Create a Liaise Message

If you have set your option to 'Default New Messages to Liaise

Click the 'New' button on your toolbar (just like you've always done to create a new message)

Outlook 2003 & 2007

Outlook 2010

For keyboard shortcuts, use Ctrl+N (just like you've always done to create a new message)

If you have NOT set your option to 'Default New Messages to Liaise

Click the ‘Liaise Message’ button in your toolbar

Outlook 2003 & 2007

Outlook 2010

Convert a regular e-mail into a Liaise Message
Click the ‘Liaise’ button appearing in the toolbar of regular e-mail. Select from the drop down option.

'Initiatives' are supersets of email Subjects.

Initiatives can be used to group relevant emails (and KeyPoints) relating to:

• Projects (e.g Apollo Project, Strategy 2011-12)
• Events (e.g Annual Sales Conference, New Product Launch, Customer Workshop)
• Customers (e.g XYZ Inc, ABC Limited)
• Personal (e.g.Tax, Admin)
• Organizational/Functional (e.g. Finance, HR, IT, North America Operations, Executive Committee, Board of Directors)

Select an existing Initiative by selecting from the drop down list;or

Create a new Initiative on the fly by placing your cursor in the Initiative field and type in the name of a new Initiative!

What is a KeyPoint?

A KeyPoint is any matter or committment in your communication that needs to be tracked to completion or fullfilment. The current version of Liaise supports two types of KeyPoints:  Actions and Issues. 

With each KeyPoint Liaise also records an 'owner' or who the KeyPoint is 'assigned' to, a 'due date' and a level of 'importance' or 'priority'.

Automatic KeyPoint Creation

As you type your e-mail, Liaise creates KeyPoints for the Actions or Issues in your message. The KeyPoints are summaries identifying who the Action or Issue is for, when it's due and the level of priority. The following is an example:

Manual KeyPoint Creation

If Liaise does not automatically create a KeyPoint, you can create a KeyPoint by clicking on the symbol appearing next to the paragraph.

Or you can use the keyboard shortcut 'Ctrl+L'

Edit a KeyPoint
Using your keyboard: ‘arrow down’ or ‘arrow up’ to move to the relevant KeyPoint.
Use the ‘Tab’ key to move through the KeyPoint fields. At the end of your edit, hit the ‘Enter’ key.
Using your mouse: Click on the relevant field. At the end of your edit click anywhere outside of the KeyPoint fields.

Remove a captured KeyPoint
Click on any of the KeyPoint fields and select the symbol at the end of the KeyPoint.

Or you can use the keyboard shortcut 'Ctrl+L'

View Responses to your Liaise Messages
To help quickly identify what needs to be managed in a given e-mail conversation, incoming responses to Liaise messages display a list of the KeyPoints from the original message in a panel on the left.

Update KeyPoints
KeyPoints appearing in the list can be updated at any time. Updating the KeyPoint will NOT change the text of the original message.

To update the KeyPoint 'Type', 'Due Date' or 'Priority'click on the relevant field. To upate the Status click on the symbol at the top left of the KeyPoint.

Launch Liaise Manager

The Liaise Manager presents Actions and Issues grouped by 'Initiative' and then 'Conversation' (subject of the e-mail). With powerful search and filtering the Liaise Manager allows you to have the relevant information on people, projects and outcomes at the tip of your fingers.

To launch the Liaise Manager,

1. Click on the Liaise Icon in your systems tray and select the 'Open Liaise Manager' hyperlink.

OR

2. Select 'Manager' from your toolbar

In 2003 & 2007 the 'Manager' command appears in the main Outlook toolbar

In 2010, the 'Manager' command appears in the 'Add-Ins' tab of the Outlook ribbon.

Once launched the Liaise Manager lists all Initiatives with captured KeyPoints.