 pieces of artistic and scholastic per quarter- focusing on superior efforts, creativity, and personality. Use a large manila envelope/bankers box or try the School folio http://www.schoolfolio.com/ for each child for all the keepsake papers, drawings and small items they bring home from school. Be sure to include: Name, Age, Grade and School Year. Review and "edit" further if needed/desired at the end of each school year .
D) Other. (School Handbooks, testing info, progress and report cards, class rules, photo/yearbook info, and other misc.,)
Create a file with the child’s name and school. This is for less frequently referenced material. This should be purged at the end of the school year. Most will be tossed. Final report cards can be incorporated into “keepsake” storage. Some may roll over to the next year or be forward looking.
By designating and setting up these 4 areas to handle all school related papers, you can quickly decide how to handle, what to keep, where to store, and can quickly retrieve information as needed. Now go forth and conquer!
Monday, September 1, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
What a Great Day!
North Texas Network of Enterprising Women (NEW) attended the No Limit Expo for Women on August 9, 2008. This show provides a venue for organizations and businesses to reach women. The show was a success. Our booth buzzed with activity. Most of our businesses provided wonderful gifts for attendees, as well as raffle items to the expo. It was a great day to connect with so many women interested in learning about NEW and supporting our members. Check out our photos from the day. Look for other events coming soon.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Plunge Into Summer!
Does your business take a “dive” during the summer months? If so, take advantage of the extra time to focus on getting your business ready for a fantastic fall.
1. Gotta Learn More to Earn More
What do you need to know to take your business to the next level? Select a project or area and invest some money and time into a program or product that will help you to gain more understanding, and increase your knowledge in that area.
2. Summer Make Over
Take an objective look at your online marketing, (website, blog, newsletters, mailings etc). Make any changes or updates necessary to improve it’s effectiveness as a major marketing and sales tool.
3. Restore order to your office!
If you didn’t do this in January, purge old files and bookshelves so you can actually see and find what you own! And by doing so, you’ll be creating space for more clients and new information to come into your business! Restoring your office doesn't just include cleaning out and reorganizing the contents. If you also have tools and equipment that aren't functioning properly, get them fixed, or replace them.
4. Garbage In / Garbage Out
Tired of wasting time searching for stuff on your computer? Take some time to clean up your files, delete ones you don't need, reorganize what you do need into folders, remove software that you no longer use. Burn photos and archived material to a CD and then delete it from your computer. Finally, defragment the computer if needed. Your CPU will thank you!
5. E-mail E-hell
Is your inbox overwhelming? Set a goal of 50 emails or less in your inbox. Be ruthless with the delete key and only leave emails in your inbox that require action on your part. Tackle that inbox and do one of the following: respond, file in a folder, delegate or delete it. To maintain, take 5-10 minutes each day to delete old emails, reply to ones that only require a quick response, and if your mail services offers it, select the” settings” feature to automatically sort future incoming mail into appropriate folders.
6. Encouraging Accomplishments
It’s easy to get discouraged during a summer slump, so it's important to pause and recognize your successes. You’re at the half-way point so it’s a good time for a 6-month review. When you do, be sure to account for your accomplishments this year. Then set or re-set the goals you’d like to achieve for the rest of the year to provide on-going direction and motivation!
7. Plan ahead for Fall
Begin researching and targeting any potential fall shows, expos, bazaars or promotions/ads NOW. Register early to ensure the best location or spot!
8. Relax and enjoy the Season!
After all, isn't more time with your family or to yourself one of the reasons you own your own business in the first place?
1. Gotta Learn More to Earn More
What do you need to know to take your business to the next level? Select a project or area and invest some money and time into a program or product that will help you to gain more understanding, and increase your knowledge in that area.
2. Summer Make Over
Take an objective look at your online marketing, (website, blog, newsletters, mailings etc). Make any changes or updates necessary to improve it’s effectiveness as a major marketing and sales tool.
3. Restore order to your office!
If you didn’t do this in January, purge old files and bookshelves so you can actually see and find what you own! And by doing so, you’ll be creating space for more clients and new information to come into your business! Restoring your office doesn't just include cleaning out and reorganizing the contents. If you also have tools and equipment that aren't functioning properly, get them fixed, or replace them.
4. Garbage In / Garbage Out
Tired of wasting time searching for stuff on your computer? Take some time to clean up your files, delete ones you don't need, reorganize what you do need into folders, remove software that you no longer use. Burn photos and archived material to a CD and then delete it from your computer. Finally, defragment the computer if needed. Your CPU will thank you!
5. E-mail E-hell
Is your inbox overwhelming? Set a goal of 50 emails or less in your inbox. Be ruthless with the delete key and only leave emails in your inbox that require action on your part. Tackle that inbox and do one of the following: respond, file in a folder, delegate or delete it. To maintain, take 5-10 minutes each day to delete old emails, reply to ones that only require a quick response, and if your mail services offers it, select the” settings” feature to automatically sort future incoming mail into appropriate folders.
6. Encouraging Accomplishments
It’s easy to get discouraged during a summer slump, so it's important to pause and recognize your successes. You’re at the half-way point so it’s a good time for a 6-month review. When you do, be sure to account for your accomplishments this year. Then set or re-set the goals you’d like to achieve for the rest of the year to provide on-going direction and motivation!
7. Plan ahead for Fall
Begin researching and targeting any potential fall shows, expos, bazaars or promotions/ads NOW. Register early to ensure the best location or spot!
8. Relax and enjoy the Season!
After all, isn't more time with your family or to yourself one of the reasons you own your own business in the first place?
NEW Savings Booklet set to Distribute
The Network of Enterprising Women will soon be distributing the third version of their Savings Booklet for new customers. Member businesses provide new customers savings on their goods and services. Businesses taking part include:
Abadi Architecture
Balloon Happenings
Creative Memories
Tupperware
Continuum Marketing
Simply Organized by Sandy
Mary Kay
Salerno Expressions Photography
...and many more
Savings booklets will be distributed to attendees/visitors at the No Limit Women's Expo on Saturday, August 9th at the Richardson Civic Center.
Other booklets will be distributed via members.
Abadi Architecture
Balloon Happenings
Creative Memories
Tupperware
Continuum Marketing
Simply Organized by Sandy
Mary Kay
Salerno Expressions Photography
...and many more
Savings booklets will be distributed to attendees/visitors at the No Limit Women's Expo on Saturday, August 9th at the Richardson Civic Center.
Other booklets will be distributed via members.
NEW Partners with No Limit Women's Expo
The North Texas Network of Enterprising Women have teamed up with the No Limit Women's Expo to help promote the empowerment and success of women!
A first-time exhibitor at the 3rd anuual No Limit Women's Expo in 2007, NEW found the event to be aligned with their own mission and they received a lot of interest from attendees. Contact was made with Sylvia Williams, coordinator of the show, and a partnership was born!
At the 4th annual No Limit Women's Expo, NEW will have several members speaking as well as volunteering. The group will also be exhibiting along with many member businesses.
Come see us, Saturday, August 9th from 10am - 4pm, Richardson Civic Center. It is FREE to attend.
Don't miss it!
A first-time exhibitor at the 3rd anuual No Limit Women's Expo in 2007, NEW found the event to be aligned with their own mission and they received a lot of interest from attendees. Contact was made with Sylvia Williams, coordinator of the show, and a partnership was born!
At the 4th annual No Limit Women's Expo, NEW will have several members speaking as well as volunteering. The group will also be exhibiting along with many member businesses.
Come see us, Saturday, August 9th from 10am - 4pm, Richardson Civic Center. It is FREE to attend.
Don't miss it!
Monday, March 3, 2008
NEW Spreads the Word via Open House
The North Texas Network of Enterprising Women will be holding a prospective member Open House on Tuesday, March 25th starting at 10:30am. The event will be held at Heritage Lakes Clubhouse in Frisco, TX.
NEW is a unique concept in networking groups, catering specifically to women who are both mothers and entreprenuers. Besides networking, the group supports each others business endeavors via idea sharing, co-op marketing and cross promotion.
The Open House allows prospective members to learn more about the organization and how it can benefit them, while at the same time, allowing each attendee to network and share more about themselves and their business.
Invitations will be extended in early March. If you'd like to attend, visit our website at www.ntxnew.org and click on the link that says "I would like to attend the next Open House".
Current represented business categories include:
Photography
Home and business organization
Scrapbooking
Children's books
Children's behavior consultant
Health/Wellness products
Candles
Marketing
Skincare and makeup
Financial services
Real estate
Kitchen storage
Graphic design
NEW is a unique concept in networking groups, catering specifically to women who are both mothers and entreprenuers. Besides networking, the group supports each others business endeavors via idea sharing, co-op marketing and cross promotion.
The Open House allows prospective members to learn more about the organization and how it can benefit them, while at the same time, allowing each attendee to network and share more about themselves and their business.
Invitations will be extended in early March. If you'd like to attend, visit our website at www.ntxnew.org and click on the link that says "I would like to attend the next Open House".
Current represented business categories include:
Photography
Home and business organization
Scrapbooking
Children's books
Children's behavior consultant
Health/Wellness products
Candles
Marketing
Skincare and makeup
Financial services
Real estate
Kitchen storage
Graphic design
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