If you find yourself missing out on potential clients, contacts falling through the cracks, or not following up in a timely manner then your problem is simply a lack of an efficient contact management system!
So let me ask you:
1. Do you have a record of each of your clients/colleagues contact data, i.e. name, address, email, website, phone number etc.?
2. Are you following up efficiently and effectively when a potential client enquires about your services/programs?
3. Do you have a specific process in place for handling new client enquiries?
If you’ve answered NO to one or more of these questions, then you don’t have a suitable contact management system in place.
The good news…
This can easily be rectified! With a proper contact management system in place you will be able to:
- Keep a note of clients, potential clients, and colleagues contact information.
- Easily and effectively follow-up with a prospect.
- Locate critical client contact information quickly and easily.
- Build your business.
Sometimes the simplest contact management can be all you need so that you’re not letting potential clients slip through the cracks and you’re following up in a timely manner. When deciding on the most suitable contact management system for your business, there are three basic choices:
1. If you’re currently using Outlook it comes with its own contact address book, and Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003 and above comes with Business Contact Manager. Outlook actually makes a good ‘command central’ for your business as not only does it store all your crucial contact management data, but you can also manage your emails, To Do list, tasks, and schedule follow-ups so you won’t lose an important contact again due to lack of follow-up!
2. You can purchase stand-alone contact management software such as ACT! This is a very robust contact management system; the only downside – you can’t use it to manage your emails!
3. You can use an online contact management system – some of which are free. This is a good choice, particularly if you want to be able to access your contact data from any PC, anywhere. And if you are working with a Virtual Assistant it’s very easy for them to maintain and update your contact data too – they simply log in!
Which one to use depends on your level of expertise and which one will work best for YOU and YOUR BUSINESS.
Don’t let your business suffer due to an inefficient contact management system. Follow my tips above to choose a system that is right for YOUR business.
(c) 2008 Tracey Lawton
About the author: Office organization expert, Tracey Lawton, teaches professional speakers, coaches, and authors how to create the essential online marketing and office organization systems needed to operate an efficient, organized, and profitable business. Learn how YOU can create an efficient and organized office in 7 EASY steps, and receive free how-to articles at http://www.OfficeOrganizationSuccess.com
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Maybe you should do a summary on the steps to use Outlook. I have it on my computer, its the 2000 version. I try using the task list and have found it becomes forgotten on my OUtlook Bar. I do better, usually with notes on sheets of papers, which when I can find them work well. Any ideas how to incorporate the two.
Thanks
Dianne
Hello Tracey, i am writting you from France. I suscribed to your elist because i have a big problem getting organised. I am not a company’s owner, but i work in direct selling we call VDI in France, it is not multi level marketing but works the same way at home without the recruiting of people under you. Il like this way because we focus on the product more and we are our own boss. But if i can manage to get more client i will have to sucribe to the chamber of commerce in France and become like you ladies a solo entrepreneur.
I wanted to say i find you “symp
athique” in french i think you would say “friendly” in english. I am a mother of 4 boys and married to a japaneese man we live in the north of France one hour half from Bruxelles.
I am using outlook express to put all my customers into the contact list and i put them in different groups.
Through your advices i have created new files in my mail box and it has helped me a lot to not waste time to read my emails. I have to say thank you to you. I would like to follow your seminar but now my budget is still too small to afford it, but one day i might.
Thank you for your investments, i enjoy watching your children pictures in christmass.
Have a good night
Benedicte