How To Do Everything More Efficiently
Hey, you're a busy salesperson. There are a lot of things to do in a day. Take phone calls. File claims. Follow up on leads. Schedule appointments. Go on appointments. Talk to underwriting. And on and on.
So how can you get it all done—and done right—and still make it home at a decent time? Freelance Switch tells us the secret: Focus on actions. More specifically, learn how to immediately recognize the action item of every phone call, conversation and email.
Here's how:
Email. We've given you email tips before. Now go a step further and read your emails one at a time, asking yourself, "What action must I take as a result of this email?" Figure out that action and if it can be done immediately, do it. If not, add it to your to-do list and get the email out of your inbox: do, delegate, defer, file or delete it.
Meetings. Meetings serve a purpose: to hash out action items. Our marketing-related meetings involve a healthy dose of brainstorming and laughing, but we leave the table with specific action items. Write down all action items from your meetings, and star the ones for which you are the stakeholder. After the meeting, transfer them to your calendar or to-do list and get 'em done.
Calls. Chit-chatting can be a part of building rapport with prospects and clients, but long conversations can take away from other important tasks. Cut to the chase by asking, "What can I do to help?" and "What do you need from me." Jot down the answers and add them to your calendar or to-do list after the call is over.
To-do List. Speaking of your to-do list, make sure it only contains actions. For example today, mine looks a little something like this:
- Write blog post
- View landing page requirements and create new copy
- Create new dialogue box for landing page; 75 characters.
- Finish writing XYZ article
Paperwork. Treat paperwork like your email: discern the action item and then do, delegate, defer, file or delete it.
Clients. Steer your clients into taking a desired (for you) action. Outline what you need from them, whether it's a deposit check or a note from a previous insurer. Keep them (and you) on task by giving deadlines for each action.
Out and about. While you're out doing your thing, keep a notebook and pen handy. As ideas and other action items come to you throughout the day, capture them on paper, and then—you guessed it—transfer it to your calendar or to-do list once back at the office.
