Cross-selling became popular in through customer service and sales centers in the 1990s and on the web more recently. At the time, The Economist described it as "the synergistic notion that buyers of one of a firm's services would become customers for another." As expected, the rules and opportunities around cross-selling have evolved and expanded since. It's still effectively used to generate revenue but also as a value-added service to a customer.

The words you say, as well as the ones you don't say, can make a big impact on your sales results.

Recently, in a detailed conversation with a client, they had some very specific and preconceived notions about re-targeting. Having seen what re-targeting could do for one of their sister brands, the marketing leadership of this particular effort wanted to go even more direct, more specific and most importantly, "always on."

A recent survey commissioned by Adobe and administered by Keynote Services looked at how consumers are using mobile sites, apps, and emerging technologies. All of the data was interesting in one way or another to marketers who want to take advantage of multichannel touchpoints in reaching prospects and customers.

As customers head to Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and other social channels to connect with a brand, where does the company website fit in the mix? Should organizations be devoting the time and resources to engaging customers on their corporate sites if social media channels are garnering more traffic?