Admittingly my expectations going into CastExpo where no high. However, I am pleasently surprised about our traffic at our booth. Very good leads and very good customer visits. This show was time well spent!
Overall, most metal casters said the same thing, business is better than last year, but can still be better. Of course there where several that said they are producing at full capacity. This is alway good to hear!
Thanks to our customers stopping by. By last count we had 48 customers visit with us. Always good to show them what is new.
Well, my next month will be spent on our new website. Gotta go!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Long Week!!!
Went a visited with various B&L customers this week. Started off with Smith Foundry, Twin City Die Casting, then Kirsh Foundry, Stainless Steel Foundry and Eck Industries. Thank you to all for letting us stop by and meet with you.
Next week will be exciting. Our Progress Partner Manager is coming in for our monthly meeting. We need to review some options for a new module we will release soon. Also, our State Rep John Proos will stop by the office for a visit. Mr. Proos has heard about the great things happening at B&L and would like to stop by and visit with us.
On a personal note, I am attending a community auction on Saturday. This auction is a black tie affair with many neat items up for auction. Proceeds go to charity, so it is for a good cause. 1st time I have worn a tux in 15 years! This will be a great event.
Next week will be exciting. Our Progress Partner Manager is coming in for our monthly meeting. We need to review some options for a new module we will release soon. Also, our State Rep John Proos will stop by the office for a visit. Mr. Proos has heard about the great things happening at B&L and would like to stop by and visit with us.
On a personal note, I am attending a community auction on Saturday. This auction is a black tie affair with many neat items up for auction. Proceeds go to charity, so it is for a good cause. 1st time I have worn a tux in 15 years! This will be a great event.
Friday, February 19, 2010
I Have Seen the Future....
And it looks good. Very good. Thanks to the R&D Department for a job well done. Folks, stop by Cast Expo and get a peak at the future.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Innovation
I went to a foundry yesterday (B&L Customer) and had a long conversation with their President and CFO. They where kind enough to share some information with us regarding how they use the B&L Software. From accessing Odyssey via an Iphone to the CFO stating they reduced their open AR by $900,000 to other best business practices they utilize.
It is obvious they make a great product, especially when one reviews their customer list. What I really like is their passion when it comes to change and innovation. Just cause you did it that way last year doesn't mean it should be done he same way this year. The B&L customer always questions is there a better way to make this casting, or to improve customer service, or purchasing. Never staying still, always looking to improve. This is a company that has my respect.
In the next two months (Cast Expo?) we will announce several large innovations in our products and services. I have had the opporunity to ask several customers and prospects what they thought of these innovations and all said the same thing..."This is gonna be great!" Stop by our booth at Cast Expo for a first hand look at a the innovations we have planned for you!
It is obvious they make a great product, especially when one reviews their customer list. What I really like is their passion when it comes to change and innovation. Just cause you did it that way last year doesn't mean it should be done he same way this year. The B&L customer always questions is there a better way to make this casting, or to improve customer service, or purchasing. Never staying still, always looking to improve. This is a company that has my respect.
In the next two months (Cast Expo?) we will announce several large innovations in our products and services. I have had the opporunity to ask several customers and prospects what they thought of these innovations and all said the same thing..."This is gonna be great!" Stop by our booth at Cast Expo for a first hand look at a the innovations we have planned for you!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Super Bowl is Over, Let the Olympics Begin
Good morning from snowy (and deep) Bridgman, Michigan. We are in the middle of a snow storm where we expect 10-15 inches of the white stuff. While is makes driving a challenge, it certainly makes sledding and snowboarding a blast!
The other day a friend and I where at a Best Buy. It was a cold day, around 30 degrees. When we went back to the car, I noticed a pickup in front of us. (The pickup was not there when we pulled in). Low and behold, the car had no windshield. Nothing. There wasn't any glass to be found. We just started laughing, I mean, that had to be cold, driving around without a windshield!
That's it for now.
Matt
The other day a friend and I where at a Best Buy. It was a cold day, around 30 degrees. When we went back to the car, I noticed a pickup in front of us. (The pickup was not there when we pulled in). Low and behold, the car had no windshield. Nothing. There wasn't any glass to be found. We just started laughing, I mean, that had to be cold, driving around without a windshield!
That's it for now.
Matt
Monday, February 1, 2010
Last Week....
I spent the last week in Miami at the Progress Global Partner's Conference. This conference is a gathering off over 200 company's executives. The purpose of the conference is to find out what is new with the Progress Corporation and to network.
I gave a presentation on how and why B&L attained 300% more logos in 2009 when compared to 2008. Presentation went well and afterwards I spent many hours answering questions.
B&L was nominated for the Progress SaaS Excellence award. The SaaS Excellence Award honors those whose participation in SaaS enablement programs have resulted in highly innovative offerings that achieve impressive commercial success within their markets. For us to just to be nominated is a huge accomplishment!
I spoke with many executives about marketing. Many executives bemoaned the fact that their competitors are very loose with their marketing claims. I laughed since we have the same problem! Outlandish claims without any proof is, like the Aussie said "Bulldust!" We tossed about examples we have all heard, "Gold Standard" "Platinum Service for a small price", #1 rated (w/o proof). Let those companies continue, I don't believe most people are that gullible.
I will be in the for the next weeks working on various projects. Two of the projects we should have ready for Cast Expo '10 in Orlando, Florida. Both will be industry firsts! (And I can prove it).
Take care and talk to ya next week.
I gave a presentation on how and why B&L attained 300% more logos in 2009 when compared to 2008. Presentation went well and afterwards I spent many hours answering questions.
B&L was nominated for the Progress SaaS Excellence award. The SaaS Excellence Award honors those whose participation in SaaS enablement programs have resulted in highly innovative offerings that achieve impressive commercial success within their markets. For us to just to be nominated is a huge accomplishment!
I spoke with many executives about marketing. Many executives bemoaned the fact that their competitors are very loose with their marketing claims. I laughed since we have the same problem! Outlandish claims without any proof is, like the Aussie said "Bulldust!" We tossed about examples we have all heard, "Gold Standard" "Platinum Service for a small price", #1 rated (w/o proof). Let those companies continue, I don't believe most people are that gullible.
I will be in the for the next weeks working on various projects. Two of the projects we should have ready for Cast Expo '10 in Orlando, Florida. Both will be industry firsts! (And I can prove it).
Take care and talk to ya next week.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
With Hard Work Comes Success
Next week will be very busy. I am flying to Miami, Florida to attend the a meeting and the Progress Software Global Partner Conference. Over 150 companies will attend the conference. On the opening day I will give a presentation on B&L managed a 300% growth in new logos in 2009 as compared to 2008! In addition, we will be awarded with the Progress Corporation's Premier Partner Award. This award is based on spectacular sales growth combined with a commitment to utilizing the latest technologies. Congrats to B&L!
When I get back in the office, we will have our annual Kick Off meeting. This meeting will be exciting in that B&L is going thru some dramatic changes and many of these changes will be announced then! Keep an eye on our web page and our newsletter for more information.
Success to all
Matt
When I get back in the office, we will have our annual Kick Off meeting. This meeting will be exciting in that B&L is going thru some dramatic changes and many of these changes will be announced then! Keep an eye on our web page and our newsletter for more information.
Success to all
Matt
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