Power Tools for Business

How do we keep track of our business deals?

If you are only working with one or two deals, keeping track of them is a simple matter. However, most of us have far more than two deals on the plate and even more coming down the pipeline. It is sometimes quite difficult to keep track of all the details and remember who said what to whom. You need to keep track of the names of people on each deal or project and what their responsibilities are. There are many techniques that you can use to keep on top of the situation. You can purchase CRM (Customer Relation Management) software to handle the contact details plus a host of other information. Unfortunately it is time consuming and you can often miss out on important proposals or calls that you need to make. Keeping track of details is necessary, and keeping accurate records is also of prime importance.

Using the computer to track information does not have to be onerous or difficult; it simply has to be planned into your day. I use my computer extensively for everything I do, but I do not carry it to meetings with me, I carry a simple paper notebook for each client and keep meticulous notes. I then transfer the important points to the computer system and have it refer to my journal for further details (I number my journals and file them for later use). Appointments, phone numbers, managers' names, titles, project roles are all on the computer system. Making detailed notes with dates are on my power page in my notebook.

We will go into more detail for the power page a little later in the chapter. Right now let's walk through the various components that are necessary for keeping the details straight and continuing to nurture our business relationships.

Bette Daoust, Ph.D. has been networking with others since leaving high school years ago. Realizing that no one really cared about what she did in life unless she had someone to tell and excite. She decided to find the best ways to get people's attention, be creative in how she presented herself and products, getting people to know who she was, and being visible all the time. Her friends and colleagues have often dubbed her the "Networking Queen". Blueprint for Networking Success: 150 ways to promote yourself is the first in this series. Blueprint for Branding Yourself: Another 150 ways to promote yourself is planned for release in 2005. For more information visit http://www.blueprintbooks.com

efficient cleaning crew Northbrook ..
In The News:

Chinese hackers used Anthropic's Claude AI to launch autonomous cyberattacks on 30 organizations worldwide, marking a major shift in cybersecurity threats.
Apple's new Sleep Score feature gives you a rating for your nightly rest quality. Learn how to set it up on your Apple Watch and iPhone today.
Essential phone settings to enable before losing your device, including Find My network, location services and security features for iPhone and Android.
The Fox News AI Newsletter gives readers the latest AI technology advancements, covering the challenges and opportunities AI presents.
Cybersecurity research shows weak passwords remain a major threat, with simple patterns and number sequences putting millions of accounts at risk.
New Android malware BankBot YNRK silences phones, steals banking data and drains crypto wallets automatically. Learn how this advanced threat works.
FDA approves first human trial for Paradromics' brain-computer interface that could restore speech for paralyzed patients through neural technology.
New phishing platform QRR targets Microsoft 365 users across 1,000 domains in 90 countries. Learn how to spot fake login pages and protect your accounts.
OpenTable now uses AI to track your dining habits and share insights with restaurants. Learn what data they collect and how to protect your privacy.
Google's discontinued Nest thermostats still secretly upload home data to company servers despite losing smart features, raising serious privacy concerns.
New Android malware NGate steals NFC payment codes in real-time, allowing criminals to withdraw cash from ATMs without your card. Learn protection tips.
DoorDash confirms data breach exposing customer names, emails, addresses after social engineering attack. Learn how to protect yourself from scams.
Concerned about Google's AI scanning your Gmail? Learn how to disable Gemini features that access your emails, Drive files and Chat messages for privacy.
Google warns Android users about dangerous fake VPN apps hiding malware that steals passwords, banking details and personal data from phones and tablets.
Apple's digital passport feature lets iPhone users breeze through TSA checkpoints this holiday season using Digital ID technology at 250+ airports.
A new phishing scam targets family photos with fake "Cloud Storage Full" alerts. Criminals steal credit card information through fake sites. Learn protection tips.
South Korean scientists create ultra-thin fabric muscles that turn clothes into robotic assistants, lifting 33 pounds while weighing under half an ounce.
Archer Aviation has acquired Hawthorne Airport for $126M to launch an LA air taxi network ahead of the 2028 Olympics, featuring AI-powered eVTOL operations and next-gen aviation tech.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Fake AI apps disguised as "ChatGPT" and "DALLĀ·E" are flooding app stores with dangerous malware that steals data and monitors users without detection.
Fake buyers demand specific vehicle reports from unknown sites to steal credit card information from car sellers, but warning signs can help identify these scams before paying.
Android users can now manage apps across multiple devices more easily with Google Play Store's updated remote uninstall button in the latest update.
NASA's Perseverance rover discovers shiny metallic rock on Mars that could be a meteorite from an ancient asteroid, containing high levels of iron and nickel.
Holiday scams spike during Black Friday and Cyber Monday as criminals exploit your leaked personal data. Learn how to protect yourself from fake stores and phishing.
Commerce Department proposes TP-Link router ban over Chinese security risks. Learn how this potential prohibition could affect your home network and devices.

5 Small Business Management Questions to Help Choose Marketing Programs

As small business managers, we juggle limited resources in a... Read More

Banking and Company Credit Card Policies for Small Business

Does your small business have a banking and credit card... Read More

7 Advantages to Incorporating

There's no question that hard work and a little luck... Read More

How to Create an Information Plan

What is in an information plan?Before you even meet with... Read More

City Wide Garage Sales: Hidden Riches!

Most of us remember going to at least one garage... Read More

Employee Relations Manual Sample Outline

Most smart entrepreneurs and all large corporations have Employee Relations... Read More

Fleet Washing Expansion Considerations

Many times small businesses want to expand their businesses and... Read More

Local Government Relations for Small Business

Most small businesses simply go about their daily business and... Read More

What Is YOUR Value Proposition?

Every company has a value proposition. That is a statement... Read More

Aircraft Washing Service Operations Manual

Anyone who is serious about washing aircraft as a full... Read More

FTC Franchise Rule if Enacted will Trigger Hardship for Private Sector

The FTC Franchise Rule maybe changed, as the Federal trade... Read More

Serious About Writing A Business Plan... Start A Business Plan Library

Tap these treasures of ideas. The best money you can... Read More

Are You Making the Most of Your Intern?

KEEPING INTEREST HIGH: Supervision is key to the success of... Read More

The Role of the Business Model and Strategy for Business

People will always stress that having a well researched business... Read More

What is your Motto?

Company mottos can easily be printed on a business card.Sometimes... Read More

Franchising and Royalty Payments

If you are thinking of turning your current into a... Read More

Tell Me a Story: A Simple But Powerful Tool to Build Your Business

Everyone loves a good story. Whether it's the story of... Read More

Electronic Franchise Disclosure and E-Signature Future for Investors

It has been discussed allowing Franchising companies to electronically disclose... Read More

Are You Really the Boss in Your Own Business?

I recently met with a very successful magazine publisher who... Read More

Preparing to Launch Your Small Business

Small business owners often enter their field with great expectations.... Read More

Boy oh Boy, The Obstructions and Obstacles

The bad things starts with the letter 'O'?.like Obstacles, Obstruction,... Read More

Taking Stock

Back when I owned an inventory-based business, one of my... Read More

Big Successes Never Happen Overnight

Treat your business as a serious, full-time business and be... Read More

How to Define Business Objectives

Why does a good business relationship rely on having some... Read More

Dont Let Your Small Business Fall in the FDCPA Trap

When someone owes your small business money, you certainly feel... Read More

cleaning lady near Wilmette ..