Today, marks the launch of the redesigned AppExchange, a online application store for business users where they can extend the functionality of Salesforce.
As many of your know, I'm a strong advocate of Salesforce for both small and big business. In fact, we started with the Professional Edition focused on the Customer Relationship Management elements and have since upgraded to the Enterprise version and have taken advantage of the full suite of tools.
Many of those tools have been found in the AppExchange, including Salesforce for Google Apps, Salesforce for Google Adwords and Salesforce Mobile.
Will Kindle pose a threat to professionally recorded voice overs?
- Written by David Ciccarelli
- March 5, 2009 at 10:59 AM
- Add Your Comments (4)
It's doubtful that the Kindle's new synthetic voice technology will replace professional narrators, at least in the foreseeable future.
The principal reason why the synthesized voice poses little threat to voice over recordings, particularly long form narration such as audiobooks, is simply because the vocal characteristics and inflections of synthesized voices are predetermined, leaving no room for uniquely creative or intelligently "human" qualities such as making bold choices with regard to context and interpretation with the purpose of enlivening the text.
Build a Knowledge Base You Can Be Proud Of
- Written by David Ciccarelli
- February 2, 2009 at 1:26 PM
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Let's face it. People are busy.
Many customers nowadays prefer to hunt down the best solution for themselves. Some don't actually want to speak to a customer service agent on the phone. Nor do they want to wait days on end for an email response.
The logic here is simple. Your customers are thinking that by the time they locate your phone number, place a call, navigate through your interactive voice response system and wait on hold to finally reach an agent for customer service they can just as quickly "Google" the right answer. In fact, they may be right.
What's the challenge? How do business managers make sure that the right tools are available and confidently provide valuable solutions that will meet the needs of our customers on their terms?
Let's explore three web-based tools that will position your company to do just that.
Download the Audio from President Barack Obama's Inauguration
- Written by David Ciccarelli
- January 16, 2009 at 10:56 AM
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On January 20, the United States of America will inaugurate its 44th President, Barack Obama. President Obama will be the first African American to hold the office, and will step into the White House in the midst of a trying economic situation and panoply of unresolved international issues.
Industry Report Will Go Deeper Next Year
- Written by David Ciccarelli
- January 4, 2009 at 2:08 PM
- Add Your Comments (4)
Last week I had published the annual Report on the Voice Over Industry that was well received. Thanks to all the people who blogged about it.
At voxmarketising, Peter O'Connell has some praise as well as shared some dislikes that I'd like to discuss here.
Let's run though some of the comments shall we?
Annual Website Maintenance Checklist
- Written by David Ciccarelli
- January 3, 2009 at 8:23 AM
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It's the time of year when we make resolutions are made. I'm not much of a resolution-maker myself, but I'm going to suggest that small business owners make one. Namely, it's a suggestion that you resolve to fix up your web site and pay attention to things you might have ignored for too long. I know you're busy and your time is valuable, so chances are good that you've missed a few minor issues that are making your web site look old and outdated.
Think about this way: Your car needs a tune-up every 15,000 miles or so to keep it running at its best. Your teeth need a checkup at least once or twice a year. Well, a regular checkup will also keep your web site running in peak condition.
Update The ⓒ Copyright Year On Your Website
- Written by David Ciccarelli
- January 2, 2009 at 9:15 AM
- Add Your Comments (1)
First of all, Happy New Year!
And, with the new year comes some annual maintenance that every webmaster should be conscious of. Here's a quick tip from my list of annual website maintenance.
5 Second Usability Test
- Written by David Ciccarelli
- December 30, 2008 at 2:11 PM
- Add Your Comments (3)
We've explored usability before, but today, I found a tool that makes website usability testing a snap!
A new app, most appropriately called Five Second Test allows website designers to upload a screen shot of a page, invite participants to view the page for exactly 5 seconds, then type in what they remember from the page.
Take the 5 Second Usability Test now.
Voices.com CEO Speaks at OIART's Entrepreneur Week
- Written by David Ciccarelli
- June 11, 2008 at 9:20 AM
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As many of you know, I'm an honors graduate of OIART, the Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology - one of the top audio production schools in the industry.
One of the many reasons I chose to attend OIART was the high job placement rate of their graduates which results in excellent connections within the industry. Graduates are invited back to OIART as guest lecturers, and this year I was happy to speak and share my experiences as an entrepreneur.
Blogging 101 - Tips for Effective Business Blogging
- Written by David Ciccarelli
- May 31, 2008 at 7:52 AM
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There has most definitely been a shift in the media landscape, from traditional media including newspaper, radio and television to online media. The most prevalent of the online media sources are blogs.
What Is a Blog?
Weblogs, web logs or simply blogs, as they are known, are easy-to-use websites (no HTML knowledge required), where you can quickly post thoughts, publish articles and interact with people. Blogs are typically accessible to any Internet user.
Blogs are Exploding
Technorati is now tracking over 50 million weblogs and about 120,000 new weblogs are being created worldwide each day. That's about 1.4 blogs created every second.
Businesses can take advantage of this powerful communications medium, starting with a few simple steps to get involved today.
