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
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
Collections are the outward manifestation of a deeply-felt principle or... Read More
Are stacks of papers, mail, newspapers, and growing "to do"... Read More
Getting Things Done (GTD), is a productivity methodology designed by... Read More
Home organization isn't just for neat-nicks or those drawn toward... Read More
To make room for new things to come into you... Read More
"I don't have enough room!" -- this is a common... Read More
"Organize" is a familiar word heard on many of today's... Read More
Cindy looks at the calendar and sighs. Ah, the end... Read More
Time has flown. It's been six months since you came... Read More
The summer is flying by for Cindy and her family.... Read More
What do your storage spaces look like? Do you know... Read More
We are bombarded with so many factors that perpetuate disorganization.... Read More
I have a good friend whom (also being in the... Read More
"Junkyard Wars," a TV series showed two teams of experts... Read More
Spring is here and the garage door is open. This... Read More
Are you overwhelmed by clutter wherever you turn? Here are... Read More
One of my mother-in-law's many oft-quoted and wise declarations was... Read More
What method do you currently use to organize your family?... Read More
It is 5:00 pm and Cindy has no idea what... Read More
When you embark on a life transition, the skills that... Read More
Whoever thought you'd be able to get organized in just... Read More
In many of the companies I have worked in, there... Read More
One of the most basic ways to find papers when... Read More
What do you do with those special items that have... Read More
When the things in your home start crowding in around... Read More
Take time to declutter this summer...Writing can certainly consume the... Read More
Helping people clean out their closet is something I love... Read More
Obviously, productivity involves producing. Producing widgets, events, reports, sales. The... Read More
Nature loves clutter. Just think of all the stuff that... Read More
Professional organizers and helpful-hint sources often recommend storage solutions such... Read More
"Do something every day that you don't want to-do; this... Read More
Decluttering is a simple-to-learn process, once you break it down... Read More
In your quest to get 'up and running' so to... Read More
Have you ever been totally overwhelmed by a massive task... Read More
What do you gain if you SIMPLIFY?Dictionary* says:to reduce to... Read More
What method do you currently use to organize your family?... Read More
Sometimes major life lessons come from the most unlikely of... Read More
I followed my boss to a co-worker's cubicle where my... Read More
Last year I attended a presentation from Parenting Expert and... Read More
What does "time" have to do with getting organized? Everything!... Read More
Do you feel like you are running around in circles,... Read More
A daily journal will save you time, reduce stress and... Read More
In one of my favorite books, First Things First, written... Read More
How do you know if you need to clean out?... Read More
Ever feel overwhelmed by all the papers, notices, artwork, and... Read More
"My job is an endless series of deadlines, I am... Read More
Your closet is often the first thing you see in... Read More
Do you feel like you just get too much e-mail?... Read More
I'm cheap and proud of it.I use and re-use things... Read More
I recently read an article that had some interesting but... Read More
You start each week with great intentions. You are determined... Read More
At this point, you have probably run across some belongings... Read More
The Law of the 1st StepA good first step in... Read More
Article excerpted from the new book, "How to Do Space... Read More
Spring is such a refreshing time- we are filled with... Read More
Ever wonder how they do it? How a short-order cook... Read More
Have you ever felt so discouraged, your life so out-of-control,... Read More
Clothes. Check. School supplies. Check. No doubt you've got to... Read More
Life is about maintaining a balance of all aspects. At... Read More
Whoever thought you'd be able to get organized in just... Read More
Individuals who are organized in their personal lives most generally... Read More
I have a good friend whom (also being in the... Read More
Do you ever sit down at your desk buried in... Read More
1. Sink to their level. Get on your knees in... Read More
Winter is starting to retreat, and hints of Spring are... Read More
Getting and staying organized is critical to achieving your goals.... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |