Big VS Small Companies

It is interesting to think of people’s perceptions of big vs small companies. I think most of the time people get worried about working with smaller companies that may not have the best or most advanced websites. What will the service be like? Can I rely on them? What if they do not meet my expectations, is their any liability?
Many people often stick with larger companies whose brand they recognize, whose website is advanced, and whose policies are set in place.

What I’ve learned over the last year is that often times I end up receiving better customer service, a better product or service, and relability with small companies then I have with larger companies.

This year at Topaz we’ve taken some time to search out a few suppliers whom we had never done business with and who only had a few employees each. Some we found through their websites, and some through referrals.
Here are a few examples of small companies we’ve worked with over the last year who have really impressed us:

Nils Myers-152 West Productions: We hired Nils from across the country on a website search, without a referral. Yes, most people would call us crazy, but after looking through his website and speaking with him on the phone I just had a good feeling. Our CEO Brad was going to be giving a presentation in California and we needed a videographer in that area. We hired Nils to film Brad and then edit the videos so we could use them on our Youtube channel and for other marketing purposes. Nils was professional from the beginning of the transaction until the end. He was timely throughout the entire project and presented us with great video footage.

Kim-Seven Thirty Three Custom Blog Design: I needed an up-grade to my blog design and I needed it bad and quick. Kim to the rescue! I heard of Kim through a friend’s blog who had her blog re-designed by Kim. I quickly browsed through Kim’s website and portfolio and knew she was the designer for me. Within 48 hours Kim had my blog re-designed exactly the way I wanted it. Her operationally efficency from deposit, to design, to final payment was flawless. She is talented and knows how to run a business, a deadly combination for success.

Jim Meegan-Jim Meegan Video Productions: So full disclosure here: Jim is my brother-In-law. However, that is not why I chose to have him do our videos. I would never suggest someone to my boss who I didn’t think would do a phenominal job. Jim is a videographer in the Boston area who does a variety of videogprahy work from weddings, businesses, events, education, etc. He is also a videographer for every Boston Red Sox home game. I knew from seeing Jim’s work that he would produce something amazing at a great price. He rented a studio and filmed segment videos of Brad and I to use as marketing pieces on our website. He even showed up with a teleprompter. Jim comes highly recommended, not from a family member, but from a satisfied client. Check out his work for yourself on his blog.

Amber Singleton Riviere-Give Back Project Amber is in charge of a really neat project that offers marketing, website analysis and design services to small businesses and entrepreneurs at a low cost. Her goal is for the entrepreneur to eventually be able to be self reliant and up-date the site themselves. She has a great portfolio and great testimonials. We had her analyze our website to get her professional opinions on possible revisions. She responded promptly and with insightful ideas. Amber has a great mission and continually succeeds at fulfilling it.


To all of the small businesses above, thank you for all of your great work. You are the true definition of how sometimes small companies do better work than big companies and are just as, if not more reliable.

Too Fat to Fly?

I read an interesting article today/watched an interesting video.

The article was about two women who were about to get on a Southwest flight but were told they were, “Too fat to fly.” Apparently the Southwest employee was very rude to them and not discrete.

One thing I learned from this article that I never realized was that Southwest actually has a policy that if you can’t fit in the seat (more than 17” wide) you have to buy two seats. I found this pretty interesting because I always thought that was a sensitive subject but never knew a policy addressing it actually existed. Here are some questions I have:

-What if someone buys one seat, gets to the airport, is wider than 17” and there are no extra seats left for them to buy? Can they not get on the flight?

-Which part of the body are they measuring for 17” wide? I know there are some people with some pretty broad backs’ and shoulders out there….

-If they buy two seats could they buy the aisle and the window…so the person in the middle is still next to them anyways?

-How do they represent the second seat is reserved?

-Where is this policy on the Southwest website? I couldn’t find it. I even tried to book a flight and read the “rules” before purchasing my ticket.

I’m definitely interested in learning more about Southwest’s policy and how it works operationally, as well as learning about other airlines with policies addressing this issue.

What are your thoughts on this subject?

Social Media Version 2.0?

I’ve been thinking more and more about social media lately, specifically some changes I’ve noticed. I think part of my attention has been focused on this due to the recent events happening in the world. When major news stories break it seems everyone has something to say about it, whether on their Facebook statuses or through Tweets. I still think one of the coolest things is finding out who the first person to live Tweet about something is right as it has happened. I think back to the first Tweet from the US Airways crash on the Hudson and the most recent Tweeter @ReallyVirtual who realized, “Uh oh, now I’m the guy who live-blogged the Osama raid without knowing it.”

One of the things I’ve been recently considering is coming out with version 2.0 of my e-book "Social Media: Tools, Applications and Measurements for the Corporate Travel Industry." Or I’m thinking instead of writing version 2.0 of that book, I may just start a new e-book about social media in general. Possibly addressing the amount of changes that have occured over the last two years. It seems so much has changed and so fast. I wrote that version less than 2 years ago and sometimes I feel social media changes on a daily basis.

Another thing about social media is that it seems everyone has an opinion on it. Frequently, those opinions are very different. Often the sites we like best or find most useful are simply personal preference, simply what we’re willing to dedicate our time too. However, the one thing I think that will always remain the same is that the ultimate goal of social media is to engage people. Whether that is current clients or just random everyday people. People remember the people and brands that engage them. They remember things that actually make them want to stop and look, listen or participate.

What do you feel has been the most engaging social media campaign so far in 2011? Recently I came across this Tostitos Facebook campaign that I think is really neat and defines engaging. What a cool way to get people involved.