The Benefits of High-Tech Tools
We're using a mapping program in our marketing department to schedule WK OnSite meetings. WK OnSite is our new program in which we travel to regional areas to make presentations to small groups of distributors about our new products and services. The mapping software lets us plan these trips based on clients' and prospects' locations.
We also use WK Live, our online conferencing system. We bring clients, end users and others into virtual classrooms for training and education. The system is linked to a DocuCam, enabling us to show attendees live, streaming video of samples and applications. The process uses the internet and a telephone line for conferencing.
Roger Buck, CDC
National Sales Manager, Forms Divisions
Ward/Kraft Inc.
Fort Scott, Kan.
We're having great luck using ACT! 6 [from Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Interact Commerce Corp.] as a customer-contact tool and in-house direct mail tool, but it takes a system of action to make it work. Experts have suggested that you must contact customers at least three times for them to understand you're for real and that you have necessary persistence. (Of course, if they're enthralled by you on the first call, go for it.) Customer-contact efforts must be accompanied by support materials that give you a reason to place follow-up calls to prospects. Following up is the key to make the system of action work.
If you own your own company, it's wise to have someone else plow through your database of names. When a new owner starts getting clients, he or she is consumed with transaction details and often drops the ball on direct mail. You have to have someone dedicated to the process.
Kathleen Brennan, CDC
Owner
Proforma Info Pros
Galveston Island, Texas
We're benefiting from T1 lines and TopForm's Web.ec with the variable print module. [TopForm® Software Inc. is a distributor software and e-solutions supplier based in Norcross, Ga.] Having the speed of the T1 and the ability to place online orders without duplicate keying are tremendous time- and money-savers. Web.ec is like a window on the web into your customers' accounts. It enables access to information you normally have to call customer service or sales personnel to get, saving everyone time. Another advantage of Web.ec is real-time data--what clients see is what they can access. The software is upgraded continually and, in my opinion, will continue to reflect best business practices.
George W. Smith, CDC
Vice President of Sales/Partner
Tully-Wihr Company
San Mateo, Calif.
DMIA Board Member
In addition to high-speed internet access, email and cell phones, we're utilizing pcAnywhere™ [from Cupertino, Calif.-based Symantec Inc.]. The software allows me to access my office desktop PC from anywhere I can plug my laptop into a phone line. It also helps me fix my mother-in-law's computer without the 35-minute drive.
We have read a little about Microsoft® Outlook 2003 with Business Contact Manager. This looks like it may be a good fit for us. Those who are interested could check out this site: www.microsoft.com/office/ preview/
editions/contactmanager.asp.
George Bastedo
Manager
Lauraville Specialty Products
Geneva, N.Y.
Correction
Distributorship PrintGrafix, featured in April's Adding Value profile (page 20), is located in Fayetteville, Ga., not Fayetteville, N.C. Print Solutions regrets the error.
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