PropertyPro Newsletter XXVII – September/October 2010

Hello to everybody!

Here we are at the beginning of October, we have seen some sun, and the gardens still look pretty good.

Following the last newsletter, have you tried out the Market Appraisal Wizard and the various reports?

The topic this time is Linked Tasks, and to follow the theme of valuations, I thought it would be a good idea to show you a couple of examples to give you an idea of how linked tasks can be used for many other situations.

Linked Tasks

As you know, follow up tasks are offered after nearly everything you do in PropertyPro to help you manage your business. Linked Tasks were designed to go one step further and create a series of associated tasks automatically. It is necessary to set up a Linked Task first, then it can be used as often as required.

Set Up a Vendor Contact Linked Task

This is a one off setup specifying the various associated tasks, time intervals, and member of staff to be assigned the task.

In this example we are setting up a weekly vendor contact task that can be applied on taking on a new property.



We now have a main task, and associated tasks can now be created.

• Click New in the sub tasks section
  
  
• The vendor contact subtasks in this example will be set for every 7 days
  
  
• The first 3 tasks will be assigned to the member of staff on the main task and the 4th task will be assigned to a default member of staff.

• Create as many sub tasks as required.

Apply a Vendor Contact Linked task on Take On

In this example, the property has just been taken on and we need to create a Vendor Contact task.

From either the property record or the customer record, click the Create Task button at the top of the screen. (If PropertyPro has prompted you to create a follow up task you can do it from there too).

Example 2: Take On Linked Task

In this example, this Linked Task can be applied on take on to create the subtasks:

• Take on Letter
  
  
• Order the Energy Report
  
  
• Take Photos
  
  
• Order For Sale Board
  
  
• and allow 3 days before chasing for checked details.

I hope that this has given you a few ideas of how you can apply Linked Tasks in your office - I plan to cover more on the diary in the next newsletter.

It's quite depressing to think that the clocks will have gone forward by the time you receive the next newsletter and we will have switched from barbeques to soup and hotdogs. I have had a pretty hectic time recently and it may be an age thing but I have been to a couple of classic car events and really had fun.

The Goodwood Revival weekend was one such event. The age bit comes when you see an immaculate example of one of your first (and second) cars and it is branded 'vintage'. What a day! The racing was exciting and the atmosphere was fantastic.


It's not everybody's cup of tea I know, but people-watching is of course the second most pleasurable activity of the day and it was so easy to get transported back in time walking behind women in furs and hats and seamed stockings, mingling amongst people in military uniforms, and jazz bands playing in the background. I watched some of the televised footage - but it's nothing like actually being there. I can't wait to go again next year.

PropertyPro Training

When was the last time you or your colleagues had any refresher training? And how much of what you know has been handed down by others?

Do remember that we run a new user day each month alternating between Admin and Negotiator. If you have a new starter, then please send them along for training. From their viewpoint it eases the pressure of operating a new software program whilst getting used to a new office environment and procedures.

The second session each month is generally on a theme - however, the content is dependent on the needs and questions of those who attend. Over the past months the refresher training has proved very popular. Although the content for the session is suggested, I will also ask whether there is anything in particular anybody would like to cover and also maybe skip because it is not required. This means that the session could cover anything from Newspaper Advertising to Lettings but will always ensure that everyone is up to date with the latest version.


The next 3 Open Training days are:

Wednesday 20th October - Marketing Marketing History - recording telephone calls, Marketing History letter / Report, Customer Search - Mass Mailings, Customer Reports

Wednesday 3rd November - New User (Admin) Entering customer data, creating property records, publishing details, sending letters

Wednesday 17th November - Reports Property Reports, Customer Reports, Management Reports

Don't forget that if a half day session is more convenient for you, please call. Telephone training may also be available for a small charge provided that a suitable remote connection is available


We look forward to a visit from you very soon!


Finally, is there anybody else in your office who might also want to receive our newsletter? If so, please let us have their email address and we will add them to the mailing list.

Kind regards

Kate

Kate Hoare (Training Manager)
kate@propertypro.co.uk
Direct dial: 01788 862517

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Tel: 01788 862550 • Fax: 01788 862525 • E-mail: sales@propertypro.co.uk
www.propertypro.co.uk
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