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Picture yourself relaxing on a beach somewhere “south of the border” after you have just sold your business for a Gazillion Dollars!  Impossible?  There may be things you can do now or in the near future that can make it a reality!

Do you believe that a solid contact management system that is utilized properly is a huge business value builder?  In previous blogs we have reviewed the positive attributes of having a database (and backup of course) where a natural disaster has occurred (Flood, hurricane, fire, power outage, mudslide etc.).  Moving forward from obvious need to have backup and detailed records of your business assets (i.e. Customers, vendors, contracts, financial figures, strategic plans) we will explore the “not so obvious” positive impact of a superior database management system.

A.  You have probably heard the old phrase, ”awning calls”, in reference to outside salespeople’s “fake activities”. These calls are drive-by customer visits that never happened, but show up on those old yellow ledger-size paper call report forms!  As a business owner or manager, you need to know the detailed activity of as many of your sales channels as are feasible. (distributors, sales reps, employees, independent contractors and inside sales, etc.).

Now that communication and synchronization with the “mother ship” can be done instantaneously, it is easier to have a clear picture of real time activities, quotes, history, prospects, and sales. Today your company’s ACT! database can be updated on an  iPad, iPhone, Android Phone/Tablet or Blackberry (and more).  This way your entire team will be on the same page relating to your clients and prospects status, needs, pending issues and more.  The importance of an updated database becomes critical to the survival of your business when one or more of your super sales staff leaves your organization to work for a competitor, starts their own competing business, retires, or dies.  At EBS we have witnessed all of the aforementioned circumstances and more!  These are just a few of the reasons why businesses have lost an enormous amount of value because of ill-conceived or unreliable data records.  Transparent, synchronized, useful, and detailed contact information is your best hedge against huge business losses!

B.  As a business owner or manager, in the old days it was called “management by walking about” or TCB (taking care of business).  Today, most businesses have become very high tech, allowing many to do business anywhere on the Globe!  This impacts both who you do business with and who your employees/contractors are.  But the old underlying reason for KNOWING your business environment/industry and truly UNDERSTANDING what is GOING ON is still valid.  Whether you are mining information from your database or performing research, it now must be attained in a more detailed and updated fashion!  Engaging in Social Media through links in your ACT! database can be powerful in this regard.

C. Let’s look back to the original statement depicting you relaxing after selling your business.  You may able to run your business without having this powerful contact management tool mentioned earlier. However, when someone is performing due diligence prior to buying a business, you need detailed, current, organized, and transferable tools to enhance the dollar value of your business!

You worked hard to develop your passion or dream, but when you want to reap the financial benefits from your years of hard work, your longtime PERSONAL INTUITION is not near as important as MARKETABLE and TRANSFERABLE assets!

Let Effective Business Solutions show you products and procedures to help make the items A, B, C  above a reality.  (WOULD YOU LIKE A LITTLE UMBRELLA IN THAT TROPICAL DRINK ? !)

Kathleen Vanden Broecke – ACT! Certified Consultant & Trainer

Effective Business Solutions – 719-538-6015 – www.actcolorado.com

We have been Twittered, Blogged, Facebooked, Tweeted, Tickled,  Linked In, over texted,  Pinterested, poked,  smart phoned, over apped,  and “I approved this message” to death! etc.

In the vernacular of the 1976 classic film NETWORK, it is time to say “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it any more!”(Google that phrase and listen to the clip of that film by actor Peter Finch, who made that comment famous).

When you are up to your butt in alligators, it is important to remember your initial objective was to drain the swamp!  The world around us is a huge distraction, so put the blinders on and march straight forward into 2013 and beyond with a clear, concise, and positive attitude.  If you are reading this and still in business- you have SURVIVED all of the above “happenings”. So now is the time to kick in  the afterburners and rocket your business to new levels!  Here are some good ways to start:

A. Keep your needle pointed on the ” business MAGNETIC NORTH”.  Don’t be swayed by the huge amount of “static” in the business world- develop clear marketing strategies and plans.

B. “TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS”- back to basic true customer service, return messages, communicate in person. (remember how your business was built!)

C.  Develop programs and procedures that SIMPLIFY both your business and personal life.

D.  Be POSITIVE and SMILE, you made it thru a very chaotic few years, and you are still a business “left standing”.

E.  Even though you are STILL STANDING doesn’t mean you did everything right- be willing to CHANGE and do some new things.

F.  Tell your customers that you APPRECIATE their business, (if you do, and if you don’t appreciate their business-get rid of them as a customer!)

G.  Work hard and take some TIME OFF.  Absence from constant work stress can lead to clarifying thoughts and ideas.

Effective Business Solutions can help you realize all these above items. Call us and find out how Sage ACT! data base management and  additional add-on products can improve your business, and help benefit you LIFE in the coming years.

Have a Great 2013 and BEYOND! ( In the words of Star Trek’s  SPOCK-” LIVE LONG AND PROSPER”!)

I’m here to tell you that there are customers and contacts in your business that can do the equivalent.

A. In aviation aerodynamics there is “parasite drag” (any non lifting surface on an aircraft).  In business that translates to anything/anyone who is a  burden on your company resources with no inverse appreciable gain.

B.  Sucking up your oxygen- taking time away from really “important stuff”

C.  Negative Energy- Risk with very little reward, can deflate company enthusiasm

D. Wasting your time- you will never get time spent back again, and time is money !

E.  Cling-Ons- (that’s not the Star Trek Klingons!)  You have no future use for them (except to serve as a bad example)

F.  Activities that are non-urgent and non-important.  The TIME MANAGEMENT GRID  is a much used and abused management tool!  Take a look for yourself and honestly review how you spend your time.

G.  “Wanting something for nothing”  Don’t be afraid to charge money for all your products or services. Being a philanthropist is wonderful, but do it on your own terms, not someone else’s.

H.  Opportunity Lost- while your attention is being taken by a “high maintenance” customer, your competition may be targeting a new, vibrant, or high potential organization.

Finally-  “Non-Profit Business”  is an oxymoron!  All companies have fixed and variable cost, and a reserve for future growth.  They may not have the traditional “net profit”, but no company can afford to waste time, energy, or money on the items listed in the above A thru H!

Let your Database System (Such as ACT!) help you identify and manage these potential “Blood Suckers”-  Effective Business Solutions (EBS) can help you!

WAKE UP AND SMELL THE ROSES,  BREATH THE PROFITABLE FRESH AIR, and UNBURDEN your company from all that PARASITE DRAG!

Kathleen Vanden Broecke – ACT! Certified Consultant & Trainer

Effective Business Solutions – 719-538-6015

7. What is the overall cost of the entire program? All that glitters is not gold, but it may cost you a lot of Gold if you get into a program that does not entirely fit your needs. It is easier to be more competitive if you have a specific propriety configuration that can enhance your position within your industry.

8.  Sometimes everything you need does not adapt well in the cloud scenario. Just because an off-site server backup makes sense to protect against the physical, catastrophic, or theft damages, does not mean that a hundred other applications make sense.

9. ALERT!-  The “Cloud” is just a politically incorrect name for a SERVER!, no more or no less.  They can put smoke and mirrors around this, but all the rules , limitations,  and concerns involved with a computer server still apply.  Your information is part of a huge CLUMP that has everybody’s STUFF on it!  The Patriot Act allows the U.S. Government to compel an organization to turn over all their information, which will include YOURS,  without informing the data owner that they have done so.  (BIG BROTHER has just sucked you dry)!

We hope the preceding “ CLOUDY NINE“  tidbits of information have been beneficial for future decisions regarding Software and Cloud Pros and Cons.

Hopefully it will give you a  “SUNNY DAY”!

Kathleen Vanden Broecke

ACT! Certified Consultant, Premier Trainer and Hosted Solution Partner

719-538-6015                      kvb@actcolorado.com

4.  The “creeping cost” of the cloud provider, caused by add-ons and charges for future services. Need I remind you of the past experience that everyone has had with cable TV companies!  Losing  Turner Classic Movies unless you fork over more money, will be pale in comparison to losing control of all your customers Social Security numbers!

5. If the cloud doesn’t perform per your expectations, how can you get your data back, and at what expense?  They can literally SHUT YOUR BUSINESS DOWN!

6. Quick access to your data may not be available to all the current and future communications equipment (laptops,I-Pads, smart phones, and future undefined devices).

THE FINAL THREE COMING SOON!

Kathleen Vanden Broecke

ACT! Certified Consultant, Premier Trainer and Hosted Solution Partner

719-538-6015

In light of these recent events, we would like to remind everyone of the importance of having back-ups for your computer systems.  More specifically, making sure that you have all of your critical data backed up (including your database, accounting systems and any other mission critical data).  From an economic standpoint, the most important thing is to be able to continue doing business after a natural or man-made disaster has occurred.  If you get the call to evacuate your home or business immediately, it would be nice to know that your critical data is backed up. You can either physically take your backup with you or have it in “the cloud”, where you can draw upon it to restore.  We at EBS can guide you through the various options and-or implementation to fulfill this very important need for your friends, family or business.

Please have a safe and enjoyable remainder of the summer!  Contact us for more information on backup and cloud-based solutions for your business.

Kathleen Vanden Broecke

ACT! Certified Consultant, Premier Trainer and Hosted Solution Partner

719-538-6015

We have Nine reasons to question the viability of “The Cloud” for you and your company.  This is the first of three messages that will detail many topics regarding “Cloud Feasibility”.  As consultants we strive to tailor solutions that fit the specific needs and aspirations of our clients.   If you are an ACT! user (or want to be), we offer several “cloud based” solutions for your ACT! database.  Each offers different levels of flexibility and functionality.  We do however, want you to be satisfied with the products we recommend, so a full analysis of your needs is critical prior to making your decision to move to the cloud.  This same analysis needs to be made for any and all applications that you are exploring moving to “The Cloud”.

1.  Stable Internet Connections may not be available in many physical locations or situations.  Most of us have had loss of internet connectivity either at the office or while on the road.  That means you have NO ACCESS to your cloud data.   Also, Government and private enterprises are always fighting over cyber rights and manipulation of system.

2.  Security of information and sensitive data. Keep in mind that your information is exposed to the entire planet!  If the Pentagon can be hacked, so can your cloud and everyone else bundled into it!

3.  You may loose the flexibility to use your current customized configurations of  applications that are important to you. Examples would be accounting system integrations, nightly imports of updated data from one application to another.   Also, hardware such as business card scanners and other imports you may be performing may not fit into “The Cloud”.

MORE OF THE  ”CLOUDY NINE”  TO FOLLOW SOON!

Between the chaos of spreadsheets, and the expense and complexity of many CRM programs,  lives and alternative- ACT!- the Customer Management solution.

Imagine something that keeps all your phone numbers, emails, meeting notes, to-dos, and documents for everyone you do business with in one, organized place.  What if this info was easy to find and even easier to update, so you could stay focused on building long-lasting, profitable relationships?  Sage ACT! is the # 1 Contact and Customer Management choice of small businesses and sales teams designed to do just that.

Along the way the method of naming the evolution of  14 different versions of ACT! changed,  so when you contact us regarding where your version stands  in the 25 year old family, we can clarify your specific match to your current needs or aspirations.  We also can compare ACT! to other types of CRM products, specific brands, and related data base management systems!  (cloud or software based).

Technology is moving at WARP speed,  and to keep up with your competitors,  increasing requirement of information systems,  and a world of new communication devices,  you need the latest CRM methods and knowledge!  We can recommend additional supplemental programs that work with ACT! to enhance  customization to your company and industry specifics.

So KEMOSABE, (which means “Faithful Friend” in Potowatomie Indian language) — Call us to get info on compatibility of ACT!’s  past versions or the latest and greatest version,  with your existing hardware and office technology etc.   This is not your GRANDFATHER’S  data base management system!

HI-YO  SILVER -  THE LONG RANGER RIDES AGAIN!

Kathleen Vanden Broecke

ACT! Certified Consultant, Trainer & Faithful ACT! User for 25 years

719-538-6015

 kvb@actcolorado.com                       www.actcolorado.com

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Ref: LinkedIn- When you connect with a person or business, the first click will DEFAULT to an instant connect.  Spend the time to click on the “Include a Personal Note” box to relay interesting data to the recipient.  It may be important if you where trying to get a position with a government or business campaign that your Dad, Brother, and Uncle just gave 4 million dollars each to the recipient’s specific campaign (12 million bucks should get you an interview!).  Also, utilize the “get introduced thru a connection” prompt when applicable.

Ref: Facebook- Friending your current spouses ex-husband or ex-wife may not be the best thing for your current marital well being!  (can you say BLUNDER McFLY?)  Just call an old college friend to get the latest info of that ex-spouse from Hell.  Also, quickly accepting a friend named Charles Manson may better be served with a close check of other contacts you have in common to see if he is that infamous convicted murderer or a personal social friend of Bill Gates, the God of the Computer industry!
       In the case of both LinkedIn and Facebook, connecting and friending should be approached cautiously.  Beware of  competitors, vendors, customers, friends, enemies, etc.,  that may have questionable  intentions.   Sometimes familiarity breeds contempt or danger in the form of personal risk, embarrassment, or business loss!
Don’t create a CYBER MINEFIELD for yourself.  Social Media can and should be fun, entertaining, profitable, educational, enlightening, etc.
A professional carpenter is said to MEASURE TWICE before cutting, so you should THINK TWICE before you click that mouse!

NOTE:  How do two of the more recent additions to Social Media apply to your business?  Click these links to learn more.   Google+     Pinterest

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