Keeping Promises

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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.