A friend of salespeople and customer service representatives everywhere, ACT! 2000 does a great job of managing lots of names and their associated bits of contact information. ACT! 2000 for Windows for Dummies realizes that most people don't want to spend their days running ACT!--they just want to know that Ruth Ann Krinklemeyer needs a follow-up call (at this number right here) on the 23rd. Because of this, the book jumps right to the simplest ways of getting contact information into an ACT! database and then getting it back out on demand. Later chapters deal with advanced database queries and Internet integration, but author Jeffrey J. Mayer has organized the first part of this book with the knowledge that most readers will spend a lot of time there.

ACT! 2000 for Windows for Dummies employs the vintage Dummies writing and organizational style, complete with explicit how-to procedures and more than a few dopey jokes. You probably know from other books whether you like the approach. Generally, it works well as straight documentation of the program's features (especially the relatively basic ones) and holds up reasonably well when you want to do something that falls outside the realm of the normal. This book gives you the grounding you need to get practically all ACT! 2000 jobs done. Ms. Krinklemeyer will get her call. --David Wall

Topics covered: Entering contacts; extracting information; defining custom fields; using list views; performing advanced queries; using the calendar and task list features; and using ACT! as an e-mail, fax, and letter-writing platform.


Book Description
For years, we’ve all been keeping track of our activities by using some version of a to-do list. Some people write down all of their tasks on pads of paper and update the list every few days; others use daily planning books; and still others write everything on self-stick notes and paste them to the desktop, wall, and computer monitor.

With ACT!, you don’t make lists. You schedule a specific task and include the task’s date, time, and regarding information, and then you assign the task to a specific person. Then you use ACT! to help you to keep track of all your unfinished tasks. With Act! 2000 For Windows For Dummies in hand, you'll discover how to put the power of Act! to work for you and your business.

This book is filled with information that will help you to use ACT! 2000’s many timesaving and productivity-improving features so that you can grow your business, expand your career, save time, and make more money. Whether you're an experienced Act! user or someone who is new to the software, this information-packed reference tool will guide you through the following topics and more: Turning Act! into your electronic phone book Creating a new database Looking at Act! fields, commands, shortcuts keys, tool bars Understanding various tabs: Notes/History, Activities, Sales/Opportunities, and Group Entering information into a database Scheduling activities; using calendars Writing letters; including printing, faxing, and e-mailing Working with reports and layouts Managing and protecting your Act! database

Act! is a very powerful tool, on par with a top-of-the-line database or spreadsheet program. With help from Act! 2000 For Windows For Dummies, you'll be able to fine-tune Act! features to match your specific needs and use this tool to its fullest potential.


Book Info
Demonstrates how to use ACT 2000 to work for you and your business, from contact management to project scheduling. Discusses how to build a contact database, find people with lookups and queries, and schedule activities and projects. Softcover.


From the Back Cover
"Jeffrey Mayer's book will help you to grow your business and expand your career." — John W. Thompson, President and CEO, Symantec Corporation Your guide to the leading contact-management software Packed with tips on customizing ACT! for your business needs The fun and easy way to set priorities, stay on track, and achieve your goals! Stay focused. Build relationships. Get ahead. In this authoritative guide, America's #1 ACT! and time-management expert shows you how to put the power of ACT! to work for you and your business. From contact management to project scheduling, you'll find out just how easy it is to get more done and grow your business. Discover how to: Build a contact database Find people with lookups and queries Schedule activities and projects Create custom reports and mailings Manage e-mail, fax, and phone contacts Integrate ACT! with Outlook The Dummies Way™ Explanations in plain English "Get in, get out" information Icons and other navigational aids Tear-out cheat sheet Top ten lists A dash of humor and fun Get smart! www.dummies.com Register to win cool prizes Browse exclusive articles and excerpts Get a free Dummies Daily™ e-mail newsletter Chat with authors and preview other books Talk to us, ask questions, get answers


About the Author
Jeffrey J. Mayer is the president of the Chicago-based SucceedingInBusiness.com, the bestselling author of Success is a Journey, and the publisher of a popular ACT! newsletter.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"Jeffrey Mayer's book will help you to grow your business and expand your career." — John W. Thompson, President and CEO, Symantec Corporation

Your guide to the leading contact-management software

Packed with tips on customizing ACT! for your business needs

The fun and easy way to set priorities, stay on track, and achieve your goals! Stay focused. Build relationships. Get ahead. In this authoritative guide, America's #1 ACT! and time-management expert shows you how to put the power of ACT! to work for you and your business. From contact management to project scheduling, you'll find out just how easy it is to get more done and grow your business.

Discover how to: Build a contact database Find people with lookups and queries Schedule activities and projects Create custom reports and mailings Manage e-mail, fax, and phone contacts Integrate ACT! with Outlook

The Dummies Way™ Explanations in plain English "Get in, get out" information Icons and other navigational aids Tear-out cheat sheet Top ten lists A dash of humor and fun