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Jim Ewel answered this question at this roundtable

3 hours 2 minutes ago

The Rise of Pinterest in B2B [2/15 @ 11 am]

As Pinterest is mostly a picture board, what types on content should B2B companies be sharing on Pinterest?

Lauren, here are some ideas:
1) Pictures of the products you make. GE has a great example of this called Badass Machines http://pinterest.com/generalelectric/badass-machines/
2) Infographics
3) Videos. Pinterest allows you to post videos as well as pictures.
4) New designs or design ideas for products ... more

Marketing

B2B

Social Marketing

Lauren Harper answered this question

8 hours 13 minutes ago

Who should I follow on Focus?

Hi Steven,
Who you follow is totally up to you! I would suggest following people that you think contribute valuable information, and then looking at their profiles to see who they are following to get some other good ideas. Make sure that you are following ... more

Lauren Harper asked a question

8 hours 18 minutes ago

What updates can we expect from Twitter's acquisition of Summify?

Mike Muhney answered this question at this roundtable

9 hours 11 minutes ago

20 Years of Selling—A Discussion of Truth [2/3 @ 11 am]

I've been hearing a lot about social selling lately- do you see this becoming a main practice for sales reps?

Hi Bryce. Yes, I do, but with some caution mixed in with a little bit of cynicism still. Mind you, I personally and my company greatly benefit, or can, from social media, so I am not against it by any stretch of the imagination. I ... more

Laurence Ledford and 4 other people answered this question

9 hours 22 minutes ago

Does Twitter have real business value and should it be allowed in the workplace?

Twitter certainly can have a business value. If you look at companies like Infor who are leveraging the concept of social media networks, they are allowing the consumers to "subscribe" to feeds from within your ERP system based on a watch list that they define. ... more

Michael A Brown and 1 other person answered this question at this roundtable

9 hours 28 minutes ago

20 Years of Selling—A Discussion of Truth [2/3 @ 11 am]

What are some sales practices that were acceptable 20 years ago but should now be avoided at all costs?

Hi Nicholas! A glaring example: a string of closed-ended qualifying questions, usually driven by the data fields in a contact management or CRM system.
In 1996, I actually saw a 22-question (all closed-ended) call guide/script at a software company! It sounded like an interrogation rather ... more

Catherine Goldberg commented on a roundtable

10 hours 2 minutes ago

The Rise of Pinterest in B2B

According to a new study Pinterest drives more traffic than Google Plus. Check out the article here: http://mashable.com/2012/02/01/pinterest-traffic-study/ more

Mari Anne Vanella answered this question at this roundtable

10 hours 13 minutes ago

20 Years of Selling—A Discussion of Truth [2/3 @ 11 am]

What skills are essential for success in sales today?

Hi Jay,
1. Get familiar with the research platforms out there, i.e, Data.com, InsideView. Hoovers, Google, LinkedIn, etc. Understand how to find information on your prospects--not just getting contact names but understanding the data you find. Just a few examples, is a large percentage of ... more

Steven Moody asked a question at this roundtable

12 hours 2 minutes ago

20 Years of Selling—A Discussion of Truth [2/3 @ 11 am]

With so many channels, what is the most effective method to reach B2B prospects today (phone, Focus, Facebook, Twitter, etc.)?

Steven Moody and 3 other people answered this question

12 hours 10 minutes ago

What is the best and most cost effective way to email businesses without obtaining their permission?

David, check your premises. Do you need to email market to small businesses? Other things that may work just as well:
* writing useful guides for them and publishing on your blog (or itunes or amazon)
* Cold calling 20 prospects and asking them what ... more

Marketing

Email Campaign

Email Marketing

24 people recently signed up for this roundtable

12 hours 13 minutes ago

20 Years of Selling—A Discussion of Truth

Belldon Colme and 8 other people answered this question

13 hours 30 minutes ago

What does marketing need to understand about sales to align toward common goals?

Dave Brock is on the right track, though I want to take it a step further.
Marketing, Sales and Customer Service are separate functions within a company, perform separate tasks and carry separate accountability. But is that how it should be? They all, after all, ... more

Marketing

Sales

Goal Alignment

Management Best Practices

12 more topics

Bob Gately and 9 other people answered this question at this roundtable

13 hours 47 minutes ago

Modern Sales Management: How the Best Sales Managers Thrive in Today’s New Environment [10/6 @ 11 am]

Why are only 50% of sales people making quota?

If hiring managers hire for competence and sales talent, their salespeople will be more successful than if they hired for competence alone.
1. How do you define talent?
2. How do you measure talent?
3. How do you know a candidate’s talent?
4. How do ... more

Belldon Colme answered this question

14 hours 10 minutes ago

Which section or content do you get the most value from on news websites?

Living in America, I try to read foreign news about the US. The difference in spin is often profound, and provides a useful counterpoint for our own decisions. I also scan the editorials. I find these most useful for putting relevant stories on my radar ... more

Beth Avery answered this question

14 hours 48 minutes ago

How should a new company advertise if it has a limited budget?

There are a few different avenues you can take. I guess my first question is this - What is your goal for advertising? Is it to bring people to your website? Is it to bring people to a specific landing page where someone can buy ... more

Eric Wittlake and 2 other people answered this question at this roundtable

15 hours 31 minutes ago

Top Technology Marketers to Watch in 2012 [1/31 @ 1 pm]

Do social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter offer deep enough levels of engagement for B2B marketers?

Scott, I think the question is "deep enough for what?" Sites like Twitter and Facebook offer enough engagement to help make new connections and they can help keep in touch with potential prospects that are not really in the buying process yet.
Of course, this ... more

Cale Helmer and 4 other people answered this question

16 hours 45 minutes ago

What is the most effective way to secure a meeting with higher ups in a company?

Good morning Jake.
I'd like to go back and emphasize a point Matt made earlier in this string. In his 4th bullet; "Influence their direct reports", he mentions having them evangelize the idea for you. I wholeheartedly agree. It's critical that you establish brand champions ... more

Events

Round Two: Getting the Most Out of Google+ For Your Business Feb 7 @ 11 am PT
The Social CMO - Integrating the Efforts & Connecting the Dots Feb 8 @ 11 am PT
How to Sell B2B Products and Services via Paid Search Feb 9 @ 11 am PT
Social Media and Content Marketing For Business Q&A Feb 14 @ 11 am PT
The Rise of Pinterest in B2B Feb 15 @ 11 am PT

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