Posts Tagged ‘business’
Social media ridicule to get new business?
Yes, you read my title correctly. I have seen people attempt to use social media ridicule to get new business!!! Now, I have no clue if its working, I hope and pray that it isn’t! But, when I see this occur it really makes me want to call out the bully by name and draw negative attention to the tweets, but I know that wont accomplish anything, its just more finger pointing.
I have been stewing about this for awhile as there is a company who does this quiet often on Twitter. After reading Ken Muellers recent post “Quit Yer Whinin’” about using our big stick responsibly I started festering about this more. Allow me to give an example of what I am seeing below. (All twitter handles have been changed)
GraphicDesignerMaster @xyzcompany We’ll redo your website; we tend to make things not shitty graphicdesingmaster.com
GraphicDesingerMaster I can’t believe @innocentcompany has such a horrible website. Can we help you guys out? Would love to pour some design magic to make this sell.
Now those are only two of the many appalling tweets I have seen from the same company. Targeting innocent companies who it appears they would like to do work for. Now, maybe it is just me, but I wouldn’t run out and hire someone to give me a new design image that publicly ridiculed me out of the blue.
I have had a specific conversation with GraphicDesignerMaster, and can tell you first hand that he believes he is holier than thou and that his design trumps all design. He has no problems hurling insults even when unprovoked. My conversation, mind you started on twitter and went to email. I immediately un-followed the company but it has been like a train wreck that I keep going back just to see what kind of appalling crap he is spewing now.
My question is this. When we witness this type of bullying on social media, what is the appropriate way to respond? Never in my gawking have a I witnessed the innocent firm that was being attacked take his bait and reply. However, I think that someone needs to call him on the carpet publicly. He is insulting companies without warrant or being provoked.
I get that it probably (hopefully) isnt winning him any new business, whether it be from his target or anyone just looking into his firm, but still. So, what are your thoughts? If you see social media bullying, how do you respond? If you havent seen it or responded to it, what is your opinion on handling it?
Jingle Bells, Batman Smells…
Typically our blog focuses on all things web, mobile and programming related. Being the holiday season, a time for sharing and reflection on the year we would like to take the time to share and be grateful. It is December 1st, and listening to the Barenaked Ladies version of Jingle Bells (if you haven’t heard it, you simply MUST…but be sure to listen to the whole song!) , has put me in a festive mood!
As some of you know, SYDCON is a small team, founded by a husband & wife, with a wonderful team of individuals that help us grow each and every day! When we started SYDCON it started out as a hobby. Dave likes to say it was gas money…then an extra vacation…then to what we do full-time to support our family! Starting out all on our own, with no investors, we are proud to say we’ve come a long way and can fully embrace the saying “It’s a Wonderful Life!” We can appreciate George Bailey’s hardworking outlook. SYDCON is located in suburban Crystal Lake, our own version of Bedford Falls!
If we are honored to have you as a Twitter follower, you may have heard us mention our family. As parents of 3 young kids, Christmas is obviously a enjoyable as well as memorable time for us. So, if you’ll indulge us, we have a little to say about them! You may or may not know that our name, “SYDCON” is born from combining the names of our two oldest, Sydney & Connor. SYDCON was founded before our youngest was born, so as we like to say, Shannon is the “Inc.”. Like the Bailey family, from It’s a Wonderful Life our business is not only run by family, it revolves around family. The way we see it, our kids are our Angel Investors and we answer to them!
When we are not at work, our time is consumed by our kids. It’s filled with a crazy amount of hockey, dance classes and recitals, SYDCON sponsored little league baseball (Dave thinks he’s George Steinbrenner), soccer, and of course some Disney time too!
During the holidays, we all often find ourselves reflecting on the year, its ups and downs, joys and sorrows. For us here at SYDCON, we can’t help but appreciate all of our clients, old and new, we wouldnt be here without you! We have met so many wonderful people through our business, as clients, as well as in social communities and we are thankful for our connection to all of you as well.
As I am putting this together, snow is softly falling outside my window, making this December 1st bring out the festive feelings. We would like to take this time to wish you and yours a wonderful holiday and happy and prosperous 2011!
It’s November, be thankful and starting thinking about 2011…
It’s November, Happy Thanksgiving! Whether your business is flourishing, or just hanging on in this economy, we have to be thankful for the business we have! With November also comes the end of the year, moving on from 2010 and looking into 2011. What does your business have on the horizon for 2011? Lot’s of new trends are emerging, in social media, as well as in mobile & web development. Below is a our list of some key trends, we have also included a link to a post from @GiniDietrich at Spin Sucks for a list of social media trends. Which of these are you looking to implement?
1) Mobile Apps: Are there aspects of your business clients or staff could access on their mobile devices? Say product inventory or pricing?
2) iPhone/iPad Apps: Everywhere you look you see the phrase “There’s an App for that!”. Does your company have an App? Do you have the next great App idea? Look into bringing it to life!
3) QR Codes: QR Codes can offer your company valuable tracking information on how your advertising dollars are working, and where they are working best. They can help you track how well promotions succeed in certain areas. For example, did your promotion work better in the store or on the web?
4) Microsites: Microsites can be used for QR Code campaigns, new product lines, announcements, press releases, launch parties, you name it.
5) Ecommerce & Mobile Ecommerce: Is your website site up to snuff or is it hard to navigate and scaring away your prospective clients? Is your website mobile ecommerce ready?
6) Custom CMS: Do you frequently update your website content? You should consider implementing a custom content management system (CMS) to give you control over your site content?
Today, technology goes hand in hand with Social Media, so in addition to my list have a look at Gini Dietrich’s post “Eight Social Meida Trends for 2011“. Do you see any new trends you want to embrace and implement for your business in 2011? Start making plans now to incorporate them into your 2011 marketing plan and budget. You never know, it could give you a lot more to be thankful for next Thanksgiving!
Customer Service is key right? So are you always going the extra mile?
Lately I have seen a few articles about small business vs. their big business competitors or David vs. Goliath. One common thread in a lot of the comments on these articles is customer service and just what the advantage is that small business has.
A main goal for a business should be customer service or 100% customer satisfaction, right? I realize that we live in a world where in many places customer service is lacking, it is one way we strive to be different, to be better.
Something we have encountered over the last year or so is partner firms going the extra mile to help their clients in anyway possible, even if that means referring them to someone else. Yes, you heard me, referring them elsewhere! And, no I am not crazy!
Face it, there are going to be times when your client comes to you with a request that is out of your realm, but a major factor for them. What do you do? Well, we have encountered a few different scenarios. One time our partner firm ignored their clients pleas for information on who worked on their project, the client had a specific need that they knew our partner couldn’t deliver, and they were OK with that, but were pleading for their help to be pointed in the right direction. Our partner refused to do so, but luckily their client found their resource on the first try, it ended up being the resource our client was trying to hide.
Another scenario we encountered, is a new partner came right out and said we know we don’t have the tools to offer our clients certain solutions, we would rather partner with someone or be able to offer them a referral than to loose the client! That’s putting your clients first.
And yet one last scenario, is a personal experience. We had a client make a request for something we had no experience in, but it wasn’t an unusual request either, since we work in a ever changing environment of tech. We asked for a bit of time to review the specs and offer a solution. In a short time it became apparent that due to lack of proper documentation from our clients vendor, we could not do what our client needed. We came back to them quickly and honestly, that unfortunately we couldn’t do the project. Our client while obviously was now faced with the task of finding a resource for this single issue, appreciated that we didn’t drag out the process, and that we were honest that it was beyond us at this time. They appreciated our honesty and recognized that we realized the importance of the issue to them and acted in a timely manner.
This is how I see it, you can either hide, and make excuses or stall when you cant help your clients or you can be a strong, confident business and not be afraid to say this is something we don’t offer, but we can with confidence refer you to our partner or help you find a competent resource and assist you in any way going forward!
Customer service is about putting your client first, it will gain you repeat business in the end, and maybe some new business from partner referrals. Go that extra mile!
