CRM Success by the Numbers - Part 4: How Many Licks Does It Take?

At Valentine's Day, it's hard to resist a few candy references. So, as the rollout progresses, you may think you have this CRM project licked. In fact, you may even start to think that sweet success is so close you can taste it. You’ve gotten the hard parts out of the way: The end users are on board. The installation is done. The invoice is paid. Now you think it’s all downhill from here, right?

Not always. What you may not have considered is that as more and more users are rolled out, all the new information pouring into the system can actually gum things up. During this phase, you if you don't get on the stick and really focus on data quality, things can quickly get out of hand.

So how many numbers does it take to achieve CRM data quality? Plenty. Start by gauging the ongoing data cleanup. Good metrics here include:

• Number of contact records cleaned
• Number of duplicates merged
• Number of records with complete contact information
• Number of bad e-mail addresses fixed

All these numbers can help you to stay on top of the data quality which can keep the whole CRM project from going sour.

Your Basic Guide to Understanding Search Engine Optimization

Search engine optimization, commonly abbreviated as SEO, has become a buzz word across all industries in the last few years. SEO is a process of making your Web site search engine friendly to help drive traffic to your site. This means that when users enter certain keywords into the search function of search engines such as Google and Yahoo, a link to your Web site or article will appear if you have properly optimized your site or article. You can optimize your business' Web site, as well as place strategically-written SEO articles on other Web sites to draw traffic to your Web site. Before you can successfully utilize SEO, there are a few steps you should take to make sure your efforts pay off.

In order for SEO to work properly, your site must be written using HTML or PHP mark-up language (the weird text you see when you look behind the scenes of a Web site). Each page of your site or article must meet specific standards to be correctly indexed so users can easily locate your site or article. Your first step is to make a list of target keywords if you have not already done so. Your list should contain descriptive words about your business and the services or goods you provide. For example, if your business is Tommy's Speedy Car Wash in Columbus, Ohio, your target keyword list may resemble the following:

• Tommy's Speedy Car Wash
• Car wash
• Quick car wash
• Cars
• Car washes in Ohio
• Columbus, Ohio car wash
• Car detailing
• Polish
• Buff
• Coupons
• Etc.

After you have completed your target keyword list, make sure you heavily use these words throughout each page of your Web site (at least every 90 words), or frequently throughout each article (appearing approximately every 150 words).

Now we'll move onto working with the HTML code of your site. Your next step is to examine the page titles of your site. Your title should be relatively short, to the point and effectively describe what actually appears on each page. Try to incorporate words from your targeted keyword list whenever possible, unless it results in an awkward-sounding title. An example of a page title for Tommy's Speedy Car Wash would be: "Tommy's Speedy Car Wash Coupons."

The next step to optimizing your site is to place "description" and "keywords" metatags in the head of each Web page. Each page should have a different tag. An example of this is as follows:

Description: "supplier of quality car wash and detailing services at discount prices"
Keywords: "car wash, detailing, quick, discount"

The next step in the process is to incorporate heading tags in your Web site's HTML code. Many search engines place the most emphasis on heading tags, so it is critical to use words from your target keyword list for this step. Place one "h1" tag on each page next to the most important keyword. Use subsequent head tags ("h2," "h3," etc) to support the main heading, and draw additional hits to your site from supporting keywords:

h1 - Car wash
h2 - Quick Shine Car Wash service

As previously stated, the text of each page of your Web site, or article should contain words from your targeted keywords list. Additionally, try your best to incorporate words that people may commonly enter when searching for a business of your type. For instance, when searching for a car detailing service provider in Columbus, Ohio, someone may enter "quick and affordable detailing service in Columbus, Ohio." You may want to place "get quick and affordable detailing services" in a few places on your site to help drive traffic to your site when someone is searching for that specific term. Be careful to strategically place your keywords and search terms throughout the text so you ad copy does not sound unnatural.

J. Mariah Brown is the owner and editor-in-chief of Writings by Design, LLC. Mastering SEO can be a little confusing when you first begin. If you need help navigating through the process, or if you would like to learn more about SEO and how you can quickly and inexpensively drive traffic to your company Web site, email Writings by Design at inquiry@writingsbydesign.com, call us at 866-937-2361 or tell us more about your goals or future project at http://writingsbydesign.com/contact_us.

Looking for Investor ($10M) for business model with a yearly profit margin projected of $50M

Investors

               Hello, my name is Richard and to view a outline of my expertise please visit http://www.linkedin.com/in/richardrive.I have develop over the last few years a modern business model which potential are immeasurable after the initial return of investment. This business model is unique in the matter that itself can sustain in any market in numerous industries with different economies trends worldwide. The business model was develop as a global brick and mortar business with all the capabilities and advancement of the online service provider frame which theses are only two of the numerous streams of revenue.

This business model is not an MLM’s or a merchandize manufacture. The business model evolve in its own services provider entity (no 3^{rd parties}), business development function, and world economics intelligence frame, allowing the model to infiltrate in any industry and adapt in any market. It interacts locally as well as nationally and globally. Its initial development phase (structure) is estimate to be concluded in two-year period, with generating profits at the end of the first year. Second phase consist on economic introduction (growth) which estimate within two to three years. Profit margin after five years is estimated to be over the $50,000,000.

The business model requires a minimum investment of $10,000,000. Depending on investment solicitors, business model might be up for auctioning taking into consideration the investor itself. A well investment margin is estimate to be in the $15M. This would curtail the time expected to reach minimum ROI. The ROI is anticipated at 20% flat rate with other beneficial gains. Meaning, a approximate of $10M a year as your initial ROI.

As a state of the art business model, business plan will not be mail, fax, or e-mail for security reason even with a confidential agreement in place.

In order to receive an overview presentation of such business model, investors must contact me at richard.r@markintelbd.com to schedule an overview presentation. Investors are to provide all travel arrangement and expensive including conference room and equipment for them self if traveling to my vicinity or myself if I were to travel to their vicinity. Please be advice that investors have to provide with a letter of intent and show proof of investment. Brokers are welcome under the same criteria’s mentioned in this post.

Review: This is an exceptional and impressive business model that our current economy has not develop yet, but its credibility have been proven for more than 50 years. This business model will change the concept on how business is conducted worldwide as is distinctive from others companies that are years away from understanding its concept. Currently this business plan does not have any partners, affiliates, joint ventures, and 3^rd parties conjunctions or debts, meaning that it will be held only by the investors.

Thank you for your time, for more information please contact me, have a great day.

Richard

For Write a Marketing Agency Brief

The next time you charge to abrupt your business bureau for a action of plan you would like them to undertake, you ability like to accede the afterward structure. I accept been application this for abounding years and it is about able-bodied accustomed by agencies as it gives them a bright compassionate of what it is they charge to do for you.

A acceptable bureau abrupt break down into the afterward sections.

Situation

Where are you now? This could cover an overview of the accomplished business and the accepted business situation. It ability cover aggregation turnover, bazaar share, trends, bazaar ability in agreement of cartography and applications, archetypal chump profiles, antecedent business campaigns and their results, cast acumen and conceivably a SWOT assay to accommodate a snapshot if centralized and alien issues adverse the company.

Marketing Objectives

Where do you wish to go? What's the new position you are aiming for already this business action is underway or completed? An account of the organisations aspirations and any absolute marcoms objectives.

Marketing Strategy

Explain how the aggregation intends to accomplish its objectives in the widest faculty and cover any added elements from the business mix that anatomy allotment of that strategy. This will advice the bureau to advance and chip business communications access to the market.

Marketing Tactics

Include actuality data of the adapted elements already in abode or planned as allotment of the aloft strategy. For example, the business action may accredit to the use of PR or exhibitions and why those activities abutment the strategy, but actuality added detail can be accustomed to the absolute Public Relations action undertaken or the specific exhibitions acclimated and why they accept been called as adapted to the strategy.

Target Market

Define as able-bodied as accessible the contour of the ambition audience. Why do they buy your product/service, what problems are to be solved, what is the banking association of these issues to the ambition customer, why does your action accommodated their needs and how ability it do so bigger than anyone else?

Money

Describe the account and any penalties for overspend.

Minutes

The timescale and any deadlines such as an exhibition area the after-effects of this abrupt are needed.

(Wo)Men

Who is complex in the accommodation authoritative action and what are their roles? Who should the bureau acquaintance if they accept added questions? Who does the bureau address to?

Measurement

How will achievement be evaluated?

This access to developing the conference certificate avalanche into a accurate acronym which makes it easier to bethink - SOSTT + 4M's.

Make Best Service From Your Folder Printing Company

If you ambition to accomplish abiding that your accord with your binder press aggregation is an able and advantageous one there are a few things you can do to bland the way to a abundant relationship. Believe it or not, at the basis of a lot of issues lies just one could cause - poor communication. Keeping in abutting acquaintance with your binder press aggregation throughout the activity will go a continued way in allowance to abstain accidental delays or mistakes.

It's important that you never accept anyone abroad knows what's in your mind. Accomplish abiding you spell out your account and expectations fully, appropriate from the start. That way there's a far greater adventitious you'll see them getting put into convenance after any authority up. Press folders is a adequately aboveboard job compared to a lot of added press work, because the agreeable is simple in agreement of argument and artwork. Unlike for instance a archive or a booklet, a binder doesn't crave hundreds or bags of words of copy. So from your point of appearance it's a lot easier to adapt the cyberbanking files to abide to your binder press company.

The minimum they're traveling to allegation from you is your aggregation logo in cyberbanking form, forth with any added advice you'd like to accept printed on the awning of your folder, such as your aggregation name, address, buzz and added acquaintance details.

You will aswell accept to adjudge on assertive variables afore your job can progress. Your binder can be printed just on the alfresco cover, or you can aswell opt for argument and images to be printed on the central as well. Not decidedly this will affect the amount you will pay.

Further choices are offered in agreement of the awning accomplishment by your binder press company. Appearance or matte adorn are two accessible options, or you may accept to accept a laminated finish, afresh either in appearance or matte.

What about pockets, business agenda or CD slits? You can accept these able as allotment of your folders on both or one of the abandon internally, or you may not ambition to accept any. Generally these are accessible at no added charge.

Remember that presentation folders are a abundant way to actualize a favorable consequence for your company, and they are acutely able because you can chop and change the capacity as generally as you like whilst application a able image.

Work alone with an accomplished and acclaimed binder press aggregation and accomplish abiding you access accomplished superior press at a aggressive rate.

Top 10 Tips for Writing Your Business Plan

Summary: A business plan is a road map that helps determine your company's path to profits. From creating a vision to accounting for the unexpected, these hints can help you do it right.

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Whether or not you are seeking financing from lenders, it is essential that you create a comprehensive, thoughtful business plan for your new company. Management of your operations, promotion of your business, and articulation of your objectives all depend on developing a good plan. Think of it as a road map for your business, helping you determine what resources you will need to make a profit.

Writing your business plan forces you to think objectively about your business, and you may even come up with new business strategies in the process. The plan will also serve as a record that you can revisit over time to remain on target or reassess your direction.

These 10 tips can help speed the process and make sure you end up with a powerful, realistic plan to attract investment and guide your decisions:

1. Create a vision. It's tempting to roll up your sleeves and plunge right in to the details of your business -- evaluating products, studying market segments, and sizing up your competition. But don't, at least not yet.

Before you get lost in the details, outline a clear vision and a coherent set of values for your company. Develop a mission statement and use it to define short-term goals and priorities. Once you have a clear, big-picture road map for your business, you can plan your journey with more confidence.

2. Know that a budget isn't the same thing as a plan. You can't create a solid business plan without a budget and financial forecast. But a budget should ultimately reflect all of the other elements in your plan.

If you don't have a clear picture of your industry, customers, competitors, and market conditions before you develop a budget, your numbers aren't likely to reflect reality.

3. Don't ignore your customers. We all know the saying "The customer is always right." This is most true when it comes to how they choose to spend their money.

Too many entrepreneurs assume they know exactly what their customers need without bothering to ask. Take the time to learn about your customers, and build your business plan around their needs and desires.

4. Don't underestimate competitors. Don't be cocky. If you assume your firm will be the only game in town, or if you fail to take existing competitors seriously, you're asking for trouble.

Pay attention to the competition and you won't be unpleasantly surprised. Also, your competitors can be a great source of information about what works and what doesn't.

5. Be prepared to take risks. Creating a business plan isn't about avoiding risk; it's about understanding and managing risk. That's why a good business plan anticipates possible challenges, as well as possible good and bad scenarios. It should also include a variety of strategies for meeting challenges and taking advantage of opportunities.

There's a difference between a calculated risk and recklessness, and your plan can help you make that distinction.

6. Get a second (and third) opinion. Even the most experienced entrepreneurs know that they can still benefit from a different point of view.

Even if you're the only person involved in your business, find someone who can study your plan objectively and point out possible weaknesses, such as issues you might have missed, and highlight areas of strength.

7. Expect the unexpected. Every business plan needs some wiggle room to allow for unexpected events. Part of this involves creating budgets and marketing plans with some built-in flexibility. But adapting to change also means that you might have to modify or even abandon business practices that worked well in the past. Stay nimble!

8. Don't forget what makes you unique. A cookie-cutter business plan might help you get started, but it won't help you succeed. And while it is wise to look at your competitors, don't model your business after them. After all, you're in business to beat the competition.

Learn from your competitors' strengths, but also learn how to spot their weaknesses and use the information to improve your own business plan.

9. Be clear about the rewards. Building a business involves hard work and struggle, but it should also include a clear set of rewards, both for you and your employees.

When you set goals in your business plan, include some concrete motivation that goes beyond the satisfaction of a job well done. People work harder when they know what they're working for.

10. Don't skip the plan. Of course, the biggest mistake of all is failing to create a business plan in the first place. Planning is hard work, and there's no guarantee it will make your business succeed. But a good plan is still the best way to turn your vision into a realistic, coherent business. So don't just think about this step -- really do it.

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Business Takeaways:

1. Before you create a business plan, clarify your business vision, including mission statement, company values, and short-term goals.
2. You must have a clear picture of your industry, customers, competitors, and market conditions to determine important budget numbers -- and have a sound business strategy -- in your business plan.
3. Once you've created your business plan, get an objective second (and third) opinion to ensure that you're on the right track.

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