Re: The age old question: - OUCH ! -- MIDRANGE-L

I made the statement and I stand by what I said. If you feel that
it's completely false, you have little in the way of information
on what is going on beyond your office. I am very familar with
IBM marketing practices and the eternal "rose colored" picture
that IBM employees are required to present.

I am very familar with my geographic area which has not had a
IBM "sales resource" for well over four years. I am not referring
to a remote or rural area.

The debate on IBM's response to the small business world is
presented by the tv spots that show Intel products as the
real answer to life's problems. Those tv spots are bought and
paid for by IBM. I suspect the tv spots represent most of
that huge investment you refer to.

I suppose many small business owners buy computer systems
based on tv spots, so I guess I could be wrong about IBM
not having somebody marketing their product.

I almost forgot about "IBM Direct" as a powerful marketing tool.

This is a very old debate that shows little promise.

Any future discussion should be handled by personal email and not
on this list.

Anne Lucas wrote:

Rick, I would be delighted to talk with you and your friend mentioned in
the attached.  Please send me contact info offline.

One statement:  "Since IBM has forsaken the small business market place..."
This is totally and complete false.  Hugh investments are being made this
year and planned for next year in small, medium businesses.

IBM does have sales resources selling into the small, medium business
arena.   The small, medium businesses are the core of the iSeries customer
base.

Please let me know specifically what you need, i.e., white papers on what,
etc.


************
Have a blessed day!!

Anne C. Lucas, iSeries Retention Program Manager & Customer Relationships,

IBM Systems Group,  iSeries Marketing    alucas@xxxxxxxxxx
iSeries Nation web site:  http://www.ibm.com/eserver/nation1  Chatting with
Citizens: http://www.ibm.com/eserver/nation/chate1

205/823-4831  T/L 537-9968,   800/223-3907 Pager eFax 1-501-325-2182
Admin Assist:   Celia Ciotti  (914) 642-6971, tie line 224-6971