It's simple. You can teach it to the rawest recruit in your office.
It's sound. Nothing will fall through the cracks.
It's safe. You'll never lose data unless the building burns down around you.
And (near and dear to MY heart) it's dirt cheap!
Last week's post Networking Heritage? Her Mom Was a Realtor (about super networker Lori Riegel) had a teaser:
Lori has a simple (and simply the most effective) two-book system for tracking her business contacts. I'll share that with you in another post later this week. (The system was a gift to Lori from Lois, her predecessor as Marketing Consultant at the Arizona Jewish Post.)
Here's the system. It's so easy. One, Two, Three!
1. Buy two inexpensive planners, Big Red and Little Black.
Big Red is a Week at a Glance; Little Black has a two-page spread
for each day.
2. Big Red holds a written record of
3. Little Black is a daily log of
The system has a set of simple rules.
Lori maintains electronic records--she uses a Palm Pilot and synchronizes it
with her desktop computer. Nothing goes in the Palm Pilot first, though. It's for backup and quick reference.
EDIT: See Lori's comment below. The Palm Pilot gets the appointments. MJ
The best things in life are simple and easy. And cheap! LOL
Mike in Tucson
I show up ON TIME. I do WHAT I SAY I'm going to do. I FINISH what I start. If I mess up, I 'FESS UP & I fix it. In the mortgage business, these 4 things are why you'll want to do business with me.
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Thanks for the post you are so right !!!
I love that system... I carry a notebook with me everywhere and do the "cross off" when I've completed an item. Never thought about 2 different ones though, great idea!
I'd add two other items to the Big Red list:
Listing expiration dates and escrow closing dates.
I find it's really helpful to have the visual representation of just how close a target date is, especially an escrow closing date, so I can make sure to get all the things done that need to get done prior to closing ... on time.
I'm wondering how she always keeps the books together. Wouldn't she need to take something with her when she is out of the office? Does she carry the little black book for scheduling appointments or writing notes when she is out.
I use a Yellow Pad on my desk. It contains my to do's and notes from conversations during the day. Anything I write down, goes on the pad. Next, I use outlook to record my appointments and to do's. Since it syncs with my phone I always have Outlook with me. I can see all of my schedule whereever I am.
Thanks for sharing this plan. It is simple and quite workable.
Mike, this is a great system. I don't see how anything could be overlooked with this. Thanks for sharing...you're always so giving!
Mike,
I do this but in my calendar on my computer.....works the same....I lose notebooks.......
Excellent Idea! I think I am going to use this next year since I know I have let a few leads fall through the cracks because of organization! I know I need to improve on that a little more in 2008!
Great idea. I use notebooks too. I can always carry it with me .
great idea. i love ar because i am getting so many useful tools for my business. thanks, trevor
Interesting idea, but I don't know if I want to keep up with 2 different planners. It does sound like it might work.
A short pencil is better than a long memory. Or in this case a dry ink pen is better than a full computer memory. Good tried and true method.
Bonner - Real Estate WorkHosre
Sounds sort of like mine - I have everything on my desktop, which gets synced to my Blackberry and Laptop. Then I have a pad of yellow lined paper. I smoked too much you know what in the '60s to rely on my memory.
P S Yes the "trusted bucket" concept is an absolute must. ALL scribble notes must go on a yellow pad or a spiral notebook. Little separate scraps of paper do have a habit of disappearing.
Mike, More sound advise. Thank you. I may give this system a try. It sounds so simple.
Mike, my purse and briefcase is filled with little pieces of paper and business cards with notes, etc. I'm one of those that needs to get organized and doesn't take the time. Thanks for giving me some hope! I'll give it a try
Mike- I use a polka dotted and a pastel striped ones, black and red , too boring. I also add ideas for posts in one of them! Katerina
Amen Mike! This seems like an easy concept... this way, you'll have the info everywhere! Everyone needs a fail safe!
great idea - I use my computer and PDA for the same job -
whaddya mean, no post-its?? I don't know what's worse, my AR addiction or post-it note addiction. All kidding aside, Lori sounds incredibly organized, great tips.
Well...I'm off to Staples!
Hi, Joan! I'm so far behind the curve answering comments tonight! But it was a profitable day; I funded a loan for one of my REALTORS, and we're both happy.
Lisa: Nope! No Post-its!
So is that Bill who is organized, or Barbara Jo? LOL
Lori: Thanks for setting me straight. Join Active Rain!
Rich: Hallelujah!
Polka Dot Katerina: Take a photo, size it down, and edit it into your comment! We want to see it.
Peggy: There's always hope. Our BNI breakfast group has Pam the Clutter Buster as a member. If Lori can't help you, Pam can!
Resident Mark: Thanks for commenting!
Cheryl: Thanks for the P.S. and it's predecessor! LOL I appreciate your comments.
Pat: Thank God we don't have to rely on our memories. What's that about the shortest pencil?
Bonner: There it is! A short pencil is better than a long memory! Thanks for commenting. Come back any time!
Al: You'll never know until you try.
Trevor: This is a great place, isn't it!
Gita: Thanks for stopping by; it's always good to see you.
Michael: If you do it for a week, come back and comment again. Thanks for showing up!
Julie: I've lost a computer! (It wasn't a desktop, but it did grow feet!)
Linda: You're welcome! It's easy with AR
Dan: She's a woman. She carries them in a shoulder bag. Or purse, or something. Lori, tell us what it is.
Cheryl: Thanks for the two add-ons!
Kris: Thanks for commenting.
Charlie: Yup!
Mike in Tucson
And give up my 5 different note pads of varying sizes, some with lines, some without, old scraps of paper and my sacred post-it notes? I don't think so.
LOL, Fran!
Mike in Tucson
Mike, this almost sounds TOO easy! I may just give it a try when doing my planning for 2008! Thanks!
Give it a shot, Mary! It works flawlessly for Lori.
Mike in Tucson
Great advice Mike, I actually have two planners also, but I don't keep them together.
I have one in my office and one in my car or my portfolio (same one). I tend to put things down sometimes and not remember to pick them up. Having one of each in two places I spend the most time insures that I will always know I can glance at one where ever I may be without having to run around looking for it. I also have two wall calendars that I jot notes on for family stuff as well as little reminders to check my "books".
Thanks for a good informative post Mike.
Karen, thanks for visiting and commenting on the post. It sounds like you're organized. I'm not. I need to become more like you and Lori! LOL
Mike in Tucson
Ok, ok... I'm going to gather up all the pieces of paper, stickies, Palm, cards, receipts, gum wrappers, envelopes and anything else I have written on and organize it!!
LOL, Josette! The concept is "one trusted bucket." Thanks for commenting!
Mike in Tucson