Do you have piles of paper all over your desk and stacks of files all around you?

Do you think that you know where everything is as it is close to hand, or that you need a lot of files because you are always referring to them?

In reality however, a messy desk can lead to distractions as you focus on the top most piece of paper, rather than the next item on your to do list and more importantly it is far easier for things to get lost amongst the disorder.

If this sounds like they way you work, try something different! Order your paper, throw away those that are so old they are no longer relevant and file others that you need to keep. For those items that need further action add them onto your to do list and put the item into a pending file for retrieval later. You can still have files to hand, but limit them to just the ones you really are working from, say three or four at the most.

The result – one clean desk and a more productive working environment.

Following on from our article on assessing the right amount of accommodation required, in The True Cost of Office Space we look at how the cost of this space can be assessed.

These criteria can also be used to benchmark existing offices and can help in locating cost anomalies across a portfolio.

Do you set deadlines?

If you don’t you should, because there is nothing like a deadline to galvanize you into action.

The tasks on your to do list that don’t have deadlines are far easier to put off because you have “too much to do” whereas those with a deadline will get done, and you will get them done first.

Don’t have a To Do list? Review our tips for better time management and see why you need one!

Yesterday’s decision by the Bank of England to retain interest rates at 4.5% was not unexpected and was given a ‘cautious welcome’ by the British Chamber of Commerce.

July saw inflation rise to 2.3%, the highest rate for five years and the first time it had exceeded the Bank’s 2% target since the current consumer prices index measure was introduced in December 2003

Record oil prices could edge inflation higher still in the months ahead which will probably keep interest rates unchanged, at least in the immediate future.

September is a time when many executives, fresh from their summer holidays will look at property and space requirements, either to prune the existing accommodation or as part of an expansion drive.

Whilst most property decisions are still ‘event’ driven, that is to say only become active because of a lease end or break opportunity, general changes in the business can also have these indirect impact on property.

With this in mind our guide to How much office space is required might give you the impetus to replan your existing office or look for more.

How can you manage a business effectively if you don’t manage your time efficiently as well?

Today we start a new series of articles with time management and personal development advice, with our
Beginner’s guide to better time management and will have regular Monday time management tips to help you get the working week off to a cracking start!

September 2005 welcomes a new look to the front page of 4B2B.net, and the start of a new series of articles and regular business updates.

We also have a range of exciting new site features that we will be introducing over the coming weeks.

Using a ‘blog’ format gives a new ability to comment on the articles and article summaries.