Tag Archive for 'Inside 3Ci'

The Shadow: Week Three

Published
by
3Cinteractive
on July 19, 2010
in Inside 3Ci
. 1 Comment

This is the third in a series of weekly blog posts written by Jenny Walsh, intern and office mate of 3Cinteractive’s Founder and CEO John Duffy. This series takes a look at the inner workings of 3Ci and mobile marketing from a fresh perspective.

Yesterday, I saw Duff looking at a huge chart on his desktop filled with numbers that peaked my curiosity. At first I was afraid to ask, but Duff always stresses the importance of asking him questions, so I did. His response became “Duff’s Lesson of the Week” – the importance of being accountable to a budget.

Duff had me pull my chair up to his desk, and then gave me an overview of the entire 2010 3Ci budget. It’s funny how I learned so much more from one real life situation than in an entire semester of economics. Duff spent an hour explaining the budget sheet, expenses, revenue, and EBITDA - that’s Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (Don’t worry; I never knew what all of those words meant either until Duff explained them to me).

That might sound boring, but surprisingly, it was incredibly interesting. I have a newfound appreciation for how hard it is to make and manage a budget. Duff also explained the importance of having good customers. All the hard work that went into getting customers like Tracfone, JM Family, and Walgreens, and how those respected brands play a role landing new clients. Might sound cliché, but I’m seeing the lessons that are always preached put into work at 3Ci. If you have a good product, work hard, work together, and believe in your team you have a better chance of being successful. I know success is never a sure thing, but it’s all about putting your company in the best position to succeed. That was lesson #2 for the week. The best thing about this internship is that everyday I’m exposed to something new and interesting that I want to learn more about – and even better, that I have Duff, the guy running this place, who’s way too busy for an intern like myself, explaining it all to me.

As I close in on less than a month before heading off to college, I’m getting more excited to start that new adventure of life; but I’m also sad to leave all my new friends and mentors at 3Ci. I have grown to love this place, and am starting to think it is normal. I no longer find it weird when Duff talks to himself or constantly plays with his poker chips. I now feel like the day hasn’t really started until I hear Vinnie’s, “What’s up Duff?” every morning, or have Jeff walk in my (I mean Duff’s) office to talk trash about how Michigan will beat Notre Dame, which is clearly delusional. GO IRISH!

The Shadow: Week Two

Published
by
3Cinteractive
on July 9, 2010
in Inside 3Ci
. 0 Comments

This is the second in a series of weekly blog posts written by Jenny Walsh, intern and office mate of 3Cinteractive’s Founder and CEO John Duffy. This series takes a look at the inner workings of 3Ci and mobile marketing from a fresh perspective.

As I finish up my second week as Duff’s shadow, he is teaching me the importance of having people who want to learn from each other (or being “coachable” as Duff says), and how it is a big part of gaining success. The people at 3Ci always want to learn from each other. They know everyone’s strengths and experiences, and use them to further their own knowledge. The people here really do want each other to succeed, and I think that has transferred over to me. When I walk in every morning I just feel like everyone want to share his or her experiences with me and really does care about my growth throughout this internship. It is contagious because it makes me want to learn more with every meeting I sit in and every conversation I am able to be a part of.

One of the big concepts Duff is teaching me is what makes up a good sales pitch. I know from the two weeks that I have been here that Duff sits through many sales pitches and gives many sales pitches, and from what I have seen he is pretty good at it. So Duff decided to give me a few key points on what he thinks makes up a good sales pitch.

  • First and foremost, be on time. DO NOT be the person everyone is waiting for.
  • Set an agenda for the call or meeting to keep you on track and your perspective customer engaged.
  • Always be prepared for the call or meeting. Test out all of your demos and PowerPoints before hand because it is really embarrassing if a technology company’s technology doesn’t work.
  • If you make a PowerPoint, just put key topics on the slides and explain it yourself. Do not put as many words as you can on a slide and just read them.
  • Research the customer you are pitching and make every aspect of the pitch relevant to them.
  • Role play with your team before the pitch. It makes you look much more professional and prepared.
  • Don’t talk too much or oversell your product at the end of the pitch.

I feel like the skills I am learning here are tools that I will use through my entire career, whatever field it may be in. I now understand why my dad raves about this place, and why everyone involved think it is to good to be true at first. Chris Howard, a close family friend, told me that this internship will ruin me for every other job I will ever have because I will never find another office with the kind of culture and people 3Ci has, and I will never find another CEO as totally awesome as Duff. I know the amazing opportunity that I have been given this summer and cannot wait to see what is to come in week three.

Employee Announcement: Jeff Michaud, Vice President of Marketing and Creative

Published
by
Michelle Stone
on October 1, 2009
in Inside 3Ci
. 1 Comment

Jeff Michaud

One of the most exciting aspects of our business is seeing the development of our people and the organization. We’ve had the fortune of witnessing this business grow from “just an idea and a business plan” to a “well-oiled machine” that is now built for scalability. The only reason we’ve been fortunate enough to experience such incredible growth is because our business has great people.

Over the last few years one of those great people, our Creative Director, Jeff Michaud, along with his team, has built a brand and an identity for our company within the industry. As our brand and our solutions continue to grow, Jeff has done an amazing job keeping the communication, message, and materials consistent with our identity and accomplishments. Jeff and his team have also put the framework in place for a scalable and effective corporate communications strategy that continues to give us tremendous marketing publicity. The creative services part of our marketing unit has helped us to win and retain key clients thanks in part to the outstanding work that Jeff and his group have done and continue to do.

Please help us in congratulating Jeff Michaud as he takes on his role here as Vice President of Marketing and Creative. Congratulations, Jeff!

3Cinteractive Ranked 3rd Fastest Growing Technology Company in South Florida

Published
by
Michelle Stone
on July 31, 2009
in Inside 3Ci and News and Notes
. 0 Comments

Despite the difficult economic recession that started in late 2007, 3Cinteractive continued its growth track through 2008 and has been ranked third on the South Florida Business Journal’s (SFBJ) Fastest Growing Tech Companies list. The third place ranking followed up a first place ranking a year ago.

“Ranking so high on this list for the second straight year is a testament to our team’s focus and determination, “said 3Ci President Mike FitzGibbon. “Our technology platform provides businesses with a more efficient, less expensive way to reach their consumers. Our business tends to thrive in these types of economic conditions.”

The SFBJ list is compiled every year using both public documents and surveys completed by private companies.

SFBJ Fastest Growing Tech Companies

3Cinteractive Named 2009 Business of the Year

Published
by
Michelle Stone
on May 1, 2009
in Inside 3Ci
. 0 Comments

On April 30th, the South Florida Business Journal named 3Cinteractive the South Florida Business of the Year for 2009. A board of judges from various segments of the business community sifted through hundreds of nominations. In the end, they concluded that 3Cinteractive deserved the 2009 honor!

The SFBJ, Florida’s most prestigious business publication, recently held its annual awards luncheon honoring various companies who have excelled in terms of financial growth, employee culture and innovation.

Check out the digital edition of our profile in the SFBJ and don’t forget that print editions are on stands now!

3Cinteractive 2009 Business of the Year

3Cinteractive rocking out in the lobby…as usual

Thank you to our clients, advisors, team members, investors, and friends. We share this award with you all. It would not have been possible without you!