When you look up the definition of sage advice, it states proceeding from or characterized by wisdom, prudence, and good judgment. This defines the career of Joel Book. In my tenure at ExactTarget, my path crossed with Joel throughout events, prospect meetings, and client discussions... and I'm a better person and marketer for knowing him.
Joel is the Director of Digital Marketing Insight for Salesforce. As a founding member of the Marketing Insights team for the Salesforce Marketing Cloud, Joel teaches companies how to use customer data, digital media, and marketing automation technology to deliver a seamless customer experience across online and offline channels.
Joel's optimism is both undying and contagious. He never stopped pushing the importance of email, the importance of measurement, and the importance of being a student every day of your career. Joel was one of the first senior marketers that I worked with that also understood the impact of his work on sales. If Joel could just take the time to educate and inspire a prospect, he knew they would close when they understood the opportunity in front of them.
In fact, I shared how great this interview was with another colleague who worked in sales at ExactTarget. He chuckled and said the best customers he closed were the ones that just walked out of Joel's sessions.
A few weeks ago, I saw Joel on the Circle in downtown Indianapolis and pulled over. I asked him if I could get him onto the podcast and he immediately agreed with all the enthusiasm I experienced when working with him. Imagine my surprise to find out that Joel was also leaving Salesforce. That made the importance of this podcast twice as important.
PS: Please notice I didn't say retirement. While I have little doubt that Joel looks forward to less time in airports and more time with his family, I also still hear the passion in his voice as he speaks about our industry. I hope and believe we'll hear from him again.
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