"Someone told me once that it’s impossible to look behind you and still race forward at top speed."

I completely agree! Recently we have had two companies that offer similar services call and pretend to be interested in using our services. They were fairly elaborate, even going so far as to give us the name of someone that referred them. So while they were filling out forms on our website, calling and leaving voicemail messages, and emailing us for more information we were out talking to prospective customers. They would have spent their time better talking to prospects and providing great customer service.

As for the rest, I also agree. Know your abilities. capabilities and resources. Forge mutually beneficial relationships with those around you. Everyone wins then.

Julie, Thanks! I agree, technology is only as good as the person using it.

Thanks Paul!

Doug, what kind of purchasing history does ThinkVine need to be able to do this? Can they do this for a new/startup company?

Great post! Another point I would make is that people won't follow, become a fan, etc... of a brand they don't want to engage with. So if they are following or a fan then it stands to reason that they want to interact/engage. Look at the Facebook fan page for YATS! They have thousands of fans and great interaction with their customers.

I think the saying goes "all that glitters is not gold." It is a shame that there are people out there that don't want to ensure that their product/service performs satisfactorily.

Doug,

From what you have written it would seem to me that a content provider (Blogger, Newspaper, etc...) could use this service to monitor the quality/impact of their own posts...

Adam

Sounds like Webtrends is working on creating a little marketing mystique. That always seems to be an effective practice in the social media realms.

Thanks Doug! That is one of the services we offer at Connective.

An amazing piece of software. Any idea on how they do it?