I have seen many teachers have specific binders for each student for each subject to keep track of progress and grades, making it very easy to pull out during parent teacher conferences.

While searching for products that would  be very useful in the organization of a classroom, I found Ultimate Office and their 2-Tier Deluxe Carousel.

It is a 2 tier rack-spinning carousel that holds binders. There are sections on each tier, in which would store my binders – by child and by subject. I really like the fact that it has an option of being on wheels to make it easy to move around the classroom, or put stationary in a corner somewhere.

This is the beginning for me of The Ultimate Classroom!

It has over 500 innovative products that will help you gain space, end clutter, and most importantly work smarter and more effectively. You’ll get more done in less time, and transform your desk, walls, files, and storage areas into a modern workspace that’s both far more efficient AND beautiful.

So, make your work life better. Request our catalog and keep it handy. In fact, you don’t have to wait for the mail. Click here to download the PDF version of the catalog and refer to it whenever you need ideas to increase productivity.

Visit Ultimate Office

I tried to get everything finished but some things just had to wait.  Before I left on Friday, I organized.

In my reference organizer was not only my to-do’s but my how-to-do’s.  My stationmate with pocketfiles, allowed me to visualize each of the tasks for today.  And at the end of the day, when everything is completed, my files will be placed in color coded PortaFile File Boxes, just ready for the asking.

I am not always this organized but it’s a good start to the New Year, I think.

I’ve worked in fast paced offices and am now very thankful to be working out of a home office but I’ve maintained my habit of declutter and organization and I think it is especially important from a home office.   Why?  Well, I don’t want to file socks in a client’s business folder or have the dog eat my proposal.  But, the real reason (at least for me)  is because there is no physical separation from home and home office.  You can be in a room dedicated to your business but it is still in your home, so the essential thing is to be organized and not cluttered and to really simplify the process.  I learned to simplify when working at a management consulting firm in NYC and I’ve brought those habits to my home office (minus the commute).   It really is about working smarter and saving some time for yourself.

So here are a couple of  things that have saved me from filing socks and saving business proposals from the jaws of my chihuahua:

FILING

I hate to file but I’ve learned that I have to there’s no way around it.  I use a SteelWorx 10 Pocket Wall Organizer because I like my desk to be relatively clear, except for what I actually need (pen, pad, coffee cup).  The wall organization is a great concept for someone who is visual (like me) and doesn’t need to have piles of paper on a limited workspace (like I did).   I have those 10 pockets divided into WORKING and PENDING.  I use Portafile Boxes and PocketFiles for closed projects, receipts, and just about everything else.  I can easily label the boxes and put them into my shelving unit.  Both products are durable and they can be wiped down.

PRIORITIZE

Time management – don’t those words send chills up your spine?  You’ve heard about time management skills from your teachers, from your employers and it puts you into a state of inertia, doesn’t it?  It’s only semantics.

Don’t stress out – prioritize.  To me, prioritizing is about saving some time for me.   We all have multiple priorities – so just take a deep breath and make a determination – task or fire?  It’s one day at a time and some days are longer than others but it works.

So whether you’re in an office or in a home office, office organization is a transferable skill – you know the process, you know the strategy, you know cubicles and the walls.

And, remember these words from Ernest Hemingway:  Life is Messy Enough – Your Desk Doesn’t Have to Be

We’re so thankful that we get to share our products with the community that’s sprung up around innovative organization and look forward to
a continuing relationship.

I’m an office products geek – I’m proud of that, too. I write with nice pens, I use quality paper, I like my office to be setup so that I don’t have think about where something is when I need it. Consequently, I don’t use manilla folders.

“Come on, now”, you may be saying to yourself, “Are they really THAT bad?”  Yes, they are.   They rip. They look dirty. They look used (and many times they are – over and over again). They all look the same. Oh sure, I can use color file labels to delineate them but that’s treating a symptom, not providing a cure.

I need folders – I not only use them for filing but I use them as the presentation folder for handouts and I can tell you that I absolutely, unequivocally love Ultimate Office’s PocketFile Folders.   $15.95 for 25 multi-color pocket folders that I can re-use, clean with a window cleaner between uses, visibly see what’s in the folder and make a statement with my own presentations is well worth every dime.  (My first packet of pocket folders has lasted me 3 years and that’s with several office moves, a few home transitions and every day use.)

The multi-color isn’t just pretty, it’s functional for filing – whether you’re analytical or creative (translated to organized or messy)  – you still understand color and the fact that the folders are clear allows me – or anyone – to grab exactly what they need rather than shuffling through those dirty, ripped manilla folders.

PocketFile File Folders – Letter, 5th Cut – Assorted Colors in a set of 25 – $15.95

Andrea Canfield – Office Products Geek and Guest Blogger

There is no prouder moment for a young person than being handed a certificate for a hard earned college degree.  Unfortunately, it won’t be long before the bloom is off the rose.  That certificate is also a ticket to a real world that requires 40 hours per week or more of work for the next 40 years or so.  Congratulations, kid!  Now get to work.

There are three must-haves for anyone who is launching a career at the office and wants to impress the big wigs with organizational wizardry far beyond his or her years.  All can help be more productive as you climb the ladder of success, and any would be a phenomenal, much appreciated graduation gift.

1: Portfolio

Don't be a Clark Kent! Keep you papers organized and securely in your grasp.

Your first days on the job are filled with introductions, meetings, orientations and training sessions.  It’s a whirlwind that can make your head spin.  The Clipboard Portfolio allows you to keep your paperwork secure and helps you look more professional while you’re constantly on the move.  Remember, you’re not in Kansas anymore so spiral notebooks won’t cut it.

You’ll impress co-workers and managers with the look of luxurious leather, but you’ll enjoy the stain resistance, durability and cost efficiency of faux leather.  An anodized aluminum clip on the writing surface prevents embarrassing paper spills, and a fold-over flap keeps all contents secure.  As you move from meeting to meeting, just clip and fold and you’ll look like a seasoned pro.

2: Reference Organizer

These nifty posts can hold an organizer, monitor arm or both! It's a great way to keep your desk space clear.

If you think you’ll be overwhelmed by meetings, just wait until you start sifting through the paperwork.  Schedules.  Employee job descriptions.  Phone extensions.  How to access voicemail.  Usernames and passwords.  Health insurance.  Retirement plans.  Client information.  And on and on and on.  Instead of wondering where you put things, do yourself a massive favor and keep these files stored in a Reference Organizer.

Outpost Organizers are a safe bet just in case you have minimal desk space, which is typical as a newbie.  A heavy duty anodized aluminum post securely anchors to your desktop with a solid steel clamp, and the organizer is attached to the post with a cast aluminum arm and carriage assembly.  Your paperwork will always be at your fingertips in easy-load pockets with crystal clear protective sheets and color coded index tabs.  Just swing the Outpost Organizer arm in front of you, flip to the page you need and you’re good to go.

3: Space Saving Grid Panel

You have a "real job" now but you still want to be the cool kid. This grid panel will make you the envy of the office. Stpre all of you documents and supplies in plain view, within easy reach and off your desk surface.

You can be virtually certain that you’ll have limited workspace, so it’s up to you to create space.  A Walmaster Grid Panel can be clamped right to your desk with two steel clamps and aluminum posts.  The space you’ll save inside and on top of your desk will blow you (and your co-workers) away.  With rungs every 3/4”, you have ultimate flexibility when arranging your hanging accessories.  Then your files, binders, pens and sharpies, phone and other office supplies will all be neatly organized and easily accessible.  You can even add an Outpost Organizer and Monitor Arm for more efficiency.

Moving into a new workspace is just like moving into a house.  You have to live in it for awhile before you can really visualize the best way to improve your space.  As you get more comfortable at the office, you’ll identify more needs, but these three essentials will give you a great foundation that lasts for years as your career evolves and unfolds.

What organizational tools and supplies do you wish you had when you were just getting started in your career, or what supplies would you love to start your new career with today?

For more information or to buy these products:

Clipboard Portfolio

Outpost™ 10-Pocket 2-Link Reference Organizer with Post

Walmaster™ Grid Panel with 2 Posts

The warning signs are clear. Rising out of your office chair and taking at least three seconds to straighten up. Constantly rubbing your wrists and flexing your hands back and forth to give them a good stretch. Long days at the office don’t necessarily measure up to construction work or triathlon training on the physical exertion scale, but sitting in front of computer for hours and hours can still bring the pain. We have a few ways to get some relief without a visit to the pharmacy or a chiropractor.

Who’s Got Your Back?

Stop with the backaches! A little support for those important pressure points will make a huge difference in how you feel.

A few weeks ago, we talked about pearls of wisdom from mom. She always said we should sit up straight and not sit too close to the TV, but what do we do at work every day? We sit hunched over our keyboard with our eyes about one foot from the monitor. Why not use a slightly larger font so you can sit back comfortably and put less strain on your eyes?

Even if you use perfect posture, spending 40-plus hours each week in front of a computer can do a number on your back. Instead of putting a small pillow on your office chair, use a little science and sit comfortably with Deluxe Gel Back Support. Gel bladders reduce pressure points, distribute body weight evenly for better circulation, and offer low heat conductivity to maintain a constant temperature.

Support your legs and reduce tension in your lower back and other joints. Try it - you'll be amazed at what a little bit of support can do.

You can also reduce tension and muscle fatigue in your lower body, back and shoulders by supporting your feet with the Luxe Comfort Footrest. As you shift your seat position to grab a file or answer the phone, the angle of the non-skid rubber platform adjusts to help you stay comfortable. Even with your Deluxe Gel Back Support and Luxe Comfort Footrest, make sure you get up at least once per hour, even if it’s just to do a lap around the office or grab a drink of water.

It’s All In The Wrist

You contort your body, especially your wrists, to use your keyboard and mouse from every odd angle imaginable, resulting in soreness all over your body but especially in your wrists and forearms. The Ergo Comfort Sit/Stand Articulating Keyboard/Mouse Arm allows you to work comfortably while seated or standing, making you the ultimate multi-tasker.

We're so used to making do with what we have, whether it's a tablet on our lap or a laptop on our desk. But that can have a negative effect on your body. Treat yourself right and get an ergonomic keyboard and mouse so you'll reduce or eliminate all those little aches and pains.

Just lift and release the tray to adjust the height, and tilt the tray up or down for a comfortable wrist angle. The Ergo Comfort Sit/Stand Articulating Keyboard/Mouse Arm also rotates 360° on a smooth operating track so your keyboard and mouse can slide with you to either side of your desk. The Black Therasoft “wrist rests” in front of the keyboard and mouse are like a luxurious recliner for your wrists, and the Black Granite Fleck finish is both understated and stylish to match any office décor.

What’s your favorite remedy for those desk-induced aches and pains?

For more information or to buy these products:

Deluxe Gel Back Support

Luxe Comfort Footrest

Ergo-Comfort Sit/Stand Articulating Keyboard/Mouse Arm

Maybe you’re one of those gadget crazy characters who waited online overnight when iPads were first released because you simply had to be among the first to have it.  Maybe you finally jumped on the bandwagon when the iPad 2 hit stores two months ago.  Does it really matter?  You have an iPad, and according to those who believe the face of Steve Jobs should be on Mt. Rushmore, that makes you the coolest person in your office by default.

Co-workers hover over your shoulder and get the chills as you maximize, minimize, scroll and tap away at that touchscreen keyboard like it’s nobody’s business.  Chatter at the water cooler is dominated by the new apps you just downloaded.  You can even spin your iPad on your finger like a basketball.  Yeah, you got game and everyone knows it.  Now it’s time to raise your game – if you think you can handle it.

Give Your iPad A Home At Your Desk

When your fans start to gather around you desk, you don’t want to be caught lying your iPad flat on your desk or using it on your lap.  That would be like putting a big screen TV on an old entertainment unit instead of hanging it on the wall.  You need the Spinstation, created specifically for the iPad.  The Spinstation is a stand that holds your iPad in a comfortable viewing angle on your desk, whether you’re viewing from your office chair or co-workers are viewing from over your shoulder.

The hardshell backing and rubberized molding provide plenty of protection, and cut-outs in the frame give you access to all plug-ins and ports so you can really show off your skills.  The weighted Spinstation stand rotates 360° and tilts so everyone can enjoy premium sightlines and pivots 360° for portrait or landscape viewing.  In a nutshell, you can do everything with your iPad at your desk that you did before, but now it’s easier, more comfortable and more impressive.

More Flexibility + More Functionality = More Jealous Co-Workers

Same great functionality as a desk stand with the added bonus of being able to hang it on a wall!

The iPad is your digital portfolio.  You bring it with you wherever you go.  All your proposals, presentations, research and data are a few taps away.  It doesn’t hurt that the iPad is one of the hottest gadgets on the market, so everyone is instantly impressed when you turn it on and start working your magic.  But if you want your iPad to seem even more extraordinary, and yes, make your co-workers even more jealous, raise your game with the Multi-Function SpinStand.  The SpinStand has the same durable construction and cut-outs for accessibility to plug-ins and ports as the Spinstation.

The difference is the magical ring on the back.  Not magical in the Harry Potter sense, but magical in the added flexibility and functionality it creates.  At your desk, the ring is a simple stand that rotates and tilts for optimal viewing.  In front of a client or co-worker, the ring doubles as a comfortable yet elegant hand grip so you can hold your iPad securely in one hand while you navigate with the other.  Finally, you can use the ring on the back of the SpinStand to hang your iPad on a hook or peg while you watch movies, TV shows and videos.  It definitely makes those long commutes on the train more tolerable.  It might even make the person sitting next to you a tad bit jealous, don’t you think?

For more information or to buy these products:

The Spinstation for iPad

The Multi-function stand for iPad