February 2008
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Since February is Valentine's month and, as we men are especially prompted to acknowledge the women in our lives in special ways, I thought it might be nice to give my wife Susan a chance to share her thoughts about our work with SYSTEMS. Recently, we have taken them HOME! Susan Meredith Beyer is not only my wife, but a unique lady who has listened to all my talk of business systems for the past 10 years since we met, with extraordinary patience and some surprising insights. She has endured gracefully through what many would call tedium. She's a trooper! Susan is also a gifted writer (aboverealitybook.com), and I thought for this issue of The Organizer to allow you her take on the value of the 100% System of Cleanliness, in more than just the organization of a business. I promised her I would not edit a word. She's is, after all, a woman! . . . Philip Beyer
I remember when Philip and I moved into our "new" 100-year-old home on 16 acres near Nashville. We had just married a few months earlier and members of our family came by to see the place. My granddaughter Olivia took one look at the attic windows that rose high above the lawn and decided, "I could never stay in this house overnight -- those are Amityville windows -- this place is creepy!" Of course, she was referring to a well-known movie she had seen at some point. But, we had to admit the place needed much clean-up and refurbishing before we would live in it ourselves.
I met Philip Beyer in 1997 while I was working in broadcasting for a small Nashville television station. Philip's company, Beyer Printing, was meeting all our print needs on trade -- for that, he was already my hero! A business lunch one day began a more personal interest that would eventually bloom beyond orders and invoices. However, I didn't realize that virtually every date and phone conversation would include lengthy discussions about Philip's particular passion--business systems. Interesting, even fascinating, to a point -- but I began to wonder if our dates would ever be a bit more, well -- romantic.
When you read about Philip Beyer's ten-year journey to totally systematizing his company, I can assure you he meant business! Even so, I was taken with this special man in many ways -- for his obvious integrity and stunning honesty; his almost boyish Louisiana frankness, and his total commitment to making his company the best it could be. I realized then: nothing, not even romance, would be a distraction from his mission. He would complete the job of systemization that he hoped would help other business owners and managers to find success in their own businesses and organizations -- of that I was sure. He honestly cared about other entrepreneurs who struggle to build their dreams, as he did. And for all his fervor for business, he could also be intermittently charming. I was smitten! More than that -- regarding the importance of order in any of our lives (and not just business) -- I GOT IT! His systems made total sense!
After ten years of personally hearing about such systems and how they can change your business, your organization, even your life -- I was able to watch him develop the System100 software that virtually drives his company. I was also able to work side-by-side as he wrote his book, System Busters: How To Stop Them in Your Business. More recently, we decided to bring these systems HOME. Oh, we're pretty organized in most areas of our house, but there were still things we couldn't find after putting our lives together just two years ago. There was NOT "a place for everything, and everything in its place." So we set out to totally systematize our home.
We began with our HOME OFFICE where albeit well-organized piles of paper screamed for attention -- home and business projects, letters to write, emails to deal with, etc. First we handled each paper on (and in) each desk. Then we took stock of the office and other supplies in an antique armoire-turned-storage cabinet. Some things would be tossed, others filed. Many things just needed a place to go. After making more strategic piles -- we went shopping.
Target Stores are great places to purchase plastic storage bins of every size. We prefer clear ones so we can see what's inside. Office supply stores provided other needs -- file folders, markers, special labels; you name it. But we only bought what we were sure we would use. No need to add more stuff that just becomes clutter! After creating black file folder labels with white lettering, and making necessary files, we spent two days making our office totally manageable. We even purchased a fireproof box file for our really important documents. Each drawer, shelf, file folder and item now has a place and a purpose. I can't tell you how much it makes you want to begin work each day when you start off with your 'ducks' in order!
Next we tackled our BASEMENT. Sam's Club (if you have one in your area) carries affordable, heavy-gauge steel racks (6'x2', with 4 wire shelves) for storage. These are easily assembled (no tools required), and hold up to a dozen large, clear, sealable bins for labeled storage, that now makes our lives easier. Seasonal clothes and other items, memories and keepsakes, paint and other supplies, are now easy to find, off the floor, and sealed against dust, spiders and bugs that like to live in cardboard boxes and other dark places. Philip's tools hang from special hooks on fiber board panels, or are organized in heavy-gauge metal storage cabinets. Sturdy plastic tubs and barrels allow us to keep emergency stores fresh for years.
Philip and I are actually having FUN organizing our home. We're enjoying the feeling of order and cleanliness that eliminates clutter and chaos -- not to mention stress. And finding those things neither of us has had out of a box in a long time has allowed for some great conversations and walks down memory lane. We feel really good about ourselves -- productive -- getting those things behind us that have been on our TO DO list for so long.
As Philip says, "Great systems work!" I've found that systematizing our home also makes for great talk time! I'm sure we'll 'talk' our way through all the closets, cabinets, drawers and likely the garage after this.
Systems are, after all -- sometimes -- romantic! Happy Valentine's Day!
. . .Susan Meredith Beyer
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