Cool testimony, Carl. There are many reasons I see folks (developers) opt to not follow the recurring license fee/lease model. The first is the need to get cash up front in full, instead of waiting for it to "trickle" in. When one has payroll, family income needs, etc., the recurring license fee model can look bleak in the short run. For me the focus is on nurturing the relationship, and gaining an equitable exchange of value over many years. But, that nurturing cuts both ways, as you found. I am glad to hear you are able to rebuild your client base (and what sounds like a real nice relationship with a lady who you obviously care deeply for).
Gil > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Carl Lindner > Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2008 1:44 PM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: RE: VFP product marketing > > > Bill, > > I have a vertical market application. Version 1.0 was out in 1989. > > Historically, clients pay a monthly lease fee which covers support and > updates. I also allow clients to go to a permanent lease where they pay a > monthly multiple (up front or spread over a few months) and annual > maintenance and support > > The model has provided a reasonable income for almost 20 years. > A number of > my clients have been around for 15 - 19 years. One is on a > permanent lease > which began in 1994 or so. > > I decided this model - back then when I had 3 children less than > high school > age. I could not afford the feast or famine routine. The three > are through > college. Around 2000 - which would have been 30 years of > marriage - my wife > decided we needed a divorce. It was out of nowhere (we had just > bought land > and were planning an upscale home.) Anyway, it hit me hard and > for almost 5 > years I felt sorry for myself and chased every attractive woman within 25 > miles. > > The business was put on auto pilot. For the most part, I did maintenance > only - maybe 5 hours a week of hands on effort. As good as the model is - > it wound down. > > Bill - the attributes you enumerated for a sales assistant are on > the money. > > Oh yea - I am cranking it back up and the opportunity is > tremendous. Along > the way I became involved with a very attractive and personable > woman. She > loves new environments - she loves to meet new people. There are > potential > clients who are not ready to jump and she calls them every week - at a > prearranged time. They love to talk to her - especially the women. Kids, > school, husbands, no topic is out of bounds. On occasion she > cannot call as > arranged - and they wonder if there is a problem! I have to > laugh - it took > over a year to develop an understanding of the software - but > when there is > a technical question - she determines if "Mr. Lindner" is > available! Geee! > > Gil - the model does become a relationship where you and the client > participate for common benefit. I have found everything you mention > correct. If I may add - my clients know their business I do not. So we > encourage them to recommend changes and improvements. Works very well. > > Just my 2 cents. > > Carl Lindner > > > > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf > Of Bill Arnold > Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2008 8:55 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: RE: VFP product marketing > > Michael, > > > > <snipped> That is the reality I deal with in my market, especially > > > now with a major downturn in the automotive market. > > > > > > > I think that we all take a hit with this "downturn" in the > > market. How to find an advantage...hmm.....I still think the "pay as > you > > go" monthly fee idea is better than the few thousand for the one time > purchase. > > > As it happened, we landed a customer yesterday on this (monthly payment) > basis. Frankly, I'm not thrilled with the approach, but we must be > flexible. > > > > Bill > > > > > > [excessive quoting removed by server] _______________________________________________ Post Messages to: [email protected] Subscription Maintenance: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profox OT-free version of this list: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profoxtech Searchable Archive: http://leafe.com/archives/search/profox This message: http://leafe.com/archives/byMID/profox/[EMAIL PROTECTED] ** All postings, unless explicitly stated otherwise, are the opinions of the author, and do not constitute legal or medical advice. This statement is added to the messages for those lawyers who are too stupid to see the obvious.
