There’s one thing that we all know for sure—not all shoppers are alike. Thanks to big data, we now have a better idea about what shoppers like and what they don’t. Millennials, for instance, have some very strong tendencies in how they use the Web and mobile while researching and shopping, and also around what triggers them to make purchases. …
Intent data: Taking personalized marketing to new level
Big data and analytics have become the holy grail of marketing speak. Being more data driven has definitely become hip, but it’s not hype. Brands and marketers are using data to track customer journeys, to target and capture new customers, and to retain existing ones. Today’s consumers have come to expect a lot more from brands than simply the ability …
Crafting The Mobile Experience
This post is sponsored by Samsung Business. All thoughts and opinions are my own. The rapid proliferation of mobile has done more than just untether us. Sure, we no longer have to rough it to our office just to check email or to update a spreadsheet. But in reality, that isn’t really all that new. What is new is the importance …
#SMACTalk Episode # 37 – Technology’s Role in the Customer Journey!
We’re proudly sponsored by SAP. On the Friday before Labor Day weekend, Brian and I were happy to have Shawn Elledge join us on Blab to discuss the role of tech in the new customer journey. As the CEO of Integrated Marketing Summit we knew Shawn would have a lot to contribute to this topic, and he didn’t fail to …
The Biggest Challenge for MSPs…What the Heck is an MSP?
The term managed service providers—or MSPs—has been around for nearly a decade, but what it really means is one of the biggest conundrums in the IT industry. We all know an MSP is a company that manages and maintains the day to day operations of the network and/or IT functionality on behalf of its clients, outside their premises. But, that …
The Snowball Effect of Implementing “Cheap IT”
I’ll be honest. I don’t like the ring of it when people utter the words “cheap” and “IT” in the same breath. But wait, this post isn’t about my personal preferences, right? Actually, it is! I’m going to talk about why “cheap” and “IT” are not best buddies from a business standpoint, and why it is dangerous for any company …
Discussing The Future of Customer Experience at #3DExciteLive
Chris Hillyer Chris Hillyer of Deckers Brands (Best known for Ugg) did a presentation at 3DExciteLive about innovation in the 3D space so I asked him to share a bit with the community about how 3D is impacting customer experience. Chris said that Ugg’s systems have been antiquated in the past. They built products, shipped them off, and put them in …
Enterprise IT Reality: Cyberthreats and Security Fears
Today’s enterprise IT teams are largely kept awake at night focused on cyberthreats and security fears. That’s very different, though, than what tech teams have focused on in the past. Consider this: In November 1988, the world was introduced to the first widespread computer bug. The virus caused thousands of machines to crash and resulted in damage that was well …
Collaboration and Communication Drive Mobile Workers and Global Business
For most companies, business is no longer restricted to a single time zone. In fact, it is common for even small companies to have some type of global footprint, be it a global support team for technological issues or an overseas manufacturing plant. Even when a company’s operations aren’t global, it’s extremely common that they have clients around the world. …
Workplace Gamification: The Service Companies Need from Their MSP
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Well, not anymore. Gamification is the hot new trend many organizations are using to increase the level of employee engagement in the workplace. For the uninitiated, gamification means introducing game-thinking in non-game environments. In the case of workplace gamification, common elements—like competition, rewards, and storytelling—are “borrowed” from traditional games and …