Avonelle's Biztalk posts

Opinions on my positioning

I'm looking for some opinions on how I'm intending to position my services.

I'm a custom software developer. A lot of freelancers like me tend to work with one or a couple of different placement firms, but I prefer to work directly with clients. Also, many freelancers are hired by IT staff for larger organizations, but my preference is to work directly for business people in small to mid-sized organizations. (But not TOO small, as organizations with < 10 people typically can't afford custom software.)

My thinking is that instead of focusing on my technology skills, I should really be positioning myself as someone who will make the custom software development process less intimidating. My services should focus on the business objectives instead of inundating the customer with lots of geeky jargon.

What do you think? Is this a reasonable approach? Are there risks that I haven't considered? And how do I capture this notion in just a few words - here are some initial tries:

• Jargon-free software
• Geek-less code
• Software without the geek

Site Problems?

I've had some trouble accessing biznik.com over the last couple of days. It seems to resolve itself a few hours later.

Anything we should know about?

Hopelessly bad with names and faces

I recently attended a networking event, and introduced myself to one of the other participants. Later on, as we went around the room introducing ourselves and talking about our businesses, I realized I had met this person a month previous, and had spoken with him for several minutes about his business!

Ugh.

I really struggle with retaining names and faces. Of course, because I know this I get nervous which just makes the situation worse. I'm so happy when I attend an event where they have name tags - I stand a much better chance of at least remembering someone's name if it is right in front of me. But in this case, even that probably wouldn't have helped me. His name didn't ring a bell for me - just his business.

Does anyone have any suggestions for good books or articles that helped them with this problem? If this keeps up, people will start to believe those stereotypes about software geeks and their poor people skills!

Thanks!

Any interest in a Twin Cities event?

I'm wondering if there are enough people in the Minneapolis / St. Paul area to try a Biznik event? I'm thinking we would start with something simple, like a happy hour networking event.

If you would be interested in attending such an event, please note what days of the week and times are typically good (or bad) for you, and suggestions for a venue or general location.