How To: Do Business in a Knowledge-Based Economy

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Duration: 13:44 • Size: 6.6 MB

Discussion:

1. Business is fast and global for all of us, thanks to the internet.
2. The internet makes learning from others much easier than ever before.
3. An old question remains: how do you know what you don't know?

Here are a few tips for hiring and utilizing high quality brain cells:

• Look for vendors who have long-term customers. That means their service is probably good and they have the technical ability to continue providing business support. (Do you realize how many web developers have gone out of business in the past 5 years?)
• Have frequent communication with your vendors so your business can leverage their expertise. No one can know it all these days.
• Take the time to plan with your vendors, before you begin actual development. (You may learn some of what you don't know about the internet; we vendors certainly will learn about your business!)
• If you don't want to plan, then be sure your vendor can roll with change and continue to grow with you later on in the business relationship.

Client example: www.herecomestheguide.com

Here's how we developed a new site for NAWBO New Mexico, with very low effort by the client:

• Start with a Web Site Analysis to look at performance levels and "best in class" criteria.
• Ask the client to designate a small group to work on the web project. NAWBO designated a 3-person committee with full operating authority for the web site. (A daring move that paid off handsomely in this case.)
• Have regularly scheduled conference calls to keep both sides informed and to deliver development questions with a staged, easy-to-digest pace.

Client example: www.nawbonm.org

Also mentioned: www.inc.com
Their special Technology Report does not appear to be online, however you can read from dozens of "My Biggest Mistake" articles in the Archives." Just search for "mistake."

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