Sending a sales proposal by e-mail and leaving the message in Outlook's Sent Items folder doesn't remind you to follow up. Take these steps to control your open proposals until they become orders:

1. In the Sent Items box, select the e-mail that contains your proposal information.

2. Drag and drop the message into the Tasks list.

A new task opens with the sent e-mail inserted into it.

3. Set up the reminder for a follow-up call the next day.

4. Type the proposal's gross value into the subject line.

5. Click Save And Close.

You'll be reminded to make the follow-up call on time.

You can also adjust the Task priority if necessary:

1. Record the phone call results and next actions in the Task itself.

2. Set up the Reminder for the next action.

3. Click Save And Close.

Repeat steps 1 through 3 for each new action until receiving the order.