"Our Take" - SnapShot Survey - Marketing Automation

(Past Editions by: Date, Title, Topic)

 
About "Our Take" 
"Our Take" is a collection of daily vignettes covering a wide range of CRM topics. It's an attempt to add our own spin to the world of CRM. We will use the column to share our perspectives, opinions, epiphanies, web nuggets, or quite frankly anything that moves us. Get ready to expect the unexpected. And, don't be shy about sharing your thoughts.
 
 
3/2/06 - Marketing Automation - Pockets of Excellence
Forrester Research recently evaluated marketing automation solutions for a variety of different vendors. The findings? According to the research firm, we have pockets of excellence, but no single vendor has all of it.
 
Forrester says there is no clear leader at this point. It seems like a great time to ask you what you think about marketing automation solutions. So today, I'm bringing back something we used to do years ago called "Snapshot Surveys." Basically, we ask a few simple, straightforward questions, you answer, we tally the input and share the results with you.
 
Tell us what you think of your marketing automation solution.
 
Gary Lemke, Publisher
(Share your thoughts)
 
3/3/06 - Snapshot Survey - Marketing Automation
Yesterday, I offered you the opportunity to participate in the first snapshot survey we have done in quite some time. The subject of the mini research project is marketing automation solutions. Our definition of a snapshot survey is something that takes you less than 60 seconds to complete.
 
Your experiences and opinions count. Together, we can create a more complete picture of what is available, what is working and what has ROI. So here's the deal. You share your opinion and I'll share the results.
 
Tell us what you think of marketing automation solutions.
 
Gary Lemke, Publisher
(Share your thoughts)
 
3/6/06 - You Cannot Hide
I was fortunate enough to visit Steamboat Springs this ski season for a few days of fun on the slope. Over the years, I've been to quite a few ski resorts and find all of them enjoyable meeting the minimum standards for a ski "experience."
 
So how does a ski resort differentiate itself? Of course, you knew I would say CRM! Steamboat is offering a new program this year called MountainWatch. Steamboat MountainWatches allow you to locate any member of your family or group within the coverage area, at any time, by waving your band in front of a kiosk located throughout the resort.
 
The system will recognize you and allow you to locate your family or group members, navigate ski trails, find lift and weather information, locate groomed trails, get detailed resort information including restaurant and retail information and allow you to leave messages for anyone in your family or group! Of course, this can make nervous parents feel a little better about letting the kids ski on their own. Can you see an application for this in your business?
 
Gary Lemke, Publisher
(Share your thoughts)
 
3/7/06 - Snapshot Survey Results
Thank you to everyone that responded to our first snapshot survey of 2006. I guarantee more to follow. And now for a summary of what readers have to say about marketing automation solutions.
 
The survey asked about the vendors included in the Forrester report - Aprimo, Oracle, SAP, Siebel, SAS, SSA, Teredata and Unica. We also allowed people to comment on others. For many of the vendors, we did not receive enough input to provide quantified data with statistical significance so we will report at a qualitative level.
 
SAS and Unica scored highest among you in terms of satisfaction and effectiveness, while Siebel scored the lowest. We did not hear from any Oracle, SAP or Teredata users. Interestingly, we did receive feedback that the list should have included companies like Eloqua, ExactTarget, FrontRange, Netsuite, and RightNow.
 
Gary Lemke, Publisher
(Share your thoughts)