System and method for using social networks for the distribution of communications

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and systems for facilitating the distribution of a communication, for example, using one or more enterprise applications. According to one embodiment, the method comprises obtaining information regarding one or more entities. Using a software application, hardware device or combination thereof, a given entity is selected from the one or more entities. A given member of the enterprise is selected based on a path between the given member of the enterprise and a given entity, the path identified by the information regarding the given entity. A communication is addressed from the given member of the enterprise to the given entity.

Description

[0001] Applicants hereby claim the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 592,294 entitled, “SALES FACILITATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS IN AN ENTERPRISE RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT SYSTEM,” filed Jul. 28, 2004, attorney docket number 6613 / 1C, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Applicants hereby further claim the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 592,295 entitled, “MARKETING FACILITATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS IN AN ENTERPRISE RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT SYSTEM”, filed Jul. 28, 2004, attorney docket number 6613 / 1D, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0002] This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 132,159 entitled, “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENFORCING PRIVACY IN SOCIAL NETWORKS,” filed May 17, 2005, attorney docket number 6613 / 1US, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety (the “RCM software system”).COPYRIGHT ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] According to one embodiment, a method is provided for facilitating the distribution of communications in an enterprise application. The method comprises obtaining information regarding one or more entities and selecting a given entity from the one or more entities. A given member of the enterprise is selected based on a path between the given member of the enterprise and a given entity, the path identified by the information regarding the given entity. The path may be provided by an RCM software system. A communication is addressed from the given member of the enterprise to the given entity, which may be an individual or an organization, and transmitted to the given entity. The given member of the enterprise may be selected based on a strength of the path between the given member and the given entity, and the given member may be provided with the communication to personalize the communication.

[0019] In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided that facilitate marketing campaigns, such as campaigns in which a particular marketing message is desired to be sent to many different entities. Lists of entities for a particular marketing campaign may be generated. Information about the entities may be obtained, or may be visually displayed, including relationship information. Draft marketing messages may be generated automatically as being from individuals with a determined strongest relationship with each entity provided the relationship owner approves distribution of the message. The draft messages may be presented to the proposed sender or relationship owner for modification, approval, or sending. Efficiency and effectiveness of tasks are increased as compared, for example, to typical mass messaging by leveraging relationships between senders and contacts, causing messaging to appear more personal, and at least partially automatizing the process.

Problems solved by technology

The relationships and relationship networks in enterprise software, however, can be difficult to access in an efficient manner.

These relationships are often documented, but the relationship capital that identifies these relationships is often distributed across many disparate enterprise applications, with data that is often redundant, outdated or incomplete.

Furthermore, the relationships and relationship capital are often not weighted, fail to indicate the strength of a given relationship or piece of relationship capital and do not dynamically adjust weights in response to changing data and events.

Some employees, such as sales persons and other executives may also be reluctant to share relationship capital that they own, such as information regarding their personal relationships, with other employees or outside parties without retaining any control with regard to how these parties use the relationship capital.

These issues and concerns generally limit the amount of relationship capital that is made available and accessible through enterprise software, which negatively impacts the efficiency and productivity of an organization.

Thus, business processes that the organization conducts using enterprise software, such as selling, marketing, hiring, etc., can be ineffective, uncoordinated or inefficient.

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