“A real decision is measured by the fact that you've taken a new action. If there's no action, you haven't truly decided” …Tony Robbins

At some point the marketing department and everyone in it has to make the decision to start measuring all lead generation activities.  

The trade show manager has the easiest task because all inquiries are in a neat little package from each show and can be tracked with precision.   Other inquiry/leads can come into the company via multiple entry points (web contact is more difficult but not impossible to track).   But a direct mail response can come in via a toll-free numbers, reply card, web contact form, etc.    Regardless, every inquiry is traceable, wth a little help from the prospect, a CRM system and marketing automation. 

The point is, to secure it’s own future,  the marketing department must make a decision and take action to track the source of all inquiries and prove the ROI by individual lead generation tactic.   The most difficult part is making the decision to be accountable.    

Jeff Pedowitz of the Pedowtiz Group said it well on a recent SLMA Radio program (2/16/2012), when he said, “Take a stand."

Take Tony Robbins' advice, take a new action.  Be accountable.  

Would anyone like to share their own success story about proving ROI and taking a stand? 

Comments

[Lydia Sugarman]

I fail to understand why you think web contact is more difficult to track than direct mail when you acknowledge that one of the ways direct mail efforts are tracked is via web forms.

Using marketing automation tools, unique URLs for all links, deeply integrated with CRM and salesforce automation tools, web and conversion tracking software (all offered in the Vennntive platform) means that you can know exactly where all your outbound and inbound marketing leads originate.

[Jim Obermayer]

Hi Lydia: You're 100% right. But it is difficult for someone who doesn't understand the strides that have been made in Marketing Automation. The Vennitive solution is a great example. Your interview on SLMA Radio on December 15th of 2011 tells it all. Tell us more.