As an entrepreneur, it’s an amazing feeling when your customers tell you that your business is delivering something unique. I recently had this happen and wanted to share the anecdote.
I was recently introduced to a potential new customer looking to build a software product for a new business. The contact who introduced us joined us on a call where I described how we typically engage with customers when defining and building a “minimum viable product (MVP)”.
I stated that CodeStringers does a couple of things that most other outsourcers do not:
We don’t charge for discovery. When an entrepreneur wants to build a software product, that product needs to be clearly defined, as the product definition ultimately translates into an estimate of effort, duration, and budget. Most outsourcing companies charge for this. In most cases, however, CodeStringers does this work for free. Why? First of all, it’s because we think it’s the right thing to do. Our customers shouldn’t have to pay us until we mutually agree on exactly what we’ll be building. Secondly, we do so because we see discovery as an investment in the partnership between the client and us.
Lastly, we view the discovery phase as a chance for both the client and us to evaluate each other. This approach aligns with our "no a-hole" policy: if potential clients don't share our corporate values, we prefer not to work with them.
Once we generate a release plan and an estimate, we commit to it. If the client adheres to their responsibilities and does not change requirements, we will deliver on the date and within the budget we committed to, even if we have to assign additional resources on our dime. Come hell or high water, we will hit our estimate. Why do we do this? Again, because we feel it’s the right thing to do. I grew up in a family that was big on integrity. I learned that integrity is about doing the right thing even when no one is watching. I also learned to say what I mean and do what I say - keeping promises. If we blow an estimate, that’s our fault, not yours. When you make a mess, clean it up. It’s just that simple.
Anyway (getting back to the anecdote), as I was explaining the two aforementioned things to the potential client, I said casually, “I think this makes us different from most outsourcing companies.”
Then the contact that introduced us (and this is a person who has worked with a LOT of outsourcing firms over the years) replied, “No, Mike, that makes you different from ALL outsourcers.”
Although I responded stoically, I was, truthfully, giddy to hear someone I respect tell me what makes our business unique and valuable. Moreover, it was wonderful to hear that our corporate values are, in fact, valued.
In a no-risk discovery we look at your CRM, finance and operations systems and who owns each part, and show what a connected system would do differently. You pay only if you proceed. Or see how we approach it.
More on the same problem:
Mid-Market ERP Readiness: What to Fix Before You Evaluate a Single Vendor (article)
Software Maintenance Costs, Explained: What You'll Actually Pay After Launch (article)
Because trust is what lets a client commit money to work they cannot verify in advance. A company that delivers what it said, on the date it said, removes the client's need to manage risk themselves. Broken promises cost more than the immediate problem, since every future estimate is discounted. Reputation in a small market is built on a handful of kept commitments.
By defining the product thoroughly before committing, so the estimate rests on a known feature list with acceptance criteria, and by absorbing the cost when its own estimate proves wrong. The guarantee depends on the client holding requirements steady, and changes go through a visible process. It is a discipline in planning rather than a willingness to take losses.
The vendor should say so early, explain the cause honestly and present options with their consequences. If the miss was the vendor's estimate, the vendor should bear the cost. If it came from changed requirements, both sides should see that in the change record. What damages trust is silence or blame, not the miss itself, and clients remember how it was handled.
The company works with you to define the product, estimate it and plan the release before charging anything. It serves two purposes: the client knows exactly what they will get before paying, and both sides learn whether they want to work together. The company is investing in a future engagement rather than selling the planning as a separate product.
Ask what happens when their estimate is wrong and listen for a specific answer. Ask former clients whether final cost matched the quote. Look at whether they invest effort before a contract is signed, which signals confidence in their process. Companies that cannot explain how they guarantee outcomes usually do not guarantee them, whatever the proposal says.
"Something isn't working." "We're outgrowing our tools." "We're afraid to make the wrong move." No-Risk Discovery is a short, practical conversation that gets you clarity before you commit to anything big. We'll tell you if we're a fit. If we're not, we'll tell you that too.
Say who you are and ask. A person replies within one business day.
