 |
|
9/13/06 - Are Negative References More Valuable
If you are really diligent in checking out a reference, you will most likely get the good, the bad, and maybe even a little bit of the ugly. In fact, if you only get the good, I can almost guarantee that you didn't push hard enough.
Why do I say that? I was taught that no one is perfect. And I also believe that no implementation goes perfectly. But if you do your homework and dig deep enough to get negative input, how do you weigh the positives and the negatives? How do you weigh the negative aspects of vendor A versus the negative aspects of vendor B?
It is hard to give a short answer to that question but I can say this. As you inventory reference input, refresh yourself on your needs versus your wants. Understand annoyances versus showstoppers. In short, apply the positives and negatives in the context of the core problems you are trying to solve rather than justification for making an emotional decision.
Gary Lemke, Publisher
(Share your thoughts)
|
|
TODAY'S NEWS (more)
|
|
|
Numara Software announced its acquisition of UniPress Software, developer of FootPrints web-based service desk software solutions. The companies have a combined installed base of nearly 50,000 organizations.
Business Objects announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire privately-held Armstrong Laing Limited. The acquisition will be an all-cash transaction of approximately 30 million GBP (approximately $56 million USD at current exchange rates) for all outstanding shares of ALG Software by Business Objects (U.K.) Limited, a Business Objects wholly owned U.K. subsidiary.
ServicePower's Field Service Solutions (FSS) Division announced that it has signed an agreement with E&S International Enterprises (ESI). Under the terms of the agreement, ServicePower will provide Web-based applications to manage and maintain the service dealer network, which includes a network of qualified, independent product service dealers throughout the U.S., for the consumer electronics and appliance divisions of ESI.
Antepo announced the release of Rivoli, the latest version of its OPN System platform. Rivoli is The New Dial Tone for business communications, enabling users to instantly verify if employees, customers, or partners are online and available, prior to actually initiating contact.
Mercury Interactive announced that SAP AG will resell Mercury LoadRunner, Mercury's load testing software, across South America, Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean.
Witness launched a blog that shares perspectives, trends, challenges and success stories from customer-centric organizations across the globe, beginning in the Asia Pacific region.
Ross Systems, a subsidiary of CDC Corporation, and SupplyScape Corporation announced a partnership to provide an integrated, packaged software solution that allows pharmaceutical manufacturers to track their product through the supply chain and meet regulatory and trading partner obligations associated with emerging standards for e-Pedigree.
ITIM 2006 will feature keynote addresses from leading IT experts who will deliver presentations on IT leadership and management, governance and compliance, best practices for infrastructure management and current and future industry trends. ITIM 2006 will be held November 5-8, 2006 at the Venetian Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev.
Parago, a Dallas-based company that designs, develops and manages customer and channel incentive-marketing programs, has launched Spark, a platform that simplifies the channel incentive and marketing process for channel sales associates and corporate management. The solution provides rewards for sales channels through client-branded, re-loadable debit cards.
MicroStrategy announced that Fieldstone Mortgage Company has selected MicroStrategy as its enterprise standard.
|
| CRMAdvocate Stock Index |
| CRMSI | 51.69 |  | 1.43% |
| Dow Jones | 11,507.70 | | 0.54% |
| Nasdaq | 2,221.73 | | 1.54% |
| S&P 500 | 1,314.50 | | 0.67% |
| Top Gainers |
| salesforce.com | 35.16 | | 1.16 |
| SAP | 48.58 | | 1.08 |
| eLoyalty | 17.9 | | 1.00 |
| Top Losers |
| HP | 36.18 |  | -0.57 |
| ICT Group | 27.38 | | -0.30 |
| Astea | 4.29 | | -0.14 |
| Complete Stock Index |
| As of close 09/12/06 | |
|
GET YOUR OWN COPY OF CRMAdvocate
|
Read Less. Know More. Still reading a forwarded copy?
CRMAdvocate is everything you need to know about CRM because we do the hard work for you consolidating over 40 sources of CRM knowledge into one, easy to read format.
- Click here for your free newsletter subscription.
|
|
|
|
| |
| (Feature)
October 10th-13th, 2006: INTERNET TELEPHONY Conference & EXPO WEST - Call Center 2.0 co-located with the 14th INTERNET TELEPHONY Conference & Expo that will be coming to San Diego on October 10-13, 2006 at the San Diego Convention Center. Call Center 2.0 is expected to attract an estimated 1,900 attendees with an overall conference of 9,000 attendees.
|  | | September 17-20: AFSM International's 2006 World Conference - AFSM International's World Conference brings together top-level corporate leaders in the technology services management industry. For over 30 years, this event has remained the largest gathering of technology services professionals from around the world. This is the only global event where you will find vast opportunities for learning, sharing and advancing your career as well as progressing your organization's ultimate goals and successes. For more information or to register, please visit www.afsmi.org or call 239 275-7887, ext 35.
| | | September 25th-27th, 2006: The 8th Annual Conference for Help Desk Professionals - Would you like to learn how to transform your Help Desk into a Service Desk, gain skills that will contribute to both your personal and professional development, and hear proven case studies that put theory in practice, AND do all this at a fabulous hotel on the Riverwalk in San Antonio? The 8th Annual Conference for Help Desk Professionals September 25-27 is where you can do all that and more. For more information, please visit our website at www.helpdeskconference.com or call us at 425-398-9292.
| | | October 3rd-5th, 2006: Marketing Mobile Services - Targeting, marketing and delivering consistent customer experience to maximize AR
| | | October 17 - 19, 2006: Services Industry Summit - Successful Strategies for Service Innovation - Las Vegas, October 17 - 19, Paris Hotel. Learn how world-class organizations are improving their service operations. Presenting organizations include EMC, FileNet, Rockwell Automation, Sage Software, Sony Electronics, and others. Optional pre-conference workshops will also be held. Visit www.servicestrategies.com or call 858.674.4864. Register by 8/31 and receive a 10% discount!
| | | October 23-24th, 2006: East Coast - MarketingSherpa Business-to-Business Demand Generation Summit - MarketingSherpa's B-to-B Demand Generation Summits 2006 - Network with 500 B-to-B marketers & discover their best demand generation tactics.
| | | October 23rd-25th, 2006: ICCM Canada Conference & Exposition - The ICCM Canada Conference & Exposition has become the annual event for business leaders to network and share insights to make their organizations more effective, and for contact centre professionals to discuss the latest issues with people who share the same concerns, interests and ambitions. You will have the opportunity to ask questions, listen to new ideas, seek out-of-the-box solutions, and become part of a network community that will last long after you return to the office.
| | October 30th - November 2nd: Developing & Marketing Telecoms To Business Customers - Through operator case studies and expert presentations, you will discover how to develop and market competitively priced, innovative and customised FMC, HSDPA and all IP converged services and solutions that effectively facilitate and enhance the operational processes of your business customers. The conference will also address how operators will have to evolve their organisations, especially the customer care and sales departments, in response to increasingly complex and personalised product and service portfolios.
|
|
|
|
"OUR TAKE"
Events 
WEBCASTS (more)