Google Apps and Windows Live Max Effgen, November 27, 2011 While digging through some older posts, I came across the “Google Apps Sync for Microsoft Outlook” release announcement from 18 months ago. Google recently released version 2.5 of the product just over 1 week ago. An open question was how Microsoft would respond. Windows Live was the response. The functionality… Continue Reading
Cloud SLA Max Effgen, January 4, 2010 Taking a look back on Cloud Service Level Agreements (SLA) from approximately a year ago and seeing what has changed for the enterprise. The SLA is nothing new and have existed in information technology for many, many years. I can tell you firsthand that SLA remains critical to the selling… Continue Reading
Process Changes and the Sales Pipeline Max Effgen, December 3, 2009 In my experience, pipeline/forecast is one area of a CRM system that changes frequently. Fortunately, these changes require less coding changes through Windows Workflow Foundation (Dynamics CRM) and Workflow Automation (Salesforce). I have seen this both from the consulting side and as a user. Not going to comment on whether… Continue Reading
5 Questions Max Effgen, November 24, 2009 All consultants like to ask questions. Sometimes too many questions. Here are 5 that I keep on hand for initial client engagements. What do your expectations of a service provider? How do you see out team helping you address challenges and opportunities? Why are you changing providers? How do we… Continue Reading
Cloud Computing Debate @ Economist.com Max Effgen, November 17, 2009 Interesting reading. Worth checking this out. Some “real” posts coming soon. Economist.com: Cloud Computing Debate Continue Reading
CRM implementation priorities Max Effgen, November 9, 2009 The first priority of a CRM deployment should be to learn about existing customer data within the enterprise. It is obvious, but often overlooked. I often make it the top priority when scoping CRM services. Is all that customer data in all of the right hands? 99% of the time… Continue Reading
Know your customer… Max Effgen, October 23, 2009 A “Know your customer” re-post. Have a great weekend. “Know your customer” is the mantra. When you know the customer, good things happen. – Example, Client A increased user adoption to 70% of total call volume. ROI increase 25% in one quarter. When you know your customer, you can spot… Continue Reading
Read “A kinder, gentler cloud” Max Effgen, October 22, 2009 Solid read on the state of the cloud @ Fortune Brainstorm Tech: A kinder, gentler cloud. Check it out. Continue Reading
Social CRM Questions Max Effgen, October 15, 2009 My $0.02 on questions you need to answer in mapping out your Social CRM strategy: Where are your customers? Where do they go when they have issues with your products and services? How open is that conversation? How are you making them successful? What keeps them from flaming the CEO?… Continue Reading
CRM Trends Max Effgen, October 9, 2009 In a recent conversation, the topic turned to the future direction of CRM. Normally, I would wax philosophic on this but it is really pretty simple. Marketing is taking over more and more of the traditional sales cycle. Sales will spend less time educating and more time selling qualified prospects…. Continue Reading