Mike M
01-24-2008, 08:45 AM
I am always thinking about how to be more efficient, and a good indicator of being disorganized is not having what you need, sticking your hand in a bag or box and slicing yourself with a blade, taking forever to do a simple sequence of steps, I could go on.
So I went to a hardware store and an office supply store, and invested a few bucks in more stuff. I will list what I found helpful, and would really like hearing/seeing what anyone else has done to make life easier and more professional.
Divide and conqour is my theme:
--Big Stanley wheel thing, the one that expands into several layers (I like to see everything).
--Medium/Big Stanley folding out storage device for hardware, etc.
--A clippy thing with suction cup to stick on my windshield or dash (client's number,address/directions, errand list, etc.).
--A cork/dry erase board for my garage. I will write a checklist for demo's, and a check list for installs. Update as needed. Keep a list of items running low and to stock up.
--Another file box, and a bunch of green hangers that are not generic! The metal hooks don't slide out, and these have cool tabs that pop up.
--More trays to "contain" and tame my notes and pants-pocket contents.
--Two of those plastic wall pockets to hold folders, one for pre-contract, one for going to contract.
--Two huge piles of premium note pads and lots of gel pens (tip: I unscrew the pens and superglue them back together, they always fall apart in my pocket).
--Art supplies. After my demo's, I sketch a quick portrait indicating my fixtures, wattage, etc., and keep this in the file. I am developing this as another thing which separates me from the add-on guys.
--New cell phone and service. Every other year, I'll go through a bill-time infused rage and cancel as much technology as possible and make an oath to join the Amish. I just went 6 mo's without a cell, now I'm doin a 180 and getting that bluetooth crap. I love the idea of standing there with a prospect or customer and asking for an email address, and immediately sending them mine. I'll have an e-mail business card to send on the spot (what a great way for them to readily forward my info to friends!).
I am learning the ins and outs of website stuff and will have a site running as soon as I get more pics from my projects. Imagine putting templates for on-the-spot proposals, receipts, and all kinds of handy info, ready to show anyone anywhere with your cell. I had a customer asking me about kilowatt consumption/cost to run the lights; I could have accessed the CAST calculator and given him specific numbers before I left.
Mike M
So I went to a hardware store and an office supply store, and invested a few bucks in more stuff. I will list what I found helpful, and would really like hearing/seeing what anyone else has done to make life easier and more professional.
Divide and conqour is my theme:
--Big Stanley wheel thing, the one that expands into several layers (I like to see everything).
--Medium/Big Stanley folding out storage device for hardware, etc.
--A clippy thing with suction cup to stick on my windshield or dash (client's number,address/directions, errand list, etc.).
--A cork/dry erase board for my garage. I will write a checklist for demo's, and a check list for installs. Update as needed. Keep a list of items running low and to stock up.
--Another file box, and a bunch of green hangers that are not generic! The metal hooks don't slide out, and these have cool tabs that pop up.
--More trays to "contain" and tame my notes and pants-pocket contents.
--Two of those plastic wall pockets to hold folders, one for pre-contract, one for going to contract.
--Two huge piles of premium note pads and lots of gel pens (tip: I unscrew the pens and superglue them back together, they always fall apart in my pocket).
--Art supplies. After my demo's, I sketch a quick portrait indicating my fixtures, wattage, etc., and keep this in the file. I am developing this as another thing which separates me from the add-on guys.
--New cell phone and service. Every other year, I'll go through a bill-time infused rage and cancel as much technology as possible and make an oath to join the Amish. I just went 6 mo's without a cell, now I'm doin a 180 and getting that bluetooth crap. I love the idea of standing there with a prospect or customer and asking for an email address, and immediately sending them mine. I'll have an e-mail business card to send on the spot (what a great way for them to readily forward my info to friends!).
I am learning the ins and outs of website stuff and will have a site running as soon as I get more pics from my projects. Imagine putting templates for on-the-spot proposals, receipts, and all kinds of handy info, ready to show anyone anywhere with your cell. I had a customer asking me about kilowatt consumption/cost to run the lights; I could have accessed the CAST calculator and given him specific numbers before I left.
Mike M