Did you ever use Visio?  Have you ever seen a decision diagram?  Here’s a simple one regarding adding an article to Wikipedia:

Now, imagine that same sort of logic captured and recreated for your employees in Salesforce.  For example, perhaps your service team needs to create one of four different case types – depending on the nature of the problem, the status of the customer, the urgency, and other factors.  Let’s make a second bet to go with the coffee that you owe me.  I’ll wager a chocolate chip cookie that your staff picks the wrong case type at least 10% of the time.  (Let’s take a quick break while I enjoy my coffee and cookie!)

Once you’ve implemented Visual Flow, your team is now presented with a set of screens and easy to understand questions, guiding users to provide what’s important and only what’s important.  All the noise and confusion is cut out for them.  At the end of this quick session of questions, they’re led to the correct choice.  It’s that easy.

Well, that part’s easy.  Setting up Visual Flow can be tricky; requiring a careful examination of what needs to happen, what markers show the way to a good outcome, and some basic to intermediate knowledge of symbolic coding.

If coding’s not your cup of tea, no worries.  Your partners in success at Basati love Visual Flow and we are happy to do the heavy lifting for you.  We’ll work closely with you and your team to fundamentally understand how your business operates and what needs to happen.  Our Client Success Managers then coordinate with our team of developers to build your Visual Flow, and present the end result to you.

Contact Basati via email or call for a free, no obligation discussion of Visual Flow. We’re standing by to be your partner in Salesforce success.

Pausing to Sip

”The problem,’ she said, pausing to take a sip of her vodka tonic (she’s cutting back just a bit on the scotch.. especially at these social functions.. that combination has a tendency to make her a tad too social), is that most people go through life with their their blinders on and their game plan in hand. They live their lives with a predetermined destination and rarely deviate from their prescribed path.’

Sometimes though, something exciting happens that pushes us off our training-wheels enabled bicycle. Excitement could simply be a chance decision to move to another city.. or take someone up on their offer to go to a new restaurant.. or deciding it’s time to take a class/write a blog/fall in love/skydive. Or it could be something as easy as opening your eyes to the possibility of more.

Starting Basati was a huge leap for us. We stubbed a few toes (our own…. and some others… sorry guys!) and are moving the business along in a manner similar to most relationships: some give, some take, some riding along to see where an idea (a kiss? haha couldn’t resist!) leads. But mostly we have the paddle out and we attempt to steer as we can (did you know that water is the most powerful force on earth? here I thought it was me…). Of course there are times that we use the paddle to ward off angry bears. But we constantly and consistently adapt and adjust and we are excited about the direction.

I’m excited to announce that team Basati has steered towards a new path. Bear (grr) with me and allow me to embellish tell the story.

It started with a business trip to California. We drank wine networked in Napa for two days first.. setting the mood perhaps? Then on to San Fran for an ultimate geek-fest (c’mon, you know we all have tendencies.. some just have a stronger geek pull than others): Salesforce’s annual convention – Dreamforce (DF) 2011. It was, in a word, ahhh-mayzing.

Success. Not Software

If you haven’t read my posts (wha??) or Basati’s updates (gasp!), you may be asking yourself, self, what exactly is Salesforce? Well, Salesforce.com is a software as a service (SaaS) company that distributes business software on a subscription basis. Salesforce hosts the applications offsite (in the cloud) and is best known for its Customer Relationship Management (CRM) products. Basati is an approved Salesforce consultant – simply, Salesforce sells the ‘legos’ and Basati helps our clients manipulate those legos into something that their organization can play in and with (intrigued? buzz us! www.basati.com).

Tim @ #DF2011

This year’s Dreamforce gathering (aka Salesforce’s annual rollout/party/updates/geekfest) was all about social media. You know, those two dirty little words that’s on everyone’s lips, tweeters are twitting about, facebookers are facebooking about, and all that yadda yadda because we all know it’s something that HAVE TO-HAVE TO-HAVE TO DO, but having no real clue how… or more importantly – WHY DO IT AT ALL?

Well, the challenge is that if you are not connected to your clients, someone else will be. Or worse, if your customer has a challenge and cannot find a solution, they could reach out via the internet in frustration via blog or tweet.

Salesforce, in addition to their amazing business platform, has recently acquired and is implementing a social media monitoring platform. This combination of social media marketing, coupled with a ‘social CRM’, enables brands to see what content is generating buzz across the web, as well as what content is generating website traffic, conversions, and sales. Social media.. coupled with salesforce… gives users an at-a-glance view at which content is coming from their customers and prospects, while being able to add new contacts and leads (and set tasks for follow up!) with a single click. Boom. Talk about some powerful stuff!

Basati Bonding

Sounds pretty exciting, huh? We thought so too. Basati is psyched to announce that we are now focusing our team efforts to a concentrate on being a salesforce/force.com focused shop. In addition to our current team, we have hired a Project Manager (Jared rocks!) and another solution provider (Megan’s already kicking butt!).

We are certain that Basati’s realignment will allow us to serve our client base in a more defined way. And we are looking forward to showing our clients – and our Executive Board – the phenomenal return on investment that this platform brings.

Connect with us and let us know how we can help you succeed!

We’ll keep the paddle handy.

Right now, there’s another major transformation taking place. It’s going to change the way you do business. It’s called “cloud computing,” and you need to know about if you want to stay competitive. It’s going to give you far more power, with fewer headaches and less cost. And it’s here to stay.

Cloud computing is such a fundamentally important shift for growing companies that I’ve written a new book —Bringing the Cloud Down to Earth: How to choose, launch and get the most from cloud solutions for your business. It will be in bookstores in Spring, but you can get a free copy now of the e-book version thanks to Dell. They’re giving complimentary copies in conjunction with the launch of their new cloud offering — Dell Cloud Business Applications. To download a copy, go to www.DellCloudApplications.com/cloud_ebook.

First — in a nutshell, cloud computing means the delivery over the Internet – rather than from your own on-premise hardware — of computing applications, storage, power. Another term for the cloud computing most small and medium businesses (SMBs) need is SaaS — or “software as a service.”

Here’s how the cloud changes your world. Let’s say you now use a software program to track your customers and leads. You buy expensive software, host that on your own servers and computers (which need their own software). All of that needs regular maintenance and costly upgrades. If your staff grows or shrinks, you’re stuck with what you bought.

With cloud-based solutions, those problems basically disappear. Cloud-based solutions are delivered over the Internet, accessed through a browser, so employees can be on Macs, differing operating systems of PCs. Add employees? Up and running in minutes. Your needs change? Just reduce the number of subscriptions.

The best thing: Cloud-based solutions are typically far more powerful, yet easier to use and learn, than on-premise software. And your costs are stable and predictable.

There have been big barriers, however, for SMBs in adopting cloud solutions. It’s been challenging to know which solutions to choose and trust, and how to get cloud-based services to work with on-premise software or other cloud-based services. Then it’s been clumsy to pull together information from those various services.

The cloud is here to stay, so download a copy of my book to learn how you can harness the cloud for your business.

One day, I’m sure I’ll look back at this column as quaint, just as I smile as I look back on my 1997 column telling people to get email. When it comes to the cloud, we’re certain to say, “How did I ever live without it?”

Rhonda Abrams is president of The Planning Shop and publisher of books for entrepreneurs. Her previous book is the 5th edition of The Successful Business Plan: Secrets and Strategies. Register for Rhonda’s free newsletter at www.PlanningShop.com and “like”. The Planning Shop on Facebook for updates. See an index of Abrams’ columns. Twitter: twitter.com/RhondaAbrams. Copyright Rhonda Abrams 2011.

Source: USA TODAY
By: Rhonda Abrams

The latest additions to team Basati include Kapil, salesforce admin extraordinaire; Sharon, our resident whiz-kid at processes and procedures; and Eric, our scrum-master/project manager who brings some much needed direction to our group.

I know, I know. You’re asking yourself ‘Why all the buzz in salesforce (aka SFDC)? I don’t even HAVE a sales force!!’ and ‘Why don’t you talk to me instead about why I need a social marketing guru that will explain how I’m losing all these opportunities to connect with all these people I didn’t know I needed to connect with.’ Geesh. I don’t even know what salesforce IS!

Sooo.. What the sam-hell is Salesforce, anyway? From ask.com, Salesforce.com is defined as an enterprise cloud computing company famous for three things:

1. The Sales Cloud and the Service Cloud: Their applications for sales and customer service (customer relationship management or CRM)

2. Force.com: Their cloud platform for building and running business applications

3. Chatter: Their enterprise collaboration app.

Salesforce.com’s taglines are low cost, low risk and fast results. Customer relationship management (CRM) focuses on both your potential and current customer service. Through the combination of technology, business processes and people to satisfy all of your customers. CRM is successful by involving three important aspects of your company: sales, marketing and customer service. Salesforce CRM and their Force.com cloud-computing platform will take care of your budget and your customers.

Fine. I get it. But really.. Who uses Salesforce? Well, there are companies such as Avon (they use SFDC to integrate their warehouse platform, enabling their sales professionals to view information from a variety of Smart devices).. Dell (SFDC collaborates around documents and information like sales opportunities and marketing campaign leads).. NBC Universal … AOL (SFDC integrates with the company’s order management systems and track sales activities).. American Red Cross (who uses SFDC to effectively manage their most valuable resources – the volunteers, partners, and donors.. you know, the people who make what they do possible)… Ally Bank (their agent community is empowered with the most up-to-date tools and answers they need).. Just to name a few.

Oh yeah. And our government and many political candidates use Salesforce.com. Check out this cool slideshow: http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/4939844. In addition to the Obama campaign, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, John Kerry all used Salesforce for their campaign platforms.

But seriously. I know what you’re thinking. I am NOT (yet) the size of Dell.. or AOL.. I’m not even remotely political… and I can hardly hire one person, much less amass an army like the Red Cross has. I’m just a *small* business who needs some direction (didn’t you mention a social marketing guru?? how can I get one of those instead??) Why should *I* use Salesforce??

Well that’s easy. Just like Basati, SFDC allows you to concentrate more on your business (c’mon, you remember our tag line, right? Let us handle the stuff!). Refer to this Ezine article which touts the Top Ten Benefits of Sales Force Automation – http://ezinearticles.com/?Top-Ten-Benefits-of-Sales-Force-Automation-%28SFA%29&id=339798. In a nutshell, SFDC is easy to use, it offers real-time reports, and it’s CUSTOMIZABLE (insert Basati services/shameless plug here!).

All right already, you’ve convinced me. How do I get started?? Go to salesforce.com and check out their product. And then buzz Basati so we can show you how to dynamically integrate this phenomenal platform with your business vertical.

Isn’t this just a fad?  Or something that the kids do?  Facebook… Who has the time?  Twitter… Seriously, I don’t need a notification every time my neighbor walks his dog (and whether said pooch was successful at #2, or will a subsequent walk  be necessary?).  LinkedIn… I’m happy with my job and really don’t need to be updated every time a former co-worker finds happiness somewhere else (err… wait… maybe he can put a good word in for me?).

And what the heck are all these other sites in that graphic???  OMG!  I’m overwhelmed and choose NOT TO PARTICIPATE!

Don’t be scared.  There’s help.

Let’s face it.  It can be overwhelming.  And a lot of companies.. big companies even! have their blinders on when it comes to marketing (socially or otherwise).  They can’t measure results – there’s no pretty report that some underling has compiled for them.  In fact, I found an article that there are TEN ANIMALS WITH MORE SOCIAL MEDIA FANS THAN MAJOR MEDIA OUTLETS!!  Don’t believe me?  Check it out here: http://mashable.com/2011/07/12/animals-social-media/#2003510-Toaster-vs-Savannah-Morning-News

Social Marketing is here to stay and it is INVALUABLE to businesses.  Small businesses, and evolving businesses, and businesses who are growing, are the ones in the forefront – leading the way.

Do you have a Facebook page for your business?  No??!?  For crying out loud, why not??  They’re affordable, and can be done in a relatively quick period of time – especially (inserting shameless plug..) if you hire Basati.  We have experienced and talented designers and a well-seasoned (salt and pepper mainly) production staff.  Our team is able to concept, design and produce outstanding materials that can elevate your business and deliver results. Because your Facebook fans are more likely to buy your products/services/listen to your ideas and THEIR FRIENDS WILL TOO.

According to research and consulting firm Morpace, 68% of US Facebook users were more likely to buy a product or visit a retailer based on a positive Facebook friend referral. (Source: Morpace, ‘Facebook’s Impact on Retailers,’ provided to eMarketer, April 1, 2010.)

And you don’t just have to be a retailer, or online affiliate company, or service provider, to need social media.  SocialTimes.com reports that “Social media users are more likely to share persuasive political information with friends and colleagues from their computer or mobile device as opposed to making phone calls or canvassing. For that reason, social media users are more likely to be influenced by Facebook “friends” than the evening news.

Based on a study by digital agency SocialVibe in May 2011, 94% of voting-age social media users are more likely to watch an entire political message viewed online, and then 39% will share it with an average of 130 friends.  (Full story: http://socialtimes.com/report-social-media-users-more-influenced-by-facebook-friends-than-evening-news_b67014.)

Okay… now that you’re getting savvy, and you’re ready (and willing) to amp up your social marketing efforts, you’re going to need some help managing all those NEW LEADS.  Whatever shall you do with this wonderful problem?  OOH, I know!!  Contact Basati for force.com assistance.  For companies just climbing on board the Salesforce.com and Force.com platforms, we can get you started on the right path, ensure you are not overwhelmed, and ensure a return on your investment. We also work with Salesforce.com established clients, offering support and enhancements.

Focus on what you’re good at… Let us handle the stuff!

You may have seen these funny-looking square boxes around town and wondered what they are.  Some of you have likely used your smart phone to read the code and see what happens.  Most of you have no idea what these are and what they are for – YET!

If you read my wife’s previous post you know we just returned from NYC and saw these all around town.  From the oldest pub in NYC (maybe America) to the front page of the NY Times to the menus of tiny restaurants and stores to a giant billboard in Times Square, QR codes were popping up everywhere.  And it was way fun to read them all and see the ‘hidden’ message.

But, of course, these are not about hidden messages.  A QR code (Quick Response Code) is simply a fast and mobile way to get to you to a designated spot.  They can take you to cool websites, cool videos (like the one above), voice files, or email address.  They also can be used to take you to a phone number, text message, SMS code and more.
For example, you’re walking along a street and see a cool billboard for something that interests you.  How do you remember it later?  Do you take a picture, write down the website (with paper and pen none of us seem to carry anymore), call to leave yourself a voice mail, text yourself or really just hope that you remember later.  With your smart phone (we all have one of those now right?) you read the QR code and go back to it later when you need it.  Simple as that.

This is just one example of how QR codes can be used in business.  I believe they have tons (scientific term there) of valuable uses and will continue to grow in usage around the country.  We at Basati created the one above as the back side of our expanded business card.  Now, we might leave you a card (with all the normal details on it) but you want more info quickly.  Scan with your phone and see an intro video about us.
AND, the coolest thing to me is that they can be modified with colors and logos and more.  Notice ours isn’t just a bland and boring black box.  We have color, we have logos inside and out.  It grabs your attention more – and looks a lot better too don’t you think.

If you want to know more about QR codes and how your business might benefit from incorporating them into your overall marketing/branding strategy give us a buzz at Basati.  We’d love to connect and see how we can help you grow your business.

Empire State of Mind: Jay-Z/Alicia Keys


Going to make it by any means


Pocket full of dreams


Big lights will inspire you


There’s nothing you can’t do


Everybody say yeah, yeah!


So many people… so many dreams.  So many people with whom to make so many connections!!  It seems to me that everybody in the town is looking for – or looking to be – the next big thing.  The social aspect of it was mind boggling.

We shopped in Times Square, and couldn’t help but notice 20-something fashion store Forever 21′s GIANT (61′), billboard-sized INTERACTIVE LED display.  Tim and I watched the billboard engage people through the use of well executed interactive content that stopped people – literally – in their tracks.  Giant models in vignettes tease and entice pedestrians to stop and pose for a picture (we certainly stopped!)… the photo is then snapped of the crowd below using a Polaroid camera.  The screen went white for a split second – simulating a flash.  Moments later the model revealed the crowd’s image on the screen. ScreenMedia Daily definitely upped the bar by increasing consumer engagement.  And smiles.

Later we met up with a business connection (force.com user), Mike, and his gorgeous girlfriend, Calritta.  We settled on dinner at Delta Grill and realized (for the umpteen bazillionth time) that the more you connect with others, the more you realize that it really IS a SMALL world.   And wow, there are lots of life points in common with those around us.  By taking that step to connect (and have some amazing food in the process!), we are turning this business relationship into a personal one.   We are blessed to have had the opportunity to associate with this dynamic couple and are so looking forward to learning more about them as we explore this blossoming friendship.

My sister gifted us with a Food Tour of the East Village, and we gorged ourselves on some of the city’s finest octopus balls (no, they’re not THOSE balls! Constant reader has a gutter mind…), pommes frites (with an assortment of WAY-better-than-ketchup toppings), falafel sandwiches (O.M.G.) and assorted desserts at ChikaLicious (oh, my, eclair, I declare, I love you so..) and Veniero’s (ok, I already cheated on that eclair with Veniero’s cannolli). That love affair was doomed from the start.. I simply cannot stay true to one form of dessert.

We enticed two of our fellow food-lovers, Josh and Ashley, for a pint (well two, actually…) at McSorley’s Old Ale House.  Established in 1854, the tavern boasts of being NYC’s oldest continuously operated saloon, serving celebs from Abe Lincoln to John Lennon.  And on their wall outside?  A brand new QR code to promote the business.  They may only offer two types of ale (light, and dark), but they’re cutting edge enough to embrace the power of technology.  Oh yeah, and Josh and Ashley?  A familiar story of co-workers turned bf/gf (boyfriend/girlfriend, just in case)… they work in the IT field and are familiar with (competitors of? nah..) force.com.  Perhaps future business connections??  We exchanged information and gave them Basati’s new 3″ square ‘calling card’ (which has our own QR code on the back!).

And there’s always time for more old fashioned, face-to-face, pleased-ta-meet-cha’ing sitting next to.. well.. anyone… in Smith’s Bar and Restaurant.  We’ve been patrons (drinkers?) at Smith’s for several years now and love the grittiness and live music (not to mention the NAME)  of this bar & restaurant just off of 8th Avenue off Broadway.  Josh Iacovelli, actor/producer, thought he was going to enjoy his pulled pork in (relative) peace and quiet, but the spirit of the moment overtook and I had to know if the sliders were as good as they looked.  Josh assured me they were.  Sisters Jess and Megan Anderson arrived looking thirsty.. we made room for them at the bar and quickly established that they were FUN (not to mention adorable).  We drank shots to celebrate the impending 4th of July/10th anniversary, and shared phone numbers hoping that we could connect at Coney Island in the morning.

Oh yeah, and if I forgot to mention, Josh connected me to Robin Williams.  Yes, that ROBIN WILLIAMS.  I didn’t stop grinning at having the pleasure of meeting my idol for at least two hours.  I caught grief from all sides, ‘he’s just a guy and breathes just like you and I do’ (but he NaNu-NaNu’d me as a kid! and I wore rainbow suspenders long after they were (were they??) fashionable!).  I still haven’t washed the arm that he held on to.. Heck, I’d have had him sign a kidney if I’d have thought of it sooner.  We totally bonded over my five second prattle (Me:) ‘HelloMrWilliamsMyName IsTina.. I’mAHuge Fan Forever . . . WouldItBeOkIfMyHusbandTookOurPicture?’ (Robin:) ‘Certainly’.  Arm around me, insert my goofy, ohmygodRobinWilliamsishuggingme gape-mouthed-grin while hubby snaps (only one??) pic for proof.  No lipstick on my teeth though.. Done!  Love ya honey.  Thanks for (typically) indulging me.

Live – v: to be alive; exist.  To continue to be alive.  To pursue a positive, satisfying existence.

Live – adj: Of current interest.  Full of life, energy.

Six weeks ago we embarked on a new adventure.  Today is the day we share our excitement with you (lucky you!) via all our social media channels.  Bear with me…

This ‘adventure’ is actually a new business concept designed to help businesses get the support and tools they need to better compete in today’s economy.  We help businesses address their operational, marketing, and sales challenges.. from website and Facebook page creation/development to marketing plans/pieces to Salesforce.com install/implementation.

Our venture is called Basati.

The name is Italian in its origins and it means “stuff”. We chose the name precisely for its literal translation – because based on the talent and resources we now have at our disposal, we can help business with all the “stuff” they have to do to begin growing again!

We believe in this concept.  We know we can truly make a difference in how businesses begin competing again in today’s environment (okay, we are a little conceited.. but it works for us and we hope we can work for you!).

Since we began this effort we have grown to nearly 15 employees. We’ve WOW’d our nearly three dozen clients from our (not quite) downtown Orlando office. We have the resources and the capacity to truly build something that will definitely make a difference.

By now you have to be wondering, how do I check out/connect with these exciting and amazing people who promise to post only good, sometimes humorous information that will positively enhance my life, make my business blossom and make my socks whiter (okay, we can’t really help with the whiter sock part..)?  Here’s how:

Online: http://www.basati.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BasatiBuzz

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Basatibuzz

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/basati

It’s been a whirlwind six weeks since we began this but now its time to announce that we are here… and ready to make some waves.

Thanks for taking the time to allow me to share my good news! I’ll be in touch again soon.

we’ve learned that we’re not all morning people and that being caffeinated and re-caffeinated is imperative for productivity and general cohesiveness of staff.  and that we’re not all morning people and some of us aren’t that happy in the p.m. either.  and closed doors are closed – for a reason.  gru needs a cave.. he will emerge when he’s ready.  headphones are our friend: not everyone likes talk radio.  or rap.  or coughing.  and sitting (bouncing?) on an exercise ball vs a ‘traditional’ chair will get comments. and we are the COOL KIDS and people want to be around us.  sometimes even gru.

we’ve figured out to be thankful for customers.  even those who teach us that even though this is a business, it’s still a relationship and not all relationships are salvageable.  or positive.  and that when you do good business, customers refer other business to us.  and we are extra thankful for this.

we’ve decided that sometimes good.. is good enough.  that we can look at a website, or a logo, or one stinkin’ little word, one too many times and we’re all going to agree that it’s just… okay.  or we’ll see something and think, wow, we did that.  as a team.  and the power of a team is amazing.  or not.  it is like family that you pay on a weekly basis.  have some more coffee.  dear.

but all in all, we’ve decided that we want to be here.  as a team.  doing this.  and please.. let’s have fun.  with a shot of coffee.. patron?

Today Chris Swartz and I joined and the project is officially a GO.Spent the first day assigning a myriad of tasks to get this baby moving. We were tasked with creating our own separate vision for the company,creating our own personal ‘in the moment’ of Basati for five years from now. Hmm, I see myself perhaps sitting at a cafe in Rome, waiting for a Bellini to begin my morning? I like it.

Each of us brings a unique but complementary set of ideas and strengths (okay, weaknesses too, I’m sure those will come out in the oh-to-near future..). After lunch, as Tim discussed the team’s current and could-be clientele, the got-to-have-structure freak in me started screaming for some semblance order. Which bite of this elephant do we tackle first?!

A three day plan was agreed upon to include finalizing a logo (Bejan and Chris, with Tim’s and my input), and begin tackling our initial website creation. We will also get details together to create LinkedIn and Facebook accounts. I will get with a personal contact to arrange for prepaid legal advice (got to cover our assets).

Finally, importantly, I contacted two current clients of Tim’s (Basati’s) and scheduled them time for the meet ‘n greet of the new team.