An organization specialist helps arrange homes and offices for increased enjoyment and productivity. These specialists can offer one time consultations to clients who need help getting organized, and can set up a scheme to stay that way. They may also offer ongoing services to people who need assistance with complex organizing needs, including training staff to get them familiar with a plan used to manage office files and other materials. Organizers, as they are also known, may offer a range of services to their clients.
The process may start with a client meeting, often in the space that needs to be organized. This gives the specialist a chance to assess the space, take some notes, and possibly document the room or area with photographs. Clients can discuss how they currently use the space and how they want to use it. At the end of the meeting, the organization specialist can start to develop a plan and provide an estimate on how much time and money will be required to get the space functional for the client.
In one or more site visits, an organization specialist can clean up a room and develop an orderly plan to keep objects under control. Part of the process may include discarding items that do not work or are outdated, ranging from files on medical patients that no longer need to be kept on the premises by law to old clothes that don't fit and clog up a closet. As the organization specialist cleans out the space, the process of reordering can begin.
Shelving, storage containers, and other tools can help in keeping belongings under control. Organization specialists can also label the space to create clear designated areas for different objects and activities. They may make recommendations to the client to help keep the space organized, such as always sorting mail when it arrives, or putting dishes away after each load to keep dish racks tidy. In an office environment, the management plan developed by the organization specialist may include developing a clear manual for the benefit of employees, to ensure they use consistent practices when they handle files and equipment.
Some organization specialists approach their work with a specific philosophy in mind. For example, some may adhere to the practices of feng shui, a Chinese tradition surrounding the arrangement and use of spaces. They may integrate this into their consultations and can provide information about why they make specific recommendations, such as reorienting furniture to take advantage of perceived lines of energy. Such services may be advertised for the benefit of clients with an interest in them, and may be included in the base price or added as a separate offering.