Full disclosure: I've never read another company's blog. That's not to say there aren't gems of wisdom routinely available through such mediums, it's just not something I seek out. So when our progressively forward-thinking Marketing Team would periodically bug Tom and I about launching a company blog, we always felt there were bigger tasks at-hand. Like figuring out what shirts to wear in the Macworld booth (more on that in a later post).

So, why the change?

I think our recent news provided a catalyst. While we've spent the last three years as Acclivity working hard to figure out how to best service our customers and prospective customers, we've always been a distributor of MYOB software. Don't get me wrong, we enjoyed our time distributing MYOB software and we've taken our responsibility very seriously. But without the ability to directly enact change within the product (i.e., through product development), there was always a sense of frustration that we couldn't do more. Our relationship with MYOB Ltd. was more than cordial - it was productive and we were treated better than a distributor probably deserves to be, but at the end of the day we didn't develop the software.

We are always talking to customers. On the phones, in their offices and stores, and at trade shows. Always getting good ideas and "gentle" reminders. In fact, I'm not sure anyone outside these four walls ever really understood the inherent limitations in being a software distributor (vs. a developer). I'm hopeful most of you had more important things to think about than whether your software was developed and built by the same people who sold it to you. But it's important, and not only to us. It's important to every small business owner or bookkeeper who has passed on their feedback over the years. And we're excited at the possibilities.

I doubt our experiment in blogging will change our world, but I now finally understand what our smarter-than-me Marketing Team has known for years. That it's another tool in fostering a two-way dialogue. Another way to communicate important changes, interesting news, and random musings. It's important you know we're here and listening. Working hard on your behalf. We might not always get the answer right, but we're always looking for the right answer.

-Scott

Responses[3]

Posted by Scott Davisson on December 15, 2008 9:49:00 AM EST#