"Relationship Marketing Guru". "The new Einstein of Marketing". "Genius". "True Artist". "Leonardo da Vinci of the Internet". These are some of the titles people have bestowed on me in the past. Flattering as they are, they show that you are not dealing with your average Management & CRM Consultant here. Involved in Database Marketing and Relationship Management since 1993, my skill set combines extensive management, marketing and IT experience - both at strategic and front-end level. I've travelled the world from Bangkok to San Francisco, from Dubai to Asunción, presenting my 'Diamond CRM' business transformation model at marketing conferences. Companies all over the world utilise it as a guideline in their quest to become more customer-centric. My articles have been widely published online and in print.
Having developed my own Internet presence since 1995 and client projects since 1997, I've developed way over 60 websites. I use PHP, MySQL, Javascript and CSS. I have designed anything from 'quick and dirty (but pretty)' to complex database applications, e-commerce and content management system sites. On the design side I am capably assisted by Solveigh Thude and other select designers. As you may have guessed, this website is also a product of mine - line by line hand-coded - giving you more than a good idea of what I can do for you!
Photography is but a feeble attempt to capture the transient, the fleeting moments. It has always been a passion of mine. I took my first pictures in Grade 2 at the tender age of 6. In 1980 I got my first SLR, a Yashica FR-1. In 1992 an upgrade to a Contax RTS III threw me into a different photographic orbit. I left it in 2003 when I went digital with an Olympus C-5050Z, only to return to it later when the Oly hit the ground and died a sudden death. Right now I'm using a Fuji F30, waiting for the release of the new Olympus E. Despite it being only a hobby, my photos have made it into books, onto CD covers, Youth Hostel ID cards, hotel and golf course brochures and many other places - even turned into paintings! Obviously, all pictures on this site are mine, so... enjoy!
Ever since I set up my own shop I have done major startup work for companies like Opera Software and Sonork SRL. On the side I have been involved in the GEOS and BeOS operating environments. I work on the Net. As a result, this section deals with my personal software recommendations. The products are all non-mainstream, which pretty much by default makes them superior to the more popular choices. The products include Opera (browser), Becky (email), Edit+ (Text/Programming Editor), TotalCommander (File Manager), Outpost Firewall, IrfanView (Image Viewer), Canvas (Image, Graphics and DTP Editor), the Zeta OS (ex-BeOS) and many others. Rest assured taat my recommendations will make your computing experience more productive, safer, faster and less expensive. What more need I say?!
Since 1999 Inspired Mind has helped thousands to live a better life. Originally conceived under the name "Mindshift" as part of Opera Software ASA, it's a portal of sorts that contains content you'd normally have to look hard for. Categories include Business, Community, Education, Environment, Health, Home & Garden, Technology and more. Here you will also find various book recommendations and an immense number of links to other sites on the Net. A real treasure chest for the inquiring mind!
Vuvu is an ambitious project, if there ever was one. I've lived in South Africa for more than a decade. After witnessing the first 10 years of the so-called democracy, I've come to realise that 'democracy' the way it's implemented and practiced in this country has simply formed another form of apartheid. It's only that political oppression has made way to economic oppression, which in many ways is far more insidious. Vuvu - short for 'vuvuzela', the infamous horn ubiqutous at local soccer matches - aims at putting together a masterplan for a new South Africa, a compendium for a decent life for all, not just the old white rich and the new black rich. Your participation is encouraged and appreciated.
Asiyoyiki inyoka! - 'we don't fear the snake!' Lumkela inyoka/inja - Beware of the snake/dog!
Marketing Competence was founded in order to provide a resource for CRM students and managers alike. It's been online since 1997 as an Internet resource on Total Customer Management. Prior to that I founded and managed the world's first mailing list on Database Marketing and Relationship Management, DM-Digest. Neglected of late because it had outlived itself, it has now been redesigned and incorporated into this site. Enjoy!
This section is my personal blog on current affairs in South Africa and beyond. Don't expect daily postings, but I am sure you will find something of interest in it. At the very least it may plant a seed in your mind, that may one day grow into something big. Welcome and enjoy!
Website Hosting & Maintenance
I provide scripting (PHP), database (MySQL), ECMA/Javascript and simple Macromedia Flash development services. I can implement and customize complex image galleries, calendars, content management/blog and e-commerce sites. For even more advanced services, I contract outside developers/designers or companies.
As far as design is concerned, my philosophy is simple: sites need to be elegant, fast-loading and informative - that's the whole point of a website anyway. I work in collaboration with a professional graphic designer, ensuring a top-notch layout and navigation.
Common-sense insight & indepth feedback
As part of my consultation, I provide intelligent feedback as to how the site should be marketed, but much of its success depends on the client and their efforts, too.
For a to-be-negotiated fee, I also review your existing website and Internet marketing strategy, and provide advice on how to improve each aspect of your interactive presence, down to the "t".
I also know about the internals of good website design (meta tags, robots.txt, .htaccess), so you won't find a site without the basic structure in place. Whenever possible, I avoid frames.
Website marketing & Search Engine registration
For a once-off fee of R450 I register local South African sites with the main search engines in South Africa; the relevant international ones are pretty much taken care of through this site, which is being paid regular visits by the "spiders" who then follow all the links below. An extra bonus, so to say.
It goes without saying that the internal structure is geared towards decent rankings, although this cannot be guaranteed.
Happy clients, successful sites
Below you can find a number of sites I have developed and am actively maintaining. As mentioned, you will notice they all follow the same scheme: clarity and simplicity. In other words: they work. No fancy stuff, no unnecessary graphics, no excessive load times - unless requested by the client. :)
The bottom line remains the same, though: all of the websites I've designed are profitable. This means: they make money for my clients. Not one of them has invested more in the design and maintenance of the website than they've gained from additional exposure and direct orders/bookings.
What you should do before you contract a web designer...
- Get a very clear idea of what you want the website to do and to whom it will be addressed.
- Write good content. Be clear and concise. This sounds easy but isn't.
- Gather photographic/image material.
- Write a brief as comprehensive as possible for the web designer/developer, because s/he will quote you on this brief.
- Be prepared to pay over and above the agreed amount if you later on have requests that weren't part of the original (signed) brief.
- Be prepared to promote your website wherever you can. Don't just rely on it being "available". Successful websites are heavily cross-linked, updated often, and promoted via the traditional channels too!
If you follow those steps, you will be pretty safe of nasty surprises, and your website will be a joy and revenue/leads generator!
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