How to Organize Your Workspace by Using Office Reference Systems
by Diana L. Martin
Last month I wrote about combatting Delayed Decision Disorder and offered some suggestions on ways to organize your filing systems to better work with the way your brain operates. This month, I’m going to expand on the topic of organization and dive into a slightly different issue.
Do you find that you have a bunch of papers at your desk, all of which have information that you refer to frequently and you have no place to keep them so they’re always at hand when you need them? I do! They may be things like department numbers, classification codes, inventory lists, customer listings, company forms, etc. - things you reach for just about every day and you just haven’t found a way to organize them that’s convenient and at your fingertips. File folders in a sorter are okay, but for these types of documents, I want it “open” where I can immediately see it without having to pull it out of a file (and then have to refile it when I’m done). I’m referring to documents that you use constantly and want to have instantly visible.
Office reference systems can help you with that! They’re available in desk or wall versions and are the perfect tool to keep those papers right where you need them.
Basically, these are top-loading sheet protectors that are inserted into a holder, which either sits on a stand on your desk or is mounted on the wall, but the plastic is much thicker and more durable than a normal sheet protector. The pages are available in tabbed or un-tabbed versions and are either multi-color, gray, or black (depending on which model you choose). The pages flip just like reading a book and the poly keeps them protected - so no more coffee-stained documents! They’re right where you need them and easily accessible sitting next to your computer or on the wall within arm’s reach. The desk stands come in several shapes and styles and we offer a variety of models and manufacturers so you can find the one that best fits your needs. Starter units typically have 10 pockets, which gives you 20 pages to work with. If you need a larger unit, extension sets, and additional pages can be purchased separately as well.
I used to have a wall-mounted version at my old desk and I really miss it! When our office was remodeled and I got a new desk, there was no place for it at my new desk, so I have a stack of papers in one of my desk trays that I’m constantly sorting through trying to find the paper I need.
Another use for this item is on reception desks or showroom counters for things like product sell sheets or at hotels for services and local attractions like you see in the picture below. Your customers can browse by flipping through the rack while they’re waiting to be assisted.
Office reference systems really are a terrific organizational tool! Visit our website to view the collection. If you don’t see exactly what you’re looking for, call us and we’d be happy to see if it can be special-ordered for you!