Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, April 11, 1994 TAG: 9404110149
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: San Francisco Examiner
DATELINE: SAN FRANCISCO LENGTH: Medium
It could be the money - Mayer charges $1,000 to visit an office and transform disarray into order.
Or the archaeology - excavating old clothes and ancient cans of chicken noodle soup from long overlooked drawers.
But Mayer says it's simply the satisfaction he gets helping people find critical documents ``lost'' on their desks - and teaching them never to do that again.
Mayer, who runs Mayer Enterprises Inc. in Chicago, details his technique in his newest book, ``Winning the Fight Between You and Your Desk: Use Your Computer to Get Organized, Become More Productive and Make More Money.''
To promote his book, Mayer's publisher is sponsoring ``The Messiest Office in America Contest.'' Those who would like to vie for the title must write a 500-word essay explaining why their office qualifies. The entry deadline is April 22.
The top prize winner - and four co-workers - will get a personal organizing visit from Mayer. The grand prize winner will also get new office furniture, including free delivery and installation. Additional prizes include a computer, software, phone headsets and gift certificates.
Mayer's organizing strategy relies heavily on the use of two pieces of common office equipment: a wastebasket and a computer.
Mayer says most papers can be thrown out - about 60 percent of the papers found on desks and 80 percent found in files.
File the rest in tabbed folders, he recommends.
What about people who say they feel comfortable in cluttered surroundings?
``The issue isn't whether the desk is clean or messy,'' he said. ``The issue is productivity.
For a chance at Mayer's services, send entries to ``The Messiest Office in America Contest,'' HarperBusiness, 10 East 53rd St., New York NY 10022.
by CNB