Browse > Home / Archive by category 'Features'

Say No to Software. Next Up? Say No to Hardware of Course!

November 12, 2007

Software-as-a-Service systems such as Salesforce diminish the need for businesses to purchase downloadable software, a fact that Salesforce consistently promotes via their slogan of “No Software”. A new, related trend is emerging that is seeing companies rally behind the nearly identical cry of “No Hardware”.

Salesforce’s slogan could just as easily have been “No Hardware” as the SaaS model of software delivery reduces the need of a company to purchase more memory, faster processors and newer equipment just to run the latest programs.

Skype Journal recently posted an interesting article on several companies rallying behind this “new” (well not so new really) cry. Follow this link to learn more: “No Hardware“ 

Written by admin · Filed Under Features 

SFDC CRM

November 9, 2007

Why a magazine on Salesforce.com?

At first we were interested in Salesforce because it could help us take better care of our customer data. Then we used it to generate more sales. Next we tied it into our website and improved our marketing and business intelligence. And the list began to grow…

  • State of the art customer service
  • Salesforce automation
  • Closed loop marketing
  • Quick uptime for new reps
  • Systematized and streamlined business operations
  • And on and on

Then they came out with platform as a service, ideas as a service, content management and more…and the list continues to grow.

We’re passionate about the product, the people behind it and we like the way they think. This company is going places and we’ll be there to give you the play by play.

Enough said?

Written by admin · Filed Under Features 

The Value of Information

November 9, 2007

Become a source of ideas and your value to those around you (partners, clients, colleagues) increases.

How often do you send clients useful articles that might have an effect on their business? I’ve found that most people these days are open to taking a minute out of their day to read an article sent via email if the article is relevant, timely and addresses a key business need or KPI.

By being mindful of the information you come across on a day-to-day basis and by spreading this information to the right people you increase the perception by those around you that you are a valuable resource and an expert in your field.

Take away: read in your field and related fields daily and send relevant articles to key decision makers.

Bonus Tip: look out for articles that support your point of view when trying to get agreement on tricky issues. Third party validation is a powerful, mind changing force. Use it and prosper.

Written by admin · Filed Under Features 

Idea Exchange: More Than Meets the Eye

November 9, 2007

A recent post on MyCustomer.com hit the nail on the head in regards to how we need to listen to our customers in a Web 2.0 world:

“If you’re not giving the customer what they want but what you think they ought to have, then there’s really no excuse any more. But if that’s your attitude, you probably won’t be around very long for us to have to worry about it…”

The message? Give the customer what they want. Period.

I can hear you thinking already “but I’m the one who knows best, I should be telling them what they want / need!”

I hate to break it to you but that line of thinking is so 2002…

Overheard at a recent Salesforce.com user group meeting:

Consultant A: “It’s frustrating to deal with clients who are adamant about getting a certain solution when we know what they really need.”

Consultant B: “Yes, they think they know better so we do what they want, then they come back in 6 months wondering why there was a better alternative that we never suggested”

As a consultant one of your top priorities is listening to your clients, learning their business pains and finding ways to erase or ease those pains at a profit. The more often you do this: spot a friction point, suggest and implement a solution, the more valuable you become to your customers. The key today is not to necessarily be the know-it-all expert, rather, the current trend is to do a bit of both: listen to wants / needs and guide the customer along towards a solution.

Often times what they think they want and what you know they need is not that far apart.

With the advent of the Idea Exchange, Salesforce.com now gives businesses and individuals the ability to easily gauge client wants and needs by providing a forum for people to vote on those features that would be of most benefit to them. In essence the Idea Exchange is a system to gauge, prioritize and monitor pain areas.

As independent consultants, you should also have a mechanism for this. Whether you implement your own Idea Exchange (newly available with the Winter’08 release) or provide an online forum for client discussion or even if you start off by being more mindful when speaking with clients, the message is clear: today their wants are just as important as what you know they need.

Not losing track of that and speaking to those wants is the key to maintaining strong and profitable relationships.

Written by admin · Filed Under Features 

« Previous Page