Kathytnt
- 2,616
Struggling with Organizing Contacts, Leads, and Customers for Business Growth?
- Thread starter Kathytnt
- Start date
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The thread centers around participants sharing their experiences and challenges with organizing contacts, leads, and customers to support business growth. Various tools and methods for contact management are discussed, with some participants expressing frustrations and others sharing successful strategies.
Discussion Character
- Anecdotal
- Opinion-based
- Exploratory
Main Points Raised
- One participant expresses difficulty with organization and seeks practical ideas for managing contacts and leads.
- Another participant mentions the contact management system provided by Pampered Chef but admits to not using it.
- Several participants discuss using the "business in a box" method for organizing contacts, highlighting its effectiveness.
- One participant shares a negative experience with Pampered Chef's contact management, particularly regarding deleting contacts.
- Multiple participants mention using ACT as a contact management tool, with varying opinions on its cost and effectiveness.
- One participant describes a personal system using a three-ring binder to manage customer care sheets, emphasizing the need for organization.
- Several users express enthusiasm for Belinda's Power Hour system, noting its organizational benefits for managing various aspects of their business.
- One participant shares a specific report feature in Pampered Chef's system that aids in customer care calls.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Views differ on the effectiveness of various contact management systems, with some participants favoring the "business in a box" method while others prefer digital solutions like ACT or Pampered Chef's system. No clear consensus emerges regarding the best approach to contact management.
Contextual Notes
Participants share personal experiences and preferences regarding contact management tools, reflecting a range of organizational strategies and challenges faced in their businesses.
Who May Find This Useful
Consultants looking for diverse strategies and tools for managing contacts and leads may find the shared experiences and methods beneficial.
M
MandyK
A Director Friend turned me on to "business in a box" and it has made a HUGE difference in my contact management.
It's basically a 5" x 9" card file with divders that say the months. Then within the current month and the next month there are 1-31 tabs (for the days). Use the Prize Drawing Slips as your customer "cards" -- file them according to MAC, out of the box,etc.
For recruiting, use the Prize Drawing Slips to file when to call them -- and refiling according to the next time you want to call them.
For Hosts -- use the host info form PC gives you (folded in half) and file according to when you need to make host coaching calls. When show is over use host info card for Out of box calls then file for follow up when the host discount is a month away from expiring.
I love it! I bet one of the great cheffers has already posted this -- so check for more info under the files.
It's basically a 5" x 9" card file with divders that say the months. Then within the current month and the next month there are 1-31 tabs (for the days). Use the Prize Drawing Slips as your customer "cards" -- file them according to MAC, out of the box,etc.
For recruiting, use the Prize Drawing Slips to file when to call them -- and refiling according to the next time you want to call them.
For Hosts -- use the host info form PC gives you (folded in half) and file according to when you need to make host coaching calls. When show is over use host info card for Out of box calls then file for follow up when the host discount is a month away from expiring.
I love it! I bet one of the great cheffers has already posted this -- so check for more info under the files.
Harrle
- 294
Harrle
- 294
gilliandanielle
- 6,059
I keep them in one huge three ring binder, and just add names to the new sheet (new sheets on the top) whenever someone needs to be called. I am talking about the ones from PC that have 15 or 20 lines to write the customer's names and number and info. When I want to call everyone I just start at the back and work my way forward, but make sure that you call everyone only once because there name will probably be in there more than once! I have a drawing slip for each name, so it isn't practical to staple the 20 slips to the sheet. Is there a single page customer care sheet that you are talking about?? I would love one for each contact!!
ChefBeckyD
Gold Member
- 20,320
raebates
Staff member
- 18,217
I also use and love the Power Hour. It was suggested to me by my wonderful director.
I use the PP in my own way. When I enter a show I click the update/add feature when I add a new customer. I say yes to adding a reminder for only one of the new contacts. (This way I don't have 20 action reminders for the same show. Like DZmom I've deleted a few wrong tasks and gotten really frustrated.) When that reminder shows up, it tells me which show the contact was from. I then go to reports and print a show order summary for that show. It's great because it has the name and phone number for each guest, along with what he/she ordered. When I'm ready to do my customer care calls I use that printout. I have all of the info I need right together.
It's working really well for me. Making my calls last night I got 1 catalog show scheduled and 4 requests for calls after the first of the year to schedule shows.
I use the PP in my own way. When I enter a show I click the update/add feature when I add a new customer. I say yes to adding a reminder for only one of the new contacts. (This way I don't have 20 action reminders for the same show. Like DZmom I've deleted a few wrong tasks and gotten really frustrated.) When that reminder shows up, it tells me which show the contact was from. I then go to reports and print a show order summary for that show. It's great because it has the name and phone number for each guest, along with what he/she ordered. When I'm ready to do my customer care calls I use that printout. I have all of the info I need right together.
It's working really well for me. Making my calls last night I got 1 catalog show scheduled and 4 requests for calls after the first of the year to schedule shows.
chefjeanine
Gold Member
- 2,978
DebbieJ
- 10,849
For recruit leads, I use the rolling recruit contact list.
If you search a little behind CC, you can find it. It's one of the pages you can download in the Step Up to Director materials.
I have a three ring binder with copies of the contact list in front and then a page for each person.
I also keep track of everything in PP contact managment. Like Rae, I just flag one guest from a show for followup, but then print the show order detail and call them all.
If you search a little behind CC, you can find it. It's one of the pages you can download in the Step Up to Director materials.
I have a three ring binder with copies of the contact list in front and then a page for each person.
I also keep track of everything in PP contact managment. Like Rae, I just flag one guest from a show for followup, but then print the show order detail and call them all.
Kathytnt
- 2,616
WendyE
- 92
The Power Hour is from Belinda Ellsworth - Step into Success - Belinda Ellsworth
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I effectively organize my contacts for better follow-up?
To effectively organize your contacts, consider using a customer relationship management (CRM) tool or a simple spreadsheet. Categorize your contacts based on their stage in the sales funnel, such as leads, prospects, and customers. Regularly update their information and set reminders for follow-ups to ensure you maintain engagement.
What are some strategies for managing leads in direct sales?
Managing leads can be streamlined by prioritizing them based on their interest level and potential for conversion. Use a lead scoring system to rank leads, and focus your efforts on those who show the most promise. Additionally, keep detailed notes on each interaction to personalize your follow-up communications.
How can I keep track of customer preferences and purchase history?
To track customer preferences and purchase history, maintain a detailed database that includes notes on their likes, dislikes, and previous purchases. You can use CRM software that allows you to log this information easily. This data will help you tailor your marketing efforts and provide personalized recommendations.
What tools can help me organize my direct sales contacts?
There are various tools available to help organize your direct sales contacts, including CRM software like HubSpot, Salesforce, or even simpler tools like Google Sheets. These tools allow you to categorize contacts, track interactions, and set reminders for follow-ups, making it easier to manage your network.
How often should I update my contact list for optimal business growth?
It's essential to update your contact list regularly, ideally on a monthly basis. This ensures that you have the most current information and can effectively manage your relationships. Additionally, after each event or interaction, take a moment to add new contacts and update existing ones to keep your database accurate and useful.
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