>You may be reluctant to get organized, as many people are. But often it is because they have been misled about what it means to be organized. My definition of organization is very simple: Does it work? and Do you like it?” And if what you are organizing -- or not organizing! -- affects others, there is a third question: “Does it work for others?”

Tom Landry,

Technology is changing business for everyone -- from small home- based businesses to mega multi-national corporations. Whether you are inspired or threatened by those changes, they are here to stay, or more accurately, to continue changing. You cannot only survive these changes, but turn them into exciting opportunities by applying some basic organizing principles.

Not many years ago, getting organized was an option. Today technology has made it a necessity for three reasons: Today we have more to organize than ever before. Not only did the computer not give us the paperless age, it created more. In addition, we now have to organize the technology itself. Computers, fax machines, cellular phones, and on-line services enable us to do more -- and require us to do more. The speed of the microchip doubles every 18 months -- with no end in sight.

Secondly, as a result of the economy, and fueled by the capabilities of technology, companies are downsizing. All managers used to have an assistant, and it was the job of that assistant to keep them organized. We fired the assistants, and are now faced with organizing ourselves.

And finally, there is a greater sense of urgency than ever before. If I can fax you a question in 20 seconds, why can’t you fax me the answer? There is a constant demand for decreasing costs while continuing to improve quality of products and services with fewer people. The price of failure is staggering.

You may be reluctant to get organized, as many people are. But often it is because they have been misled about what it means to be organized. My definition of organization is very simple: Does it work? and Do you like it?” And if what you are organizing -- or not organizing! -- affects others, there is a third question: “Does it work for others?”

Tom Landry,

Not many years ago, getting organized was an option. Today technology has made it a necessity for three reasons: Today we have more to organize than ever before. Not only did the computer not give us the paperless age, it created more. In addition, we now have to organize the technology itself. Computers, fax machines, cellular phones, and on-line services enable us to do more -- and require us to do more. The speed of the microchip doubles every 18 months -- with no end in sight.

Secondly, as a result of the economy, and fueled by the capabilities of technology, companies are downsizing. All managers used to have an assistant, and it was the job of that assistant to keep them organized. We fired the assistants, and are now faced with organizing ourselves.

And finally, there is a greater sense of urgency than ever before. If I can fax you a question in 20 seconds, why can’t you fax me the answer? There is a constant demand for decreasing costs while continuing to improve quality of products and services with fewer people. The price of failure is staggering.

You may be reluctant to get organized, as many people are. But often it is because they have been misled about what it means to be organized. My definition of organization is very simple: Does it work? and Do you like it?” And if what you are organizing -- or not organizing! -- affects others, there is a third question: “Does it work for others?”

Tom Landry,

enable us to do more -- and require us to do more. The speed of the microchip doubles every 18 months -- with no end in sight.

Secondly, as a result of the economy, and fueled by the capabilities of technology, companies are downsizing. All managers used to have an assistant, and it was the job of that assistant to keep them organized. We fired the assistants, and are now faced with organizing ourselves.

And finally, there is a greater sense of urgency than ever before. If I can fax you a question in 20 seconds, why can’t you fax me the answer? There is a constant demand for decreasing costs while continuing to improve quality of products and services with fewer people. The price of failure is staggering.

You may be reluctant to get organized, as many people are. But often it is because they have been misled about what it means to be organized. My definition of organization is very simple: Does it work? and Do you like it?” And if what you are organizing -- or not organizing! -- affects others, there is a third question: “Does it work for others?”

Tom Landry,

ts, and are now faced with organizing ourselves.

And finally, there is a greater sense of urgency than ever before. If I can fax you a question in 20 seconds, why can’t you fax me the answer? There is a constant demand for decreasing costs while continuing to improve quality of products and services with fewer people. The price of failure is staggering.

You may be reluctant to get organized, as many people are. But often it is because they have been misled about what it means to be organized. My definition of organization is very simple: Does it work? and Do you like it?” And if what you are organizing -- or not organizing! -- affects others, there is a third question: “Does it work for others?”

Tom Landry,

>You may be reluctant to get organized, as many people are. But often it is because they have been misled about what it means to be organized. My definition of organization is very simple: Does it work? and Do you like it?” And if what you are organizing -- or not organizing! -- affects others, there is a third question: “Does it work for others?”

Tom Landry, former coach of the Dallas Cowboys once said, “My job is to make the guys do what they don’t want to do, so they can be who they’ve always wanted to be.” Often that’s my job as an organizing consultant! Successful people make a habit of doing what failures don’t like to do -- and that frequently includes getting organized!

If your answer to any of the questions above is “No,” try these suggestions to help you get started on the road to organization and make the most of your technology:

1. Continually practice the Art of Wastebasketry?. Research shows we use only 20% of what we keep. For each piece of information you receive, whether in hard copy or on the computer screen, ask these questions: Does this require action? Can I identify a specific use? Would it be difficult to get again? Is it recent enough to be useful? If the answer to all those questions is “No,” ask one final question: "What's the worst thing that could happen if I don't have this piece of paper?" If you can live with your answer -- toss or recycle it! Take a look around your office. Do you see unused equipment, books you’ll never use again, drawers full of unidentified paper, or outdated inventory? If so, you’ll experience a new sense of energy if you get rid of it.

2. Learn to choose technology effectively. Most of us are trying to do more with less, and working harder is not always the answer. The real question is "Does anyone really need to do th