But anyway...
Most database software programs out there follow the repository/retrieval paradigm: I put something into you (the software), then later I get it out. It seems to fit, since that's pretty much what a database is, but what does that do for a business?
Well, for an enterprise, it's HUGE! It puts millions of records into one place so reporting, mining, and accountability can be managed. It allows managers at the tops of massive org structures to get a peek into what's happening in their world. It allows you to forecast, track, report, search, and mine the data. And that's why they pay huge amounts of money to get it.
But what does it do for a small business?
Not much.
Yes, it organizes their stuff, and helps them locate information easier. And it helps them to stay on top of their tiny little staff. But what's the motivator for them to implement? And how much money is it going to make them?
Really, what's the most important thing for any small business? A solid marketing and PR plan, right? (I didn't come up with that on my own. I did a little research on the internet)
If there is any software out there that automatically creates and executes a complex marketing and PR plan for you given little or no investment, we could all be put out of business. But since there's not anything to date, I'll continue...
Who has time or money for a marketing and PR plan when you're struggling to make ends meet running your small business? And if you don't have time or money for a marketing plan, then the most important thing in your business just became -- time and money.
How do you get more money? You either spend less, make more, or get funded. Except that you can't get funding without a good marketing and PR plan. And you can't spend less because then you have to fire people and then you can't get the work done to pay the bills. So you only option is to make more money.
And how do you get more time? You can't hire someone else to do your job because you have to make more money to pay them, and it sets you back in the money department. And you can't just spend less time because then you won't get the work done to make money. And you can't work more because you are already working 18 hours a day. And time really is money.
What a small business really needs is an infusion (rim shot) of time. Time to spend working on the thing that really matters: the killer marketing and PR plan.
Which brings me to my robot.
Let me be clear that I hate the word robot as much as you hate this picture. But the word starts with an R, and everyone knows what a robot is.
The difference between what we offer and what other people offer is that our cool robot can perform human functions. For example, I could tell this robot over here that whenever someone's credit card is about to expire (15 days before expiration) to email them that their card it about to expire and provide an online form for them to update the date (form coming soon).
How much time did I have to invest to have this piece of work done? $0.00! Well, technically, I had to pay $2.30 per hour - which is far below minimum wage - more like Indonesian sweat shop. And that's if it's the only thing he did!! What if in addition to handling 300 expiring credit cards, he also executed 91 individual marketing pieces going to over 1,000 prospects and customers, including mail, fax, email, and manual tasks! And then he kept track of everything he'd sent so he could continue to execute the sequences. And kept track of opt-out requests, and additional information requests that would cause people to jump from one marketing sequence to another? And all in one day! For $18.00? It's hardly legal.
And it's not just about time. The opportunity cost for a small business owner to NOT work on his or her business is nothing compared to the peanuts they pay themselves. What we offer is much more - and it's less tangible than money or time. It's the freedom for people to create lasting value in their business.
Oh yeah, and we also have a pretty sweet repository.
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