To reflect on your past success is important, but perhaps even more important is the need to reflect on your failures with an eye towards making them successes! Every December, I find myself doing just that, I reflect on ADD Systems’ business challenges and their resulting outcomes, and I reflect on my personal challenges and their outcomes.
I’m fascinated by the fact that I find myself in deep reflection every December. Perhaps it is the fact that the sun sets earlier and earlier each day until winter solstice arrives. Perhaps it’s the coming of the holiday season, the start of a new year and the hope that we will spend time with friends and family from near and far. In business, it may be the fact that the end of one fiscal year is upon us and the start of the new fiscal year is around the corner. Or perhaps it’s that I find myself writing an annual blog around this time of year… Regardless, the need to reflect seems to help inspire change and/or inspire you to continue on the path that is proving successful.
In my personal life, I was reminded by my doctor last April, during my annual checkup, that at age 50, I had been adding 5 pounds to my weight annually over the past 10 years. While not overweight at the time, I was on the track to being overweight soon. This was humbling news that day, considering that I had never even considered my weight to be an issue. In fact, I had never experienced any health issues in my 50 years of life, so why would changing anything be a priority? I spoke to my wife that evening and pondered the future as a larger man. We decided shortly thereafter to embark on a lifestyle change. Eight months later, I’m happy to say that with the help of my wife, I have lost 50 pounds. Today, I can honestly say that the changes made in my diet allowed me to see all of the little problems that I had been dealing with when heavier. I sleep better at night , my legs no longer hurt in the evening, I have more energy now, I can still play hockey (which I have done for the past 20 years), but now I can tie my own skates without losing my breath, and the list of benefits goes on…
In business, and more specifically here at ADD Systems, we have our own set of doctors, our clients. Because of relationships we have with our clients, we have been able to provide effective solutions to problems that impact the industries we serve for 45 years. In that time, we have had many opportunities to look at our successes and our failures.
We’ve always focused our efforts on listening to what the client “doctors” ordered and in the last decade we have made this process even more effective with the creation and evolution of the ADD User Group (AUG). It has become a significant source of quality input. The AUG meets regularly to discuss software enhancements on all of our products from ADD Energy E3®, Raven®, ADD eStore® to Atlas BI®. We consider the input from the AUG to be input from a team of specialists, the end users of our products. We rely on their input so that the products will continue to be flexible enough to work for all of our clients. The wisdom and insight from those that participate is simply awesome.
In 2017, we met with approximately 100 clients at our Business Technology Conference in Orlando, Florida. The conference is, and has been, themed around family. We consider our clients to be our family, and we take your concerns and comments seriously. Over the past 5 years, I have met with more than 200 clients from around the United States and Canada. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting all of these clients at their home office. During each of these meetings, I’ve been able to ask how we are doing, and to seek input to improve.
In 2018, we plan to release some exciting new products and enhancements. Much of our product roadmap has come directly from the AUG and reflects our strong commitment to meet your needs. In 2018 and beyond, we will continue to seek your input and guidance. Much like the benefits of me listening to my doctor, the AUG and our one-on-one meetings with clients continue to help us become a better company and partner. I expect there are even more benefits to come.
If you are not already a member, we would very much like for you to consider joining the AUG in 2018. Please contact us to get more information or visit our website.
I have always enjoyed spending time with clients, discussing their business and their challenges, and look forward to spending more time in the field visiting with you in 2018. If I can be of service to you, please contact me at:
Bruce C. Bott, (800) 922-0972, extension 1151
Warmest regards,
Bruce C. Bott, President
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