[AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as well-connected as JC

Porter, Mark MPorter at acsalaska.com
Wed Mar 31 17:35:24 CST 2004


Winging it is good too ;)

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dian [mailto:nd500_lo at charter.net]
> Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 2:20 PM
> To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving'
> Subject: RE: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as 
> well-connected
> as JC
> 
> 
> Ummmmm...in all honesty, Mark...they didn't exactly KNOW it 
> was outside my
> area of expertise at the time...but, I spent a LOT of time on my own
> learning stuff in a biiiiiig hurry...
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
> [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of 
> Porter, Mark
> Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 3:12 PM
> To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
> Subject: RE: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as 
> well-connected as
> JC
> 
> I agree with this theme.  When businesses know and trust you, they are
> willing to hire you for things that are outside of your core skills.
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Dian [mailto:nd500_lo at charter.net]
> > Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 1:17 PM
> > To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving'
> > Subject: RE: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as 
> > well-connected
> > as JC
> > 
> > 
> > Well, I've been 'lurking' for a while because I'm technically 
> > retired now
> > and haven't been an 'official' developer for several years. 
> > The reason I'm
> > responding now is that Susan made a good point. I made an 
> > excellent living
> > doing something close to what she has suggested 
> > here...focusing on what
> > small business owners seemed to need the most. It all started 
> > when I did a
> > favor for a little bookstore and the owner was so delighted, 
> > she recommended
> > me to others. All I did was go into a business, analyze 
> their business
> > functions, eliminate redundant operations, tie the system 
> > together (and,
> > yes, for some weird reason, there was usually an Access 
> > database at the
> > heart of it all) and then train the employees on how they 
> > could do their
> > specific function faster, easier and more efficiently. When several
> > customers needed new systems, I learned how to build 
> > computers. When their
> > networking needs became more sophisticated, I learned what I 
> > needed to know
> > about networking. When everyone wanted an online presence, I 
> > learned how to
> > create websites for them and taught them how to maintain 
> them. In the
> > process, I built little modules that could be snapped 
> > together to cover just
> > about anything (on a limited size basis) and I had a 
> > wonderful time. It is
> > possible to do it...just a matter of discovering what I was 
> > good at and what
> > I loved doing. It can be done. By the way...hi, everybody!
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
> > [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of 
> > Susan Harkins
> > Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 5:55 AM
> > To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving'
> > Subject: RE: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as 
> > well-connected as
> > JC
> > 
> > I have long thought that the way to make money with 
> > Access/SQL Server or
> > really any program that you can manipulate vai code is to 
> > make small modules
> > that make the user's life easier, not a finished package per 
> > se. Now Rocky
> > may have the once in a lifetime great idea that has a large 
> > audience, but
> > most of us aren't going to experience that. What we can do, 
> is produce
> > drop-in modules that make the average user's life easier. 
> > Wizards are OK,
> > but most of them really won't take the user very far toward 
> > getting the word
> > done.
> > 
> > You sell a module that does something you think is really 
> > rather mundane,
> > but that the average user doesn't hve the experience to 
> > automate. The cost
> > is so small anyone can purchase it, and you make money in volume. 
> > 
> > Will you get rich? 
> > 
> > Probably not, but I still think there's potential there.  
> > 
> > Something as simple as a generic module that lets the user 
> > determine how
> > many labels to print for each record, and specify a position 
> > to start on the
> > first label sheet so they can use a half-used sheet of 
> > labels. Both are
> > something I've written about -- could easily be automated to 
> > fit be dropped
> > into any module and users would buy it if you only charge $5 
> > or $10. There
> > are tons of ideas for such a market -- but can't tell you 
> > where or how to
> > market them. Here's a few more -- a combo or list that automatically
> > displays all the visible reports or forms in the 
> application (omitting
> > hidden and system objects I mean). These are things users 
> > could really use
> > and would probably pay a few bucks for. 
> > 
> > Everyone's busy with custom development, and there's money to 
> > be made I'm
> > sure, but there are ton more "users" than developers, but all 
> > the products
> > are for developers. 
> > 
> > Susan H. 
> > 
> > 
> > Sure.  I estimate it will take to the end of the year before 
> > I see any real
> > results.
> > 
> > I've got another product cooking as well - analyzes sleep 
> > disorders. Been
> > working on it with an expert in the field for 4-5 years (not 
> > continuously,
> > of course).  Might be able to launch it this year.
> > 
> > Do you want to be a beta tester?
> > 
> > Rocky
> > 
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Kath Pelletti" <SDSSoftware at optusnet.com.au>
> > To: "Access Developers discussion and problem solving"
> > <accessd at databaseadvisors.com>
> > Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 8:23 PM
> > Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as 
> > well-connected as
> > JC
> > 
> > 
> > Well I wish you the very best of luck...can you let us know 
> > how the sales
> > go?
> > 
> > Kath
> >   ----- Original Message ----- 
> >   From: Rocky Smolin - Beach Access Software
> >   To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
> >   Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 9:42 AM
> >   Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as 
> > well-connected as
> > JC
> > 
> > 
> >   Kath:
> > 
> >   In the 'old' days when I was flogging this package in DOS, 
> > I thought that
> >   some of them would be sold by word of mouth, people seeing 
> > it, or the
> >   reports that got passed around (which all had my company 
> name in the
> >   footer).  So I always wanted everyone to have the latest 
> > version.  So I
> >   didn't charge for it.  It was in my self-interest to have 
> > them use the
> > most
> >   recent release.  And I'm still going to keep to that policy 
> > for this new
> >   version.
> > 
> >   If I add a module, like Order Entry, everybody will get it 
> > at no cost.
> > With
> >   distribution by web, there really is no overhead cost to me 
> > to distribute
> >   it.  And good product sells more product.
> > 
> >   I promote the product support as a 'free phone in 
> > consulting service on
> > any
> >   question related to the software OR manufacturing systems' 
> > for the first
> >   year, and $300 a year after that (about 10% of the 
> purchase price).
> > 
> >   In the past I had a lot of conversations with people about 
> > manufacturing
> >   issues - how to structure a bill of materials, how to 
> make up a part
> >   numbering scheme, how to solve a particular work order 
> > problem, etc - and
> >   very few questions about how to actually run the software.  
> > This added a
> > LOT
> >   of value to the product and didn't really take very much time.
> > 
> >   The key is to make a product which is so user stupid that 
> > anybody who can
> >   read and count to 20 can run it.  Then you don't get the 
> > same question 20
> >   times a day, like 'how do I run a costed inventory report?'.
> > 
> >   If a user doesn't want to pay the yearly maintenance then 
> > they don't get
> > the
> >   phone support.  I could tell them they don't get the new 
> > releases as well
> >   but that works against me salewise.  Many people didn't 
> pay for the
> > support
> >   after the first couple of years because they never called 
> > me for anything.
> > 
> >   The other key, of course, it goes without saying, is to 
> > make the product
> > so
> >   solid that it doesn't generate bugs and errors.  Then you 
> > don't get any
> >   support calls.
> > 
> >   BTW - I'm not a marketer or salesy type person, either.  
> > But if you have
> >   something you believe in it's not really selling.  And I 
> > really believe in
> >   this product (why not, I invented it?).  I just present the 
> > product and if
> >   they like it fine.  They buy it.  If not, it's like pushing 
> > on a string.
> > 
> >   I always wanted people to feel like they got more than they 
> > expected and
> >   when you sell hard you overhype, raise expectations, and 
> end up with
> >   customers who expect more than you have to give.
> > 
> >   When people buy E-Z-MRP they feel like they just bought a 
> > dollar for fifty
> >   cents.  That makes selling a lot easier, too.
> > 
> >   I suppose that's why I'm successful but not rich. :)
> > 
> >   HTH
> > 
> >   Rocky Smolin
> >   Beach Access Software
> >   http://www.e-z-mrp.com
> > 
> > 
> > 
> >   ----- Original Message ----- 
> >   From: "Kath Pelletti" <SDSSoftware at optusnet.com.au>
> >   To: "Access Developers discussion and problem solving"
> >   <accessd at databaseadvisors.com>
> >   Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 2:59 PM
> >   Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as 
> > well-connected as
> >   JC
> > 
> > 
> >   Rocky - out of interest - what support arrangements / fees are you
> > offering?
> > 
> >   Kath
> >     ----- Original Message ----- 
> >     From: Rocky Smolin - Beach Access Software
> >     To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
> >     Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 8:48 AM
> >     Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as 
> > well-connected
> > as
> >   JC
> > 
> > 
> >     Andy:
> > 
> >     Don't envy me. They jury's still out.  I've got a bit of 
> > a buffer so we
> >     won't miss any meals, but that can't go on forever.  I've 
> > had two good
> >     products and several bad ones.  At least this time I'm 
> > starting in an
> >     economy that's on the upswing.
> > 
> >     But I've always been a bootstrap kind of guy - we're 
> > doing a mailing in
> >   San
> >     Diego county this month.  Hopefully snag two or three 
> > systems.  Then use
> >     that money to mail again in another county.  Build it up slowly.
> > Instead
> >   of
> >     mortgaging the house.
> > 
> >     I'm still doing some fee-for-service as well. So that 
> > keeps some of the
> >     lights on.
> > 
> >     It's a high wire act for sure.  But when it does work, 
> > it's a thing of
> >     beauty.
> > 
> >     Rocky
> > 
> >     > -----Original Message-----
> >     > From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
> >     > [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com]On Behalf 
> > Of Andy Lacey
> >     > Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 1:18 PM
> >     > To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving'
> >     > Subject: RE: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as
> > well-connected
> >     > as JC
> >     >
> >     >
> >     > I envy Rocky (sort of) but won't be trying to emulate 
> > him. Been there,
> >     tried
> >     > that, and failed. Problem with the product thing is 
> > that you have to
> >     > metamorphose from developer into marketer, and I 
> > couldn't. Not my
> > thing
> >   at
> >     > all. Plus IME it involves sinking money into 
> > advertising, mailing,
> >     > brochures, websites nd so on. You have to be prepared 
> > to risk big
> > outlay
> >     > against no guarantee of return. Done that 2 or 3 times 
> > to great cost
> > and
> >     no
> >     > great return. Won't be doing it again.
> >     >
> >     > -- Andy Lacey
> >     > http://www.minstersystems.co.uk
> >     >
> >     > > -----Original Message-----
> >     > > From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
> >     > > [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of
> >     > > Steven W. Erbach
> >     > > Sent: 30 March 2004 04:16
> >     > > To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
> >     > > Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as
> >     > > well-connected as JC
> >     > >
> >     > >
> >     > > William,
> >     > >
> >     > > >> ...don't take this the wrong way <<
> >     > >
> >     > > I won't. I appreciate your point of view. I have gotten
> >     > > caught up in the tools as if owning the right brand 
> of socket
> >     > > wrench will guarantee me a living.
> >     > >
> >     > > But I hear you on the client-centered approach. I've worked
> >     > > on lots of things that were outside of my skill-set 
> > comfort zone.
> >     > >
> >     > > I talked with a friend recently about my business and he
> >     > > asked if there was anything I specialized in. I told him no;
> >     > > my business is producing custom solutions to solve customer
> >     > > problems. He recommended a product-centered approach, like
> >     > > what Rocky is aiming for. I have a long-term care facility
> >     > > marketing and donations program I wrote that might fill the
> >     > > bill. We'll see.
> >     > >
> >     > > >> ...but I'm just me and don't have any intention of ever
> >     > > working hard
> >     > > >> again <<
> >     > >
> >     > > Not really an option for me as we're having some tough times
> >     > > financially. I can dig the varietal nature of your work,
> >     > > though. Thanks.
> >     > >
> >     > > Regards,
> >     > >
> >     > > Steve Erbach
> >     > > Scientific Marketing
> >     > > Neenah, WI
> >     > >
> >     > > "You must be an intellectual. No normal person would say a
> >     > > thing like that." - George Orwell
> >     > >
> >     > > --
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