Ask HN: Startup Ideas We'd Like to Fund No 6 ,what does it mean exactly ?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1090191

by umen • 16 years ago

7 7 16 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

hello im in the process of designing CRM application something for small businesses i didnt understand what does it mean in section 6 : "It should be possible to make interactions with customers much higher-res" ? in other words how to make my CRM more attractive then others ?

aristus• 16 years ago

The ideas on that list are intentionally only half of an idea. I believe it means they want to see more kinds of things for a CRM to do, not just sending email templates and logging notes.

umen3• 16 years ago

yeah i did understand this . but i didn't understand what can be more in CRM that can add this special thing .. and yes i do asking for ideas . (: Thanks

revorad• 16 years ago

Maybe you will get more ideas once you are well into building your product? As pg often says, making software is a bit like writing. The more you make, the more ideas you get. It's definitely happening to me as I'm working on my product now.

richardw• 16 years ago

My guess is that 'higher-res' means more smaller interactions instead of fewer larger ones. Think about all interactions that customers and businesses might like to have that can't be handled by [forums and documents]. Which of those are highest-value? Which happen (or should happen) most often?

If you follow the 'crossing the chasm' thinking, then you'd have an initially narrow focus on smaller user segments and could do things that more general applications can't do. For example, a CRM based on vehicle servicing - what days are available? Feedback on how your car has performed since the last service? [edit - of course those could be possible with current tech, but are just an example of the type of thinking]

nekopa• 16 years ago

Hi there. I am working on the same problem too, so maybe we can compete against each other :) I took the idea of higher-res to mean that you have different, closer and more often contact with your customers. I have worked with a lot of CRM systems in the past, customization and implementation, and I think the important point to think about is what is your relationship to the customer, and how to make that better - not just 'manage' it. For example, the software I am designing takes the viewpoint that I want my customer to evolve, I want them to succeed at what they do, and I want to help them get better at what they do. As you can see, this would require a different approach to managing our 'relationship' then just simple calendar and bug-tracking. I know a couple of great books on CRM theory I can tell you about if you are interested, but keep in mind, the ideas they want to fund need to be radically different from what is out there already. My 'CRM' system is also aimed at small businesses, but I am specifically targeting start-ups for my early adopters because I think they will understand the philosophy behind the product more. Feel free to contact me if you want to talk more, even if we may have to compete against each other later on. You can reach me at my HN username at gmail.com. Lee

umen3• 16 years ago

i emailed you man

Ask HN: Startup Ideas We'd Like to Fund No 6 ,what does it mean exactly ?

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