Filing supplies in the UK

A

asstprof

0
Hi all - So I've recently moved from the US to Britain. Something that is driving me a little nuts is the different way that filing cabinets are set up here. I am used to having a bunch of hanging file folders (I know this is what David Allen says NOT to do) and then within my hanging files having a bunch of manila folders. So I might have a hanging folder labeled "Car" and inside I would have manila folders labeled "Title" "Current Insurance" "Repair Records" etc.

However, in Britain there are two issues. First of all, hanging folders are designed to slot together into one continuous set. This is good because no paper can fall between the hanging folders, I guess. But it makes it harder to put a new hanging folder between two others.

And then there's no real subfolder equivalent of a manila folder with a tab sticking up, like these. You can get foolscap folders, but they don't have top tabs, and they aren't as sturdy as the manila folders that I'm used to.

I need a new methodology. Are there any British GTD'ers who can explain the Zen of filing in the UK?

Thank you!
 
asstprof;94114 said:
Hi all - So I've recently moved from the US to Britain. Something that is driving me a little nuts is the different way that filing cabinets are set up here. I am used to having a bunch of hanging file folders (I know this is what David Allen says NOT to do) and then within my hanging files having a bunch of manila folders. So I might have a hanging folder labeled "Car" and inside I would have manila folders labeled "Title" "Current Insurance" "Repair Records" etc.

However, in Britain there are two issues. First of all, hanging folders are designed to slot together into one continuous set. This is good because no paper can fall between the hanging folders, I guess. But it makes it harder to put a new hanging folder between two others.
Click to expand...

I haven't seen continuous set hanging files for ages! Like you I put manila folders inside hanging files. Try these at http://www.staples.co.uk/office-supplies/filing/suspension-filing

And welcome to the UK!

Ruth
 
Supplier of tabs for GTD A-Z filing system

Thanks for this advice. I found these card tabs avery etc. I was also trying to find tabs which I could label A-Z to put between my suspended files to divide them up, just like the picture in 'General Reference Filing – by David Allen' downloaded free from the David Allen website. I found a company who could make some for me. They have just arrived and work really well with my printed labels A - Z (made with my new printing machine recommended in GTD). Hear are the details speak to John Collins at
Carlsson Xpress Tabs Limited
(Manufacturers of Stock Tab Index Dividers and Specials)
The Courtyard, 137 Aurelia Road, Croydon, Surrey. CR0 3BF
Tel: 020 8251 4444
Fax: 020 8251 4411
email : john@carlssonxpresstabs.co.uk
Website: www.carlssonxpresstabsltd.co.uk
These tabs have make my filing system look just like

These were the specifications of the tabs I had made:
Tab width 320 mm according to the size of card the supplier had available slight narrower than the size of a normal filing cabinet but still works very well.The width of each tab at the top to be 64mm.
The height of the divider card was 281mm (including 13mm tab projection.

The white of the card is slightly higher than the height of the suspended files making a clear white line between different sections of filing cabinet for me divided alphabetically but they can also be used of course with any other headings on them e.g. financial etc.

Hope that helps. All the best Nemy
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top