Most small to medium businesses have their customers, prospects, suppliers (and other entities) listed in some sort of manageable form. This might be a physical card file system, or a Spreadsheet or some other software system. Following are some tips that will help you manage your data better.
So, grab a cup of coffee, make yourself comfortable and enjoy some informative reading here:
Why Are “Relations” Important? (Open)
We are not talking about aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces. This is actually a key part of the way in which databases can be constructed. Find out why this structural “relationship” is so important in this article on Relational Databases Make It Easier.
Is Your Data Easily Accessible? (Open)
A business runs on information. How well your data is organised can make the difference between success and failure. If you or your people cannot get to important data when you needed to, you are in big trouble. Are you Still Using Spreadsheets?
How Do You Sort It Out? (Open)
Having your customers, prospects, etc, in lists is all very well, but the whole idea of a database is to make it easy for you to find your data. The ability to sort lists in various ways is a handy capability. This is explained in more detail in this article on Sorting Your Data is Important.
Who Was That Prospect? (Open)
Finding specific people rapidly is what it is all about. If you need to call someone now to close a sale, you don’t want to search through hundreds of names. You want their name and phone number NOW. Learn about the fantastic searching facilities that databases can provide in this article on Searching Your Data Every Way You Want.
Did I Forget Something? (Open)
There are lots of systems and ways of keeping track of what we are supposed to do each day. Some methods work better than others. A good database can provide you with some very clever ways of making sure you never miss a follow-up action. See some here at Follow-Ups That Work.
What Did I Say Last Time? (Open)
OK – the phone rings, you pick it up and it’s a client you have been trying to close for months. They start talking to you about the last conversation you had, and you really wish you could remember what was said previously… In fact, if you don’t catch on to this really fast, you will lose them! Well, a good database can really help here, as it can provide: Historical Notes Can Save The Day.
What “Cat” Is That? (Open)
“I’m confused! I have all these customers, but which ones should be getting the Product A Newsletter and which ones get the Product B newsletter? Do I have to go back through all the invoices to work out which is which? That’s an awfully big job!” Well, the simple answer is that Categories Make it Easy.
Where Are We Up To? (Open)
Whether it’s the process of installing a complex set of equipment, or keeping track of where you are up to on any project, many people need help. Can you look in one place and know exactly where you stand on all of your projects? Databases enable you to Track Your Progress With Ease.
They Are Two Different Animals (Open)
We all have some sort of system to keep track of our financial transactions. But if your system is ONLY set up to handle the accounting requirements, your ability to MANAGE your business will be limited. Check this out for solutions: Accounting or Financial Management: That is the Question.
What Bills Are Owing? (Open)
If you are not using an accounting package to manage your bills, a good database can do an excellent job of this. And it’s really cool when the suppliers are already in the database. You just have to add the supplier bills. Think of the analysis you could do on your buying patterns and budgets when you Add Bills to Your Database.
What Invoices Are Not Paid? (Open)
Invoicing is often handled by a separate accounting program, but it can also be managed extremely well by your database. After all, that’s where the sales and projects are generated and tracked – why not the invoicing and collections too? See it all at Managing Invoices With Your Database.
Accounting or Financial Management – That is the Question. |