For Experts

Focus is an open business exchange where business and IT professionals, consultants, analysts, vendors and others can contribute their insight and knowledge to the Focus community. Focus calls this group of member contributors the Focus Research Network. Individuals who contribute high-quality content on a regular basis will earn the designation of Focus Expert.

Contributions

Focus members can publish content in many forms on Focus, including:

Community Research: Contribute in the form of topic-specific Business Briefs, Case Studies, Best Practice Guides, Case Studies and How-to Guides. Community research can also be submitted for publication to receive "Focused Approved" badges and extra site promotion.

Questions and Answers: Answer specific questions from other Focus members.

Group Discussions: Participate in topic-specific discussions initiated by Focus users.

Becoming an Expert

Focus members who contribute high-quality content on a regular basis can become experts. Focus Experts receive active promotion within targeted Focus newsletters, groups, and community and content pages.

The Focus Research and Editorial team will evaluate the following to determine expert status of applicants:

  • Quality of community research submissions
  • Quantity and quality of answers to questions
  • Membership in relevant groups and participation in groups discussions
  • Community response to your comments, questions and answers through votes, ratings and so on.

Areas of Expertise

Focus seeks primarily four types of experts:

  • Functional experts who provide expertise regarding the management and operations of key business functions, including IT, sales, marketing, customer services, finance, HR and operations.
  • Industry experts who address key issues facing businesses in certain industries - for example, health and pharmaceuticals, retail, software and technology, energy, services or financial services.
  • Product and service experts who evaluate market trends as well as provide practical advice on purchase, implementation and support of key products and services, such as CRM, ERP, IT security, telephony and communications, HR outsourcing, financial and legal services, and so on.
  • SMB experts who discuss and analyze general issues facing SMBs.