Pipeline and Forecasting Max Effgen, July 18, 2012 In my experience, pipeline/forecast is one area of a CRM system that changes frequently. Way to frequently. Fortunately, these changes require less coding changes today through Windows Workflow Foundation (Dynamics CRM) and Workflow Automation (Salesforce) that in CRM days of old. Not going to comment on whether it is right… Continue Reading
Social CRM Strategy Max Effgen, July 9, 2012 Social CRM came up in a recent conversation. Microsoft’s acquisition of Yammer and Salesforce’s multiple buys in this area has validated a market that was a huge question mark 3 years ago. Like any business process application I recommend that following: Keep it simple. Know your customers. Show them the… Continue Reading
CRM Integration Max Effgen, June 11, 2012 One of the biggest challenges that CRM systems have is integration with back end systems. In the cloud with hosted CRM, this in some ways is actually a bigger challenge than it was in the past. From CRM to ERP Pipeline and Forecast data are the most common and most… Continue Reading
Hyperdecanting Max Effgen, May 14, 2012 Or how to make 20 Buck Chuck… A friend, who works for Myhrvold’s Intellectual Ventures, mentioned this “hyperdecanting” method in passing — over beers. He had not tried it. I was intrigued. I now consider myself a budget oenophile and enjoy surprising friends with how good a decanted bottle of… Continue Reading
Fenway Park turns 100 Max Effgen, April 24, 2012December 1, 2013 I have been fortunate to attend some amazing baseball games. Fenway’s 100th anniversary game last Friday will join that list — not for the Red Sox play, but for the amazing pre-game celebration. Nearly all living, former Red Sox players took the field. The best seats I have ever been… Continue Reading
Great 5 minute video on Entrepreneurship Max Effgen, April 12, 2012 Entrepreneurship is… from Tyler Mayeno on Vimeo. This video came out just about a year ago. It still is inspiring. Richard Tait on dreams, passions and entrepreneurship. I have been lucky enough to meet Richard a few times. He is nothing short of inspirational. The video will not tell you… Continue Reading
The 4P’s and pricing data Max Effgen, April 8, 2012 The 4 P’s (Product, Price, Place and Promotion) are the standard Marketing Mix. This is not just MBA “marketing fluff”, the P’s are where the rubber meets the road in CRM, namely quote generation. There is a bigger but untalked about 5th P (Problems) that haunts pricing and quotes. Product… Continue Reading
The most delicious hunk of junk in the galaxy Max Effgen, April 2, 2012December 1, 2013 Found these awesome Star Wars Millennium Falcon silicon molds. They turned out these detailed and delicious treats over the weekend. Pretty sure on the Kessel Run, these would melt in less than 12 parsecs. The molds are available at Amazon and other places where Star Wars fans shop… Continue Reading
Importance of understanding culture Max Effgen, March 24, 2012 I have been fortunate to have worked internationally in Mexico, UK, Japan and South Korea. Different places, different faces and different unwritten rules. A few rules have enriched my experiences abroad. Learn some of the language. Learn the power of hierarchy and the cultural norms. First, always know how to… Continue Reading
Amazon buys Kiva Systems Max Effgen, March 19, 2012 The amazing Kiva Systems robots are now part of Amazon.com. Kiva System’s robots already have a place at Amazon’s Zappos. Now Amazon looks to likely take this technology forward in the operations and logistics side of the house. Toys-R-us is a Kiva Systems customer. Maybe this can help the Amazon… Continue Reading