Taking Notes - A Greatly Under-used and Under-rated Business Success Tool

When I think of people who carry around small notebooks and are constantly scribbling things, I think of someone who means business. Columbo comes to mind...Columbo always got his man/woman and a big part of his success was the notes he was constantly taking.

What makes you stand out in a potential client's mind?
Is it the way you dress?
Perhaps it's the way you carry yourself or the colourful brochure you hand out.
Perhaps, it's all of these things and a little more. That little more could be the deciding factor in whether a potential client decides to go with you as their choice or not....and that little more could be, surprisingly, nothing more than a small coiled notebook and old-fashioned pen that you take out and make notes in whenever you're getting to know someone new who is in the market for a business person in your field.

Taking notes signifies that you care.
You care enough to 'take note' of what the person is telling you.
You care enough to want to make sure and get the details straight and make sure all bases are covered should you be fortunate enough to have them choose you to meet their needs and desires.

Never underestimate the power of your notes. Later you will refer to them when preparing feature sheets, client forms and marketing items.

When going on a listing appointment, I've always carried a clipboard and on it I take extensive notes while listening to everything that is being said by the seller.
These notes are like gold to me and, although I take intensive interest in what the seller is conveying to me, I never leave all the details totally up to my memory, for memories have been known to not always be as thorough as we would like them to be.

By taking notes, you are showing your potential customer/client that you take what they are saying seriously and you mean business. You show that detail and thoroughness are important to you and the customer will more likely see you as someone who is conscientious and attentive.

When following up with a potential client, a summary of your conversation goes a long way towards how impressed they will be with you and shows you are competent and are concerned with taking outstanding care of their needs.
The notes you've taken will be like gold in your hands as you prepare a follow-up letter or call to the potential client.

Never underestimate the little things in business. It's the little things that count and are remembered most. They make all the difference when it comes to who someone chooses to represent them in their business needs. 

~Jo

©2009JoSmith