Involves a lot of formulas and I have added some macros to automate some "bells and whistles".Ĭustomers love it and quite literally clamor for it. When the final solution is configured, the user presses one button and the correct part #'s and qty's appear, with a price for eack line and a grand total at the bottom. The simple answer to what my tool does, is to put these part #'s onto one spread sheet, then allow the user to use Plain English drop down menus to specify the solution they want to quote. As you might imagine, the IT world is large and complex so there are many thousands of part numbers, many optional ways to solve for a customer's IT needs. These quotes are made up of Part Numbers and correct qty's of each part #. My business is largely based on putting price quotes together for IT solutions. But I've also been able to justify my work by consistently adding $$$ to the bottom line, which helps a great deal. Personally I've found that if I come up with a tool that helps generate revenue, I'm given the ball and told to run. Sometimes you have to skip-level to reach ears that are receptive, but that also means running the risk of alienating your direct manager. You may even be able to get some recommendations from your customers (a lot of times an outside voice can have far more impact than an inside voice). On the other hand, if you can develop a good development proposal with a cost/benefit analysis, you may get somewhere. Unless you reach an agreement with them to try to sell it on your own (maybe offer to give them a cut), you're treading on thin ice with regards to any profits you may generate. You could try to shop it around on your own, but note that if you developed it on your company's time, then they most likely own the intellectual rights to it, not you. That's awesome that you've developed a tool that helps your business! Unfortunately, many of us deal with or have dealt with managers who don't see the benefit in some work and stifle it.
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