I tend to reflect on the past year each December and to look forward to an
even better next year (that way, I’m free to relax on December 31). What
went well, this year and where I can improve my business practice next year.
Since I use ACT! 2010 software to manage my relationships, calendar and
activities, I think of ways to better use the software.
Here’s my “top ten” for next year (starting today!):
- Clean out my old contacts. I have over 4200 names in my database, many
are no longer valid. I use $120 Duplicate Record Removal Software to merge
the duplicates. - Clean out my unused Groups. Groups have a life of their own – I should
delete the ones I don’t use. - Stay in touch with the people you do business with by sending newsletters
on a regular basis. I do
- Clean the antiques out of my task list. There are tasks from over a year
ago that I’ll never get to. - Stop rolling over my calls, to-dos and meetings (I don’t currently
roll-over activities, and neither should you!). - Call one day ahead of time to confirm all my appointments (Not really an
“ACT!” thing, but I’m going to do it anyway). - When someone hands me a business card, I will write a few words on the
card to remind me about this person (How many times have you looked at a
card and not remembered who the person is, or where you met?). - I will put every business card I have in ACT! (Why leave it to mold on my
desk?) - When I make an unscheduled call I will ALWAYS record it in ACT! (And
schedule a follow-up.) - When I clear an activity I will ALWAYS schedule a follow up call.
Does you have any tips they’d like to share?
