D Movement: Project Organize – Kick the clutter to the curb!

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By Tanna Clark, Complete Organizing Solutions

Enter to Win Project Organize!

Let the yard sale season begin! As the cooler weather approaches it’s time to kick the clutter to the curb, with price tags of course!

This is the best time of year to get your house back in order after the busy days of summer, and to prepare for the upcoming holidays. The best way to do that is to declutter. It’s time to take a walk through the house room-by-room to gather all of those items you no longer use or love.

In order to have a successful yard sale here are a few tips:

1. Team with your neighbors. A community yard sale gets much more traffic than a solo sale. Pitch in with your neighbors to put a larger ad in the paper.

2. Price as you declutter. You can buy a pack of pre-labeled stickers with yard sale prices already printed.on them.

3. Set-up the night before. Prepare household items and clothing the night before the sale, preferably in the garage. Move the tables closer to the street the morning of the sale.

4. Get the kids involved. Our most successful yard sale was one in which we had the kids set up a table selling cookies we baked the day before. Cookies are a perfect snack for your shoppers and it drives in more traffic!

The most important clutter-fighting rule is to not let it back in. Once your sale is over pack it all up and head to your local Goodwill donation location or store. All too often we let the clutter back in to take care of it later and later never comes. Take care of it now in order to benefit a greater cause.

Good luck and have fun!

D Movement: Project Organize

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By Tanna Clark, Complete Organizing Solutions

School is in full swing and you may be looking around at the clutter summer has left in its wake wondering how you’ll ever get back to normal! Don’t worry. Goodwill’s Project Organize is stepping in to help you clear the clutter and regain control at home!

That’s right! One lucky Middle Tennessean will win a three-room clutter rehabilitation from Complete Organizing Solutions. This will be the fourth year I have partnered with Goodwill to help a harried family get organized.  This year there’s even more! To help celebrate the upcoming opening of The Container Store in The Mall at Green Hills, the folks at the store have offered $500 in products to be used for Project Organize!

If that doesn’t sound like bliss already, we have something special planned to reward the homeowner for all of their hard work while decluttering. Angel Maids has kindly donated five hours of cleaning!

The contest runs from September 1st – September 30th. Enter here!

In the meantime here are a few tips to get you started on your next organizing project:

  1. Sometimes the largest barrier to getting organized is just getting started! You may be looking at your whole house thinking “Where do I start?” That kind of thinking is likely to get you stuck in a disorganized rut. Stop focusing on the big picture and mentally separate your house into bite size manageable goals and work your way through them.
  2. Don’t buy a single organizing product until you have sorted and weeded out what doesn’t belong. Containers can become clutter, too! Make sure you know what you need before stocking up on supplies.
  3. Think outside the box. Get creative with your storage options. Just because that shoe organizer hanging on the door is for “shoes” it doesn’t mean you can’t find other uses for it  A pocket shoe organizer is great for toiletries, hats and gloves, or for smaller items in the pantry!

Most important – don’t let the clutter overwhelm you.  Think simple!

Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc., has been serving Middle and West Tennessee for more than 50 years and Project Organize is one of its ways of saying thank you for your support and donations!

What room in your home would you most like to clear the clutter?

Career Scoop: Attitude is Everything

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Kate Kiefling, Career Solutions Trainer

The orientation for our new Opportunities for Ex-Offenders class series here at Goodwill Career Solutions is titled “Attitude Is Everything.” Many job seekers come to the class with wonderful positive attitudes. They clearly have done some soul searching and take responsibility of their past. They are willing to do whatever it takes to find a better future, including sitting through yet another potentially boring class. They have learned about what kinds of events can trigger destructive thoughts and attitudes. They are leaders willing to help others over some attitude hurdles. They see the big picture and are already on their way to employment success!

Then again, it is heartbreaking when job seekers honestly share opinions about themselves “I have made too many mistakes in life” or “Nobody will hire me because of my criminal record.”

When these kinds of destructive messages play in our heads repeating negative self-images to ourselves over and over again, throughout the day, week, month or year, they sadly may become self-fulfilling prophecies. If these are our thoughts, how likely are we to have a positive attitude toward the job search process?

In the class, we invite job seekers to compose new, positive and hopefully healing self-images for themselves. Some of the most popular ones are:

  • Although I am an ex-offender, somebody will hire me!
  • I may need to work harder to get a job, but once I get one, I am willing to prove myself!
  • I am not my past, I look to the future!
  • I have learned from my mistakes.
  • I am willing to learn new skills and attitudes.
  • I am willing to make a positive change.
  • I am worthy of a good job.
  • I am able to handle rejection, bounce back, and continue my job search.
  • It is their loss. They are missing out on a great worker!

We can sometimes be our own worst enemy. Our thoughts about the world of work, about the job search process and especially about ourselves will have an effect.

Now, can you afford the luxury of a negative thought?

Visit goodwillcareersolutions.org for more information on Goodwill Career Solutions programs.

Career Scoop: Meeting the Digital Demand

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Matt Gloster, Senior Director of Career Solutions

Goodwill’s Document Archiving Program was started in response the growing need of businesses to quickly and securely store and retrieve the information in paper documents. The business expense associated with paper documents, both in terms of space and time, has led to a real demand for support services that can safely and securely archive company business information assets.

While technology has advanced, the need for people who possess the skills to do this work has not kept pace.  The basic knowledge and understanding of proper workflow, preparation, and indexing of the documents is essential in today’s workforce.

Goodwill has been helping people by providing relevant and timely job skills training and placement assistance for over 50 years and the addition of the document archiving program is a key step in marrying the business community’s needs with skilled employees.

The Goodwill document archiving program focuses on:

  • Overview of document management and workflow
  • Confidentiality and security procedures
  • Computer software to scan and index
  • Document and file preparation
  • Creation and printing of barcodes
  • Scanning and inspection of images
  • Correcting or appending image files
  • Repackaging  files and documents

Participants in the document archiving program first learn the basics of document management with an emphasis on document scanning. They also learn best practices that allow for a smooth workflow.

Due to the sensitivity of many documents, our trainees are instructed in confidentiality procedures and sign a confidentiality agreement. Trainees are also instructed on security methods concerning all files.

The training includes use of document imaging software package for scanning and indexing. Trainees learn all facets of the software pertaining to these areas.

One of the most important aspects of the process is document preparation. This responsibility demands attention to detail. All staples and paper clips must be removed to avoid damaging the scanner and expediting the scanning process. Pages are also aligned and participants learn proper indexing and how to create appropriate file organizational structure, which is critical to a quality outcome.  We train participants how to create barcode cover sheets to allow for batch scanning and indexing. Trainees learn the fundamentals of the barcode coversheet program and print unique barcode coversheets for each file.

Trainees learn to scan documents on our high speed scanner. Documents are scanned and thoroughly inspected to ensure discrepancies are noted, reviewed and repaired in a subsequent inspection process. It’s during this process that pages are appended or deleted as necessary.

In the final step, the trainees return the scanned documents to a designated area to await their final disposition.  Trainees are assigned to various areas as needed to ensure that files move in an efficient manner. The trainee learns and executes all facets of the process.

Goodwill’s document archiving program allows the trainees to learn the necessary elements of back file conversions. Computer skills are learned and enhanced. Quality is emphasized in every phase. Trainees work in every station and share the responsibility of completing the task with co-workers in the department.

For more information about our program or information about any of our trainees, visit Goodwill Career Solutions or contact us.

The Latest Career Scoop: Serving up Trained Clients with a Side of Success

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Jerry Richardson, Contact Center Lead

Have you ever called the 1-800 number on the back of your debit or credit card?  Or have you ever dialed 611 from your cell phone?  If you have, then you’ve likely spoken to someone working in one of those company’s call centers.  It’s much easier to pick up a phone to call customer service, rather than visit your bank or a retailer for basic information.  It also can be comforting to know that whether early in the morning or late a night, a customer service agent is waiting to help you with any concerns or requests you may have, in some cases 24/7.  It’s convenient.  And that’s why call centers have flourished.

Convenience also brings certain expectations from customers.  Courtesy, easy resolution of issues and ending the phone call feeling that the company is really concerned with our concerns.

Companies go to great lengths researching not only what customers want and need, but also how customers want these needs addressed.  A satisfied customer is a customer who will continue to do business with the company.  So how do you provide world class customer service?  Goodwill!

Goodwill’s Contact Center Training program prepares participants for work in a call center environment with extensive training that focuses on learning to maneuver a computer system in a phone environment, while problem solving and providing the highest level of customer service.  This training program was designed to assist entry level workers gain the knowledge and experience needed to thrive in a call center career path.  Goodwill’s program has a real world element, as trainees spend time discussing communication skills, participating in role playing exercises, observing and discussing live calls, and finally taking live calls in a controlled environment.  There are also a series of knowledge check points throughout the course of this training.  Calls are monitored and graded just like in any typical call center environment.

Our training focuses on preparing workers to meet attendance expectations.  A common goal of many call centers is to make their facility ‘the best place to work’ so a great deal is invested in creating a workplace that is not only successful, but also staffed with the best possible candidates.  Working in a Call Center can offer stability, fulfillment, many rewards, and opportunities for advancement and requires multi-tasking while staying calm and authoritative

Well, our goal is to help those who really want to work in the call center customer service field, are serious about obtaining a job and starting a career in a call center.  Similar to any company’s hiring process, enrolling in Goodwill’s contact center training program is extensive and requires pre-assessment before being considered for class. The pre-assessment includes a typing test, basic computer skills and a series of problem-solving questions. Those who pass the pre-assessment then take part in an interview process before being accepted.

How successful are our graduates?  Luis began Contact Center Training in March of 2011 and in June of 2011 he was hired by a local Call Center as a bilingual customer service representative.  So how do you get started in this exciting, challenging, and rewarding program?  Learn more.

Happy Anniversary to the Donate Movement!

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Last June, Goodwill Industries International launched the global initiative to raise awareness about the positive impact of donating to Goodwill Industries®. When you donate to Goodwill, you are not only keeping gently used clothing and household goods out of landfills, but you are supporting vital community programs.

Did you know that more than 85 percent of Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc.’s, revenue is used to provide the free job training and services offered at the company’s 17 Career Solutions Centers? Goodwills in the U.S. and Canada average 84 percent of their revenue being used for the job programs that are offered. In 2010, Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc. served 11,200 clients while 2,915 clients found employment. Goodwill agencies around the world served 2.5 million people, and, at year’s end, they employed more than 97,000 people.

The Donate Movement helped Goodwills throughout the U.S. and Canada attract 20 million more donors in 2010 than in 2009, which means we earned more revenue and were able to serve more people. Goodwill Industries International, and Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc., launched the Donate Movement Web site, which features the Donation Impact Calculator (patent pending), allowing you to see how your donations can fund Goodwill’s services. For example, donating just one coat or jacket provides 11 minutes of career counseling to a Goodwill program participant.

During the past year, Goodwill Industries International partnered with major corporations and partnered with Lorrie Marrero, Certified Professional Organizer® as a spokesperson and ambassador for the Donate Movement. Marrero is creator of The Clutter Diet® and author of the best-selling book by the same name, as well as a contributor to Good Housekeeping.

Four corporate cause-marketing partnerships helped the Donate Movement gain momentum. Goodwill’s first partner, Levi & Strauss, Co., began putting “A Care Tag for Our Planet” in their jeans and other products. The tag instructs people to Wash Less, Wash Cold, Line Dry and Donate to Goodwill. Not only does this raise awareness of corporate social responsibility and Goodwill’s brand, but it also reduces energy consumption and diverts items from landfills.

Other partnerships include:

• Family Circle: Goodwill teamed up with the national magazine to encourage readers to organize “Back to School” donation drives, resulting in approximately 20 million pounds of clothing being diverted from landfills.

• Hanes®: The clothing manufacturer partnered with Goodwill, deeming March national “Clean Out Your Drawers Month.” Celebrities Bethenny Frankel and Michael Moloney provided tips on how to de-clutter and organize for spring. The campaign encouraged people to donate the items they no longer use to Goodwill.

• Planet Green™ — the television network devoted to conscious living – leveraged its multi-media platform, to spread the message about the positive impact donations have for our communities and the environment.

Just as you carefully consider to which organizations you will donate your money, you should also consider which organizations should receive your donated goods. When you donate to Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc., you can be assured that you are making a positive impact on both people and the planet.

How often do you donate to Goodwill, and what is your strategy for deciding what to donate?


Career Scoop: Your Career Connection

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Betty Johnson, Vice President of Employment Services

I am excited to announce that for the first time Goodwill is offering an online community space where clients can interact with each other, with counselors and trainers, and learn much more about the job search process.

www.goodwillcareersolutions.org is our new Web site that provides easy access to the 17 Career Solutions centers in Middle and West Tennessee and their respective programs and services. With one click a client can meet the counselor for the center closest to them, access a map, and learn about all of the training and services provided and more.

My Career Connection is a client community that is similar to Facebook. It allows for discussion on topics related to job placement and training services and it has training videos. Since some of our clients may not having access to a computer at home, My Career Connection offers a personal profile space in which clients can save their resumes for their online job application needs. Interacting with My Career Connection also strengthens the skills our clients are learning in our Digital Literacy classes.

The Community Events Calendar offers clients easy access to the latest information on job search and placement events in Middle and West Tennessee.

We intend to keep the content current and fresh with updated success stories, new tips and resources and of course, every day, the mix of folks utilizing My Career Connection will be new and different. Anyone involved in the job search process will want to keep checking back.

How do you get started? Click here.

Career Scoop: Clients on the Management TRAC

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Heather Featherstone, Career Solutions Trainer

The goal of the TRAC II program is to prepare entry level workers who show promise for career advancement to a higher position that require supervisory level skills. Those skills include interaction management, problem-solving and leadership skills.

The course of this class covers understanding personal management style and preferred management style. The goal is to not only learn basic supervisory skills, but to aspire to be a great manager! Anyone can take on a title, but it truly takes someone exceptional to make the big differences.

This five-day training program is an entry level view into management and a model to change the personal performance mindset into a leadership, problem-solving mindset.

Lori Patterson and Jennie Overall of Union City are two shining examples of TRAC II successes! Lori was hired as a Career Solutions assistant immediately out of TRAC II and has done an outstanding job in her new role! Jennie Overall, after receiving the necessary supervisory training through TRAC II, was hired as a general manager of Generations – a local Union City restaurant.

TRAC II is a valuable and necessary class for anyone wishing to change his or her role and aspire become a leader. This course provides workers the opportunity and confidence to broaden and attain their professional goals.

Learn more about this fun and interactive class.

 

Mission Possible: Goodwill Industries Week

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Courtesy of Goodwill Industries International

When Rev. Dr. Edgar J. Helms founded Goodwill Industries® in 1902, he couldn’t have envisioned our reliance on social media, nor the role it would play in educating the public about our mission. Yet, web sites, blogs, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and other new media have helped Goodwill® take its social entrepreneurship role to new heights.

Technology — once thought of as cold and impersonal — can actually make Goodwill’s mission more tangible and meaningful to you: our shoppers and donors, business and government partners.

The most dramatic example to date is the launch of the Donate Movement, around which people united for a common cause — protecting the environment through socially conscious donations. Goodwill’s groundbreaking Donation Impact Calculator  demonstrates the value of donations to the planet and to the people Goodwill serves through critical job training and career services.

So while the Donation Impact Calculator can show you how much job training your old sweater or bicycle can fund or how many pounds of usable goods are diverted from landfills, our Success Stories lets you see someone who has earned a job or overcome an obstacle that kept him or her from succeeding in the workplace.

During the first week of May, which marks the 60th Anniversary of Goodwill Industries Week, we want to thank you again for the part you play in our history and in our future. Your continued support keeps alive a century-old vision that we all have a role to play in protecting the planet and transforming lives through the power of work.

GW Boutique: Goodwill Goes Mobile

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By Elizabeth Lee, Account Executive at DVL

We live in a world that is constantly on the go and we are always connected. Our mobile phones can do more than I believe the creators of mobile phones ever expected them to. Technology has evolved from a bag phone, to a phone the size of a brick (I remember Zack Morris using this phone in Saved by the Bell), to flip phones and now we have smart phones. In our culture a phone can define who you are – are you a Droid, a BlackBerry, an iPhone or just a regular cell phone. I use my phone for text, e-mail, photos, games, news updates, banking, movie tickets, Internet surfing, my calendar and, believe it or not, as a phone! By the way, I am a droid user.

According to CTIS, the International Association for the Wireless Telecommunications Industry, as of December 2010 there were more than 302 million wireless phone subscribers in the United States. On average those subscribers sent 187 billion text messages each month. With cell phone users attached to their phones, it is not surprising that marketers have started to use cell phones to send advertisements directly to consumers.

The latest way that marketers have been reaching consumers on their cell phones is through the QR Code (Quick Response Code). I am sure you have seen these codes in your local grocer, in your favorite magazine or on the computer. The way a QR Code works is the user scans the code with their phone using a program like Scan Life or an iPhone scanning program. Once the user scans the QR Code a number of things may occur. The QR Code could be linked to a Web site featuring a video of the product you just scanned, the code might contain someone’s contact information, for instance a copy of a business card, or the code might take you to a Web site to sign up for a special deal or offer.

Goodwill has launched a mobile marketing campaign of its own, called Mobile Mondays. If you sign up, Goodwill will send you an e-mail or text notifying you of the hottest deals for at least one Monday a month. The deals are good, too! For instance, $5 off a purchase of $25 or more, 20 percent off regularly price merchandise and, maybe even 50% off some items.

The only way that you can score these deals is to become a member of the Mobile Monday program. There are three ways to signup. Text GOODWILL to 96362, visit www.goodwill2go.com or scan the QR code included in this post. When the deal is sent out, all you have to do is show the text you receive to the cashier to receive your discount at checkout.

With phones becoming such a large part of our culture I think it Mobile Mondays is a wonderful way for Goodwill to reach its customers and promote its mission.