Are you using ACT! as your client relationship manager (CRM)? Did your boss just decide to install it on his/her system and yours then told you, "Read the manual, we're going to be using this from now on"?

If you’re looking to purchase ACT! for your company, click here.

This same thing happened to me as well as one of my readers. In one of my previous jobs, when I was working for an Investment Advisor, he gave me the installation CD-ROM and asked me to read up on how to use it. Believe it or not, this was quite an easy system to learn. I've never used it before, but took a few hours each day to familiarize myself with it and it was really simple to operate.

One of my readers asks:

Can you help me with ACT? My employer needs someone who is educated in this program. I've never used it. HELP!

My answer to this is:

First off, cut down on the caffeine. Just had to say that, since you seem to be in a panic. Take a deep breath and follow the instructions below.

I've found a great resource on the ACT! website, which has the following online video tutorials for some of the most frequently used functions in this software. The only thing is that you need to have earphones or speakers at your computer. It's quite comprehensive and takes you step-by-step through all of the items. Just click on any of the links below to take a look at the particular task you would like to learn about.

• ACT! Workspace
• Activities
• Customization
• Dashboard
• Dashboard Designer
• Finding Information
• Groups & Companies
• Handheld Link Installation
• Importing Contacts
• Mail Merge
• Opportunities
• Outlook Integration
• Printing
• Setting up E-mail
• Setup Assistant
• Sharing Databases
• Synchronizing
• Writing a Letter