I'm preparing a post about the Filofax Time Management system. I understand that its origins were with another company - based in Sunderland UK - that Letts Filofax acquired in about 2001. I recall someone mentioning it in a post some time ago but I can't find it! I DO remember that the products came with a big letter "A" on the leaves (pages) to distinguish them from later Filofax products. Can anyone assist? What happened to the offices/staff in Sunderland?
I don't know anything about a Sunderland 'connection', but I *do* know something about the origins of the system, which was developed by James Noon to support his 'A' Time system.....he then licenced that system to FF who took it over as the Time Management system. He has recently bought back the rights, but I don't know what he plans to do with them other than that there is a rewrite of the A Time book in the pipeline.
I'm very lucky to have a copy of his little-known and privately-published by Filofax book 'Start Time Forward', which draws heavily on the A Time book. The FF 'vision' for TM courses seems never to have come to fruition.
That's very helpful. A licensing arrangement seems very likely rather than a company acquisition. The Sunderland link sounds like a red herring. I think Camberwell Way in that town is (was) the Filofax distribution warehouse.
I'd be happy to let you have what detail I have if it helps, drop me a line at davidcpopely@gmail.com - or we can have a chat via Skype/phone if you like. I'm becoming more and more interested in the history of the brand as time goes on, largely as a result of progressively becoming history myself, I think!
I'll be very interested indeed to read your article. despite having been in possession last year of what Jo Forth at Filofax described as probably one of the last sets of Time Management divider sets on the planet (now passed on to someone else), I couldn't find any writing anywhere which gave a clue as to how the 'system', if system it was, was intended to work! noon's books, taken together, do shed some light, but it's by no means perfect.
Afterthought.......you could always email James Noon direct and ask him - his info is in the public domain, or I think I have his email somewhere........
Tim, my A5 in the 1980s was the ‘A’ Time system; indeed I still have the zipped leather binder that I bought to replace the regulation issue company vinyl binder. I confirm David’s comment; ‘A’ Time was acquired by Filofax around 1999/2000. The original ‘A’ Time insert was printed in pink on white paper and the format was much like two other systems still available: Time Systems International and Time Management International, i.e. year/month/day or week to view. Filofax rebranded ‘A’ Time to “Time Management”, removing half the templates in the process and rendering the system less useful as a true Time Management system. I cleared out my original ‘A’ Time inserts years ago and have just a few left. I have some pages that are pink on white paper with copyright Filofax at the bottom; they then changed it to print black on white. It makes me smile that to this day the Filofax Time Management diary insert retains the ‘A’ column! I am LinkedIn to James Noon, the originator of ‘A’ Time, if you would like to be put in touch. Contact me via David, he has my personal email address.
Thank you! This has already turned into a fascinating story. I will be in touch as I feel this should be documented - even if only by way of a post on Philofaxy!
Tim, I'm really looking forward to this post. I've used the TM system for 2, possibly 3 years, on and off, but there was so little documentation that was available, regarding how to use them best, I always felt I was scratching the surface with them.
Ooh, I love scouring thrift stores for planner binders. Still haven't found one with replaceable rings. Congratulations. I found a beautiful Wilson leather, half-letter size binder for $3, and a compact size for $1.50. Currently using this. The only thing that would make it perfect, removable rings. Oh, second pen loop.
I'm preparing a post about the Filofax Time Management system. I understand that its origins were with another company - based in Sunderland UK - that Letts Filofax acquired in about 2001. I recall someone mentioning it in a post some time ago but I can't find it! I DO remember that the products came with a big letter "A" on the leaves (pages) to distinguish them from later Filofax products. Can anyone assist? What happened to the offices/staff in Sunderland?
ReplyDeleteHi Tim
DeleteI don't know anything about a Sunderland 'connection', but I *do* know something about the origins of the system, which was developed by James Noon to support his 'A' Time system.....he then licenced that system to FF who took it over as the Time Management system. He has recently bought back the rights, but I don't know what he plans to do with them other than that there is a rewrite of the A Time book in the pipeline.
I'm very lucky to have a copy of his little-known and privately-published by Filofax book 'Start Time Forward', which draws heavily on the A Time book. The FF 'vision' for TM courses seems never to have come to fruition.
Hope this helps
David
That's very helpful. A licensing arrangement seems very likely rather than a company acquisition. The Sunderland link sounds like a red herring. I think Camberwell Way in that town is (was) the Filofax distribution warehouse.
DeleteI'd be happy to let you have what detail I have if it helps, drop me a line at davidcpopely@gmail.com - or we can have a chat via Skype/phone if you like. I'm becoming more and more interested in the history of the brand as time goes on, largely as a result of progressively becoming history myself, I think!
DeleteI'll be very interested indeed to read your article. despite having been in possession last year of what Jo Forth at Filofax described as probably one of the last sets of Time Management divider sets on the planet (now passed on to someone else), I couldn't find any writing anywhere which gave a clue as to how the 'system', if system it was, was intended to work! noon's books, taken together, do shed some light, but it's by no means perfect.
Afterthought.......you could always email James Noon direct and ask him - his info is in the public domain, or I think I have his email somewhere........
DeleteTim, my A5 in the 1980s was the ‘A’ Time system; indeed I still have the zipped leather binder that I bought to replace the regulation issue company vinyl binder. I confirm David’s comment; ‘A’ Time was acquired by Filofax around 1999/2000. The original ‘A’ Time insert was printed in pink on white paper and the format was much like two other systems still available: Time Systems International and Time Management International, i.e. year/month/day or week to view. Filofax rebranded ‘A’ Time to “Time Management”, removing half the templates in the process and rendering the system less useful as a true Time Management system. I cleared out my original ‘A’ Time inserts years ago and have just a few left. I have some pages that are pink on white paper with copyright Filofax at the bottom; they then changed it to print black on white. It makes me smile that to this day the Filofax Time Management diary insert retains the ‘A’ column! I am LinkedIn to James Noon, the originator of ‘A’ Time, if you would like to be put in touch. Contact me via David, he has my personal email address.
DeleteThank you! This has already turned into a fascinating story. I will be in touch as I feel this should be documented - even if only by way of a post on Philofaxy!
DeleteTim, I'm really looking forward to this post. I've used the TM system for 2, possibly 3 years, on and off, but there was so little documentation that was available, regarding how to use them best, I always felt I was scratching the surface with them.
DeleteI found a Franklin Covey with removable rings at a thrift store this week. (It's not on topic, but I am excited. :) )
ReplyDeleteOoh, I love scouring thrift stores for planner binders. Still haven't found one with replaceable rings. Congratulations. I found a beautiful Wilson leather, half-letter size binder for $3, and a compact size for $1.50. Currently using this. The only thing that would make it perfect, removable rings. Oh, second pen loop.
DeleteOh wow that it is a find. I love thrift stores, tho sadly I've had no time to get to them. Good for you.
ReplyDelete