Moving Towards Social Network CRM Systems - Part 3
Here's a followup to two previous articles about CRM 2.0 and the integration of social networks like Linkedin and Plaxo to automate the tedious process of contact data entry. Techcrunch reports Xobni (Inbox spelled backwards) has integrated Linkedin's contact database together with its Outlook email automation features. Plaxo (just acquired by Comcast) has similar data integration relationship with Outlook. I see LInkedin's willingness to redistribute user-generated user data a harbinger for the development of easy-to-use, easy-to-maintain CRM systems that will make CRM as fun as Facebook. And that's the Holy Grail of networking.
I would think Google would be all over this... acquire Linkedin and they would not only have their missing contact database piece but also all the network automation tools (Google Docs, Reader, Calendar and search among other apps) that would complement effective networking and collaboration.
Related articles:
The Next Generation of CRM Explained by Matthew Hardy
CRM 2.0 - Why Can't Social Networks Port into CRM Systems?
"I would think Google would be all over this... acquire Linkedin and they would not only have their missing contact database piece but also all the network automation tools (Google Docs, Reader, Calendar and search among other apps) that would complement effective networking and collaboration. "
I agree, I still hold on to Outlook just so I can sync my contacts to my phone..I got everything else running on Google...if they would just get the contact management piece and then combine that with the upcoming Android (open source platform for phones)...that would be sweet
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A google acquisition of linkedin would make tremendous sense for google.
Yet I think I read that the linkedin owner would like to go public making his pay day larger than a private sale to google.
The difference between you tube and linked in is I believe that linked in actually has signicant revenues and profit and therefore would be a a candidate for a public offering.
You tube was smart to sell to Google for strategic purposes for over a billion dollars as the pubic probably would not have given You tube the valuation that google paid.
The problem with most web 2.0 companies is that they don't make any money, so when they disclose that in their IPO prospectuses they will fall flat.
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I've used Plaxo since it was released but am getting ready to trash it - dump it off my computer and write something not very complimentary on the net. It appears Plaxo did not learn their lesson on spamming the first time around. I am getting reports from contacts that I invited to join last November that they are now receiving additional emails from Plaxo (without me initiating them and without my permission) inviting them to join my network.
When I send an invitation, I expect it to be a one time email. I don't want my contacts hounded until they join.
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Plaxo has historically always had this spamming problem. That's why LinkedIn has such a good reputation.
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Pat, we met at the RE Tech South conference in Atlanta, GA earlier this year. I want to commend you on your criticisms of traditional CRMs and your insight on how Social Network CRMs can work for the real estate professionals. I started softRealty.com to build Real Estate Software that would affect positive change in this industry. Our first milestone was the release of our Free IDX solution that brings a fresh look and feel to brand the real estate agents and brokers and to capture leads for the long term relationship.
Your blog posts have been a source of validation for our next big milestone which is service we have been working on for the past couple of months. The goal is to build a Real Estate Network that allows Agents and Home Buyers/Sellers to manage relationships with each other. We are taking the best elements of other social networks and leaving out the worst practices. I can’t reveal too much more about our “LinkedIn style” Social CRM for Real Estate as of yet, but I wanted to let you know that someone is listening and a platform is on its way. Let's catch up sometime and discuss this in further detail offline. I look forward to getting some feedback from you before our public release.
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Hi David, pardon the delayed response... I look forward to seeing SoftRealty's latest... be at Inman?
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