NetSuite is Really Funny

This is just a short post because I just found this really clever and funny even though it goes against my "why can't we all be friends" nature.

I received this email and press release from Mei Li, SVP of Corporate Communications at NetSuite and one of my favorite people in this universe, this morning.

Here's the intro paragraph that preceded the press release which pretty much explains it all:

Hi Paul,

Today NetSuite announced a new program -- the first of its kind -- offering direct incentives to help businesses turn off and turn in their antiquated on-premise software and hardware, pare back their electricity use, and switch to an efficient, cutting-edge, on-demand business management software suite.

With NetSuite Cash for Clunkers, new NetSuite customers in the U.S. who shut down on-premise servers and/or trade in their on-premise enterprise software by October 31, 2009 will receive $500 off of every $5,000 invested in NetSuite. Similiar incentives apply in the U.K., Canada, and Australia. See below for more details.

How could you not love this? This is really funny. Even though I don't think that on premise applications are necessarily clunkers; c'mon, you have to admit, this is a really clever campaign. The actual deal isn't too bad either- trade in your on premise "stuff" and you get $500 off of every $5000 invested in NetSuite. They have similar incentives which curiously only seem to extend to the English speaking world though I doubt they call it "Cash for Clunkers" in the U.K or Australia.

NetSuite is a very good product that oddly is far less flashy than their leadership or marketing or creative work. They are aggressive - in my eyes, to a fault. They are refreshing and personable as a company and produce a really good product that they have every right to be proud of. They are Enterprise-Software-On-Demand (ESOD. I made that acronym up...I think). They enjoy life to a large extent. They are also prosperous. Do they neglect the Social CRM side? Yes they do, and they shouldn't. But what they do produce is genuinely one of the best products on the market that I deal with. But damn if this campaign just isn't outright clever.

That's all I want to say.

Technorati : CRM, NetSuite
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Comments

[Matt Zimmerman]

I found the offer of 10% almost insulting they will make up the discount in other products and or services.
How about an offer of 75 % off to show they have skin in the game It reminds me of the retail approach of marking up an item 2 fold then offering a 50% discount.

The cost of the actual software is only a small percentage of the overall TCO

[Bob Fernekees]

I'd like to try this too ... if only I could figure out a way to be reimbursed by the Federal government.