04 Jan Organizing Consultant: How Do You Find A Professional Organizer Who’s Right For You?
Organizing Consultant
The organizing industry is relatively new when you consider that other professions such as medical, legal and accounting have been in existence for hundreds of years. These industries have developed rules, regulations and standards over the centuries in order to keep standards high and protect the public from those who don’t live up to them.
Because the organizing consultant industry is so young, until 2007 (when the BCPO’s certification credential was developed), there hadn’t been regulations established, other than a voluntary code of ethics promoted by the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). Unfortunately, this is an unenforceable code. Anyone can create a website or print up business cards and call themselves a “professional organizer.” They can also violate every part of the code and not have a single sanction placed against them. While we hope that those types of people are few and far between, they do exist, and the general public needs to be aware of this.
Choosing the Right Organizing Consultant
So, how do you find an experienced, knowledgeable and reliable organizing consultant who is the right fit for your situation? How do you make sure that the person you’re about to invite into confidential areas of your life or business can be trusted? Simple: ask questions.
Here are a few examples of information you should be seeking:
- Are you a Certified Professional Organizer® or are you employed and trained by a Certified Professional Organizer®?
In order to be eligible to take the certification exam from the Board of Certification for Professional Organizers (BCPO), an individual must acquire within three consecutive years 1500 hours of paid client work, during which there must have been a transfer of skills (i.e., teaching, and not just shuffling papers or buying baskets). Certification shows that the individual has experience and knowledge. To find a CPO® in your area, visit http://bit.ly/FindCPO. If you want an expert, hire a CPO.
- What personal training have you received from nationally known Certified Professional Organizers® or experts in psychology, project management, spatial planning or other fields related to organizing and productivity?
You want your doctors and attorneys to be up-to-date on the latest information in their fields. You should expect no less from your organizing consultant or productivity consultant.
- Is your company insured?
Anyone who is running a legitimate business will carry commercial liability insurance (called NAPO SURE – not just liability under their homeowners insurance policy). If they have employees, they should be bonded.
- What kinds of organizing or productivity projects do you do?
Organizing falls into two broad categories: residential and commercial. Within each category, there are specialties. You want to find a professional organizer or organizing consultant firm who specializes in what you need for your situation. Ask them to describe their organizing process/approach or a typical working session to see if this is a method with which you’d feel comfortable.
- Can you provide references?
Even though much of the work we do can be confidential in nature, any professional who has built up a client base will have at least two or three references they can provide.
For a more detailed list of questions to ask in order to find an organizer who’s right for you, visit http://bit.ly/POquestions.
6. Do you belong to the local chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO)?
If the professional organizer you’ve found online is serious about her/his profession, she will belong to the national group that supports the organizing profession, as well as the local chapter. If you live in San Antonio, visit www.NAPOSanAntonio.com for information. NAPO separates the pros from the pack; make sure you choose a pro to work with.
For more information on an Organizing Consultant, call us today at 210-892-4990 ext 73 or visit our websites at www.LivingOrderSA.com and www.RoadMapToGetOrganized.com.
About Helene Segura
Helene Segura teaches go-getters how to use their time more efficiently in order to have a more peaceful life. For details about her, be sure to visit https://www.HeleneSegura.com
Eddie
Posted at 23:27h, 08 JanuaryWhen choosing the right organizing consultant, you want to make sure they are experienced, knowledgeable and reliable. Thanks for the awesome tips.
Helene Segura
Posted at 06:38h, 09 JanuaryExcellent summary, Eddie! Thanks for stopping by!