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How Do You Keep Track of Tasks To Do for Clients?
You may get several emails in one day from several different clients. How do you keep track of what needs to be done? How do you prioritize the tasks? Let me share with you what I do.
Each client has their own folder in my Outlook so as they come in I can see at a glance which client has a task for me to do. I then have 3 basic steps.
1. I set a reminder and flag for its due date in Outlook.
2. I open my log spreadsheet in Excel for that client and add the task there.
3. I write the client name and due date on my dry erase board on the wall to the right of my desk. (I can reach it without getting up out of my chair)
So I will get a reminder in Outlook, can see at a glance in the spreadsheet what I need to do, or just look to my right and see what clients have work to do and when its due.
So far this system is working well for me and my current active client list is ten.
How do you keep track of tasks to do for clients?
Each client has their own folder in my Outlook so as they come in I can see at a glance which client has a task for me to do. I then have 3 basic steps.
1. I set a reminder and flag for its due date in Outlook.
2. I open my log spreadsheet in Excel for that client and add the task there.
3. I write the client name and due date on my dry erase board on the wall to the right of my desk. (I can reach it without getting up out of my chair)
So I will get a reminder in Outlook, can see at a glance in the spreadsheet what I need to do, or just look to my right and see what clients have work to do and when its due.
So far this system is working well for me and my current active client list is ten.
How do you keep track of tasks to do for clients?
Views: 86
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Deb Lamb on -
I do something similar. I have folders for each client and typically have a spread sheet for each client too. Basically do sort of what you are doing. I don't have a dry erase board, but use my spiral notebook constantly. I keep everything in that as well and keep those books too when finished. I put the date on the outside of them from May 5 to Aug 5, etc...I can't tell you how helpful this has come in to play at times! Being able to go back to those for a lost note or phone number, whatever, is a life saver too!
Thanks Sue, you always have excellent ideas!
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Permalink Reply by Kelly Harris on -
My dry erase board is my best friend. I tend to write really important stuff on my hand too, hey I don't have anybody to impress at home here! I use Google apps for my email and have labels instead of folders but my organizational methods are quite similar. I also use Jott for stuff I think of on the fly.
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Permalink Reply by Rebecka Melson on -
I don't really have a set formula. I tend to just keep track in my head. I do use Google calendar to remind me of important deadlines and appointments. I also have a sticky-note desktop app and I put sticky-notes to myself on my desktop, a to-do list of sorts. LOL Not real scientific there but it beats the old method of using actual sticky notes that would inevitably get lost anyways.
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Permalink Reply by Sue L Canfield on -
Jott is very useful to send yourself a note about something when you're out and about. And Rebecka, sticky notes are great! I keep them everywhere - by my bed, at my desk, in the car, in my purse. I can quickly make a note and bring all the sticky notes back to one place and go through them.
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Permalink Reply by Monique Terrell on -
I use ClientSpot an online Project mgmt system.
Monique
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Permalink Reply by Kristi Bennitt on -
I have one major client that has me utilizing Central Desktop to manage all her projects. Its a big help, but I find it just as easy to use my outlook calendar with task notes. Of course the notepad or notebook beside my desk and a daily to-do list are essential for notes, new tasks, and general deadline reminders. Keeps me focused on what has to be done today so I don't miss something tomorrow.
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Permalink Reply by Julie J Farrell on -
I've just started to use FreeCRM. I think it is more geared up to be for sales personnel in a bigger office but for me it has a calendar/diary of events where I can keep information and it will send me a reminder. I can also keep my client's details there. This seems to be a site where I can keep a lot of my information all in one place (which I find helpful). Best of all it is free! See what you think! www.freecrm.com
Julie
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Permalink Reply by Marta Costa on -
I've been using Outlook as well. I have a client that uses ClientSpot, which is great if you're managing a team, but, personally, Outlook has all of the functionality I currently need.
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