Poreto’s Principle

e.g.  In a company, 20% of the staff do 80% of the work.  In a garden 20% of pea pods hold 80% of the peas.  At a party 20% of the people will eat 80% of the cake.

When it comes to building effective websites for business and individuals, I’ve discovered the equation looks like this.  80% of the site is built in 20% of the time.  It’s the remaining 20% that takes an additional 80% of the time.  And it’s this 20% that seriously sets one website apart from another.

Now, having said that, I think there is a market for the simple sites that are built in 20% of the time. Quick, simple, no tweaks, straight off the template – what we might call a ‘business card style’ or ‘simple web presence’.  It’ s not built to win stacks of business, wow clients or engage their minds and senses.  A simple place where information can be found.  I build these sometimes because it’s all the client wants – and having said that, they tend to look pretty good and clients are most impressed getting what they do for about $1400.

Move up from that and you get something totally different. You get hours upon hours of tweaking, changing, support and testing.  You get my Brainspace – the remaining 80%.  You get the wow factor, you get the engagement, you get something that will win business and convert browsers to buyers… it goes without saying that you’re going to pay at least double for the privilege and it’s more of a journey than an event.  .e.g. stevepenny.org maroochycarsound.com.au

I’m sure you can see this at work in your business.   And there are times when all people want is the 80%.  Case-in-point are the Virgin and Jetstar models of air travel.  You want to get from A-B with no extras,  no refund and no apologies for under $100? Great!  But don’t pay peanuts and expect the moon – if you do, you might find yourself upset and starring in a TV program about whinging idiots at airports!

We need to decide who we want to cater for, what pushes our buttons and what the market is demanding – sometimes we may be able to offer both a First Class and Economy Class option.

You may be a First Class type person and pleased to deal with the high end market and you’ll work on improving your effectiveness. You may be happy to do a set task for a set amount and move onto the next one,  so you’ll sit in the Economy market and you’ll work on improving your efficiency.

So when it comes to a 80/20 business model.  Be the ’80′ or the ’20′ or offer both’.   Just don’t be the ‘/’  .  It confuses everyone!

‘Back to knitting’ simply refers to getting back to doing what you know and do best.  I’ve spent the last 14 months building an exciting, cutting edge Digital Signage company which is going well and ticking along nicely – but given the economic climate, I’ve gone back to knitting.  For me, it’s building websites.

This week, instead of giving handy info, links and ideas away, I wonder if you can help me?

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love building websites and do darn good job. People tell me I’m a nice and approachable guy – I’m sure that counts for something in the world of coders and geeks .   I have a keen sense of business savvy and understand that progress and practicality always rank over perfection and nit-picking. Websites shouldn’t take months to make and shouldn’t be so complicated that clients can’t change and update content themselves.

My approach is practical and very user friendly.  All my clients are given access to the back-end of their websites and customised training videos on how to change and update their sites.  With the web changing rapidly every day,  I make sure my clients are ahead of the curve and their bottom line is positively effected by integrating smart tools, social media enhancements and a whole lot more.

So, if you know of anyone on the Sunshine Coast (or beyond) looking for a website, please give them my details – I’d highly appreciate it.

David Tensen
m: 0437 235 011

(See my portfolio of work here)