Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Businesses can set themselves up for a Great 2021

For many, 2020 cannot end fast enough.  Businesses were on pace to have one of the best years ever and then the coronavirus hit causing chaos and trepidation within our country.  Businesses were forced to close their doors at worst and at best they had to alter how they continue to serve their customers.  Add in racial tension and politicians who promote a division within our country so they can remain in power and through the smoke, fire and destruction; businesses found themselves in dire straits.

With the uncertainty of 2021, a few things remain certain for businesses, especially small businesses.  You must arm yourself with the ability to adapt under any obstacles and challenges.  That means taking some steps to set your business up for success.

1.       Website.  Your website is your store front.  It is where you will do most of your selling to potential customers.  It should be simple and easy to navigate.

2.       Digital Media Strategy. Once you have a good manageable website, you need to drive traffic back to your main source of selling.  It is important to utilize social media sites, online reputation platforms and informational blog sites to gain additional viewers giving them a reason to further inquire about your services.  There is a strategy to increase your market share.

3.       E-Commerce. You should devise a way to allow customers to purchase your goods and services.  The entities that need this the most are the ones who never thought they needed to promote their services on the internet. 

4.       Evaluate & Adapt.  The economic landscape has done a shift more than the San Andreas Fault.  It would be great to have all the answers, but a digital strategy is probably not your expertise.  Finding a company that understands logic, reasoning and knows how to help you navigate through these unchartered times is vital to helping your business survive, rebuild and thrive in the future.

DeliveryMaxx is a small business with full scale marketing capabilities that takes pride in helping other small businesses succeed in an increasingly digital world.  That was our mission prior to the outbreak and news stories of racial inequality and continues to be our goal today.  If you need help navigating a transition to becoming more active on social media, building an e-commerce website, or post-sale communication with your clients we are here to help.  Our clients experience positive Online Reputation, stronger SEO, concise content management, increase in social media engagement and advertisement and higher customer retention. See how we have helped clients in multiple industries across the country such as Automotive Dealerships, Real-Estate Brokers & Agents, Churches, Service Industry, Sports Teams, Non-Profit Organizations and more as we utilize our Patent-Pending Program to develop a digital strategy that will meet the needs of sales, service and messaging to your audience.  www.deliverymaxx.com or give us a call at 888-936-6299 today or watch the DeliveryMaxx Introduction Video!

Friday, June 26, 2020

It’s a Great Time to be a Nerd


In the 1980’s it was unfathomable that “Nerds” would be ruling the world.  A fictional movie was even created which depicted Lewis Skolnick, Dudley “Booger” Dawson, Gilbert Lowell and Lamar Latrelle as heroes who would change how we view the intellectually gifted for years to come.  Of course, a year after the first of four Revenge of the Nerds movie series, we watched Chris Night played by Val Kilmer make being smart look cool in Real Genius.

Gone were the days that He-Man would rule the universe.  GI Joe would soon enter civilian life and “B.A.” Baracus of the A-Team was no longer pitying any fools.  Yep, Marty McFly’s best friend was scientist, Dr. Emmett Brown in Back to the Future and two teen misfits would design the perfect woman on a computer in Weird Science.

Today, we won’t be able to cheer for the gridiron greats as the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers have followed suite of the other professional sports cancelling the Pro Football Hall of Fame preseason opener over the fear of a seasonal virus that has a 99.7% chance of being non-fatal.  According to CDC Director Robert Redfield, who told journalist on June 25, 2020 that the number of COVID-19 cases was probably closer to 50 million than the reported current figures which means the death rate is closer to .26 percent which is a great cause for celebration.

Not only are our sports such as football, basketball and baseball in serious jeopardy, but we are seeing American Hero’s statues being toppled by protesters.  Protesters in Portland, Oregon gathered around a statue of George Washington and lit a fire on its head before destroying it.  New York City Mayor, Bill de Blasio has announced that the prominent statue of Theodore Roosevelt which welcomes millions of people across the world standing at the entrance of the American Museum of Natural History, will be removed.  San Francisco protesters defaced and toppled a statue of former President Ulysses S. Grant who led the Union Army during the Civil War.  Even the mayor of Columbus, Ohio is trying to erase history or at least hide it by ordering the remove of a famous Italian explorer, Christopher Columbus who had been credited for discovering America in 1492.

Americans have abandoned following the likes of larger than life men Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan; putting their faith in people like 5’ 7” immunologist, Dr. Anthony Fauci.  We shut down the American economy based on London’s Epidemiologist, Neil Ferguson who stated 2.2 million people would die by April 15, 2020 from COVID-19 if we don’t hide in our homes for 18 months.  Of course he resigned from his position when he got caught breaking social distancing rules he implored the world to take while he was having an affair with a married mother. And don’t forget about billionaire Bill Gates. Because of his vast amount of wealth, he is able to invest in research that can encode medical history on a patient by including a small amount of dye with a vaccine.  Make no mistake about it…these “Nerds” are shaping our public and social policies that will affect how we do business for now on.

As the United States is trying to redefine our identity, many hard working Americans are just trying to provide for their families and enjoy watching their kids grow up.  According to the New York Times, the real unemployment rate is close to 20% with the over 30 million people unemployed which is the worst since the Great Depression.  In the United States, there are 30.2 million small businesses which comprise of 99.9% of all United States businesses.  These are businesses that are less than 500 employees.  They employ 58.9 million people which makes up 47.5% of the country’s employee workforce.  There is talk of another government mandated lockdown which can prove devastating to businesses just trying to survive.

We must embrace technology and understand how to operate in an adverse climate.  Businesses such as Signet Jewelers, JCPenney, Victoria’s Secret, Gap, Tuesday Morning, Chico’s, Bath & Body Works, Macy’s, Pier 1, Sears, Forever 21, Nordstrom, Hallmark, GameStop, Neiman Marcus and Walgreens are among the retailers that are planning to close stores this year.  Even GNC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection a couple of days ago announcing it planned to close between 800 and 1,200 stores while it looked for a buyer. Most recently, Chuck E. Cheese filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy while its finances had been in a freefall since the coronavirus pandemic hit.  Each of these companies failed to be able to provide their goods or services like before once the economic landscape changed.

To survive, rebuild and prepare for the next obstacle that will take place if our political leaders do not take a stand and make sound decisions; businesses will need to look for ways to shield themselves from a lack of foot traffic.  Utilizing the internet and embracing the digital age will be vital for your business to survive.

In short, you will either need to become a “Nerd” or look to a “Nerd” to help your business identify and reach your potential customers.  With more people utilizing the internet for their information and purchases, you can adapt and reach your clients with a digital media and marketing strategy.  Understanding that many potential customers and even some of your employees have been frightened by the news media and local politicians should lead you to investing in PPE products giving the perception that your business is truly a safe place to visit.  Being transparent to both your employees and potential customers will be vital for your success, so your online content should be consistent and plentiful.  This can be a bit overwhelming for some, but as long as you are using common sense with today’s technology you will be able to survive, rebuild and ultimately thrive.

DeliveryMaxx is a small business that takes pride in helping other small businesses succeed in an increasingly digital world.  That was our mission prior to the outbreak and news stories of racial inequality and continues to be our goal today.  If you need help navigating a transition to becoming more active on social media, building an e-commerce website, or post-sale communication with your clients we are here to help.  Our clients experience positive Online Reputation, stronger SEO, concise content management, increase in social media engagement and advertisement and higher customer retention. See how we have helped clients in multiple industries across the country such as Automotive Dealerships, Real-Estate Brokers & Agents, Churches, Service Industry, Sports Teams, Non-Profit Organizations and more as we utilize our Patent-Pending Program to develop a digital strategy that will meet the needs of sales, service and messaging to your audience.  www.deliverymaxx.com or give us a call at 888-936-6299 today or watch the DeliveryMaxx Introduction Video!

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Is Public Fear Limiting Your Business Potential?


When I walked my daughter to her kindergarten class as she attended school for the first time she held my hand tight.  Although she was very excited and outwardly expressed that she was ready to gain her independence, I could feel the clammy coldness moister on her palms as she masked the fear of the unknown. 

It was the same fear my son had the first time I took him Trick-or-Treating on a dark Halloween night.  As we walked around the block in his favorite superhero costume, we came upon a house that was extremely decorated embracing the full spirit of the night.  It had realistic graveyards, strobe lights, bloodcurdling sounds and the most horrifying creatures standing guard of the loot ready to be handed out to brave little soles.  My son looked up at me and said, “Daddy, I don’t want to go to that house!”  Of course, that house was ours.  He had never seen the front of it in the dark on Halloween night.  He was afraid of the unknown.



We all have experienced the fear of the unknown.  Usually, our fears derived from the first time we experienced something.  Whether it was school, riding a bike, swimming, college, job, date or even our first kiss; the fear of the unknown increased our heartbeat, produced beaded droplets on our upper lip and sometimes buckled our knees.  A choice was presented as we could go forward and gain experience or avoid the discomfort and pause the anxiety for the time being. Of course, if you think back to all of the first, without facing our fears, we would not have gained the rewards that awaited on the other side of the proverbial door of the unknown.

Today, your potential customers are facing the same types of fears.  Some are still worried about a seasonal virus.  Others are scared that people who look or think different actually hate each other.  Much of these fears exist because of the media and politicians using fear to sensationalize stories, but perception becomes reality and the fear exist thus altering their buying habits.  Businesses are facing fear as well.  Finances are being scrutinized as the unemployment rate has risen to unprecedented numbers.  Global trade wars and oil production perpetuate the fear while analysts try to prognosticate the unknown.

Knowing and understanding that fear is an emotion that is induced by a perception of what could or might happen can help business owners help ease their potential customers concerns.  There are a few things a business can do to create an inviting environment to gain a larger market share.
Great Product or Service.  This is quite obvious to many, but we have to mention it.  If your product or service lacks in areas, your competition will fill the void and take away your potential customers.  Customer service should be its own mentioned item; however, we will state that people want to feel appreciated for spending their discretionary income with you.  Therefore, let your customers know that you value them.

Safety.  Whether you agree with the reports or not, the majority of the public is more knowledgeable about the spread of a virus even if it is much like the common flu.  Therefore, look into investing into PPE products to give an impression that you care about the safety of your employees as well as your potential customers.  Something as simple as making hand sanitizer available can go a long way.

Communication.  Today, people have a plethora of information at their fingertips.  They are spending more time looking at social media than ever before.  Sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have billions of users who are averaging as much as 8 hours a day on these media platforms.  It only makes sense that if your potential customers are spending half of their waking hours scrolling through content; you should focus your marketing and advertising resources communicating with them.  With the advancement of technology, you have the ability to provide a consistent message easing your customers concerns allowing them to research making the decision to conduct business with your company.  You should have a strategy that is easy to implement as well as consistent earning your potential customers trust thus limiting the fear of the unknown.

Business is no different than life and with social media your entire operation is online for the world to see.  As business around the United States are dealing with the fallout from the coronavirus outbreak and stories of racial inequality; now is the time to get back to the basics.  Many of the lessons our kids, you and me have learned through the years are applicable today.

DeliveryMaxx is a small business that takes pride in helping other small businesses succeed in an increasingly digital world.  That was our mission prior to the outbreak and news stories of racial inequality and continues to be our goal today.  If you need help navigating a transition to becoming more active on social media, building an e-commerce website, or post-sale communication with your clients we are here to help.  Our clients experience positive Online Reputation, stronger SEO, concise content management, increase in social media engagement and advertisement and higher customer retention. See how we have helped clients in multiple industries across the country such as Automotive Dealerships, Real-Estate Brokers & Agents, Churches, Service Industry, Sports Teams, Non-Profit Organizations and more as we utilize our Patent-Pending Program to develop a digital strategy that will meet the needs of sales, service and messaging to your audience.  www.deliverymaxx.com or give us a call at 888-936-6299 today or watch the DeliveryMaxx Introduction Video!

Monday, June 8, 2020

Getting Back to Basics in a Time of Uncertainty


This time of the year brings uncertainty for many 18 year olds (and their parents too).  As a parent of a graduating high school senior, I have a plethora of emotions going through my mind.  Although I am excited and can’t wait for my senior to enter the next chapter of his life as he attends a school in what seems like another continent, 1633.8 miles away to be exact; I run through a virtual checklist in my mind to make sure I have prepared him for anything that can happen while he embarks on this new adventure.

My thoughts drift back to when he still wanted to hold my hand crossing the street.  I was once his super hero that could protect him from anything.  There was a time when he would hang on my every word listening intently to my advice, stories and even laugh at my jokes.  It was an honor to get to coach him in sports at an early age, celebrate his victories and console him during his defeats.  Memories of watching him overcome obstacles and achieving success will last a lifetime and hopefully a few lessons will resonate with him as he encounters new challenges in this world.
Life is pretty simple if you slow down enough to take measure.  Most people in this world are good, but there are some that want to do you harm.  Understanding that you can vastly improve your odds of safety by avoiding hazardous situations and networking with those who are achieving success can lead you to greatness.  Realizing that every challenge presents an opportunity to allow you to change course gaining valuable experience to prepare you for the next trial that will arise will be vital to your growth.  Being transparent with others allows your true character to be exposed, but also allows you to see the true character of others.  You will not be able to please everyone, but you will be able to take solace if you think of others before yourself.  When you do something, do it with passion or don’t waste your time doing it.  Take time to celebrate the little wins and have fun while archiving the things that keep you from accomplishing your goals avoiding those things in the future.

Business is no different than life and with social media your entire operation is online for the world to see.  As business around the United States are dealing with the fallout from the coronavirus outbreak and stories of racial inequality; now is the time to get back to the basics.  Many of the lessons I have tried to teach my son are applicable to business as well.

Having a strong digital platform and the ability to implement a marketing and advertising strategy will allow your potential customers make an easy decision to solicit your services or products.  With more people than ever enamored with information instantaneously available at their fingertips; it is vital to share your message utilizing today’s technology, but also provide an opportunity for your customers to tell others about how great their experience with your company was.

DeliveryMaxx is a small business that takes pride in helping other small businesses succeed in an increasingly digital world.  That was our mission prior to the outbreak and news stories of racial inequality and continues to be our goal today.  If you need help navigating a transition to becoming more active on social media, building an e-commerce website, or post-sale communication with your clients we are here to help.  Our clients experience positive Online Reputation, stronger SEO, concise content management, increase in social media engagement and advertisement and higher customer retention. See how we have helped clients in multiple industries across the country such as Automotive Dealerships, Real-Estate Brokers & Agents, Churches, Service Industry, Sports Teams, Non-Profit Organizations and more as we utilize our Patent-Pending Program to develop a digital strategy that will meet the needs of sales, service and messaging to your audience.  www.deliverymaxx.com or give us a call at 888-936-6299 today or watch the DeliveryMaxx Introduction Video!

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Change your Message if you really want Change


In five months the polls will open up and we will be voting for the President of the United States of America for the 59th time since 43,782 recently independent Americans voted for George Washington in 1788.  We will see the typical ads showing that President Trump is a mean spirited misogynistic anti-immigrant billionaire.  Other ads will depict Joe Biden as an out of touch old man who is the typical corrupt politician not living up to his campaign promises over the 43 years he has been in office.  In general, neither of these messages will change the way both sides of the political spectrum will vote.  They must change their message into one that is clear and precise to capture an additional voting bloc.

After hearing the same messages for the last 3 months about a virus that was sure to end the world as we know it falling well short of the 2.2 million predicted US deaths by April 15th, we are now faced with another division in our country fighting over race relations.  These arguments will be no different than the same arguments the baby boomers fought over in 1965.  The only difference is the baby boomer generation is still fighting amongst themselves and have now added a newer generation to battle on the front lines.

The problem with the Coronavirus as well as the Race Equality message is that there is no real clear message.  Originally, the Coronavirus “Flatten the Curve” message was to lessen the burden on hospitals.  As the narrative continued the message went to the extreme of eliminating a flu-like virus from the face of the earth at all cost including leading us into The 2nd Great Depression.  Now, groups like Black Lives Matter have the worldwide stage.  For the first couple of days their admirable message (with which DeliveryMaxx completely agrees) was “Justice for George” which quickly resulted in the firing and impending criminal trial of the Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin and other three officers who watched the tragedy unfold.  Quickly, the message has been diluted with various themes as reparations for all black Americans at the tune of $400,000 apiece, or completely eradicate racism while peaceful protests have been infiltrated by Antifa and other groups destroying inner cities businesses.  In both cases, the message has been lost at the expense of those trying to bring a positive message for change.  In the case of COVID-19, nobody wanted anyone to die, but like cancer, there will be unfortunate casualties that happen in life.  As for the death of George Floyd at the hands of Derek Chauvin, most people found this to be horrific and applauded how quickly Chauvin was terminated from his job and waiting in angst for his arrest.  However, much like disease we will never be able to eradicate evil from this world.  We have to make sure that the right laws to govern our society are enforced and hold our officials accountable.  The phrase, “Don’t judge everyone by one bad apple” alludes to the idiom “One bad apple spoils the bunch”.  The solution is to rid the bad apple before it spoils the bunch, and if our officials are unwilling to do this and hold the ‘bad apples’ accountable we will not see positive change.  Evil will only triumph when good people do nothing. And we believe our country is largely comprised of good people willing to stand up for what is right.

In reality, we all want the same thing in life which is to be able to provide for our family in a safe environment and watch our kids grow into productive young adults.  Most cities and towns in America exemplify this, but the mainstream news media and many politicians want to continue to divide our country.  If those that truly want change, the message must change into obtainable results and resonate with those who have different experiences.    The message cannot be hijacked by someone or a group that has ulterior motives that will only serve their self-interest.  Social Change can happen especially when the intentions are good.

Businesses today are no different than what is being played out on the daily news.  They want to provide a great service or product in a fair market.  The great equalizer is having a strong digital platform and the ability to implement a marketing and advertising strategy.  With more people than ever enamored with information instantaneously available at their fingertips; it is vital to share your message utilizing today’s technology.  Your message must be clear and precise with obtainable outcomes.

DeliveryMaxx is a small business that takes pride in helping other small businesses succeed in an increasingly digital world.  That was our mission prior to the outbreak and news stories of racial inequality and continues to be our goal today.  If you need help navigating a transition to becoming more active on social media, building an e-commerce website, or post-sale communication with your clients we are here to help.  Our clients experience positive Online Reputation, stronger SEO, concise content management, increase in social media engagement and advertisement and higher customer retention. See how we have helped clients in multiple industries across the country such as Automotive Dealerships, Real-Estate Brokers & Agents, Churches, Service Industry, Sports Teams, Non-Profit Organizations and more as we utilize our Patent-Pending Program to develop a digital strategy that will meet the needs of sales, service and messaging to your audience.  www.deliverymaxx.com or give us a call at 888-936-6299 today or watch the DeliveryMaxx Introduction Video!

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Know how to play the Game and Play it Right


Kenny Rogers, the Country Music Hall of Fame singer who recently died in March, signature song was his 1978 hit, “The Gambler”.  It was a cross-over hit that won him a Grammy Award in 1980 and was selected in 2018 for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress.  The song was about a young fellow who was a little distraught about the chaos that was happening in his life, and he came across this wise old man who poetically explained the secrets how to overcome different obstacles you would face.



The very first piece of advice the Gambler gave us was, "If you're gonna play the game, boy, you gotta learn to play it right.”  Sometimes you have to know when to stay the course, sometimes you need to accept a loss and move on, sometimes you need to adapt and move another direction and other times you need to do a complete paradigm shift and alter your course altogether.  Of course the song he expressed these sentiments using the analogy between life and gambling making sure we play our cards right.  He was an expert for sure because at the beginning of the song he let us know that he made a life out of reading people’s faces just by the way his challengers held their eyes.

The Gambler gave us a gem that all business owners should take heed.  He stated the secret to surviving is knowing what to throw away and knowing what to keep.  The best part about his allocution was when he explained that “every hand’s a winner and every hand’s a loser” which I firmly believe tells us that we have opportunities to win no matter what cards we are dealt.  It just depends on how we decide to play the game and are we playing it right.

Business owners, especially small business owners have had unprecedented adversity in the year 2020.  We are in the midst of The 2nd Great Depression with over 40 million Americans filing unemployment and a real jobless rate over 23.9% (The Great Depression of 1929-1933 was 24.9%), the uncertainty of businesses being able to open up to full capacity, misinformation about a virus that has a 99.9% sure rate, looming trade wars with China and now exploitation by our media and terrorist groups on race.  (As for race relations- it is our position that there is a problem with racial inequality; however, it is by evil people of all colors, races, religions and political ideology.  We believe there are more good people in this world, but they are silenced by the media sensationalizing the bad.  
DeliveryMaxx will always do everything in our power to support those who are suppressed by others and will not stand for bigotry from anyone.)

You have a winning hand and you have a losing hand as it pertains to your business today.  With more people utilizing the internet for their information and purchases, you can adapt and reach your clients with a digital media and marketing strategy.  Understanding that many potential customers and even some of your employees have been frightened by the news media and local politicians should lead you to investing in PPE products giving the perception that your business is truly a safe place to visit.  Being transparent to both your employees and potential customers will be vital for your success, so your online content should be consistent and plentiful.  This can be a bit overwhelming for some, but as long as you are using common sense with today’s technology you will be able to survive, rebuild and ultimately thrive.  As the Gambler said before he drifted off to sleep, “There’ll be time enough for countin’ when the dealin’s done.”

 DeliveryMaxx is a small business that takes pride in helping other small businesses succeed in an increasingly digital world.  That was our mission prior to the outbreak and news stories of racial inequality and continues to be our goal today.  If you need help navigating a transition to becoming more active on social media, building an e-commerce website, or post-sale communication with your clients we are here to help.  Our clients experience positive Online Reputation, stronger SEO, concise content management, increase in social media engagement and advertisement and higher customer retention. See how we have helped clients in multiple industries across the country such as Automotive Dealerships, Real-Estate Brokers & Agents, Churches, Service Industry, Sports Teams, Non-Profit Organizations and more as we utilize our Patent-Pending Program to develop a digital strategy that will meet the needs of sales, service and messaging to your audience.  www.deliverymaxx.com or give us a call at 888-936-6299 today or watch the DeliveryMaxx Introduction Video!

Monday, June 1, 2020

Stay Calm during the Storm


If you were to only get your news via Facebook or Twitter newsfeed which most people do, you would think mask wearers hate non-mask wearers, white people hate black people and Republicans hate Democrats.  In reality there are a few on opposite sides of ideology that truly despise each other, but most people in this world value the same basic things.  They want to have a safe place to live, a way to make a living to provide for their family and watch their children accomplish their goals in life.

Of course, if you travel up the pyramid of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, people want to feel belongingness among their family and friends and have a feeling of accomplishment.  Ultimately, people will want to achieve their full potential including creative activities which usually they will identify with their career.  However, what happens when the basic foundation rests on the unsolid ground?  We all remember the story of the “3 Little Pigs” and how they built their homes.

As business owners, we must understand the current events of the day.  Every story has to have a villain.  If Superman didn’t have Lex Luther or Batman didn’t have to battle The Joker than there would not be a story to be told.  Since the beginning of time, there has always been a battle between Good versus Evil.  The News Media as well as politicians understand this and use this to their advantage.  As long as there is division, there is a story to be told.  However, think about it for a moment.  If you could help out a stranger in need would you?  The majority of readers would give a resounding yes.  Unfortunately, there are many politicians that benefit when a news story is sensationalized.  This allows them to shore up their base and obtain more votes to continue to stay in office.  We The People are the ones who fight their battles for them as they exploit our differences.

Understanding and realizing that when Kingdoms battled in the early centuries, the front-line soldiers were the ones who paid the price showing nothing in return.  When Hitler, Stalin or Mussolini set out to gain more territory; their people suffered.  Yet all of them used propaganda to further their selfish agenda.  Today is no different.  There are evil people in this world that gain by having good people disagree and fight their battles for them.

Knowing these things as a business owner, you have an opportunity to spread your message.  I’m not talking about getting into uncomfortable discussions about Race, Religion or Politics although you should not be afraid to speak out against injustices.  I’m talking about staying calm while the puppet strings are being pulled.  As a business owner, you can utilize your platform to spread a positive message about your company which will draw customers and potential customers to you.  Remember, everyone has basic needs to live.  Everyone wants to feel safe and have a sense of belonging.  If your clients feel that you meet these requirements you will gain a customer for life.  In addition, if you are able to reach more clients by having a strong digital platform, you will gain a larger market share.

DeliveryMaxx is a small business that takes pride in helping other small businesses succeed in an increasingly digital world.  That was our mission prior to the outbreak and news stories of racial inequality and continues to be our goal today.  If you need help navigating a transition to becoming more active on social media, building an e-commerce website, or post-sale communication with your clients we are here to help.  Our clients experience positive Online Reputation, stronger SEO, concise content management, an increase in social media engagement and advertisement, and higher customer retention. See how we have helped clients in multiple industries across the country such as Automotive Dealerships, Real-Estate Brokers & Agents, Churches, Service Industry, Sports Teams, Non-Profit Organizations and more as we utilize our Patent-Pending Program to develop a digital strategy that will meet the needs of sales, service and messaging to your audience.  www.deliverymaxx.com or give us a call at 888-936-6299 today or watch the DeliveryMaxx Introduction Video!

Friday, May 29, 2020

Meet James Schaefer: Founder of DeliveryMaxx

We had the good fortune of connecting with James Schaefer and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi James, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
Due to the Coronavirus and all of the contradicting information our media continues to give, businesses; especially small businesses will have to make some very difficult choices on whether to keep going or giving up. As an entrepreneur, giving up is not in our vocabulary. Therefore we must adapt to the environment around us. Plato once said, “Necessity is the Mother of Innovation”. As government continues to order businesses to close and people to stay home, as business owners, we have to focus on staying alive. Utilizing common sense and today’s technology is more important now than ever. We know our consumers are online. Therefore, we have to adapt and still find ways to spread our message to the consumer and that means creating a digital media strategy do remain operational until we can get back to normal.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
DeliveryMaxx has been the leader in this arena over the last decade and continues to help businesses in all sectors reach their potential customers through the most innovative digital strategy utilizing common sense and today’s technology. Our clients experience positive Online Reputation, stronger SEO, concise content management, increase in social media engagement and advertisement and higher customer retention. We are able to customize and create a strategy for any entity that is trying to gain more exposure on the web. With clients in multiple industries and across the country such as Automotive Dealerships, Real-Estate Brokers & Agents, Churches, Service Industry, Sports Teams, Non-Profit Organizations and more; we utilize our Patent-Pending Program to develop a digital strategy that will meet the needs of sales, service and messaging to the masses. James Schaefer started DeliveryMaxx in the last Great Recession of 2008 without government loans or private financing. Utilizing his personal savings, he has poured in millions over the last decade to create a program with will help any one or any business needing maximum exposure on the web. He understands the challenges business will face, especially in today’s environment. Utilizing common sense and today’s technology he is able to help companies overcome the odds through a complete digital media strategy.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
DeliveryMaxx is based in Rockwall, Texas which is a nice lakefront community outside of Dallas. Anyone visiting Texas has to have the best BBQ and therefore we would go to Sideways located at the Harbor on the lake. Sideways is a small business that has live entertainment and the best Texas BBQ in the country. Not to mention, they are a DeliveryMaxx client and the owner, Josh Deaton used to be a partner of mine in DeliveryMaxx. Before we eat dinner, we would have to do a little bass fishing at Lake Ray Hubbard and maybe practice social distancing on the Golf Course.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Society has rightly given a shoutout to our Doctors, Nurses, Police, Firefighters and other frontline services who are helping during the Coronavirus Pandemic. On behalf of DeliveryMaxx, we would like to give credit to all of the businesses that continue to have expenditures such as rent and payroll even though they don’t have the same revenue that is coming in. Like DeliveryMaxx, these are businesses that have started from nothing and provide an opportunity for others to have an income that keeps our economy strong. They are having to adapt in these chaotic times, and there are so many inspirational stories that are not being told by the media. Their struggle is real and DeliveryMaxx enjoys helping them provide a digital strategy to help keep their business alive by utilizing E-Commerce.
I would also like to recognize all of the 2020 High School and College Seniors. This is an unprecedented time for each of you. Having a high school senior myself who has missed his high school prom, will have an unorthodox graduation ceremony and the loss of the traditional senior memories so many of us have experienced in the past; my heart goes out to you and your parents. You will never be able to get these back. However, the future of our country will now rely on the decisions each of you make from here on out. Use your experiences to continue to make the world a better place.

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Changing your Perspective and Adapting


Albert Einstein, the German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of relativity has been credited and often cited as saying, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.”  This quote has been used in countless arguments to persuade others into gaining a new perspective in the way things are currently being done.  It usually flows off the tongue and the recipient of the phrase has probably failed in their task, but continues to keep trying without adapting to the adversity.  Another of his famous quotes is, “Life is like riding a bicycle.  To keep your balance you must keep moving.”  Riding the bicycle in business is a perfect analogy comparing the two.  However, businesses can also look at the quote penned by Einstein whose name would become synonymous with ‘genius’ is, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.  Knowledge is limited.  Imagination encircles the world.”


Over the last 3 months, America has entered into The 2nd Great Depression with over 38.6 million people losing their jobs.  Businesses such as Pier 1, True Religion, J. Crew, Neiman Marcus, JCPenney, Tuesday Morning and most recently Hertz.  These are the big names that have been causalities of our reaction to a seasonal virus.  There are a plethora of small businesses that will enter the grave as an unknown.  A virus that has a cure rate of over 99.9% has frightened people into wearing mask and gloves while they are driving as well as terrified people into avoiding eye contact with friends and neighbors at the local grocery store, has presented challenges to many businesses.  Those businesses must change their perspective and quickly adapt if they don’t want to be added to the growing list of companies that will shut their door forever.

·         Change Your Perspective.  Being well-informed can be frustrating.  You probably knew that there was no way that a flu-like virus would kill 2.2 million Americans by April 15 as the famous Epidemiologist Neil Ferguson predicted and so many of our local politicians shouted behind a podium.  You did the simple math and looked at the misinformation that the media published and quickly saw that 6027 people would have to die a day just to hit that number in a year, and over 36,666 people would have to die a day to meet the doomsday prediction of an epidemiologist who has a history of being wrong many times before.  Yet, even though you used common sense, many people do not.  It’s easier to follow than it is to lead.  Therefore, change your perspective to utilizing your business to meet the needs of potential customers.  Your customers are scared and instead of being mad at them, have empathy.  It takes time to research.  There are also many egos involved.  Nobody wants to be told they are wrong (and there are millions of Americans that have fallen for the overhyped rhetoric).  Identify what people want out of life.  They want to be able to have a story of overcoming adversity of some type.  They want to have a purpose that they can be proud of.  This virus, if it lived up to the hype, would have been that perfect story for them.  Therefore, look at ways that you can provide your customers satisfaction and some significance in their existence.  Realize that they want to feel valued and if you show them this they will become a customer for life.

·         Adapt. Remember, your customers have been told they can get the virus which they believe will be deadly just by swimming in a pool.  They have chosen to try to save face by only listening to reports that fit their narrative.  Have you ever tried to make your kid eat a vegetable they don’t like?  It is a battle that you won’t win even if you use logic and common sense.  You will need to invest in PPE products, at minimum hand-sanitizer and cleaning solutions.  Become more transparent with your employees and customers alike.  Let them know you care about their health.  If putting up Plexiglas dividers will allow you to continue to do business than do it.  Also focus on how your customers receive their information.  Our society ingest its information from bold sensationalized headlines, innovative memes and 15-30 second videos.  Leaders will need to make sure their business is able to reach, communicate and provide goods and services using today’s technology.  This includes marketing, advertising, e-commerce and informing your customers and potential customers in the digital arena.  Digital Advertising is less expensive than traditional advertisement, but it has to be done right.

Einstein said, “A man should look for what is, and not for what he thinks should be.”  Our country is divided into those who use logic and those who need to be told what to think, and realizing this will give you a new perspective and allow you to adapt in order for your business to survive.

DeliveryMaxx is a small business that takes pride in helping other small businesses succeed in an increasingly digital world.  That was our mission prior to this outbreak which has now shown it is more important than ever.  If you need help navigating a transition to becoming more active on social media, building an e-commerce website, or post-sale communication with your clients we are here to help.  Our clients experience positive Online Reputation, stronger SEO, concise content management, increase in social media engagement and advertisement and higher customer retention. See how we have helped clients in multiple industries across the country such as Automotive Dealerships, Real-Estate Brokers & Agents, Churches, Service Industry, Sports Teams, Non-Profit Organizations and more as we utilize our Patent-Pending Program to develop a digital strategy that will meet the needs of sales, service and messaging to your audience.  www.deliverymaxx.com or give us a call at 888-936-6299 today or watch the DeliveryMaxx Introduction Video!

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Fight or Flight in the Year 2020


Every young boy who played or who has attempted to play sports knows what it means to either “Fight or Flight” all too well.  At first glance, one might think the cause of the dilemma the player would be a game situation, but most of the time it was in the locker room.  There would inevitably be a situation presented that the player would have to make a choice to stand up for what he felt was right or back down and try to deescalate the situation.  “Fight or Flight”.

Today, business owners are faced with a variety of situations that have or will trigger the release of hormones that will prepare them to either face the continuous threats or try to move to safety.  In the past, our ancient ancestors faced dangers in their environment.  They could either fight or flee.  Sun Tzu, the legendary Chinese military strategist from 5th Century BC would use both options as a strategy in his well-read book, “The Art of War”.



Instead of facing enemies armed with weapons determine to take your life, in business, we are faced with challenges that try to alter our path.  My home state of Texas is facing an unemployment rate of 12.8% which is the worst on record.  The closest past unemployment rate was 9.2% back in November of 1986 during the last big oil bust.  Every state in the Union has been hit hard.  Nevada, for example, has registered an unemployment rate exceeding 28% which is the highest in the nation due in large part to its reliance on tourism and hospitality.  The overall unemployment number is at 38.6 million at the time of this blog with an average of 2 million new filings a week.  To understand how big this number is, 38.6 million is greater than the combined population of 21 states.

Mainstream news media that continues to scare uninformed citizens by distorting the truth, power hungry politicians (although a few have changed their stance because of the unrest of their voters) and opportunist who continue to profit off of a pandemic that has a 99.9% recovery rate (much better than the seasonal flu) have become a business owners’ nemesis.  The so-called stimulus meant to assist businesses to keep their doors open while we “flattened the curve” and ease the burden for hospitals; instead lined the pockets of political operatives and their interest.  These enemies of the people have and continue to threaten the lives of millions minimalizing the crisis by flippantly calling it “The New Normal”.

So we are faced with a choice.  Fight or Flight.  There will be casualties in this civil war.  Currently, as we are experiencing The 2nd Great Depression in the year 2020, we will see deaths from suicide and stress related illness.  We will see families destroyed through divorce, child and spousal abuse.  Crime rate will be much more than a neighbor reporting another neighbor for not “Social Distancing”.  Alcohol and drug abuse will rise.  The Government of the People will give way to the Powerful Elite.  The top .05% of wage earners will increase while over 95% of the population will soon learn why deflation is not what economist want to see.

History has shown civilizations having mass exodus from countries such as Ireland, Sweden, Germany and most recent, Mexico and Honduras.  Can you imagine Americans running for the boarder to the North or even the South?  Our other option is to stay and fight.

Necessity is the mother of invention.  To survive, businesses must understand the fears of their employees and potential customers.  Although the threat of the seasonal virus has been proven to have been overhyped and the response to the threat has been catastrophic to tens of millions; business have to adapt to the current battleground.  Investment in PPE products and having a digital strategy will be crucial to stay alive.  Staying transparent and forming alliances between competition and your own employees will forge a stronger bond allowing you to operate at a point of strength versus weakness.  New opportunities will emerge and appear before you as you survey the ever-changing economic landscape.  You will have battle scars, but if you stay the course you will come out victorious.  God Speed to all of you!

Take control of your own destiny and do not rely on the humanity of corporations or the effectiveness of a bloated government.  We are not in this together… yet we could be by choosing not to listen to those that say we are. We can stop succumbing to the fearmongering and support each other in our own communities. 

DeliveryMaxx is a small business that takes pride in helping other small businesses succeed in an increasingly digital world.  That was our mission prior to this outbreak which has now shown it is more important than ever.  If you need help navigating a transition to becoming more active on social media, building an e-commerce website, or post-sale communication with your clients we are here to help.  Our clients experience positive Online Reputation, stronger SEO, concise content management, increase in social media engagement and advertisement and higher customer retention. See how we have helped clients in multiple industries across the country such as Automotive Dealerships, Real-Estate Brokers & Agents, Churches, Service Industry, Sports Teams, Non-Profit Organizations and more as we utilize our Patent-Pending Program to develop a digital strategy that will meet the needs of sales, service and messaging to your audience.  www.deliverymaxx.com or give us a call at 888-936-6299 today or watch the DeliveryMaxx Introduction Video!


Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Let Passion Drive Your Business


Over the last 3 months, we have all had a lot of time to reflect on our purpose in life.  For many, we have let our careers define who we are.  If this is the case, why are there not more people that absolutely love and have a desire to punch that time clock every Monday morning?  If you are one of those who are still procrastinating after a long Memorial Day Weekend by browsing the internet and stumbling onto this blog… You’re Welcome.  This is a perfect blog for you.

Do you have passion for what you do?  I’m not talking about “Pizza Friday’s” we all remember in elementary school.  I’m not even talking about the desire for the clock to strike 11 AM and the glorious sound of the bell releasing us for an hour of recess.  I’m talking about the 24/7 ultimate fixation, mouth drooling, weak at the knees, heart palpitating excitement to get to do what you want to do.

Very few people get to experience this type of bliss typically because of fear.  However, once you find your passion, use it to absolutely drive your business to reach heights you can only dream of.  That passion will be contagious.  Your employees will want a taste of it.  Your family will appreciate you for it.  More importantly, you will have found your purpose making 5 o’clock Fridays another hour in the day. 

This doesn’t mean you won’t have obstacles that stand in your way because you will.  Peers may resent your happiness.  Friends and sometimes spouses may feel like they are competing for your time.  Your competition will do everything they can to tear you down.  However, armed with passion for what you do will carry you through the finish line.  The great thing about possessing passion is that what seems like a tough rat race for most, will allow you to sprint a marathon.

People want to do business with companies that love and have a passion for what they do.  The want to see the dream and in reality live vicariously through you.  Think about professional athletes for a moment.  Why do you think they always have an entourage around them?  The same goes for your business.

Build your entourage by letting your customers and potential customers have a taste of your passion.  With today’s technology businesses can easily share with the world their passion.  People are spending more time on the internet than ever before.  Today more than ever, the consumer wants to see something positive and if you are teasing the world with a positive glass of passion, they will ultimately want to buy the whole container.

DeliveryMaxx has been the leader in this arena over the last decade and continues to help businesses in all sectors reach their potential customers by sharing their passion through the most innovative digital strategy utilizing common sense and today’s technology.  Our clients experience positive Online Reputation, stronger SEO, concise content management, increase in social media engagement and advertisement and higher customer retention.  We are able to customize and create a strategy for any entity that is trying to gain more exposure on the web.  With clients in multiple industries and across the country such as Automotive Dealerships, Real-Estate Brokers & Agents, Churches, Service Industry, Sports Teams, Non-Profit Organizations and more; we utilize our Patent-Pending Program to develop a digital strategy that will meet the needs of sales, service and messaging to the masses.  For more information about DeliveryMaxx contact (888) 938-6299 or watch the DeliveryMaxx Introduction Video!

Friday, May 22, 2020

Helpful Recommendations to Survive and Rebuild Your Business


For the last two months, business owners like myself have been very frustrated and in many cases at a loss for what to do next.  First, we all should agree that reactions to the Coronavirus have negatively impacted many businesses.  Like many of you, a wide variety of emotions have emerged as the goal post continued to change as we tried to conduct business in an ever-changing economic environment.

Instead of writing a blog blaming the government for abusing power, complaining about the mainstream media providing misinformation, exposing the big banks for squeezing out the small businesses for PPP funding or even shaming the citizens for allowing their fear to dictate the new rules and regulations that have severely limited businesses to achieve success; I have decided to talk about actions DeliveryMaxx has taken.  Hopefully, this blog will give you and your business some positive actions you might be able to take allowing you to adapt, survive, rebuild, and ultimately thrive.  Like us, you have probably invested your life savings to build your dream job, not for the sole purpose of making a living, but because you truly enjoy actively participating in the services or products your company provides.

There are several steps you can take to position your company and operate at a point of strength.  Reaching potential clients, promoting a safe environment, networking, identifying ways to help others and willingness to adapt are just a few recommendations we encourage you to look at:


·         Reaching Potential Clients. Due to the government shutting down business operations as we know it; it is imperative that you have a strong presence on the internet.  This means your website has become your primary store front.  It should be easy to navigate and allow your potential customer to receive all of the information they are looking for.  However, you must have a digital strategy that helps guide people to your website.  Think about the internet as a highway.  If you were able to put up a billboard on every exit of the highway guiding people to your place of business, would that be helpful?  Of course it would.  That is how you want to use your social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Blogger, WordPress, Pinterest, YouTube and more.  You should have a methodical strategy.  The good news is that digital advertising and marketing is a lot less expensive than traditional advertising.  Companies like DeliveryMaxx can help you.

·         Promoting a Safe Environment.  It does not matter if you think the reaction to the virus was a hoax, overblown or the perfect solution to keep people from getting sick.  Perception is reality and the reality is there are a lot of people who are afraid due to the information or misinformation they have received.  Therefore, if you want to build your clientele to solicit your place of business you will want to make sure they feel safe and are willing to step foot in your building.  Although your employees are probably thankful to get back to work, they too receive a lot of information.  They may not express their feeling to you, so you can ease their concerns by providing the appropriate PPE supplies to allow them to do their job safely.  Personal Protection Supplies can be anything from KN95 Mask, disposable gloves, hand sanitizer or disinfectant spray.  Companies like Apache Commodities Group have fair pricing below market and can even provide bulk products and pricing for your needs.

·         Networking.  With so many people telecommuting and utilizing virtual contacting services; having great relationships with others is vital.  Talk with your vendors or partners.  Be transparent with your employees.  Let your business accounts know what is going on in your world.  The more you share, the more likely it will be for someone else to identify with your experiences.  Join a networking group even if it is a small group.  Every business has been affected by the current situation and the landscape will continue to move.  Experiences of the past will always help you prepare for the future.  The more people you are in contact with the more experiences you will have access to allowing you to position your business for success.

·         Help Others.  This area is personal for me and DeliveryMaxx.  Throughout this whole ordeal, I have experienced the same frustrations as many of you.  I have felt like I was put on a remote island with no tools or help from others.  I swallowed my pride and shared my concerns and sure enough there were individuals that offered to introduce me to others that might need my services.  There were individuals that helped me navigate through the regulations of securing funding to allow me to operate.  There were even clients who understood my value and instead of cutting out my services, identified other ways I could help.  When I sat back and realized I could do the same for others, business began to grow.  I offered to use my expertise at a minimum cost to them.  Many times, my new clients and my company used unique billing methods that would be advantageous to both of us.  In some cases my company achieved more revenue and in other cases we added more work without adding revenue.  However, the satisfaction we gained helping others was a huge boost to our psyche and that gave us another ally in these chaotic times.

·         Willingness to Adapt.  You have a choice.  You can draw a line in the sand and decide not to cross it.  This can be admirable to some extent, but if your business can’t function, who does that help?  Or you can compromise and adapt.  Take for example a restaurant.  Putting up Plexiglas dividers is not ideal.  In many cases, it does not make a lot of sense when you really analyze what it is doing.  The same goes for having the wait staff wearing a mask.  However, if that is what it takes to open your doors and get back to 100% capacity that might be something you have to look at doing in order to survive.  You don’t have to compromise your beliefs or alter your moral compass.  However, if you can keep your business going for another day, month or even another year; you are giving your business a chance to survive.

On behalf of DeliveryMaxx, I hope that these suggestions will help you and your business survive, rebuild and thrive better than it ever has before. Please feel free to contact us and we can identify ways to allow you to get back to business as usual.

DeliveryMaxx continues to help businesses in all sectors reach their potential customers through the most innovative digital strategy utilizing common sense and today’s technology.  Our clients experience positive Online Reputation, stronger SEO, concise content management, increase in social media engagement and advertisement and higher customer retention.  We are able to customize and create a strategy for any entity that is trying to gain more exposure on the web.  With clients in multiple industries and across the country such as Automotive Dealerships, Real-Estate Brokers & Agents, Churches, Service Industry, Sports Teams, Non-Profit Organizations and more; we utilize our Patent-Pending Program to develop a digital strategy that will meet the needs of sales, service and messaging to the masses.  For more information about DeliveryMaxx contact (888) 938-6299 or watch the DeliveryMaxx Introduction Video!