salesforce.com, inc. (CRM), International Business Machines Corp. (IBM): M&A in Gamification

SAP AG (ADR) (NYSE:SAP), salesforce.com, inc. (NYSE:CRM) and International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM) technology acquisitions now embrace gamification, leveraging innovative strategies in loyalty and engagement. Mergers and Acquisitions set record highs with most acquisitions going towards smaller companies acquired. In 2013, gamification will be adopted as standard practice within organizations and business processes. Acquisitions revenue totaled $4 billion in 2012, an 18 percent increase from the $3.4 billion earned in 2011.

2013 is still showing signs for investors of a growing competitive market for cloud-based human resource management services. Enterprise organizations will have to adapt through expansion to compete in leading with gamification. Investments also in this sector fell 57 percent to $853 million. Investment transaction value was led by middleware and gamification at 35 percent, mobile at 31 percent, MMO at 18 percent, followed by social, console and advertising. The total gaming industry is expected to reach $83 billion by 2015.

Gamification and Enterprise

As gamification becomes standard process, training management, leaders and executives requires monitoring such digital business innovations through gamification by measuring user behavior. There are many areas that can be tracked with such analysis. Enterprise objectives will be centered around engagement priorities.

International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM) in December 2012, announced the closing of its acquisition of Kenexa for an estimated $1.3 billion. Kenexa helps clients embrace social business capabilities and connects through social networks. Kenexa is a leading provider of recruiting and talent management solutions. International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM)does understand the importance of HR objectives and the business. IBM recently announced in 2013 its Smarter Workforce Initiative. The campaign is to position International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM) as a leading provider of HR and talent management solutions.

IBM Mar. 25, 2013 Market Close: $ 210.74 and Key Stock Data

Dividend Yield 1.61%

P/E Ratio 14.45 Trailing 12 months

Market Cap $236.36 Billion

Shares Outstanding 1.11 Billion

Public Float 1.11 Billion

“By creating a smarter workforce, employees can drive innovation to bring products and services to market faster, resolve problems before they arise to improve customer service, and increase sales by building new skills — linking the right experts to the right clients,” said Alistair Rennie, general manager, social business, International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM).