Do you use a Blackberry, Iphone, Ipad or some other device to take notes while on a sales call?

I actually carry a old fashioned datebook. I hand write my notes. It says to the customer, I hear what you are saying and it is important. Using your phone or pad may be convenient
but what if the customer thinks you are looking at email? sending a text message? facebooking? I can always translate later. I need to pay attention and show my customer respect. Avoid any possibility of misunderstandings.

I'm on the bleeding edge of technology as much as anyone can be. I have at least one of all the various devices that have been mentioned. I use various software tools to track and manage notes and other relevant material for a project. But when it comes to taking notes in a meeting, whether one person or a group, whether pre-sales or post, young or old audience, I have come to the conclusion that any technology--no matter how helpful it might be (perceived to be) by the user--ultimately distracts from "being there" in the meeting. I'm not saying this is right for everyone or in all cases, but in specific "experiments" I've done myself, with the objective being "how can I make use of this or that technology", I have found the "old fashioned" pen and paper to be the best solution. What I've found is that the technology gets in the way, because it by itself requires some of your focus.

Now, someone mentioned "recording pens" like LiveScribe. That's certainly an interesting option, and one that I haven't tried. I'm uncomfortable not telling people that I'm recording the meeting, and in the past, when I did try using the pen-and-paper method plus a small digital recorder, it made others in the meeting uncomfortable and/or more guarded when they knew they were being recorded (on top of the fact that some people specifically declined to participate for one reason or another).

One more note on paper notes: Unlike any of the technologies mentioned (or any that I've tried), with the possible exception of LiveScribe and similar options (which have their own drawbacks, as mentioned), being able to quickly draw diagrams and other "useful doodles" is easy to do with pen and paper, difficult otherwise.

PS - So what do I do with my "old fashioned" paper notes when I'm done? I fax or scan them to my FaxLogic archive, into the folder for the project that they pertain to. There, I have a permanent image of the notes (along with any diagrams or doodles), plus typed notes, tags, and labels I can add to capture the relevant points for later full-text search/retrieval.

Dave, I agree that it's a distraction - how do I know this person is not really responding to other e-mails or setting up a lunch appt? I like it when people, like Ken, use paper.

There's times to use electronic means - like once you win the project and are presenting to and gathering feedback from the client. For me this is normally done in a meeting with 10-20 client staff and I generally like to have someone from my side doing the note taking....I also explain up front that we will be taking electronic notes so I don't offend anyone....also, I like to send meeting minutes out before I leave the conference room and I think clients appreciate that - but during a sales call? Never.

Rick, I like what you do - I think I'll try that.

in as face to face meeting, i generally take hand written notes, although I occaisionally use my laptop. I do not use a "pad" or "text" device. I do use my laptop for notes when having a phone conversation and tell my client so...

I've moved almost exclusively to using Mind Map Apps on an iPad. These apps allow me to take notes in a way that mirror the conversation flow, and the form of the iPad is not as imposing as a laptop.

I only take notes of key points to allow me to recall the conversation, while my focus remains with my client.

I've moved almost exclusively to using Mind Map Apps on an iPad. These apps allow me to take notes in a way that mirror the conversation flow, and the form of the iPad is not as imposing as a laptop.

I only take notes of key points to allow me to recall the conversation, while my focus remains with my client.

I use mine as a prompter for my speaking points, and and write key words on a notepad while it generates an MP3 file as a complement to my written key words. I can later use gVoice recognition to pick out mine and other key words as a digital log and index to the conversation. This allows me to pay attention to my converspondent instead of note taking.

I will use a digital device only during a project meeting to record tasks that I'm supposed to do as well as tasks that are assigned to others. Before making an entry, I'll always say something like "Very good, let me record that on the work plan"

As for taking notes during an informational meeting I totally refrain from recording notes digitally on any device. The biggest reason is that even after all of these years, I still haven't mastered the art of talking and typing. There is no way I could type notes without reducing the level of honest dialogue. Non-verbal cues are way too important to miss.

For in person meetings, I have a technique that works for me. I use 3x5 index cards to record notes. I may use several of them over the course of a conversation. The reason I use cards as opposed to a note pad is simply. An index card is pretty close the actual size that I can capture using the photo function in Evernote. After the meeting I spend a few minutes snapping images of the cards and they plug directly into Evernote - and each note gets tagged as I choose. Since Evernote uses multiple tags, a certain card can be attached to several different groups.

I have been using smartphones for many purposes including this since the beginning of the smart phone days. "colornote" on my sprint/xpert/android works great. I can email the notes, colorize and easily save for later review/editing/deletion.
I think that it allows me to be more efficient, clean & tidy. We live in the age of technology, my customers have commented to me how resourceful it is and that i use technology to my advantage.

I use Evernote, an application which runs on my phone (Android), tablet (also Android) and laptop (Macbook) - and syncs across all of them.

The most important thing when interacting with a customer (or a prospective one) however it to give them your fullest attention. When note-taking is done properly, it can be a positive - i.e. I care so much about what you're telling me that I am taking it down. But it must be done very selectively, and with a focus on NOT causing the other person(s) in the conversation to feel that you're paying more attention to your device/app than you are to them.

My suggestion? Use the right device for the right purpose.

I use a pen/recording device from Livescribe (www.livescribe.com) . The Echo pen records all voices while I write and syncs the recording to the notes I am taking. I can later tap a note on the page and replay what was being said at the time. I can also add to my notes at that time (the additions are synced too). Finally, I use a piece of software to capture the writing as digital input so that I can email it or create a Word document from it.

I LOVE this combination - I get the ease of use and familiarity of traditional note taking but I capture everything being said and can easily convert it to digital tech.

No as doing so shifts the focus to entering notes and possibly losing track of what the callng party or the party I called is saying

Albert

I use Soundnote on my iPad. It records the conversation and allows me to take notes. Later, if I have a question about my notes, the app can take me to the part of the recording when I was making the notes. When I'm happy with my notes, I transfer them to Evernote and delete the recording. If someone has a problem with me recording the conversation then I just take notes.

I am as much a tech geek as anyone, however, I agree with everyone regarding the distraction. If you can incorporate you devices seemlessly great, otherwise it can slow down your flow. Plus a paper and pad never "crash" in the middle of a meeting :)

What is the etiquette of using a technology like Livescribe? The functionalities of the pen may not be obvious to some people. Do you tell everyone that you are recording the entire meeting? What is the reaction?

It largely depends on your industry. I am in technology sales, so I feel it is completely appropriate and actually demonstrates the reason they want me helping them. I recently bought an iPad for the primary reason of eliminating paper for my client meeting notes. I am evaluating various note apps, such as AudioNote, which records the conversation in sync with your handwritten notes using a stylus. The problem I found with this is the writing is pretty large on the page. There are note apps out there that have a zoomed in place for writing with a stylus, and it enters your writing on the page nice and small. That said, I have been successfully using the keyboard and the default note app in client meetings, but I wish I had an app similar to Microsoft OneNote! I plan to try Evernote next, so I can use it like I do Dropbox.

In a face to face meeting, I generally take hand written notes, although I occassionally use my laptop. I do not use a "pad" or "text" device. I do use my laptop for notes when having a phone conversation and tell my client so...

I use a great crm tool, Salesforce.com on my laptop

I use the iPhone, take photos, voice memos and geo locations, along with text notes. This all merges nicely to a final record for the day.

I use mind maps as well, but to be honest, in the middle of a 1-1 meeting? No way! I personnally like the good old fashioned notebook, and I normally ask if they don't mind me taking notes, which always gets a yes of course!

I use an "old fashioned" tablet PC for everything. I take meeting notes in MS Office OneNote; no conversion needed. It is just like writing on paper and never a barrier with customers. I agree that taking notes on BB/iPhone, etc is distracting. I once took notes on my iPhone and I felt uncomfortable, thinking it looked like I was checking email.

I sell websites and marketing. I use an iPad with the Penultimate app to take meeting notes. Most potential clients appreciate that I'm using state of the art technology. And, when I tether it to my iPhone for 3G internet, I can use it as an ad-hoc demo tool. With a stylus, the iPad / Penultimate combo are just like using paper - I can even make drawings and sketches. When done, I can email the notes as a PDF to myself to attach to the client's record in our CRM system.

I tried it once. I asked the client, whom I have worked with for many years, and they said ok. However, it was the last time. I found that the noise of the keys limited the conversation. I am back to paper and pen and transcribing.

I asked my client and he said it was a little disconcerting. We also agreed that maybe the next generation will find this more effective.

It depends on the context and what you're actually paying attention to.

If you're paying more attention to taking notes than the actual conversation, your non-verbals will easily be picked up by the other person. Especially in face-to-face communication

Albert Mehrabian published a paper that in face-to-face conversation 7% spoken words, 38% voice tone, and 55% facial expression contribute to total effectiveness of the conversation.

The exact values are thought to be inaccurate and we do know that non-facial non-verbals also contribute (e.g. ventral facing, self-pacifying indicators .... ) but it certainly carries the point that majority of communication is carried out by non-verbals.
Definitely, don't get preoccupied with taking notes that it becomes a distraction.

Also, in my opinion, a dedicated note-taking device such as an iPad or a proper notepad would look far more professional than taking notes with a smartphone. After reading this, I would consider buying a proper notepad for note-taking rather than using my blackberry.

I'm of the same opinion as Eric.
I work in a software business and the other day I was in what was supposed to be a sales meeting with an existing client. It soon became a technical account meeting and the emphasis shifted from face to face dialogue exploring potential options to the need for me to take lots of notes about things they wanted doing to their existing systems.
In that situation, even though potential mind-mapping using tech devices may have been quicker, I used a good old-fashioned pad and pen because I felt I would have lost their confidence in me from a personal 'account management' perspective. Using this traditional approach reassured them that I was making a note of their issues and ensured I was able to keep them engaged through suitable levels of eye-contact etc.

There is certainly a time and place for tech but it should not replace the human interface entirely.

As part of my journalism training, I learned to take notes without looking down at the page. I can keep eye contact with the speaker and also be aware of what other participants are doing.

Also, I learned to read typed and handwritten text upside down, so I can read what others are taking notes on and what is triggering them.

Finally, I am often asked if I can share my notes if I am the only person writing in the room. Since I am sensitive about being perceived as the secretary, I collect business cards from the folks who ask, and then I offer them a very abridged version of my notes as a basis for starting a conversation.

--sandy

That seems like using technology for technology's sake. What's wrong with an old-fashioned pen and paper for taking notes? I am a serial note-taker in client meetings, in-house meetings, board meetings, etc., but I would find it distracting to have somebody use a phone to take notes (I suspect the i-pad would be somewhat less distracting) and you would have to work real hard to convince me that taking notes on a tiny little phone is any quicker or easier.

The answer depends. Some audience become uncomfortable if notes are being taken during a meeting, while others think that the salesman has his/her interest at heart and they continue talking. However, the salesperson should be mentally alert during the meeting, detecting any unfavorable vibes from the audience. If any discomfort is detected, the salesperson should immediately seek to remedy the situation. He/she should be smart enough to sum up the conversation highlighting the salient points before he/she leaves the meeting. If the audience agrees with the summary that the salesman has just presented, then a sensible salesman would stop by the wayside and make his/her notes as soon as the audience disappears. In this way, the audience is comfortable sharing information with the salesman, and the salesman is satisfied to know that he won the sale and gained a new customer!

Depending of the audience....the more senior i rather use our regular legal paper pad....all other cases I tend to use my iPAD

Like many of you I also use multiple ‘solutions’ depending on the situation. Namely either an iPad (with Notes Plus) in group meetings or a traditional pen and notepad for one-on-one meetings. I have had a lot of positive responses to the traditional method, because the other person can see what I am doing and it sends the message that what they are saying is really important and noteworthy. Unfortunately, I have had one negative experience with the pen and paper that is worth sharing … while wrapping up a new business pitch, the potential client asked me for a copy of my notes from my notepad (we were in their office where they had a copier and they did not take any notes). This company is working exclusively with one of my competitors and I have seen signs since that meeting that this request was not made for the most honorable of reasons. In that situation an iPad would have been better.

On my side I have an Ipad since day 1, have been using a lot Evernote for its syncing capabilities but it lacks meetings oriented feature such as actions, to-do and follow-up. I would certainly not use that during a sales call, too much to think while typing.
I'm always looking for a replacement App as I think we could gain a lot of time if it was done correctly.
I've tested nearly every notes / todo app on the Appstore in 2 years, I have to admit I'm still amazed how difficult they are to use in a work environment, let alone during a sales call.
I just discovered http://www.beesapps.com/beesy-ipad-to-do, an iPad To-Do app , that seems to have understand note taking from a business perspective. I tried it for a few days and for the moment I'm quite thrilled, even a bit too powerful at the beginning.
I particularly love the fast and nice Icons to add different kind of notes / actions and the instant meeting minutes you can send. Very easy and not distractive
Another great thing I've been appreciating: it reuses my notes / tasks from the meeting in the To-Do manager, yes you read correctly ! Huge time saver.
Only drawback so far: a few glitches here and there, but nothing compromising the use of the App and the lack of iPhone sync at the moment but the devs at http://www.beesapps.com said they're on it for a future release.