Recent Blog Posts
You Need A Budget – Follow Up
It has been three months since I started using You Need a Budget. I'm pleased to say that I've stuck with it and am really starting to get my budget under control. Here are a few things I've learned so far. We spend a lot of money going out to eat. Well we use to. Now...
Customer Data Leads To Opportunities
For a few months now I’ve been working with a client to connect SalesForce to their website. Overall it has been a good and interesting process. Originally they just wanted to keep their user/company data synced but exploring what I have access to as far as SalesForce data I found a goldmine to improve the relationship between the company and their customers. My client has been pretty diligent about keeping records when ever they interact with a customer. They record when ever they talk to the customer on the phone, what the conversation was about, every email, every product/service order, what certifications they have, and a ton of company information. All of which I have access to and the ability to pull it into the website. Because my client is so meticulous about collecting data I have the opportunity to customize the user’s experience on the website based on the company/customer interaction history and so can you. But how?
Taking Your Devices with You?
Traveling for business or personal now means many of us take two, three or more devices with us on a trip. Many of us will have a phone and a computer like device (Ipad, Surface, Laptop, Tablet) and maybe a reading device (Nook or Kindle), too. Travel Tips:...
Customer Life Cycle
Something I've been thinking about lately is the customer life cycle and how a customer moves through a business. This is just a rough idea but it got me thinking what I started to break it down. I realized how much not only my business is missing but also how many...
When Not To Listen To Your Customers
As a web developer I have the skills to build all sorts of cool web based applications. I love being able to build features and applications that make any one’s life easier. But sometimes it backfires on me. Mainly, I can and have spent weeks, months and even years building and changing features if I’m left unchecked. Which recently happened and caused me to get stuck in a customer feedback loop.
I build a feature based on a customer suggestion about two years ago. No one else used the feature until about a year ago, two more customers have started using it. Those two customers had suggestions for the feature. All of them were pretty easy to do so I implemented them. It didn’t change the core functionality so I thought everyone would be happy. Well the changes annoyed the original customer and they wanted a few things changed. Fine, no problem. But those changes annoyed the other customer. Who then wanted further changes. I went back and forth between the customers for about a month. Neither were happy. I finally gave up, let my customers know I have to move on to other issues and will circle back later.
I should have handled this completely differently. But How?
Buyout: Business Desctruction
Today I would like to share a story about a now old client of mine. It is just something I have to get off my chest. For obvious privacy reasons I’ve made a few changes but overall this is how it went down.
Over the past few months I’ve been witness to a buyout that has destroyed my client’s business. It is difficult to watch as I have been a part of their company for a long time now. I understand that buyouts and acquisitions usually never turn out well for employees of the bought company. However from what I understand this one should have been different. In fact my client was promised it would be different. I guess he should have gotten it in writing.
Delegation Makeover
Monday morning, again. Here are just two things you can start doing this Monday that will make you more productive. INC Magazine, one of my favorites, had a great article on the nine things to help you be more productive from tips they'd gleaned from some of the...
Plan Like a General
How is it that some companies are successfully growing faster than others in the same industry? Fast Track companies handle new projects or target markets like a general might plan a battle. But before you declare you’re a commanding officer, realize that the secret...
Small Business Puns
Names and tag lines for businesses can be more than explanatory, they can bring a smile to you day. Here are just a few we have come across: Curl Up & Dye Worms and Perms (husband sells bait, wife does hair) Faux Sure! Pain in the Glass Oh My Bod (workout center)...
The Biggest Mistake of My Life
Long ago I worked for a small company. My business was pretty new and I was looking for money any where I could so I agreed to work part time. I helped this company bring a failing web application back to life and to production. Part time ended up being full time. But...