Welcome

I have worked with technology for over 20 years now and I am constantly amazed at the evolution of computer technologies and their application.

I originally opened my company eWise Corporation over 12 years ago and was focused on building Joint Ventures with businesses that had content but didn't have the knowhow to deliver it in the new world of the Internet and the Web. I began consulting as a way to fund these ventures. Those ventures never seemed to get off the ground because the businesses never really had enough skin in the game and didn't understand how valuable that part of their business could be. So my business for the most part of the last 12 years has been consulting. 

As I said, the world has changed. Smart businesses today understand that delivering product, content and services through the web is an essential business strategy. And some companies have used that strategy to deliver services in a high quality way that would be impossible without it. 

During the involvement with two recent joint ventures, I could see where it was time again for me to refocus away from consulting and back to my first love of product development. I decided that this required a change in my company's strategy and branding. That is to say: I actually should start branding my company :-) 

Since I saw several eWise names in the market, it seemed like I needed a name and identity change. So first I went looking for a name. I wanted something that was eWise(ish). I wanted something that communicated not just knowledge, intelligence and experience, but the mixture of these into something greater - wisdom. Since we are now living in a networked age, nSage was born with this inspiration. 

So I needed to change the name. I decided on a DBA change instead of opening a new corporation. I had several ways to do that, but as I looked into the world, I found LegalZoom.com (http://www.legalzoom.com/). The service cost me under $100 + the fees to the state. I filled out a simple form and paid my money. The next morning I had the documents in PDF format to print and sign. I got another follow-up email describing in very simple terms what to do and verifying that I received the first message.

 I signed the legal documents, sent them back 3 day air and got a confirmation of receipt 2 days later. They sent the paperwork to the state a day later. After the requisite filings, notifications, etc. I had a new DBA in effect in less than 3 weeks, two of which were the required 2 week notification in the local paper.

All along the way both their web site and email notifications kept me updated on the progress. This was first rate customer service. I was very impressed.

Then I went looking for an Identity change. I needed help building a logo and some reasonable creative materials. That's when I found The Logo Company (http://www.thelogocompany.net). When I had opened eWise I played around creating my own logo, letterhead, etc. I knew how much time that would take and I didn't have the time to go that route again.

The logo design was $149. I got the package that also includes business card, letterhead and envelope design for $199.  I passed on the package that included 500 heavy stock glossy business cards for $288 because I knew there were better deals out there. For that I used VistaPrint (http://www.vistaprint.com/) which I had used before. I filled out a form that asked me questions about the company, my target market, design ideas that I had, creative direction, etc.  

1. I placed the order Wednesday at 4:00PM.

2. The project manager called me Thursday morning to discuss my needs

3. I got 5 design concepts by 10:45AM Friday

4. I gave them my feedback and the parts that I wanted to combine from the concepts Friday at Midnight

5. I got two designs based on my feedback by 6:30AM Saturday morning

6. I sent them a green light on one Saturday afternoon

7. Monday morning they sent me 4 concepts for the Business cards, Letterhead and envelopes.

8. I chose 1 Monday afternoon.

9. Tuesday morning I had the high quality images (PNG, AI, JPG , GIF, PSD) for the Logo, Business Card, Letterhead and envelope.

Not only was it painless, it was a joy working with this company. Again, they followed up constantly with e-mails to be sure I was happy and involved in the process.

These two companies demonstrate how successful businesses will be run in the future. And none of the technologies or strategies are out of touch for any small business. It is simply using them in a wise way.

These are exciting and redefining times for businesses both large and small. As technologist it is our responsibility to help them not just create great technologies, but to put them to use in meaningful ways.