More than just another technology, video conferencing and collaboration--together with data sharing and collaboration--allow increasingly dispersed organizations to pull their human and information resources together to create new ways of working, interacting, and responding to customers and partners. This guide discusses the tangible benefits of video conferencing and collaboration to drive organizational competitiveness.

For several years, the big question with Voice over IP (VOIP) was whether it actually worked, and if so, whether it worked well enough for corporate ears. Well, the answer is in: Yes! While voice typically is the first application implemented on a converged IP backbone, IT executives are beginning to explore new applications - such as video, unified communications, and other collaborative tools - that can also leverage the IP network.

Two free white papers from Sonexis discuss the cost benefits and security implications of audio and web conferencing systems.

In most organizations, once conferencing is available, it becomes an integral part of business communications, and that's where the dollars start adding up - quickly. Make an informed decision and prevent overspending with this detailed white paper, Selecting a Cost-Effective Conferencing Solution.

Join Gartner Research Director Esteban Kolsky and ATG Product Marketing Director Erik Hille for a practical discussion of best practices for implementing a multi-channel service strategy and solution. This free webcast will help you optimize your call deflection, right-channeling, and inquiry resolution initiatives.

Anyone running a business knows just how difficult it is to keep growth on the right path without exposing your business to unwanted risks.

The editors at Entrepreneur magazine illustrate tips and techniques required to grow your business. This e-book will enlighten readers on business topics, such as how to effectively seek out expansion capital, cost effective ways to reward employees, clever shortcuts to help run your business more effectively, and getting the most from business trips. Act now and receive complimentary subscription to the monthly Growing Your Business newsletter from Entrepreneur.com.

Entrepreneur.com is also pleased to offer you a free, no obligation franchise consultation with your complimentary Growing Your Business 1,2,3 eBook download.

Managing customer expectations is fundamental towards effectively building a bond with your customers.

There is no question that customer service plays an important role in the shopping decisions consumers make across sales channels. But what exactly are customers looking for in terms of service and where do they hope to get it?

See what Jupiter Research has to say in their White Paper titled Optimizing Online Service to Build Effective Customer Relationships.

Visit TradePub.com at eComXpo for FREE! We will be exhibiting at eComXpo, the online virtual trade show for eCommerce Marketers, April 4-6, 2006. eComXpo features all the benefits of a top traditional tradeshow without the cost, travel or hassle associated with traditional events.

Why should you attend?

• Choose from over 20 panel presentations on affiliate, search, and interactive marketing.
• Network with more than 7,000 of your peers via chat or email
• Attend educational presentations by top industry experts such as Anne Holland, Linda Woods, Bruce Clay, Declan Dunn, and more
• Visit more than 175 booths in the virtual exhibit hall,
• The more you participate, the more chances you have to win great prizes such as iPods, flat-screen TVs, Caribbean vacations, and more
• Receive all the benefits of a top trade show for free, without leaving your home or office

Geared toward marketers, HR professionals, sales managers, trade show planners, entrepreneurs, and buyers of ad specialties at businesses of any size, Successful Promotions offers true-life case histories, usable marketing strategies, and showcases of proven imprinted promotional products.

In Building Relationship Capital: Client Relationship Management for the Capital Markets, you will learn how CRM technology enables capital-markets firms to share intelligence, coordinate activities, and derive optimal firm-wide advantage from an integrated body of corporate knowledge and relationships.

The Secrets of Successful Event Marketing & Management offers best practices for increasing attendance at events, decreasing event costs, and streamlining event management. Gain valuable information on event marketing, event management, and eMarketing based on lessons learned from the management of more than 75,000 events.

In How to Meet with More of Your Most Valuable Prospects and Connect with More of Your High-Value Prospects, you will learn how leading B2B marketers are meeting with an average of 35% of their most-valuable prospects while generating marketing ROI of 5 to 50X.

Three new white papers from SSA Global offer marketing insights for the financial, manufacturing, and insurance industries.

In Financial Services Case Study: HSBC® Mexico, learn how HSBC Mexico - one of the fastest growing financial institutions in Mexico - has achieved dramatic results by integrating outbound marketing technology from SSA into its CRM processes, growing customer retention rates from 77 to 90 percent and generating 23,000 new accounts worth a total of $55 million, despite a volatile national economy.

Becoming demand-driven can significantly improve revenues and profits. This AMR Research Report, The Handbook for Becoming Demand-Driven, provides an in-depth outline of the essential strategies to employ in making this fundamental shift in the way business is done. Discover three critical strategies and 11 specific tactics for letting the channel drive fulfillment, examine three hidden pitfalls to avoid, and learn which components of the Demand-Driven Supply Network strategy to emphasize based on your industry.

Inbound marketing?during customer-initiated interactions on the Web, in call centers, and at stores?can help build trust, relationships, information, and sales. Inbound Marketing Goes Mainstream, a Forrester Research report, surveys inbound marketing trends and recommends relevant best practices.

The insider's guide to customer service on the web, Ten Secrets of Successful Customer Service distills the best practices of successful customer service thought leaders from a variety of industries. Learn the ten best practices for web-enabled contact centers and how to create a state-of-the-art integrated contact center that will maximize the quality and cost efficiency of your company's customer service.

What are the real drivers of loyalty and defection from the customers' point of view? The Loyalty Connection: Secrets to Customer Retention and Increased Profits explores why customer loyalty is so crucial to business success. Learn how to:

• Understand drivers of loyalty and defection, from the customers' point of view.
• Develop a loyalty strategy focused on the "right" customers.
• Systematically deliver what your customers value, and fix it quickly when you don't.
• Implement measurement and reward systems to encourage customer-centric behavior.

Join MarketingSherpa and NetLine for a teleconference on Feb 15, and learn survey results from recent MarketingSherpa reports: "Search Marketing Benchmark Guide" and the "Email Marketing Benchmark Guide" Register today: Invite your entire team - attendance is free!

Promowear Magazine serves the promotional products industry, focusing on sales techniques, fashion trends, pricing, and the latest information and advice for successful promotional products distributors.