DNA Vertical | Blog

DNA VERTICAL 7 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

2012-02-14T20:13:00.000-05:00

In February of 2005, DNA Vertical was founded to deliver professional outsourced business development services at a fraction of the traditional cost. It seems that vision has staying power. Over the last seven years we have adapted and expanded our core service offering while maintaining our focus on our core expertise surrounding sales, marketing and analysis.

From the Fortune 1000 to the entrepreneur, we have enjoyed professional collaboration with a diverse client base through the years. Now with over 40 positive recommendations of our work on LinkedIn®, DNA Vertical is poised for another successful year of business. Our decision to stay small and streamlined has truly benefitted the level of customer service we provide as well as the quality of our work. We have successfully built a reputation for ethical business practices combined with creativity that delivers quantifiable results.

Please allow us to express our thanks to the people who have played a part in allowing DNA Vertical to celebrate a seventh anniversary. This group includes clients, partners, colleagues and a number of valuable mentors. Due to your contribution we are allowed to continue with the same passion we started with.

DNA VERTICAL NOW USING BASECAMP

2011-11-17T10:22:00.001-05:00

Our firm recently started using Basecamp to help manageour projects. Over the years, the practice areas of our firm have grown andrequire additional project management capabilities. Wefeel this will provide an additional level of support for our clients. Having all the information in one place is amajor advantage when working with our business development firm. For a long time we chose not to use such anapplication because we felt it would limit the amount of personal customerservice we like to provide. However, theapplication has advanced enough where we feel we can still provide the customerservice our clients are used to in a more organized way. When you become a client or engage with usfor a project you’ll be added to our project management systemautomatically. This will offer you theability to login at any time and make note of updates to your projects as wellas communicate with our staff.

Why did we chooseBasecamp over another solution? We evaluateda lot of solutions and made our choice based on our needs. Basecamp has a lotof features, but without the fluff. Basecampoffers to-do lists, wiki-style web-based text documents, milestone management,file sharing, time tracking, and a messaging system. It also offers integrationwith 37signals' own Campfire product, a comprehensive chat system. (We have notimplemented Campfire…yet, we’re still using Skype) Basecamp is available inEnglish, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Finnish, Portuguese, Danish, Dutch,Polish, Swedish, Greek, Russian, Hungarian, and Japanese. This will help uswith international clients. There are alarge number of official and unofficial Basecamp addons that are available,mostly created by the Basecamp community. These addons are both in the form ofweb services and desktop or mobile applications.

We’re confident this new solution will help us continuein our perpetual endeavor to be a leading outsourced business development firm.

#SEO is the #1 Source of Leads...

2011-11-08T10:16:00.001-05:00

Beware of SEO Snake Oil...

2011-11-07T18:17:00.001-05:00

Our clients ask us about search engine optimization allthe time. Is DNA Vertical an SEO Company? No. We’rean outsourced business development firm. Can we help you a search engine optimization? Yes. One of our core areas of expertise is marketing,which often includes driving more internet traffic. We understand that search engine optimization relatesto the bottom line. If you search onGoogle for “outsourced business development” our firm will show up on page one,usually listing one organically. So, Iguess we know a little bit about it. Theproof is in the pudding, so they say. We have a clear methodology for searchengine optimization, but it has nothing to do with the current “used car” “snakeoil” “throw a bunch of money at it” approach used by so many today. Our methodology involves a phased approachthat will put you on the path to better search engine rankings. It’s a blue collar approach to a white collarchallenge. To get to page one it will absolutely take time and effort. Anyone telling you different is sellingsomething. We’ll tell you the truth aboutsearch engine optimization and get you on the road without spending afortune. It’s important to realize whatyou’re up against. The reality: only Google defines how you rank in theirsearch engine and no one has control over it except for them. (See warningbelow.) However, Google kindly educates their users on how to best rank. Most of the information is availableonline. Keeping up-to-date with it is awhole other story. That’s where we comein. Our company constantly refines our approach to yield the best results. We would love to discuss your search engineoptimization project. It’s simple, just contact us today and schedule a free 30minute consultation.

Warning

There are a lot of SEO scam artists out there. (We have over 40 recommendations on LinkedIn for our work) Don’t give your money to just anyconsultant who says they understand search engine optimization. We have achieved search engine resultsourselves and we are able to provide a clear and concise methodology forimproving your search engine results in written form. There are no guarantees when it comes tosearch engine optimization. If you seean ad that says “page one guaranteed” avoid it like the plague. If we had a nickel for every client that cameto us with a guarantee of results… well you know how that story goes.

dnavertical.com Update Has Begun

2011-11-04T18:37:00.000-04:00

It has begun...the new dnavertical.com is on it's way. As we encourage our clients, we make every effort to update our website every year. This time were heading in an entirely new direction, but still with a clean concept of design. We'll add more multi-media, info and other features our clients will appreciate. It's a perpetual goal we have. (Making it easier to work with us.) Out with old and in with the new. Look for the update before the end of the year. Have a great weekend.

Why Do Video Analytics Matter?

2011-11-03T15:10:00.000-04:00

A great overview by the folks at Wistia.

Their heatmaps...are the real deal.

Don't Operate In a Vacuum

2011-10-31T16:51:00.000-04:00

Since 2005, our firm has worked on a variety of analysis projects. They come in all shapes and sizes. Analysis is important if you want to make good business decisions. An objective viewpoint from an outside source can push you outside of your comfort zone. We caution our clients to make business decisions based primarily on fact, rather than emotion. It’s easy to get caught in a vacuum, making decisions based on what you feel, rather than evidence. This can be very costly. Deciding whether or not you enter the marketplace, build a product or service, update your web page, attend a tradeshow or whatever else you plan on doing, it must add value to your business. Some clients tend to focus on the strengths and opportunities’ rather than the threats and weaknesses of a venture. The purpose of analysis is to understand what you’re getting yourself into. Sometimes analysis will tell you to pull back and sometimes it’ll tell you to go forward. It’s always good to look at the numbers and make an educated guess based on all the facts. Even then you’ll find that there will be things you did not anticipate in the equation. Sometimes our clients over analyze. This can also be a waste of time and money. It’s important to be balanced and recognize that with everything there’s going to be some risk. Mitigating risk is a more realistic goal and will produce consistent results over time. It’s always fun to speak with clients who have great ideas, but are looking for outside validation. Our firm is committed to providing analysis without the “fluff” of other reputable firms. We’ll get down to the root of the matter quickly and give you information you can use. We use the “tell us the time” approach rather than the “build us a clock” approach to reporting. Analysis need not be wordy or boring. On the contrary, it should be concise and clear. We listen and understand, propose a solution and deliver that solution in a timely manner. There’s no mystery behind the curtain. Analysis is blue collar work that can be tedious, but it’s what we do and we do it well. If you’d like to see how analysis can help your business, please contact us today to schedule a free 30 minute consultation to discuss your needs.

Guided Voicemail: Is It Valuable? Yes.

2011-09-23T09:56:00.000-04:00

Have You Considered a Guided Voicemail Campaign?

DNA Vertical has the ability to take a voicemail message recorded by you and deliver it to your target vertical. Designed for B2B, our team will “guide” your pre-recorded message to the decision maker’s voice mailbox. It’s fast, easy, and cost-effective. This is not voice broadcasting or an auto-dialer. Using the direct number or company phone directory we will navigate the intricacies of your prospects business phone system and deliver your voicemail to the target.

A Real Person Needs To Speak With Reception

Top B2B marketers avoid "autodialers" because they weren't designed for the intricacies of business phone systems. A computer "autodialer" can't speak with receptionists or personal assistants who answer the main line. But with DNA Vertical’s guided voicemail service, a live human actually speaks with the receptionist and is transferred directly into the right person's voice mailbox.

It's More Captivating To Speak With A Human

Nothing makes more impact than the genuine power of a real human voice. For building rapport, strengthening relationships, and conveying captivating enthusiasm, the human voice reigns supreme over vehicles like email and direct mail. Smart marketers who recognize how difficult it is to reach people "live" see bottom-line benefits by giving recipients the power to review communications on their own time, without the intrusion.

Voicemail Is Faster To Execute Than Direct Mail or Live Telemarketing Campaigns

Direct mail campaigns require weeks of planning. Email campaigns are bogged down by technical considerations. "Live" telemarketing campaigns mean complex training and ongoing management. No need to wait 3 weeks for printing and mailing. No need to waste time training telemarketers about the details of your campaign. A DNA Vertical guided voicemail campaign can be started and completed in a remarkably short period of time.

Is Your Website Video Professional?

2011-08-30T14:02:00.000-04:00

What you put on your website says a lot about what your company is all about. Isn't that true? No one can deny that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” This is compounded when it comes to video. So, is there video on your website that shows you don’t really know what you are doing? If so, get rid of it. Here’s the truth: If you have low quality videos on your website, it’s better to have none at all. Corporate videos should be well produced with excellent audio and HD quality playback. Anything less in this era is a strong indicator that you might not be the best choice for your customers. Don't just have video, have professional video.

DNA Vertical Recommended by Senior Manager at FedEx

2011-08-25T14:26:00.004-04:00

"I had the pleasure to work with DNA Vertical for a business opportunity. They provided me a detailed SWOT. During our call, they demonstrated their knowledge and attention to detail by addressing my questions and explaining things further."

You can view many other recommendations on LinkedIn.

DNA Vertical has over 40 Recommendations on LinkedIn®

2011-08-23T10:05:00.001-04:00

DNA Vertical now has over 40 recommendations on LinkedIn®. References are important for us because they provide our new clients with confidence they are making the right choice by working with DNA Vertical. We have worked hard over the years to do our best for our clients, partners and peers. Please feel free to reach out to our references for more information about what we have already done and what we can do for you.

The Risk of Outsourcing Business Development

2011-08-16T08:45:00.001-04:00

Had a bad experience outsourcing business development?

You’re not alone. There are many choices when choosing to outsource your business development. These include individual contractors, national companies and boutique firms like DNA Vertical. How do you know you’re going to get return on your investment? If you’re considering outsourcing business development (one of the most critical portions of your business), here are a few red flags to keep in mind that will eliminate some of the risk of choosing an outsourced business development provider.

Walk Before You Run

Any legitimate outsourced business development provider should be willing to start small to earn your business. Sure, we’re in business to turn a profit, but if your potential business development provider is not willing to earn your trust before moving on to larger projects, that is a red flag. Don’t expect anything less! Outsourced service providers who ask for a lot of money upfront without any guarantees will most often take your money, produce very few results and not lose a second of sleep. Start small, feel comfortable and walk before you run.

Legitimate References

Unfortunately, not everyone is who they are say they are. You can multiply this fact by a thousand the second you open up a web browser. Legitimate references are hard to come by for fly by night companies. That is why we chose to highlight our references with LinkedIn recommendations. DNA Vertical has over 40 positive recommendations on LinkedIn. These are real people that you can contact and they can’t all be wrong. If your provider doesn’t have legitimate references, that is a red flag. When people are willing to attach their name or company to a provider it is a good sign that they have been successful and will probably produce good results for you.

You Should Never Feel Stupid

When you’re getting ready to choose a provider you will most likely go through the typical evaluation process. The most common is a phone consultation. If the provider you’re considering tries the “hard sell” which includes telling you everything you don’t know and how stupid you are and how fortunate you would be to work with them, that is a red flag. Avoid these providers like the plague. They will take your money and then it will only get worse as time passes. The first time you ask for results they will try this again and then again. Your provider should make you feel like working with them was a sound decision, provide good communication and deliver results in a professional manner.

2011 Business Growth Expo - Tampa Bay Business Journal

2011-07-01T12:57:00.002-04:00

Video Overview of the Event provided by the Tampa Bay Business Journal

This event was well put together and productive. The corridors of Raymond James Stadium provided a nice back drop for this modest and local event. Here's a link to the show guide. There were a variety of presenters and we were able to make some great connections that are already proving to be valuable. It was nice to connect with you at this event and we look forward to working with you down the road. Thank you to the Tampa Bay Business Journal for this event and the opportunities it has presented. We plan attending this event in 2012. There were some stand out exhibitors as always. If you are interested in which exhibitors had offerings that can really help your business, please contact us and we'll fill you in.

Prospect Follow-Up Is Critical

2011-03-04T20:03:00.003-05:00

Prospect follow-up is a critical component of the sales cycle. Initial interest in a product or service is just a spark. For it to catch flame, you need to fan the fire. How do you follow-up with your prospects after your first conversation or after your first appointment?

Sometimes we get so tired of chasing people down that we lose focus and take the lazy approach of “calling to touch base,” or “calling to check-in,” both of which bring little value. Our approach is entirely different. We implement follow-up strategies to keep your prospect engaged and moving through the sales cycle. We can engage your prospects in unique ways.

Popular reasons to follow-up with prospects include:

Tradeshow Interest
New Product Information
New Company Information
Recent Success Stories
New Customer References
New Customer Testimonials
New Important Articles

No matter what the need is, when it comes to following-up on your sales prospects, we can help. The process is simple. Just provide us with a list of prospects you have already spoken with that have not yet become customers. They may had a spark of interest before, but the information that we are going to share might just be the fan they need to get their fire going. We’ll reach out to them using an agreed contact method. Along the way, we continue asking for the business so you don’t have to and then we’ll report on our progress. With DNA Vertical, prospect follow-up has never been easier. Utilize us for one campaign or many.

To schedule a free consultation, please contact us.

Outsourced Business Development | DNA Vertical

2011-02-23T17:57:00.002-05:00

Follow us on Twitter®. We provide regular updates regarding our firm, industry related news, tips and tricks. We recognize microblogging as valued communication medium for many of our clients.

Do You Know Your Competition?

2010-12-30T00:33:00.006-05:00

The pace of technological development and the growth of global trade mean that today's business environment changes more quickly than ever before. Executives can no longer afford to rely on instinct or intuition when making strategic business decisions. In many industries, the consequence of making one wrong decision may be to see the company go out of business.

Knowledge is power, but wisdom is the application of knowledge. Hold that thought, because business intelligence as it relates to your competition is powerful, but using that intelligence to make good decisions is wise. That is why "competitor analysis" or the legal and ethical collection and analysis of information regarding the capabilities, vulnerabilities, and intentions of business competitors is something that you should incorporate into all of your business initiatives. (If you feel you don’t have any competition, you probably do. If you still feel that you don’t have any competition, it’s only a matter of time before you will.)

Don’t find out about your competition the “hard way.”

Business professionals know that understanding your competition is important and not just for large corporations. Yet, creating and managing business intelligence is not as easy as it sounds. It’s not rocket science, but it does require professional experience, objectivity and time. Outsourcing your competitor analysis to DNA Vertical will provide you with an realistic view of how you match up to the competition. Maybe you’re considering the purchase of business, considering offering a new product or service or you just want to know what your sales team is really up against. For these and many other reasons, a regular schedule of competitor analysis is invaluable.

A savvy business professional should refuse to invest time and money into anything without having a clear picture of the competition. On the contrary, he/she should learn about the competition, plan for it and execute an informed plan. We cannot emphasize this enough: Don’t find out about your competition the “hard way.” You know…after you’ve already invested thousands of dollars and hours of time on a product, service or business venture that is not even in the same universe as the competition. It will hurt your ego, your pocketbook and leave you feeling abused.

That is why we encourage our clients to perform quarterly competitor analysis to stay on top of things overall. However, when considering any new product or service offering or business venture it is always highly recommended. A thorough competitor analysis service will enable senior managers in companies of all sizes to make more-informed decisions about everything from marketing, R&D and investing tactics to long-term business strategies. Effective competitor analysis is a continuous process involving the legal and ethical collection of information, analysis that does not avoid unwelcome conclusions, and controlled dissemination of actionable intelligence to decision makers.

We have tailored a variety of techniques in this practice area to meet the needs of our clients. If you haven’t yet tried our competitor analysis service, please contact us to set up a free 30-min consultation.

United States Sales Representation for the United Kingdom

2010-12-07T22:37:00.004-05:00

Successful businesses know the value of quality sales representation. Sales representatives are some of the most valuable people in any company. The ability to generate revenue and a faithful client base is what keeps a company running. Sales representatives are among the most talented and outgoing members of any business, acting as the face of the company and offering every potential client a personal touch. If your business is in the United Kingdom, you must have a sales presence in the United States.

If you don’t, you are missing out on revenue without a good reason. Maybe you are an executive at a well-known software company in the United Kingdom. Your company has enjoyed great success, but you’re looking to generate new sources of revenue. Why not expand to the United States? Gaining a sales presence in the United States is easier than you think and it has unlimited potential.

You can have a United States sales presence overnight, at fraction of the traditional cost.

DNA Vertical offers solutions for companies who want to quickly establish a sales presence in the United States. These services provide you with instant benefits. (See below)

· Gain an immediate US sales presence working in the Eastern Standard Time Zone.

· Gain a valid US business address to present your United States presence online.

· Gain prompt follow up on US opportunities.

· Gain revenues lost from not having a legitimate and professional US sales representation.

· Gain expansion to the US without breaking the bank.

I know what you might be thinking, “Sounds great, but how much does it cost?” That’s the best part. DNA Vertical offers a variety of affordable pricing options on a monthly hourly retainer basis without any commitment. There are even discounts available for regular clients. You will not find a more affordable way to establish a United States sales presence. It’s fast, economical and professional. Our firm comes highly recommended.

Maybe you don’t have a lot of money to throw around, but you know you are missing out on opportunities in the US because of the time zone or because you don’t fully understand the problems that are facing the market regionally. Prompt and proactive follow up on interest makes the difference between sales or no sales, revenue or no revenue, company or no company. To put it simply, how you follow up on sales opportunities will mean life or death for your business.

Without a doubt, there are many benefits that come from having a sales presence in the United States. Anything a company can do to foster communication across time zones is good for its image. If you knock down some of the barriers, like the cost and the time difference, you will accomplish more, period. Imagine the possibilities that could arise from having a legitimate 24-hour global presence.

Please contact us and set up a free 30 minute consultation. You have nothing to lose and much to gain.

Outsourcing...Not Rocket Science!

2010-07-12T14:59:00.008-04:00

Outsourcing has been around for years, it’s not rocket science. Every company outsources at least one aspect of their business. For example, most companies large and small have a cleaning service or coffee service. Without a doubt, there are portions of a business that are best served through an outsourcing model. However, outsourcing cleaning and coffee is different than outsourcing your business development practice, right? Wrong.

Regardless of the aspect of your business, outsourcing is outsourcing. However, when outsourcing critical business functions there is a higher risk. Instead of a dirty office or lack of java, a bad decision when it comes to outsourcing your business development practice can cost thousands and potentially shut down your business. Thus, most companies want to have direct control over critical business areas and I don’t blame them. Many argue that looking over the shoulder of your employees when it comes to the most critical aspects of your business is an absolute necessity. However, as the old saying goes, “there is more than one way to skin a cat.”

If you have the ability to build trust with a professional business development firm you will find many benefits. Absolute control of your business is a myth. There is no such thing as absolute control. Therefore, you want to work with a company that will produce excellent work at fraction of the traditional cost. How can this be accomplished? Start with small projects and build trust from there. You don’t have to outsource it all. Take a small project or portion of your business and delegate it to an outsourced service provider. Put expectations of quality, delivery, and results on the table before hand. When it comes to outsourcing you want the same thing you want in an employee, namely someone who can produce work independently and in the best interests of your company. If they produce, keep working with them and expand their responsibility as you see fit.

What are the benefits? One clear benefit is that you will get more value for your time. You have to consider how much your time is really worth. If you are a small business you are most likely wearing a lot of different “hats” to keep your business moving in the right direction. Outsourcing portions of your business development effort can free up your time to work on other projects, if you can find a good partner.

Having an expert on the job doesn’t hurt either. If you can find a true professional at a reasonable cost, you can take advantage of the knowledge and skill set of others without losing focus. Another clear benefit is having the ability to expand your business without the normal overhead costs. Employees cost money. Computers, software, space, time, training, salaries and benefits cost money. Employees can be and often are a far more risky proposition than outsourcing. Hiring the wrong employee before they have made you any money can really sink your business. If the hire does not pan out, you will not get that money back. It’s gone.

Outsourcing allows you to have more accountability. When you outsource, you will have a contract with the company you are working with. The outsourcing firm wants to keep your business. YOU are the customer. It’s a much better leverage position in the short and long term if you can learn how to implement outsourcing techniques within your business. Companies worldwide are outsourcing critical business functions, because there are many benefits. If you are careful to invest slowly and build trust on small project basis, you will find that outsourcing is valuable business strategy.

It’s not rocket science. It is outsourcing.

For more information about outsourcing business development, please contact DNA Vertical, Inc.

What is Business Development?

2010-07-08T18:14:00.006-04:00

What is business development? It depends on your point of view.

Wikipedia defines business development this way: “In the field of commerce, the specialist area of business development comprises a number of techniques and responsibilities which aim at attracting new customers and at penetrating existing markets.”

The reality is that “business development” encompasses everything a business needs in order to grow. We have chosen to focus our expertise on the marketing aspects of business development. Through a combination of refined techniques we offer something that most firms cannot. Namely, experience.

You can’t learn what we know from a book. We have done the work, been in the trenches for years and know the difference between results and fluff. A colleague of mine recently told me that he would never hire “an intern” to pilot his river boat down the Amazon and he’s not going to trust his business to “an intern” either. We agree.

The days of one off business development strategies are over. We are in a brave new world and unless you have a great word of mouth reputation or a power backer, you are going to have to do the trench work to grow your business. It takes work every day, week, month, year, etc…

Today, there are a lot of business development/marketing companies which sell you "promises" at a high price and deliver very little. Don’t waste your time and money being told you are stupid because you don’t know what a marketing buzz word is. You are not stupid. If you wanted to be a business development or marketing professional you probably could, but it would take you away from other things, like running your business.

Outsourcing is the best option for this economy outside of doing it yourself. If you find a good company, you simply can’t benefit enough from not having to pay for the overhead expenses of a typical employee. However, you need to take the time to find a firm that is willing to take small steps and earn your trust and respect over time. That’s what DNA Vertical, Inc. does, why shouldn’t every firm? Sure, we are not a fit for everyone, but if you are a small to medium sized business, or entrepreneur, you will not find a more reasonably priced and professional outsourced business development solution out there. Don’t believe it? Let us prove it to you with a 10 hour trial for only $250. You will not want to work with anyone else. So, let's get to work.