Unlocking CRM Potential: What to Look for and Why

Let’s get this out of the way right now: I am not a CRM implementation expert. My job is to train and strategize with Online Sales Counselors (OSCs) and companies to help them thrive in their roles and their adoption of the CRM across all departments. It’s important for the marketing, sales, and online salespeople to all be rowing in the same direction when it comes to big tools like the CRM. I’ll give you the ideas and the parameters, but I leave the nitty-gritty of CRM setup to the techies and specialists. What I do know is what a CRM should be able to do for you as an OSC in the homebuilding industry. It’s up to you to become the expert on the platform your company uses. And let’s be honest—often OSCs end up being the CRM experts in their companies. So, roll up your sleeves, dive in, and figure it out. Here’s the good news: there are resources everywhere. Your CRM likely has a support team, a knowledge base, and (bless the internet gods) YouTube. You can Google just about anything these days. Or—and here’s a crazy idea—you can play with it. Tinker, explore, and press all…

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Hammer Happy Hour: How to Tweak Your Social Media Plan on Facebook

September 10, 2009

While I know I haven’t hit expert status yet, I’m just itching to start a social media consulting business. That, or at the very least, I’m ready to offer some free ideas to a few businesses that I’ve “fanned” because I think they may be teetering on the edge of losing their audience… I’ve quickly noticed that many people are getting onto facebook and twitter the same way they started web pages 10+ years ago.…

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Can You Have A Debate in 140 Characters?

September 5, 2009

After my last post about debates on facebook, I decided to see if it was possible to have a debate in 140 Characters. The other day my cousin posted a ridiculous video in his facebook status update which sparked an intense debate between myself and one of his friends about the health care system. As usual my cousin posted something controversial but didn’t, himself debate the issue. Sadly I don’t believe it’s because he’s above…

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Debates on Facebook: Like An American Jew Sitting Next to Two Arabs in an Old City Jerusalem Pizza Parlor

September 4, 2009

In social media, interacting though facebook, twitter and the like can be a dialogue. I see people updating most often with the literal, “what they are doing.” (I do this as well) But less often status updates express thoughts, ideas and beliefs. It’s as if for the most part no one wants to rock the boat and put something up that “friends” or “followers” might not find agreeable. And when we do post something controversial…

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