Whether you manage a few collection accounts or a few thousand, having a solid record-keeping database is an essential part of the process you don’t want to ignore.
However, finding the right system for your operation can be easier said than done, and only you can know for sure what that ideal system will look like, much less how it will help you function day-to-day.
There is No Perfect System Right Out of the Box
While there are tons of excellent record-keeping and CRM software options to choose from today, many commercial debt collectors have found that no one choice can meet all of their needs in exactly the right way.
In many cases, collection agents will find themselves investing hundreds of hours getting all the information into a specific format, only to find that the software is missing a critical component for delivering that information to the right place at the right time.
For this reason, some of the more ambitious agents have taken it upon themselves to build out their systems from existing software.
Creating Your System From Scratch
Up until just a few years ago, the only way to build out your record-keeping database was to cobble together a collection of existing programs and then connect them using something like Zapier or IFTTT to automate specific processes.
This line of thinking can utilize different components of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft OneNote, Google Docs, Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote, and dozens of other options.
You can also find tons of excellent videos on YouTube breaking down unique ways to link up these different software options using something like the PARA Method to create your ultimate solution for record-keeping.
New “No Code” Options
In more recent years, we have seen the launch of “No Code” software options like Notion and Roam that allow for a next-level experience for building what PARA followers refer to as a “second brain” or what August Bradley calls a “life operating system.”
These software applications allow you to build out setups from scratch with absolutely zero coding required. They can be configured to fit just about any process or procedure you might need.
The Key is Putting the System to Use
Of course, the key to any worthwhile record-keeping system is that you need to use it. Building your customized system in something like Notion or Roam will give you the power you need to set it up so that you can quickly enter the information you need and have it right at your fingertips when you need to recall it.
So, no matter how overwhelmed you might be with your current system, a powerful argument can be made for taking some time over the next few months to start designing a better version. Try using some of this powerful new “No Code” software and see what you create.
