That last post – the drawing of the various ways business can be built or ruined – had me mesmerized. What was the one negative element that really stood out for me ?
Aha ! “Hotel Know-It-All”.
Is there a “know-it-all” in your networking group, or on your team? How can they be recognized? Usually you will know by the 2nd or 3rd encounter.
First of all, they are not “likeable”. They are “annoying”. When you try to convey information, they interrupt, declare they already know that, and proceed to explain how they were personally consulted on the fifth day of creation. Or perhaps you have met the one who goes off “half-cocked” to handle a project and winds up “screwing up the works”.
Secondly, they are unwilling to consider change. Why? Because they already know what works! “Tried that before – it flopped!” “This is the best way to get that done – did it before and it worked like a charm!” Why are WE wasting our time brainstorming??
Thirdly, they seem to have an unlimited storehouse of knowledge on every, yes every, topic !! Many times that knowledge avalanches into an opinion which carries the weight of an edict. Conversation is usually a monologue.
They don’t know the difference between expertise and elitism.
So what next?
Well, if they are a supplier, chances are you will try to find another source. Why? Because, given choices, we opt to deal with people we like and trust. Consequently, you most likely find yourself dealing with the “K-I-A” only if you have no other options.
Fortunately, you’ll find most “Know-It-Alls” to be in a position of authority – but rarely are they the boss. (Thank goodness the “Peter Principle” doesn’t always apply!) They turn out to be the employee that possesses the necessary skill crucial to the business. (How about that !!) However, prudence teaches that they would (or should) have limited or no customer contact unless absolutely necessary. After all, it is your business, and last I checked, customers were the backbone of business stability.
So, there you are at the next business luncheon. The only seat available is at the table with . . .Yep . . . Harvey “K-I-A”. Darn! Just look at the bright side – you will be able to eat your lunch without interruption. Hope you did lots of networking beforehand. You did remember your antacids, right?
As for me, I’m going to seek out a 17 year-old. I’m told that they know the answer to everything and I can’t remember where I left my thumb drive.
Please, just once, say: “I don’t know”.
August 20th, 2009 by Joan Petruska
Road to Business Success: What route are you taking?
August 11th, 2009 by Dave Kollasch
Click to view full-size
Well, if a picture is worth a thousand words, then this picture pretty much says it all.
Image contributed by The Rails Team
Small town. Metropolis. Same Problems.
August 3rd, 2009 by Joan Petruska
One of my favorite blogs is Small Biz Survival, not because I live in a small town, but because I am partial to them. They all have a local eatery with great pies, burgers, and conversation – and only the “locals” know about them.
So what does this have to do with Invoicing?? Lots. Recently Becky McCray posted an article on why businesses “procrastinate on invoicing”. Her conclusion: “It’s not fun”!
True, true, true.
Becky suggests 4 ways to attack the invoicing procrastination bug – all of them valid.
Why you procrastinate on invoicing and what to do about it
The question then arises: Which one will work for you?
I think that the answer lies in the type and size of your business. Mega-businesses may have more leeway on time for receivables. Micro-businesses, however, usually rely on healthy cyclic or even immediate payments.
Do you need consistent and timely turn-around of “work-performed to payment-received”? If so, then your habits need to become focused on getting that invoice out immediately. What could be more convenient to the micro-business owner than electronic invoicing?
Sharp, professional, customized invoices (or estimates) can be e-mailed to your customer’s computer from your laptop or smartphone. Do it before you even pull your truck out of their driveway! You can even set up automatic e-mail reminders for due dates – for those “procrastinating customers”.
For the Micro-business owner who thinks like a conglomerate, electronic invoicing may be “just the ticket”.
See you later. I’m off to the Beach Hut Café. They have the best breakfast along the eastern Florida coast. It’s a “local” thing !
3 Major Reasons You Should Invoice Clients by E-mail
July 25th, 2009 by Dave Kollasch
Microbusiness owners rely heavily on timely receivables. The sooner your client has the invoice in-hand the faster you could see that money in YOUR hand. Sending invoices by e-mail shaves days off invoice aging which gives your client the opportunity to send payment the same day this invoice is received, thus increasing your positive cash flow. If you are still printing and mailing invoices, the following list may convince you to seek e-mail addresses from your clients:
1. Cost: The savings add up quickly.
Save on:
- Ink – great looking PDF/e-mailed invoices – no printing costs
- Paper – unless, of course, you have stock in pulp factories
- Envelopes – (see reason above)
- Stamps – prices are already approaching $0.50 a pop and the climb will continue
- Gas – reduce trips to the post office/mailbox and office supply store
2. Time: Spend more of it growing your business.
No more:
- annoying printer issues
- folding invoices
- stuffing, sealing, stamping invoices
- driving to post office/mailbox
- additional mail delivery days for invoice aging
3. Environment: Green-up your operations.
Spare the need for:
- Ink
- Paper
- Envelopes
- Stamps
- Gas
Clearly there are some big advantages to paperless invoicing. Today most clients should willingly opt-in to receive invoices by e-mail since it is faster and more friendly to Mother Earth. However, some clients reluctant to make the switch from paper to electronic invoice delivery will require creative strategy. Consider offering a small discount to the clients willing to make the change. Suddenly everyone has incentive to decrease invoice aging!
The Construction of an Invoicing Application
July 21st, 2009 by Joan Petruska
A successful man once told me that you will never recognize success unless you experience failure. I guess that’s why shoemakers only make one shoe at a time !! And why my friend makes only one cupcake sample for her wedding cakes !! Why take a chance on doing the whole thing if it doesn’t meet the customers’ needs or expectations?
Unfortunately, development of invoicing software, for example, doesn’t enjoy that same advantage. . . or does it ??!!
Let’s say that the Beta stage is like the “first cupcake”. All the necessary ingredients are in there: invoice template, customer info, lists products, communications. This allows assessment of the true value of functions as well as the overall appearance of the application. It’s the test mode to see how our SaaS application withstands its initial entrance into a crowded public eye.
So the “First Cupcake” hits the clouds; we await the “weather reports”. Lots of sunshine, a southerly wind and small hail follow. Very valuable. Why ? Because each bit of feedback permits us to see a real or perceived failure. We have been given an excellent opportunity to learn. Ergo, we can now recognize success.
First, these weather reports tell us that people have “tasted” the “cupcake”. Secondly, these people have needs and ideas bigger than the “cupcake” we offered! Hence, we begin the “Second Cupcake” – while people continue to eat the “First”.
And so it goes – on and on !!! We continue to listen and respond to our customers’ needs – - creating “Cupcake after cupcake” iteration after iteration – - each one getting bigger and better.
The best part ?
There’s always a cupcake available while we continue to build the “wedding cake”.
When we look back at our Beta offering and see how far we’ve come (and have yet to go) we appreciate all the lessons learned during the refinement of our invoicing application. Taking little steps is a good way to prepare for long-distance running!
Breaking Habits
June 1st, 2009 by Joan Petruska
Here in North Florida, during what seemed to be torrential downpours that required looking for gopher wood (used to build Noah’s ark), there were countless traffic problems.
When we have those kinds of rains (you know the type), common sense should dictate that caution would be taken. I found it interesting, that despite the warnings, some drivers still ignored the obvious.
Why didn’t they leave earlier, drive slower, stay off the cell phone, or even stop texting? Because those things had become habits. And habits can sometimes inhibit our ability to engage in healthy alternatives.
Stop for a moment and think about those activities that we do repeatedly in our businesses. Are we making the very best use of our time? Do we check up on our customers as often as we should? Are we keeping their satisfaction paramount? Have our employees become “paid personnel” or are they still highly valued? Did we make the change to “green-up” the office as we promised? Are we looking for someone to blame when things turn sour……..or did that bitter taste happen because we just didn’t prepare? Are we continuing to do the same things over and over and expecting different results? (That’s the definition of “insanity”.)
Let’s take the time to assess the condition of our habits. Consider it a catharsis for the life of our businesses. Take hold of those habits and give them a good shake. Be willing to honestly evaluate everything that falls out. If you’re not sure what those habits are – just ask a co-worker, or your spouse. And don’t shoot the messenger!
As for me - I’m going to find my husband and ask him a question. I’ll let you know what falls out!
What’s New at Greenerbilling ???……Plenty
May 5th, 2009 by Dave Kollasch
THE Consumption-based Plan – definitely the “Big Boy”.
We developed this plan to accommodate those Microbusinesses that do not need high volume invoicing. We thought you should have the option to only “Spend for what you Send.”. You can start out with 5 free “Invoice Sends” and then you only pay for each send thereafter. (You can send the same invoice as many times as you need at no extra charge.)
Now that’s the way to save money !
In the Account Preferences you are able to select
- different date formats
- various tax types (GST and VAT)
- automatic or manual sends for:
- - payment received notifications
- - due date reminders
Our Aussie friends get an automatic “Tax Invoice” as the title to their invoices when they select GST as the tax preference.
Estimates are also sent in HTML, enabling graphic representations of products. That will help your customers SEE the “goods” and encourage them in their decision-making, thus speeding up the process of creating a sale.
And all this is just for starters !!
Thank you for letting Greenerbilling help your business “grow with it”.
And let us know how we can better serve your business needs.
Champagne for a Web Launch ?
May 4th, 2009 by Dave Kollasch
Things around here are totally off the chart with excitement!!
We erased the BETA stamp from Greenerbilling and are immersing ourselves
in the joys of Info-Media, Press Releases, and all out “Chatter”.
I am MOST excited over the new Consumption-based Invoicing Plan that allows businesses to
“spend only for what they send”, giving them another way of controlling their costs.
Many many thanks to all who have helped us get to this stage.
The future looks “green” – er !
Check out our latest press release:
Greenerbilling Press Release: 4 May 2009
A Business Plan is ALIVE !
April 30th, 2009 by Dave Kollasch
I haven’t been a Dad for too long – just a bit over 5 months. During that time, many of the things that my wife and I did to prepare for Ben’s arrival were soon outgrown. His tiny clothes are now bigger, he moves about on his own – he’s just growing up. Now I have to CHANGE where the dog dishes are; be sure the screen door is CLOSED; begin shopping for the BIGGER car seat.
My point in all this? . . . In these past months with Ben I realized that Business Plans are like children — they are ALIVE and they CHANGE, they get BIGGER, and sometimes parts of them need to CLOSE down for protection.
Pull out that business plan – (it should be on the right) – Take a look at the marketing strategy that was laid out 1 (or was it 3) years ago. Has the plan been followed? What has changed in that marketplace? What was the unforeseen “Oops”?
Is that affiliate marketing program in place yet? Have all the social networking outlets (Facebook, LinkedIn) been as productive as planned? Were they kept current? Does the business plan even mention “Twitter”?
What about those promo products? . . . Collecting dust? And those press releases – are they going out on a timely schedule? Have those contacts been refreshed?
And the niche market . . . when was the last time research was done?
And now – the Competition. It’s out there. Being attentive. Being aggressive. Being a threat?
IMPOSSIBLE! Just check out that business plan. It’s all in there, right? “What to do and how to do it.”
(Where IS that plan?)
Remember – the business plan is a living breathing commodity – and if it’s a healthy one, it will go through many changes and refinements as it grows and encounters “the world”. Sometimes it will need a massage or even the “delete” key. Keep that business Growing – Refresh the Plan.
Don’t be afraid to do it. Be the Parent.
Interview with the Founder – More “meat”
March 25th, 2009 by Joan Petruska
Below is a series of questions a business associate posed to Dave recently. I was given permission to post them and Dave’s answers. I thought it would add more “meat to the bones” of Greenerbilling.
M: Dave, Web invoicing applications are out there. What makes yours different?
D: What’s different is that it’s based on my logic — I knew what I needed as an invoicing system for my business, but it wasn’t out there.
M: How is your logic different from the others?
D: I guess the easiest way to answer that starts with being a “blue collar” business owner. My focus was on billing and getting paid for my labor.
I wanted to keep it simple, focusing only on what’s necessary to help the small business owner stay on top of billing clients and collecting payments.
M: Is this another “accounting” application?
D: No, this is not another “accounting” application.
My understanding of “accounting” involves, among other things, tracking and itemizing expenses, balancing checkbooks, managing credit cards and loans, and applying tax line items. Therefore, by keeping Greenerbilling focused on “billing” and “getting paid”, I am not crossing “that fine line” into what I consider “complete accounting”.
Plus, I wanted to keep it truly international. Greenerbilling offers extensive currency formatting. So, by focusing on billing and getting paid, rather than complete accounting principles, our subscriber base can be worldwide.
M: You mentioned Greenerbilling with an international focus. How many countries currently have subscribers to Greenerbilling?
D: I am really pleased to say that we have subscribers in over 45 countries right now. And there’s certainly a BIG market left for expansion.
M: What kind of businesses are using the application?
D: It runs the gamut of product and service providers, primarily among microBusinesses. Blue collar, trade professionals, consultants, freelancers, and wholesalers . . . just to name a few. Right now we’re at over 50 different business types.
M: How have you met the challenges of servicing all these business types?
D: That’s a great question! The entire team is dedicated to treating each subscriber as a fellow business owner, not as a customer. We ALL pay very close attention to each subscriber inquiry and need. Every single page of the Greenerbilling application invites feedback. It is this feedback that drives the development of Greenerbilling — and always will.
M: You seem really passionate about this.
D: I’ve been a business owner too long to discount the importance of customer relations. Customers are the building blocks of every successful business. I have kept the following quote posted in my office for over 10 years:
“There is only one boss — the customer. And he/she can fire everyone in the
company from the CEO on down, simply by spending his/her money elsewhere.”
-Sam Walton
Founder of Wal-Mart
M: You mentioned your Team. Tell me about them.
D: Well, good business practices say to surround yourself with the people who are best at what they do. That’s exactly what I’ve done. I consider myself a strong visionary, but am not gifted in coding (among other things).
So, my core Executive Team consists of myself and two others, an Operations Professional and a Marketing Professional. Expand that team to include my tech staff – headed by a well-established, successful, and dedicated Web Developer. Add to the mix, a top-of-the-line Designer. Glue it all together with attorney and accountant groups that keep everything “floating in the right direction”.
I can honestly say that Greenerbilling wouldn’t be headed for world-class stature without them.
M: What do you see in the future for Greenerbilling?
D: I see Greenerbilling becoming the best invoicing system out there; providing a state-of-the-art, remote work platform. It will always provide a rich user experience for business invoicing.
M: Can you be more specific?
D: Sure. We continue to develop new features for Greenerbilling. For example, this week, we have a totally new “look and feel” to the application and Web site. We enhanced the “curb appeal” of Greenerbilling. It’s really important that our users enjoy the look of what they have to work with.
In addition, the application now includes Estimates – definitely a major feature and asset to our subscribers. There are a lot more things “in the works”, but I can’t get into them right now.