System and method of making sales calls

• US 8,185,429 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2005
• Issued: 05/22/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert H. Howard
• Original Assignee: Robert H. Howard
• Inventors: Howard, Robert H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jasmin, Lynda
• Assistant Examiner(s): Singh, Gurkanwaljit
• Application Number:
  US11/216,991
• Publication Number:
  US 20060047708A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,457 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 705/7.26
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/18 of spreadsheets form-filling G06F40/174
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06316 Sequencing of tasks or work
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0633 Workflow analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

A database navigation system simplifies the navigation and use of sales target information in a database. The salesperson, i.e., the user, begins navigating and using the database by logging into the secured system using a computer. Once logged in, the system displays a Leads Worksheet that lists the sales targets, or “suspect”, from the database assigned to that user and the name of a prospecting process, i.e., a prospecting cycle, that the user will follow with that target. The prospecting cycle comprises of several management-defined steps. Once the user creates a To-Do list of the targets to pursue that workday, the user goes to an Action Page. Here, the user completes the actions in the step of the prospecting cycle for each selected sales target using the tools provided. The system creates a log, i.e., a history, of the user'"'"'s actions including phone calls, e-mails, video transmissions, and the like as related to the target. The history of user interaction with target data creates metrics used by the salesperson and management to evaluate performance and generate performance reports. All the above is achieved by navigating two screens with a computer mouse and with no input of information (save the optional comment) into the database by the salesperson. Thereby, this essentially automates the “cold call” sales prospecting process.

Claims

1. A method of using a database navigation system on a server computer for producing closure to selected sales targets in a sales database by recording a successful contact with the target, recycling the target within database, or removing the target from the database, all by utilizing two main screens and a mouse, wherein the targets comprise clients or customers, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a database navigation system including a database on a server computer having at least one computer processor and at least one remote computer with software operational thereon providing access to the database through a network, the remote computer including an input/output device and display screens interactive therewith;

the database navigation system using the at least one computer processor to generate a navigable worksheet from the database;

the database navigation system providing access to the worksheet for at least one salesperson user, wherein the worksheet is a page on the display screen;

the navigable worksheet including at least one active target customer for a sale assigned to the salesperson user;

the navigation system displaying the at least one active target customer;

the database navigation system allowing the user to select sales targets from the worksheet;

the system automatically creating a to-do list for the salesperson user based on the targets selected by the user and an action page displaying the first active target on the salesperson user'"'"'s to-do list, wherein the targets comprise clients or customers;

wherein on the action page, the system displays a recommended step in a prospecting cycle for the target;

the database navigation system generating steps for achieving closure of a sale to a customer following the pursuit of the selected targets, the steps being generated by the at least one computer processor based upon actions for conducting sales;

the system receiving the salesperson user inputs regarding selected or completed steps;

the system recording any salesperson user comments and reactions to any phone calls;

the system running automated actions, and updating the target'"'"'s information in the system'"'"'s database;

the system automatically generating the next steps in the target'"'"'s prospecting cycle, wherein the prospecting cycle comprises several steps that the salesperson performs during a process for making sales to targets;

the system determining if the to-do list for the salesperson user is completed;

if the to-do list for the salesperson user is completed, the system displaying each active or current target assigned to the user;

if the to-do list for the salesperson user is not completed, the system activating the next target in the to-do list for the salesperson user and the action page displaying the newly-activated target.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the action page contains pre-defined steps for use in achieving closure in the pursuit of the selected target.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the steps are part of a sales cycle assigned to the target.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the accessing page includes pre-defined reactions that result from the action taken in each step.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the pre-defined steps include a first call, a second call, a third call, through N# of calls as defined.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the reaction to the step is left a voice mail, left no voice mail, had a conversation with the target, made an appointment with the target, returned a call and had a conversation with the target, or returned a call and made an appointment with the target.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the action page includes a voice mail script that is read when leaving a voice mail for the target.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the action page includes a conversation script that is read when leaving conversing with the target.

9. The method of claim 2 wherein the action page includes a pre-defined e-mail that is transmitted after a pre-defined step is executed.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the e-mail contains an attachment.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the attachment is a video clip.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the transmittal of the e-mail can be delayed.

13. The method of claim 2 wherein once the pre-defined step is executed, the next selected target is displayed on the action screen.

14. A database navigation system for producing closure to selected sales targets in a database by recording a successful contact with the target, recycling the target within the database, or removing the target from the database, all by utilizing two main screens and a mouse, wherein the targets comprise clients or customers, the database navigation system comprising:

a database navigation system including a database executed on a server computer having at least one computer processor and at least one remote computer with software operational thereon providing access to the database through a network, the remote computer including an input/output device and display screens interactive therewith;

a worksheet generated by the at least one computer processor from the database, and the system providing target selection options that are selectable by a salesperson user accessing the database from the at least one remote computer, wherein the targets comprise clients or customers, and wherein the worksheet is a page on the display screen;

the database navigation system automatically generating using the at least one computer processor an action page displaying at least one selected target for a sale assigned to the salesperson user; and

the database navigation system automatically generating using the at least one computer processor a correct pursuit step for achieving closure to the selected targets by the salesperson user based upon actions for conducting sales;

the system receiving salesperson user inputs regarding the at least one pursuit step;

the system running automated actions, and updating the target'"'"'s information in the system'"'"'s database;

the system automatically generating and displaying the next pursuit steps in the target'"'"'s prospecting cycle, wherein the prospecting cycle comprises several steps that the salesperson performs during a process for making sales to targets.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the action page includes pre-defined steps for use in achieving closure in the pursuit of the selected target, the pre-defined steps being generated automatically by the system to be followed by the user.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the steps are part of a sales cycle assigned to the target.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein the accessing page includes a pre-defined reactions to each step.

18. The system of claim 15 wherein the pre-defined steps include a first call, a second call, or a third call.

19. The system of claim 15 wherein the reaction to the step is left a voice mail, left no voice mail, had a conversation with the target, made an appointment with the target, returned a call and left a voice mail, returned a call and had a conversation with the target, or returned a call and had a conversation with the target, or returned a call and made an appointment with the target.

20. The system of claim 15 wherein once the pre-defined step is executed, the next selected target is displayed on the action screen.