Here is a simple and effective way to allocate your business-to-business lead generation budget. Use the first third of your B2B lead generation budget for Internet marketing. Start with: Search engine optimization (SEO) so your web pages will be found when prospects are using the leading search engines to find companies, products or services like yours. Improving your website so it does a better job of helping visitors move from awareness to inquiry to consideration to purchase (Help yourself to my complimentary Web site design checklists for B2B marketers.). MORE >>

As we rapidly approach 2010, it’s hard not to consider the implications of social media’s banner year: 2009. Brands continue to adopt social media marketing practices just as fast as populations join social networks and utilizes social media sites. It has become fairly clear that the rapid adoption of this technology over the last year will certainly give rise to a number of trends in the coming years. Recently, David Armano wrote a very interesting blog post on the Harvard Business Blog outlining six social media trends for 2010. Corporations look to scale. Interactive MORE >>

Signs are all around that we're sliding down a slippery slope. It's obvious to so many of us that 'society' is moving beyond civilization -  following the path of the once great Roman and Greek cultures. Business priorities are questionable, personal lives are filled with violence and disrespect.    The mighty quest for success seems to be rising above all things, including dignity, honesty, common courtesy and even our own kids.    Just when I'm getting depressed - a Bright Light shines. He is a beacon of strength and positive thinking. MORE >>

This weekend my daughter and I were hanging out at one of our favorite spots: the park. As we were making our way from the swings to the slides, I was struck by how much she's changed since the spring. Several months ago, she needed help to do almost anything, but now she is navigating many things like a pro (except embarking on her favorite purple dinosaur and getting in the swings). We've been to the park so often, we have this unspoken understanding; I (usually) know when and where she needs a hand and when she wants to be independent. How can we be more accessible without hovering? MORE >>

Don’t miss this opportunity to vote for your top five candidates to be among the fifty most influential people in sales lead management in 2009. Because the Sales Lead Management Association (SLMA) is closing the polls at Midnight Pacific Time (UTC-8) on Friday, November 13th. Both members and non-members can vote. So why don’t you click this link to cast your votes right now: www.salesleadmgmtassn.com/top50_vote.htm. Then be sure to watch for the results on November 16, 2009. promise to publish the list of winners right here, whether I make the cut or not. Thanks much! MORE >>