Are you accurately keeping a log of the time you spend on client work? Wonder how much downtime you really have? It might surprise you, so read on ...

I have been using Time Stamp for over 4 years now. It's a free, open-source MS Windows program you can use to easily track time spent on a project. It enables you to time how long you spend on a task, including features that let you take "slack time" for a phone call or break. Times for various tasks can be linked to an hourly charge rate for accurate billing.

Download it today ...

Networking Tips from Readers

When speaking with a potential prospect, nothing works better than asking open ended questions that centre around them. People like to talk about themselves and what they do. Show a genuine interest in others and develop a feeling of trust. Robert Krastic, Director, AllCity Cleaning

Be sincere with those you network with and ensure you develop a proper relationship with them so that you both can be the ideal salesperson for each other. Chrissie Grenfell, Your Virtual Assistant.

Get your message out. Work your basic message briefly into almost every conversation you have. It them spreads on to various networks. Silvia Voigt, Building on Design Pty Ltd

Having worked with visions over the past 18 months, I have had the opportunity to attend their Public Program Preview events throughout that time.

visions a leading training organisation that specialises in delivering training that ensures individuals and teams become more focused, communicate more effectively, inspire others and ultimately gain the skills to make their business/organisation more profitable.

iBUY , iPOWER, iSPARK, and iTEAM are all programs suitable for small to medium businesses and large corporate companies whose bottom line may be affected if they miss opportunities, due to unmotivated individuals and teams, the inability to manage change and/or to effectively measure performance.

For more information about visions revolutionary training programs or to gain a better understanding of the program that would best suit your business, email info@visionsinprogress.com.au

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• Thank You ...
• Managing Your Database
• Free E-Book Offer
• Networking Tips from Readers
• Download - Keeping Time
• Client Focus ...

I was totally humbled by the fantastic feedback I received after the release of my inaugural eNewsletter. Thank you so much for your encouragement and support. Trust you will enjoy this edition just as much.

Congratulations to Bunty O'Bree from PWB Anchor for her winning networking tip -

"Treat everyone as equals. There is no value in title or prestige alone. Value is in the information and support people can give you and that often comes from surprising sources. Give just to give. Don't give with the sole purpose of getting something back."

Your book, Network or Perish, is on its way.

Enjoy ...!

You've just been to networking event, met lots of wonderful people and collected a handful of business cards. What now? What do you do next? Do you put them in your business card box and never look at them again? Better still just put them in the bottom draw to collect dust, never to be seen again? Wrong!

Your database can be your business lifeline - its future - and keeping it up-to-date and current is vital.

Things your database program can or should do:

1. Keep a record of communications with people you have met, such as meetings, sales, phone calls, etc.
2. Remind you of important meetings with clients and other important events
3. Email, mail merge or fax directly or integrate with other programs
4. Select a particular group of people to target your information to, eg. prospects, suppliers, current clients, geographical areas etc.
5. Remind you of special dates, such as birthdays, anniversaries, holidays.

What you want your database to do depends on the information you need and most databases can be tailored to your needs, such as well known MS Access, Filemaker, Goldmine just to name a few. There are also some specifically designed to your industry. Even MS Outlook has certain capabilities and can be fine for smaller businesses.

A great database or Customer Relationship Manager is ACT! You can set it up to synchronise with other members in your business or with your VA. When you make an update, an email is sent to others in the team and it automatically updates their database, keeping the information current and consistent. If you don't have time to update or input, get someone to do it for you. But remember to write on the back of the business card where you met and something that will remind you of them.

Keep in touch with people at least every 90 days - more often if possible as it can take at least 3 communications for people to remember who you are and to make a lasting impression.