This video sets the stage, and introduces our marketing manager, Mary Smith. Viewers learn a bit about Mary, but also how she experienced quick productivity gains by leveraging one of the Top 5 Overlooked Features of the ACT! Database Software.
Click the image to see the video. As always, provide feedback on video 1 in the comments section just below this post.
Hi, my name is Travis Campbell, I operate this site. A key to success in any business is to effectively manage your relationships. ACT! is a software product helping millions when it comes to doing just that. This Website is designed to assist both those considering ACT! software for their business, as well as to provide insight to ACT! users who want to effectively use it in their day to day operations. So login, post, browse and enjoy.
Well narrated video and great use of personas and story lines! I’m no CRM whiz, but resources like this do help! …And I continue to be on the fence about which CRM solution to use.
Thanks Christian, the intention was to keep it as real-world as possible. What CRM system are you using now?
i’d like to see a replay of the may web meeting
Paul, which May web meeting are you speaking of?
Videos very well made and USEFUL.
Ralph-
Thanks for the feedback. Useful, that is what the hope was. Do you have something specific in mind, what is it that you found most useful so far?
This Comment Came Via Email
Travis,
I’m not sure if you answer these yourself, but hey, I’ll bite.
I like software. I’ve been using ACT! since it was a DOS product, and have followed it through every company marriage/divorce you could think of.
ACT! support in Atlanta wore the complexity of the product like a badge of honor. I found that out when I told them that my InterAct version booted in 6 seconds and theirs was 7 or 8 times slower.
My technology background is in sales, so while I understand issues conceptually, you don’t want me under the hood of a product. The new product looks like it is an upgrade worth looking at. I’m getting much more interested in the automation and dashboards…looking for that mix of structure versus the natural fluidity sales requires.
I bet this response will keep you from ever writing me again! It sounds like you know your stuff, thanks for the invite, I like your information.
Be well, Scott
this series is going to be perfect for our business. I have been wanting to learn how to fully utilize ACT! but found the quick study guide not very easy to use or understand. These videos only present one thing at a time so I'm not overwhelmed with too much info at a time. And being shown the actual screens really helps. Been trying to figure out how to integrate existing documents from other programs for a long time. Now I know how. Thanks
Tricia-
Thanks for sharing that. It was made for people just like you…so I'm glad to hear you are finding it helpful. The truth is, the application can be overwhelming, because there is *so much* it can do. Many purchase and forget to invest in education or working with someone who can help them maximize it's use.
Look forward to seeing you after the next video
-Travis
Great Information….looking forward to next video. Thanks sja
Hey Sandy- Glad you are on board, thanks for chiming in here. What'd you like about it?
In fact I do read my emails. It takes some time to get through them all, but I do try to answer them all, especially when people are polite and use manners in their reply (like you).
As for where to go from here, ACT! will never load as fast as a DOS version, but it may load as fast as the pre SQL version. I have ACT! 2010, and while not perfect, they continue to bump the speed on the product. I also use a web based service (follow up marketing engine) to power the ecommerce site. So understand that ACT! isn’t everything, and has it’s weaknesses, yet it is still the top dog when it comes to PC-based contact management.
I agree that it is crazy to expect their new product to run as fast as the other one. Sometimes geeks like new stuff for geekdom’s sake. I understand on one side, but I hate to be the alpha or beta tester for a product when I paid for it. The first new incantations of this version were terrible. It appeared that they were just ready to get the upgrade out. Legacy support? What is this “legacy support” of which you speak? Just like I did you, I wrote a couple of letters to Dave Van Toor. I was impressed with his candor and openness.
As I said this new version looks like more of a better product and less of a filler release. At the tender age of 41, I just got diagnosed with ADHD last month. It’s not a bad thing, it actually has given me a license to experiment. One of the things that means a lot more to me know are dashboards. Get me out of the details, let me make some big decisions, and let the system fill in all of the granular parts. Who knows how much horsepower on this software I have underutilized.
Thanks for taking the time to dialogue about this. I’m with you, information overload is the world we live in. If we can get big picture information, and drill down for details only when necessary, the better off we are. Dashboards are designed to empower businesses with information, so that business owners and managers can make better decisions. They are improved in 2010.
As for ADHD, I didn’t know one could be diagnosed with it after 40. I know quite a few people who leverage it to their advantage. It sound like you have as well, nice work!
Mark-
I'd love to offer you an answer, but I'm not sure what part of the video you are referencing. If you have a specific point in the video in mind, let me know the time stamp, that would help. If you are referencing another video, and somehow ended up here (templates video), I'm not sure what to tell you.
Thoughts?
-Travis