Workpalce "stuff"

[TxZen]

*Workplace

I have been spending time in offices of potential clients. These are people and businesses who are looking to expand their brand outreach. I am shocked when I walk into a business and it's just cluttered. For instance, I went to a pet care business. I was shocked at the number of figurines, pictures, magazines, items for sale- leashes, collars, food, etc, and a number of other items throughout the building. The Director's office was so cluttered, I felt suffocated. I kept wondering what potential clients must think when they come in. What are thoughts? Does the way a place is organized or not weigh into your decision to use that business? I don't think everything has to be stark and barren but just simplified.

I went to another clients office who is in retail. I under having samples and having your newest work out for people to understand your style, creativity, and product BUT oh my, the stuff, again, laying around. Am I being too critical? Perhaps if it was not were the public sees all of this?

[SteveinMN]

Are these places that prospective customers are likely to visit? If not, I think a different standard of appearance can be used. I have lived in cubicle-lands in which someone (who obviously had little better to do) regulated the number of personal items one could have in a cube, and none of those personal items could be visible when scanning the horizon of the cubicle warren. A little Draconian, IMHO, and not material to the performance of your typical employee.

I do think there are both organizational and (dare I say it) cultural influences at work. Some people function well in an office stuffed with -- well -- "stuff" and would not be more productive having to put away things all the time. Now when they can't find what they need in the piles ... but that's another issue. And I think some societies have a preference for spare and clean over ornate and intricate. Look at furniture design: Shaker and Danish Modern did not come from the same places as highly-decorated Mediterranean furniture or elaborately-carved Indonesian teak. I have my preferences, but they're no better than someone else's preferences in what is a purely-esthetic choice.

[TxZen]

Where potential clients can see. The one lady talks about being polished and clean in her business delivery to the public and her office was disaster. Sends a mixed message to me if I was a client sitting there.

I worked in cubicle land too and I also told my staff just be aware of those around you and what someone might potentially see. I had hoarders and I had minimalists and everything in between.

[bekkilyn]

I would be more bothered by stuff cluttering up all the public areas than what's inside individual cubes or offices.

[rodeosweetheart]

"I worked in cubicle land too and I also told my staff just be aware of those around you and what someone might potentially see. I had hoarders and I had minimalists and everything in between."

I think you are transposing your personal tastes onto the work environments you are visiting, and aren't quite clear on your role. Unless you are offering some sort of office feng sui, I would try to ignore it, if their clutter bothers you.

Or, if you feel their clutter evidences a poor fit, then don't take them on as a client.

[TxZen]

Just an observation, especially when both places want to present a clean and put together appearance. Not my place to tell them that, I just make their marketing items but makes me wonder.

[kib]

To me it's highly subjective. There is "I'm very proud of my _____" - grandbabies, crocheting, golf trophy, collection of Woodstock memorabilia, whatever. I find that sort of personal-sharing clutter maybe not super professional, but I accept that everyone has a life. The issue is, do I agree with their taste and opinions or not, and if not, can I overlook it. There is, "my office is too small for my workload" clutter, which is ok as long as it doesn't appear that things are falling into the cracks. And then, there is, "I'm a big lazy (possibly self important) slob and I just can't be bothered to clean up my own mess, organize my files, prioritize my work, set limits or generally be responsible for anything" clutter, which would make me as a prospective client run screaming into the night.

[libby]

I can handle the clutter over the sleazy dress in many professional places these days. I guess that's a whole nuther thread...

[TxZen]

OH Libby. don't get me started.

[jp1]

I don't mind clutter in other people's space. If I was a potential client I'd only care if I thought it would impact their ability to do the job for me. If I was a potential vendor considering working for them I'd only care if it was so bad I was afraid they couldn't find the checkbook when it came time to pay me...

I personally don't have a cluttered workspace because it's just not my style, and if I get downsized I like knowing that I can grab my personal items in a minute and be out the door.

[ToomuchStuff]

I've seen clutter that came from gifts and thank you's from customers, as well as stuff that had NO business being in the workplace (and in one case something expensive got broken when it shouldn't have been there). It drives me crazy because one owner drops work to go show off or donate his toys. (typically autographed memorabilia).
There is only two things I can do, deal with it and them, or not.

[Lainey]

I agree you're in a tough spot in just seeing this environment makes you "itch" but you're not in a position to change anything. Maybe as time goes on and you become more of a "regular" there might be an opening to mention something like, e.g., how a friend/neighbor/relative of yours hired a professional organizer to organize their office and how happy that person was with the outcome, made them more productive, etc. etc. Then, if they want to follow up, it will be their decision.

it's funny because I was just remembering the other day how I had volunteered for an event years ago for a national charity and we ended up at their local office. We were just there to help stuff envelopes and then get some free t-shirts, but as I was looking around I felt the same thing: office supplies, old magazines, dusty fake plants, etc. etc. It was just begging for some organization and deep cleaning, but, wasn't our mission.