Always on the lookout for new sales productivity tools, I recently discovered some really amazing ones in David Pogue’s column in the NY Times. In it he outlined some new cellular phone features that will not only save you time, but $$$ as well, since they are all FREE!
You don’t have to download anything, or connect with servers…all of these services work thru voice recognition (yes, I know…we’ve all heard “I’m sorry…I didn’t get that…” prompting you to repeat your listing at an ever-increasing volume. These services seem to use a better recognition system that actually works.) And since they work by voice, you don’t have to master anything new on the phone itself.
And don’t be concerned about the numbers to reach these services…just create a speed-dial key for them and you won’t have to remember anything (except the number you assigned to your speed-dial!) All of these services work alike: you dial an 800 number, speak your request and get the results in seconds, usually in the form of a text message on your phone…easily retrieved by even the most luddite among us.
GOOGLE: (800-GOOG-411) I am sure you have realized by now that when you dial 411 to research a phone number, you are typically billed between $1.50 and $2.00 for that service by your carrier. If it’s a business you need, however, you now have an alternative. 800-GOOG-411 is a voice-activated, national phone directory run by GOOGLE. It’s fast and efficient, and there are no ads or charges. The prompts are much like the 411 services you use now:
“GOOG411. What city and state?”
“Atlanta, Georgia”
“Atlanta, Georgia. What business name or category?”
“Woodruff Arts Center”
“Woodruff Arts Center…searching…the Woodruff Arts Center on Peachtree. I’ll connect you.”
And your call is connected, just as though you’d dialed yourself. Or you can also interrupt by saying “details” (meaning, “read me the phone number and address”) or “text message” (meaning, “send that info to my cellphone, so I’ll have it in writing”).
RESIDENCE PHONE NUMBERS: For personal listings, dial 800-FREE411 (not a Google service). It is an advertising supported site, however, so you have to listen to a 20-second ad. But isn’t that worth saving at least $1.50?
ChaCha: Another voice-activated service (800-2CHACHA) will handle any question you can throw at it. “What’s that Yiddish word that means Good Luck?” Or, “Who ran with as vice-president in the Adlai Stevenson campaign?” Or “How do you jump the battery in a Prius?” Or even, “Where’s the cheapest gas in Tampa now?” Just about anything that could be found on the web. You will receive a text message within 30-seconds or so confirming that ChaCha is working on your question. A minute or two later, the answer arrives via a text message on your phone, typed out in friendly, easily read English. Just like having a personal “concierge”. No fees, no software, no signup or registration.
JOTT: Ever have a brainstorm while driving and no place to jot it down? Jott can become your personal transcription service. Sign up at Jott.com by providing your cell number and e-mail address, and you’re all set. Then dial 866-JOTT123, and you’ll have a conversation like this:
JOTT: “Who do you want to Jott?”
RESPONSE: “Myself.”
JOTT: “Jott yourself.”
RESPONSE: “Great idea for the problem with the US Foodservice issue. Set up a special email response mailbox that the completed surveys can come to.” Within five minutes or so, the transcribed, typed message appears in your e-mail in-box, complete with an audio attachment of the recording. If you like, it can also be sent to your cell phone as a text message. You can also fill your Jott.com address book with other people’s names, and even create “groups”. Communicate with special customers, relatives, or even groups of subordinates or club members with a single phone call. There are also more advanced features like “Reminders”. Just respond “yes” when asked by Jott if you want a reminder, and then say a date and time when you want the transcript sent to your phone. It can also be used to set a wake-up call, a reminder to buy a birthday gift, or to remember an important meeting.
REQALL: Essentially the same idea as Jott, but focused primarily on reminders. Dictate reminders by calling 888-9REQALL, or send them by instant message, e-mail, or text message. Later, Reqall will remind you using your choice of e-mail, text message or instant message. (Unfortunately, this voice recognition system leaves a bit to be desired, but operates as claimed once the reminder is set.)
As an aside, you might be suspicious…what is their business model that would allow them to offer it for free? GOOG411 is technically still a beta service, but will apparently remain free once it is officially rolled out. CHACHA is marketing itself to cell carriers; so long term, your provider would provide as part of your contract as a “value-added service”. Both Jott and Reqall are also technically beta as well, and plan to offer a basic service at no charge, with a fee schedule for advanced features.
Enjoy it while it lasts. And thanks go to David Pogue for sharing his “secret sauce” for sales productivity!
"You often don't know what you don't know." --- T. Rector (adapted)