How the Haiti Earthquake Became Real to Me

MarketingProfessor.com will donate $1 for every comment
of encouragement left on that post (his tweets are right on the page) through Friday 1/22 at 5pm.

Thanks to the many who have already commented.

Not sure where this will lead, but please leave your comments on the blog .

Below is a video that talks more about it, if you cannot see it at Haiti Fundraiser Video.

-Travis

How to Sync Your Android Phone with ACT and Other Contact Management Software

CompanionLink, the folks that allow ACT! users to sync with the iPhone also support Droid based phones.   Essentially with the “over the air” application, users sync ACT! data to Google, which then syncs to the phone, and vice versa. This graphic illustrates it pretty well:

If you are interested in a Droid based Phone, these guys offer them.  If you are interested in the software to sync with ACT!, you can get access to that  here.

Using this software? Experience with the Android itself and ACT!?  Please share your experiences and questions in the comment boxes below (scroll).

Technorati Tags: act on android, act on handhelds, google

I just got a message from Sage, that confirmed my suspicions.  As in past years around this time, the promo pricing on ACT! 2010 is going away.

If you have been on the fence on the upgrade, let me encourage you to consider the pricing currently available through the end of the month.  As of December 1, prices will increase an average of 20%.

I don’t share this information to scare you, rather to cover my hide :-}

I talk with so many people in a given day, that I thought this post would be a good way to notify the world of the end of this wildly successful promotion.  I’ve even emailed a notice to subscribers who have not yet upgraded (you know who your are :-}).

Every year I speak to at least one person who missed out on the launch promotion, and I never enjoy that discussion. Buy the ACT! Software here.

As for the $447 in bonuses for our ACT! 2010 customers, thanks to those of you who took the time to comment about them here on the site.  The feedback thus far has been flattering.  There will be a bonus package in December, but likely a different package than what is currently available.

Not sure ACT! 2010 is for you?  Get instant access to our ACT! by Sage 2010 Review here.

Your Turn: As always, this post is incomplete without your input, please chime in with questions and feedback in the comment boxes below.

Technorati Tags: act 2010 software, act by sage 2010

Blackberry Tour 9630

My wife has the cousin of the iPhone, the iTouch.  It is just like the iPhone, but no…phone.  She browses the internet at home, check’s email, Facebook, and seems to be always downloading applications (many of which my sons choose…games).  There is a lot of flexibility when it comes to the devices, but as you’ll see that is where the flexbility ends.  In this post I’ll share why I decided to go with another Blackberry, and the main reasons why.  I’ll also discuss options for both devices when it comes to integrating it with your ACT! database.

3 Reasons Why I Chose the Latest Blackberry over the Latest iPhone

To her own admission, My wife is not super tech savvy, but she was glued to that iTouch like white on rice.  She loves the fact that she does not have to fire up a laptop or computer, to check email, or Facebook.  I knew our cell phone contracts were coming due for renewal, and it was time to do some shopping.  I was strongly considering the iPhone.  There were several reasons I did not go with the iPhone, that I’ll share with you here.

Reason #1 for Not Going with an iPhone

Coverage: as I surveyed other iPhone users, both locally and across the USA, a constant theme was in each conversation.  We love the device, we don’t love the coverage. It seems that AT&T (currently the sole cell service provider for the device) has much to be desired when it comes to coverage.  As one who travels often, and recently drove across the country with no issues on cell service (Alltel) during the recent ACT! by Sage software promotion, this benefit was fresh on my mind.  I found it hard to believe that I could be talking to someone on their iPhone in New York City, and the call would drop (multiple times).  Even in the Denver area where I’m at, the coverage map was spotty.

After I went with the Blackberry, I saw this commercial, which resonated with me:

If for some reason you cannot see it on this page, go here.

Reason #2- What about That Big Screen? What if it breaks?

I’m pretty rough on things.  My travels have me bumping into things, multi-tasking, car keys and a phone in the same pocket (when it’s not in the holster grinding against something), etc.  Therefore, it is a realistic consideration.  I understand there are screen protectors for the iPhone, but I didn’t ever have this concern with the original Blackberry, and if the Blackberry screen were to shatter, the keyboard still works…not so sure with the iPhone which is a complete touchscreen.

Reason #3- What About Syncing Information with the ACT! Database?

This is not only a question for me, but for my clients also.  The same solution offered for syncing ACT! with the iPhone is avaiable from these guys with the Blackberry, but I liked having more than one option.  Hey this is a tough economy and companies do go out of business.  I’m a big fan of syncing wirelessly (when I’m not in the office), so I prefer that option.  However, this product is more of a conduit that syncs with the address book function of the given handheld, and does not have an actual ACT! application for the device.  This may work for most people, but not for all.

Then there is these other guys, who will sync over the air to an application that they have designed specifically to have ACT! on the Blackberry.  This application has matured over the years, and having used it for nearly two years, I couldn’t walk away from it now.  Shortly after getting my new Blackberry Tour 9630 in the mail from Verizon, I had nearly 2000 contacts sync’d to my phone using their application.

What About You?  Blackberry or iPhone?

If you are concerned about coverage (which AT&T really needs to improve), or the possibility of the touchscreen breaking, you might want to rethink whether the iPhone is for you.  For ACT! users needing the data portability and sync capabilities, there are options.  If you are like me, syncing over the air to a native application is the best course, and the only option at this point is available for the Blackberry.

Note: I may do a comprehensive review of the ACT! on the Blackberry if there is enough interest.  I may even have a bonus for those who are need to jumpstart their training on the Blackberry device.  If that interests  you, let me know in the comments below.

Resources in this Post:

• Coverage Map Ad Hits AT&T
• Handheld Cradle and Over the Air Sync for ACT! and iPhone Users
• A Fair value for those thinking of going to the Blackberry with Verizon
• Sync Your Blackberry with ACT! over the Air

Hey! It’s Your Turn: This conversation is incomplete without you.  Take a moment and chime in using the comment boxes below.  You have an iPhone or Blackberry?  Chime in with your own experiences below.

Technorati Tags: act for iphone, act on blackberry, act on handhelds, act on iphone

The review of ACT! by Sage 2010 is now officially available to the public, and we’d love to hear your feedback.  Beyond the complete video review of this edition of the software covering the 7 major improvements of the ACT! 2010 software, there’s something new.  After hearing from customers with last year’s review of ACT! by Sage 2009, it became clear that many are uncertain what they should be looking for in a contact manager, many are new businesses, or newer business who have outgrown outlook, excel spreadsheets, and paper tracking systems.  If you are just starting a new business, or never before shopped for a contact management system, this year’s bonus content was created with you in mind.

ACT! by Sage 2010 Complete Review Now LIVE & More

Entitled 7 Elements of an Good Contact Manager those who sign up for the review of the latest ACT! by Sage Software will also get access to this 29 minute bonus video content covering features and functions that are musts in a contact management software for today’s business (doesn’t have to be ACT!, either!).  You can get access to the ACT review and the 7 Elements video training here.

Below is a video preview from YouTube, if you can’t see it for some reason, you can find the ACT 2010 Preview here.

Early Feedback: Many of our subscribers got a sneak peek of the review and bonus content shortly after the video was first produced (one of the benefits of being a subscriber), and offered comments and feedback (if this is you, you are probably smiling now…) THANK YOU.  I have included your comments and my responses below in the comments section.  Your input is priceless as we seek to be as helpful to you as possible.

It doesn’t matter if you have been a user of ACT! in the distant past or recent years, the video is designed to help you understand what the new improvements are and how you might use them.  If you are new to ACT!, you will also learn what you should be looking for in a contact manager, and if ACT! is a fit for you.  Whether you are a single user, 5, 10, 20, 25, or 50+ user environment, you will gather important *no-fluff* information as you seek to determine if ACT! is a fit for you and your organization.

Here is the Preview of 7 Elements of a Good Contact Manager:

Your Turn: If you have already reviewed the content, please offer your comments and feedback in the comment boxes below.  I look forward to connecting with you and hearing your honest feedback.

Technorati Tags: act crm software, act software 2010, act software review, sage software act 2010