There is an abundance of technology gadgets, software, computers and websites for students today, but how do you know which ones are actually useful and effective?  I’ve recently discovered one that I wish I had when I was in high school and college.

It’s called EasyBib and it’s an online application which allows you to create bibliographies by simply entering the source information from books, magazines, newspapers, interviews, and even music and TV. The Modern Language Association (MLA) format is free, and it’s an inexpensive upgrade if you need APA or Chicago style formats. This is a great productivity tool and will help keep that research paper well organized!

This is an interesting new product that really caught my eye.  I haven’t “officially” tried it out yet, but it’s a way to store and organize athletic equipment that really uses my favorite accessory - the walls!  The ball claw is perfect for the garage, mud room, basement, a pre-school or even your child’s bedroom.  And it also attaches directly to the basketball pole - you’ll never trip over that basketball in the driveway again!  Check it out!

Last week, I attended the Smart & Simple Strategies for Small Business conference hosted by the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce at the Microsoft campus, and it was a great success!  There were many industry experts who presented on a variety of topics affecting small businesses, including: IT solutions, finance, economic stimulus packages, data security, and social media and marketing.  I participated in and moderated a panel discussion called, “Customer Relationships & Client Management,” where we discussed the importance of maximizing the use of contact management systems.  As a bonus, each attendee was able to view a demo of the new features coming in both MS Office 2010 and Windows 7!

To keep updated on all of my events, make sure to visit my website.

Sticky notes are one of my favorite things to use while organizing.  However, they can cause clutter if they aren’t used in a streamlined way.  Sticky notes should be used as a tool, but they shouldn’t replace things such as your electronic calendar or notebook.  If your computer monitor is starting to look like the above picture, then it’s time to try NoteWhen.

NoteWhen is a virtual sticky note that lets you stick notes on your monitor electronically.  You can use any font, any color, and they can be hidden until right before an event, and then pop up automatically as a reminder.  Try NoteWhen now.

Moving is something many people dread.  The packing, the unpacking, and all the boxes can be overwhelming quickly!

To avoid a frustrating moving experience, here are a few tips to make it a little easier, on both you and the environment:

• Purge before you pack – have 3 bins labeled as Trash, Donate, and Sell.  Make sure anything that belongs in one of these categories is sorted, purged, and doesn’t go with you to the new place!
• If it doesn’t sell, give it away - remember, the goal is to get rid of the item.  Posting on websites such as Craigslist and Freecycle are great ways to advertise.
• Use Frogbox reusable moving boxes - these plastic moving boxes are used hundreds of times, saving trees and preventing tons of cardboard waste from entering landfills.  Frogbox also provides recycled packing paper.  They are one of my favorite moving tools!
• Packing in same-size boxes means easier stacking - whether you use Frogbox or just regular cardboard boxes, try to get multiples in the same size.
• Label, label, label - not only should you label what’s inside the box but also what room the box belongs in. This will make it straight forward for movers to place the box in the correct room.
• Avoid mixing items in a single box - as you pack, limit adding items from another room into a box just to fill it up.  It will be a lot easier to unpack if the contents of each box go with a specific room.
• Limit loose items - make sure you pack everything!  Tossing small items into a car or van will only create confusion later.  No matter how silly it seems to pack some items, it will be easier for your movers to stack and move similar size boxes than several odd-shaped items.  It will also allow for unpacking at your destination to go much smoother since each item will be labeled inside a box.

If you have other tips or questions regarding packing and moving, feel free to email us at [email protected] or go to our Contact Us page.  We’re always happy to hear from our readers!

This cartoon made me smile. Hey, organizers have a sense of humor, too!

How clean is your desk?  I’m not just referring to the usual paper files and clutter on your desk - I’m talking about food crumbs, paper cups and the dreaded flu bug. Having a “clean” desk is just as important as having a well organized desk. Here are some important tips in helping you keep your work surface spic and span:

• Don’t eat at your desk! It’s much more beneficial for both you and your desk if you actually take a break and eat lunch outside the office or in a lunch room. This saves your keyboard from crumbs and your papers from spilled drinks, and it also gives you a chance to relax without interruptions from the phone or computer.
• Wash your hands. It’s on the back-to-school list and it should also be on your desk - hand sanitizer. It’s well documented that clean hands prevent germs from spreading between people, so if you interact frequently with colleagues or clients, make sure to make a trip to the sink or use hand sanitizer.
• Keep cleaning supplies handy at your desk. A small bottle of spray cleaner and paper towels at close proximity will make it easier to wipe down your phone and desk at the end of the day. (When someone is infected with a cold or flu virus, the surfaces they touch become germ transfer points, and they can survive up to 72 hours!)
• Do you have enough light? You can’t keep your desk clean if you don’t have adequate lighting. A well-lit work area is important for your eyes and for seeing what’s on your desk.