11:00
by Todd Watson
E-Relationship Manager, SWG Web Presence
IBM Software Group, Marketing
Todd Watson says, “There’s been a lot of time to focus and reflect on the conference tidings. I’m especially excited about today’s opening general session, which will transpire in the early afternoon Madrid time (way early for you U.S. East Coasters).”
Read more in his new blog IBM Smarter Commerce Global Summit Madrid: Deja Mi, Deja Vu
Posted by
Craig Hayman in
I’m in Madrid at the Smarter Commerce Global Summit and have just wrapped up my keynote speech. I thought I’d take this opportunity to share some highlights with you.
In composing my thoughts, I came across the work of Sandra Ball-Rokeach, a professor at the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism at the University of Southern California. Ball-Rokeach is currently researching our evolving concept of community as seen through an analysis of traditional versus new media. That may sound arcane, but I’ve found that her conclusions lend themselves to practical business applications. For example, she said in a recent interview that what matters most is the questions you’re willing to ask.
Think about that for a moment: what questions are you willing to ask as you explore new business models or new ways to engage your customers in our ever-changing digital commerce landscape? The rhetorical question that I posed to attendees of the Smarter Commerce Global Summit is as simple as it is potentially far reaching: what if? It seems to me that some of the more interesting (and lucrative) advances in business have started out with that one, powerful question. But first, you must be prepared for the unexpected directions in which the answers might take you.
For example, what if you could leverage consumer insights to increase sales? What if you could deliver a truly personalized experience to your customers? What if you could synchronize partners for a streamlined value chain?
My one-line response to each question? You can and you must. Continue Reading »
8:30
During the IBM Smarter Commerce Global Summit 2012 – Madrid, Yuchun Lee, vice president and general manager of IBM’s Enterprise Marketing Management Group, will lead the Marketing Innovation Summit, which will bring together marketing experts and industry-leading customers from around the world. TheSummit will engage attendees to explore best practices, enhance marketing skills, and learn more about the latest advances in Enterprise Marketing Management. ThisSummit will take a deep dive into the world of marketing, a key pillar of the Smarter Commerce initiative. But, the conversation won’t stop there.
Join Yuchun Lee, who will serve as the GetRealChat special guest on Wednesday, May 23, 12 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CET as he continues the Marketing Innovation Summit dialogue. Yuchun will discuss key themes explored during the Marketing Innovation Summit including the latest in marketing offerings from IBM, “The State of Marketing” survey, and tips and trends regarding CMOs.
Follow Yuchun on twitter as he tweets from the @IBMSmrtCommerce handle and track the #GetRealChat hashtag to participate in the conversation. For more information on the Marketing Innovation Summit, click here.
Posted by
Len Shneyder in
I read an article recently that got the gears upstairs cranking a little faster than normal. The cobwebs parted and my imagination ran wild as I contemplated email but through a slightly different lens.
In her article on the myth of email opens Margie Clayman (@MargieClayman) postulates that email opens are a slippery slope and that they are as effective as the concept of impressions when analyzing web traffic. More specifically, they are a high water line but does little to illuminate or provide the real behavioral data marketers require to anticipate customer desire while providing unparalleled service.
Posted by
Maria Winans in
1. So, what’s bringing you to the Madrid Summit?
That’s easy. I’m in Madrid to talk to our customers about how they’re transforming their businesses with Smarter Commerce. Smarter Commerce boils down to improving business processes related to the buying of goods and services, the selling of those goods and services, the marketing that occurs before they are sold, and the servicing of the customers after they’ve made a purchase—the “buy, market, sell, service” cycle of commerce. We’re moving commerce from intruding on consumers’ time to delivering the right offer at the right time and the right place while treating them exactly as they want to be treated based on their personal preferences and behavior. I want to hear from our customers about their own Smarter Commerce journeys.
2. What are you most looking forward to at the Madrid Summit?
It’s hard to beat a good conversation with a customer. One of the central tenets of Smarter Commerce is that we’re placing the customer at the very center of business. I try to take the same approach to my work and encourage my team to do the same.
3. Have you been to Madrid before? If so, any suggestions for those who haven’t?
My father is from Spain and was born in Barcelona. I have family here and Spain is one of my favorite places in the world largely because the food, people, and the language (I’m fluent in Catalan) are just incredible. I’ve been to Madrid for business and my best advice is to take the time to really enjoy the food. There’s nothing quite like an authentic paella. The Spanish people are very social—everything centers around family and food. So give yourself time to really enjoy everything that that means.
4. Which talent would you most like to have?
I wish I could clone myself! Then I could be in two places at one time and get twice as much done!
5. What is the motto you live by?
All kidding aside, I really do think that the secret to a happy, joyful, successful life comes down to balance. I know that everybody talks about work-life balance but I really try to act on that principle. I try to strike a balance between my family, my personal activities (which include a commitment to fitness and a love of the arts), and my career. By consciously staying centered and careful prioritizing, I find that everything comes together in a balanced way.
