Blog Center

From the November issue of Reference Point: I'm often asked where I see the future of customer advocacy and reference programs heading--I just spent about 40 minutes yesterday visiting with an executive and reference program manager about this--so I thought I'd share my thoughts in this month's issue.  The topic... read more →

Here's a quick update on a presentation we've added for the 2012 Summit on Customer Engagement:   How NetApp Is Bringing References to the Forefront of Marketing  Rochelle Silveira, Director and Tina Ashamalla, Sr. Manager, Global Reference Office, will show how they are moving NetApp's references to leading edge social... read more →

Continuing the last post, Become Famous, the best way to do this is to become a thought leader in your organization and among your professional peers. Take part in the conversation that you want to influence, and then start influencing it. Those who have access to customer success stories, customer... read more →

I said, "If I do better than him, why can't I get paid as much as him."  The client said, "Because he's famous, and you're not." There's two ways to deal with this: 1) Say life istn't fair or whine, or 2) Become famous." Marshall Goldsmith   Is that any less true... read more →

STEVE JOBS COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS, STANFORD UNVIVERSITY, 2005 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1R-jKKp3NA I am honored to be with you today at your commencement from one of the finest universities in the world. I never graduated from college. Truth be told, this is the closest I've ever gotten to a college graduation. Today I want to... read more →

How often have you had this expeirence? You're working with a service provider of some sort--a doctor, systems designer, accountant, consultant, decorator, financial planner, web designer, etc.--and you're explaning something that you think is important for him to know. And you suddenly realize, "he doesn't get what I'm doing here.... read more →

Early registration is now open for the 2012 Summit on Customer Engagement. Take advantage of the early reg discount (good until October 15).    Our theme: The Decade of Customer Advocacy   Like demand generation in the 2000s, customer advocacy in the 2010s will experience rapidly growing budgets and visibility.... read more →

I'm a fan of Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, and have enjoyed using Netflix service in the past, so I hate to pile on to the brickbats he's already received--but my goodness. Customers are irate for the way Hastings has handled the price and service changes Netflix is implementing. Mr. Hastings... read more →

Of course, we live in a time of tremendous excitement and creativity when it comes to using social media to get customers, and particularly, customer advocates together with other customers, buyers and prospects. We'll certainly be covering that at the 2012 Summit in February. But let's not forget: getting them... read more →

I wanted to give you a heads up on our newest initiative in response to feedback from our last Summit. I and our Advisory Board have heard from a lot of folks, "We need skills building." We're responding. We're going to add a track of workshops that will provide participants... read more →