Boston

copyright kam smith – all rights reserved

engineering client’s new brochure

brochure_training2

Don’t expect the client to keep the documentation…

Whenever I finish a web design job I supply the client with a “technical information” document. It includes complete documentation: eveything from where the domain is registered to dns numbers.

It comes in handy. Got an email today from an I-finished-their-website-four-years-ago-client. It was titled ‘HELP!” and the message just said “urgent…call me”. I checked to see whether or not the website was still online (it was), then called. They’d just changed several computers, somehow losing access to email.  Other clients have had difficulty with automatic website renewal that couldn’t happen because credit card info had changed. Logins and passwords to the account are needed in order to update payment info.

Clients likely have the “technical info” document – somewhere – but I’ve learned it’s better to make sure that I keep my copies accessible. It’s a simple way to provide a value-added customer service that clients truly appreciate.

Being good at what you do…

It’s so much fun to prove, through actions and results, that I’m good at what I do.

Last week I started designing the new logo and assorted brochures for my engineering client. The logo was immediately approved, as was the brochure design. All relate visually to the PowerPoint presentations that are waiting to be finished.

It originally looked like we’d be printing six different brochures: I’ve paired that down to two (“Products” and “Services”). In pricing the brochures I did a bit of research to see what the company had been paying for something they do on a regular basis: copying and GBC binding training manuals. I was shocked. They were paying 400% more than necessary or $14.67 each for a 65 page book – copied book! – that was GBC punched but not bound. Labor wasn’t even included in my calculations.

In the future, they’ll be getting them delivered bound and ready to ship, for $3.16 each. 100 books for $1467.00 vs 100 books for $316.00.

I’m proud…

part of the process

About “being stuck”.

I don’t like it, but I’ve come to see it (or rationalize it away?) as a necessary part of the process. To me, creativity at it’s best is pure energy transformed. In the case of writing, energy is transformed into words: in art, images. Either way it is both a gift and a draining exercise. Down-time is a needed period of rest, whether we recognize it as such or not. All imho, of course…

What do you think?

Marketing Project, Phase II

The PowerPoint presentation is nearly finalized. There are 105 slides so far, which can be broken into (1) full-day-presentation, (1) short-day-presentation and (2) half-day presentations. Two other half-day presentations remain to be added: one that I need information from the client on, and another that will be included as part of the conclusion for now, but will be expanded upon in the future.

This second phase has been more time consuming, as expected, approximately 40 hours. The material in Phase I was “easy”. Phase II has required quite a bit of research plus building charts and graphs to illustrate pertinent details. I’ve also gone through and added notes for the presenter so that ready answers will be available – in black & white – should questions arise.

It’s all looking and sounding great so far and the client is pleased. This part of the project is on hold for a week while the rest of the information to be presented is sorted through and chosen by the client. In the meantime, I’ve got (6) brochures to start work on.

PowerPoint Presentation – Master

As much as I despise most of MSFT’s offerings, I have to admit PowerPoint is useful. It crashes at least as often as any other Microsoft product which is, of course, to be expected. Needing to reboot the system forces me to take an occasional break, so I’ll give ‘em that one as a necessary evil which might be good for me.

Anyway – aside from the forced breaks, I’m getting a lot done. This particular client offers three (soon to be four) patented products as well as a slew of services that relate. (I really need to remember to ask permission to use the corporate name, etc.) I suggested, and they agreed, to one large presentation that can be easily broken in to parts.

Taking 24 hours so far, the first draft contains 67 slides broken into two main topics and five sub-topics. Taken together we’ll have a presentation that covers “Why and How”, “Products”, “Services”, “A Case Study”, and “About Us”. Each will be detailed enough to stand on it’s own, and that’s how they’ll primarily be used.

The first part was easy. The next week will be all about adding pertinent points, researching details, and making sure everything flows properly.