Try this, make a life size body outline on the floor of your office. Then create lines to different parts of the body pointing roughly to the different parts of the company such as, customer services, product development, the receptionist, marketing, sales, accounting, etc etc etc.

what do you think of that one?

The age old turf battle of sales and marketing is one I’ve been in, observed, and help reconcile. I found there are two major approaches.

1) Marketing allows sales to take the lead on customer relationships. Marketing gives sales everything they need. when they are unsuccessful, then marketing has an opportunity to be an equal player. Fighting a half way decent sales team is a tough battle because they generate revenue.

2) Marketing needs to do its research to identify prospects, marketi segments and, now even communities, that have one or more of the following attributes for the company 1) better fit as in shorter sales cycle, easier to get a sale, 2) more profitable over the life of the customer, or 3) sheer volume of prospects through targeting, brand building, message, and engagement.

that’s my take, I’ll see if Twitter friends have another take.

One things that interests me is that I work in an area with a very traditional sales team. They like to ‘own’ the conversation, even if to be honest they are not sales trained. How would you go about the issue of transitioning them from a feeling that ‘they’ own the customer and conversation, to the company owns the conversation?

I also hope that attempts to manipulate those networks are kept at a minimum.

Also the mutual respect, with a dash of humor, shared online with others to observe brings us just a bit closer together in human spirit. Compliments to you and Jaffe.

Now as for Monty, given his ability to sell badges, perhaps Andrew Barons needs your help on selling his Twitter list.

Ebay Twitter Followers Sale http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160229562828

Chris Brogan – http://www.chrisbrogan.com/is-your-community-for-sale/

Brian Solis http://bub.blicio.us/?p=854

and Business Week article http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/apr2008/tc20080414_539072_page_2.htm