IsEEforMe? The Business Case for ExpressionEngine [EECI version]

Editor's Notes

1. -Introduce yourself
2. -Thats me on the right -We have 3 employees -Developers at our core, provide end to end services to clients
3. - I’ve been a web pro since 1997 - I’ve done all of these things
4. -Ryan Irelan says “dumb question Chad” -Conference full of EE enthusiasts
5. -Lets go down memory lane- remember when you found EE? -First date - all smiles, inquisitive, bat your eyes at eachother -Second date - Open up a little bit, hold hands, this could be the “one” -Third date - Ripping each others clothes off instead of going to the movie -We’ve all been through it - it keeps you in your chair all night -When I really knew: Story about SuccessFoods
6. -Lets go down memory lane- remember when you found EE? -First date - all smiles, inquisitive, bat your eyes at eachother -Second date - Open up a little bit, hold hands, this could be the “one” -Third date - Ripping each others clothes off instead of going to the movie -We’ve all been through it - it keeps you in your chair all night -When I really knew: Story about SuccessFoods
7. - 2009 SXSW - Lunch with Leslie Camacho - Discover the benefits choosing EE as a platform - a business decision - In the 18 months since, I’ve learned exponentially more - growing business - I’d like to share some of the lessons with you
8. -Illustration of Veerle by nGen at Happy Webbies -I’ve been the one-man web show -I’m not a designer
9. -Build a team -”I know people” -It can backfire - People to People
10. - The more of your business processes you time, the more accurate you can quote - Install EE: 10 minutes - Write a simple plugin: 20 minutes - Install, deploy, build public-facing User utilities: 5 hours / 1 hour (starterfiles.org) - EE allows me, as a business owner to know exactly what I can and can’t do - Accurately quote
11. - Working in any software platform is frustrating - There are 100 ways to solve any problem - None of them is the wrong way - Perhaps more efficient, more scalable, but not wrong - Be constantly learning
12. - Leverage the community - We are in this together - There are no competitors - Talk to them almost daily
13. - Leverage the community - We are in this together - There are no competitors - Talk to them almost daily
14. - Leverage the community - We are in this together - There are no competitors - Talk to them almost daily
15. - We’re in a strange transition period with EE - EE 169 is a proven, solid product - EE 21 is on firm ground, but not perfect - gaining steam - When do you make the transition? - Haircuts make you happy
16. - We’re in a strange transition period with EE - EE 169 is a proven, solid product - EE 21 is on firm ground, but not perfect - gaining steam - When do you make the transition? - Haircuts make you happy
17. - I haven’t had to look for work since going full time in 2006 - Our work has gotten better, our clients have gotten better - Average project in 2006: $5000 , Average project in 2010: $30,000 - What matters depends on the part of the process you are in - Paying the bills requires getting the work, which requires a great pitch
18. - What if running a business just makes you crazy? - Its not for everyone - Its OK to change directions, its not really failure - Do what you love
19. -A concept from SXSW 2009 - Chatting with Leslie Camacho -Its a frame of mind