| CRM developers catering to demand from smaller firms
For more than a year, small and midsize businesses have taken increasing advantage of customer relationship management software, benefiting from programs that once were too costly. During that time, CRM has transformed from a novelty into a necessity as demand for the software reaches deeper into the business food chain. CRM software comes in many different flavors, but ultimately it allows users to pinpoint their customer base, marketing focus and sales targets through electronic algorithms that optimize database information. Recent surveys by research firms Gartner Inc., Forrester Research Inc. and Triple Tree LLC show the CRM business is growing by about 12 percent a year. The market now is about $8 billion a year. By 2010, it will reach $11 billion, according to Forrester and Triple Tree.
It’s time to be thankful
In over 30 years in the newspaper business, I have never written a Thanksgiving column. This year, though, the timing just seems right.Like everybody, I guess I've had plenty to be thankful for over the years. I've got two great kids, I've been to see a doctor maybe twice in the past 35 years, and there haven't been many days since I got out of college when I didn't look forward to going to work.But as 2007 winds down, I seem to have a few more things to look back on — and forward to — this year and give thanks. I might as well start with the trivial stuff:� The Green Bay Packers and San Diego Chargers are both simultaneously leading their divisions for one of the few times (maybe the only time) in my 40-plus years as a fan of both teams. As a kid, I lived and died with the Packers through more good years than bad, and I really didn't have high expectations this season, with an aging quarterback, no running game and a group of mostly young receivers.
Uganda: Commonwealth Aids Projects
UGANDA has started reaping big from hosting this year's Commonwealth Summit after the Commonwealth Business Council earmarked over $ 100m (about sh175b) to implement two huge business projects in the country. According to James Mulwana, the chairman for the 2007 Commonwealth Business Forum, the two projects include setting up zip-money centers (small banks) in all rural areas and an ICT Park in Kakungulu Estate (Wakiso district) .
JUMP leaps beyond Marine Corps respect
MCAGCC TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (Nov. 25, 2007) -- When the staff sergeant speaks, his Marines listen.
This is the way it works in the Marine Corps. When a senior Marine is talking, junior Marines show proper respect and listen. But with the Marines of JUMP Platoon, a security detachment from Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, there's more to it.
As the native of Hemet, Calif. passes word onto his devils at Camp Wilson here, a school circle forms around him. A portable DVD player previously blaring a movie is shut off and put away. A handheld videogame system, which just held one Marine captivated on reaching the next level, shares the fate of the DVD player. Even though the temperature is well below what the Hawaii-based Marines are use to, no one is rubbing their hands together or making any attempts to heat up.
Software piracy fight makes enemies
An analysis by The Associated Press reveals that targeting small businesses is a lucrative strategy for the Business Software Alliance, the main global copyright-enforcement watchdog for such companies as Microsoft, Adobe Systems and Symantec. Of the $13-million that the BSA reaped in software violation settlements with North American companies last year, almost 90 percent came from small businesses, the AP found. The BSA is well within its rights to wring expensive punishments aimed at stopping the wilful, blatant software copying that undoubtedly happens in many businesses. And its leaders say they concentrate on small businesses because that's where illegitimate use of software is rampant. But technology managers and software consultants say the picture has more shades of grey than the BSA acknowledges.
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