Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 8, 2023

Most business professionals I know have been conditioned to think of inflation as highly negative, driving up their costs, and reducing customer buying. I see it as an opportunity to find new ways to attract customers , make long-needed changes to improve productivity, and lower your own costs of doing business.

Outsource 95

Outsource Customer Custom Sample 95

socalTECH

MARCH 30, 2011

Westlake Village-based Zumbox , the provider of paperless billing and delivery systems run by John Payne, has inked a deal with 3i Infotech , a business process outsourcing firm focused on billing and payment handling. Financial details of the partnership were not announced.

Zumbox 160

Zumbox Outsource Westlake Village Customer 160

socalTECH

AUGUST 6, 2020

Irvine-based outsource customer support and experience services provider Alorica claims it plans to hire more than 33,000 people, saying it has added more than 20 new clients in the first half of the year. The company already has operations in 14 countries, employing 100,000 providing customer experience services to brands.

Outsource 113

Outsource Customer Custom Services 113

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 25, 2014

The days are gone when a techie or a genius could build things in his garage and customers would find and buy the product, based purely on the “wow factor” of the technology. Thus customers and partners rely more and more on personal engagement with people. New technologies are everywhere today. Make it an enjoyable experience.

Customer 99

Customer Custom Startup Content 99

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 6, 2012

Customer service has always been reactionary, meaning someone to wake up and answer website email requests. That’s just not sufficient to hold today’s fickle, less loyal, and ready to jump customer. I found a good summary of these new expectations in a book just published by Micah Solomon, “ High-tech, High-touch Customer Service.”

Customer 97

Customer Custom Services Startup 97

socalTECH

MAY 21, 2019

Irvine-based Alorica , a provider of outsource, business process outsourcing and "customer experience" outsourcing, named Colson Hillier as its new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), the company said on Tuesday. Hillier will lead the company's global marketing and communications efforts, according to the company.

Marketing 113

Marketing Outsource Customer Custom 113

socalTECH

MARCH 23, 2020

Irvine-based outsource customer support provider Alorica said last week that it is ramping its "Alorica-At-Home" program, its existing work-at-home program for customer service.

Outsource 113

Outsource Customer Custom Help 113

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 6, 2012

As I visit the websites of many startups, as well as more mature businesses, I still too often see a “contact” page offering nothing but a sterile form for customers to submit, never to be heard from again. Customers are not all like you, and they have choices, so a “one size fits all” customer service is no longer a viable option.

Social Media 91

Social Media Customer Custom Media 91

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 11, 2013

As I visit the websites of many startups, as well as more mature businesses, I still too often see a “contact” page offering nothing but a sterile form for customers to submit, never to be heard from again. Customers are not all like you, and they have choices, so a “one size fits all” customer service is no longer a viable option.

Social Media 99

Social Media Customer Custom Media 99

socalTECH

OCTOBER 15, 2018

said this morning that it is opening up a new, "customer care" center in Phoenix, where it hopes to hire 100, as an addition to its existing customer care operations center in Los Angeles. According to Wag, it plans to hire agents and managers in Phoenix to support its customers, walkers, and dog sitters. READ MORE>>.

Outsource 113

Outsource Los Angeles Customer Custom 113

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 20, 2016

If you have a software development background like mine, I’m sure you often get questions about when to outsource, versus building the solution in-house. Outsourcing is defined as contracting the work to another company, usually located in a developing country, like India, China, or Eastern Europe. Factor in all the cost elements.

Outsource Development 53

Outsource Development Outsource Software Review Technical Review 53

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 17, 2016

For too many small businesses, customer service is still seen as a “burden.” The report also indicates that customer problem experiences continue to increase, up four percent to 54 percent since the last study. These days, relationships and online reviews are key drivers for over 80 percent of new customers.

Customer 56

Customer Custom Startup Satisfaction 56

SoCal Tech Calendar

APRIL 15, 2010

With offshoring, custom solutions became much more cost effective, but at the expense of increased management or sometimes increased project failure risk. Sometimes the function being outsourced is just across the street. So what do you outsource: Core or Context or both? Wednesday, April 21, 2010 -- Build vs Buy.

Outsource Development 100

Outsource Development Outsource Offshore Examples 100

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 15, 2013

Customer service has always been reactionary, meaning someone has to wake up and answer website email requests. That’s just not savvy enough to hold today’s fickle, less loyal, and ready to jump customer. This exemplary customer service is just savvy marketing. Respect your customer’s view of usability.

Customer 89

Customer Custom Services High Tech 89

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 11, 2012

Since my background includes software development, I often get the question about when to build a solution in-house, versus outsourcing it to a local company, near-shore service, or off-shore organization in China, India, or Eastern Europe. Don’t outsource your core competency. It’s like giving up control of your company.

Outsource Development 89

Outsource Development Outsource Software Development Software 89

InfoChachkie

APRIL 20, 2015

Rather than directly explaining their value proposition with all the passion and heartfelt stridency that only an entrepreneur can deliver, they outsource this communication to a Public Relations (PR) firm. Rather, it translates into “Passionate Relationships” and passion can never be outsourced. Image: AP Photo/Francois Mori.

Outsource Development 100

Outsource Development Outsource Allegis Startup 100

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 18, 2019

Crowdstrike said the partnership will see Wipro offering up CrowdStrike's Falcon platform to its customers worldwide. Wipro provides information technology, consulting, and business process outsourcing. Financial details of the partnership were not announced. READ MORE>>.

Outsource Development 124

Outsource Development Outsource Platform Software 124

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 21, 2019

Los Angeles-based customer experience and business process outsourcing provider TaskUs is expanding its executive team, saying this morning that it has named Robert Hayes as its new Chief Delivery Officer (CDO), and Curt Gooden as its new Chief Information Officer (CIO).

CIO 147

CIO Outsource Los Angeles Customer 147

socalTECH

DECEMBER 15, 2020

San Diego-based outsourced healthcare R&D marketplace Scientist.com said this morning that it will acquire HealthEcnomics.com , which operates an online community of scientists and suppliers of heatlh economics and outcomes research. Financial details of the acquisition were not announced. READ MORE>>.

Outsource 113

Outsource Research San Diego Acquisition 113

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 14, 2023

I see too many business plans that are really product plans for customers, touting free services and long feature lists. No product, even with a large opportunity, is ready to scale until you can show it working, with multiple customers paying the full price, to validate the business model. Word-of-mouth does not scale.

Tips 135

Tips Invest Startup Outsource 135

socalTECH

APRIL 4, 2019

eTailPet lets pet stores create their own websites, post their catalog, accept orders for in store pickup or delivery, and more, offering up a number of templates, mobile optimization, and outsource customer support. The startup is led by Founder and CEO Bere Giannini.

Seed Funding 222

Seed Funding Funding Template Southern California 222

socalTECH

MAY 2, 2016

iQor , a provider of outsourced customer service and support, said Friday that it is planning to hire over 150 people in Simi Valley, as part of a major expansion. Petersberg, Florida--has over 35,000 employees across 18 countries offering up outsource business services. iQor--which is based in St. READ MORE>>.

Outsource 100

Outsource Customer Custom Media 100

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 29, 2023

For example, both need to provide exemplary customer service, build customer loyalty, and provide real value for a competitive price. If you don’t have a high level of commitment and passion, you customers won’t seek you out. Customers can touch and see a great product, but services are a bit ethereal. Marty Zwilling

Startup 111

Startup Training Services Writing 111

socalTECH

AUGUST 9, 2018

Santa Monica-based business outsourcing service provider TaskUs , founded by Bryce Maddock and Jaspar Weir, said this morning that it has raised $250M in an investment round. The investment came from private equity investor Blackstone Group. According to TaskUs, the funding round values the company at $500M. READ MORE>>.

Outsource 100

Outsource Santa Monica Social Media Commerce 100

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 11, 2023

Here are five key ones to celebrate: Enjoy the feedback from every satisfied customer. Talking to real customers is the best way to keep your inspiration alive, as well as the best way keep on track with changing trends and future innovation ideas. Increasing customer focus and loyalty.

Startup 118

Startup Satisfaction Customer Custom 118

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 17, 2011

Since my background includes software development, I often get the question about when to build a solution in-house, versus outsourcing it to a local company, near-shore service, or off-shore organization in China, India, or Eastern Europe. Don’t outsource your core competency. It’s like giving up control of your company.

Outsource Development 90

Outsource Development Outsource Software Development Software 90

InfoChachkie

DECEMBER 2, 2009

As noted in Pour and Stir Part I , the key to the successful execution of this strategy is managing the following equation: The cost to acquire a customer < lifetime value of a customer. Decreasing Your Customer Acquisition Costs. This is equivalent to being handed a free customer for every ten customers you acquire.

Customer 164

Customer Custom Advertising SEM 164

Berkonomics

JANUARY 28, 2021

This one is using outsourced development, support, outsourced customer relations and more. The company had grown to forty employees and a healthy eight figure gross revenue run rate but has absorbed over $36 million of angel and VC money to do so, and without yet reaching breakeven.

Outsource Development 156

Outsource Development Startup Outsource Venture Capital 156

socalTECH

APRIL 4, 2019

eTailPet lets pet stores create their own websites, post their catalog, accept orders for in store pickup or delivery, and more, offering up a number of templates, mobile optimization, and outsource customer support. The funding was led by Moonshots Capital. The startup is led by Founder and CEO Bere Giannini.

Seed Funding 154

Seed Funding Funding Template Southern California 154

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 24, 2020

Los Angeles-based Credit Key , a startup which helps e-commerce merchants offer up instant point-of-sale financing to customers, has raised $33.85M in its Series A funding. Tomich was previously founder of Onestop Internet, which provided outsourced handling of e-commerce for major brands. READ MORE>>.

Commerce 113

Commerce Outsource Los Angeles Sales 113

socalTECH

JANUARY 7, 2015

Irvine-based customer service outsourcing provider Alorica said Wednesday afternoon that it has paid $275M for the agent services businesses of West Corporation. alorica business process outsourcing west corporation merger acquisition customer service nearshoring offshoring' billion in revenues in 2015. READ MORE>>.

Offshore 100

Offshore Outsource Customer Custom 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 25, 2023

Outsourcing the entirety of building a new system. Outsourcing may look like a quick and easy solution, but you can’t let a partner or supplier drive your business strategy and direction, and it will never absolve you of the responsibility of providing business success.

Outsource Development 140

Outsource Development Outsource Startup Metrics 140

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 13, 2022

You may feel good when that first burst of customers arrives, but don’t assume that “ word of mouth ” and those early adopters will grow your business to match your dreams of success. In these days of global competition via multiple channels, you need continuous marketing to find more customers. They won’t find you.

Technical Review 142

Technical Review Social Media Conference Customer 142

socalTECH

JULY 1, 2016

Irvine-based business outsourcing provider Alorica said Thursday that it has acquired Expert Global Solutions, Inc. , a provider of outsourced, customer service and financial collections services. EGS was based in Plano, Texas. billion in 2016 revenues, with 48,000 employees in the U.S.,

Outsource 113

Outsource Acquisition Services Customer 113

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 29, 2021

Even before the recent pandemic, when more people began working remotely , I noticed the dynamics changing in many workplaces, both between employee interaction with peers, and interactions with customers. Customers will be impacted and less likely to have a memorable experience. Measure results in terms of customer satisfaction.

Satisfaction 108

Satisfaction Outsource Study Platform 108

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 5, 2022

They are more sensitive to customer needs and see peer collaboration as the most effective decision process. Modern Internet communication and video meeting software have given new scope and immediacy to communal work efforts and customer feedback. Outsourcing and working from home needs coordination.

Outsource 133

Outsource Training Organization Social Media 133

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

TaskUs recently reached 15,000 employees , by offering up a range of customer service and business process outsourcing services. The two received the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2019 Award in the Services category, one of only 11 categories awarded in the E&Y program.

Entrepreneur 124

Entrepreneur Southern California Outsource Santa Monica 124