MONDAY AM: Out the Starting Gate

I spend most of my time outside the office visiting with business clients so it helps to know where I'm going. The first thing I do is review my appointments and ToDo's for the day. I also review my New Business Database (NEW-BUSN.GDB=) another one I created using the Palmtops built-in Database and see if any items require attention today.

New Business Database: Graphic

 I use this New Business database to keep track of new clients or additional services needed for existing clients financial planning, retirement planning, setting up pension plans, etc. If a client expresses casual interest in a pension plan, or I feel it would be good to talk to the client about a pension plan based on what I've seen on his or her tax return, I enter it in the New Business database. This way I don't forget new business opportunities and I can follow up at a more appropriate time. It may be literally years before a client decides on hiring me or putting in a pension plan. This way I have a record of what was discussed and what the client really wants.

The New Business database has the following data fields:

Next Date field -- The date to take the next action on this entry. The database sorts on this field.

Action Type -- This is a category field. It tells me what type of activity is required on our next contact. Here are the category types I use. FU Follow-up; KIT Keep in touch; MW Meeting with; TIC Telephone call; RETCH Return telephone call; TFT Telephone call financial planning; Carr Correspondence The New Business Database also includes data fields for name, address, phone number, description of the individuals business, etc. I document each contact I have with an individual in the Note field dating and timing each entry by pressing (Fn)-(,) (Date) and (Fn)-(.) (Time).

After I have previewed the days appointments and ToDo's, I read my E-mail and CompuServe Forum activity. I use a Zoom 14.4 Pocket modem and acCIS, navigation software for CompuServe. One of the most important features of acCIS is that it lets me download and review messages and Forum activity off-line, saving me needless connect charges.