Krishna De: Insights From Ireland On Digital Marketing, Social Media And Entrepreneurship

Quick thoughts and tips about building visibility, buzz, reputation and profits - plus stuff that doesn't fit my blog

B2B buyers truly are socially engaged reports the Global Web Index

Global_web_index_activities_of_b2b_decision_makers
View more presentations from Tom Smith
This report utilises the five completed waves of GlobalWebIndex research covering 27 markets and 100,000 surveys to provide the most detailedoverview to date of how the business to business (B2B) decision maker engages in social media and which social communications really influencesales. 
There is also a full report available - see details at the end of the presentation of how you can access the report.
The report which is also referenced here covers the fact that:
  • 39% of B2B decision makers had used a micro-blog (like Twitter) in the last month
  • 60% had used a social network compared to 50% for the average internet user
  • Conversations on a social network led the category of what most influenced all decision makers at 15%, while direct mail was second at 13%
  • Social network usage among decision makers increased from 41% to 60% from July 2009 to July 2011
  • Micro-blogging grew from 21% to 39% between July 2009 and July 2011
  • Chinese B2B decision makers have increased their usage of social media from 31% to 60% over the past two years.

If you are a B2B marketer hopefully these statistics will be of use when encouraging your leadership team to conside social media communications as part of your lead generation programme.

Futuralia 2011 - expand your B2B company internationally

Are you a small business in the B2B sector in Ireland who wants to expand their business internationally?

Here is an event that you might want to explore - the Futurallia 2011 information meeting which takes place on 3 March between 8am and 9.30am in the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, 7 Clare Street, Dublin 2.  This briefing is designed to inform about the upcoming international B2B matchmaking forum which takes place in Kansas City, USA on May 18-20 2011. You can book your place by contacting Chris O'Shea on 01 400 4326 or by email to coshea@webportglobal.com. 

Futurallia is an annual international business to business matchmaking forum where you will have the  opportunity to meet with representatives from 38 countries with interpretation services provided as needed - some 800 companies attend annually.

The investment to attend the Futuralia event in Kansas City is €1600 (plus flights) per attendee which covers 3 nights accommodation and meals.

If you are in the Fingal region, you can apply for the Fingal County Enterprise Board’s Export Marketing Grant which covers 50% of eligible costs. (Check your local County or City Enterprise Board if you are in another region to see if they are offering similar support).