|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What's in a Name?
Everything.
What do you do with all the contacts you make in your organisation? Do you:
Collect business cards and throw them in the bottom of your desk drawer hoping one day one of these people will ring and do business with you? Have any system for keeping information on your clients and prospects? Do you enter all their details into your database so that you can communicate with them in the future?
Do you enter all your clients into the database with information about what they've bought from you and conversations you've had with them? I'm astounded that so many business people keep no comprehensive records of their clients, general contacts and prospects.
Your database is a goldmine. It is the most important item in your business.
A great system will be able to do the following:
Generate a letter, fax or email directly from the program to the contact.
Record all contact details and any communication you have had with that person including phone conversations, meetings, emails, promotional information, and sales made.
Be able to select any particular group of people, ie. everyone in a specific area, all your "A" clients, prospects, strategic alliances. A reminder system for follow-ups.
Which Database Is Right For You?
Well, that depends on your organisation. Now there are various databases, eg Microsoft's Access and Lotus' Approach. However specific contact management software can offer far more features, including a "hotlist" to remind you when to follow up. These applications include:
ACT
Goldmine
Maximizer
I personally know very successful businesses that use ACT and Maximizer. At The Office Organiser we use Maximizer which we find very good.
Speak with successful people in your field and ask them what they use.
You may find that there are specific databases that have been designed
for your industry.
The key when choosing one of these systems is to have a look at their functions and get someone who knows all about the software to set it up and train you in its use.
You could also delegate/outsource the task of the initial keying in of data to another team member in your organisation or even a secretarial service or temp.
A special note for Salespeople
If you are an employee and your organisation has no database, I suggest you invest in one. It will be the wisest business investment you can make.
Most salespeople promise everything and unfortunately do not deliver. They rush from one appointment to another and forget to follow through on their promises.
If they had some way of keeping in touch with clients and prospects via using their database as an effective marketing and follow up tool, they would increase their sales dramatically.
About The Author
Lorraine Pirihi is Australia's Personal Productivity Specialist and Leading Life Coach. Her business The Office Organiser specialises in showing small business owners and managers, how to get organised at work so they can have a life! Lorraine is also a dynamic speaker and has produced many products including "How to Survive and Thrive at Work!"
To subscribe to her free ezine visit www.office-organiser.com.au
This article may be reproduced providing it is published in it's entirety, including the author's bio and all links. For further information please contact Lorraine Pirihi; lorraine@office-organiser.com.au
One of the hardest things for most individuals working from... Read More
Dennis is working as a factory worker during the day... Read More
You start each week with great intentions. You are determined... Read More
Spring?. Fresh breezes through open windows, sleeping trees come awake... Read More
Getting Things Done (GTD), is a productivity methodology designed by... Read More
You can get a pretty good idea of the benefits... Read More
What's an item that can help you organize every room... Read More
Our children are probably the biggest clutter creators we have... Read More
The store reminded me of a well-worn slipper ? tattered... Read More
I know I have a problem when I have to... Read More
Chances are, most of you have a lot you need... Read More
Feeling overwhelmed at the thought of organizing your home? Start... Read More
I recently conducted a survey to look at the relationship... Read More
Cindy looks at the calendar and sighs. Ah, the end... Read More
After a long winter, this is the time of year... Read More
The true definition of an organization is one that is... Read More
Has your polished mahogany (or modular plastic) desk been buried... Read More
1. THE LOVE IT OR LOSE IT PRINCIPLE: Every item... Read More
Home organization isn't just for neat-nicks or those drawn toward... Read More
In part 1, we discussed a system you could use... Read More
3-Step Clean Sweep Program 1 -... Read More
Clutter costs you time, money, space, and peace of mind.... Read More
Back-to-school time ? what does that mean to you? For... Read More
It is 5:00 pm and Cindy has no idea what... Read More
In a speech entitled "Organized Living in a Disorganized World"... Read More
Hasn't time flown? Already we're into the last quarter of... Read More
Each area of your home has a symbolic meaning with... Read More
Feeling Overwhelmed and Unorganized? - How to Use Index Cards... Read More
1. Sink to their level. Get on your knees in... Read More
Ever feel overwhelmed by all the papers, notices, artwork, and... Read More
At this point, you have probably run across some belongings... Read More
Collections are the outward manifestation of a deeply-felt principle or... Read More
I followed my boss to a co-worker's cubicle where my... Read More
Life with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) can be a constant... Read More
Winter is starting to retreat, and hints of Spring are... Read More
Decide When And Where To StartDecide when and where to... Read More
I talk about the mail a lot in my newsletter,... Read More
Have you ever been totally overwhelmed by a massive task... Read More
I know I have a problem when I have to... Read More
Feeling overwhelmed at the thought of organizing your home? Start... Read More
Recently, in an online group, we talked about "balance" and... Read More
I'm cheap and proud of it.I use and re-use things... Read More
Helping people clean out their closet is something I love... Read More
1. A calendar is an essential organizing tool ? start... Read More
Balance- what a popular topic these days! Finding a work-life... Read More
"Junkyard Wars," a TV series showed two teams of experts... Read More
Clutter is postponed decisions®. Here are some suggestions to simplify... Read More
Studies show that 80 percent of what we use comes... Read More
Life is about maintaining a balance of all aspects. At... Read More
When you embark on a life transition, the skills that... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |