As an editor and marketer, I spend a lot of time thinking about the “how to”—in other words, how to translate the best and more interesting marketing ideas into truly actionable steps for organizations looking to grow their business. mere 12% of business executives say their companies are using social media effectively, according to a recent study by Harvard Business Review Analytic Services. That bit about being “honestly empathetic” above is the key: Put yourself in the shoes of your customers and consider what you can do to best suit their needs. MORE >>

You can also read his feature article Make 2013 Your Best Sales Year Ever in the January 2013 issue of Success Magazine. Click to start video at this point — The fact that most sales teams don’t even know how to use little data effectively should indicate that trying to tackle big data would be a fruitless task. The client who you can do the best work for and create the most value. My guest today is Anthony Iannarino, President and CSO for SOLUTIONS Staffing. 2013 Predictions—Why Big Data Shouldn’t Be the Focus. What About Little Data and Social Media? Stay Tuned MORE >>

Even with the best-laid plans, things will go wrong. Driving effective, successful collaboration between sales and marketing will drive both sides to feel better about their contribution, the direct line it provides to revenue, and greater satisfaction in their day-to-day execution to achieve those results Matt Heinz has more than 12 years of marketing, business development and sales experience from a variety of organizations, vertical industries and company sizes; including Microsoft, Weber Shandwick, Boeing, The Seattle Mariners, Market Leader and Verdiem. Common objectives. MORE >>

Modeling is more effective if managers and salespeople set asside time for pre-work and analysis after observation. Roland Nadeau of Integrate B2B advises that B2B sales organizations stay in a closing state of mind with three tips: Buy the right leads, leverage channels and budgets effectively, and optimize offer types to maximize engagement. The Force Multiplier Effect of Social Media for Professional Sellers. SPI''s Solution Selling blog encourages sales pros to embrace social media and take advantage of its multiplier effect. Going Beyond Cost-Benefit Analysis. MORE >>

Given that your competitors are facing the same challenges, deploying the same strategies and spending the same or more on sales and marketing, how are you going to make your sales and marketing more effective in capturing greater share, making your company profitable, and growing value for your funding partners and future investors? One answer includes applying, tracking and measuring best-practice sales lead management processes. Could the reasons why point to similar expense paths for the marketing automation vendors looking at going public? Sales and marketing activity. MORE >>