<p>If you're a brand considering hiring a company that provides social business software or services, you need to ask questions about the vendor's funding. That advice is what Jeremiah Owyang, an analyst with the Altimeter Group, offers up.</p><p>In his blog post, "The State of Funding in Social Business Software", Owyang noted that investors in a software vendor shape the company's direction "by providing guidance" and access to their network of contacts, among other things. In addition to the features and functions of a vendor's offering, he said, potential clients need to discern the "root of funding" because it demonstrates the vendor's financial stability, ability to grow, ongoing strategy and credibility from investors. How Much? Who?</p><p>During the pitch from the vendor, Owyang recommends paying attention "to the slide on funding," and to ask several questions that will help ascertain the company's origins where it is in its growth and stability and where it's heading.</p><p>One such question "how much have you raised and from whom?" Sub-queries in this line of due diligence include asking about other companies in the investors' portfolio who are related to this vendor's area. Prospective clients can also follow-up by checking out investors' websites to determine the success of their track record in enterprise software. If the investors' background or investing history are in unrelated fields, they may have little or no experience, or connections to offer the vendor in this very competitive field thus leaving clients at risk if the company's quality or lifespan suffers from its bad decisions.</p><p><a href="http://www.cmswire.com/cms/social-business/hiring-a-social-business-vendor-ask-about-their-funding-019011.php">Keep reading...</a></p>