Adwords will grow organically because of support through business apps such as Google Apps, Android and its growing ecosystem, YouTube and Google Earth. There is even tight integration with salesforce.com. Why Google has not purchased Salesforce is an open question for months if not years. While Google has business and monetization at its core, FaceBook is trying to morph into a more business/ sales model. The bottom line seems to be that Google because of reasons  mentioned and its deep pockets is a freight train that is impossible to stop; at least for the foreseeable future. For additional conversations visit: http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2010/08/16/why-google-will-triumph-over-facebook.aspx

We are excited to announce a better way to get salesforce.com training. www.LiveSalesforceTraining.com delivers personal one to one salesforce.com training to corporate teams globally. Our focus is on achieving quick results by developing custom training programs that are industry and process specific.

Get training that is:

• Personal, one-to-one
• Specific to your industry
• Exacting to your processes
• Over 24 classes
• Dedicated Salesforce.com level 2 certified trainer
• Live in your salesforce instance
• Online, onsite, or at your office
• No slideshows, no multiple choice quizzes, just real LIVE training

Typically, teams work with their dedicated instructor who is familiar with the company’s business and methodologies. This approach is more relevant and delivers better results and increased adoption than traditional generic training. Instead of slideshows and multiple answer quizes, LiveSalesforceTraining.com works in the actual salesforce instance. You see, learn, and then do. LiveSalesforceTraining.com delivers a superior salesforce learning experience.

These organizations instead of focusing on innovation that is core to their business are spending valuable resources on building-out technology. This is akin to reinventing the wheel, over and over.

As the web, customer, partner, and vendor engagement methods evolve so must technology change. Therefore continued investment in Private Clouds is an unsustainable model.

• According to IBM global revenue from cloud computing will jump to $126 billion in 2012 from $47 billion in 2008
• Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, recently said his company is “all in” when talking about Cloud computing
• IBM last week purchased Cast Iron, a powerful Cloud data integration provider. According to IBM: “The acquisition expands IBM’s industry-leading business process and integration software portfolio, which grew more than 20 percent in the first quarter of 2010.” This may not seem like a big deal but s/ he who controls data connectivity wins.

The Cloud delivers agility and on demand productivity. Sales always needed and continues to need up to the moment relevant information to close more deals. Opportunities happen in real-time. Responses to emerging opportunities must be swift and comprehensive in scope. Information must be accessible in the now.

Social media, including Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn are Cloud platforms for which business benefits have not been fully realized yet. With the advent of connectors such as Salesforce.com Chatter, this may also change. Tell us what you think.

The cloud based data services space is worth $3billion a year. Salesforce announced that it is buying Jigsaw thereby entering this lucrative field.

“With Jigsaw, we’ll make it as easy as Wikipedia to source data, as easy as iTunes to buy data and as easy as Facebook to stay updated as the data changes,” Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff said in a statement. Jigsaw is a supplier of “crowd-sourced” data services.

Every business needs two things, more customers and more sales. Achieving those goals just became easier. Benefits can be realized with the following integrated efforts:

• Demand Generation
• Systems Marketing Automation
• Lead Qualification & Scoring
• Optimizing Marketing
• Lead Nurturing
• Aligning Sales & Marketing with Automation

First you must develop your own special workflows and business processes that align with Salesforce and Jigsaw.  After all, marketing is not a spectator sport.  You need to do your part. The process has to originate with you and must be specific to your business and customer engagement strategy. Communications can be based on sales stages, driven by product offerings, cross-sell and up-sell, sales channels, etc. In our world of automation, plug and play, and “there’s an app for that” we still need human input. It is not completely self-service.

Tell us what you think.

Full article: http://tinyurl.com/yzwa2ss

1. Has Toyota done enough to alleviate consumer safety concerns?
   Yes – 33%
   No – 50%
   Maybe – 16%
2. Is Toyota’s Brand permanently damaged?
   Yes – 33%
   No – 50%
   Maybe – 16%
3. Do you believe Toyota broke US laws?
   Yes – 33%
   No – 66%
   Maybe – 0%
4. Is Toyota being treated unfairly by the press and or congress?
   Yes – 16%
   No – 66%
   Maybe -16%
5. Would you buy a Toyota vehicle?
   Yes – 33%
   No – 33%
   Maybe – 33%

POLLS ARE CLOSED

Begin by looking at how you currently manage your business. Our strengths and weaknesses must be inventoried. Make a list with two columns. I know this sounds old fashioned but some things cannot be cured by technology alone. This process is called a business or needs analysis. You and your team can begin this systematic evaluation or you can engage a consultant for a fresh perspective. This is the most important aspect to any improvement initiative. Simply, we must know where we are if we are to implement sustainable change. Look for one of our next posts discussing alignment with technology and long term adoption. Happy New Year!

Check out the Beta New York Public Library site built on Drupal. The site is elegant and functional with exceptional workflows. What do you think?