Categorize Contacts into Priorities
Last week I spoke with you about connecting and it centered a lot on having a great contact database.  Those of you who read this column know that I'm a huge proponent of CRM, Customer Relationship Management, and you also know that it's a significant component of the software that my company builds and sells.  You also know that when you ask me about what contact tracking tool you should use, I don't simply refer you to our suite of products.  Why?  Well first of all, it's not the reason I do this column each week.  If this column had been built around self promotion, you would have stopped subscribing years ago.  To those of you who haven't ever asked my advice personally, let me assure you I give it freely and without strings or expectations attached.   I enjoyed helping many of you last week and it's those connections that keep me coming back to this keyboard week after week.  I continue to be honored that you notice this newsletter in your sea of emails and humbled that you rely on me to help you in some way.

So based on the response from last week's message about contact management, I was reminded about some of the management items that go hand in hand with contact management.  We all know having a great contact system isn't easy.  Keeping any database current is tough.  That's why people gravitate to Plaxo and it's why organizations and companies that track contact information implement systems that allow you to maintain the correct information.  Some systems work.  Some don't.  I personally find Plaxo annoying.  I always delete the messages that come in my in box that say something like..."Hi, I'm updating my address book.  Please take a moment to update me with your latest contact info."  I advise my clients to do the same.  For someone to reach into my email box and give me a "to do" is offensive.  And I know I'm not alone when it comes to Plaxo.  It tends to bring on strong negative emotions in people.  Frustration.  Revulsion.  To be fair the misguided souls who've chosen to sign up for Plaxo get sucked in by how they make it misleadingly easy to spam your entire address book with your contact information.

So what's the best thing to do?  Do the hard work of maintaining your or your company's contacts accurately and if it's important to you to have your profile on lists where you WANT people to find you, update it regularly.  You have limited time and limited resources.  If you believe you have to make do with fewer resources now, then it is even more important to apply focus.  By paying good attention to your contact management you'll learn what works best for you to focus your time and precious energy.  You'll be able to see better and focus your energy and effort on those areas which will yield the maximum results for you.  You will work within your contact list to prioritize those people that are important to "touch".  You'll know the best way to "touch" them.  You'll know the best time to "touch" them.  You'll know when you've "touched" them.  You'll know why you should or shouldn't "touch" them.  You'll know that your resources are valuable and you'll learn the key isn't being connected to everyone.  The key is not to attempt to stay in touch and please everyone.  They key is to focus on those relationships which are most likely to generate serious results for you.