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 > > > > > > > > -- > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > > AccessD mailing list > > > > AccessD at databaseadvisors.com > > > > http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/a> ccessd > > > > Website: > > > > http://www.databaseadvisors.com > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > > _______________________________________________ > > > AccessD mailing list > > > AccessD at databaseadvisors.com > > > http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/accessd > > > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com > > > > > > > > > -- > > > _______________________________________________ > > > AccessD mailing list > > > AccessD at databaseadvisors.com > > > http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/accessd > > > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com > > > > > > > -- > > _______________________________________________ > > AccessD mailing list > > AccessD at databaseadvisors.com > > http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/accessd > > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com > > -- > > _______________________________________________ > > AccessD mailing list > > AccessD at databaseadvisors.com > > http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/accessd > > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com > > > > -- > > _______________________________________________ > > AccessD mailing list > > AccessD at databaseadvisors.com > > http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/accessd > > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com > > -- > > _______________________________________________ > > AccessD mailing list > > AccessD at databaseadvisors.com > > http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/accessd > > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com > > > > -- > > _______________________________________________ > > AccessD mailing list > > AccessD at databaseadvisors.com > > http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/accessd > > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com > > > > -- > > _______________________________________________ > > AccessD mailing list > > AccessD at databaseadvisors.com > > http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/accessd > > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com > > > > -- > > _______________________________________________ > > AccessD mailing list > > AccessD at databaseadvisors.com > > http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/accessd > > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com > > > -- > _______________________________________________ > AccessD mailing list > AccessD at databaseadvisors.com > http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/accessd > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com > > -- > _______________________________________________ > AccessD mailing list > AccessD at databaseadvisors.com > http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/accessd > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com >