Introduction: In this blog post, we will explore the key differences between clearing and deleting activities in ACT, a popular customer relationship management (CRM) software. Tony Holowitz, an expert in ACT CRM, highlights the importance of properly managing activities to ensure accurate and useful data for future interactions with contacts. Let’s delve into the significance of clearing activities and why it is preferred over deleting them.

1. The Context: Clearing an Activity When working with ACT CRM, you’ll come across various activities such as calls, meetings, and to-dos. Clearing an activity refers to marking it as completed without actually erasing it from the system. Tony demonstrates this by using an example where he clicks on a call checkbox to initiate the clearing process.

2. The Pitfall of Deleting Activities Tony advises against the practice of deleting activities altogether. When an activity is deleted, it is permanently removed from the system, leaving no trace or history of the interaction. This lack of recorded data can lead to crucial information being lost, making it difficult to track past engagements with contacts.

3. Benefits of Clearing Activities By clearing activities instead of deleting them, ACT CRM retains valuable historical data, including recorded fields and dates of interactions. This historical data serves as a powerful tool for staying on top of contacts and tracking past interactions. It enables users to identify contacts they need to follow up with or identify those who haven’t been reached within a specific timeframe.

4. Leveraging History for Future Engagement Clearing activities allows users to leverage the recorded history to improve future interactions with contacts. For instance, it enables you to identify which contacts might require additional attention, plan follow-up calls or meetings effectively, and maintain a proactive approach in managing relationships.

5. The Importance of Data Accuracy Maintaining accurate and comprehensive records in ACT CRM is essential for making informed decisions, streamlining workflows, and providing personalized experiences to clients. Clearing activities plays a crucial role in achieving this objective by preserving historical data.

Conclusion: In conclusion, understanding the difference between clearing and deleting activities in ACT CRM is essential for effectively managing interactions with contacts. Tony Holowitz’s expert advice recommends clearing activities instead of deleting them to maintain accurate historical data and make better-informed decisions for future engagements. By embracing this best practice, ACT CRM users can enhance their relationship management capabilities and provide exceptional customer experiences. Remember, clearing is the way to go, and deleting should be avoided at all costs.

Tony Holowitz’s insights serve as a valuable reminder that leveraging historical data can be a game-changer in managing contacts and building stronger relationships. So, next time you’re handling activities in ACT CRM, opt for clearing instead of erasing for greater efficiency and data accuracy.