Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Starting a New Business in the Corona Climate


Twelve years ago, DeliveryMaxx was started without government funds or any other financial assistance in the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, The Great Recession of 2007-2009.  Today, DeliveryMaxx is a digital media company with a Patent-Pending program that creates a comprehensive strategy allowing its clients to improve SEO, Online Reputation, Social Media Marketing/Advertising and Engagement, Content Management and Customer Retention all utilizing a mobile app.  In short, DMAXX as it is known to its clients creates a plan to turn their normal course of daily actions into marketing and advertising opportunities.  The app was created to minimize cost and allow clients to instantly gain a larger audience sharing their message on the World Wide Web thus increasing sales and/or service.  DeliveryMaxx utilizes positive reviews, daily post for engagement, blogs and video messaging to reach every facet of clients’ potential customers. Not to mention, the program is very simple and easy to use and gives the appearance that clients have a larger marketing department than what they really do.  The best part about the program is that the clients’ customers feel valued and are more incline to spread these positive messages through the digital media channels better known as social media.

However, DeliveryMaxx didn’t have an easy road.  When first developed in 2008, the program depended on Kodak digital cameras which had a special function of labeling photos of happy customers and the ability to quickly produce marketing materials.  The iPhone was in its infancy.  Quickly, DeliveryMaxx had to adapt to the emerging technology of online reviews and a relatively new concept of Search Engine Optimization.  Over the last decade, DeliveryMaxx has spent millions in research and development to create a program that accomplishes businesses, non-profits and others needs’ in all areas covered in the digital media arena.

Like any startup, DeliveryMaxx was faced with operational challenges including labor and other expenses.  The first turn towards positive success was to utilize the same program that was pitched to clients.  Proper execution allowing the internet to do all of the heavy lifting led to increased client acquisition and management.
The United States has been ordered to come to a complete stop if a business is not deemed essential.  Many consumers are afraid to leave the house and the ones that do have started to come up with creative ways to cover their mouths utilizing plastic bottles, fruit peelings, diapers and other interesting contraptions.  There is still no answer as to why everyone made an instant run towards the toilet paper.  Nonetheless, many people will be out of a job and have to find something new to do.  Either their company will have to lay off employees to minimize labor cost or many businesses will just shut the door forever.  A small stimulus check will not be enough to help a family of four and the government will be at a loss of additional tax revenue that it won’t be able to sustain the economy.  The only thing that will get the US out of this mess is that businesses are rebuilt or started from scratch.  These businesses will need to find the most cost effective way to get their message out to the masses in order to create and ultimately increase sales.


History shows us that the Great Recession of 2007-2009 was created by overextended credit and risky mortgages which resulted in a housing market crash and the failure of several investment banks.  The 1981 recession was due to rising inflation from the 1970’s which resulted in tightened monetary policy from the Federal Reserve, while regime change in Iran led to rising oil prices. Amid these crosscurrents, the U.S. found itself with falling inflation but rising unemployment by the early 1980s.  Many of our senior population can vividly remember the 1973 recession which lasted about 2 years because of quadrupling oil prices by Arab exporters resulted in stagflation (high inflation amid stagnant economic growth) and a stock market crash.  Although, you would have to be 91 years old to have lived through The Great Depression, we have all learned about this in school.  After a six-year bull market on Wall Street, over-speculation led to an October 1929 stock market crash. Economic production fell by 50 percent, and unemployment surged to 25 percent.

Albert Einstein once said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.”  Make no mistake, we will be in a recession that will take a minimum of 2 years to recover.  If our government leaders on both sides of the aisle pander to the special interest groups without caring for “We the People” we will potentially create the 2nd Great Depression.

Nobody would have ever thought a virus that has over an 85% recovery rate would crash our economy and end up putting so many people out of work.  Unfortunately, that presents many people with two options.  Quit or as our grandfathers used to say, “Pull up your bootstraps and get to work.”  There are many who would like to do this and as soon as the quarantine is lifted will do just that.

Adversity, it can break you or make you if you let it, the choice is yours.

In 1929, amid the Great Depression the notorious year that the stock market crashed, spurring a 10-year global downturn, also marked the birth of an aerospace giant. United Aircraft and Transport Corporation began life as a holding company for airlines, airplane parts manufacturers and aviation companies such as Boeing.

Most industries floundered under the financial crisis, but the Golden Age of Aviation was in full swing and kept United Aircraft aloft. In fact, the company pulled so many other businesses under its umbrella during its initial years that it quickly smacked up against antitrust laws. In 1934, Boeing and United Airlines became separate companies and United Aircraft turned into what is now UTC, a diversified industrial manufacturer.  By 2008, UTC reported $58.7 billion in revenue.

FedEx was born when Frederick W. Smith identified a pressing business need of important documents had to reach their destinations within one or two days. He incorporated a company called Federal Express in June 1971 and began operations in 1973 from Memphis International Airport. On its first night, in April, FedEx shipped 186 packages to 25 U.S. cities.  However, all was not well on the international front, and within months, several Arab states had embargoed oil exports to the United States. While this news could have been disastrous for a company that relied on petroleum-fueled transportation, Federal Express stayed alive and became profitable in July 1975, when oil prices finally leveled off.

The Applebee's chain was founded by Bill and T. J. Palmer in 1980. The vision that they wanted was "to create a restaurant that had a neighborhood pub feel to it and could offer friendly service along with quality fare at a lower price than most of their competition."  Also, Fuddruckers created a couple of years prior in 1979 by Philip J. Romano developed a concept to offer large hamburgers in which the meat is ground on-site and buns are baked on the premises.

Through adversity entrepreneurs find the strength they never knew they had.  Today’s economic climate is rather depressing if we continue to let the media dictate how we are supposed to feel.  For those looking for a silver lining is that a business (hopefully thousands) will be born and when we face another inevitable crisis, we can update this report with Businesses Created during the Corona Depression.

DeliveryMaxx is in the same boat as many of our clients and other businesses around the country.  We are facing difficult decisions that include temporary layoffs, reduction of expenses, increased workload from employees and reduced pay due to lack of revenue.  However, with our suite of digital services, DeliveryMaxx is able to help clients make an impact on the internet including Online Reputation, Social Media Marketing and Advertising, Content Management, SEO, Website Development, Customer Retention Satisfaction and other Digital Media Strategies giving them a stronger reach which means more sales and services provided.

DeliveryMaxx is able to customize and create a strategy for businesses, churches and any entity that is trying to gain more exposure on the web.  With clients in multiple industries and across the country; we utilize our Patent-Pending Program to develop a digital strategy that will meet the needs of sales, service and messaging to the masses.  We are one of the only digital media company that provides a simple to use app which will allow to immediately collect online reviews, post engaging videos and online content with branding and advertising.  The program is embedded with digital code helping increase SEO which provides first page results on the Search Engines.  It is a tool that is implanted with a complete digital strategy giving their clients a competitive advantage over the competition.  For more information about DeliveryMaxx contact (888) 938-6299 or watch the DeliveryMaxx Introduction Video!




Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Your Business is Nonessential… Now What?


As we received mixed messages from municipal government officials dictating what business is essential and what business is not during the coronavirus scare; many lives are being upended.  Unfortunately, many businesses do not feel like they have a voice nor the means to continue to pay expenses.

This is NOT a political blog nor is this intended to minimize the severity of the virus and its potential effects on our population.  This is intended to provide assistance to businesses who continue to have lease payments, payroll and other expenditures that will not go away.  It is also intended to provide a common voice for those who are faced with the facts that they will shut down their doors over the next 30 days and never be able to open again.

DeliveryMaxx, a small business that specializes in Online Reputation, Social Media Marketing and Advertising, Content Management, SEO, Website Development, Customer Retention Satisfaction and other Digital Media Strategies was created in 2008 without government loans and other financial assistance.  Over the last 12 years we developed a Patent-Pending program that helps our clients increasing Positive Reviews, Strong SEO, and a digital strategy that will take client’s current business model giving them a stronger reach on the internet which means more sales and services provided.  Being a small business, DeliveryMaxx has provided jobs for those who have worked for the company and other vendors who have provided services for the company.  A stimulus package will not help 
DeliveryMaxx and many of the clients that we serve.  This story is quite common across the country.
I don’t know anyone who has tested positive much less tested positive and is critical condition or dying from the Coronavirus.  I hope this is the norm and not an exception.  My heart goes out to them and their family and I would not wish this heartache on anyone.  This is not me being insensitive to others health as I do care.  Personally, I have parents and in-laws who are elderly and one who cannot receive treatments for brain cancer because of the shutdown.  I have relatives and friends who have underlying health conditions and are vulnerable to getting sick.  In addition, I do know three clients stories (and a 187 employees that work for those clients) that the virus has negatively affected and these stories will continue if either our government doesn’t act appropriately or businesses don’t take necessary steps to adapt in this climate.  

The first is a very popular restaurant that had to lay off all of its employees and shut their doors.  If the mandatory lockdown happens longer than a month or two; they will not be able to open again.  This will leave a vacancy in the location they reside.  The owners still have mortgages and car payments they have to pay.  The vendors that serve them will not be able to collect due to a lack of revenue.  The single mothers who work for the business have no income coming in and will now have to depend on the government for assistance.  The young couple that worked who were planning on getting married next month now are rethinking how they can even afford to start a life together.

The second business that my heart goes out to is one of the most ethical foundation companies in North Texas.  The owner has been a pillar in the community his entire life donating tens of thousands to the Child Advocacy Group.  For the last 35 years he has given employees jobs who walked in without a car and a dollar to their name just because he had empathy for their situation.  He has employees who are the sole provider for their family, retired workers who are supplementing their income to provide food on the table and part-time workers who are earning a little extra income to pay bills and support their family.  He has purchased equipment to do upcoming jobs, but because of certain city’s regulations he cannot complete those jobs thus enabling him to make payroll.  Not to mention, his personal expenses to live.

Finally, a third business deals in selling and servicing printing and copiers.  Their clients include large businesses, churches, small businesses and any company that needs to print or copy documents.  Because of the shutdown, there is no need to service this equipment and therefore they have had to lay off all of the employees who no longer can provide a service.  Because businesses are shutdown, sales people cannot sell and now have a loss of income.  Attorneys, accountants and other vendors now experience that loss of revenue.

Currently there are many opinions, statistics and numbers being thrown around in today’s media.  The media has to sell advertisement based on viewership so the most sensational stories get publicized.  The medical profession who is on the frontlines are seeing the sick on a daily basis, so all they know is what they are seeing inside their world (and I can only imagine how scary it is).  Politicians are seeing which way the wind is blowing and forming their opinions based on what they think will get them the most votes.  We, the people, are getting so much information that we don’t know what is factual and what is not.

What is happening is the small business is being destroyed and real families are becoming victims of the coronavirus without ever getting sick.

What’s the right answer?  I don’t know.  I am an expert at providing a program that allows businesses to get their message out via the World Wide Web through innovative digital strategies.  My opinion is no different than the nurse who shares their opinion because of the victims they continues to see.  We have the Democrats and Republicans trying to blame each other and put pork inside a stimulus package that will not help most of us.  We have some judges trying to shut down their city while other mayors are saying everyone is important.  The businesses that have put their life savings into their company have also taken huge losses in the stock market.  People like me wouldn’t be able to sell our house to save our business because few will be buying in this market.  Therefore the equity we have has been diminished.

This will pass.  America as we know it might not be the same again.  However, the United States was founded on common sense principles and still provides everyone the right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.  As long as our Constitution does not change, people will be able create new small businesses even in these difficult times.

So what can businesses do to survive if they have been deemed nonessential?  First and foremost, they must streamline their expenses and unfortunately that means eliminating employees.  My 18 year old son was a casualty in his part-time job that he was using to save money to attend college.  Second, with the increase in viewership on social media; they must have a complete digital strategy to consistently get their message out to the masses.  They may have to do a paradigm shift and increase their e-commerce business.  The positive by going digital is the cost can be drastically reduced by partnering with a company such as DeliveryMaxx.

DeliveryMaxx is able to customize and create a strategy for businesses, churches and any entity that is trying to gain more exposure on the web.  With clients in multiple industries and across the country; we utilize our Patent-Pending Program to develop a digital strategy that will meet the needs of sales, service and messaging to the masses.

Times are tough and DeliveryMaxx is here to provide vital services for the victims who have businesses which are necessary to provide food, shelter and transportation to their employees.  Our prayers continue for all of those affected by the virus and hope that those who actually get sick are quickly cured.

In today’s world, businesses now more than ever must have a digital strategy.  Today it is the Coronavirus, tomorrow it will be something else.  Our customers are spending more hours of the day online shopping, researching or mindless browsing.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of the coronavirus, but also out to all of the businesses that will be adversely affected by potential customers isolating themselves indoors.  We will develop a custom plan for each business that allows them to compete in today’s marketplace.

With its Patent-Pending Digital Marketing Solutions; DeliveryMaxx is the only digital media company that provides a simple to use app which will allow to immediately collect online reviews, post engaging videos and online content with branding and advertising.  The program is embedded with digital code helping increase SEO which provides first page results on the Search Engines.  It is a tool that is implanted with a complete digital strategy giving their clients a competitive advantage over the competition.  For more information about DeliveryMaxx contact (888) 938-6299 or watch the DeliveryMaxx Introduction Video!

Monday, March 23, 2020

How Businesses can Survive the Coronavirus Shutdown


Every day we continue to get mixed messages sent to us by our government and the medical profession.  The short answer is nobody really has the exact answer and much less a solution to help.  Everything is pure speculation and the fear of the unknown is controlling our actions.  The one thing that you know is you must develop, implement and perfectly execute the right processes to assure your business’ success.

However, businesses still have rent, cost of goods, unsold inventory and other expenses that will continue despite the national shutdown.  Businesses will try to cut cost ultimately eliminating their labor cost.  The sad part is that everyone knows about the billion dollar companies, but the faces of our community business do not have strong advocates to speak for them on their behalf.

DeliveryMaxx understands this all too well.  Founder James Schaefer, developed the Patent-Pending program just over 10 years ago creating an innovative way for companies to easily spread their message to the masses utilizing a mobile app.  He created this company without government loans or private investments.  Utilizing his personal savings, he has poured in millions over the last decade to create a program that will help anyone needing exposure on the web.



Now more than ever, all eyes are on social media.  As a matter of fact, 66% of social media users believe their social media usage habit will increase in the event they are confined to their home due to the Coronavirus.  Several states across the Nation have already implemented this strategy to contain the virus spread.  Over 60% of both YouTube and Facebook users expect an increase while only 2% expect a decrease.

Some key statistics for how Coronavirus impacts E-Commerce include: 99% of social media users believe there is a chance they will purchase something online if they are confined to their home during a Coronavirus outbreak, 92% of consumers who have “a great deal of say” on purchasing decisions believe they will purchase grocery store items online (versus in-store) during confinement, 79% of consumers with children ages 3-17 at home believe they may purchase home improvement or DIY items online while confined to home and 76% of consumers who have a “great deal of say” on purchasing decisions believe they will order restaurant food delivery online.

There is no question that as more consumers are confined to their home, there will be a significant surge of social media content and consumption.  That surge will present an increased opportunity for brands to connect with an audience that is hungry for content, education, and online social experiences.  Brands will see their marketing dollars go further than they have in recent years and certain sectors stand to benefit greatly from these marketing savings. Don’t get left behind in reaching your market as your competition will react relatively quickly to the changing environment and adjust their overall campaign spending to reflect the surge in social media consumption as it unfolds.

There is a “New Normal” that is developing.  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.

For more information on how DeliveryMaxx can help your business or organization create a custom advertisement and marketing program visit www.deliverymaxx.com or contact 888.936.6299.  DeliveryMaxx clients include Automotive Dealerships, Real-Estate Brokers & Agents, Churches, Service Industry, Sports Teams, Non-Profit Organizations and more.  In fact, anyone wanting to create a dominate presence on the web needs the DeliveryMaxx Program.  Everything published to the World Wide Web will affect how your business is perceived.  DeliveryMaxx allows you to take full control of your presence on the web; ensuring that daily branded content (Blogs/Videos/Images), reputation management (Online Reviews) and customer retention strategies are working together in unison allowing you to set your dealership apart from the competition.  It is not enough to just have a program, but you must have a strategy and DeliveryMaxx provides you the tool to allow you and your customers to share with the world how great you are!

Friday, March 13, 2020

Coronavirus Exposes Need for Online Digital Strategy More than Ever


You would have to be living in a cave not to know that everyone in the world is talking about the Coronavirus (COVID-19).  No matter what your position is on whether you feel people are overreacting and buying up all of the toilet paper for a flu-like cold or if you think this is the next Bubonic plague that will change the world as we know it; all of the actions today we are taking today will affect aspects of your business..

Now more than ever- it is important for your business to have an online strategy that can withstand the mass hysteria and media’s recommendation to quarantine oneself from the public to avoid catching the virus.  Even though the masses are avoiding civilization, internet usage is at an all-time high and that means your message needs to gain maximum exposure!
DeliveryMaxx has the cure!  With our Patent-Pending digital media strategy, clients will be able to share with the world why their customers should patronize their business (even online sales) and let the world know they have the goods to keep life going as we know it.  Our strategy can be implemented in the virtual arena of technology and includes Online Reputation Management, Social Media Marketing, Customer Satisfaction and Retention, Social Media Engagement and Search Engine Optimization (SEO). 


We have provided this for over the last decade for businesses in the automotive, real estate, construction, retail, food and hospitality, medical, entertainment, non-profit, sports and church industries.  The bottom line is that our clients are able to turn what they do on a daily basis into a digital media strategy that helps them gain positive reviews, social media engagement, strong SEO and happy customers that are willing to share their great experiences with all of their friends and family… Your Potential Customers.  This has led to more sales, higher customer satisfaction scores, repeat business and more digital content on the internet giving you maximum exposure.

The Coronavirus may or may not be blown out of proportion.  That is for you to decide.

As of March 13, 2020, the Coronavirus has 1663 reported cases and 40 deaths in the United States.  Over 99% of the cases have an unfavorable affect on individuals with underlining heath conditions and/or those who are over 50 years old.  According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there have been nearly 128,000 cases confirmed with 4720 deaths.  Not to diminish these facts, but according to the Center of Disease and Control over 56,000 people die from the flu or flu-like illness each year in the United States.  In addition, nearly 1.25 million people die in road crashes each year, on average 3,287 deaths a day. 

Make no mistake about the media coverage of this virus.  It has caused major panic much like someone hollering “FIRE” in a crowded movie theatre.  (Of course you could do that now and nobody would be there to hear you.)  This scare will negatively impact all businesses especially small businesses.

“In today’s world, businesses now more than ever must have a digital strategy.  Today it is the Coronavirus, tomorrow it will be something else.  Our customers are spending more hours of the day online shopping, researching or mindless browsing.  If a business doesn’t have a specific plan of action utilizing the internet; they will leave dollars on the table.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of the coronavirus, but also out to all of the businesses that will be adversely affected by potential customers isolating themselves indoors.  We will develop a custom plan for each business that allows them to compete in today’s marketplace” states, James Schaefer, Founder of DeliveryMaxx.

You must have a plan of action.  To avoid losing the gains you have made over the past several years, your digital marketing strategy must be vigilant to withstand the lack of foot traffic.  DeliveryMaxx is your answer to help you continue to make gains into additional market share and achieve maximum exposure on the internet.

With its Patent-Pending Digital Marketing Solutions; DeliveryMaxx is the only digital media company that provides a simple to use app which will allow to immediately collect online reviews, post engaging videos and online content with branding and advertising.  The program is embedded with digital code helping increase SEO which provides first page results on the Search Engines.  It is a tool that is implanted with a complete digital strategy giving their clients a competitive advantage over the competition.  For more information about DeliveryMaxx contact (888) 938-6299 or watch the DeliveryMaxx Introduction Video!