Blog Name Change!

I have changed the name of the blog to The Berry. Your feedback, as always, is greatly appreciated!

Business Consulting made easier with iChat and Screenshare

Over the last months I have enjoyed meeting my clients in coffee shops, at my home office and at their offices and that involves travel on at least 1 person's part. However, my clients that have a Mac (yes, I am one of those people) don't necessarily have to travel to me, or me to them to get work done, move through a tricky spreadsheet or ask a question.

We have iChat... (dramatic pause) ...and with that comes screen share.

Let me break it down for ya...

From my iMac I can chat either by instant message (IM), voice or video. If my client is struggling with a business plan, spreadsheet or maybe I just want to show them some logo designs we can "screen share". I send them a screen share request, that they accept and I can see their screen (or they can see mine). I can talk to them (over audio) and at the same time take control of their computer showing them tricks, tips or guiding them through the answer to their question. They can see me working! So as I am discussing how a balance sheet works with a cash flow statement and income statement, they can watch me click, scroll and maneuver through the work.

Remember, all of these things are done by request - like a phone call, they have to answer for us to be connected. I can't just open up their computer at any time (its not a remote desktop situation or a VPN).

Needless to say, it is very convenient. I have used this to help train people on new software, edited business plans, built spreadsheet formulas, presented logo designs, changed settings on computers and just had regular old video conferences. Its kind of nice to see who you're talkin too sometimes. Never mind my PJs!

If you are on a PC... sigh... fork over the dough for a Mac cause I just don't know. The screen share function on Skype only allows the other party to see the screen, not take control - you still have to describe where to go and what to do to the user. I haven't much used a WIN machine in years now. Actually, not true, I have XP on my Mac for Quickbooks because I don't trust Intuit - best save that for another blog post...

Top 6 Things I Have Learned in the Last 6 Months

1. Carefully and thoughtfully manage your schedule. You cannot pack a schedule full of appointments and then still get your work done. On the flip side, you cannot pack your schedule to only get work done, you must keep the momentum going and take new client, follow up and networking appointments. Balance Grasshopper. I now only schedule a couple of days with appointments, the rest is for "work".
2. Never count on a sure thing. Until you have the check in hand, its not something you can count on. But don't be afraid to ask for it!
   
3. Your customer will always have a different opinion or perception than you. Right or wrong, sometimes you will not agree with the choices your client makes.
   
4. Park the pride (see #3). You will need to do this in order to save your sanity and sometimes save the client. Remember, in the grand scheme of things - is this really that big of a deal? It does typically matter but really think about how it matters? By putting it into perspective, can you save or enhance a client relationship by just doing this one thing?
   
5. Social media and on-line marketing is here, get on the band wagon because traditional marketing is just not enough.
6. People like to help you. Your friends, family and people you don't even know want to help and spread the word about you. Take advantage of that (without abusing it).
   

If you would like more detail on how I dealt with these hurdles, let me know.

Email Marketing - list purchases

There is some debate about whether or not to purchase an email list to market to. I take the opinion that if you don't know the person or if they have not given you permission to email to them then DON'T.

Some services (I use Constant Contact) have rules against using purchased lists. It is against their policy to email to anyone without their permission and they will ask you that specific question about the list you are importing. Here are some things to consider:

1. Do you want to be considered a spammer? Whether you are, or not, your email might be considered spam.
2. Do you reply, purchase or even read email from places that you don't know? I don't, instantly deleted. Which makes the purchase of a list a waste of money.
   
3. What kind of message does it send about your company that you send unsolicited email?
4. Many times you don't own the list, it is sent out for you by a 3rd party.
   

The case could be made that yes, this type of email marketing works and you could increase your sales. But at what expense?

Your feedback is appreciated.