Merge | Web Design Greenville, SC blogs

9 Ways to Change Attitudes and Behavior

Adam Landrum — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:37:47 +0000

Simple Timeless Advice for Maximizing Relationships

Last week I've started my semi-annual listening of Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People." I don't listen to it for the direct benefits as the title implies, but I do listen to it because I've realized that dealing with people on a day to day basis is so crucial. From interviewing, to employee relationships, prospects to clients--a simple tweak in one's attitude can make or break an outcome, whatever that may be. Simple advice such as "smile more" or "never criticize" (still working on that one) are timeless, simple pieces advice to heed. I've also found that I need to be reminded of these simple truths as they can make such a huge difference in inter-personal relationships.

The book touches many different levels of relationships, and here are 9 ways from the book regarding leadership.

A leader's job often includes changing your people's attitudes and behavior. For instance:

Begin with praise and honest appreciation.
Call attention to people's mistakes indirectly.
Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person.
Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.
Let the other person save face.
Praise the slightest improvement and praise every improvement. Be
"hearty in your approbation and lavish in your praise."
Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to.
Use encouragement. Make the fault seem easy to correct.
Make the other person happy about doing the thing you suggest.

See the full summary of the book.

How to Win Friends and Influence People is a must read if you haven't done so. If you have read it, do it again. Order it today--and if you haven't discovered Audible.com (for your blackberry, iPhone, iPod, etc.), you can buy it once and listen to it over and over and over.

Bottom Line: Personal Relationships can be maximized with the right attitude--you may be surprised how such a small of a tweak in your attitude can positively affect others in a huge way.

Team Merge Conquers 13.1

Matt McFadden — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:33:34 +0000

The Spinx Half Marathon. Seems like a great team building opportunity, right? In truth it really was, although some of us were a little shaky the morning of when we were staring down 2 plus hours of running. And some of us were shaky in the days after the run due to a "perceived" lack of training. To be honest, I really thought my "Two Week Half Marathon Training Plan", coupled with Mike's "V-8 is All You Need Training Plan", would be something I turned into a national best seller. Now I'm convinced I would probably face an uphill legal battle from whoever subscribed to those theories.

All kidding aside, what did we as Team Merge really get out of it? In a run that long, we were probably not all going to run together during the race. Some of the team actually did train together, but keep in mind the aforementioned training plans and it's pretty clear not all of us were as gung-ho as others. There was a great deal of collaboration pre-race. Put the marketing minds together with the production team and you get some great Merge race attire. Gearing up as runners from the 70's was a big hit on race day. Post-race is always a great time, that goes without saying. But really, it's what happened during the course of that 13.1 miles that really paid dividends for me. This was not my first Half, but it was for almost everyone else. I know how difficult it is, and it teaches you a lot about those that step up and finish that kind of distance. It is not easy. You want to quit, but somehow your mind takes over and pushes you forward, especially when you are running for others. You see the team on the course, you high five them, you don't want to let your team down. And no one did. That in itself was the greatest value to us as a team, knowing that when someone says they will step up and finish a job, you can bank that they will.

A special thanks to Spinx, the Greenville Track Club, Set Up Events and all the volunteers for putting on a tremendous event. Even in the rain, you all made it much more enjoyable.

Bottom Line: When your teammates step out of their comfort zone, whether at work or at play, and finish a pretty daunting task laid in front of them, you have faith that not only will you or your business be ok, you're going to breakthrough.

Merge Tours BMW Factory

Kim Murphy — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:07:25 +0000

An Inspiration in Efficiency and Innovation

What does a web development firm have in common with a car manufacturer? Better yet, what can they learn from one? This is what I, a woman with no interest in cars whatsoever, wondered when Adam asked me to schedule a BMW factory tour for Merge's monthly Lunch and Learn session. Nevertheless I booked us a tour and passed on the request for the team to be on the lookout for efficiency and innovation.

For those of you who aren't familiar with the BMW US factory, it's located in Spartanburg, SC. The plant is over 4 million sq feet and employs 5,000 people to produce the X5 and X6 (and soon the X3) sports cars. The campus generates its own power on-site, offers fully equipped medical facilities including an on-site pharmacy and provides 24-hour security and firefighting personnel.

Upon entering the factory we were in immediate agreeance that the first thing Merge should take away from this experience were the robots. The giant robots assembling the car bodies were so agile and quick- it didn't seem possible that they should be moving in that impressive fashion. We could definitely use some of those guys to dish out the sodas, coffee, and Mast General candy around the office. Maybe they could take over the developing while we're playing a game of Mario Kart? But in all seriousness and with robots aside, the BMW plant oozes with excellence, efficiency, and innovation.

Most of the cars produced at the plant are custom made. Those who purchase BMW cars know they are purchasing an excellent quality, high performing, beautifully designed vehicle that can be tailored to their needs. Merge has the same philosophy- we provide high performance websites, quality support, and a goal oriented, user-friendly designs. You won't find any premade website templates at Merge- we create websites based on our clients' individual digital strategies.

Once the body of a BMW car is assembled and painted, it is then disassembled and it's parts are sent away on separate assembly lines for their innards (can you tell I don't know a thing about cars?) to be installed. The amazing thing about this process is that those parts will end up together again at the end of the line, with the exact parts they were originally assembled with. How do these parts run through 2.5 million square feet of a factory and end up together at the end? Think of all the precise behind-the-scenes work those machines must be doing. It all about details, details, and more details. Similarly, Merge kicks off the website creation process by getting the whole production team together for brainstorming. Each member of the team studies the project's requirements, creative brief, time line, and budget. Once all of the details have been thoroughly fleshed out we separate to design or develop our individual pieces, and later come together to form a cohesive whole. We do this by paying attention to the details, and sticking to those details. Being able to work on our parts concurrently and later merge (no pun intended) them together allows us to be more efficient with our time.

As you walk throughout the BMW factory you will notice large display boards that feature the real time efficiency rate of the plant. As awesome as it would be to have these counters in our office (maybe with a siren and flashing red lights when a project falls behind?), let's be realistic. How can you track your company's efficiency more efficiently? Team Merge asked ourselves this question and made a list of features we would love to include in our new project management software. We also recently hired Michelle, a project manager with an excellent track record, to improve Merge's project efficiency. She has developed a new project template for us that is sure to plan out our time and resources like never before. She is Merge's built-in efficiency counter.

BMW is continually working to improve themselves- whether it's to improve the energy usage at the plant (reevaluating their in-plant lighting requirements), improving their products (always improving the standard features in their cars), or boosting employee morale (offering an on-site pharmacy), they have a constant commitment to innovation. Merge also takes pride in our quest for innovation. As Adam has said, there's always a better way. For example, we recently implemented the process of sketchboarding at Merge, Mike created an in-house web app that provides a better way to keep track of support items, and we are constantly coming up with new ways to keep a healthy balance of hard work and play (bonuses for finishing the Spinx Runfest, anyone?).

Bottom line: It takes many different angles to be a top notch company. BMW is a shining example of one, and a company that any business can learn a lot from. So book your company a factory tour, put on your safety glasses, and pay close attention. You're sure to walk away with a few new insights to better your company.

Innovation: There's always a better way.

Adam Landrum — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:51:52 +0000

To innovative you must allow your employees to innovate.

When I was thirteen, I was working a summer job at a mobile home park in Michigan, where I did a slew of miscellaneous manual work. I literally was digging ditches, painting fences, and anything else that needed to get done.

One of the things that needed to get done was to fertilize a field that was probably about 4 acres of grass (or so it seemed like that to me at the time). So instead of just getting behind the spreader and pushing my way through it, I had an idea and a better way of going about it.

I tied the spreader to a John Deer riding mower and pulled it. I thought this was pretty ingenious. I was going to get through this task in no time. That is, until the owner pulled up. From an acre away I could see he was not happy. He told me to stop playing around, put the tractor away and get the field done how it’s supposed to be done -- by pushing the spreader.

So I complied. Obviously, this story sticks with me even today. At the time I thought it was such a pitty that the owner was unwilling to allow his employees to innovate. I still do. He instilled in me that day: There is always a better way [and let your employees experiment to find the better way].

In the past two weeks I’ve seen two innovations Merge employees have instituted. I had nothing to do with it. They came up with it on their own. I think they’re going to add a good bit of value to how we do things, which in turn is going to help our clients.

By the way, one of the “innovations” a member of Team Merge, Kim, implemented this week was a technique called sketchboarding to help onboard the team in planning a web site. I don’t know if it’s the way, but we can’t figure out a better way unless we try.

So Kim, thanks for taking the tractor out of the barn. Don't worry, we won't make you put it away :)

Bottom Line: There is a better way to do things, and in order to be innovative, a company must allow its employees to, well, innovate.

The Song Remains the Same

Matt McFadden — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:30:52 +0000

A great album, but a better philsophy.

When we think of our parents, and their parents, and their parent’s parents, and how they conducted business, some might think its decidedly old school and irrelevant now a days. But there’s a great lesson to be learned. They didn’t spend crazy marketing dollars on big time ads, especially if they were a smaller company or family owned business. They got involved. Ever wonder why your grandfather owned a grocery store, an insurance agency, had a share in the feed and seed, and then became the town’s bank president? Because he knew everyone. There's a common thread to genius in our society and societies of the past. They all sought each other out. They all became involved in their community. They may not have had the same trade, but they knew others could make them better. Franklin, Jefferson, and Washington were all known philanthropists, and all pretty successful you could say.

While you might not go on to write the Declaration, you can take some lessons from our forefathers, or even just your mom and dad. Get involved in your community. Serve on a non-profit board, join the chamber of commerce, coach a soccer team, join a Rotary Club. Whatever you have a bona-fide interest in, sign up. I guarantee you will meet not only new friends, but new partners and colleagues. Plus, they will be people you will really enjoy working with, which always make the best clients.

There are two caveats to this practice though. One, the minute you don’t pull your weight, you lose credibility and trust. If you say you will raise $1,000 for an organization, you better give it your all and raise at least $1,000. Second, people will see right through you if you are only there for business reasons, and the minute you start hawking your wares, you have done more damage than good.

People often mistake philanthropists for people who have a good bit of money and need to do some good with it. Truth is, most of these folks obtained that money by being involved early on in local organizations and can probably point directly back to their time in that organization as a time of great growth for them. Most can probably point back to one or two people they met during that time that really helped to grow their business.

Bottom line: Get involved, meet some new people, it will only help you in the long run. Even in a digital age, the song actually does remain the same.

Finding Your Identity as a Company

Adam Landrum — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:00:09 +0000

Decide who you are.

Decide what you're going to provide.

Stick to it. The world doesn't want another burger chain. Another CPA firm. Another Web firm.

Offer what's true to your DNA.

It's harder than you think. But it's worth it.

Creating a Website

Adam Landrum — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:48:04 +0000

It's not just about creating a website, it's about creating a web solution that can grow and adapt with change.

Creating a website usually is more than what meets the eye. Yesterday, we had a prospect come in who was frustrated that they've been trying to get a website done for two years now and have been unable to do so.

Immediately I responded: "Your budget is too low." What you pay for is what you get and in this case, the prospect was trying to pay close to nothing and he actually received less: nothing.

Now, this post isn't about low budgets or cheap prospects, but instead, just a commentary/reality check on what's involved in creating a website. The prospect didn't realize how intensive the creation and/or process of creating a website can be and therefore grossly underestimated the price.

First of all, what most people don't realize is that project management alone accounts for close to 30% of a project budget (and as such they start with a 30% price discount in their head). Managing designers, programmers, copywriters, the client, going to meetings, scheduling, estimating, communicating, creating proposals, quality assurance, revisions, etc. takes up to 30% of the overall budget. And with that, I think I just laid out--or just scratched the surface of what's involved in creating a website. The funny thing is: Once the website is completed, the work has just begun.

Websites will change. The economy will change. The company's strategy--will change. Almost nothing in a business remains static and so why would a website? Creating a website--as successful website--then lies in the execution of the overall strategy the website was created for in the first place. Successfully creating a website means that the web firm has built a foundation in which that website can grow and adapt to meet the needs of its users and the organization.

Bottom Line: Creating a website isn't just about a website at the end of the day--a website is a solution that will evolve and change and must be created in a way that it can be flexible and easily adapted to generate the outcomes it was created for.

Best Websites Help Users Get What They Want

Adam Landrum — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:08:48 +0000

The Law of Reciprocity works for the best websites as well.

There's a law called the Law of Reciprocity, which goes something like this: "Get what you want by helping others get what they want." On the surface it can been manipulative, sneaky--insert your creepy word here.

But the secret to the Law of Reciprocity is about intent. If the person is genuine and really cares about helping other get what they want, then the "Law" just works--and what comes around goes around. What you sow is what your reap, and on and on.

The Best Websites are the same way. A website should help the user get what they want. Inherent in this logic is that the website should be "user-focused" and not company focused. Another way to say it is that it should be outward; not inward. And above all else, the best websites provide value. Users aren't coming to your website to learn about how great you are. Believe it or not, the majority really don't need your phone number or location. They're on your website looking for something. Are you helping them get what they want?

Bottom Line: The best websites help the user get what they want. Focus on the user and your website in turn will deliver what you want.

Change Your Perspective

Adam Landrum — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:16:30 +0000

Why it's important to change your environment to think and get a fresh perspective.

In my last several years, I've noted that my best ideas don't happen in the confines of my office. They typically happen when I am away. I'm either on vacation, in the shower or working at an offsite location (i.e. Starbucks, Coffee Underground, etc.).

I've pondered why this is and have some thoughts. I think when you get away, out of your typical surroundings, your comfort zone, your place of distractions--call it what you want--you begin to see your world from a different perspective. And that slight change of perspective changes everything. The same happens when you ask for an objective opinion from somebody you trust. Their perspective sees your situation entirely differently than you do, and it makes all of the difference in the world.

My point is not necessarily why a change in location makes a big difference in your thinking. My point is that a change in location makes a big difference in your thinking. So what naturally follows is, "What are you doing to get out of the office and create some time to think?" If it does in fact make you think better, provides the enviroment to think or changes your perspective so you can see your situation in a different light, making all of the difference in the world, then what are you intentionally doing to make sure you get away? Have you proactively built "away time" into your schedule?

As I started this post, I've realized over the past couple years that getting away is extremely valuable to me. So I began to work it into my schedule. Twice a year I try to take overnight "personal retreats" to get away and think. I'll head to the mountains, try to grab some time at the beach--something, to get away, be alone and think. Once per month I try to block off a day to go work on something important for the business, sans distractions. I get out of the day to day hecticness and try to work on something very important for the business, and focus my thoughts there. I will also do some thinking, journaling and the like to get my mind going. Lastly, I try to do something relaxing on a weekly basis, like go play golf by myself where maybe I'm not intentionally thinking about anything, but because I'm relaxed and enjoying myself, the thoughts come to me without trying.

I intentionally change my environment to change my perspective, reduce the distractions and put myself in a place where I'm at ease and relaxed. Thinking time is so undervalued and we are so overwhelmed with being busy on a daily basis that it robs us of our thinking time. As such, we have to be proactive to get away and think on a regular basis. If you do, you'll find that it's amazing what your brain can do!

Bottom Line: If you really want to make a huge difference in your business life (well, personal too), intentionally get away to think on a regular basis.

Measuring: The Power of the Web

Adam Landrum — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:19:57 +0000

Ask a marketer about the effectiveness about: Radio. Billboards. Print. It's sketchy at best, and for radio, it's a flat out guess.

That's what I'm told anyway. It's been said about marketing: "I don't understand it. It's like a train, you just have to keep putting coal in it to make it run."

And so be it. Marketing works. Radio, Billboards, Print. They all work if done properly. The problem is, they're extremely hard to measure. The web on the other hand, oh, the glorious web, can be measured to the nth degree!

Recently, we ran a newsletter campaign and we tested to different subject lines. 25% of the emails we sent to one subject line, and 25% for another. The result? Subject line B was 34% more effective. Do you know how quickly we knew that? Within about 1 hour. The remaining 50% of the email list was sent using subject line B, making those emails 34% more effective than if we would have used subject line A.

Measuring the effectiveness and altering your message doesn't just stop with an A/B test for newsletters. It can be used for Pay-per-click ads, landing pages, rotating home pages, etc. The ability to measure is one of the web's biggest advantages, but the most underutilized feature of the web. Start simple, become more effective and get great results.

Bottom Line: Measuring--and taking action--can make all the difference between a web site that produces results and one that doesn't.