SMARTBOX Chicago recently joined NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers) - the Chicago Chapter.  On the NAPO web site, I came upon a few interesting statistics that I thought I would share. 

The statistics are below and are mostly for entertainment purposes.  But, there is validity to a lot of the statistics out there.  A partnership between NAPO and SMARTBOX is like the perfect marriage.  A NAPO member can help you organize your clutter, your office, your closet, etc.  SMARTBOX can help you maintain the items that are either near and dear to you; something you love but don’t have a good spot for or simply don’t have the space for. 

Another use of SMARTBOX in conjunction with a NAPO Organizer can be as simple as getting all of your “clutter” out of your place and into ours, via a SmartBox.  Then, the Organizer can help you get your place in better organized condition, get a system in place to stay better organized, etc.  The stuff in the SmartBox then can be sifted through in a more timely, less rushed fashion.  NAPO and SMARTBOX - a great combination to work with!

Scroll down below the screen shot for the “statistics” I pulled out…….

These are statistics I found on the NAPO web site, feel free to view the PDF for more detail.

• According to a New York Times Article published March 2001
  • IKEA did a survey of customers in which 31% reported they were more satisfied after clearing out their closests than they were after sex.
• An unnamed source stated that
  • More than one out of four Americans remarked that they would like to be better organized.
• The April 23, 2004 issue of The Chicago Tribune (via The RedEye) stated the following statistics
  • 81 % of participants plan to spring clean this year
  • 74% of participants spring clean because they are tired of clutter
  • 39% of participants plan to organize their closet first
  • 62.8% plan to get rid of their outdated wardrobe next
  • 58% of participants said photos of their children are the one thing that they would never get rid of

As the demand for portable storage increases, the need for zoning and safety regulations increases as well.  Many municipalities and neighborhood associations are stepping up their efforts to impose restrictions and processes that regulate where and how long mobile storage units can remain in public sight.  While the majority of SMARTBOX’s service areas are not affected by such laws and regulations, those in close proximity or directly located in large urban areas are likely to be subject to these restrictions.  While every location is different, many require building or construction permits that be posted on the SMARTBOX portable storage unit while being used on site.  Other areas also call for temporary no parking signs to be posted notifying neighbors that the area is reserved for a temporary amount of time.  While these precautionary measures usually come at little or no cost, they should be thought about prior to making your reservation.  Contact a SMARTBOX representative or your local SMARTBOX office for the most current details regarding permits in your area.  If we are unable to acquire the permits on your behalf, we will happily guide you through the correct measures.

SMARTBOX of San Antonio was proud to sponsor the 2008 American Diabetes Association’s Tour De Cure.  The American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure is a one and/or two day bicycle race from San Antonio to Austin via San Marcos, Texas.  This year’s race, put on by the South and Central Tour de Cure division, raised over $500,000 with over 1300 participating cyclists.

This is the second year that SMARTBOX of San Antonio has participated in the Tour de Cure.  In the past, SMARTBOX has provided storage and transportation for water and other goods needed during the race.  Smartboxes have also been stacked two high to serve as anchors for the balloon start and finish lines in San Antonio, San Marcos and Austin.

“We have really enjoyed our partnership with the American Diabetes Association.  As a family owned and operated, San Antonio business it is important for us to give back to the community and donation our Smartboxes for the Tour de Cure has given us an ideal opportunity to do that,” said Jim Plumhoff, president and co-owner of SMARTBOX San Antonio.

In my marketing activities to get the word out about SMARTBOX, I am often questioned about the various uses of a SmartBox.  Sometimes people inquire about the more direct uses, such as storage of excess home items or simply moving from point “A” to point “B” - both locally and long distance (via SMARTCARE). 

But there are a myriad of uses that you may not think of, but ultimately is a great use of a SmartBox.  So here are some other things that you may not have thought of:

• Remodeling
  • Rather than cram items from two rooms into one while having work done, why not instead put the items into a SmartBox?
• Garage addition
  • Likewise with remodeling, we have a lot of clients that utilize a SmartBox when having a garage built or rebuilt.
• Home Staging and/or De-Cluttering
  • As referenced below in this issue, now more than ever Home Staging is really important.  With the increased inventory of homes for sale, you need to do everything you can to make your home stand out above all others.  A SmartBox is a fabulous solution as we do all the driving and you only need to pack once.
• Kids going off to – or coming back from – College
  • Why “schlep” your kids things in a rental truck – or worse, in the back of your vehicle – when you can call SmartBox to do the “schlepping” for you?
• Disaster Relief
  • These are the calls we hope to never receive, but we’re glad to be able to provide our services when needed.  With the glut of flooding as of late, tornado’s, etc what does one do on short notice when something like this occurs?  SMARTBOX is a great resource as we can fit into tight spaces, respond with short notice and we’re very affordable.
  • Add to that, most insurance companies will reimburse you for the use of a SmartBox during your time of need.
• Military, Fire and Police Personnel discounts (offered by most - if not all SMARTBOX Franchise locations)
  • General uses for SmartBoxes qualify you for a discount if there is an immediate family member serving our country or municipality.
  • Additionally, if you’re being shipped out for active duty, you can use SMARTBOX to keep your items safe while you go off to keep us safe!

Many, many other uses….  I’d venture to say a thousand-and-one uses, or more!!!

I was recently asked by SMARTBOX Corporate to contribute to our blog.  If you’re reading this, you know the address already.  Corporate Web Logs are becoming more and more prevalent these days. Some of the largest companies in the world are blogging.  According to Technorati the top 10 Corporate Blogs as of May 2008 are:

1. Google – Shocker, I know!
2. O’Reilly Media
3. Yahoo Search
4. Tom Peters Company
5. Ask.com
6. Adobe Software
7. General Motors
8. Sunbelt Software
9. Thomas Mahon
10. The Otter Group

The reason I point out the top 10 blogs above is that it’s interesting in that they are not necessarily the ones you would expect.  Some are obvious – Google and Yahoo.  But some of the others I’d venture to say are blogs for companies and/or people from companies you’ve never heard of.  I know that’s a safe statement on my end.  So how does this all fit in to SMARTBOX and our Corporate Blog?  Hopefully this Blog will become – over time – a useful resource of information regarding the Portable Storage (and storage in general) industry along with tips on moving, packing, organizing and the like.  There are so many resources out there it’s hard to know what’s valid and what isn’t.  Rest assured, if it says SMARTBOX, it’s legitimate.  Greg Kaufman SMARTBOX Chicago – Owner