The client - vendor relationship is a delicate dance to be sure. That is why i often shy away from the typical 'client-vendor' scenarios. In my client selection process [yes, I did say that I select my clients, but that is another blog post all to itself] I try to align myself with organizations that I can truly partner with. In the typical client-vendor model, the client tells the vednor what to do and the vendor does it without question. In the relationships I try to foster, there is a bi-directional flow of questions and answers, input and feedback - this is all geared toward creating the best solutions possible.

In this type of relationship, both sides have commitments. Commitment to a project proposal, scope and timelines -- but let's not forget there is also a commitment of financial resources. In a well-groomed relationship, both sides understand how important financial resources are to getting things done. The vendor side understands that funds are not limitless and that a client needs to get what they pay for. The client needs to understand that without financial resources, the vendor can not survive in the vendor role.

MTT, inc. has a policy of a 50% down payment on ALL projects. I use this down payment as a sign of not only good faith, but of commitment - a bi-directional commitment. I have taken your money, so I need to produce AND you have given me money to show that you are ready to get the project started. Trust me, projects will still bog down in the content phase - because, let's face it... they always do :) The point is that one party cannot try to hold another accountable to a schedule if they are not committed as well. Too often, the clients that haven't or aren't going to pay are the most demanding. Oh, and don't get me started on the concept of 'well, we have a 45 day payment policy' - because if i said i had a 45 day delay before starting a project after payment i sent... you see what I am saying.

I guess what i am REALLY trying to say is that in a 'giving relationship' both parties are much more willing to get things done and it just creates a more fluid atmosphere.

Okay, rant complete. Until next time :)

I recently was asked to put together a list of the top 10 reasons why an organization should use a CMS [content management system]. So of course, I googled and only found a couple of lists and they were pretty dated and just not very targeted. So anyway, here is what i came up with.

From the home office in Batavia, IL
MTT- top 10 reasons to use a CMS
10. Facilitates keeping content fresh [Visitor benefit and SEO benefit – relevance is key]

9. Can be used as effective ‘brand assurance’ tool [design and usage rules]

8. Empowers non-technical team members with ability to actively participate in web growth [right-click, create]

7. A Good CMS does not give you a model to follow YOU and YOUR TEAM DECIDE and CREATE

6. Well planned content structures equate to infinite content use possibilities

5. New Branding does not mean NEW DEVELOPMENT [when created correctly, visual updates are very easy to deploy]

4. User Roles and Simple workflow models foster a structured ‘media lifecycle’ culture

3. Liberates IT Resources to focus on operational and/or product development minimizing focus on Marketing Support

2. Separation of content and design

1. Build once and scale as needed

And your website audience isn't EVERYONE. As part of the web design and development services offered at MTT, inc. we try to get a handle on the marketing mission of the client we are working with. I totally understand that small business owners may not have the exact skills to clearly define their marketing objectives, audience, etc. -- that is why we need agencies like MTT, inc. However, in my client interviews, the most common answers I get regarding 'the target audience for the message' [in most cases this means a website] and who their 'ideal customer is' end up being 'The target audience is everyone and my customer is anyone'.

I often find myself responding with the phrase 'Help me help you'.

Then I offer this illustration... If you were to go stand out at the corner of Main Street and Busy Blvd. with a sign that reads 'I have something for everyone and anyone should feel free to stop and talk to me about it.'. Then I quickly ask, 'How do you think that would work out?'. Of course the response is something along the lines of 'That is ridiculous, I would never do that'. Typically, I just move on to the next question here...

'So, what would you wear?, you know... to appeal to everyone?'

'What color would your sign be?'

'What exactly would your sign say? you know... to appeal to everyone?'

'Would you move to other street corners in town, around the state, perhaps take that same show on the road around the country? -- you  know... to reach anyone that wanted to hear your message?'

At this point, to be honest... some client prospects get really irritated with me. Then when i sit there and just stare at them, sometimes, it gets even worse :)

HOWERVER, there are many instances, where I don't get past the first question -- they actually start to get it and that is when the real work begins. This is not to say that this story has a happy ending. I have walked away from several initial client meetings declining to engage the client any further because not one of us can win in a situation where the audience is everyone and the client is anybody.

Yep, that's right... this is a blatant self promotion blog... oh wait, aren't all blog posts blatant self promotion?

Anyway, I think you should get on over to http://store.maliciousthinktank.com and get some cool MTT swag. We have all kinds of differnt items from drinkwear to t-shirts and even carry bags :) Did i mention that there is even a beer coozie?

So, the question I hear you all asking is, 'So, why are you selling your own branded merchandise?'

Well, here is the back story... When I first opened my business three + years ago I had several pieces of promotional gear pre-printed and i gave that stuff away. It was great... hats, skullies, hoodies and long sleeve t-shirts... but it was EXPENSIVE. Eventually, i ran out of merchandise, but people kept asking for it, and many offered to pay for gear because they thought it 'neat' - to quote a few of the would-be purchasers :)

So, here we are, with a custom store front up - so go get some swag!

Hey, I know... two posts in one day, what is up with that? Well, two things. First, I am trying to get back into the swing of blogging and I also wanted to put it out there that YES, I actually am a CERTIFIED DEVELOPER in umbraco. So what does this certification mean? It means that I attended TWO different training sessions and learned the ins and outs of umbraco and was able to pass TWO tests on the subject!

Test one was related to intro level installing and creating umbraco sites. Test two actually involved using Microsoft Visual Studio and writing some asp.net code. I NEVER thought I would venture into that realm, but guess what? We grow, we learn and we expand our skill sets. So what does all this mean to you, you my friends, business partners and clients? It means, that when you hire me [malicious thinkTank, inc.] to build your website solution, I am more than capable of managing the entire process from start to finish, as well as, actually doing it ALL on my own - for the most part :) There are still SEVERAL individuals and companies in the umbraco community that I partner with on a regular basis to build some AMAZING umbraco solutions.

The biggest thing, for me, is that these certifications mean that I am still able to grow, learn and expand my skill sets to make myself the best small business owner that i can be!

So, we do try to stay on top of new software and technologies here at MTT, so I went out and downloaded one of Microsofts latest offerings -- webMatrix and it was love at first site. No, literally, when I made and published my first site with it, I fell in love. I went from install, to local copy of blogEngine.net to deployed and live version of a compltely styled blog in less than two hours. You can't beat that.

It has intellisense for CSS and tons more... this is just what I discovered in my brief little play time. I can't wait to explore more!

So, here we go again... the start of a new year and all that comes with that. This year, I am once again going to try and renew my commitment to blogging. I will be attempting to cover topics from marketing, web design and development and my experiences as a solo-preneur.

Here's to a 2011 filled with blogging :)