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Why should your business be in the Cloud and using Social Media?

by Richie Bowden on November 10th, 2010
17 Comments



Cloud Consulting Ltd. would like to invite you to the next in their series of strategic Cloud Computing briefings on Thursday November 18th in Belfast.  This free event is targeted at business and technology managers and leaders who are considering the use of Social Media and Cloud Computing within their organisation. Full agenda and registration details for the seminar on November 18th are at cvent.com

The event will be introduced and chaired by Tim Pullen, Managing Director of Cloud Consulting Ltd. Tim has over 30 years experience of working at the leading edge of business technology. In addition to managing his company he has run and chaired more than 10 Cloud events this year.

Prior to the main presentation Richie Bowden, Owner, RB Consulting and a Founder Director of EuroCloud Ireland will discuss the importance of having a social media strategy and outline a simple methodology for creating such a strategy.

Niall Carey and Joe McNally from Salesforce.com will present an overview of how collaborative business working and interaction with social media is a key component of Salesforce.com’s application and strategy. Later they will demonstrate Chatter – collaborative business networking that comes as standard in the Salesforce.com application.

Following this will be Hugh Jones from CastleBridge Associates who will discuss the importance of managing risk on the Cloud and consider the extent to which companies pay attention to the actual information. You are warned that this session is likely to be very challenging and Hugh will highlight many of the legal and governance pitfalls that we are all too likely to fall into chasing the hyped up Cloud.

The event will include a case study from Paul Bacon, Director of CPL Northern Ireland. Paul is a leading business figure with extensive experience of using Cloud technologies. CPL are a major European recruitment agency with considerable experience of using social media as part of their core business and who are leading the way in their industry as early adopters of Cloud technology in order to drive competitive advantage.

There will be a panel session allowing you to put questions on Cloud Computing and Social Media to the experts. We would also like you to tell us about your own experiences and how you are using these technologies within your own business.

Please register at cvent.com

Cloud Consulting would like to acknowledge the support of CPL Northern Ireland, Opsource & Salesforce in organising this event.



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The Author:

Richard is a believer and advises companies on the use of Cloud services, Agile and Lean start-up principles. His focus is on innovative solutions that bring practical business benefits. He has over 18 years experience in a variety of IT roles, including over 10 years management experience working for companies such as IBM Software, Oracle & KPMG Consulting. In his various roles, his focus has been on rolling out innovative IT solutions and services, using user centered design to deliver practical business benefits. Richie is a PMI certified Project Management Professional and a certified Scrummaster. http://www.rbconsulting.ie

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  • http://twitter.com/supplyIE supplyIE

    Great post, we clearly must to find out the reason of his objection but sometimes we have to accept a ‘No’ and to go forth. Thanks very much for your post.

    Nicolas.

  • http://twitter.com/marketingdebbie TheMarketingShop.ie

    Hi Philip,

    Enjoyed the post. If you can’t close the sale it’s always worth finding out why, as worst case you’ll learn from it for the future.  Sometimes a client doesn’t exactly make it easy as although we don’t like to hear a no a lot of people don’t like to say no either – particularly if the reason relates to cost.

  • Philip O’Rourke

    Many thanks for your kind comments and response. While it is true that everybody wants the best possible price they can get, it is also true that, if they are a real potential buyer, they will also want what represents the best possible investment. This is something that need to be established at the earliest stages.

    Whether the answer is ‘No’ or ‘I’ll give you a call sometime’ it still leaves the job unfinished.  I have seen salespeople breath a sigh of relief to hear ‘No’ rather than deal with the stress of closing. Needless to say, they weren’t any of mine :-)

  • Philip O’Rourke

    I agree, Nicolas. When all possible efforts plus one more have been exhausted, we try and find out from the where we have fallen short. Then we proceed to step 2. :-)

  • http://www.smartsolutions.ie/blog/ Elaine Rogers

    Great first Bloggertone post Philip – well done!
    I love your formula, and concur 100%, and don’t often do it myself.

    And your comment below to Nicholas hits the nail on the head for me:
    “When all possible efforts plus one more have been exhausted…”

    The plus one :)

  • http://twitter.com/#!/antonmccarthy Anton McCarthy

    Hi Philip, great post! I think your article is probably especially valuable and insightful for Irish-based readers – we may have a propensity to not want to appear too ‘pushy’, at the risk of ‘scaring someone off’. When really, as you say, the prospect just wants that full reassurance that they are making the right call in sealing the deal. Nice tips.

  • Philip O’Rourke

    I concur Simon.I have seen many fail because the one presenting had not completed the fact and product discoveries beforehand. 

  • Philip O’Rourke

    Many thanks for you kind remarks, Anton. It is true what you say. .It is far to often that salespeople fail to gain the respect of a potential client because of timidity. A lack of courage on the part of the salesperson does not inspire trust in the client.

  • Alan Lavender

    Good points. When I did a brief stint with BT in Glasgow in the ’90′s that was similar to their objection handling training for the call centre but with a big difference. Theirs didn’t have that feedback loop of going back in to look for another objection. I also agree with comments about the Irish not wanting to appear too pushy. In business, now is not the time. Finally very interested to see you were in photography previously.

  • http://twitter.com/xcelbusiness Helen Cousins

    I assume that sometimes a repeated “no” would have to be accepted, and the loop closed without a sale ? :) But in principle, I agree with the formula.
    Welcome to Bloggertone Philip!
    ~ Helen

  • http://twitter.com/VertexFitness Dwayne Wimmer

    Many GREAT points, I will be sharing this with my staff at Vertex Fitness

  • Debi Harper

    Great post Phillip and so true, the thoughts of someone rejecting your product, especially when you believe in the product so much can be very scary . I find it less scary telling myself we have a fantastic product and people will benefit from using it, I really have to share it :)  Thank you for the tips

  • http://www.theexecutivesuite.com/blog/ Warren Rutherford

    Helen – this review if great. Thanks. Description of the accountancy reasons, particularly for valuation purposes is very helpful. While not an SaaS service, when I provide yearly coaching or business planning service that is paid in full in advance, it gets allocated the same way by my accountant, but I understand better now the “why.”

  • http://twitter.com/xcelbusiness Helen Cousins

    I’ve been thinking about this – I think the answer if yes, Deferred Revenue principle will always apply. The sale itself and the receipt of cash are two separate transactions. Let’s imagine that you paid a subscription for a year in advance to ABC SaaS. After 3 months, ABC goes into liquidation, now you have only received 3 months of service but paid for 12. You would have a claim against the company’s liquidator for non delivery of service for 9 months. The company should have provided for this in the Balance Sheet in the Deferred Revenue account.
    As a customer, it is not advisable to sign such an agreement.If ABC SaaS company provided poor service you would want to have some recourse.
    What a great question Sian! Thanks :)

  • http://twitter.com/xcelbusiness Helen Cousins

    You are spot on Warren, the Deferred Revenue principle applies to any business where you get paid in advance for a period of time, not just SaaS companies.

    For example, if you belonged to a Business Coaches Association, and paid them a membership fee for a year, that Association would have to apply the Deferred Revenue principle to your membership.

    I’m delighted that you found the post useful Warren.

    ~ Helen

  • Sian Phillips

    Thanks Helen, that was my thought too and always great to get some good back up :)

  • http://twitter.com/WiseSaaS WiseSaaS

    Very clearly articulated Helen! Thanks. For SaaS CEO’s looking at how to grow their monthly sales through US reseller channels, please check out SaaSMAX. In addition to being a Marketplace for Business SaaS Apps, we also manage partner deal registration and commission management, with the goal of reducing the pain of all the accounting and financial management associated with partner programs.

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