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What your Seed, Series A, and Series B investors desperately want in your pitch The thing about investors is that they need to be…alive.   But when some SaaS companies pitch for funding, they don’t realize that it’s their responsibility to keep these investors that way.   Investors hear one billion pitches a week. Seed pitches. Series A pitches. Series B pitches. Please-please-we-are-begging-you-we-really-need-this-cash pitches.   Okay, maybe not a billion pitches, but it’s got to be close.   Investors live in the trenches. They’ve heard everything. They’ve eaten hundreds of terrible biscuits and had god-knows-how-many lukewarm coffees.   And they have seen the same mistakes over and over.   Here’s the usual sequence of events. They sit there. Then their hearts sink as soon as they realize this is going to be terrible. Cue the boredom. The tortured introspective speculation on what they did in a past life to deserve this, and then…  Before you know it…  Best case scenario, their eyes roll in the back of their head and BAM! They’re in a kill-me-now coma.   Worst case scenario, they retire to the floor, roll up into the fetal position, and let their soul leave their body forever because “I don’t care I’m headed straight for the 7th circle of hell, ANYTHING is better than this pitch. Goodbye cruel world and if anyone plays Celine Dion at my funeral I WILL HAUNT THEM NEAR, FAR, WHEREVER THEY ARE.   But you as a SaaS company need that sweet, sweet green. You want them to make it rain on you, baby!   So how do you…not kill them in the pitch?    Here’s a guide to some of our best tips, gathered from real life experience and a little bit of research.  Note- this is not the usual stuff like differentiating your brand from your competitors, including success stories, showing your traction, and defining your market. That’s a given.   This is the real stuff. Ready?   1. Be somewhere in the ballpark with your financial projections and valuation. Actually, at least be on the same planet.  One of our favorite things about watching Dragon’s Den and Shark Tank is the look on the investors’ faces when the pitcher values their business at one jillion dollars. It’s absolute GOLD.   If you inflate the value or projections to ridiculous heights that you can’t defend, investors will shut down immediately. They also won’t trust you.  Special Tip: Use data. Data. Data. Data. Data that’s not been manipulated. Put together your numbers and ask that annoying family member who has questioned and criticized every single thing you’ve done in your life to have a look. If you shut them up, you’re probably okay.   2. Answer all questions. Honestly. If you dodge questions, you’ll make even the most botoxed eyebrow raise. Anticipate everything that they might ask and be prepared.   There’s no room for vagueness or side-stepping anything. You’ll look dishonest and clueless - which is great when you’re running for office, but not a good look when you’re trying to get a wad of cash.   Special Tip: Practice answering tough questions - if you’ve got a teenager, ask them to cross-examine you. If you don’t have a teen, ask someone who isn’t your biggest fan. And if you don't know the answer to a question they ask, figure out how to admit it gracefully and offer to follow up with the information later. 3. Avoid death-by-PowerPoint  Do you really need those slides? The kinds of slides that kill investors are the ones that have 10 bullet points on each, 3 quotes, 17 colors, and always some kind of photo of a mountain.   The problem is the investors won’t know where to look and they’ll be too distracted to listen to what you’re saying.   It’s like putting a juicy sandwich on the counter while you try to tell your dog what to do. Is that dog capable of hearing anything you’re saying?   Special Tip: Be ruthless with what goes on the slides and do no more than 10-15 of them. Use relevant visuals. Avoid walls of text - use bullet points that are as short as possible.  4. Talk to EVERYBODY  This is an unspoken rule that most people have no idea exists but it is LETHAL when broken. Not only do you address everyone sitting in front of you (not just the most important person), but you speak their language.   Each person has a slightly different way of communicating.   It takes some time to get the hang of personalizing communication, but in the end, it will be worth it.   There are many books on this (the best being Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson, which is a really fun read). Erikson argues that there are ideas people, numbers people, security people, and take-charge-bull-in-a-china-shop people. And some people are a mix.   If you're not flexible in how to talk to people, you risk losing them.   For instance, if you do your presentation as all numbers, you lose the big-sky thinkers. If you focus on “MUST ACT NOW! DIVE! DIVE” you’ll lose the people who like to feel secure and build slowly.   The best pitches have a little bit of everything, but are still tailored to each specific group of investors. It’s a total pain, but when you go above and beyond, you place yourself in front of your competitors. Special Tip: Research your investors beforehand so see how they like to communicate, and what’s important to them. Then adapt all your stuff to that- including the types of questions they’re likely to ask.  5. Remember that investors are big EMOTIONAL babies  Actually, everyone is. If someone says they aren’t a big emotional baby, step back because their pants are about to spontaneously combust from all the lies.   EVERYONE is emotionally-driven, so people take action for emotional reasons.   You might be thinking, “What about those logic and numbers people?” They’re logic and numbers people because logic and numbers make them feel safe and secure. That’s emotion.   Special Tip: Tap into how your investors feel- whether it’s how their pain points make their lives crappy or how amazing they’d feel investing with you. Show them you get how they feel. Wrap them up in a metaphorical blankie. They’ll realize you understand them.   6. Kill your ego ASAP This rule is the one that is the least popular with a lot of honchos, but WE DON’T CARE. Ignore it, and you'll send your investors into an aneurysm-inducing rage.  The best pitcher is not necessarily the head honcho. The best pitcher is the person who tells the story best. It might be the CRO. It might be the owner. It might be the kid who sorts the mail and goes to get lunch for everyone. We don’t care.   We’re not saying don’t be there at the pitch. Be there for questions and clarification. But when it comes to the pitch itself, check your ego because if you are a bad or boring pitcher, you will not escape the damage your one-person-sideshow-circus-little-stunty-stunt will cause.  Special Tip: Hold auditions. Do what you gotta do to find the best person. Then talk to your pitcher about how much time they’ll need to get ready. Then double that time. And don’t make them carry their usual workload while they’re in prep (unless you want to kill them as well as the investors).   7. Tell a story. But good. People love stories. It’s in our DNA. Without a story, the pitch will feel flat. Don’t make it too long- 10-45 seconds is great. Really commit to the story too- we want voices, excitement, inflection, the lot.   Ignore stories at your investors’ peril. We once heard about this pitch that didn’t have a story- and the investor was so upset by this, that her heart literally smashed out of her chest, and as she fell, dying, trembling and weeping in her last moments on this very earth - trying desperately to leave some wise words, anything so that she would be remembered…her heart rolled across the parquet floor…and right into the mouth of the hungry office Rotweiller, KiKi. No! Honest!  You don’t want the same thing to happen to you.   Special Tip: Picking the right story that’s interesting, related to your journey, raises a few questions, keeps the intrigue up. Doesn’t matter if it's true or made-up. But don’t say something’s true if it isn’t- we’re not McDonald’s workers saying they DEFINITELY put ketchup in your bag at the drive-thru.   8. Grab them by the throat* and keep them hooked. *not literally  Have you ever sat down at an event, and about 5 seconds in, you knew coming to this was the worst decision you’ve ever made and you beg God or the universe or the kinda stabby-looking guy sitting next to you to PLEASE KILL ME STRIKE ME DOWN I DON’T EVEN CARE HOW YOU DO IT.   You have about 6 seconds to get and keep an audience’s attention. Investors want you to get to some kind of point right away. If they feel you’re going to waste their time, they will zone out and miss everything you say.   And if they do zone out, they sure as heck ARE NOT going to ask you to start from the beginning.   Special Tip: Start with a bold statement, shocking fact, or that story. Use the open loop method to keep them in the palm of your hand. Open loop is a simple storytelling device where you leave a question unanswered, then do the same thing over and over to build intrigue, till you get to the middle of your speech, then you start answering the questions one by one. That creates relief and closure and keeps them paying attention till the end.   And if all else fails, do your finest chimp-gone-rogue! Leap across the backs of chairs and tables! Create chaos and absolute scenes! Smash bananas on their heads! That’ll get their attention.   9. Tell them what’s in it for them.  This happens all the time – people tell the investors in the pitch over and over what their own company will gain if the investors give them money.   Bigger and better teams.   Security.   More market expansion.   Maybe the company's sales teams will be able start sleeping again.   Hooray, right?   But here’s a breaking report from Hard News: THE INVESTORS DON’T CARE.   What they care about is what’s in it for them.   What do they have to gain?   How will they feel if they invest?   How will their world be different?   How does this investment help solve their problems?  And why they should pick you, versus the Taylor-Swift-concert-sized pool of companies who pitch before and after you?  Special Tip: Just be honest, whether that’s equity, dividends, or a share of the profits. Give real projections for return on investment (ROI) and always include exit opportunities. 10. Go sticky. Look at people on a dating app - there’s so much choice they mindlessly swipe over and over, left, right, right, right, left. Now wait a week, then ask them to talk about even 10 of those faces they swiped on.   They can’t.   In fact, they won’t remember 99% of those faces. This is called choice blindness and it’s a real thing. The more choice you have, the harder it is to differentiate and remember the choices.   Choice blindness paralyzes us and stops us from making the best decisions.   Investors suffer from choice blindness because they have so many options. Every pitch is YET ANOTHER ON THE PILE.   That means you have to figure out a way to make your pitch memorable. Now you could do that chimp-gone-rogue strategy we mentioned before, or you create what’s called a sticky sentence.  A sticky sentence distills everything you’re about into one simple, memorable, short sentence.   The idea is that even if the investors forget important details like financial projections, or tech specifications on your product, this sentence will stick in their brain for HOURS or DAYS or a LIFETIME.   Like a Celine Dion song.   Our favorite example of a sticky sentence is in the amazing book Made To Stick by Chip & Dan Heath. When the film Alien was pitched, the sticky sentence in the pitch was:   Jaws on a spaceship.   Boom. That’s everything you need to know. And it’s hard to forget.   Special Tip: First buy the book (you won’t regret it) and distill everything you are into something that will intrude on their thoughts and plague them anytime they close their eyes, for the rest of their lives. Result!  Conclusion It’s an undeniable fact: dead (and mostly dead) investors hardly ever give up their money.  So you can’t kill them in your pitch. You must be different. You must be passionate. You must not play Celine Dion songs.   If you follow the above points, your pitch will be in a much better state. Do it for you, and for the sake of your investors.   Then get that sweet mon-eh, baby.   86% of consumers will leave a brand they trusted after two bad customer experiences. - Emplifi So if you’re looking to give your subscribers the best possible experience (and reduce churn!), make sure personalization is at the top of your priority list—it could be the difference between success and failure. And if you give these SaaS customer personalization tips a try, you’ll be on track to providing them an unforgettable experience that keeps them coming back for more. Want to see how you can gear up your SaaS business for success, through streamlined processes and automation, with Bluefort’s solutions?

How E-Commerce C-Suite Executives Can Revolutionize Their Business with Subscription Models Are you tired of the constant stress and challenges that come with your e-commerce model?   There’s a solution that allows you to experience the Joy of Missing Out (JOMO) on all those problems that keep you up all night.   In this article, we'll explore how a subscription model with subscription billing might be the solution you’re looking for. So we’ll do a deep-dive into the problems you face, what subscriptions have to offer you, and how there are solutions to the hesitations you might have about subscriptions.   Why JOMO, Not FOMO? Before diving into the details, we wanted to focus on JOMO instead of the more common Fear of Missing Out (FOMO). It’s quite simply this - we like to offer solutions, not problems.   We believe in showing you what you can be freed from and how amazing that can feel.  By helping you embrace the joy of missing out on the problems associated with your current e-commerce model, you’ll be empowered to make informed choices that will benefit your business in the long run.  Your Headaches   As someone running an e-commerce business, do any of these sound familiar to you?    Unpredictable revenue: Your business relies on one-time purchases, which makes revenue less stable and much harder to forecast. You might also struggle with pricing strategy. It’s stressful because unpredictability is not good for decision-making and long-term planning.   Lower customer retention: Customer retention is a struggle because one-time purchases mean lower customer lifetime value and higher marketing costs. Difficulty in differentiating from competitors: In a crowded e-commerce space, it’s difficult to stand out from the competition. How do you offer a sense of exclusivity that brings and keeps customers?  Inability to build a community around your brand: A sense of community is tough to build with one-off customers. This can limit your brand's growth because communities create word-of-mouth and brand advocacy.  Struggling to maintain consistent cash flow: You handle inconsistent cash flow, which scuppers future investments and budget management. Vulnerability to seasonal fluctuations or economic downturns doesn’t help.   Fortunately, you can be freed from all of these with the power of a subscription model with regular billing, whether you fully switch or do a hybrid model.   Subscriptions bring you the joy of missing out on your problems.   Bluefort's end-to-end solution, helps you address all your subscription management challenges, through the power of automation. Benefits of Subscription Billing  Besides the amazing feeling that missing out on those challenges can give you, let’s look at the individual benefits that your e-commerce business can enjoy from a subscription billing model.   Predictable revenue: Subscription models generate recurring revenue, giving you a stable and predictable cash flow. This means you can make better decisions about investments, growth, and resource allocation.   Improved customer support and customer retention: Customers are more likely to stay loyal when they’ve invested in a recurring service and have an ongoing relationship with the business. This means lower customer acquisition costs and the added bonus of free word-of-mouth marketing.  Increased customer lifetime value: You can take a good customer ROI and kick it up a notch further by enjoying a higher customer lifetime value. Focus on customer retention and satisfaction and you’ll watch your revenue grow while missing out on the stress of chasing short-term sales.  Tailored offerings for your customers: You can create and offer the personalised experiences that customers demand. They’ll love you for it and you get an advantage over the competition. Win-win!   Easier upselling and cross-selling opportunities: When you offer subscriptions, you already have a captive audience that’s engaged with your brand. So it’s easier for you to introduce new products or services and upsell or cross-sell to your existing base.   Your e-commerce business can be more resilient, customer-focused, and profitable. So, why wait?   The Importance of a Subscription Billing Strategy  A subscription model needs a solid subscription billing strategy.  It’s not just a smart move – it's essential for long-term success.   That requires a solid strategy that not only helps you optimize pricing and increase customer retention, but also improves cash flow and fosters stronger relationships with your customers.  Optimizing pricing - One of the most critical aspects of your subscription billing strategy is determining the right pricing for your offerings. By investing time and effort into researching your target audience and testing different pricing structures, you can find the sweet spot between affordability and profitability. Everyone’s happy with the right price.   Reducing churn and increasing retention - Who likes to see their hard-earned subscribers walk away? You reduce customer churn by consistently delivering value and addressing any issues that may arise. That means more revenue.   Improving cash flow - A well-planned subscription billing strategy delivers recurring revenue. It’s easier to budget, invest in growth, and allocate resources.    Enhancing customer experience - A well-crafted subscription billing strategy makes sure customers get an excellent user experience. This keeps them engaged but also encourages them to spread the word.   Gaining a competitive edge - The strategy should differentiate you from competitors and position your brand as a leader in your industry.   Key Considerations for a Successful Subscription Model  Of course, you can’t just snap your fingers and WHAM, you’ve got the subscription model churning away.   E-commerce brands that run subscriptions have key considerations that need to be thought about and included.   Understanding their target audience: It all starts with knowing who you're serving. Dive deep into the needs, preferences, and pain points of your ideal customers to create tailored subscription offerings that resonate with them. The better you understand your audience, the more successful your subscription model will be.  Defining pricing and billing terms: Finding the sweet spot between affordability and profitability is crucial when it comes to pricing your subscription offerings. Take the time to research and test different pricing structures and billing frequencies to determine what works best for your target audience – and your bottom line.  Creating a seamless user experience: Nobody likes a clunky online experience, right? Make sure to design a smooth and intuitive customer journey, from signing up to managing their subscription. A positive experience with your brand will keep subscribers coming back for more and singing your praises to others.  Implementing effective customer support: There's nothing quite like feeling heard and understood when you have an issue with a product or service. Providing timely and empathetic customer service is essential for fostering trust and loyalty among your subscribers. Remember, communication is key, and your customers will appreciate it!  Regularly evaluating and refining your offerings: The e-commerce landscape is constantly evolving, and so should your subscription offerings. Keep a finger on the pulse of your customers' needs and preferences and be open to making changes and improvements based on feedback. This adaptability will not only keep your subscribers happy but also help you stay ahead of the competition.  The great thing is those key considerations will set you up for success because they’ll turn into your guiding principles.   Of course, you might be thinking, “Not so fast. A subscription model isn’t a bowl of fries with ketchup on the side while I’m sitting in 25-degree sunshine next to a pool. It’s not perfect.*”   You’re right. It does have challenges.   Facing the Challenges Head-On  So, while the benefits of subscription billing are pretty enticing, there are some challenges.   But that’s exactly what you’d expect on the journey to greatness.   Challenge 1: Managing customer churn: It can be an obstacle in subscription-based e-commerce, and there are a variety of reasons, including mistakes, missed opportunities, not understanding customer wants and needs, and products that don’t target or solve their problems.   Challenge 2: Navigating complex tax regulations: Intricate tax rules vary across regions and countries and can muddle things. Compliance can be daunting and it’s a high-stakes situation.   Challenge 3: Scaling your subscription business: When the subscriber base grows, so do demands on your time and resources. That means investment, higher costs, and less on the bottom line. Before you run for the hills (or at least click off this article), we’ve got to point out that these challenges are easily get-aroundable.   The solution is simple. So that joy of missing out is still way within your grasp.  *Confession time - fries by the pool is not the kind of joy of missing out that we’re down for.  To overcome these subscription challenges, you need one thing. The right tool. And that’s automation.   The Role of Automation in Subscriptions  It’s the tool that kicks all the joy of missing out into uber mode.   Harnessing the power of automation in your subscription-based e-commerce business can streamline processes, reduce errors, and help you focus on what really matters – your customers.   Here’s just a few of the ways how automation enables the subscription model:   Automated billing and invoicing: Manual billing and invoicing are gone! Automation generates and sends accurate and timely invoices to subscribers. How many hours will that free up for your business? Efficient customer communication: Subscribers stay informed,  engaged and connected to your brand with personalized emails, notifications, and marketing messages.  Accurate tax and compliance calculations: Fear of regulations is a thing of the past because compliance is part of the beauty of automation. Reliable, easy-to-access figures make everything easy to calculate and follow.  Streamlined subscription management: Automation tools free you from tasks like updating payment information, processing cancellations, and handling upgrades or downgrades. It recognizes revenue too. Data-driven insights: Automation collects and analyzes data on your subscribers giving you valuable insights into what they want and need, when they want it.  Automation in your subscription-based e-commerce business saves your time, resources, streamlines processes, maximises revenue opportunities, and creates an enjoyable experience for your customers.   Then bottom line is this. You deserve to miss out.   You deserve to miss out on the challenges, costly mistakes, and headaches that keep you up at night.   Experience the joy of freedom to not only grow, but have the time and extra resources to pursue the vision you’ve had for your company.   86% of consumers will leave a brand they trusted after two bad customer experiences. - Emplifi So if you’re looking to give your subscribers the best possible experience (and reduce churn!), make sure personalization is at the top of your priority list—it could be the difference between success and failure. And if you give these SaaS customer personalization tips a try, you’ll be on track to providing them an unforgettable experience that keeps them coming back for more.Ready to streamline your processes, reduce errors, automate your subscription management operations, and finally focus on your customers?

The Surprising Ways Businesses Can Be Self-Destructive  Your company might be its own worst enemy.   It’s a big thing to say, but it’s true. Just like individual people, organizations can fall into patterns of self-sabotage and self-destruction without even knowing it.  And this tendency doesn’t have to be a huge and obvious one-off crash and burn. It can be like a drip, or a chipping away, that you only notice after your company or the circumstances that it’s in are unrecognizable.   How do we know when our company is acting against its best interest? A look at why companies act this way, and some hard-hitting questions can help with the answer to the question–   Are we sabotaging our own success?  The Hidden Face of Self-Destruction   Self-destruction doesn’t RSVP before it shows up. So it can be hard to identify.   We often think of self-destructive companies as those that fail to learn from their mistakes, refuse to try new things, or consistently ignore opportunities for growth.   But have you ever considered that self-destruction can also manifest as fear of failure, fear of success, feeling unworthy of accomplishments, or even refusing to invest in the company's future?  With Bluefort's end-to-end platform, you can streamline and automate your processes to ensure your business thrives and succeeds, as it grows. It's time to take a closer look at how these behaviors can hold businesses back and ask ourselves: are we unknowingly contributing to our own demise?  Why Do Companies Engage in Self-Destructive Behavior?  We need to first realise that people make decisions based on emotions and experience. Even people who pride themselves in being “numbers people” are that way because numbers make them feel safe and secure.   There’s nothing wrong with it- we can’t help it. We’re emotional beings that have, since we were first around, tackled the most emotionally-driven instinct that there is - survival.   So what are these emotions that can make us act for our business in a way that goes against our interests?   One of the primary reasons behind self-destructive behavior is fear. Fear of change or failure can paralyze any worker in any company, preventing them from taking risks, seizing opportunities, or trying something new.    This doesn’t mean that fear is bad. Our minds are often trying to protect us. But if that fear becomes paralysing, then we lose confidence in ourselves to be able to find solutions.   On the other hand, fear of success can also hold businesses back. Any wins that a company might get put on a lot of pressure. They realise they will have to keep doing better. Keep pushing, keep winning. That can be too much if they haven’t got the foundation to do better. So they stop the fight to the top and stay where they are.  Another common one is unworthiness. This might sound a bit woo woo, but people strive for what they feel they deserve. Maybe decision-makers don’t feel they’re ready yet. Maybe they think they can’t handle engaging with their competition. Maybe they can’t picture themselves as truly successful.   You can’t grab the brass ring if you think you don’t deserve it.   But what about stubbornness? Many organizations cling to familiar practices, unwilling to embrace change or innovate. This resistance can come from misplaced priorities, such as going for short-term gains over long-term growth. Or valuing tradition over progress. Or hiring people (and keeping them) for the wrong reasons.   It all comes from a need for the feeling of safety combined with seeing the world for what they wish it was, not for what it is. And our world is constantly in flux. Case in point: Blockbuster were once THE go-to spot for movie nights, but their fear of change ultimately led to their loss of the market. When digital streaming started gaining traction, Blockbuster couldn't let go of their brick-and-mortar business model.   The leaders who were able to make decisions hesitated to understand that change is inevitable. And they lost faith in their ability to innovate again, in the amazing way that led to their success in the first place.  If any of these sound familiar, you might be operating your company from a place of self-destruction. No judgment here - we all face this struggle at some point or another.   But what can you do to stop the ship before it hits the proverbial iceberg?  Breaking Free from Self-Destruction: Embrace Change and Confront Your Fears  The hardest part is acknowledging that your company’s self-destructive behavior exists and has to change. But that’s the beautiful thing about acknowledging it - then you’re free to tackle it.    Once you've identified the patterns holding your company back, you can begin to address them head-on.  Embrace change and innovation: It’s scary to change. It can be terrifying. Change is so hard that psychologically the gain must be THREE TIMES the benefit of what it costs us to make the change in the first place.   But we can’t let stubbornness or fear of the unknown hold us back. Encourage your team to think outside the box, explore new ideas, and challenge the status quo. And then give yourself and your teams the time to put these things into practice.   Foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Failure is not only an opportunity for growth and learning, and it is PART of the process of a company’s growth. It’s only a setback if you don’t learn from it.   Confront your fears: Whether it's fear of failure, success, or unworthiness, these emotions can be powerful drivers of self-destructive behavior. Recognize and confront these fears, understanding that they are natural but should not dictate your company's actions.   Figure out where the fears come from (there’s always a source) so that they can be addressed. Embrace vulnerability, and consider seeking out potential partners and collaborators from companies who have experienced what you have. They get it.   And remind yourself that every organization faces challenges and uncertainties- it's how you respond to them that truly matters. Have more faith in yourself, your team, and your company: Figure out what success means to your company and then create an environment that gives you the best chance to get it. That means reevaluating the company’s priorities, goals and practices.   Hire the right people - diverse people with a wide variety of experiences, and who share your vision and possess the skills, creativity, and adaptability needed to drive your company forward. Foster a growth mindset, getting everyone to ask the question- what can we do better.  You can figure out the solutions you need to your challenges as long as you know what to do and where to get help when you need it.   Invest in your company's future: Sometimes investing in ourselves is one of the most difficult things to get used to. But overcoming self-destructive behavior often requires investment, whether it's in employee training, technology, or research and development.   You have to be willing to allocate resources toward initiatives that will promote your safe, long-term growth, even if it means sacrificing short-term gains. You are worth it. Your company is worth it.   Moving Forward: Building a Resilient and Thriving Organization  Breaking free from self-destructive patterns is not an overnight process.   It will require self-awareness, commitment, and a willingness to confront the fears and behaviors that have held your company back.   And to not fall into the trap of getting angry with yourself or judging yourself about what your company has done in the past.   It’s okay to ask those tough questions. And then give yourself the grace to grow- it’s part of life. When we know how to do better, we do better. That’s really what it’s all about.  Once you go forward with awareness of which emotions are in charge of your decisions, you can guide yourself to taking action in a way that makes your business thrive for the future.  86% of consumers will leave a brand they trusted after two bad customer experiences. - Emplifi So if you’re looking to give your subscribers the best possible experience (and reduce churn!), make sure personalization is at the top of your priority list—it could be the difference between success and failure. And if you give these SaaS customer personalization tips a try, you’ll be on track to providing them an unforgettable experience that keeps them coming back for more.Want to see how you can gear up your business for success, through streamlined processes and automation, with Bluefort's solutions?

There are so many things that make some SaaS subscribers disappear. It feels like fighting a losing battle. After all, you can work on everything you can think of to stop churn, but one deal from a competitor, and that customer is gone, possibly for good. But there is one thing that is in your control. One thing that SaaS customers love. One thing that keeps them coming back for more. And it’s something that can be really easy to do. Can you guess what it is? Just make it personal. 73% of customers says experience as an important factor in their purchasing decisions, just behind price and product quality. - PWC 66% of consumers expect brands to understand their individual needs. - Salesforce You want your SaaS customers to feel special and appreciated. Because when they do, it’s gold for you. Happy customers are loyal. They stay for the long-term. Of course, you have to get that personal UX right. There’s no room for guesswork or error here. So how can you ensure that your business, your people, and your product or service meets each customer’s unique needs? It feels like a huge ask. The good news is that we work with many SaaS companies who have hundreds and thousands of subscribers, all with their own needs. We’ve heard it all! And we know which tips really help. So here are some of the best to help you with customer personalization. Ready? The Macro Tips There are the bigger, more institutional things your SaaS company can do to personalize your customer experience and boost satisfaction and loyalty. 1. Embrace data-driven insights Make use of the data you have! When you leverage subscriber data points such as purchase history, demographics, and behavior profiles, you can create more tailored experiences for each user. This could range from finding out what type of product or service a customer is interested in to offering personalized discounts and promotions. 66% of consumers will share personal data to elevate customer experience. - Harris Poll 2. Use AI technology Artificial intelligence (AI) technology can be used power tasks such as managing customer support tickets and creating and sending personalized recommendations. Imagine never having to do that again! This frees up valuable time for your teams to focus on the complex issues that need human intervention. 3. Invest in personalized content Offer tailored content based on each user’s interests or preferences. It’s far more likely to encourage engagement, conversion, and sharing. For example, if a customer has already bought a subscription to a specific feature of one of your SaaS products, you could create content that helps them increase the value they are achieving. 4. Take advantage of automation With the right software, all those soul-sapping tasks like sending follow-up emails or tracking customer interactions will be completely automated. This will save your team time and ensure that your customers get a consistent, personalized experience. With Bluefort's end-to-end SaaS software platform, you can streamline your processes and take automation to the next level, to effortlessly personalise your customer experience. 5. Track customer churn Use analytics tools to track customer churn. It’s important to figure out what customers love and what makes them run. Often the answers will shock you! 6. Knock down your silos This is a big one that most SaaS companies overlook. Silos kill SaaS customer experience because they lead to inconsistent messaging, mistakes, and a lack of understanding of the customer's needs. We’ve all been there as customers – on the phone, on hold forever waiting for customer service, only to have customer service not have our details (or even worse, have the wrong details!). It’s frustrating and such a turn-off. It’s a massive lost opportunity for loyalty. 76% of customers expect consistent interactions across all departments. - Salesforce The Micro Tips We believe that sometimes it’s the little things that make all the difference, especially when it comes to bonding with people. So here are four practical, small ways to increase your SaaS customer personalization for results that matter: 1. Use a customer’s name It might seem like a small thing, but addressing a customer by name can make a big difference. People love to hear their names - hearing it grabs their attention and activates the core identity part of their brain. Phone calls, emails, responding to a support ticket, sending an offer - using their first name instead of a generic greeting can help build rapport and make the customer feel valued. 2. Offer personalized discounts When you offer discounts based on a customer's purchase history, interests or browsing behavior, you show that you're paying attention to their needs. For example, if a customer has been looking at a particular feature/product but hasn't bought it yet, create a personal offer for them. This shows them you understand them and can encourage them to convert. 3. Customize your communication channels Different customers like different channels. Find out if they prefer email, phone or live chat and use that channel for communicating. This can help make the customer feel more comfortable and engaged with your product or service. 4. Provide personalized onboarding Each SaaS customer wants the onboarding experience that suits them. Personalized video tutorials, one-on-one training sessions, or a customized set-up process will make them more comfortable and confident. Which means a better relationship for the long-term. Apart from using someone’s name, by far the best tip is to take advantage of automation. Because automation relieves you from having to do any of the others. It’s finally out of your hands, in the best possible way. Today’s customers expect personalization in their experiences, and research has found that it can increase customer satisfaction, reduce churn rates, and improve overall engagement with products or services. So if you’re looking to give your subscribers the best possible experience (and reduce churn!), make sure personalization is at the top of your priority list—it could be the difference between success and failure. And if you give these SaaS customer personalization tips a try, you’ll be on track to providing them an unforgettable experience that keeps them coming back for more. 86% of consumers will leave a brand they trusted after two bad customer experiences. - Emplifi So if you’re looking to give your subscribers the best possible experience (and reduce churn!), make sure personalization is at the top of your priority list—it could be the difference between success and failure. And if you give these SaaS customer personalization tips a try, you’ll be on track to providing them an unforgettable experience that keeps them coming back for more.Want to see how you can drive up customer loyalty through personalization and automation with Bluefort?

A Spicy Guide to Handling Disputes Like a Chilli Pepper Pro Client disagreements are a nightmare. Even if you think you can handle them, they can completely catch you off-guard. They can get worse and worse. They can completely disable your abilities to think about anything else. Client disagreements are just like eating chilli peppers that just keep getting hotter and hotter. When was the last time you ate a chilli that was waaaay too hot for you? You sweat bullets. You reach for the nearest beverage (hope it’s not wine!). You might even hiccup like crazy. And all the time, you wonder – why, why, why, do you put yourself through this? Right now your tongue might be metaphorically on fire as you try to navigate the heated world of client dissatisfaction. Because client disagreements are PAINFUL. As business leaders, we know that client disagreements are inevitable. But much like the world's spiciest chilli peppers, these disputes can range from mildly irritating (think jalapeños) to downright catastrophic (hello, Carolina Reaper). The key to keeping your finance and revenue numbers in check—and your taste buds intact—is understanding the different types of disagreements and their potential impact on your business. So we’re gonna take you through a little guide - the Scoville scale of client disputes - and learn how to handle them like a chilli pepper connoisseur. With Bluefort's end-to-end digital operating platform, you can streamline and hyper automate your processed, to put an end to disagreements, and actually impress your clients. Grab your glass of cold milk and let’s go! The Scoville Scale of Client Disagreements: From Jalapeño to Carolina Reaper Jalapeño-Level Disputes (2,500 - 8,000 SHUs): Minor Miscommunications These little disagreements usually come from simple miscommunications or misunderstandings. Though they cause a little discomfort, they’re usually resolved fast, with open communication and transparency. Damage level: Tingling tongue, a few burps.Cayenne-Level Conflicts (30,000 - 50,000 SHUs): Unmet Expectations Okay, it’s getting a little hot in here. Clients feel their expectations haven't been met. This can involve project scope, deliverables, or timelines. This level means you have to be proactive - don’t wait till things blow up. Stop the problem where it is. Damage level: Get your hands on the strongest antacids you’ve got and start popping those bad boys like chocolate buttons at Easter.Habanero-Level Hassles (100,000 - 350,000 SHUs): Contractual Disputes Whew, NOW we’re getting spicy. Contractual disputes usually have something to do payment terms, service level agreements, or other legally-binding things. This is where customer disagreements can have a big impact that requires mediation or legal intervention to resolve. Damage level: Your friends film you gasping with eyes bugging out, knocking over the stuff on the table in desperation…and the film goes viral. Ghost Pepper-Level Grievances (855,000 - 1,041,427 SHUs): Ethical Concerns Man do things escalate fast when there are ethical concerns. We’re not saying you’re unethical! We’re saying there’s a perception of that. It could be a lack of corporate social responsibility. It could be questionable business practices. Maybe you have partner who has gone rogue. These client disagreements MUST be sorted rapidly before your company's reputation is ruined. Damage Level: You’ve got third-degree burns going in and out and you are not taking visitors.Carolina Reaper-Level Rifts (1,569,300 - 2,200,000 SHUs): Major Breaches of Trust The Carolina Reaper of client disagreements involves major breaches of trust, such as fraud, theft, or other serious misconduct. These disputes can lead to financial ruin, the dissolution of the business relationship, fines, and even prison. Damage Level: You are now dead. And no one goes to your funeral. Sounds familiar, right? The thing is, even if you’re on top of all your company’s processes, you’re going to have client disagreements. In fact that’s probably why you’re reading this article now. So let’s get to what can be done about it. The Cooling Remedies: How to Tame the Heat of Client Disagreements What are some cooling remedies for managing these fiery situations? 1. Transparency Be upfront and clear with your clients about project scope, deliverables, and timelines from the outset. Get everything in writing. 2. Active Listening Ensure you fully understand your clients' expectations and concerns. Know their definitions for the words you use (ie how do you both define “timely”?) Actively listen to their feedback, and work together to find solutions. 3. Regular Check-Ins Schedule regular check-ins with your clients to discuss progress, address any issues that arise, and keep that strong working relationship going. 4. Contract Clarity Make sure your contracts are clear, concise, and easily understood by both parties. 5. Ethical Business Practices This goes without saying, but be ethical! Integrity is everything. On the flip side, deal with clients who have good reputations too. 6. Open Dialogue Both sides must be able to say difficult things. But it increases trust, and helps solve disagreements before they get worse. 7. Professional Mediation When direct communication isn’t enough, bring in a professional (or professionals) that both sides trust. 8. Automation Implement automation tools that will take care of the end-to-end process. Automation streamlines communication, project management, and reporting. It cuts down misunderstandings, creates timely updates, and provides a high level of service for your clients. Client disagreements can range from mildly irritating to downright fiery, just like those chilli peppers that some of us adventurous (misguided) people like to try. By understanding the different types of disputes and their potential impact on your business, you can navigate these situations with grace and skill—and keep your taste buds (and finances) intact.Want to see how hyper-efficient processes and automation can help cut down client disagreements?

A Guide to How to Find the Beast Ever felt like your return-on-investment (ROI) on innovation is playing a never-ending game of hide-and-seek? Maybe it’s even harder to find- like Bigfoot. Feels like a legend that only a lucky few have seen. And you’re strongly suspicious they’re all fibbing. They have to be! Maybe every time you hear "boosting your ROI” you want to scream into a pillow in frustration. We don’t blame you. It’s soul-destroying pouring money into something that SHOULD be working, but isn’t. So we thought it might be helpful to go through why you’re missing ROI on innovation, and some tips to finally find and tame that beast! The Mystery Behind No ROI on Innovation: Bigfoot's Secrets Revealed So why are your innovative efforts not yielding big old heaps of cash? There are lots of possibilities. Here are a few of the most common: Misaligned goals Does it feel like your innovation lacks focus? Have your priorities somehow been along the way? And whose goal is it anyway – the business’s or the customers’? Does one compete against the other? You don’t set out to find Bigfoot without knowing which forest he's hiding in. That destination has to be lined up before you can figure out how to get there. Lack of collaboration Be honest - come on, now - how many silos does your company have? Even the people in your office who can’t stand the sight of each other need to be able to share information. Innovation only succeeds where ideas are freely exchanged. Teams have to work together. Imagine going after Bigfoot with a documentary team and no one has spoken to each other till you all meet for the search. Chaos ensues. Inadequate measurement Are you tracking the wrong metrics or using outdated methods to evaluate your efforts? Look, when your innovation ain’t doing great, you probably would rather put your thumbs in a torture vice than look at the actual numbers. It’s hard. It’s wincy. It feels like “failure” right in your face (we don’t think anything is failure as long as we learn from it). You have to measure the impact of innovation to understand your ROI. Otherwise, it's like trying to capture Bigfoot using a Polaroid camera and a kids’ butterfly net—not gonna happen. Asking the wrong questions Do your innovations match what your customers want or need? Sometimes companies don’t ask the right questions before they start- they just plunge into the idea without figuring out the parameters or fine details. Innovation is always about solving a problem, even problems that will be important in the next year, three years, or five years. You’re not capturing anything about Bigfoot unless you have the right gear, and you won’t have the right gear if you don’t ask the right questions. The Soul-Searching Questions You Should Be Asking: Bigfoot Edition Speaking of asking the right questions, it's time to rip off the proverbial bandaid and ask yourself some crucial questions (along the issues above) about your innovation programme: 1. Is my company culture conducive to innovation? Everyone thinks they’re all about innovation but that’s not the case. If you want good innovation, you must give your people the TIME and RESOURCES they need to problem-solve. 2. Am I listening to (and actioning) my customers' feedback? Sometimes it’s frustrating having to listen to your customers. Especially when they change their minds, don’t know what they want, or are tempted away by your competition. But they do give insights into areas where your products or services could be improved. 3. Am I doing enough research on competitors? Figuring out where your competition is awful is probably more helpful than where they’re doing well. Customer reviews, message boards, and social media account comment sections are GOLDMINES for information on what your competitors’ customers need. And they’re free! 4. Am I learning from past mistakes? It’s such a cliche, but it’s true. The thing is, very few people do it. Mistakes are amazing learning opportunities, but only if you're willing to do the deed and acknowledge them. Look at the missteps and patterns of your past actions. 5. Are we actually getting the products out there? If your innovative products or services never make it to the right market, you'll never see an ROI. Make sure you have a good plan in place for launching and promoting your innovations. The Action Plan: How to Make Innovation Better and Boost Your ROI (Bigfoot-Style) So, with all these questions probably circulating in your head, it’s time to take action. That ROI has been wandering the forest enough. It’s been hiding. Other people have been bragging about it and it’s time to take control and find it once and for all. Though each business has its own circumstances, and you have a lot of choice, there are some basic steps you can take to make your innovation better and find that elusive ROI: Establish clear innovation objectives: Your plan needs specific, measurable goals that align with your overall business objectives. Foster a culture of collaboration: Break down departmental silos, offer cross-functional training, and do team-building activities. Make sure your innovators are creative problem-solvers who have the time to play with ideas. It’s not something that can be done crammed into 1-3 hours a week. Implement a robust measurement system: Don’t ignore those KPIs - look at revenue growth and cost savings, operational metrics (like process efficiency or time-to-market), and qualitative measures (customer satisfaction or employee engagement). Continuously iterate and improve: Innovation is an ongoing process that involves constant research, tests, experiments, etc. Keep going, keep trying, and take risks. Unconventional can be good, even in a conventional industry. Consider a collaboration with a complimentary business: Partnering with a trusted, complimentary business helps you pool resources, expand your reach, and drive innovation. Collaborate on new product development or share industry insights. Be creative with getting the word out: Promote your innovative products and services using a variety of channels, such as social media, content marketing, and events. Engage customers and partners who love your brand to help build buzz and drive interest. Broaden how you decide to innovate: Why focus just on developing new products? Maybe new applications for your existing offerings is a better move. This can cut down on investment and start bumping up the return. No one said that good ROI on innovation was going to be easy. It’s an elusive thing. But you’re not alone. By asking yourself the right questions, addressing the underlying issues, and taking actionable steps to make innovation better, you can unlock the full potential of your efforts and finally achieve that sought-after ROI. So, channel your inner Bigfoot hunter, unravel the mystery of your missing ROI, and make innovation the driving force behind your business success. Get that proverbial Bigfoot, film it, and show the world that you’re capable of!Ready to streamline your processes, reduce errors, automate your subscription management operations, and finally focus on your customers?

It's no secret that change can be hard.   It can be terrifying.  Doesn’t matter if it’s a new haircut, a new person or a new business strategy.   It's hard to know what the future holds when you're used to doing things a certain way. And because change can require time or money or effort or risk, it’s easy to think that sticking with what we know is the safer option.   But here's the thing that our primordial lizard brains refuse to believe- change usually takes a lot less time and effort than we thought.    And we know that the long-term cost of resisting change can be a real doozy.  Why do we do this to ourselves over and over again, especially when after the change happens, 9 times out of 10, we think to ourselves “Actually, that wasn’t so bad”? WHY?  We know the downsides to resisting change in business. We risk falling behind competitors. In fact, we’ve seen countless examples of businesses (both large and small) fold because of this very thing (Blockbuster and Kodak, anyone?)   Take the software-as-a-service (SaaS) world. You’re in a field where innovation is everything. you pour all our money and resources into making cutting-edge products.   So why be so resistant to innovating your own operations?SaaS customers care about how your products run. But they also care about how you run. And if you don’t run well, they will run … a million miles away.   But all this can change with the proverbial flick of a switch.   And that switch is automation. And this is where change can make a huge difference.   But how do you know it’s time to change? Here are five signs:  Your team is constantly swamped with manual, repetitive tasks. Ain't nobody got time for that! Automating can free up time for more strategic work and increase productivity. Your process is prone to errors and inconsistencies. Manual processes are, unfortunately, prone to human error. Automation can help improve accuracy and reduce the risk of errors. You're not meeting your growth goals. If you're not hitting your targets, it's time to re-evaluate your processes. Automating can help identify inefficiencies and help you meet your goals faster. You're relying on spreadsheets. Don't get us wrong - spreadsheets are great. But they're not scalable. As your business grows, it's important to have a system that can handle increased volume. Your customers are unhappy with your service. If your customers are dissatisfied, it's time to look at your processes. Automating can help you deliver a better customer experience, and most importantly, reduce churn.  The thing is that if a friend come to us with these problems, and there was an obvious solution, we’d tell them to go for it, right?  The ironic thing is - and we've seen this quite a few times - that automation is so much less disruptive than people will think it will be.   The number of times we’ve installed our LISA software, or given a brand a free trial and shown them how it works, they all say something along the lines of “This is it? This is all we have to do to make it work?”  It’s much, much easier than they feared.   So, if you're hesitant about embracing change, just remember - the struggle is real, but the payoff is worth it.   If you’re not sure, why not get in touch with us to find out how one change can completely revolutionise how you do business for good?  You’ll be so glad you did.   Take a chance. You won’t regret it.  

We love customers. And we want to make sure they love us.    It’s easy to make the mistake that success in subscriptions is about getting customers. But that’s only half the story.    We’ve got to keep them too. Customer loyalty and longevity is the lifeblood of success- which means we have to reduce churn if we want any chance of maintaining that steady stream of revenue.   The problem is that churn doesn’t always act like a flood. It can be stealthy. Like a leak in a boat that sinks businesses, where you don’t know you’ve got a problem until it’s too late.  It not only erodes the customer base and over time has a massive impact on the bottom line. Because churn is death- the stakes are that high.    So the solution needs to be that good. That’s exactly why AI has been developed in the subscription business industry. It’s the fastest, easiest and most cost-effective way to drive customer lifetime value and send churn packing for good.  How’s it work? Here are a few ways AI helps managers boost subscriber lifetime value:   Helps make better decisions Due to their recurring nature, subscriptions generate a lot of data: billing data, renewal data, financial postings, logistical data, entitlements etc. This is good news. AI tools don’t work without high quality training data. Predictive models evolve with more data, so overtime, the AI gets better. It can pinpoint subscribers most likely to churn, so that you can do something about them before they do.   Trend spotting AI tools are perfect at spotting patterns or trends. You can feed your organisation’s subscription data points to spot any meaningful correlations which would otherwise be missed. They can also be used to verify or annul existing business mind-sets for example: is there a correlation between customers who are not using your all of your product’s benefits and churning customers? Is a high number of support cases an indicator of dissatisfied customers who might churn or an indicator of highly-engaged customers who are pushing your offering to its limits and helping you improve? Let AI help you answer such questions!  An enhanced user experience The capabilities of AI are a surefire way to win your customers' hearts because customers don’t just hope for it, they expect it.    AI tools (such as chat-bots) automatically analyze in-segment subscriber behavior, preferences, demographics and sentiment to create a tailor-made experience that fits each customer like a glove. Imagine if these bots are also tapping into your subscription data to inform customers about their active subscriptions, open support tickets, usage levels, next scheduled deliveries, upcoming renewals, etc. They can make special offers or help customers define the service they want for the upcoming contract period. A win-win both for your sales teams and for your customers.  Do you know a customer who doesn't love feeling special?   The time they need to succeed AI finally relieves your teams of some of the biggest, most time-sapping tasks they have.   Sales, customer service, and development teams might be amazing, but they have their limits if they lack the resources they need to manage subscriptions.  If they’re freed from tedious tasks, they’ll have the time to focus on future-proofing your business, like building nurturing customer relationships and improving new products and offerings.   That’s why we’re passionate about the role of AI in unlocking customer lifetime value and reducing churn in subscription businesses.    No one should have to necessarily grind themselves into the ground with the day-to-day tasks of subscription management, and still suffer churn.    By using AI to deliver personalized experiences, anticipate churn threats and offer the best renewals, and give our teams the time they need to create lasting connections, subscription businesses will build a loyal customer base.    So, let's embrace AI and bid farewell to churn once and for all!