Kiffin's Blog

June 19, 2004

Good-bye gishteq

"The account for gishteq.com has been cancelled as you requested."

It's now really time to say good-bye to an old friend.

Farewell gishteq.com I will miss you.

Posted at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

May 9, 2004

Fun while it lasted

Posted at 2:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

February 22, 2004

Solution selling

Basic Principles:

• No pain, no change
• Three levels of buyer need
• Diagnose before you prescribe
• Pain flows throughout an entire organization
• "Solution" = Buying Vision
• People make emotional decisions for logical reasons
• People buy from people
• Power buys from power
• Make yourself equal before you make yourself different
• Don't close before it is closeable
• You can't sell to someone who can't buy

Michael T. Bosworth
Solution Selling,
Creating Buyers in Difficult Selling Markets
(Introduction)

Posted at 11:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 1, 2003

See you around

Due to circumstances beyond my control, I have unfortunately been forced to close down business. Good ol' GishTeq, see you later. All of it against my will.

("...I am afraid to admit it, but it is true," he cautioned me from the distance which was not that far away at all I thought afterwards.)

Six months ago it all seemed so hopeful, but now it is time to face facts and do something else. Perhaps even something more worthwhile this time around?

Could very well be, very well be.

(...and then that guy turned around, looked at me carefully, and then he said with that familiar hint of enthusiasm gleaming from his eyes, "I can't wait.")

Time now for me to take a break and catch my breath again.

Better luck next time...

Posted at 3:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

November 19, 2003

Different Kiffin

The domain name kiffin.org now points to the future famous cyber-gish web site.

In the meantime, I closed the old account and reopened gishteq.com on a clean environment so I can restart afresh and invigorated.

I still am waiting to nab the kiffin.com domain name, but that has already been taken by Mr. Gilbert. Maybe someday soon he will give it up.

Posted at 9:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 16, 2003

Three-pronged approach

I am working on a winning concept for my company. It is called the "three-pronged" approach, and I firmly believe that this idea has much potential for creating business in the short term.

The "three-pronged" approach is based on the following question:

"What prevents e-business from getting maximum benefit from their data?"

The way of answering this question involves the following three components:

1. Knowledge (lack of qualified personnel)


2. Customer behavior (too much data)


3. Technology (lack of technical resources)

Items one and two are covered by "professional services" and items two and three are covered by "advanced web products."

The whole system is supported by a framework upon which measurement leads to results and so-called "complete solutions" are defined and implemented through the proper analysis of these measured results.

Posted at 9:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

October 18, 2003

Churning away

According to the NetGenesis (SPSS) Glossary of terms:

"Churn measures how much of your customer base 'rolls over' during a given period of time. To calculate churn, divide the number of customers who attrite during the given time period by the total number of customers at the end of the time period."

You can then see how important it is to track the churn-rate and if it is becoming too great then you must do something about it or else.

Posted at 1:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 17, 2003

Be there or else

Hopefully this will make the GishTeq web site more attractive, and not inadvertently scare off too many people with its interesting message. Does it look professional enough or is just too flashy?

Get the SWiSH file here.

Posted at 12:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

September 15, 2003

Link toegevoegd

Alright here we go. The more exposure the better.

So tell me then, can you find it?

Posted at 10:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (11)

September 12, 2003

Increasing exposure

In order to become a true blue future famous e-business consultancy company, one of the main tasks is to acquire as much exposure as possible. This is not always as easy as one might expect, but it can be done nonetheless.

Just hang in there and keep on trying.

So you can imagine how pleased I am today when my company was put up on the Mondosoft Partner Page.

Have a look for yourself if you do not believe me.

Posted at 1:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

September 5, 2003

Jam-packed room

The room was jam-packed like an ocean of bobbing and staring heads, and there must have been around two hundred people present in that cramped and sweaty place. The spotlights were glaring down on me, and the television camera was recording every moment, every movement of my body, every facial expression I made, the sounds and facts of life. This was not my favorite activity, but since I had been invited nicely for the interview, I could not decline. He told me it would be a tremendous opportunity, opening all kinds of doors, a glimpse into the future.

I came anyway.

Every few months, the Chamber of Commerce in Rotterdam organizes an information workshop for all those kind folks out there who have been wondering and thinking about starting their own businesses. Should I do it or not? What are the risks? How much will it cost? Is it worth it? These evenings of discussion are meant to be informative gatherings during which the basic ins-and-outs of entrepreneurship are revealed right in front of your eyes and explained in outlined format. The truth of the matter is slowly exposed, and you the innocent bystander are shown what such a career change actually entails.

The good and the bad and all the stuff inbetween. Are you still sure?

So anyway, along with the three other young and dynamic future-famous starters, those fine young men and myself, I was invited to attend the part where they interviewed recent starters -- just like myself. So that the public could see and hear first-hand what it all really involves. Look at those guys sitting up there. Maybe some day if I work really hard I can be just like them.

Not that I am what you would call the perfect example of a successful starter. Indeed not, for honestly with such a stagnation of potential customers lately and worrying dearly each and every day about having to quit my life-long endeavor two months from now, there I was sitting at the table up on the podium with a microphone in my hand. Strange how I thought I would be so very nervous. I wasn't and I was not not shaking in my boots at all. Perfectly still and perfectly calm, words of wisdom flowing freely from my mouth. Flowing into the air above the bobbing heads and away into outer space.

I wanted to be honest, not sound overly positive but also not come across as a negative worried person. Afterall, a "true" business person is undaunted by the frustrations of life and knows for sure that one day or other he will overcome each and every obstacle in his never-ending pursuit of success and happiness (and lots of money).

The interview lasted more than thirty-minutes. While I was kind of nervous in the beginning, towards the last couple of questions he posed to me, I was lubricated and extremely talkative. On the edge of tangents, I stretched my long and winding sentences. I felt like I was not really there. It was an almost out of the body experience where my mind and mouth were disjointed in time, sliced at all angle just like in some Cubist painting. I even tried to pull off a couple of witty jokes -- now who was I kidding?

All in all, I felt relieved when it was over with. I had done my duty, explained who I was and what it was like to start an own business. It was now time to take the tour of the mosque in the deep bowels of which this meeting had taken place. That spiritual wandering tour which I had used as an attractive reward for myself if I had made it through the grueling interview unscathed. And I had survived.

I walked past the droves of people pushing and shoving for information brochures and headed out the back door. At the end of the long hall was the place I had to take off my shoes.

Allah was waiting for me.

Posted at 8:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 20, 2003

Sharp mind and then

The day will be well spent I am sure. I will be traveling to good old Amsterdam for the whole day in my never-ending pursuit to meet fellow e-business visionaries. Three different meetings spread out evenly over the whole day. Should be fun, I hope.

While this activity of traveling around all over the place may not lead to fantastic results (or "any" results for that matter I am afraid), nonetheless I still find it very stimulating to meet new folks like me and exchange ideas with one another in an informal and rewarding way.

Nothing like honing your presentation skills, communicating and keeping your mind sharp through provocative and curious conversation.

And I say: something better start picking up within two months, otherwise I will be in big financial problems. Bummer.

Isn't life tough? Sharp mind and then ... what?

Posted at 8:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 19, 2003

Technology gap

There are no limits to the infinite possibilities of technology, except for the unfortunate fact that so-called technology often does not match reality very well. This is what the technology gap is all about, and it is my job to bridge this gap the best I can.

Take for instance the following.

I am looking into the possibilities of extending my product portfolio by including the Quadstream technology. Yesterday, I had a long and interesting meeting with the developer and founder of this engaging, young-buck enterprise. At first glance, this offering looks impressive, and provides a definite plus for marketing your stuff better through the Internet.

Improving the user experience is one of the important aspects that all web site designers should keep in mind. This product allows the potential buyer to view and interact with a 3d model, thereby greatly increasing the chances that the customer will actually carry through purchase (conversion). At least that is how the argument goes. I think that it is a good start in the right direction.

But in the end, will this state-of-the-art product help bridge the gap? I believe it can if it is positioned properly in light of what the customer "really" needs.

In the meantime, I have to consider how such a technical thing can be marketed better, e.g. bridging the huge gap between the infinite possibilities of Internet technology and the actual requirements of potential customers.

Does it really extend my product portfolio? That's the million dollar question right now.

Posted at 11:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 9, 2003

Visitors will come in droves

Latest News:

GishTeq extends its product portfolio by joining the partner reseller program of Gladior, the most successful Dutch company specializing in search engine optimization. Web site exposure is increased effectively, resulting in a dramatic improvement in the number of 'quality' visitors. Advanced optimization algorithms focus on search words and phrases on a per search engine basis.

More information can be found at the Gladior Product page.

Check out the news archive.

Posted at 4:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 3, 2003

Don't just sit around

A couple weeks ago I placed an open advertisement (plea) in the Dutch Werk.nl web site for the unemployed folks who might be looking for my kind of work, e.g. e-business related activities. The volume of responses is unexpectedly huge, and I have been barely able to keep up with them all and still respond in a personal way. Here is the text I chose to use:

I'm looking for enthusiastic e-business visionaries who're ready to tackle the next phase in their careers.

If you are sick & tired of hanging around waiting forever with a WW-uitkering, unable to find work, then this might be right for you.

Take the challenge with me. Develop & fine-tune a product portfolio for e-business solutions. These tailor-made, total solutions are geared towards improving business processes of organizations wanting to sell products & services via Internet.

MISSION: to enable & facilitate e-business opportunities for service- & product-oriented organizations through measurement, analysis & process improvement.

As an upstart company I have NO FUNDS yet to hire. I'm open to discussing creative compensations with you. Bring in projects & financial rewards are aplenty.

Why sit around doing nothing when there is so much to do? Who knows what the future will bring!

Don't worry, mijn nederlands is goed genoeg.

Note: The use of the ampersand (&) in place of "and" was needed to get the length in characters below the maximum allowed. "WW-uitkering" is the Dutch unemployment compensation scheme. The phrase "mijn nederlands is goed genoeg" means "my Dutch is good enough" (so that I would not scare away the Dutch-only speaking folks who might not contact me because they were embarrassed about their English -- although most of the Dutch speak almost perfect English).

You see, right now I cannot really hire anyone, but I felt that there are so many creative and willing souls sitting out there bored stiff, that perhaps some would be interested in sharing my wonderful endeavors and helping me make a success out of it. Alot of people read over the part about me not having funds to pay a salary, even though it is capitalized (NO FUNDS). Wishful thinking I guess. So whenever someone emails me and/or calls the office, I make sure I repeat this clearly just in case, before continuing too far.

But there have been many people willing to talk and meet with me over lunch, even fairly high-caliber managers (believe it or not) who see some potential at least.

Well, it is alot better than just sitting around doing nothing and feeling sorry for yourself, don't you think?

Posted at 1:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 14, 2003

Another partnership

Fresh from the press the latest exciting news.

GishTeq partners with Mondosoft as a recognized reseller and consultant for the state-of-the-art MondoSearch product line. This advanced search technology provides integrated site search, reporting and optimization for all web environments."

More information can be found at the MondoSearch Product page.

Check out the other historical events in the news archive.

Posted at 5:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

June 6, 2003

First quotation

Today marked yet another important milestone in the wonderful and unpredictable history of GishTeq.

This is what I did. I sent off my very first official offer for a web site rebuild and analysis prospect, and all for a really good deal (don't forget that my share remains a mere twenty-percent margin). I think I have been busy full-time the last couple of days just to produce two carefully thought out A4-pages of convincing text and prices in the most attractive form I could think up. Alot of work that's for sure. The quotation was higher than I had hoped and I am sure what the potential customer had expected. It does not compare well with the offers from the other competitors, but it is the best I could do -- without running around aimlessly and working hard for crumbs or for nothing or maybe even coming out in the red (shame on me).

I cannot compete with cheap solutions made by companies that hire Russian students when my unique added value is the quality and the reliability of the solution I stand by in an honest and down-to-earth way.

But will this attitude eventually sell and produce any money?

Posted at 5:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

May 27, 2003

Into the deep end

Okay so today I went off into the deep end and let go of a massive email campaign to improve the exposure of good old GishTeq. This morning I let loose around 200, and depending on the reactions to this bulk I will send off the other 950 soon afterwards. Perhaps maybe some of you fine readers and/or bloggers received the mailing also. Hope you liked it and didn't think right off that it was some kind of Spam attack.

My old friend Splog was quick to respond with compliments, and I really appreciate that so thanks.

If you just happened to miss out on this historic event, then I invite you to check out the mailing yourself: Had a serious look at your web site lately?

Posted at 10:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

April 28, 2003

Step number four

There are a number of momentous events in the life of a startup business which you should appreciate as much as you can when they come. Respect yourself for what it has become and even if there are no customers yet at least you have somehow managed it this far. The first momentous step is official registration in the Chamber of Commerce (which anyone can do really). The second is printing your first set of company cards and later handing them out to potential customers and/or partners. The third is the kick-off date for the official start. But there is more. You see, I am happy to announce that I have somehow managed to attain the big bad step called number four. My very first advertisement in the newspaper.

Rijn en Gouwe, 28 april 2003.

While doing the groceries this morning, I had to dash to the nearest news stand and purchase the morning edition of the Rijn en Gouwe, a local newspaper with a reading public of nearly 45 thousand. There must be one or two souls out there wanting some professional work. Certainly, I am very confident.

Now it is high time to make my way to step number five: my first (paying) customer. I hope this happens in the not too distant future. I have alot to offer, the finest quality, and at a very reasonable price!

Posted at 5:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

April 23, 2003

An ad that attracts droves

I have been contemplating it now for some time, and after much rumination I have decided to place an advertisement in the local newspapers in order to make myself known and attract droves of rich and willing customers. The advertisement will be forty by forty centimeters and it will cost me € 90.90 for a single placement. I have a chosen a simple and straight-forward approach, and this is what it will look like:

Brengt uw website wat u ervan verwacht?

» Het kan nog beter! En... voor een redelijke prijs.

Professionele analyse, ontwerp en advies om
van uw Internet-site een booming business
te maken.

Nieuwsgierig naar onze aanpak?
Bel 0182-536616 of mail info@gishteq.com

GISHTEQ
www.gishteq.com

For all you unfortunate souls out there who are unable to decipher all this gutteral Dutch drivel, I will attempt to translate it into readable English. Here goes:

Is your website doing what it's supposed to do?

» Make it work even better! And... for a decent price.

Professional analysis, design and advice can
make your Internet-site into a real
booming business.

Curious how we do it?
Call 0182-536616 or mail info@gishteq.com

GISHTEQ
www.gishteq.com

I would say that there are probably few souls out there who can resist this declaration of my unbelievably professional services, guaranteed to improve your e-business beyond your wildest dreams. And all for a reasonable and solid price. When you have a good idea, it can bring you a long way, I think.

Posted at 9:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)

April 10, 2003

Let's go

Well that's me alright. My first taste of future fame has now, now that I am officially listed as a certified consultant for the Webtrends product portfolio. If you cannot find me, I am way down at the bottom of the page at the end of the list. No matter, at least it is a start. Gotta start somewhere, right? Okay folks, it's high time for me to get up and running, so let's go.

Posted at 8:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 1, 2003

Fast results

They claim that a new business can get truly amazing results by using some emailing marketing scheme or other. In fact, on a daily basis I receive tons of these ridiculous emails myself. I totally disagree with this claim of so-called success. This maaner of selling is the quickest way not only to aggravate potential customers with what they see as nothing less than spam, but also to bring your company down as just another bogus and customer-unfriendly organization out to make a quick buck (euro).

Posted at 7:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 29, 2003

Certified at last

Finally the second time around, I managed to pass the demanding certification test required to sell the fine Webtrends product line. In other words, the future-famous Gishteq company has been officially appointed "certified web analytics consultant" for the NetIQ Authorized Consultant Program.

I was so pleased with myself, that I dashed off and revamped the whole Gishteq web site. There are still a few items which need to be completed (mailing list and download page), but in general it is pretty much done for now. I think it looks alot slicker than the original version. Got rid of alot of that goofy Javascript stuff.

Check it out for yourself and tell me what you think.

Posted at 7:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

March 12, 2003

Bookkeeping

Boy, I am sure looking forward to my course today covering all the ins and outs of bookkeeping (the Dutch way). Not really. Some things just have to be done, and for any business this is basics that everyone needs to know in order to keep things up and running like they should. In addition, the course offers me a good excuse to get out of the house, meet new and exciting fellow starters, and fill my mind with various tid-bits of valuable information.

Posted at 8:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

March 5, 2003

Productive gaps like this

Alright, so the time gap since last year September since I was last employed and doing something useful in my life has become to large of a blank period. Meaning that my resume has to be updated to reflect the fact that I have not been bored stiff in the meantime but rather have been amazingly active, productive and energetic.

So this is what I added to the work experience section:

GishTeq, Gouda

October 2002 - Now
Founder and Principal E-business Consultant

As owner and principal consultant of my own company called GishTeq, I have been providing independent consulting services to companies developing and deploying e-business solutions. Services include project management, web site analytics, business process improvement, as well as web design, implementation and deployment. All the services focus on leveraging the strengths of the best of all possible web products in order to maximize the effectiveness of the customer tailor-made solutions. Customers are middle to large organizations who sell and/or promote services and products through e-business, e.g. Internet and/or Intranet.

You can check it out for yourself by viewing my online resume firsthand if you are not sufficiently impressed or if you do not believe me or whatever. If you are sufficiently impressed and think there could be an interesting opportunity for me, please feel free to download this resumé (doc 58 kb).

Posted at 12:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 28, 2003

Voicemail down pat

After redoing it about a hundred times, I think I have finally got it down pat. My voice mail announcement that is. Not too artificial, not too closeup and personal, down-to-earth and straight-forward, a message which is attractive enough to invite (potential) customers to leave their name and telephone number so that I can call them back.

Thank you for calling Gishteq, your Internet and e-business enablers. We're sorry, but there is no one available right now to handle your call. Please leave your name and telephone number after the beep, in English or in Dutch, and we will contact you right away.

Listen for yourself

Posted at 1:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

February 19, 2003

Thin ice

Trying to start your own business in the big bad world of commercialism means learning to build up trust with strangers with whom you plan to work and develop long-term relationships. This is quite similar to walking on unexplored ice because you are constantly on the guard for the thin sections which can crack and then collapse underneath you without the slightest warning whatsoever. At the same time, it is important to continue radiating a warm sense of unwavering confidence and not show that you are unsure about the potential partner with whom you have initiated a common sense let's speak openly type of dialog. How far are you willing to go? Go too far and you will get your head chopped off right at the neck. Go too short and you will lose momentum and fall to the wayside. Choosing the middle path does not work any more and will get you nowhere. Be dynamic, flexible, alert, on your guard, ready set go.

Posted at 10:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

February 15, 2003

Company logo

Of course as far as promotion is concerned, it would be nice to have a fancy company logo. With this in mind, I have been playing around with various ideas, one of which is the following:

Not that pretty and basically a humble attempt, but I will need the aid of a professional agency in order to have something really good tailor-made to the essence of what this so-called company is supposed to emanate.

Posted at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 13, 2003

The four Ps

Every true marketeer worth his salt knows all about the power of the four Ps. Or at least that is what they tell me. Here are the four Ps along with a short description just in case you do not already know what all this P stuff stands for (shame on you):

• Product - build a product that meets as many of the market needs as possible.
• Price - set a price that most of the consumers will pay and from which they perceive a worthwhile value (and that delivers a profit so that you can stay in business).
• Place - focus on the places to sell your products where the chance of success is the highest, especially in the beginning.
• Promotion - find out the best channels and means to increase visibility and make the attractive features known to a wide public.

I never figured that I would ever turn into some kind of technology shoe salesman dummy trying to achieve state-of-the-art success by using this four Ps a sleight of hand magic, did you?

Posted at 7:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

February 12, 2003

Suppose that

Just suppose that somehow, sometime, I were able to land a lucrative and challenging job position somewhere with an interesting international technology company. Should I even consider it?

Posted at 9:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

February 8, 2003

New name

Decided to choose a final name for my future famous company. Not very satisfied with the original name of Kiffin.Org I gave it some good long thought and came up with the following list of alternative names:

• Kiffin Technologies
• KifTech
• Gish Technologies
• GishTeq
• Web4all
• Gishtech

"Welcome to [name goes here], providing independent consulting services to companies developing and deploying e-business solutions."

And the winner is? Just click on one of the links in the list above and find out for sure. Hopefully by the time you read this my new domain name will be pointing to the right place. If not (the browser times out and you receive an errorpage), then please come back tomorrow and try again.

Posted at 11:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

January 23, 2003

Could be if not

Here are a number of (pretty good) reasons I have decided to do what I am doing now:

• By using my mind creatively through exercising it with new and challenging ideas my mental facilities remain sharp and alert, e.g. I don't get too bored.


• By preparing myself now, I will hopefully have found my own niche in the e-business market and be ready when the economy picks up again.
• I get to meet people with similar interests and invigorate myself through exchanging ideas in a positive way.
• I am learning the proper business aspects of balancing a well-rounded life.
• Who knows, I might even accidentally land a lucrative job position by randomly coming in contact with the right people at the right time.
• The world I have earlier created is now creating me and my actions as originally they were intended to be.
• I get to escape my house and thereby push my horizon of experiences beyond a half kilometer radius.
• Rather than stagnating and feeling depressed I have an opportunity to run around endlessly and make myself look and feel much better than I normally could, building up self-confidence.
• If in the end things do not work out at least I cannot blame myself for not having tried.

Makes alot of sense, doesn't it?

Posted at 11:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

January 21, 2003

Niet geschoten

In order to start a successful business in The Netherlands, it is a definite advantage to be familiar with the terminology. I am not exaggerating when I say that I have collected quite a new arsenal of words in the last couple of months. So many new and interesting words, like these:

Begroting - budget. Acquisitie - acquisition. Auteursrecht - copyright. Algemene voorwaarden - general conditions. Offerte - quotation, offer. Markt afbakenen - stake out the market. Onderneming - undertaking, enterprise, venture. Kosten - costs. Risico's - risks. Markt verwerven - win over the market. Boekhouding - bookkeeping. Aaskever - carrion-beetle. Beroepsaansprakelijkheidsverzekering - professional liability insurance. Niet geschoten is altijd mis - not shot is always miss.

Posted at 11:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

January 18, 2003

Be alert

One of the things they warn you about during the "starting your own business" workshops is that it puts an amazingly big strain on your family situation. This is not to be underestimated. Although I find myself just at the very beginning of the whole process, the first steps of re-orientation and market research, I can be quite honest when I say that I am now already feeling these strains. The extra weight of responsibility is no fun and it is not a laughing matter. Indeed, these so-called strains are heavy and it takes a strong will (and mind) to overcome them. I firmly believe that through perseverance, a positive attitude and good common-sense, there is much to gain. However, if you are not very careful and alert enough, you can easily lose alot more than just money.

Posted at 11:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 17, 2003

Klantonvriendelijk

Just at the painful point in this long and tiresome investigation when I begin slightly to lose some of my inspiration, I discover the following random newspaper article which excites me some and gives me extra energy: "Nederlandse webwinkels zijn klantonvriendelijk". Translated into awkward English you get something like "Dutch web-stores are customer unfriendly." This is great news! In essence, the article explains how lousy the Dutch shopping sites on the Internet are, how they are losing tons of money because dissatisfied customers cannot find what they want and are leaving in droves, and how in America things are a hundred times better. Isn't that exactly the market in which I was hoping to find my own little lucrative yet comfortable niche? So there is still hope afterall. Don't tell anyone though. At least not until I tell you first that you can, okay?

Posted at 12:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 11, 2003

Another week already

Has another week passed by already? I guess so. Things seem to be picking up and I have been developing my business ideas even further. For those of you interested, you might want to check out the new-and-improved Kiffin.Org site. Personally, I think it is looking pretty good, but who am I to decide? The important thing is to benchmark with others, remain alert and flexible. I would be curious to hear any reactions.

Posted at 1:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

January 9, 2003

Handboek Freelancen

Yesterday I purchased the Dutch book "Handboek Freelancen 2002/2003" and have since then been devouring its contents in search for valuable hints and tips on how best to start my life anew as a future-famous freelancer.

Actually I do not like the sound of freelancer, and I prefer to see myself as kind of new age entrepreneur, a self-navigator, a pioneer e-lancer. In case you already don't know, the term "freelancer" originally dates from the middle ages where it meant a medieval mercenary, from a French term meaning free-lansier.

According to the first chapter of this book, today's freelance professional can in essence be described as follows:

"Freelancen betekent kwaliteiten uitbuiten, kansen benutten en risico's nemen. Het is niet alleen een vorm waarin je je capaciteiten aan de man brengt. Het is ook een manier van leven die je houding en sociale leven beinvloedt. Een freelancer is in de eerste plaats op zichzelf aangewezen, hij is verantwoordelijk voor zijn eigen succes. En voor zijn eigen falen."

Translated into English you get something like:

"Freelancing means exploiting quality, taking advantage of chances and taking risks. It is not only a manner with which you present your abilities. It is also a way of life which influences your attitude and social life. A freelancer is at first entirely committed to himself, he is totally responsible for his own success. And for his own failure."

So which way will it be for me?

Posted at 7:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

January 7, 2003

Venture capital

Today is indeed a very big historical moment in the life and times of the upcoming company to be called Kiffin-dot-org. Time to celebrate.

The reason is that I found my very first investor who is willing to offer some venture capital to a worthy cause. I didn't even have to ask first, as this person just came up to me on her own and volunteered out of the blue. Who is this person you may ask? Well, believe it or not it is my good ol' Dutch mother-in-law (schoonmoeder). She gets a very special thanks from me, as well as a big kiss and a hug. Wow, does that really make a difference. I assure her that her money will be in good hands. The extra funding will prove to be a worthy and lucrative investment, that's for sure. For the time being this will help out alot with the basic beginning stuff I need for the infrastructure, mostly equipment, an accountant and training purposes. This month I have to fork out an arm and a leg for a so-called Web Analytics Technical Mastery training program as well as a couple of workshops for starting entrepreneurs organized by the Chamber of Commerce, so the money will certainly come in handy.

For startup firms with exceptional growth potential like mine, risk capital is an essential element for a new business venture in its earliest stage of development. Otherwise it just falls flat on its face.

Thanks alot Mrs. Karssemeijer. Heel erg bedankt!

Posted at 2:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

December 30, 2002

Some brilliant ideas

In preparation of going freelance, I have been ruminating about a number of developing ideas. Like the key to success, a viable company mission, that sort of thing. Here are a few notes I have collected:

"My role at KIFFIN.ORG would be a flexible balance of technical, commercial and leadership aspects required in today's fast-paced and challenging economy. Flexible in that I would remain open to react to the needs of the day-by-day requirements, and balance in that the various named aspects compliment and strengthen each other so that I am well prepared to react pro-actively to the various customers and their unique environments. One could call me a diplomat whose role is to bridge the gap between the endless possibilities of (Internet) technology and the specific wishes of the (potential) customers, a translator and an enabler, one who inspires.

If I had the good fortune to choose my own exact function and title, it would be something like Business Developer and/or Senior Technical Consultant. I listen with an attentive ear, I carefully collect and analyze the needs of the customer, and I discuss the possibilities with creative members of the team before reporting back to the customer. Proposals must be based on the facts, reflect what is required and be implemented quickly and efficiently. I am a very representative person, realistic though willing to take calculated risks if required, and I hold to my goals and promises at all costs. I use my knowledge to build up respect while developing long-term relationships, which is very important to me. I am assertive enough if certain decisions have to be made, I can coach and offer advice where required, and above all I realize the utmost importance of being customer-centric in every fiber of my body.

Ten years ago it was normal to dump products at the customer site and wish him good luck: read the manual and see you later. Today the customer has become smarter and therefore more demanding. He defines ahead of time the product himself, the way he wants to use it and the way he wants to profit from it, financially as well as organizationally. My role would be to enable this process, to accelerate it and to prolong it. Let the customer concentrate on his core business by relieving him of the technical details of improving his underlying business processes. Short quick-and-dirty projects are all right with me, and believe me I have had enough experience in this area, but my real strengths and skills are based on logical and long-term thinking based on building relationships.

Like I said, I am a firm believer in the customer-centric approach. The success of a good flagship product and/or product suite depends on its ability to fit in seamlessly with the existing infrastructure of a customer site. This means understanding the customer's business thoroughly, scoping out the areas of improvement, e.g. focusing at first on those processes which can be improved the most with minimal impact on the overall organization. In the beginning of a good relationship, concrete results must come quickly and they must work. Strategy and vision of the customer play an important role, and this is the framework upon which a product needs to be built and integrated.

While the economic situation may not be optimal now, customers remain willing to invest (limited) money if they can be convinced that they profit from this initial investment within a reasonably short period. Short-term successes like these lead to long-term customers. As the customers grow and improve their business processes, KIFFIN.ORG grows with them through the exchange of information that is based on trust. Trust above all else.

With a solid background in databases, Internet technology (mobile) and web design, as well as experience in project management, I would pride myself in going out to the customer sites to define requirements, customize and deploy (within 2 weeks). Inspire customers and make them successful. Count me in to help out in any way possible, wherever and whenever required."

Unique Selling Points:
Let's just say that these are the core themes which will give me a big advantage over the competitors in this challenging yet lucrative market.

1. Tailor-made solutions vs. off the shelf.
2. Customer-centric vs. technology driven.
3. Define, customize and deploy.
4. Flexible, whenever and wherever.
5. Attention to detail, after care with guarantees.
6. Personal relationships and trust above all.

I will review and improve these ideas often and keep an updated version on my future famous KIFFIN.ORG homepage for those kind folks who are interested.

Posted at 3:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 23, 2002

Going freelance

One can choose to hang around forever just waiting and waiting for the inevitable to happen or better yet one can take one's life into one's own hands and do something bigger and better. Before it is too late.

In case you did not realize it already, the new year is coming up quickly. One of the favorite things to do during this preparatory period is to make one or more resolutions. That is exactly what I have done for myself. The economic situation is extremely bad nowadays, and the chances of landing a job in the near future seem to dwindle and disappear unless I do something. Receiving rejection letters everyday is not my idea of having a fun time. Let's just say that I am seriously thinking about going into business for myself.

At the time this seems the best step for me to take.

So this is how the story goes. Inside my head somewhere there is a treasure chest of knowledge and experience, a veritable goldmine filled with valuable jewels and other glimmering priceless objects. I would be crazy not to use these. The way I see it, there are many folks out there that would find these glimmering objects of hope with excited wide-open eyes. A lucrative option it would be to borrow some of this keen knowledge to help improve matters in their own backyards. For a small minimal charge of course.

So what's the deal? I want to go into business for myself. Yes you heard me right. I want to become a freelance professional under my own company. I want to rise and shine as a future-famous business consultant (sounds better than a freelancer). Senior technical consultant, wireless applications adviser, principal consultant of this and/or that. After doing alot of research and contacting a number of distributors and resellers of computer products, I am feeling pretty cocky and confident that I can manage it.

A possible name of this organization might be something like Kiffin-dot-org and the official web site would be Kiffin.org. But am I being overly vane by including my name in all of this? Could be seen as one of the most important unique selling points.

Pretty exciting, don't you think?! Life never ceases to amaze me with the endless possibilities and the infinite potential of rising up again. Now I first have to break out of this bubble of ecstasy and make it happen. The first step will happen right about now.

Posted at 8:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)

December 21, 2002

Kiffin-dot-org

Hey guess what? I decided that I deserved a Christmas present like all the rest. So I just purchased a new domain name:

At the moment, I have decided just to point it by default to my good old homepage.

Posted at 10:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)