Month: February 2008

Tips from analysts about how to interact with them more effectively (new tips added 2/19/08)

Posted on by

(Editors Note:  Robin Bloor’s tips # 6-8, two by James Governor, two by Jeremiah Owyang and one by Charlene Li  added on 2/19/08)

I have been running across a number of interesting blog posts by analysts providing tips to the AR community. This is very useful information for AR professionals, both to improve their AR execution but also to get insights into one of their analysts. Here are the blog entries I have found […]

Introducing SageCircle’s Fog of Influence

Posted on by

icon-social-media-blue.jpg(Editor’s Note: A draft of the Fog of Influence graphic has been replaced with the final version. 2/4/08 12:50 pm PT)

It used to be so simple to identify the influencers of technology deals in those idyllic days of yore. IT managers would talk to the IT advisory analysts, read the IT trade press, listen to the IT vendors and play golf with their buddies in IT in other companies. It was reasonably predictable as to who was influencing each step of the product purchase project and to what extent.Today, of course, the model of influence is anything but simple and predictable. Social media has exploded onto the scene adding many new voices to the discussion. On-line publishing has expanded the number of “IT trade press” outlets to dizzying new level. The analyst industry continues to consolidate and simultaneously expand with analyst firms with new business and research models starting up every week even as others are being acquired. It is easier for IT managers to interact with peers beyond hitting the golf course. IT vendors are embracing new forms of communication with mixed levels of success. It is enough to make your head spin.

sagecircle-fog-of-influence-2-feb-08.jpgOver the last ten years there have several approaches to representing the ways that buyers and influencers interact (see The IT industry analysts’ role: evolution of perception). This post introduces the latest SageCircle update, the Fog of Influence (left, click to enlarge). The Fog of Influence incorporates social media, Web 1.0 and […]

The IT industry analysts’ role: evolution of perception

Posted on by

For more than a decade there have been graphics that capture the evolving role of IT industry analysts as influencers in the market and on purchasing decisions. Here are […]

Avoid emotion when building the analyst list for emerging tech markets [Startup Saturday]

Posted on by

rocket-for-startups.jpgJust as with larger firms, emerging technology companies need to rank and tier their analyst lists.  Ranking establishes the relative importance of the analysts and sets a priority, while tiering is the process of allocating resources.  Based on the available time, money, staff, executive support, and so forth you need to group the analysts into top level analysts who get full attention and lower significance analysts who get email responses only.  SageCircle has detailed information on this process for traditional vendors.

So often the problem in creating these analyst lists is that emotion and the squeaky wheel syndrome play a larger role in […]

Speed versus silence on the Microsoft-Yahoo announcement and the implications for Analyst Relations and the Press

Posted on by

icon-social-media-blue.jpgIt has been interesting seeing the different responses to the Microsoft-Yahoo announcement. For example, as of 10:15 US Pacific Time:

  • Redmonk’s James Governor on his Monkchips has an interesting post, plus James has been Twittering
  • Forrester has commentary from three analysts (Rob, Charlene and Shar) on three blogs, each with a unique point-of-view
  • Rob Enderle has weighed in on the Technology Pundits blog
  • AMR, Gartner and IDC, nothing so far on their websites or blogs

No doubt, IDC and Gartner analysts have been talking to the press and clients, but frankly so […]

Spotlight on IDC’s Crawford del Prete – Always exceeding expectations

Posted on by

photo-crawford-del-prete_color-v-1.jpgDon’t you wish you could say that about every analyst?

First, congratulations to Crawford for his recent promotion to EVP of Global Research. He is running IDC’s technology research as well as the Insights end user research.  As such he manages a wide range of IDC staff, but still manages to make time to wear his “analyst’s hat” to keep in close touch with the market.
 
Dave and Carter have had the opportunity to work with Crawford over time. His role was the prototypical “Watcher” that worked to get the big picture about a large tech company with multiple business groups. Crawford invested the time and energy to […]