Web Strategy by Jeremiah

This blog often talks about the tools and technologies that companies can use, the same principles apply to real-life, and how we treat the next customer.

Last night, I had dinner and drinks over at my Uncle’s friend’s place. Ted, who’s already retired, shared some of his wisdom with me regarding running a business. His business? he launched a silicon valley startup right in the heart of the valley, but the thing was, it has nothing to do with tech. In fact, he had run a fly fishing shop in San Mateo for 15 years, and knows what it’s like to run a startup. Like most startups in the valley, it’s a combination of ambition, risk, and all passion.

The most meaningful story, which I’m now sharing with you, explained how he treated prospects. Three gentleman used to visit his fly fishing shop, yet they didn’t have enough money to purchase the gear or attend any of the exclusive trips accustomed to the fly fishing community, yet Ted welcomed them in. They were encouraged to be part of the shop’s community, hang out in the store, and at least live the dream –even if from afar.

Three years had passed and the gentlemen kept on returning, the small software company, which the three gents co-owned, eventually was sold. Each of the three were worth about $11 million dollars –each! There was no way to predict these guys would have ‘made it’ for their company when Ted invited them to hang and be part of the club.

They came back specifically to thank Ted, for letting them hang out in his ‘club house’, even though they couldn’t afford to purchase any of the gear or excursions at the time. Over the next few years, they purchased 3 exclusive excursions per year, helping Ted grow his business from a 11k net to a million dollar yearly business. (and yes they had a website).

Lessons learned

1) You never know which one of your guests will become your big customers, treat everyone as a top customer.

2) Those who are interested in your products, invite them in, let them be part of your community. This applies to the web as well.

What about Ted? He’s now happily retired, with all the creature comforts as well as friends and family, and couldn’t be wealthier. So back to you. How are you treating your prospects? Do you give them the same amount of benefits and respect as customers? How can websites align with this strategy

Having recently been hired as a Forrester analyst, I’m exploring the industry, in order to do my job more effective. At my previous role at Hitachi as the community manager, I learned that creating indexes are particular helpful for me, and also for clients.

The following is a list of resources, profiles, indexes, and information for the analyst industry.

Who is this for? Anyone who is an analyst, or uses analyst services or information. You’ll need the right information to do your job, and this is to serve as a starting point.

List of Resources, Profiles, Indexes, Blogs, and Information for the Analyst Industry

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Analyst Firms
Rather than listing out the hundreds/thousands of firms, I’ll link to indexes.

Tekrati’s Analyst Firms
A very comprehensive database, it lists hundreds (if not thousands) of analyst firms

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Resources for the Analyst Relations Professional

Tekrati
Tekrati: “monitor, profile and report on over 500 industry analyst firms worldwide each weekday at Tekrati’s Industry Analyst Reporter website. We provide fast, easy access to over 3,400 analyst biographies and contacts through Tekrati’s Analyst Profiles online directory.” They also offer a product called Analyst Profiles that “Tekrati’s Analyst Profiles presents biographies, contact information, contact tips and company descriptions only about the industry analysts.”

AR Insights
Analyst Relations proffessionals can use AR Insights as it: “was designed by and built for AR professionals, successful AR programs are choosing ARchitect™ not only for the powerful database but to manage and streamline the day-to-day activities of their AR departments.”

AR Intranet
Another resource for Analyst Relations pros: “The AR Intranet contains productivity tools and information for industry analyst relations professionals, leveraging insight from Lighthouse Analyst Relations and Analyst Equity.”

Analyst Strategy Group
AR services include: “Analyst Strategy Group provides key direction and support for leading Analyst Relations programs as they migrate from operationally focused AR to generating strategic, measurable value”

Hill & Knowlton: Analyst Influence / AR Capabilities
Services include: “H&K AR is a dedicated global practice with full-time AR professionals on-staff who focus exclusively on analyst relations”

Knowledge Capital Group (KPC)
Multiple services which include: “The Knowledge Capital Group (KCG) is the leading Analyst Relations Strategy Development Consultancy for the Technology Industry”

Lighthouse: Analyst Relations
“Selling complex technology to complex organisations is a recipe for a lengthy, expensive sales process. What if you could be introduced into more sales opportunities, shorten the sales process and stand a higher chance of success at the end of it - all with one programme? This is the potential of a successful industry analyst relations programme and little wonder that many technology vendors are bringing new resources to bear in this important area. ”

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Social Media
Rather than list out the thousands of industry analyst blogs, I’m going to link to current indexes. Resources listed alphabetically.

Forrester Blogs
Blogs under the Forrester URL domain

Gartner Blogs
“Gartner Blogs are frequently updated journals including opinions, news, ideas, commentary and Internet links. Gartner Blogs should not be considered Gartner research.”

Jupiter Research Blogs
Great overview page aggregates many blogs, RSS options available. Impressive.

Jupiter Research Podcasts
“We’re podcasting discussions with our analysts to expose our thinking to a wider audience. We hope you find these conversations interesting.”

Net Savvy Executive: List of Blogs that Analyze Social Media
“Here’s a little information overload for you. Links to blogs associated with social media analysis companies. Most are linked to companies in the the Guide to Social Media Analysis. Some are more work-oriented than others, but there are some good sources in here.”

Tecnobabble’s Top 100 Analyst Blogs
“This league table is a global ranking of the top 100 analyst blogs.”

Tekrati’s comprehensive database of Analyst Blogs
Really an amazing industry resource.

Carter Lusher (Formerly HP’s AR relations): Who are you?

ARmadgeddon: Great blogroll with many resources

Need to update this list? Leave a comment
I’ll update this list with your feedback, try to provide some background information on the resource, if possible.

See my other industry indexes for other resources.