Debbie Mayo-Smith: Tasks to take you from good to spectacular

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You wouldn't think someone could write an article about a simple automatic function, the Tasks/To Do, would you? I am, because I'd like to extol the virtues of using your 'To Do / Tasks functions of your email / smartphone software.

Why? Because with a bit of clever thinking this function can take you from being good at sales; good at customer service; good at business development / relationship management to being utterly spectacular.

We all have a 'To Do' list. Most maintain it mentally. Some write down a list, or have 17 half crossed out lists scattered. You might use your software calendar to prompt you. Wrong place. The calendar is built for appointments and meetings only. Reminders make you look unnaturally busy.

Only a minority use their Task function, but even then only as a short term reminder system.

Let's look at it another way. For long term persistency. Tenacity.

Most people in business are interested only in nurturing prospects that will do business with them instantly. If someone is not ready to do business with you when you first meet, send out a proposal - do you forget about them, moving on to the next prospect?

This is where Tasks can make you a sales superstar. Helping you to remember to stay in touch. To follow up - every few months, every year, for years. Until they are ready to do business with you.

Once you create a Task, on the appointed day at the appointed time - a small box will open on your screen telling you the Task is due. You can also set a recurring task and assign a task.

How can you use Tasks to raise the bar of your business performance?

To follow up:

• When a client will need your services again.

• On current quotes, proposals, emails you sent that have remained unanswered; on the longer term following up on business that didn't eventuate.

• On customer service problems (especially if they are not expecting a future call/contact)

Remind:

• Staff when reports, items are due

• Yourself to renew - such as domain names, licensing, contracts

• Use recurring Tasks to remember to call important clients every 12 weeks or so.

With Staff:

• Project management - including assigning Tasks to staff

• Following on from meetings- Task action items to the people who are responsible for them

Instead of trying to remember 1001 things, parking items in Tasks / To Do frees up clutter, removes guilt and ensures your prompted at the right time to action it.

Written by international speaker and bestselling author Debbie Mayo-Smith. For more tips, over 500 how-to articles visit Debbie's article webpage.