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Having customer loyalty is imperative to running a good business. At the heart of every successful business is maintaining good relationships with customers. This is where a CRM or Customer Relationship Management system can help your business.

CRM helps companies understand, as well as anticipate, the needs of current and potential customers

It is a process or methodology used to learn more about customers’ needs and behaviors in order to develop stronger relationships with them. There are many technological components to CRM, but thinking about CRM in primarily technological terms is a mistake. The more useful way to think about CRM is as a process that will help bring together lots of pieces of information about customers, sales, marketing effectiveness, responsiveness and market trends.

CRM also helps businesses use technology and human resources to gain insight into the behavior of customers and the value of those customers. A good CRM solution should be able to help you with sales force automation, lead management, customer service and partner relationship management.

There is a plethora CRM solutions currently available in the market today. Some companies use Web-based CRM technologies which would cost them just hundreds of dollars per month while other larger companies even spend millions to have their own customize system just to support their CRM initiative.

One of the affordable CRM solutions is that of AIMpromote which includes accounting, client management, and distribution in one easy-to-use application. The strength of their CRM solution is providing you with their lead management software which also gives you a powerful lead reselling system.

Choosing the right CRM solution isn’t as easy as buying one off the shelf. Due diligence and analysis of your business processes should be done so you would know what to look for in a CRM solution. You should also decide what kind of customer information you will use and how it will be used. Then and only then should you select the right CRM solution that will help you automate the business processes that need some automation. Proper planning will definitely go a long way especially if you will be investing a lot of money and resources in the deployment of your CRM system.

A well implemented CRM system should be able to provide you with better customer service, help you increase customer revenues, even discover new customers, have the opportunity to cross sell/up sell products more effectively, help sales staff close deals faster, simplify marketing and sales processes and if implemented properly, you will be able to develop and maintain a good relationship with your customers.

So how about you? Does your company have your own CRM in place?

SANS Gateway Asia 2008 in Singapore is coming up soon on June 30, 2008 to July 5, 2008! This is just 8 weeks away, and the deadline to receive a S$495 discount for early registration is 15 May, 2008. So don’t delay - start making your training and travel plans now! (http://www.sans.org/info/28309)

SANS is partnering with NM Training to bring you three of our most popular courses taught by top-rated SANS instructors. Choose from:

- Security 401: SANS Security Essentials Bootcamp Style
- Security 504: Hacker Techniques, Exploits & Incident Handling
- Security 508: Computer Forensics, Investigation & Response

Hackers continue to target application vulnerabilities in their attacks, so this security training should not be missed! Complete course descriptions can be found by clicking on the following link: http://www.sans.org/info/28314

Certifications corresponding to the skill sets taught in these courses are available. You may purchase a certification attempt for an additional reasonable fee. Holding a GIAC certification gives you credibility as a technical expert and, thus, more respect within your organization.

Classes will be held at the Furama Riverfront, Singapore’s premier downtown business hotel. This elegant hotel is located in a vibrant quarter of Singapore’s city centre, just a step away from Singapore’s business hub, shopping haven, and nightlife!

The SANS Promise: “You will be able to apply our information security training the day you get back to the office!”  Remember, for the best savings register by 15 May, 2008 at http://www.sans.org/info/28309.

Let your colleagues and friends know about SANS Gateway Asia 2008. See you in Singapore!

Finding a great rug has never been a problem when you go with Superior Rugs. Superior Rugs is a division of Superior Importers Co, one of the largest manufacturers of Oriental Rugs and Persian area rugs. Superior Rugs has been in business for the past 20 years and is currently one of the leading supplier of area rugs with contemporary to traditional designs and distributes rugs around the world. When you order an area rug from Superior Rugs you are buying area rugs right off the factory floor and at the convenience of shopping online.

But if you are near the Central New Jersey area, you might want to drop by their factory direct warehouse and check out their broad inventory of rugs.

They let you choose rugs from as small as 2×4 to as big as 13×16! You also have a choice of rectangular area rugs, round area rugs and runner area rugs. And if you are very particular with the materials… you can choose from 100% silk rugs, 100% traditional wool rugs, 100$ contemporary wool rugs and even high quality synthetic rugs.

The most powerful decorative component in setting the mood of your room would probably color. Therefore, the color scheme you choose for your rug is essential. That is why Superior Rugs made it easy for you to choose a rug that would easily blend with your current theme or color combination by letting you search rugs by color such as black, blue, brown, cream, green, gold or red.

Also, remember that the color of your existing floor must be taken into consideration since it is the closest to your area rug. A nice and easy technique is to pick a rugs color from one you’ve used on a wall, or within a furnishing pattern.

While you are shopping for rugs, you might also want to get pads to go with it. You can choose from pads that are ideal for hard surfaces, carpets and hardwood.

On a budget and looking for cheap rugs? You can save up to 80% if you choose items from their clearance area rugs inventory. These items will change daily as they are sold. So if you see one that you like, you might as well order it now because quantities in the clearance inventory are limited.

You also get a 30-day money back guaranty and free shipping to boot!

May 20-21, 2008

Grand Ballroom, Hotel Intercontinental, Makati City, Philippines

Be a global social networker in today’s second generation Web 2.0 world. Catch the latest phenomena in internet marketing, web advertising, and electronic commerce by knowing the trade of how social media and digital networks help increase web site traffic, conversions, and revenue generation.

The Social Networking and eBusiness Conference Philippines 2008 is a pioneering and leading edge event for sharing and exchanging information about social networking as it changes the landscape of internet marketing, web advertising, and electronic commerce.

This Conference will roll out relevant issues in social networking and eBusiness as key to customer acquisition, conversion, and retention through digital networks marketing, business networking, affiliate program, social media, and online community building. Issues on building trust, reputation and privacy in digital social networks will also be discussed. The Conference will offer new ideas, new thinking on how to bring your marketing strategies and programs to the next level of digital platform, which is of Web 2.0 world.

This Conference is must for interactive & digital marketers, brand marketers, web masters, bloggers, and those involved in Internet marketing, web advertising, and electronic commerce in today’s phenomena and recent boom in popularity of social networking.

Leading interactive marketing companies, technology providers, software vendors, Internet & web services providers, IT and management consulting companies, mobile & wireless, telecom companies, training institutes, software development companies, e-banking and financial institutions, content providers, and government agencies will showcase and demonstrate the latest Internet/wireless & mobile/e-commerce/e-business solutions, technologies, and innovations at the exhibit floor.

In this connection, we would like to invite your company to be one of our Corporate Sponsors, Exhibitors, or to send delegates/participants to this event. Attached are details of the event for your reference.

For more information, please call: Ms. Maricor Tornea and Angie Tuzon, Project Managers, at telephone numbers: +632- 896-0639, 896-0637, 899-6216, email: , visit web site: http://www.fmi.com.ph.

Looking for an inexpensive buffet table, cabinet, hutch or set to add to your dining room or living room furniture? What interior decorating theme do you currently have? Is your dining room table rustic wood, antique, traditional, or contemporary?

Whatever design or them you currently have, eBuffet is here to help you with your furniture shopping needs that would match your theme or decorating style. The eBuffet website is a specialty store owned and operated by Webstore Companies, LLC. They carry both expensive and inexpensive buffet furniture, buffet tables and buffet cabinets on the internet today and at the same time bringing you the largest selection of quality buffets possible from the best furniture craftsmen in the business.

Here are some ideas that might interest you in getting a buffet furniture:

• A buffet hutch will give you storage space in the cabinets
• A display hutch will be best for your precious keepsakes or fine China.
• A buffet cabinet or sideboard will give you cabinet storage and an extra tabletop whenever you are entertaining or throwing dinner parties.
• A buffet table will give you drawer space for storing small things, and provide that handy extra tabletop for your festive food occasions.

You might also want to check out their clearance sale. They have discount buffet furnitures up for grabs. You can get anywhere from US$600 up to US$1,300 off the regular price if you buy one of their clearance items. Dind’t see the item that you like? Don’t worry. The items included in the clearance sale changes all the time so do check back often.

Not satisfied with the item you ordered or it simply doesn’t match or fit your current setup? Don’t worry. eBuffet  offers a 30-day, “no questions asked” return policy, as long as your item is in new, resalable condition and is still in its original packaging.

You can even get free shipping if you have your orders delivered to any address within the 48 contiguous United States.

DigitalFilipino.com Club invites you to the

E-Commerce Policy Development Workshop

May 2, 2008

CEO Suite, 37th Flr. LKG Tower 6801

Ayala Ave. 1226 Makati City, Philippines

A repeat of this workshop is also scheduled on May 5 at the same venue.

DigitalFilipino.com Club SME members can send 1 representative while Corporate members can send 2 representatives. Please confirm for food count purposes.

This workshop is ideal for companies who would like to have an understanding of the E-Commerce Law. It will also tackle the creation of company policies in relation to electronic trading, employees’ use of Internet resources, application design, and how to handle electronic evidence.

• 9:00 - 12:00
  
  • Salient features of the E-Commerce Law
  • Creation of Trading Partner Agreement
  • Electronic Contracts Formation
• 1:00 - 5:00
  • Creation of Company Internet Use Policy
  • Privacy Policy (DTI DAO #8)
  • Application Design for Electronic Evidence Admissibility
  • Electronic Evidence Handling

Interested non-members are requested to sign up as an SME or Corporate member prior to the workshop and confirm attendance for food count purposes.

In line with the upcoming Mother’s Day Celebration

Ayala Malls

invite you to join

Moments with Mommy

at

Market! Market! Photo Contest

Winning photos will be exhibited for one (1) week from May 11, 2008 to May 17, 2008.

More info on the Moments with Mommy at Market! Market! Photo Contest at Shutter Box Philippines.

Are You Ready for Windows Server 2008?

A White Paper presented by Global Knowledge

When you take your first look at Windows Server 2008, you’ll find that many of the traditional tools that graced Server 2003 are still present. Where things change is in the Server Manager console, which is really the “nerve center” of Server 2008. Parts of this console are simply convenient pointers to other administrative tools.

However, the “Roles” and “Features” nodes may be unfamiliar. This white paper introduces the Server Manager console and will help you find your way around it, so that you can get up to speed with Server 2008 more quickly!

Grab a copy of the Are You Ready for Windows Server 2008 whitepaper.

3Com Presentation Schedule

April 25, 2008 12:15-1PM

Demystifying Unified Communications for SME/SMBs

by Pen Keong Fong
Systems Engineer
3Com Singapore

April 26, 2008 3:15-4PM

Demystifying Unified Communications for SME/SMBs

by James Jose
Senior Systems Engineer
3Com Philippines

Visit 3Com booth, drop your business cards and attend the 3Com presentation for a chance to wind an iPod shuffle.

Cisco is pleased to invite you to the biggest event on Unified Communications

The UC World 2008

April 25-26, 2008

Esplanade, SM Central Business Park, Pasay City, Philippines

See live Unified Communications Demos at the Cisco Booth

Cisco presents the Smart Business Communications System (SBCS). More than  just a phone system, it’s everyhting you need for your growing business in one box! SBCS integrates easily with your existing network and is easy to deploy, manage and operate. Ask about the extra cost savings you’ll get  with the special SBCS promo discount.

Date: April 25-26, 2008

Attend the Cisco Unified Communications Workspace Session

Discover how Cisco Unified Communications can help you enhance your business productivity and profitability.How you can be connected and work seamlessly from where you are. How you can maximize collaboration within the company and with external parties. All these while enjoying cost savings in the long run!

Place:  UCWorld presentation area
Date: April 25, 2008Time: 9 :30 - 11:00am

There will be exciting prizes and giveaways that await Cisco booth visitors and Cisco UC Session attendees!

Reserve your slot now for the Cisco Unified Communications at UC World 08

With the advent of the internet and online shopping. Identity theft and use of stolen credit cards have further proliferated. So what measures do you have in place to protect your identity and credit?

LoudSiren, LLC. is a member of the Identity Protection Network™ and marketing partner of Debix, Inc., of Austin, Texas. The Identity Protection Network™ was established in 2004 and is the first national network dedicated to protecting individuals and organizations from identity fraud.

LoudSiren protects consumers from financial fraud through a of a state-of-the-art process for authenticating customer identities that facilitates the right the US Congress gave consumers to protect themselves. LoudSiren ensures that consumers have access to their credit while keeping it secure from others.

LoudSiren™ STOPS identity thieves and puts you in control by preventing unauthorized use of your credit by making creditors contact you before opening new accounts in your name.

You get these benefits and protections when you join LoudSiren:

• STOP thieves from opening unauthorized credit accounts in your name
• SAVE time by limiting junk mail and pre-approved credit card offers
• KNOW where you stand with optional free Credit Reports
• PROTECT your privacy by stopping unwanted telemarketing calls

How it works is that right after you join LoudSiren, you will be assigned a unique phone number which they call LoudSiren Safe Phone Number. Everytime there is a request for credit made in your name, the creditor will have to contact LoudSiren, afterwhich LoudSiren reviews and automatically processes it then you will receive a call from LoudSiren where you will hear the creditor’s request for credit approval afterwhich you should enter your PIN number should you approve or deny the request.

You have NOTHING TO LOSE! Try LoudSiren.com TODAY, cancel anytime.

Atomic Elephant Science & Toy Co. provides a natural fusion of education and imagination to all their customers. Atomic Elephant is a small, family-owned company based in Virginia Beach. The company is actually being run by a former scientist with chemistry and physics background. Their philosophy and mission is to provide excellent quality, and not just the usual toys but highly educational products at an affordable price to all there customers. The key to their operation is that they don’t have a store front so they keep their operating costs down and pass on the savings to their customers!

Their online store is also easy to navigate as you can choose to shop by category, shop by age, shop by price and shop by brand. You can even find over 300 educational science toys and science kits that you can buy for less than US$10! Just in case you have a hard time choosing an item, you can always just get gift certificates which are available in US$10, US$25, US$50, US$75, US$100 and US$150 denominations.

They will even give you free ground shipping with UPS for all orders over $75. You can also receive 10% off all orders over $100 just by using coupon code: MCC0417. It will automatically be combined with the free shipping if you select UPS Ground as your shipping option.

Do you collect books? I’m not really into collecting books but it just so happens that some books are given to me for free or as a prize from a raffle or a contest. If you’d ask me, I wouldn’t normally buy these books for myself especially if they are IT books. There were even several instances that I had several copies of the same book!

I have already given away several books which I believe I no longer need or would be of good use if it were in somebody else’s possession but my bookshelf  still remains to be packed! I have books on information technology, information security, certifications, inspirational books and even some health reference books. And if that is not enough, I even have more books in electronic format!

The problem I have now is that I can’t seem to keep track of the books I have. I have friends who would drop by my place and borrow a book or two and I didn’t have a way of tracking as to who borrowed what and whether it was returned to me. I was looking around for a software that could help me organize my book collection. Luckily I found All My Books by Bolide Software.

The good thing with All My Books is that it has  Book Sharing Manager which would greatly help if you have your books lent to somebody else. You can even import a list that you have already created either in text format or in excel.

I just love free stuff. Normally, an All My Books license would cost around US$ 34.95 but you can get one for free if you are a blogger simply by doing a review and blogging about it! How cool is that!?

So grab a copy of All My Books now and start organizing your book collection.

Mortgage-mart.com has been online since 1995 and has been helping people find the mortgage that best suits their needs. They specialize in finding mortgage loans regardless of which state or city you are from and get lower mortgage rates at the same time.

They share some things that you should consider when comparing mortgage loans:

Rates - Check to see if the quoted rates are the lowest for that day or the week. Is the rate fixed or adjustable? If it’s an adjustable rate loan, be sure to ask how it will affect your loan payment.

Points - These are broker or lender fees for the loan. One point is equal to 1%. Ask for these points to be quoted in dollar amount so you will know exactly what you will have to pay.

Fees - They are everywhere from transaction fees, loan origination, underwriting, broker, settlement, to closing cost fees. These fees are negotiable so make sure to discuss the fees included in the loan with your lender.

Down Payment - Many lenders offer mortgage loans where less than 20% of the home purchase price, but there are some lenders who require at least 20%. You may be required to purchase a PMI, Private Mortgage Insurance, if a down payment of 20% is not made. This is a protection most lenders make in case the loan defaults.

You can browse through their various services whether you are after a home purchase, home refinance or equity line. You can also select either single family, multi-family, condo, town home or mobile home type of property. You can event select by based on you credit rating whether you have excellent, good, fair and even poor.

Check out Mortgage Finders Network if you are on the lookout for offers on mortgages as they can provide you a one stop where you can browse and compare different financing options that will fit your needs so you can enjoy living in your wonderful home.

This is best time of the year to go to the beach. So have you packed your stuff for the beach?

Here are some essentials to bring:

Towel or sarong. Laying out on the hot sand under the summer sun isn’t fun if you don’t have a towel you can lay on. But if you want to travel light, a beach sarong will do.

Sandals or flip flops. Forget wearing shoes. Wear sandals or flip flops instead.

Sunblock and suntan lotions. Prolonged exposure to the sun is bad for your skin so be sure to bring with you some sun block and don’t forget to reapply them every 2-4 hours. Bring your suntan lotions if you plan on getting yourself tanned.

Eyewear. Don’t forget to bring some protective eyewear especially if you plan to go to a white sand beach like Boracay as the fine white sands tend to easily intensify the sun’s scorching hot summer rays.

Swimsuits. A trip to the beach this summer wouldn’t be complete if you don’t have your swimsuit with you. This would probably be the best time and place of the year to show off yourself in a swimsuit.

It really doesn’t matter what body type you have as long as you pick the swimsuit cut that would best fit your body. So feel free to show off there in a women’s tankinis or even a one piece swimwear.

See you at the beach!