Sage 100

Interesting news from Salesforce's conference -- 45,000 attendees! And we think 4,000 is a home run ...

Latest 2010 Sage annual report shows 1,404.5m revenues which I think converts in today's dollars to about $2.3 billion. Salesforce is on track to equal that revenue (forecast $2.2 billion). Yet we have 1/10th the interest as shown by conference goers (and yes that is only North America so not a true comparison)

Salesforce has 90,000 or so customers. They get a 50% attendance rate. Here's one reason why: They are selling to the sexy folks with the travel budget - sales, marketing and executives. The CPAs and accounting staff can't afford to go on trips! Here's another reason why: They are focused on one thing and one thing only so all their content is relevant to all the attendees (mostly anyway). Sage has to split their messages and stuff to cater to many divergent needs. Here's one more reason: The world of sales is built on a culture of sharpening the saw. Books, audio books, sales seminars, sales workshops, etc. Accounting staff are trained to shut their mouths and do their work. That's my take. Maybe I should blog about it...

So on the money!!!!!!!!! Way too many accountants will keep the work in house with the thought that if they just had another five hours, they could do the project in Excel....... Five hours every week.........52 weeks a year. Accountants have the mind set that they will carry the cross and make it happen alone. Very anal, very retentive, just like programmers.......... You will NEVER sell a CRM package to the controller or the IT department! You have to get the president or VP sales involved which means you have to go around your traditional contacts in the company...........

Bingo! You got that right on the money Jeff.