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
shuttle from O'Hare Bingham .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareYou really can have a successful business and a great... Read More
Recently, in an online group, we talked about "balance" and... Read More
Hasn't time flown? Already we're into the last quarter of... Read More
Spring is here and the garage door is open. This... Read More
Studies show that 80 percent of what we use comes... Read More
"The real question is, why do you want it? What... Read More
In many of the companies I have worked in, there... Read More
The Productive Environment Scorecard?Read the statements below and rate your... Read More
Everytime Mary had to find a file on her computer,... Read More
How to do keep track of all you have to... Read More
There are 3 kinds of clutter: Inner (between our ears);... 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
One of my mother-in-law's many oft-quoted and wise declarations was... Read More
The true definition of an organization is one that is... Read More
"Organize" is a familiar word heard on many of today's... Read More
Are you feeling overwhelmed? Have a to-do list a mile... Read More
Color-There Is No SubstituteIn anatomical illustrations you see the brain's... Read More
Staying organized can be a constant battle. The following organizing... Read More
Last year I attended a presentation from Parenting Expert and... Read More
Do you use to-do lists? Do you find it satisfying... Read More
1. THE LOVE IT OR LOSE IT PRINCIPLE: Every item... Read More
Every day I find junk mail waiting for me, whether... Read More
Working for one of the top Marketers online (David Ledoux)... Read More
Technology has given us the tools to reduce routine tasking,... Read More
Mishawaka limo O'Hare ..Nature loves clutter. Just think of all the stuff that... Read More
Feeling overwhelmed at the thought of organizing your home? Start... Read More
3-Step Clean Sweep Program 1 -... Read More
Buried under mountains of paperwork from your company? Do the... Read More
If you look at any major organisation, there is this... Read More
Everytime Mary had to find a file on her computer,... Read More
I followed my boss to a co-worker's cubicle where my... Read More
Clothes. Check. School supplies. Check. No doubt you've got to... Read More
When you embark on a life transition, the skills that... Read More
Do you feel like you are running around in circles,... Read More
Are you feeling overwhelmed? Have a to-do list a mile... Read More
1. Sink to their level. Get on your knees in... Read More
Collections are the outward manifestation of a deeply-felt principle or... Read More
What's in a Name?Everything.What do you do with all the... Read More
Each area of your home has a symbolic meaning with... Read More
Do you like storing your papers on top of your... Read More
Last year I attended a presentation from Parenting Expert and... Read More
The Law of the 1st StepA good first step in... Read More
Life with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) can be a constant... Read More
I know I have a problem when I have to... Read More
I recently had a conversation with a friend about clutter.... Read More
1. Divide big jobs into smaller jobs. Make a list... Read More
* Cupboards and drawers should contain items that are grouped... Read More
1. In terms of organization, what is the first thing... Read More
Studies show that 80 percent of what we use comes... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |