Carl Loder- CEO, CentralRacingParts.com

"Thrive did a great job building my online store.  I wasn't always sure of some of the decisions that were made in the construction process but Michael has won my trust!  Recently, five suppliers I had lined up to purchase from, visited my site.  Normally they require a "buy-in" for an initial order which can be upwards of $10,000.  When they saw my site, they were calling ME to represent them.  They waived their buy-in and are getting in line to be a supplier."

Solution: E-commerce store and credit-card processing

Dave Mace, First Employee, Maverick Creative Group

"Michael combines several talents to create an incredibly valuable service for his clients. He is part designer, part technician and part business strategist, making him a formidable partner. I've enjoyed working with him, and I've learned a lot from him."

Aaron Davis, Sedgwick County Health Department

"What does it for me when it comes to Thrive is their dedication to detail. Thrive takes the time to really listen to what I want and need and then make sure that they produce exactly what i asked for. I really appreciate their customer service, Michael and the team isn't perfect but when they make a mistake their team jumps on it to make sure any problems are resolved in a timely fashion. If you need an web-application built that works, I recommend Thrive!"

Solution: Emergency Responders Registration Database

Marta Curry, Waddell and Reed

“While Thrive Business Solutions is the company name, Michael personifies integrity in his industry. Thrive is genuine in their approach to listen, offer assistance and solutions to your agendas. Strive is one word as they pledge to help others, but they really thrive at it. I am fortunate to collaborate with them regularly through our Chamber Leads Group #3 - where many strategies and business networking goals are shared - and achieved!”

Pat Knolla- Founder / Owner, Knollas Pizza on 13th

“Thrives customer service has really impressed me. When I call they solve whatever I throw at them right away. I have been processing credit cards and have had my website with them for three years now and the rates have always been fair. Most importantly, they have integrity. I have never had to question if Thrive is doing something with my rates or service that I should be concerned about.”

Solution: Website, Online-Ordering, E-mail Marketing and Credit-card Processing

Mark Oelze, Owner, True Life Marriage and Family Counseling

"Michael is not only a man of great vision, but a man who has the mind and ability to take that vision apart and see it happen one step at a time. He does so with a steadfast spirit about him in a confident but gracious manner. When you are around Michael you are caught up in the same confidence that together what has been set out to do will indeed be accomplished. I can't say enough good about this man!"

Mike Steele, Co-Founder, The Galleon Company

“Michael is a man of high character and competence. He accomplishes what he sets out to do. I recommend his services without reservation.”

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Fire Your Customers E-mail
Friday, 17 October 2008 21:11
The Customer is always right.

This sentiment has truth behind it, but successful business people will tell you that it is missing some information. Yes, when it comes to what the customer wants, they are always right. However,

when the customer tells you how to get achieve the goal, they can easily fall into pitfalls. Everyone makes rookie mistakes the first time they try to achieve something. That is why they are called rookie mistakes. But you are not a rookie. You are an expert. That is why you are in your filed. After all, when it comes to your business, you have the experience and the knowledge, and your livelihood depends on you using experience and knowledge to become an expert in your filed. Your customer is at best a novice. If they were anything more, they would be doing the project without you, right? So, put yourself on the outside looking in, who would you trust, you our your customer?

Why do your customers pay you? What do you bring to the table that they do not have within their own grasp? What value do you add to the equation? By answering these questions, as well as the questions that may come from answering these questions, you can begin to discover the attributes of your best customers. In the next few posts I want to talk about the idea that your customers are "Voluntary Assets" to your company. These assets need to be managed and changed just like the desk, computer, car, software or website. If a Voluntary Asset becomes a Voluntary Liability, you should do something about that.

Question 1: Who are your best customers?
What makes you love your customers? I know that when I have a customer who can give me an idea, a goal, and let me run, I can blow the socks of their expectations. What makes you excited to go to work? Those qualities are what you should look for in a customer. After you know what makes the best, ask yourself what makes the worst customer?