Kath Pelletti
SDSSoftware at optusnet.com.au
Tue Mar 30 22:46:23 CST 2004
Look - it's not really even competition, in my view. Recently when I was tendering out for some work to be subcontracted in Lotus Notes, I was inundated with offers from India even though I specified that I wanted someone local.
Being able to sit at the same table and establish some sort of a relationship with the client is crucial.
*Virtual service* is too ethereal.
But if you are selling overseas maybe this is an issue.
Kath
----- Original Message -----
From: Rocky Smolin - Beach Access Software
To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 2:37 PM
Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as well-connected as JC
Obstacles are what you see when you take your eye off the goal.
I NEVER look at the competition.
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 8:19 PM
Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as well-connected as
JC
.......all the time: http://www.pavan.org/. This is a representative
example.
Unbelievable.
Kath
----- Original Message -----
From: Jim Lawrence (AccessD)
To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 2:14 PM
Subject: RE: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as well-connected as
JC
Hi All:
<rant mode on>
Unfortunately, I think the era of writing a good program and subsequently
living of its' sales, is past. Too many companies have created
applications
for every market and will sell the results for just 2 or 3 hundred
dollars,
just to scrap by. There is no support but the general public has come to
expect that. In no small part, Microsoft has contributed to it. In one
scenario, within a government department, consisting of 300 plus stations,
it took three full-time personnel just to support the site. Now, it takes
four full-time contractors to support whole Ministers, consisting of 6500
plus stations.
Over 20 times the level of productivity and service, on an OSs that has
software, imbedded (free), that would have added together, a few years
ago,
to an estimated 10,000 dollars and the system sells for $250.00. What
happened to all those small flourishing companies, that supplied the
markets
with custom apps and utilities? Instead of fixing a computer or modifying
(hacking) a piece or group of software package into working in concert, it
is easier and cheaper to dump the old stuff, buy a few $500 dollar boxes,
with XP on them and get the secretaries' son to parlé together a barely
functional Access DB. If the worse comes to the worse you can always
contract, at ten bucks an hour, some third rate database guy or a first
rate
foreign programmer. Don't believe me; then check this out, as I get these
type of emails all the time: http://www.pavan.org/. This is a
representative
example.
You can create a good programming business but you have to work long and
hard and be as equally good salesperson as programmer. If you are willing
to
make sacrifices, stay in for the long haul and strive towards developing
customer loyalty, I think there are still opportunities... but it ain't
the
eighties or nineties anymore.
</rant mode off>
If you really love making great software, enjoy chatting with your clients
(...and for you young guys and gals that does not mean getting to know the
client's secretary or the fellow in shipping...) and are not obsessed with
money, this is where you should be.
Now if you want my opinion...just ask. :-)
What is yours?
Jim
-----Original Message-----
From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com]On Behalf Of Kath Pelletti
Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 1:50 PM
To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as well-connected
as JC
So true - I think being a salesperson is either in the blood or not...and
I
don't seem to have that gene either......on the other hand if you know
that
what you are selling is *great* then maybe.....
The other thing is the cost of stuff online. I recently developed a system
for my husband's wholesale travel business - to produce quotations
p/passenger and all that stuff - took ages as it is customised. Try
selling
that online - there are systems there being offered for $US300 - I
wouldn't
be willing to support anything for that money.
(By the way - Drew - put me down as a sayer).
Kath
----- Original Message -----
From: Andy Lacey
To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving'
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 5:17 AM
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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>
>
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