Q. Are you frustrated because you don’t know how-to organize the information for your small business project?

A. If the answer is yes....

Here’s four easy ways to organize yourself using the Internet, Your Computer, plus, Office Products.

1. Social Bookmarking Sites

Original Use: To organize, save, and share all your bookmarks online, in one central location, with other people, and see what other people are bookmarking.

Oh! Use: When researching online, bookmark interesting web sites, with or without PDF attachments, which could act as sources or references for your small business research project.

Directions: Join a social bookmarking site for FREE, and add URL; title, notes, and tags for each item bookmarked within your collection. Example: Click her to visit my Delicious bookmarks, to see how your links will appear.

Reward: This option is ideal way to store your researched information online, and “never lose track of your bookmarks.” Also, this web site will allow you to save space on your computer’s hard drive; remain green, all while compiling the information needed for your written report.

2. Computer: Desktop & Laptop

Original use: Use your “Bookmarks” option on your Internet Browser (Firefox or Internet Explorer) page which should be located on your desktop or laptop, to save your favorite web site.

Oh! Use: Organizing your research by business section (industry, products, customers) in each created folder.

Directions: Go online to your site of choice, and then click on the “Bookmarks” button on the top far-left hand side corner of your Internet Browser page. Next, select the “Bookmark this page” option. And a pop-up box will appear with the site’s information, then select the “Done.” View the slide show to see how-to set up your folders.

Reward: Compiled business articles (PDF format), links, etc. in one central location – which saves you space and allows you to organize your findings for your written report.

Important: As a suggestion, use the social bookmarking site to save links and documents found on the Internet ONLY. It is suggested that you do not save CONFIDENTIAL information online. Instead, save your confidential information on your computer.

1. Computer: Desktop & Laptop

Original use: Folders used to store your information (Ex: Word, excel, PDF, PowerPoint documents)

Oh! Use: Allows you to organize your researched information (Word or PDF documents downloaded from the Internet) and/or written reports of your findings, in one main “Research” folder and also in each “sub-folder” (ex: industry) created within the main folder.

Directions: View the slide show to see how-to set up your folders.

Reward: When you are writing your report or plan, and need information from one of your folders, it is right at your fingertips!

2. 9 x 12 Envelopes or Folder

Original use: Mailing 9 x 12 documents

Oh! Use: Provides an alternative way to organize your research, by category, (industry, products, and customers) within each 9 x 12 envelope or folder. For instance, if you need your industry information, you can pick up the “industry” envelope or folder, and you will have all your industry information, all together for easy access.

Directions: Research and compile information from various sources, including books, magazines, etc. and place in 9 x 12 envelope until ready to use as a reference or to write your business plan.

Reward: When you need information by section, it is right at your fingertips, within each envelop or folder!