We asked you a few questions reguarding Toyota in the News. Here’s the results!

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%

We want to know what your opinions are about Toyota in the news

POLLS ARE CLOSED

For most of us the New Year usually means resolutions. These promises can take the form of going to the gym or shedding some pounds added during the holidays. Or we can look at how we manage our business and try to discover new ways to improve. Cutting costs and increasing sales are likely at the top of everyone’s list. So we may go to Google, Twitter, LinkedIn, Salesforce or your favorite blog and try to find a new insight or perspective. If you are like most of us we are determined to identify that magic formula or bullet. We insist on quick fixes. Some work, most do not. So what’s the answer? The answer is really quite simple and you likely know the answer- at least part of the answer.

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!

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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?

Many think that IF they are on Twitter or some other Social Network sites, all is well. Well maybe. We must get beyond the hype of the respective brands and not just place the icons on our home page like a fashion accessory. Social Media is a communication channel. Market segmentation and targeting can be effectively implemented if we just use common business sense. We must speak directly to our audience. This means that our message should match the interests of our followers. Salesforce.com does an excellent job segmenting and targeting.

On Twitter alone Salesforce has the following Twitter Channels:

@SalesforceNews
@AppExchangeNews
@AskSalesforce
@Forcedotcom
@SalesforceDocs
@Salesforcejobs
@SalesforceOffer
@SuccessProgram
@SalesforceAPAC

Imagine the same strategy for Toyota having a Prius, Camry, Corolla, Service, Parts, Future Cars Channels… Messages match the interest and we are speaking more directly and more one to one. Traditional business rules don’t get lost with Social Commerce they get amplified.