Ten years ago, I was working on “ground breaking” web-based technology. (Cue the laughter.)
Back then, we developed on a propriety toolset, rolling out software packages and systems that cost millions of dollars – millions to get it out there, and millions to keep it running.
Now, tools and products have flooded the market, meaning that a similar software package can be rolled out for hundreds of dollars, and maintained for less than hundreds.
Awesome Ice Cream shot by KB35
But Faster, Better, Cheaper Comes with a Price…
Yup, in the world of bits, bytes, and atoms, we now live in a marketplace that is faster, (arguably) better, and a whole lot cheaper. But all that seems to have come at a price…. the price of quality.
I’m not saying in the “old” days, we didn’t release crappy stuff. Oh hell yea, we messed plenty of things up. But we were always mindful of the customer and the mistakes were an outlier, not the norm.
But everywhere I turn these days, I see “beta” products and services. Folks just trying stuff out. And while that is AWESOME – I’m all up for failing fast – I think entrepreneurs are a little to quick to get crappy stuff out the door. For example, in the past week:
- I experienced a major #FAIL moment with my email service provider, who sent me a note about with my support ticket, telling me “I must have did something wrong.” Seriously?
- I tried three times signing up for a new web service designed to help you with graphics design/editing, and couldn’t signup. Left a support ticket, sent them two tweets, and put a note on their Facebook wall. 7 days later no response. Really?
- Tried setting up an appointment with a company who we’d like to run a white label services solution with. Got an immediate reply with some next steps/suggested course of action, to which I replied “yes, lets do it.” Three emails and three weeks later, I haven’t heard anything else. Do they know how competitive some white label markets are?
Here’s the bottom line: I’m tired of testing people’s shitty “beta” products/services. I don’t care how good your business idea is; get your shit together before showing the world.
Working on the basics and then building a community to help you build up to the next level? Awesome. That’s quality.
Throwing some crap out there and hope for the best, with your lousy support staff? Good luck, bub, that’s not good enough.
There was a point in time where beta mean exactly that, beta – we’re going to show a few friends and family a solid, quality version what we’ve got and get some good feedback in. Now, beta seems to me “I hit the save button, now, what do you think.”
Quality or Beta. I know where I’m putting my money.
SPOILER: One of our upcoming C-Booster Sessions will be about quality so get signed up for the list if you aren’t already. Need some help just getting your business to beta? Call me.