In the run-run to its 2018 Cool and Hot Vendor Forum on October 18 in Orlando, Florida, the Gartner Observatory is developing case studies to spotlight the most impactful, innovating and intriguing firms we have spoken to, out of hundreds of Cool Vendor designation holders who have taken part in our research. In this case study, our communications director Suwen Chen outline the process for winning the designation, and what the outcomes were.

1. COOL VENDOR IN THE
DIGITAL WORKPLACE, 2017
WINNING THE COOL VENDOR
"It was a little bit by surprise."
"We didn’t know if there was something called
CV at that time"
CV had enormous impact and a lot of potential in
the US – Problem: they were not based in the US
at that time
Nevertheless helped them in • Europe: "It's like a
stamp for quality that we are not just another
product."
"They could open up a little bit more how
to use this Cool Vendor. They could
promote it a little bit more themselves
maybe."
Bad timing: In Europe, you get the award
just before the summer holiday - "After the
summer would be better"
"They hide a little bit on their own
homepage, you have to search for this Cool
Vendor to find it."
SUPPORT BY GARTNER
It's difficult to use because of restrictions,
which makes it difficult to get a full effect
from it marketing wise -> Solution: just talk
about it with customers
"We use it as much as we can."
They communicate that they are a CV to
potential customers, potential partners, in
PR, online (e.g. on their website) and in job
openings
Department benefiting the most: Marketing
and sales
USING THE COOL VENDOR
Wizdom doesn't target any analysts
They often meet them and then they keep
up and inform each other about what
happened in the market
It's important to keep good relations with
analysts
ANALYST RELATIONSHIP
The intranet solution built on
SharePoint by Wizdom helps to
improve the digital working
place. "Choose the features and
apps that match your needs and
you´ll get a digital workplace that
boosts productivity, collaboration
and communication in YOUR
organisation."
MORE DETAILS ON COOL VENDOR FORUM 2018:
HTTP://WWW.GARTNEROBSERVATORY.ORG/
GARTNER OBSERVATORY, A UEBS RESEARCH PROJECT