Business Portal

Posted: 01 Mar 2008 06:35 AM CST

Even in these days of electronic documents, scanners and online databases, we still have paper documents and it is likely that they will always be with us. Such documents could be books, magazines, manuscripts, maps, photographs, brochures, leaflets and signed papers. Some of these could be hundreds of years old and very valuable. Others could be of sentimental value to an individual. Scanning such documents for electronic storage may not be feasible due to the sheer time it would take. Also some signed documents may not be acceptable as a legal item in electronic form, which is open to forgery. And in electronic form the document is just not the same as the tangible original item. So tangible documents are here to stay, and when it comes to document storage, shelving is a great solution. This applies in the home, in business and the world of research and academia. Shelves enable documents to be kept off the ground, so there is less chance of damage from dirt, damp, getting trodden on or kicked around. With its own shelf, a document can sit serenely, away from the risk of damage. Shelving as a means of document storage enables you to see the items easily as they will be around eye level. As documents are often light, slim and numerous, it is essential that you have a storage system that enables them to be found. Documents are often placed in boxes, which need to be labelled clearly, either with a code or an actual description of what’s in the box. Doing this is essential for making them easy to locate. That way, you can have a massive archive of documents with rows and rows of shelves, yet you can get you hands on a particular document quickly, because your system will tell you exactly where it is.Depending on your situation, whether you’re at home, in a small office, or in a massive reasearch establishment, shelves can be used in a variety of ways for document storage. They can be free-standing units, or mounted on a wall as a single shelf, or positioned against a wall or in a corner. Regardless of the indexing system you use, larger, heavier documents like books and ledgers should always be stored on the lower shelves and lighter documents on the upper shelves. This is the right thing to do for a number of reasons. Getting a bulky document or box off a lower shelf is safer than getting it from high up. If you lose your balance and drop a document or a box full of documents, both you and the box have less distance to drop. Also, the stability of the shelf unit is improved if the heavier items are lower down. The heavier items will keep the shelf unit more securely anchored, while they would have the exact opposite effect if stored high up.

In libraries, both in industry and academia, you will often see document storage systems which include a mechanical element. Here, the shelf units can be opened up so you can pass in between. Then they can be closed again when you have finished so that the units have no space between them. But people must be vigilant of the safety implications of this set up and check the aisles for people before closing the isles up. As many more documents can be stored this way, such systems are useful as a space-saving measure when you have thousands of documents and books to store.

Do You Love Your Business?

Posted: 01 Mar 2008 02:18 AM CST

Who doesn’t want to love what they do? It’s a question we ask ourselves now and again. Do I really love what I’m doing? Do I even like my chosen career path or business? The keyword here is chosen. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or a business leader, the business track you’re on is largely due to the choices you’ve made. You’re thinking, that may be true, but now I feel trapped. Where To StartBegin by asking: What are my strengths? What do I really like to do?

This sounds good on paper, but how is that really going to alter my reality? These two questions are simply the seeds of an approach that will help you examine and change your situation in real time each and every day.

How To Increase Your Choices

You are going to explore your peak experiences. These are moments when we’re at our best. I know it sounds mushy, but remember you are trying to change your work trajectory so it may mean navigating unfamiliar ground.

According to renowned psychologist, Abraham Maslow, peak experiences make us feel as if we have a sense of purpose. This new awareness can help you maximize your opportunities and choices because over time you’ll become clearer on what you do or don’t want.

How To Recognize Peak Experiences

1. What you’re doing feels effortless and enjoyable.

2. No stress

3. Time passes quickly.

4. You are fully absorbed in what you’re doing.

5. You have great clarity with what you’re involved in.

Start identifying these experiences. As you become more aware of them, the more clear the route to building your business life around them will become. Keep in mind, at first these types of experiences may not seem as if they could be directly related to business.

Peak moments can be as simple as appreciating a beautiful sunset, which could relate to a career or business involving spending time outdoors. Another approach would be recognizing when time spent with certain people leaves you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Pay attention to their personalities, and what you happen to learn from them. This may have implications for your new business path.

Four Ways To Get Started Doing What You Love

1. Practice becoming aware of your peak experiences.

You may already love the business you’re in, although maybe you don’t connect with the people on your team. You have the control to change companies or if you’re the owner, you may need to examine your team and how they align with your goals. Have a trusted advisor coach your progress and results. Be accountable for making changes.

2. Start to jot your peak moments down.

Keep track and keep them visible. Over time, things will start to click for you. Entrepreneurs may want to incorporate changes into their business plan. If you’re at the helm of a start up, then you can begin ahead of the game.

3. Integrate them into your business life.

Create a plan to build your peak experiences into your work. Look at where you’re passions and expertise overlap. This is a good place to start.

4. Consider writing out your work-life vision.

You don’t have a documented business plan that aligns with your life? Don’t worry you’re not alone. Start with a half page and then add on to create a plan that will get you there. However, you must apply your plan.

My Suggestion: Post these tips on your fridge, desk, or on your car dash as a reminder until it becomes a habit.

The Big Message here is to get on your way to creating a business path that you love, or at the very least, enjoy.