| The other day while at the book store, I came | | | | we think about it, what do people actually |
| across some accounting software CDs strewn | | | | buy from a garage sale box? Most likely |
| with other CDs and books in garage sale | | | | something for a hobby, say something you want |
| box.How can any self respecting businessman | | | | to learn about but a new book costs a bomb. |
| (even a small one at that) pick up a copy of | | | | Maybe a recipe book, taichi and of course the |
| this cheap sale accounting CD from the box | | | | fast outdated tech books. We're talking about |
| for his business to use? He'd think "what | | | | something 'light' or outdated that ends up in |
| type of accounting system is this that would | | | | the garage sale box. Certainly not for |
| end up in a garage sale?"...and he's not even | | | | something that's as important as accounting |
| heard of free software yet! If he did, he'd | | | | software for any business to use.Perhaps open |
| probably figure "What type of software is | | | | source businesses need to emphasize on the |
| this that you can just click and get it for | | | | word solutions instead of free or open |
| free on the Internet?"In most cases, this | | | | source. Package the software into a decent |
| thinking "..what type of..?" continues and | | | | looking box. Show the customer that there are |
| applies to the person on the other end - the | | | | costs by itemising, 'software cost' foc, show |
| guy promoting it. It goes "what type of | | | | a charge for download, copy, packaging, |
| person are you to promote something that | | | | transport and include training, upgrade, |
| cheap (that ends up in a garage sale box) to | | | | email, telephone, etc support services, add |
| me?". It follows "What type of company are | | | | them up and show a 'total solutions' cost. |
| you representing? Or do you even have a | | | | Stack the costs up against proprietory |
| company?"Even small business owners have self | | | | solutions and very likely open applications |
| respect when they shop for budget items.The | | | | looks a better option for the customer. The |
| guy selling free software tried "No sir. This | | | | idea is to show that there is a cost for the |
| is open source program, very popular and | | | | solution you are selling - just like any |
| respectable. Do you know Apache? It's also | | | | other product. The marketing campaign may be |
| free.."Businessman "You mean the one with war | | | | capped by putting it as a summer offer - |
| paint on his face fighting Custer in the | | | | normal say USD400 now only USD199.James NK |
| movie?". Thanks to Hollywood, some things | | | | Khoo is the owner of Qwenkay Information a |
| just get stereotyped.For those of us who | | | | company providing support for content |
| promote open source applications the above | | | | management systems software and accounting |
| scenario though hilarious, is not unreal.If | | | | software. |