Social media has expanded the business orbit from the small business owners to super larger organizations. And this phrase business orbit is probably the most accurate one, yet probably most under utilized term in today’s business world.

Credit www.sxc.hu

This past week I had an opportunity to speak with a new LinkedIn connection, Mike Muhney, the inventor of ACTs customer relationship management system.  He shared with me the original meaning of the word orbit that being:

A Sphere of Influence

Muhney is now the CEO of VIPorbit, Inc. His new software creation is all about “mobile relationship management.” This program is a software application for iPhones and iPads that is, in my opinion, akin to  ACTS on wireless rocket boosters.

Additionally, the market for this type of mobile driven application is huge.  There are currently 1.5 billion mobile devices and only 12 million CRM users with ACTs owning the largest portion of those users.  Sales Training Coaching Tip:  By interacting on LinkedIn discussion groups and providing value through your comments, you also can connect with very well known individuals and expand your sphere of influence.

The concept of an orbit is truly more representative than a circle.  Physical orbits are more elliptical in nature.  What this means for businesses is there may be greater influence for those nearer the business and less influence for those further away.  In other words, in business

All Influence Is Not Equal!

Years ago the business orbit for a larger organization due to its larger sales teams was greater than the small business owner or even single office or home office entrepreneur.  With the explosion of technology and the Internet, the orbits for businesses are not dependent upon the size of the business.  One quick example that comes to mind is Matt Drudge and his Drudge Report. Drudge started out as one investigative reporter who connected with resources and built a high traffic website.  His sphere of  influence (business orbit) continues to expand.

Almost seven years ago, I redirected my marketing efforts to creating inbound sales leads by having an integrated marketing plan based upon an education based marketing approach. Using article marketing at sites such as Ezine Articles, Evan Carmichael or Sales Gravy and later this business and sales blog or now what is called content marketing, I have expanded my sphere of influence including being asked to be one of the keynote speakers at the  2012 Tech Niche conference in India. Sales Training Coaching Tip:  Content marketing is a proven strategy to increase sales leads, build additional business opportunities and expand one’s sphere of influence.

Understanding your business orbit and directing it to your target market is probably the greatest marketing challenge in today’s local to global marketplace. Having an integrated marketing plan along with WAY SMART goals, key performance indicators (KPIs) and measurable metrics are now required and no longer a luxury. Sales Training Coaching Tip:  Social media works well with this concept of business orbit in that you have the opportunity for face to face, in person meetings and those where you are connected just through the strokes of the keyboard.

Consider making 2012 your year to determine to your sphere of influence within your  business orbit.  Who knows maybe in a few years, you may be asked to be a keynote speaker halfway across the world?