68: The pitch to the "lower middle market"

Key takeaways

Philadelphia is facing a strike involving unionized sanitation workers, leading to increased trash issues in the city.
Daniel is taking on more project management tasks, resulting in personal satisfaction and improved workload handling.
Chris is preparing a talk aimed at non-tech companies, promoting the importance and benefits of custom software.
The Kapow software rollout is progressing, with plans for additional features and increased marketing efforts.
Community engagement and relationship-building are vital for sustained professional growth and networking.

Summary

City Issues and Project Management Developments

Daniel and Chris kick off the episode discussing the current trash problems in Philadelphia, highlighting the union problems impacting sanitation workers. They humorously relate Philadelphia's issues to New York's, describing the hot, trashy summer days. The conversation then transitions to project management; Daniel shares that he is now more involved in project management, leading to increased peace of mind, while Chris describes his recent coding revelries, including a technical problem they’ve been working to resolve regarding state changes in their application.

Reflecting on Personal Workload and Responsibilities

Both hosts reflect on their workload and the added responsibilities that come with project management and upcoming talks. Daniel mentions feeling prepared and accepts the new challenge with a positive outlook while considering the balance with his existing workload, including his involvement in some intense coding sessions. Chris shares struggles with finding enough busy work, revealing the complexity of juggling multiple responsibilities amid recent high-pressure tasks.

The Push for Talks and Networking Opportunities

Chris is preparing a talk focused on encouraging non-tech companies to leverage tech solutions. He discusses the potential audience: lower middle market businesses that may not be well-versed in tech but are in need of custom software solutions. He identifies the importance of presenting data-driven arguments about the benefits of building versus buying software solutions, referencing strategies to reach out and connect with potential clients.

Insights into Software for Internal Use and Future Goals

Discussions shift to 'Kapow,' their software tool, and the goals for the upcoming quarter. Chris highlights the importance of product revenue and how they plan to engage clients by enhancing Kapow’s functionality, with an emphasis on delivering high-value features. They brainstorm strategies for effectively selling this product while reflecting on their existing clients and experiences. Daniel brings up the possibility of recruiting talent to boost their sales efforts should the market allow.

Community Engagement and Feedback Loops

Towards the end of the episode, discussions turn to community engagement and the importance of maintaining relationships within their professional network. Daniel highlights past efforts to provide feedback on products and how this has yielded positive returns. Chris echoes this sentiment, noting the importance of visibility and participation in their community, while promoting supportive networking in the technology field.

Show notes

Daniel and Chris are nearly done with Verbs 1.0. We settle into our new roles. John prepares another talk directed at non-tech companies. Finally, we think through what we want the business to look like at the end of the year. And we recap where we are with Kapow.