[Sigia-l] site redesign sales proposals

Thu Aug 23 03:18:48 EDT 2007

Dimitri -

I was just being testy when I made my remark about consultants. Sorry
- it was a tough day yesterday...

Another advantage of using heuristics as a business opener addresses
Donna's concern - we invariably start with a fairly detailed brief
from the client so that we understand their business goals. If you
don't know the client, your heuristics are just going to uncover
basic usability glitches, but won't necessarily do much to improve
conversion rates.

One of the hurdles when working with a new client is that there's
always a discovery phase - and most clients don't like to pay for
this. "Oh, we'll send you the expensive report our consultants
prepared. You'll find everything you need."

Not.

Our Quick and Dirty method gets us into a serious dialog with the
client, which often includes C-level execs. More and more, we're
seeing that Q&D is being commissioned by middle managers who have the
authority to approve a budget up to about USD 5K, but need something
that will help convince the higher-ups that they need more resources
to really make a difference. Using our report, the C-levels start to
understand why this work is important not just what someone thinks
should be done.

Cheers,
Eric
- - - - - -
FatDUX
www.fatdux.com

---- Original Message ----
From: dimitri.lundquist at gmail.com
To: elr at e-reiss.com
Subject: Re: [Sigia-l] site redesign sales proposals
Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2007 20:53:10 -0500

>Eric,
>
>I like the idea of using a heuristic evaluation as an exploratory 
>foray into
>a fuller client engagement. It seems like a clear win for everyone. 
>The
>client gets valuable insight and actionable recommendations to 
>improve their
>site, while also getting to see your style and how you work, and you 
>get
>paid for the hard work you put into the site review!
>
>I also wanted to clear up a possible misunderstanding from my initial
>question. When I addressed my question to consultants, I only meant 
>to
>indicate shops that do work for external organizations versus 
>internal
>shops, and not the sort of "consultant" who tell you what's wrong 
>and then
>get out as quickly as possible. :-)
>
>Dimitri
>
>On 8/22/07, Eric Reiss <elr at e-reiss.com> wrote:
>>
>> Dimitri,
>>
>> We have a product called "Quick Fix" or "Quick and Dirty," 
>depending
>> on which of our clients you ask. It is essentially a highly focused
>> heuristic site review that provides clients with 10 things they can
>> do here and now to improve their site from a usability POV and 
>their
>> conversion rates from a business POV. We show screen shots, come 
>with
>> a list of criticisms, and then provide a list of suggested
>> improvements.
>>
>> We present our thoughts in PowerPoint. Most of these run between
>> 30-40 pages.
>>
>> These studies almost always include dozens of other tweaks and 
>tips,
>> so the actual number of individual potential site improvements is
>> considerable.
>>
>> Invariably, having seen the report, site owners hire us to effect 
>the
>> changes we have recommended. And our seven-step process is quite
>> detailed with regard to means and methods.
>>
>> What we've discovered is that clients very rarely have a fully
>> recognized and acknowledged problem. Our Quick Fix helps folks get
>> their heads around latent problems and prepare to address them.
>>
>> On a related note, you say that this is a question for the
>> consultants out there. Frankly, if you're not willing to get your
>> hands dirty and actually do some work, I'd advise folks to stay out
>> of this arena. It's pretty easy to spot problems. But it takes 
>talent
>> and hard work to fix them.
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Eric
>>
>>
>> ---- Original Message ----
>> From: dimitri.lundquist at gmail.com
>> To: sigia-l at asis.org
>> Subject: RE: [Sigia-l] site redesign sales proposals
>> Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2007 11:58:27 -0500
>>
>> >This is a question for all the consultants out there.
>> >
>> >When creating redesign proposals for potential clients, do you 
>find
>> >it more effective to include an initial analysis of current 
>problem
>> >areas on the site with screenshots and commentary, or simply an
>> >explanation of the methodology that you plan to employ when
>> redesigning the site?
>> >
>> >Thanks,
>> >Any comments greatly appreciated,
>> >Dimitri Lundquist
>> >
>> >--
>> >"It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's 
>what
>> >you know
>> >for sure that just ain't so."  --Mark Twain
>> >------------
>> >IA Summit 2008: "Experiencing Information"
>> >April 10-14, 2008, Miami, Florida
>> >
>> >-----
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>> >
>> -----------------------
>> Eric Reiss
>> Managing Director
>> FatDUX Aps
>> Copenhagen, Denmark
>> http://www.fatdux.com
>> office: (+45) 39 29 67 77
>> mobile: (+45) 20 12 88 44
>> skype id: ericreiss
>>
>> FatDUX is an official sponsor of the
>> Usability Professionals' Association
>> http://www.upassoc.org
>>
>> -----------------------
>>
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>>
>>
>
>
>-- 
>"It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what 
>you know
>for sure that just ain't so."  --Mark Twain
>