New year sales - Are you ready?

What is it about new year that makes us all intent on changing our ways? It is just another turn of the clock, another old month turning into a new one, yet people become obsessed in the early weeks of January to give things up and start new past times. Every office is slightly more awkward as the tension from cigarette quitters or chocolate avoiders begins to take it's toll. By February, the resolutions more often than not find themselves on the same heap as unwanted Christmas presents and leftover holiday food, well and truly binned and forgotten about.

Happy Christmas from us, and our guest laggard

Follow our guest writer/account manager on his journey into social media

22/12/10
9.25am - Seeing as it's been over a week now, and I've so far Tweeted just once (is that the right terminology?...Shakespeare would be turning in his grave), when I was so angered by a motorist cutting me up at a roundabout that I stormed into the house and immediately vented my anger in 116 characters, I decided this morning to start following a few people to see if that gave me any inspiration. I've never been particularly comfortable with the word 'following'; call me old fashioned but it sounds a tad on the stalker side. 'My followers' also sounds like I've started some kind of cult movement too. Am I supposed to be preaching guidance to those who have chosen my path of enlightenment? Read more

11 New year's resolutions for companies wanting to make the most of web listening

The world and his wife seem to be making lists about about their web predictions for 2011 (a sign that many see the increasing importance of SEO work as the number 1 priority perhaps...). I'm also trying to come up with some personal new years resolutions currently, so I can at least have something to talk about with friends over the holidays, even if I know full well that I'll never give up chocolate or consider going for a twice-weekly run!

So, wanting to get involved in the party, I've compiled a list of 11 things companies should look at doing in the new year, if they haven't already done so, to make sure they're getting the most value from information readily available on the web. Of course, if I had my corporate face on, number one would always be talk to Artesian...But seeing as it's the season of giving, I'll try and steer clear of any bias:

20% of marketing spend for social media is only going one way

How long will it be before social media is just called media? That might sound like a silly question but when was the last time you saw a big marketing campaign that didn't include a link to a Facebook page or a Twitter feed to follow or respond to? I saw this recent article claim that social media budgets will encompass 20% of all marketing spend in 2011. And that number, in theory should only continue to spiral upwards.

Our new Sales Intelligence and SM monitoring gazettes

For the observant among you on a Friday afternoon (well done to the both of you) this will already be old news but for those who spend the majority of Friday dreaming of Saturday this is for you.

It's there, but how do we use it?

The theme of Le Web so far has been one that we're all to used to seeing by now. Everyone is really excited by the web (or Le web for our French friends) and know it can benefit their business, but they've yet to solve the riddle of just how. Those who have spoken to us so far see social media as a personal tool and many stands here are focusing on combining apps to help the average consumer. Still it seems the advantages for business are being overlooked.

It's that time of year...Le Web

Just about to set off on the short journey to Le Web and looking forward to meeting as many people as possible this year. As part of the Bizspark progamme again we'll be in the Start-up zone so if you care to come and say hello, please do so.

A week in sales blogs 3/12/10

The Artesian blog takes a look at some of the top sales tips and blog posts from around the web this week: