In this Issue:

• "My Name is Landon and My Passion is  . . ."
• An Educational Day at the Apple Networking Event
• Quotables: Work

One of my preferred remote work “offices” is any Panera Bread location . . . the bagels, the coffee, the people, and of course, the internet. For a while now, the employees have sported nametags that not only inform us of their names but also their passions. I met Mike the other day . . . his passion is ESPN. Other “passions” you might see could likely be reading, my kids, traveling, and hunting to name a few. I have yet to meet any Panera team member with bagels or coffee or foodservice as their passion.

So I thought to myself, “I wonder why there are all of these employees who come to work at Panera every day whose true “passions” are found elsewhere. Why aren’t they working in a field that encompasses their “passions”? And if their “passion” isn’t anything to do with what Panera represents, then are they enjoying the hours they spend at work?”

Pondering this, a quote came to mind by nationally recognized career and life coach Dan Miller:

     “As long as we view work as simply something we have to do to pay the bills, we keep ourselves from embracing our talents and gifts, from recognizing our visions, dreams and passions.  Fulfilling work, work that integrates our talents and our passions, work done for a worthy purpose, has always been a sign of inner-and outer-maturity and wisdom.”

I am very thankful my line of work truly involves my passion: creative problem solving. FileMaker Pro developing is just one way this passion shows itself in my life. I truly believe I offer a better service to my clients because I absolutely love what I do.

How about you? If you wore a nametag to work that stated your passion, what would it say? Would it include your work in any form? If not, what’s holding you back from working in an area that encompasses your passions?

An Educational Day at the Apple Networking Event

I recently had the opportunity to join forces with Best Macs of Lawrence and The Apple Store in Leawood at its first ever Apple Networking Event. This event was a venue where local companies that use Macs to operate their businesses could connect and learn more about leveraging the Mac platform to grow and thrive.

I was graciously invited by The Apple Store to share how businesses can use FileMaker Pro to develop and implement streamlined systems of operation that allow them to function with more effectiveness and efficiency (don’t worry Windows users . . . FileMaker Pro is compatible with both Mac and Windows!).  Brian of Best Macs delivered a wonderful presentation about the IT side of things (networking, servers, security, etc.).

Approximately 30 people attended the Apple Store’s networking event, making it a very successful and beneficial event.

(Me, talking with a group of business owners at The Apple Store in Leawood about all things FileMaker)

Quotables: Work

“Given the amount of time we spend working, failure to find meaningful, significant work is not just a minor misstep in living out God’s plan; it is a deeper kind of failure that can make each day feel like a living death."

     - Dan Miller

“Without work, life is worthless; it becomes a mere state of moral coma."

     - Samuel Smiles

“I long to accomplish great and noble tasks, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.”

            - Helen Keller

 In this Issue:

• "In Times Like These . . ."
• Honeycomb to Present at Apple Networking Event
• FileMaker Pro 10 Training Classes
• Quotables: Hard work / Perseverance

 In this Issue:

• Is Your Business a Well-Oiled Machine, or Does it Sputter, Burn Oil, and
  
• Client Success Story: Nexus Relocation Group
• Honeycomb is Local Apple Stores' "Go-to" Resource for FileMaker Pro Support

Is Your Business a Well-Oiled Machine, or does it Sputter, Burn Oil, and Backfire?

As often is the case with many new, small businesses, at the onset they are managed without extensive systems in place. This is not ideal, but it’s doable and it’s done. But soon enough, as the business grows, so does the chaos and confusion with running and operating it.

Tasks get left undone . . .
Files get misplaced . . .
Orders get dropped . . .
Clients become upset . . .
Sales drop . . .
The business’s team members are about to pull their hair out.

Each of the above nightmarish events could be avoided if the business simply put in to practice the age-old advice: “A place for everything and everything in its place.”

So, how well does your business operate? Does it run like a well-oiled machine? Or could it use a serious tune-up? Be honest. Which is your business more like?

If your business is lacking in systems, sputtering through and backfiring each day, perhaps it needs a tune-up, or maybe even a complete over-haul. Either way, give me a call and we’ll explore the options for getting your business to run like a well-oiled machine.

Client Success Story: Nexus Relocation Group
Nexus Relocation Group, Inc. is the premier supplier of relocation services that optimize corporate mobility objectives. Nexus is a growing business, even in this down economy. As we all know, along with growth, come a few growing pains. In Nexus’ case, the “pain” was efficiently tracking and monitoring the details of each relocation job, including transferee information, the specifics of the relocation itself, and the associated transferee expenses.

I worked closely with the staff at Nexus to develop a database system that met the demands of the business’s operations. The new system allows Nexus to track and monitor all necessary details for each relocation job it manages. Additionally, the system includes an extensive reporting component that provides Nexus with a wide range of flexible options for reporting transferee expenses.

In summary, we successfully developed and implemented a brand new data system that provides Nexus with a streamlined method of managing its business operations . . . truly a tool for growth!

Becky Oliver, President of Nexus Relocation Group, Inc. had this to say,
“We have a unique business with special data needs.  Landon was able to provide us a customized product to make our company more efficient in collecting, tracking and reporting for our clients.   He was thorough and precise designing a program that performs for us.”

Honeycomb is the Apple Stores’ “Go-to” Resource for FileMaker Pro Support

I am excited to announce that both of Kansas City's Apple Stores (Country Club Plaza and Leawood) use Honeycomb as a "go-to" resource for FileMaker Pro database support.
 
Local FileMaker Pro users benefit greatly from this relationship. Not only do I periodically facilitate FileMaker Pro workshops and Q & A sessions at both stores, but I also provide a complimentary hour of support/consulting for everyone who purchases FileMaker Pro from both stores.

 "If Your Cow Doesn't Give Milk . . . Sell Him"

 In this Issue:

• "Unemployment" Update
  
• Client Spotlight: Aid for a Pharmaceutical Research Company

"Unemployment" Update

Client Spotlight: Aid for a Pharmaceutical Research Company

“Your contributions to the study are extremely valuable. I especially appreciate your can-do attitude and your attention to deadlines. Rest assured that this project will generate more business from me and my colleagues." - John Hooper, PhD, BioCatalyst Research

Obstacle: BioCatalyst Research, LLC needed an effective tool to aid in the management, reporting, and analysis of vital research data for submission to the Food and Drug Administration in order to obtain licensure. The project involves correlating the results of many different data files to satisfy FDA's instructions for the presentation of safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetic data. The project was further complicated because the manufacturer changed the drug manufacturing process during the clinical trial and the data needed to be segragated into events that occurred before and after the manufacturing change.
 
Solution: Honeycomb used FileMaker Pro to develop a customized, relational database system for BioCatalyst Research, LLC that is an effective tool to collect, store, retrieve, and report on research data.
 
Analysis: Clinical research protocols for clinical trials in the United States are very carefully written and approved by FDA in advance. In our case, protocol approval was accompanied by conversations with FDA reviewers on how the data should be analyzed and summarized for the final clinical trial report. Thus the key to a successful regulatory submission involves not only following the research protocol but also collecting and correlating the clinical data from a myriad of case report forms, organizing the data into a coherent whole, and summarizing the clinical results in a format that is scientifically accurate and easily understood by FDA reviewers.
 
BioCatalyst Research, LLC brought in Honeycomb to do just this: develop a flexible, relational database system that aids in the efficient and accurate data analysis. The database solution developed for BioCatalyst Research, LLC is perfectly suited to ad hoc querying, advanced finds, and turnkey reporting. The solution plays a key role in the presentation of research results to the FDA.

John A. Hooper, PhD of BioCatalyst Research LLC had this to say: “Your contributions to the study are extremely valuable. I especially appreciate your can-do attitude and your attention to deadlines. Rest assured that this project will generate more business from me and my colleagues.”

In this Issue:

• Reflections . . . on the POSSIBILITIES of TOMORROW
• Humor: Meet Murphy's Cousins

Reflections . . . on the POSSIBILITIES OF TOMORROW

“Every time you tear a leaf off a calendar you present a new place for new ideas and progress.” – Charles Kettering

To many people, the transition of the new year is an exciting time of reflection, renewal, resolve, and resurgence. Lamentably though, this eager spirit is often quenched within the first weeks of the new year as we get bogged down in old habits and life’s demands. Many then find themselves coasting for the year’s remaining months, resolving to achieve their progress next year.

Why wait?

In the spirit of Charles Kettering’s quote, I resolve to spend quality time within the last five days of each month to . . .

1) Reflect on that month’s progress with regard to my goals and objectives,

2) Intentionally plan the coming month’s activities to continue to make progress on my goals, and

3) Dream and brainstorm the future growth and development of my business.

I invite you to join me on this resolution. Can I count you in? Click here to share your resolutions on the Honeycomb blog.

Humor: Meet Murphy's Cousins

Most of us are familiar with Murphy’s law that if something can go wrong, it will. Perhaps in your case, you feel that Murphy is knocking at your door now, if he hasn’t already moved in to your spare bedroom to stay a while. Well, if you thought Murphy was bad, you don’t want to meet his cousins** . . .

Murphy’s Cousin #1: Nothing is as easy as it looks.

In this Issue:

• "Opportunity Knocks"
  
• Reflections . . .  on PLANNING

"Opportunity Knocks"

“Opportunity knocks” is a saying all too familiar. What one does with Opportunity is the key. Does one even open the door when Opportunity knocks? Does one open the door and turn her away? Or does one gently usher her in to one’s home, offer her a cup of tea, and begin to foster a relationship?

Of course, not all opportunities that knock at one’s door should be allowed into one’s home. No, indeed, but the door should, in the least, be opened to each. But in that brief moment of interaction on the doorstep one must evaluate Opportunity, one must stare deep into her eyes and peer into the depths of her heart before one turns her away empty-handed or gladly invites her in for tea. For one should not act one way or another, whether that be turning Opportunity away or inviting her in, by her appearance only. No, indeed, for many a misfortunate man has invited Opportunity, seductive as she appeared, into his home not knowing that her heart was one of selfishness, destruction, and pain. The poor man who offers her a cup of tea offers her his very being. For how can he resist her seductive ways, her pursing lips, her winking eye? Through seduction she makes him her slave. He is doomed. Though the man may eventually be rescued from her grip, usually by the aid of others, he is not without wounds, no without pain.

Of course, just the same, Opportunity may be legitimately beautiful in all ways, not just in form and feature, but all the more importantly, beautiful in spirit. If one was to turn her away simply because of her beauty, assuming that all beautiful opportunities were gift-wrapped seduction, one may turn away a great friendship.

Opportunity may also arrive at one’s doorstep modestly dressed, neither in poverty nor pomp. Or one may open the door to Opportunity and find her very strange in appearance, oddly ordained, even perhaps frightening. But one must not turn her away solely for lack of impressive feature or even for her frightening stead. Indeed, some of the most modest or frightening opportunity, through proper attention, has greatly blessed the homeowner who gave her even just a crumb of care.

So, my friend, I entreat you to neither usher in Opportunity nor turn her away without peering first into her heart.

Reflections . . . on PLANNING

"First-rate navigators always have in mind that other people are depending on them and their ability to chart a good course" (John Maxwell, "The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership").

Predetermine a course of action.

In this Issue:

• "Ideas are Like Rabbits"
  
• Reflections . . .  on THANKS
  
• Free Consultations!!
  

"Ideas are Like Rabbits"

Ideas are like captured rabbits. They are all within the pen of your mind. They multiply two ways: 1) by being introduced into the pen by outside sources (i.e. experiences), and 2) by giving birth (i.e. new ideas created through association).

We start life with no rabbits in the pen, but then through external sources (experiences) a few rabbits are dropped over the pen’s fenced walls.  Bit by bit, the number of rabbits grows through more outside sources and through giving birth to other rabbits (association of ideas). 

So here they are, all of these rabbits within the pen of your mind, that is, your imagination. So many different kinds of rabbits: some big, others small; some brown, others white; some lop-eared, others pointy-eared; some slow, others quick . . . you get the idea. So it is with the creative ideas penned up in our imaginations. So many different kinds of ideas, so many different applications, so many solutions.

Sometimes, these rabbits are easier to catch if you simply stay still. Sit down, relax, let the rabbits become so comfortable with you that they come to you. So it is with creative ideas. Perhaps you should stop striving so painstakingly after the solution and just relax. Let the ideas come to you. While you are relaxing, why not lure the rabbits to you with a carrot? So it is with ideas. Lure them to you. Bait them. Draw them to you with a nice walk, a warm bath, the sound of running water. Don’t worry, they will come.

Reflections . . . on Thanks

"And you and the Levites and the aliens among you shall rejoice in all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household" (Deuteronomy 26:11, italics mine).

Free Consultations!!

Want to learn more about how to improve your profitability? I offer free consultations to all businesses dedicated to making a change for the better.  Contact me at 913-832-0487 or info@HONEYCOMBdb.com.

In this Issue:

• Client Spotlight: Kansas City Parent Magazine
  
• Reflections . . .  on THRIFT
• Free Consultations!
  

Client Spotlight: Kansas City Parent Magazine

“Landon did a terrific job working with our current FileMaker database and customizing to better serve our needs.  He listened to our requests and executed in a timely manner.  His customization of FileMaker has already helped our company run more smoothly!"

     - Susan Gimotty, Publisher, KC Parent Magazine

Obstacle:
Kansas City Parent Magazine desired to further develop and streamline its existing FileMaker Pro database to enhance the capabilities of its sales team and improve its day-to-day operations.

Solution:
Honeycomb owner, Landon Porter, worked closely with KC Parent publishers to target sources of inefficiencies and develop and implement specific solutions to those obstacles.


Analysis:
Serving Kansas City since 1985, Kansas City Parent Magazine is locally owned, written and published, offering a community perspective on issues affecting families in Kansas City. The magazine is distributed in over 725 locations and has over 114,000 readers per month.

For many years, KC Parent has been using a custom built FileMaker Pro database to manage its monthly advertising schedules and clients. Although functional, the database was ripe for some additional features and changes that would allow the sales team to work more effectively and efficiently. Working closely with the publishers and sales team, we developed and implemented several database features and functionalities that would benefit the magazine in its daily operations.

KC Parent Magazine, Susan Gimotty, had this to say: “Landon did a terrific job working with our current FileMaker database and customizing to better serve our needs.  He listened to our requests and executed in a timely manner.  His customization of FileMaker has already helped our company run more smoothly!"

Whatever your area of business, be certain Honeycomb can develop and implement a fully customized database system that will not only give you your time back, but help make you money.

Reflections . . . on THRIFT

En lieu of the current financial “crisis” through which our country is trudging, I thought it most appropriate to speak on “thrift”; a concept that nearly has grown extinct from the range of our daily lives, both personal and professional.

The current financial woes are merely the birth pangs of a much more significant and impacting outcome that will soon result; yes, our great country is about to give birth to the child she has nurtured in her womb for the past several decades; a child of destruction nourished on greed, indulgence, and gratification. Gone are the days of saving, of storing away, of patience, having been replaced with the ever-cherished pursuit of status and power. The American “dream” seems more like a nightmare.

I long to see the day when our citizens brush away materialism in favor of social beneficence, when they do more than provide today’s necessities by preserving for the future, when their drive is characterized by integrity, honor and service, instead of greed and foolishness, when they seek to grow their resources through earning, saving, and investing, instead of by debt acquisition. Don't you?

Well, how about you? How is your business? How healthy are is its finances? Is your company pursuing lofty things or lofty ideals? Do you have a solid budget and wise plan for preserving for the future? Come, let us leave the rat race and become the tortoise . . . he wins every time.

Want to learn more about how to improve your business' profitability? I offer free consultations to all companies dedicated to making a change for the better.  Contact me at 913-832-0487 or info@HONEYCOMBdb.com.

In this Issue:

• Client Spotlight: A Streamlined System for a Moving and Deiivery Company
  
• Reflections . . .  on ORDER
• Success Stories in the Making

Client Spotlight: A Streamlined System for a Moving and Delivery Company

"[The new database system] has given us the confidence to go out there and get more business as well as help us manage the customers we currently service! We will definitely be using Landon's services in the future to ‘give us our time back’ in other areas of our business.”

     - Dana Ward, Owner, Marathon Moving and Delivery
 

Obstacle:
Marathon was in need of an automated system to efficiently manage and track its unique business system of moving and storing items between interior designers and customers.

Solution:
A FileMaker Pro database that provides Marathon a streamlined system to manage the complex and complete cycle of receiving, storage, and delivery of items between interior designers and their customers.

Analysis:
Roger and Dana Ward acquired Marathon Moving and Delivery in the fall of 2007. Since that time, they have purposed to become the preferred moving, storage, and delivery company in the Kansas City Metro. When they acquired Marathon, no computerized systems existed to help manage the multiple facets of the business. Soon, they realized that in order to manage and achieve their growth expectations, they would need to develop and implement various operation systems.

Enter Honeycomb.

Working closely with Roger and Dana, Honeycomb owner Landon Porter created a fully customized database system tailored to Marathon’s specific and unique business operations. The new database system streamlines Marathon’s process of receiving, storage, and delivery of designers’ furniture.

Dana Ward had this to say about the new system:

“It has given us the confidence to go out there and get more business as well as help us manage the customers we currently service! We will definitely be using Landon's services in the future to ‘give us our time back’ in other areas of our business.”

Whatever your area of business, be certain Honeycomb can develop and implement a fully customized database system that will not only give you your time back, but help make you money.

Reflections . . . on ORDER

“Order is wealth.” – Samuel Smiles

I would be remiss if I did not provide the greater context surrounding this short, but tremendously powerful statement. I shall let Mr. Smiles expound on his thought:

“Order is most useful in the management of everything. Its maxim is – A place for everything, and everything in its place.  Order is wealth; for, whoever properly regulates the use of his income, almost doubles his resources. Disorderly persons are rarely rich; and orderly persons are rarely poor.”

Indeed, and so it is! But in addition to Mr. Smiles’ statement on the impact of order on personal finance, I believe wholeheartedly the statement stands firm with regard to business. Whatever business properly regulates the use of its resources will most definitely increase its resources. Further, allow me to give a paraphrase of a slightly different hue of the last line . . . “Disorderly business are rarely successful; and orderly businesses are rarely poor.”

Now, REFLECT on your business. How would you rank your business’s level of “order”? And with regard to you, personally? How orderly of a person (a businessperson, a salesman, a marketer, etc.) are you? What systems do you have in place to ensure your business doesn’t just operate, but hums like a well-oiled machine? That your customers are not just serviced, but served well? That people, projects, and ideas aren’t “dropping through the cracks”?

If you find there’s room for growth (which there most likely is), what can you do to improve upon the disorderly?

New Success Stories in the Making

I am pleased to announce new contracts with the following local companies:

• Infusion Creative
  
• KC Parent Magazine

To learn more about how to improve your businesses profitability, contact me at 913-832-0487 or info@HONEYCOMBdb.com.

In this Issue:

• Free FileMaker Pro Educational Workshop
  
• Client Spotlight: A Scheduling Program for a Tutoring Center
• Reflections . . .  on BOOKS
• Success Stories in the Making

Free FileMaker Pro Educational Workshop

Honeycomb CDS is teaming up with Apple to provide Free Educational Workshops on FileMaker Pro.

If you are curious about FileMaker Pro, or just want to learn more about a custom database for your small business, please join me at the Apple store in Leawood, KS at 8:00 am on Wednesday, August 20th, and we will discuss all things FileMaker.

 
Store information and driving directions >>

Client Spotlight: A Scheduling Program for a Tutoring Center

Obstacle:

No efficient scheduling solution could be found that allows the detailed and variable scheduling system of Applied Learning Processes.

Solution:

A FileMaker Pro database that allows ALP to efficiently schedule students with clinicians, accurately track historical session schedules, incorporate billing and receivables, and manage student, clinician, and other contact files.

Read the entire case study . . .

Reflections . . . on BOOKS

    “The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them.” – Mark Twain

New Success Stories in the Making

I am pleased to announce new contracts with the following local companies:

• Marathon Moving and Delivery
  
• Two Guys and a Grill Catering

I will be designing and implementing a new FileMaker Pro database for each one of these companies to streamline business processes and improve the bottom line. To learn more about how to improve your businesses profitability, contact me at 913-832-0487 or info@HONEYCOMBdb.com.