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; www.office-organiser.com.au
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareKeeping on task and getting organized starts with a basic... Read More
Home organization isn't just for neat-nicks or those drawn toward... Read More
I'm sure most of you have heard of Zig Ziglar... Read More
After a long winter, this is the time of year... Read More
One of my mother-in-law's many oft-quoted and wise declarations was... Read More
"My job is an endless series of deadlines, I am... Read More
The following procedures will insure an organized and well run... Read More
What's an item that can help you organize every room... Read More
Have you ever heard that having a cluttered home can... Read More
I recently read an article that had some interesting but... Read More
Use these 35 sanity savers this year to help you... Read More
I talk about the mail a lot in my newsletter,... Read More
What do you gain if you SIMPLIFY?Dictionary* says:to reduce to... Read More
Getting organized is hard. If it weren't, we wouldn't put... Read More
"I don't have enough room!" -- this is a common... Read More
Are you plagued by clutter in your personal or professional... Read More
Dennis is working as a factory worker during the day... Read More
The word "compartmentalize" means to separate into distinct parts. I... Read More
Do you use to-do lists? Do you find it satisfying... Read More
Time has flown. It's been six months since you came... Read More
Coping with clutter is rarely easy. There's more involved than... Read More
Have you ever wondered how some people seem to have... Read More
Take time to declutter this summer...Writing can certainly consume the... Read More
In a speech entitled "Organized Living in a Disorganized World"... Read More
I followed my boss to a co-worker's cubicle where my... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..How do you know if you need to clean out?... Read More
I talk about the mail a lot in my newsletter,... Read More
1. THE LOVE IT OR LOSE IT PRINCIPLE: Every item... Read More
Your closet is often the first thing you see in... Read More
Dennis is working as a factory worker during the day... Read More
I've noticed that in the two years since the major... Read More
From time to time I hear this question from an... Read More
I know I have a problem when I have to... Read More
In a speech entitled "Organized Living in a Disorganized World"... Read More
Have you ever been totally overwhelmed by a massive task... Read More
Whatever your clutter problem the answer is the same: make... Read More
The true definition of an organization is one that is... Read More
Whoever thought you'd be able to get organized in just... Read More
Cleaning out can seem overwhelming -- especially if it's been... Read More
Are you feeling overwhelmed? Have a to-do list a mile... Read More
Take a look around you right now. Look away from... Read More
Feeling Overwhelmed and Unorganized? - How to Use Index Cards... Read More
Many people have a huge challenge coping with the incoming... Read More
Some people seem to be born organized. You probably remember... Read More
Today you have almost as many choices of spice racks... Read More
(This is the third in a series of three articles... Read More
It may seem far-fetched, but by organizing your desk, your... Read More
We hear it every day."Buy this product, and simplify your... Read More
Spring is here and the garage door is open. This... Read More
One of my mother-in-law's many oft-quoted and wise declarations was... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |