Effective Business Solutions

Back to the Basics

Feb 072012

Do you find that sometimes you need to be reminded to get back to the basics in your business?
Recently, I attended a group of local marketing seminars. One of the seminars that I attended reminded me of a some proven practices that I have used with my database clients, but have not used consistantly. I could make all kinds of excuses, but mostly it is because I have not been religiously using my CHECK LIST!
Check lists have been used successfully for decades in aviation operations, and are also used now more and more in the medical field, resulting in fewer surgical and treatment errors.

What were some of the best practices that I was reminded of?

1. Either on a monthly or quarterly basis, take stock of your database. Are you getting the reports that you need? Is your database doing what you want and need for the growth of your business? Is it supporting your marketing and sales efforts? These are just a few questions that you can ask yourself when utilizing your database. If your database is just being used as an address book, your are missing a lot!

2. Who “owns” your database. One person in your business should be championing your database and the use of it, making sure that it is giving you what is both expected and needed. This utilization should be understood and promoted by everyone in your organization.

So, develop a checklist specifically designed for your business/service and adhere to it religiously. It may save you from CRASHING and BURNING on your next project flight!

Kathleen Vanden Broecke
ACT! Certified Consultant & Trainer
kvb@actcolorado.com

Do you belong to a mutually beneficial business group?

Networking No Responses »

Dec 032011

This fall I had the pleasure to attend a very special event. Before I tell you my group, I want for you to think about what groups are resources to you in the following areas.

Inspire you to be the best you can be at your profession
Provide you with educational opportunities to assist you in #1
Offer support when you need assistance for a client that your expertise does not meet
Serve as a sounding board for challenges you are meeting in your business

Some of you may belong to a mastermind group or a trade organization that fulfills these needs. Others of you may have a trusted group of friends that you bounce ideas off. As the year comes to a close, I encourage you to solidify those relationships that are beneficial and if you find yourself lacking in this area, start asking around for groups that may enhance your ability to run your business.

At our last ACT! Consultants Conference this fall I was reminded of how lucky I am to be part of a group that has such a diversity of knowledge and one that shares so much with each other. We spent four days together sharing how to serve our clients better.

If you haven’t found a good group, keep looking, they are out there!

Forever working to improve,

Kathleen Vanden Broecke - ACT! Certified Consultant & Premier Trainer

Spring . . . A New Beginning for your business!

Business Best Practices No Responses »

May 172011

Every Spring my favorite tree blossoms and reminds me of new beginnings.

When was the last time you spent some quality time reviewing your business and all of it’s processes? Why not make the season change a catalyst for you to do just that!

What do I mean by processes? I suggest that you look at the following and any other processes in your business.

How are your phones being answered? Do you have a friendly person answering the phone relaying the image that you want for your business?

What happens to inquiries that come in? What about complaints? Do you have a process setup to make sure that nothing falls through the cracks? Are your leads being followed up in a timely fashion? Do you know where each of those leads are in the sales process?

Where do you keep information about your clients and prospects. Paper files, legal pads, EXCEL® spreadsheets, an occasional sticky note? Interested in learning how a simple database software tool can increase your profits and make you more organized? Call me for a complimentary demonstration of ACT! (719-538-6015) No pressure, just take time to learn what is possible!

When you go to a networking event, where do you enter your new contacts and how? Have you considered a business card scanner? Click here to learn about your options.

Have you considered moving to a paperless office, but have no idea how to make it happen? Check out this article and then talk with your IT professional.

Do you have a marketing plan to engage your business in Social Media? We have a complimentary seminar coming up to help you get started or move to the next step.

If any of these items have made you consider making some changes, wait no longer!

Kathleen Vanden Broecke – ACT! Certified Consultant & Premier Trainer – Effective Business Solutions

Do you sit at a computer for more than 3 hours a day? You may be at risk for

ACT! Database Best Practices, Computer Use Tips No Responses »

Apr 042011

Carpal tunnel syndrome.

How do I know? Within the past few weeks I was experiencing pain in my shoulder radiating down my arm and eventually reaching my wrist and hand. One day, after providing online support for one of my ACT! database clients for several hours, the pain in my wrist was to the point that I knew a trip to my physical therapist was in order.

Over the years I have known many people who have had carpal tunnel syndrome, but I didn’t think it would ever happen to me! While working with clients, I work on several styles of keyboards and mice. Do you have a prevention program at your business? The cost in loss of man hours can be very high, not taking into account the inconvenience of one of your key employees going to therapy several times a week or even worse, having surgery!

My physical therapy office suggested that I see their occupational therapist for my first visit. They said that patients are arriving in large numbers with the same problem and much worse. What is surprising to them is that the patients are younger and younger each year. The results were that I was diagnosed with “pre carpal tunnel”. Good news for me, but incredibly humbling. One of the things that I learned was that this comes from cumulative behavior.

My occupation as an ACT! Consultant and Trainer depends on my ability to use a computer! In order to ensure that my “pre carpal tunnel” condition does not progress into full blown carpal tunnel syndrome I have been very motivated to follow my therapist’s directions.

First – Performing several exercises diligently several times every day.

Second – I am visiting the therapist twice a week.

The third has been the most difficult. I needed to limit my time on the computer during my healing process. Just take a minute and think of all of the tasks that you perform on your computer or cell phone every day. E-mail, tweeting, texting, job responsibilities etc. This was actually an eye opening experience for me.

Fourth – Purchasing an ergonomic keyboard and mouse. As I examined the documentation on correct computer posture, I also found that an under the desk keyboard tray was in order.

Click here to find exercises to help protect you and your employees.

These have been my experiences and are in no way meant to be seen as a doctor or therapists diagnosis.

Independent Contractors, protect your income and your business with ACT!

ACT! Database Best Practices No Responses »

Mar 072011

Many of my clients are independent contractors. Some are in the mortgage industry and others in various other industries. I’d like to tell you about one of those clients. For the sake of anonymity I will call my client Susan.

Susan has been an independent contractor for the same firm for over 10 years. The more successful she has become, the more the owner of the company makes her life miserable. The owner continues to increase her cost of doing business as an independent contractor for the firm and has taken most perks away that were included in compensation when she started. Why, you might ask, does Susan stay? She makes over $150,000 a year and is the sole support for her family.

What does Susan do to protect herself? The biggest thing that she does is that she uses her ACT! database religiously. She updates information regarding her customers, prospects, correspondence, phone calls etc daily. In addition, she backs up her database regularly and restores on her home computer. Because she is an independent contractor and has not signed a non-compete clause, this is perfectly legal.

She does not want to strike out on her own or go to a competitor, but if the day comes that the owner pushes her too far, having her ACT! database gives her options she would not have otherwise.

Kathleen Vanden Broecke
ACT! Certified Consultant & Premier Trainer
Effective Business Solutions
kvb@actcolorado.com
719-538-6015