February 8, 2010 by johnanthonygroup
A past client of mine just informed me that she has left ACT. First, she couldn’t get it to work with her Treo and then 
she became disenchanted with the new version of ACT and the way it worked with her new iPhone. For the record, I introduced her to CompanionLink and we got her Treo working just fine, until it didn’t. Getting a phone to work with ACT is doable; however it can be a frustrating experience.
My concern for her and my ACT clients is that the phone they purchase inhibits the effective use of ACT as a business tool because the needs of the phone override the fundamental goals of most ACT users: taking care of clients and managing prospects.
So which is more important, ACT or your phone? In my opinion, ACT is a great tool for running a small business and if the phone you purchase impacts the effective use of ACT, then you shouldn’t buy it, unless you are prepared to purchase additional software to sync the phone with ACT. In addition, you will need to devote some time and energy to the process to get everything working properly. So, mentally prepare yourself for this task first and I think the frustration level will be taken down a notch or two.
Last but not least, I’m fairly certain that just when you get everything working properly, and you’ve become an expert at all the software involved, your phone will die and need to be replaced with the latest and greatest! Oh…fudge.
Resources: www.companionlink.com
Posted in ACT! Software Tips | Tagged Tony Holowitz, ACT!, ACT! 6.0, ACT! 2005, ACT! 2006, ACT! 2007, ACT! 2008, ACT! 2009, ACT! Software Tips, ACT! Software Training | Leave a Comment »
January 27, 2010 by johnanthonygroup
I use a tool called Social Networking for ACT! that works with older versions of ACT! and it turns ACT! into a social networking powerhouse
I called my client one day and Social networking for ACT! had searched for his name and that’s when I found out he was part of the local reefer society. I was shocked; my client is a pothead (or so I thought)! The reality is that he was a member of the local saltwater marine aquarium society and his name was listed on their website and Social Networking for ACT! found it. I love that story.
The best thing about this tool is the amount of information you can find, and the worst thing about this tool is the amount of information you can find. I say that because you will find so much that you’ll need to set time aside to deal with what you’ll find.
I recently found an email list with more than 200,000 email addresses. The list was a local company’s opt out list (that the web people had exposed on the web) and I happened to find it. The company was local so I actually called and spoke to the owner and told him what I found so he could remove it.
I previously wrote that I had not yet upgraded to ACT! 2010, even though it has a few new tools for built right in: social networking and SwiftPage. Let it be noted that you can get SwiftPage without upgrading by visiting www.swiftpage.com and you can also purchase Social Networking for ACT! from Durkin Computing that will help you embark in social networking via ACT!
If you are new to ACT!, I highly recommend it. If you are considering upgrading because of some of the new tools, let it be said that you have options.
Price: $39.00 and get an additional 30% off using the promo code tony. Note: I gain nothing by this transaction. www.durkincomputing.com/ACTAdd-onsSocialNetworking.aspx
Posted in ACT! Software Tips | Tagged ACT!, ACT! 2005, ACT! 2006, ACT! 2007, ACT! 2008, ACT! 2009, ACT! 6.0, ACT! Software Tips, ACT! Software Training, Tony Holowitz | Leave a Comment »
January 22, 2010 by johnanthonygroup
Why Blog when you can Twitter? Why call when you can LinkIn? Do old dogs Yelp? Why pay for stuff when you can get it for free? These are a few of the questions I’ve been pondering recently.
I launched a new website on January 1st, 2010 that offers free online computer training: www.teachanolddognewtricks.com. You can also access it by visiting www.UoldDog.com. I offer Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook training, as well as, ACT!, QuickBooks, Computers 101 and much more.
Why am I offering my training for free? Because I can and I want to help people in need.
A few years ago I read the book “The World is Flat” by Richard Friedman and the impact it had on me was profound. I realized I had the ability to reach the world and I found that daunting and inspiring all at the same time. To think that I can post computer training videos online and help someone half a world away is rather exciting. But at the same time, that knowledge filled me with a sense of responsibility. I picture the unemployed worker in Detroit trying to improve himself or the grandmother who was never quite comfortable with computers and wants to learn more.
I believe if I help these people, it will come back to me is some way and that’s why I’m doing it.
Posted in ACT! Software Tips, Basic Computer Tips, Free Computer Training | Leave a Comment »
November 4, 2009 by johnanthonygroup
I’m having a real hard time deciding whether or not I should upgrade to ACT! 2010. I’m a longtime ACT! user, since ACT! 2.0 and I’m a huge ACT! fan. As I age, I’ve started to question the validity of constantly upgrading to new software versions for a number of reasons. Maybe I just look at it different these days.
I will eventually upgrade, but when my clients and students ask me if they should upgrade to ACT! 2010 these are the things I ponder on their behalf before I advise them:
1.) The software is new and it might have bugs, so as a rule of thumb I tell people to wait about three months before they even consider upgrading. Let the early adopters be the real beta testers. This is my advice for all software upgrades, not just ACT!.
2.) What’s broken (if anything) with your current version?
3.) What are you not accomplishing today that you think the new version will help you accomplish tomorrow?
4.) Are you rich? If so spend the money.
5.) What new features in the new version are really new?
6.) What is it that would make you more effective and efficient every day? For example, if you could reduce the amount of time you spend on processing your daily email, would you be better served to focus on that first?
7.) Do you have time to burn?
8.) Are you the type that has to have the latest and supposedly greatest? If so, you are going to do it regardless of what I advise.
9.) How many customers do you have in your database? When is the last time you called them to say hello? When is the last time you emailed them? If you don’t know the answers to these questions, then focus on getting the answers before you upgrade.
10.) Do you use any other products that work with your current version of ACT! that you will need to upgrade if you upgrade to the newest version of ACT!?
In my next post, I’ll review the pros and cons of ACT! 2010.
Posted in ACT! Software Tips | Tagged ACT!, ACT! 2005, ACT! 2006, ACT! 2007, ACT! 2008, ACT! 2009, ACT! 6.0, ACT! Software Tips, ACT! Software Training, arlington, Basic Computer Tips, Office 2003, Tony Holowitz | 1 Comment »
October 22, 2009 by johnanthonygroup
I’ve created a video tutorial about Template Phrases for Outlook, which helps you manage email: www.johnanthonygroup.com/ablebits. Learn
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
October 16, 2009 by johnanthonygroup
I’ve been testing a great tool for Outlook called Template Phrases for Outlook by AbleBits.com. It makes replying easier.
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September 29, 2009 by johnanthonygroup
The Computer Café: My Local Computer Store
My computer died last week and luckily because I use Carbonite my data was safe and secure.
When I told one of my clients that I needed to replace my computer he asked me if I was going to get the latest and greatest and I responded with a resounding no. My approach has always been to have an average computer because that’s what most of my clients have, and I’ve always felt it allows me to relate to their software predicaments better.
The first thing I did was to call and get a quote from Craig Rabe and Justin at the Computer Café in Arlington, Massachusetts. I’ve known Craig for years and I wanted to give him the business. I also called Dell and got a quote and was surprised that the price difference was almost $250.00. I emailed Craig and told him of my moral and business dilemma; I wanted to give him the business but the difference was substantial.
Sometimes you have to look at the cost and not just the price when you make a purchase.
Because I’ve known Craig for years he gave me a $100 discount right away (I’ve also referred business to him over the years and vice versa). In addition, he offered to transfer all my old data from my two old hard drives to the new computer. I can’t even begin to tell you how much time that saved me.
Dell told me the delivery time would be 5 to 10 business days; the Computer Café had my computer in three business days. Dell had a $35.00 delivery charge; all I had to do was drive about two miles from home to pickup my computer from Craig and Justin.
Craig was still about $115 more expensive, but I knew he was local and just a phone call away and he was providing me a service (transferring my data) that would save me a great deal of time. After I got my computer, I called Ted at the store and he spent about 15 minutes advising me on some things that I had questions about with the new system.
When you purchase your next computer, consider the local guy or gal down the street, because the price difference isn’t always what it seems. And you have the opportunity to support your local economy. Sorry Dell.
Posted in ACT! Software Tips, Basic Computer Tips | Tagged arlington, computer cafe, dell, ma, Tony Holowitz, www.tonytheteacher.com | Leave a Comment »
September 8, 2009 by johnanthonygroup
Here are 10 questions to ask yourself about ACT! before you upgrade to the newest version:
- Do you know how many contacts you have in your ACT database and who they are?
- How many clients are in your database?
- When is the last time you contacted your clients?
- How many prospects are in your database?
- When did you last contact your prospects?
- Do you have a plan in place to contact your clients?
- Do you have a plan in place to contact your prospects?
- Is my time better spent purchasing new software or organizing and maximizing my investment in the version I now possess?
- What are my goals for the data I now possess?
- Before I upgrade, what is ACT going to do for me that I can’t do now?
It is my belief that ACT is but a tool, and if you use that tool wisely you can accomplish great things. The key is setting goals and mastering the fundamentals.
Posted in ACT! Software Tips | Tagged ACT!, ACT! 2005, ACT! 2006, ACT! 2010, ACT! 6.0, ACT! Software Tips, ACT! Software Training, Basic Computer Tips, Office 2003, Tony Holowitz | Leave a Comment »
August 26, 2009 by johnanthonygroup
In the last few months I’ve neglected my blog. The reason, I’ve been exploring Twitter. I like Twitter because it is quick and to the point. I don’t post what I had for lunch or discuss the beautiful sunset I happen to be viewing at the moment. I try my best to post relevant information that will help ACT software users and computer software users in general.
I’m a computer teacher and I can’t help teaching. Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/tonyholowitz.
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June 10, 2009 by johnanthonygroup
I’m so confident that my insights and advice can help you become more productive ACT user, that I’m willing to give you one-hour free consultation to prove my worth. All you have to do is call and setup a time to speak to me. Offer expires 6-30-2009
Below are some suggested topics:
Customize layout
No contact left behind
Setting up email
Email marketing campaigns
Managing marketing campaigns
Simplifying ACT!
Sharing ACT!
Developing Prospect Lists
Setting ACT! Goals
Getting a grip on your data
Customizing Reports
Sales Opportunities
ACT! Add-on products
Leveraging ACT!
ACT! Training & Consulting
Understanding the importance of scheduling
Managing ACT! users
Client follow-up excellence
Database maintenance
Basic troubleshooting
Posted in ACT! Software Tips | Tagged ACT!, ACT! 2005, ACT! 2006, ACT! 2007, ACT! 2008, ACT! 2009, ACT! 6.0, ACT! Software Tips, ACT! Software Training, Tony Holowitz | 1 Comment »
My concern for her and my ACT clients is that the phone they purchase inhibits the effective use of ACT as a business tool because the needs of the phone override the fundamental goals of most ACT users: taking care of clients and managing prospects.