It seems that a hi-tech company in California is trying out a new approach to analyst relations. Focus is important but going out of your way to tell analysts that they're not important enough? Read the full story at Armadgeddon...
http://armadgeddon.blogspot.com/2005/05/interesting-analyst-relations.html
Saturday, May 28, 2005
Gartner looking for vendors to spend more?
The team at Armadgeddon have some insightful comments on Symposium and draw an interesting conclusion or two...
http://armadgeddon.blogspot.com/2005/05/distant-echoes-from-barcelona.html
http://armadgeddon.blogspot.com/2005/05/distant-echoes-from-barcelona.html
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Monday, May 23, 2005
Inside the mind of an analyst
Rahme, one of my colleagues here, used to work as an analyst at InfoTrends / CAP Ventures.
She's recently written an article that gives some insights into how industry analysts work, what they look for and how best to interact with them.
If you'd like to read it, please drop me an email (david AT sunesis-ar DOT com) and I'll send you a copy.
She's recently written an article that gives some insights into how industry analysts work, what they look for and how best to interact with them.
If you'd like to read it, please drop me an email (david AT sunesis-ar DOT com) and I'll send you a copy.
Friday, May 13, 2005
Can analyst firms grow too quickly?
It's great to see some of the smaller analyst firms doing so well these days. They really are garnering influence in the UK market and I believe internationally as well.
I just hope that they don't fall into the trap of growing too quickly. These companies have built their reputations on the quality of their staff. As they expand, they'll have to hire new analysts. If these individuals aren't up to the job, then the image of the whole firm will suffer.
In the IT PR market, it's a perennial problem. Agencies get hot. They hire quickly. The new people aren't as good. Clients leave. The cycle starts again.
So, to all the small analyst firms, a plea. Please don't rush into hiring. Take your time. Recruit the best. Train them well. Make them ambassadors to be proud of.
Winning business in the short-term is great. Damaging the long-term value of your brand isn't.
I just hope that they don't fall into the trap of growing too quickly. These companies have built their reputations on the quality of their staff. As they expand, they'll have to hire new analysts. If these individuals aren't up to the job, then the image of the whole firm will suffer.
In the IT PR market, it's a perennial problem. Agencies get hot. They hire quickly. The new people aren't as good. Clients leave. The cycle starts again.
So, to all the small analyst firms, a plea. Please don't rush into hiring. Take your time. Recruit the best. Train them well. Make them ambassadors to be proud of.
Winning business in the short-term is great. Damaging the long-term value of your brand isn't.
Monday, May 09, 2005
Is it just me? (updated)
I was intrigued to read a press release from Analysys (www.analysys.com) a few days ago.
It predicted mobile penetration in Western Europe is to reach 100% by 2007. Apparently in the UK, Italy and Sweden, we're already there – 101% of the UK population have mobile phones compared to 104% in Italy and 103% in Sweden.
Now does this mean that everyone in these countries has a mobile phone? Of course not. It's because some people buy more than one phone or SIM card (and Analysys does explain this in its release).
But for me the headline impression is that everyone in Western Europe will have a mobile phone by 2007. Am I just being pedantic? I'd love to know what other people think.
Update: Sunday 15 May 2005, 18.19
The Sunday Times is running a story today which claims that the number of mobile phones in the UK may be overstated by as much as 15 million. It's based on a survey commissioned by Enders Analysis. The firm believes that "millions of phones are abandoned in drawers and essentially unused. Some are retained on company books because they occasionally receive a text message or a 'wrong number' call."
It predicted mobile penetration in Western Europe is to reach 100% by 2007. Apparently in the UK, Italy and Sweden, we're already there – 101% of the UK population have mobile phones compared to 104% in Italy and 103% in Sweden.
Now does this mean that everyone in these countries has a mobile phone? Of course not. It's because some people buy more than one phone or SIM card (and Analysys does explain this in its release).
But for me the headline impression is that everyone in Western Europe will have a mobile phone by 2007. Am I just being pedantic? I'd love to know what other people think.
Update: Sunday 15 May 2005, 18.19
The Sunday Times is running a story today which claims that the number of mobile phones in the UK may be overstated by as much as 15 million. It's based on a survey commissioned by Enders Analysis. The firm believes that "millions of phones are abandoned in drawers and essentially unused. Some are retained on company books because they occasionally receive a text message or a 'wrong number' call."
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Gartner Q1 revenues down, makes loss
Gartner's announced that revenues in Q1 (ended March 31, 2005) fell to $199.8 million compared to $208.7 million in the Q104.
It’s putting this down to a fall in event income; the company held just five events in Q105 compared to nine in Q104.
Gartner also declared a Q1 net loss of $14.7 million, including pre-tax charges of $3.4 million related to the integration of META and $14.3 million related to a reduction in workforce and restructuring within its international operations.
Research revenue was $125 million, an increase of 2% from the same period of 2004.
Consulting revenue fell to $64 million versus $65 million in the first quarter of 2004.
Events revenue was $8 million for the first quarter of 2005 versus $18 million in the first quarter of 2004.
Gartner’s optimistic for the future though. It is reporting research contract value (at 31 March, 2005) up to $516 million, from $493 million at March 31, 2004. This is the company's highest reported contract value since December 31, 2001. Client retention was 80%, up from 77%.
http://investor.gartner.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=99568&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=704496&highlight=
It’s putting this down to a fall in event income; the company held just five events in Q105 compared to nine in Q104.
Gartner also declared a Q1 net loss of $14.7 million, including pre-tax charges of $3.4 million related to the integration of META and $14.3 million related to a reduction in workforce and restructuring within its international operations.
Research revenue was $125 million, an increase of 2% from the same period of 2004.
Consulting revenue fell to $64 million versus $65 million in the first quarter of 2004.
Events revenue was $8 million for the first quarter of 2005 versus $18 million in the first quarter of 2004.
Gartner’s optimistic for the future though. It is reporting research contract value (at 31 March, 2005) up to $516 million, from $493 million at March 31, 2004. This is the company's highest reported contract value since December 31, 2001. Client retention was 80%, up from 77%.
http://investor.gartner.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=99568&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=704496&highlight=
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
...while Philip Carnelley departs (updated)
Meanwhile Philip Carnelley has left Ovum. His last day in the office was Friday.
Update: 17 May 2005, 7.56PM
Philip has joined The Hackett Group.
Update: 17 May 2005, 7.56PM
Philip has joined The Hackett Group.
Stratos joins Ovum....
Renowned META analyst Stratos Sarissamlis has joined Ovum as a principal analyst in its Outsourcing practice.
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