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When you look around your store, you probably see product is neatly displayed, the fixtures are dusted, and the shelves are fully stocked. But when you step through the door of your office, do you see a completely different picture, like stacks of papers, piles of business cards, shelves overflowing with books and catalogs, and the answering machine blinking with unanswered messages?

If this sounds familiar take a look at these tips from Barry Izsak, the president of the National Association of Professional Organizers, and owner of Arranging It All, a company that helps people get organized.

• Sort mail the minute it hits your desk.
• Store things where you will use them.
• Make purging and weeding of your paper and possessions an ongoing process.
• Return things to their “home” when you are finished with them.
• Have a donation or “give-away” box going at all times.

If the job is too big for you, consider hiring a professional organizer. “Professional organizers are often called in to help a retailer, whether it’s a ‘mom-and-pop’ retailer or a Fortune 500 company. Businesses understand that one of the best ways to maintain their competitive edge is to become more organized,” Barry said. “Incorporating a few changes can yield significant cost savings and increased productivity.

This issue of Art Materials Retailer is full of organization tips, from getting the clutter in your office under control to helping your customers select the right storage products for their art supplies. We’ll even give you tips on choosing a POS system so you can keep better track of your customers, your sales and your inventory. Isn’t it time you got organized?