Archive for April, 2009
The World’s Easiest Franchise
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When you think of the word “franchise”, you probably think of McDonald’s, KFC, Car Valet services and many many more. These full-on franchise businesses usually involve a large injection of cash up-front, extensive training, premises that are fitted out with the corporate colour scheme, staff uniforms etc. etc.
At the heart of the franchise business model though is a simple but vital component; duplication. The franchise model is built entirely on the ability to duplicate business processes (and success) over and over. You basically take a fully fledged recipe for a profitable business, follow it step by step and success should follow. This process is usually so well defined, that customers come to expect a high level of consistency, with service and products, at any franchise operation of a given business (e.g. a Big Mac is expected to be almost identical from any McDonalds outlet).
Franchising is a very powerful business model which, if you follow the recipe, can lead to consistent and predictable results. The biggest stumbling block for many people would be the initial investment required. This is often in the order of tens (sometimes hundreds) of thousands of dollars.
But what if this obstacle could be removed? Furthermore, what if you could also remove the need to hire staff, the need to operate from a dedicated premises, and even the need to go through a lengthy training program? What if all you had to do is two simple things:
1. Buy hamburgers for personal consumption
2. Encourage others to do the same
Would you be able to do that? Around 95% of people would respond with a resounding “yes”, it’s a no-brainer. Now, eating hamburgers as a franchise opportunity doesn’t actually exist (maybe I should look into that?). Equally simple “franchise” opportunities DO exist, they follow the exact same 2-step model given above, are available to ANYONE without massive up-front investment, and require no staff or premises EVER (unless you want to go that way of course).
I know this because I have one of these simple “franchises”, I spend a small amount of time on it every week (because I don’t have a shop, staff, or retail sales to make) and I have been able to assist others in doing the exact same thing.
Anyone can do it – if you want more information, mail me at mail@garywilmot.net, or phone +61 424 332 489
Gaz
Web Apps
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Some time ago, on a previous incarnation of my blog, I mentioned the subject of web apps. At the time there was a lot of debate (and still is) about which technology was best for web apps. AJAX was really beginning to take off, Java was sticking firmly to its Enterprise world, Adobe were releasing Flex and Microsoft responded with Silverlight. In addition, there was (are) a zillion different toolkits and frameworks in various languages (Ruby, PHP, Python, Perl…)
Now everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but for me the main decision comes down to “what sort of site are you building?” If you are building an information site where people click around and read stuff, maybe fill in a contact form or post to a forum – that style of app is served very well by a combination of HTML, DHTML and JavaScript (even AJAX).
If you’re building an online equivalent to a desktop application – HTML and AJAX suck – end of story. I’ve written thousands of lines of code using this more traditional style, and it is a serious pain in the backside. It’s the biggest reason I have long held out hope that Java would become the dominant web app technology. A Java app can be programmed in the same way as a windowed desktop app, can maintain state, and can be made as robust and responsive as any desktop application.
But there is a huge problem with Java, for me anyway; it feels too thick and heavy, and all the goodies that help people create Enterprise solutions with it seem to get in the way of “Rich Internet Application” development.
So what’s the answer? HTML is too fragile, Java is too heavy – Silverlight? No thanks – I’ve been a Windows programmer for a long time but there’s something about dotNet, and Silverlight in particular, that leave me feeling underwhelmed – but that’s another topic entirely.
The technology that has won me over is Adobe Flex. I know some people have issues with Adobe, but I have used it for a number of apps now and it strikes the right balance; it’s not too heavy, but it supports the creation of very attractive and usable interfaces, easily. Coming from a background of classic client-server development, data-aware controls, and the like, one of the things that threw me initially was the complete lack of any database capability. This actually turns out to be a major strength of Flex.
Even when the pressure is on, you are forced to create a system that separates database code, and presentation layer. You can still hack the business rules in multiple places, but the fact that you are forced to make SOME separation in your code, also discourages you from making “dirty hacks” that are so easy in an environment such as VB or Delphi.
You are also free to use whatever server-side technology suits your experience and/or needs. Implement a fully-fledged Java application server, a Ruby on Rails app, a custom set of PHP scripts, or a SOAP interface in ASP.NET. The choice is yours, the list is endless, and the difference to your Flex application is relatively minimal.
Is it perfect? Of course not, but for my money, when it comes to creating interactive desktop-style web applications you’ll find a good solution with an Adobe Flex RIA, and simple HTTP/HTTPS communication with business/data layers coded in PHP on the server side.
Stimulus Cash – Will You Waste It?
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The Australian Government is currently in the middle of a massive cash hand-back, giving tax-payers up to $900 each in an effort to stimulate the nation’s economy. The idea is that people will rush out and spend the money, giving Aussie retailers a shot in the arm, and giving the economy of a bit of a nudge.
Some people will do this, some will put it into the bank, some will pay off debt, and others will use it in purchases that result in the money leaving our shores. A few people will use the money differently and, in my opinion, a lot more wisely…
Ask yourself this – what would you prefer, a plasma TV right now, or a plasma TV at some point in the near future, plus the cash to deck out your theatre room, the funds to install a surround-sound system, and still more money coming in even after you have done all that?
Most people will opt for the “plasma now” option – perhaps it’s some strange rendering of the “bird in the hand” advice their parents taught them. A minority though will recognise the opportunity to achieve much more with the money.
Let’s assume you’re one of the lucky ones who gets the full $900 – now go ahead and spend $700 on anything you like, anything at all. Yes it will give you some instant gratification I am sure, but I promise you now, the other $200 is going to give you so much more over time.
By following an incredibly simple plan, that $200 can be invested in a way that will easily create an ongoing income for you. It is up to you whether that income is simply a few hundred dollars extra to top up your main wages, or enough to replace your full time income (and beyond). Whatever your goal is, that small sacrifice now will repay you, over and over again.
This is no joke – thousands of people are doing it already. The question is, plasma now, or plasma plus extras later?
Only you can answer that one.
If you decide on the latter – get in touch and I will show you how.
Now For Something Completely Different
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As you read through this blog, you will detect a heavy bias towards online business. This reflects my own personal interest in the subject, and efforts to assist others in achieving success. But online business is only part of the “Tools, Information and Opportunity” story that underpins Avallach Technology.
My other burning desire relates to my background as a software developer and long-term computing enthusiast, and the emergence in recent times of the Free / Open Source “movement”. It’s been a real joy to watch the Linux world evolve from providing out-and-out geek hobbyist toys (powerful, but useless to any non-technical person) to well-rounded distros such as Ubuntu and LinuxMint.
I’ve hovered between these two distros for a while now, having become a Debian fan some time ago, Ubuntu really caught my eye a couple of years back, and I then encountered Linux Mint. Mint is based on Ubuntu, but attempts to create a more usable “out of the box” system, with a cleaner/nicer look and feel. For what it’s worth, I think the Mint developers have achieved what they set out to achieve – in many ways, Mint can easily claim to be a better Ubuntu.
But I still come back to Ubuntu for one simple reason – the time delay between a new Ubuntu release and corresponding Mint update. This isn’t a criticism, just a reason. Hopefully the Ubuntu team will create a different default theme at some stage (in fact I believe that is slated for 9.10), thereby removing one of the main reasons I prefer Mint.
There’s something still not quite right with Linux though – it’s not /quite/ ready to achieve its full potential on the desktop, home or business. The main reason, in my opinion, is an apparent lack of business applications. Now before people start shouting about Open Office, various open source mail clients and all those other wonderful general purpose, “horizontal” apps, I am talking about the more “specialised” business applications that are used on desktops across the globe; payroll, HR, accounts, asset management and specialised database apps in vertical markets.
Once that is solved, and Linux starts to penetrate the small to medium business desktop market, the penetration of the home desktop market will follow. Firstly people will be more comfortable with Linux, having used it at the office, and secondly the creation of business software will probably flow through to apps for home use.
I personally believe we are a long long way away from working with computers much differently than we do now – at the small-to-medium business level “cloud computing” is unlikely to have a huge impact. The biggest change I think we will see in the short-to-medium-term, is that Linux will become the dominant desktop operating system. That’s been promised for a long time now I know, but I still believe it WILL happen, eventually.
Based on what we have today, I personally would love to see Ubuntu become the operating system that kicks Windows off the throne. The efforts and vision of Mark Shuttleworth will be appreciated for many years to come I am sure. It is for this reason that Ubuntu is the “standard operating environment” (SOE) adopted for Avallach Technology, and why one of the things Avallach will be concerned with is creating business software for that environment.
It is envisaged that the software develooped will ultimately help create greater depth to the Ubuntu desktop. With continuing efforts being made with the operating system itself, and active development of business apps, the potential of Ubuntu will finally be realised.
Why You Should Be More Childish
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As adults, when we are presented with something we analyse it, we rationalise it, we think it through, and we try to work out all the potential dangers, and how to avoid them. Quite often we determine that the only sensible course of action is to dismiss the idea completely.
Contrast this with the way a child would view the same thing. To them, the situation would probably appear very simple and they would set off on a direct course from A to B that we, as onlooking adults, would see riddled with danger.
The truth is that the kid will usually come through without a scratch, will succeed in what he or she set out to do, and did not waste nervous energy wondering how a whole heap of imagined obstacles would be overcome. Yes, in a small number of cases the kid does get a scratch, or even breaks a bone, but they usually dust themselves off, put it down to experience, and enjoy having all their friends signing the plastercast.
At what stage do we ADULTS lose that ability? Why do we always have to complicate things for ourselves? Is this what we mean by being “grown up”? Does “growing up” mean you must sacrifice the ability to see things in simple terms, sacrifice the ability to dream, and sacrifice the “let’s just do it” attitude?
If that’s true then, as I have always suspected, growing up SUCKS.
The next time you are out walking and you see a merry-go-round in a kids’ play area, spin round on it a few times. The next time you get the chance to roll down a grassy hill, do it. Once you recapture the lost spirit of childhood in these simple ways, keep hold of it and apply it to your life in general. Life is too short to be grown up and sensible, seize the moments presented to you, and enjoy the success that follows.
I think this concept will form the basis of my new (personal) motto. Forget Rebellious Marketing, Renegade Marketing, Magnetic Sponsoring… this is Gaz, The Childish Marketer…
Why Are People Scared of the G Word?
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If you spend any amount of time, surfing the various offers, looking at various email courses, and reading various eBooks then you will find loads of people actively promoting the fact that they are NOT a guru. They usually follow that with the line “I hate it when people use that word” and so on. Why? It’s simple, because they DO want you to think of them as a guru, but they use reverse psychology to make you think along those lines.
That’s why you no longer see that line on my blog, and why I don’t use that line in any emails. I used to, but that was when I didn’t know any better.
You see, the word “guru” means (variously) teacher, guide, mentor, a recognised leader in a field, trusted advisor, and leader/advisor of a person or group of people. Now I’m sorry if this goes against the grain, or makes some people uncomfortable, but I’d like to reclaim the word, and say “yes I AM a guru”.
So let’s put all the reverse psychology and other tricks aside, and tell it like it is. I enjoy helping people create their own online presence, I enjoy teaching them simple ways they can build their business, and I enjoy sharing my particular skills with the CTWT team.
The best thing of all though, is helping people realise that they too can claim the title of “guru”. Without exception, everyone I have worked with has a set of skills, range of experience, or some other unique quality that they bring to the table. Every single one of those people have built on those, and been sought out by others because of those skills.
In fact, the moment where someone is willing to accept the honour of the title “guru”, is the very moment they make THE most important mental context switch they will ever make, and will start their life as a genuine leader.
Don’t fear the G Word – embrace it!
Gaz
