Thursday, October 20, 2011
For Sale: Answers
Spigot sells answers. We don't sell computers or telephones or projectors or cameras - we sell answers. We invest thousands of hours a year in researching new technologies, installing new software, learning new technologies, building, experimenting, trying, breaking, fixing, disassembling - understanding what works and what doesn't. Why? So that when a customer asks us a question, we have the answer. Not "a" answer - we have "the" answer - not "a" solution - we have "the" solution. We sell answers to questions and solutions to problems.
Friday, September 30, 2011
What slowdown in the economy?
We keep hearing the scary news from Washington and Wall Street that the nation's economy is in trouble and has had almost no growth. Guess we are lucky, because we have a backlog of work...and, in fact, have been busier lately than we have in years.
In the pictures below you'll see evidence of at least a half dozen projects that we have going on as we speak...and this doesn't include all the ones that are in the queue.
We firmly believe this is the direct result of the quality of the work we perform and the solid relationships we've built with our clients over the years. We've heard too many stories from people who've been given the hard sell by a company that was only looking out for their bottom line. To us, the best way to grow a business is by understanding each client's unique needs and providing the best solution to meet those needs, regardless of whether that is the most profitable solution for us.
Perhaps that is why our workload has actually increased in this economy!
In the pictures below you'll see evidence of at least a half dozen projects that we have going on as we speak...and this doesn't include all the ones that are in the queue.
We firmly believe this is the direct result of the quality of the work we perform and the solid relationships we've built with our clients over the years. We've heard too many stories from people who've been given the hard sell by a company that was only looking out for their bottom line. To us, the best way to grow a business is by understanding each client's unique needs and providing the best solution to meet those needs, regardless of whether that is the most profitable solution for us.
Perhaps that is why our workload has actually increased in this economy!
Monday, September 26, 2011
Mobilize Your Workforce
Getting employees out of the cubical and into the world is proving to be an effective way to lower costs, increase productivity and increase an employee's job satisfaction - so why are we so slow to embrace the new business model of the "Virtual Office"?
I think there are two big barriers to businesses embracing this model:
First, it requires an entirely different management style. A style that is comfortable with loose reigns on employees and more concerned with performance management than time management. For some organizations, this is simply not possible. For many though, the barriers are simply in thinking and avoidance to change.
The second barrier to embracing this type of work environment is technology. The technology to provide anytime/anywhere access to all of the data and communications a "virtual" worker would need is available and proven. However, it takes a deeper level of commitment to embracing such technology and to committing the resources to make it work.
In the past decade the world has sped up. Now, your Facebook page is almost as important as your sales brochures and if you aren't in constant contact with your customers, you can be sure your competitors will be.
I think there are two big barriers to businesses embracing this model:
First, it requires an entirely different management style. A style that is comfortable with loose reigns on employees and more concerned with performance management than time management. For some organizations, this is simply not possible. For many though, the barriers are simply in thinking and avoidance to change.
The second barrier to embracing this type of work environment is technology. The technology to provide anytime/anywhere access to all of the data and communications a "virtual" worker would need is available and proven. However, it takes a deeper level of commitment to embracing such technology and to committing the resources to make it work.
In the past decade the world has sped up. Now, your Facebook page is almost as important as your sales brochures and if you aren't in constant contact with your customers, you can be sure your competitors will be.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Chamber Golf Outing
Spigot Networks, a proud member of the Freeport Area Chamber of Commerce, is an equally proud supporter of Chamber activities.
Today is the Chamber's 13th Annual Golf Outing and, though we weren't able to support them on the course, we were more than happy to provide "goodies" for their starter bags. This year, we upped the ante a little and were able to provide 5 ball markers...for those who weren't able to chip in from the fairway.
If you weren't able to make it out and would still like some free ball markers, send us an email through the website or our Facebook page and we'll get them out to you.
Good luck to all the golfers!
Today is the Chamber's 13th Annual Golf Outing and, though we weren't able to support them on the course, we were more than happy to provide "goodies" for their starter bags. This year, we upped the ante a little and were able to provide 5 ball markers...for those who weren't able to chip in from the fairway.
If you weren't able to make it out and would still like some free ball markers, send us an email through the website or our Facebook page and we'll get them out to you.
Good luck to all the golfers!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Spigot Networks Hires Business Manager
Spigot Networks is proud to announce the hiring of Matthew Smith as Business Manager.
Matt comes to Spigot with a unique mix of education and experience. He received and Associate's degree in business from Highland Community College, a bachelor's from the University of Wisconsin at Platteville and an MBA from Illinois State University. Matt also has multiple years of experience in management, marketing, analysis and merchandising with the Blain's Farm and Fleet organization and The Swiss Colony.
In this position, Matt will take the day-to-day financial operations away from Dave and the rest of the tech team, allowing them to focus all of their attention on servicing clients and expanding the client base. In addition, he will be responsible for all marketing activities, including Facebook, Blogger, LinkedIn and any future marketing campaigns.
We are excited to have him on the team as an integral part of taking Spigot Networks to the next level.
Matt comes to Spigot with a unique mix of education and experience. He received and Associate's degree in business from Highland Community College, a bachelor's from the University of Wisconsin at Platteville and an MBA from Illinois State University. Matt also has multiple years of experience in management, marketing, analysis and merchandising with the Blain's Farm and Fleet organization and The Swiss Colony.
In this position, Matt will take the day-to-day financial operations away from Dave and the rest of the tech team, allowing them to focus all of their attention on servicing clients and expanding the client base. In addition, he will be responsible for all marketing activities, including Facebook, Blogger, LinkedIn and any future marketing campaigns.
We are excited to have him on the team as an integral part of taking Spigot Networks to the next level.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Friday, July 10, 2009
Smartphone wars...
The iPhone has dominated the smart phone market since it was released about two years ago. Between it's signature Apple design and insanely good software and touch interface, no one has come close to matching the iPhone. The folks at InfoWorld size up the Palm Pre and the iPhone 3GS in the article "Deathmatch: Palm Pre vs. iPhone" and come to the conclusion that Palm may have a serious contender. This may be music to the ears to some of those of us living in areas where AT&T/iPhone service is not available and the sorely uninspiring Blackberry Storm has been the best option. With the Sprint powered Palm Pre being a viable option in our area, having a truly first-class smart phone option will be welcome news to those who more and more find their mobile devices indespensible tools for staying connected and productive.
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