Protecting Ourselves from Ourselves
My dad taught me that when I pointed my finger at someone (or something) I was in fact pointing two fingers back at myself. Think about it the next time something goes wrong with your computer.
I recently corresponded with a very irate ACT user. He had tried in vain to install ACT without success. He had hired a “computer expert” who had tried to help him, again with no success. Of course he pointed...
Why Can’t I Just Use Outlook?
I’ve been using ACT for over 20 years and, like most of you, my database needed a bit of Spring Cleaning. Although I routinely rely on Swift Page to help me update contact information, I wanted to get a better understanding of the needs of my contacts. I sent out a simple email to roughly 1600 ACT users that I had added to my database during the years 1999 through 2004 asking them to let me know...
Help! My ACT Database Won’t Convert!
So, you’ve purchased ACT and you’re ready to install it. Sounds easy, right? Sure it is – if you’ve got your ACT together!
Here’s a few hints that will help speed you on your way:
Uninstall your current version of ACT if you’re using Versions 2005-2009. You’ll also want to remove SQL as well. I recommend using the ACT Uninstaller Utility which you can find...
How Do You Rate as a CRM User?
Having written 10 books on CRM and contact management I’m often asked to compare the various products. These questions often come from new or prospective CRM users. For me, this is like asking which car is better: the Lexus or the Infiniti. No doubt Lexus owners prefer the Lexus while the Infiniti owners prefer the Infiniti. The best answer to this question is a simple one: choose the brand you’re...
Saying Good-Bye to the E-mail Blues
People very rarely call me when everything is going well. As much as I’d like to hear from one of my clients that all systems are go, I’m more likely to hear from the frazzled person who took a wrong turn in the maze of technology – and is looking for my help to bail him or her out!
A rather large cruise ship company recently needed just such a lifesaver. The CEO decided to embark on a journey...
This Isn’t Your Granddaddy’s ACT!
ACT! has been around for over 20 years. That may not seem like a big deal to you but in the fast-paced volatile world of computing that’s an incredible accomplishment. It’s not uncommon for an ACT! user to tell me that he or she has been using ACT! for 10, 15 or even 20 years.
Things change – and in the computer world change is extremely rapid. Think of what computing looked like in 1988:
* You...
Should I upgrade to ACT 2009/11?
It’s here – ACT! 2009 – right on schedule. So, do you need to race out and upgrade? Here are my thoughts:
ACT! Classic Users: By “classic” I mean versions 6 (2004), 5 (2000), 4 or even 3. Your version of ACT! won’t work with a new computer that has Vista, or even with most versions of Microsoft Outlook. You can’t use ACT! for your e-mail – at least not easily. Most importantly...
Virtual ACT Users Group
For 5 years I ran an ACT Users Group in my hometown of Boca Raton, FL. It was a fun – although time intensive – endeavor. The meetings were typically attended by 25-50 “ACT Fanatics” who welcomed the chance to learn more about ACT as they munched on cookies.
As much as I enjoyed the personal interaction with ACT Users, last year I decided to move the Users Group to a Virtual...
5 Quick Marketing Tips
If you’re reading this blog you’re probably an ACT user – or about to become one. One of the most frequent comments I hear from ACT users is that they “aren’t using ACT to its full potential.” On the simplest of levels, ACT is an electronic Rolodex. You can take ACT to the next level by making use of the Notes, History and Activity options. Throw in Sales Opportunities...
How are you measuring Success?
So, just how do you measure success in your business? Obviously, if the dollars are rolling in then you must be doing something right! ACT’s Opportunity feature is a great way to measure your sales success. Using ACT correctly will help your business reach an even higher level of success.
Use these simple tricks to help take your business to the next level in sales:
Tip #1: Focus on the entire...
