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Past, Present, and Future of CRM by VIPorbit CEO Mike Muhney

by Kari Gates on 11/29/2011 Add comment

Did you know that VIPorbit co-founder and CEO also co-invented ACT!, released in 1987, which created the Contact Management category and is attributed to being the catalyst for the CRM industry? We did. So, it came as no surprise to us when Software Advice, the authority on CRM reviews, asked Mike to write a three-part perspective piece on the past, present, and future of CRM.

Around here, we respectfully refer to him as the "grandfather" of CRM, having co-created the product attributed with being the catalyst for the industry. Whether you're a novice or a CRM-veteran, you'll enjoy his insights.

Part 1: The Birth of a Category Known as Contact Management

In this first column, Muhney explores the history of contact management, what was happening in software in 1986, and how those early days shaped the beginnings of the industry. Read the full article here.

Part 2: Carving a New Niche: Establishing Contact Management

After its creation, ACT! existed in a state of suspended animation categorically and stood the risk of the journalistic community placing us in whichever category they chose. They had an intense desire to claim their own identity. They knew that if they created a category, they stood the best chance of leading it. Read the full article here.

Part 3: The Future of CRM: Going Backward to Move Forward

In this third and final segment, Mike discusses where customer relationship management (CRM) is headed. He suggests that in order to move forward, it must return to its roots, using new technology to re-focus on relationships. Read the full article here.
Save Time & Keystrokes with Siri in VIPorbit

by Kari Gates on 11/11/2011 Add comment

If you've got an iPhone 4S, you can use Siri in VIPorbit anywhere in the app you enter text. So instead of typing, you can speak and your words will be entered as text.

To start dictation, tap the microphone button on your keyboard and start talking. When you’re finished, tap "Done" and your words will be turned into text. It can be used anywhere in VIPorbit the keyboard is accessed.

Image this scenario: You've just received a call from a client. You want to add detailed notes regarding the conversation on history log of the call on their contact record. So, you open their record, pull down the menu, tap "Log" and the plus to add a log. At the bottom, tap on "Notes" and your keyboard will pop up with the microphone to access Siri. Simply speak the detailed notes for the call and press "Done" to save.

Think about it...by speaking your words via Siri, you can elablorate with more valued content than tapping mispelled words on the phone's small keyboard. That added value might enable you to secure future business with this and all your clients going forward!

Want to see it in action? Watch a video of Siri in use with VIPorbit.
Don't Sell Yourself Short: Build a Strong Personal Network

by Kari Gates on 11/02/2011 Add comment
VIPorbit CEO Mike Muhney wrote a blog post not too long ago about the concept that everyone is in sales. You may sell a product or service to clients or patrons…or you may be selling an idea to upper management. The basic concept is true either way. And whether you’re an intelligence analyst, insurance agent, or interior designer, before you landed that first job, you had to successfully sell yourself!
In today’s fiercely competitive job market, connections and referrals mean more than ever. In fact, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010-2011 Handbook, the top 10 most effective job search methods are, as follows:
1. Personal Contacts
2. School Career Planning and Placement Offices
3. Employers
4. Classified Ads
5. Internet Resources
6. Professional Associations
7. Labor Unions
8. State Employment Services
9. Federal Government
10. Community Agencies
It’s not surprising to us that personal contacts are the most successful way to find and secure a job. For recent graduate with little or no work history, personal contacts are even more valuable.
Don’t wait until you’re looking for a new job to develop your personal network. With consistent relationship management, you can record valuable information from each interaction. When you see a contact, you’ll have the details of past conversations, email exchanges, and meetings at your disposal. These details can help you build the kind of trust that makes people want to do business with you.
Our most recent user review video features a college senior, Morganleigh Battle, who’s using VIPorbit now to ensure her competitive edge when she enters the workforce! Learn how it helps her manage the VIP’s in her different Orbits of influence.
Whether you’re a first-time job seeker or just looking to climb to a higher rung on that corporate ladder, building a strong personal network is the first step to success!

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