Liddysoft is born
I can officially announce that my Technology Consulting business is live and kicking. Very close to contract signing for client 1, with a couple of slower-burn channel & bizdev contracts in place for other clients.
The entire route to market for ISV’s is both interesting and lucrative. I want to be the guy who is (a) the industry expert (b) the fix-it-guy for key players along the chain (ISV, VC, distributor, channel) (c) the platform & ecosystem builder
Just need the website sorting out now, so I can transfer the consulting info from this site to it. If you know an inexpensive & good web developer wanting a few $$$ or £££ please ping me.
Very happy indeed!
Three good lessons this week…
- The world moves slower but faster when you work for yourself. You get things done lightning fast, but suppliers don’t when you no longer can say “I work for enormously large corporation.com”. You have got to hustle, and follow up-follow up-follow up to get anything done. Obvious maybe, but it makes me appreciate why even small partners need paying and communicating to quickly. Delay hurts.
- It’s all about numbers. A good friend advised me to calculate my H1 burn rate (what I need each month to survive) and think about the money pot in terms of retainer work (meaning for example 40 days for Project X over 4 months) and ad-hoc work. Or rocks and pebbles as he calls it
- Don’t undersell yourself. If you have specialist knowledge and you are good - then reflect that in your pricing. Sure, don’t overprice - you want a client to be comfortable, but at the same time have balls.
January 17th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Congrats Paul!
Wishing Liddysoft all the success in the world.
And you are so right about smaller players having to follow up, follow up, follow up. It’s hustle and flow, baby. One other thing - don’t underestimate the importance of personal customer service. When you deal with people person-to-person, rather than MotherCorp-to-FacelessCashCow, they appreciate what you can do for them and the relationships with your clients are based on respect. Much more fulfilling for both parties - and enjoyable to boot!
Speaking of which (caution: shameless self promotion alert!), you my friend are a prime candidate for a good remote support tool (since you now sit in your kitchen drinking lattes and pondering your investment portfolio from 9 to 5…). You know that our RemoteCall 4.0 is fast, but email me…I’ll get you hooked up Jeff-style (that means no charge, bro)
Since it’s Friday afternoon already here in The Big Sushi, I think I’ll go out and raise a few glasses of sake on your behalf!
Good on ya’ Paul!
Jeff
February 15th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Well stick me in a dress and call me Sally!!
If it isn’t me olde mucker Paul Amery.
It’s amazing what happens when you stick “Paul Amery” into google.
You’ve come along way since your college days at North Lindsey Tech.
I still have nightmares about COBOL!
Good to see you are doing so well, good luck in your new venture
I’m sure Liddysoft will be a great success.
The Nickster
February 16th, 2008 at 2:28 am
Nick! How you doing? Drop me a line 07773 767038 or email paul@liddysoft.com with your contact details