A client of mine wanted to send an RFP for redesign of their website to a design company I had not previously worked with. Because I had no contacts there, I used their online form, which included a category for “new business” and submitted my name and some details, in order to find out who …
This is NOT what business development looks like Read More »
One of my greater pet peeves is company websites that don’t list any contact information. I see this a lot with software companies (and maybe it’s just because that’s where I’m often looking). When I click the “contact us” link on your website, part of what I want to know is WHO is behind the …
Here’s the thing about being “first” on anything. Only ONE company or person can be first. Only one. So when I read proposals from vendors that say things like “the first cloud-based AMS” I think “The writer is a fool or a liar.” A similar thing is true about the word “only.” Once two companies are …
Vendors: PLEASE stop saying "only" or "first of its kind" Read More »
I was sitting in a demo with a client last week and the vendor providing the demo said “We provide four hours of free training when you add new staff.” Brilliant! This is such a great idea for several reasons: From a sales perspective it’s a nice bonus/added value to the customer. Who wouldn’t want free …
Vendors: Provide free training for new employees! Read More »
Back in 2012, gas prices in northern Virginia (where I live) pushed to $4 a gallon and higher. As a result of the higher gas prices, my garbage collection service added a “fuel surcharge” to my bill ($2/month), with an explanation of why they were adding the surcharge, in the first bill with the surcharge. …
In the past week, on behalf of a client, I’ve had to contact three different software vendors. In all three cases, I used their online form (“contact us”) and provided my contact information, along with information about what my client was seeking (i.e., I have a buyer who would like to talk to you). In all …
How do you respond when someone contacts you via your website? Read More »
I received an email from a software company whose software I use. The software vendor asked “Can we share your story” and went on to explain that they have hired a writer to write about the successes of some of their clients. So far, so good. Then the email goes on to say: “…if you …
Don't ask me to volunteer if you're not going to use me Read More »
I recently read on an association forum the following phrase: “We have a mid-sized meeting with around 7,000 attendees…” What caught my attention was the characterization “mid-sized.” For many of my clients (in fact, for MOST of them), a 7,000 attendee meeting would be HUGE. Not “mid-sized” but monstrous. Having worked with several hundred associations over the …
I had the opportunity to see a short demo of the new trade show planning service from eventr.io (www.eventr.io). This is a service free to trade show planners that brings together all the service providers for a given show to one site, so that show exhibitors can easily take care of all the logistics …
An interesting new service for trade show planners Read More »
I’m speaking at two events on Thursday, October 1, one virtual and one in-person. At 1pm eastern I’ll be speaking on a webinar hosted by 123Signup entitled “Getting Your Data Right: 10 Important Rules For Managing Data.” You can register for this free webinar by clicking here. At 3pm eastern I’ll be speaking at the …