Tin Lizzie and the Home and Office
July 5th, 2007Preparation for the Model T’s production brought Ford so close to bankruptcy that he had to borrow $100 from a colleague’s sister to pay for the car’s launch. That $100 was eventually worth $260,000 to the generous donor. The first “Lizzie” rolled of the line in 1908, with a four-cylinder, 20 horse-power engine capable of speeds of 40 miles per hour. It cost $850.
Mass production innovations continued to lower the price of the Lizzie. In 1916, a new Model T sold for just $360. Each vehicle finished its turn around the assembly line in just 980 minutes, compared to the earlier day and a half assembly line run.
Wow, can you imagine cars going down in price now days? It happens all the time with new products, when DVD players first came out they were in the hundreds’, now they can be purchased for under $100. The same goes for microwaves, computers and hundreds of other products.
When I work in homes or offices as a professional home and office organizer I look for ways to cut costs and improve productivity with those I am working with. These can be easy techniques or perhaps doing something totally radical that works and makes that person happier and more centered and focused. It can be as simple as tossing pens that don’t work, sharpening pencils or organizing work spaces to be more convenient and accessible to those using the space. Always consider what is best for the person using that space and how will this help them in their lives whether at work or at home.