Best diary planner for self-employed PA?

EagerLearner

Hi all,

I visit clients daily and make notes re taska and timings for each clients on the work carried out, which I then use to compile my invoices.

I am finding my pocket Filofax may need to be upgraded to something more business orientated rather than personal use - a day to day schedule with calls to make, time slots, deadlines etc would help.

Can anyone recommend such a system? I know Filofax do their version of one but it's £70...

:T

EagerLearner

Hi - just bumping the thread in case anyone has ideas x

ukbill69

Use a pc and outlook, you can create profiles for each client and then select to prompt profile when outlook is opened.

tumbleweed261

I know it's a bit off topic but do you mind if I ask how you became a self-employed PA? I'm already registered as self employed and have quite a bit of experience in different types of secretarial work, so it's an interesting thought!

EagerLearner

Hiya, need something paper-based unfortunately as am out and about so often, I use a Pocket Filofax at the mo but it's not got the right diary layout I need.

In terms of becoming a PA, I worked PAYE with some some clients who needed my kind of service and hired me independently, and then it has grown from there - to start I also advertised locally and online, one of my clients came from an online advert but others are from recommendation as it generally the best (and cheapest!) way ;o)

LittleVoice

What about a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)? You could have Outlook on there and also synchronise this with your home computer, certainly as far as tasks are concerned.

EagerLearner

Thanks LV - would love to in time, it's just the cost right now... can't justify it as for now a diary is doing the job ok, just wanted something more task focused. I have ordered samples for the Business system from Filofax.co.uk but that's going to be around £70. I am going to look at www.daytimer.co.uk and compare prices as they are competitors of Filofax...

Kilty_2

If you end up needing to buy the Filofax at £70, bear in mind that a good Windows based PDA can be had second hand for around the same price.

EagerLearner

Ok, so if I consider a PDA what kind of one should I get? Have never had one... have Outlook on my pc (the full version). Model names & numbers would be great please and any reviews you know of and I can then research...

EDIT> Have researched Amazon and seems I can get the Palm Z22 for £58, or the Palm Tungsten E2 for £115 - any thoughts? Main thing I need is the Calendar, ability to store addresses etc will also be handy.

Kilty_2

I own an o2 XDA Mini S, runs Windows Mobile 5.0 so will synchronise with Outlook on your PC easily.

It cost me £70, second hand, and I think you can pick them up on ebay for that kind of money now. It's also a mobile phone .

My knowledge of Palm products is a bit sketchy, they should be fine as long as they arent the old type with volatile memory (that is erased should the battery die).

EagerLearner

Hmm I'd be looking for a PDA that isn't a phone as already have a Sony Erriccson 750, prob only need to refer to the PDA a couple of times a day.

Seems both the models I mentioned can also be purchased on E-bay, £30ish for the Z22 and around £70ish for the E2.