Business Strategy

Compression Molding

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:43:00 GMT

Compression molding is one of the oldest methods for creating rubber parts. It was developed very early in the history of the rubber manufacturing industry from techniques used in baking. It is a very efficient process for creating large, flat or slightly curved rubber or rubber parts, and it's cheaper and creates less waste than either injection or intrusion molding.

Compression molding is a simple process. The rubber is put inside a mold, and both heat and pressure are applied. As the rubber melts, it will take the shape of the mold. The pressure is maintained until the rubber has cooled into the shape of the mold.

The compounds most commonly used for compression molding are a bulk molding compound (BMC) or a sheet molding compound (SMC). The BMC most often comes in a pellet form, and must be spread evenly across the mold for the best results. SMC comes in a sheet and can be cut to the exact size of the material required to make the part, preventing waste. The sheet also sits evenly across the mold, reducing movement in the material during the compression stage, thereby improving the quality of the final product.

Compression molding presses come in a variety of sizes and consist of two parts. The first is a hydraulic press with a male mold on the end. The second is a female mold which is held still though the compression process. The molds are usually made of metal and have grooves to help remove the excess rubber.

Compression molding is typically used to create large flat or slightly curved high quality rubber products. It is often used in the automotive and airline industries. Compression molding is also used to create many household and everyday items.

On big advantage of compression molding is ease with which glass fibers can be introduced to the manufacturing process. The fibers can be laid in the mold either unidirectionally, randomly or in a weave. As the rubber is compressed it will merge with the fibers and create a strong and light composite. Other rubber manufacturing techniques don't allow as much flexibility in the orientation of fibers, and sometimes injection and extrusion molding damage the fibers before the product is finished.

Engineers decide several basic things when be successful when compression molding. They determine how much material is needed and whether they will use an SMC or BMC compound. They also decide how long the material needs to be heated before it reaches its melting point, how long it has to be held at the melting point and compressed. Thirdly, they decide how much pressure must be applied to the molten rubber to get the desired part thickness. Finally, they decide how they are going to cool the part and how long it will take to cool.

Compression molding has several advantages over other rubber manufacturing techniques. The set-up and running costs are relatively low when compared to other process, like extrusion and injection molding. In addition to the set up costs, the amount of material wasted is very low, cutting down on recycling and disposal costs for wasted material.

Quality-wise, the parts can be much larger than their extrusion molded counterparts. They also have a much better surface finish than either extrusion or injection molded parts. Finally, compression molding creates less degradation of any glass fibers used to reinforce the rubber.

Unfortunately, the quality of parts created with compression rubber molding can be inconsistent. Compression molding also cannot be used for parts with undercuts, overlaps or strong curves as the mold cannot be accurately shaped. Compression molding also takes a lot longer than either extrusion or injection molding.

Compression molding is a great technique for creating large rubber parts. It has several useful advantages over other rubber manufacturing techniques, including its cost, the amount of waste and the surface finish of the final product. However, it is slower than other techniques and sometimes creates parts of inconsistent quality.

Latest Online Business Venture

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:39:00 GMT

A couple weeks ago we went live with DanaDeSarle.com, a website that sells workout programs for men.

The workout system, DDS 1.0, is perfectly designed for the professional male. DDS 1.0 is a 5-day workout routine. Each workout is only 30 minutes from start to finish. This workout system gives you enough time to give each muscle group plenty of rest while working really hard to build muscle.

The goal for DanaDeSarle.com is to sell muscle building workouts for men. The system sells for $97 and is available on-demand... meaning you don't have to wait for DVDs to show up in the mail, you can get started the same day you purchase the system.

DDS 1.0 will build your muscle mass effectively because each workout is specifically designed to train each muscle group to its maximum potential each week. With DDS 1.0, you'll have time to focus on your career and your family because each workout only lasts 30 minutes. That's a huge plus for guys who want to keep a great body, while excelling in their chosen career.

Most workout videos for men focus on long, hour-plus, workouts. Not Dana DeSarle Systems.

DDS 1.0 is a 5-day workout program in a 7-day cycle. Each workout is only 30 minutes long. DDS 1.0 also comes with a nutrition guide so you can follow and get fantastic results.

DDS 1.0 starts on Monday and ends on Friday. Saturday and Sunday are your off days. However, it is recommended that you do some form of physical activity on one of those days... go for a hike, bike ride, play golf, run... just do something on either Saturday or Sunday.

DDS 1.0 will be our first fitness product for Dana DeSarle Systems. The mens workout program market is really needing a product like DDS 1.0. Most products are extremely long... 1 hour to an hour and a half. This is just not sustainable. We personally think long workout programs don't work, and you should focus your time and energy on shorter, more focused workouts.

I cannot tell you how excited I am about this men's muscle building video product! It is truly a revolutionary fitness product, specifically designed for busy professionals.

We really put a lot of time and money into the design, filming and scripting of this first product.

I think you'll rally enjoy the 5-day workout routine. We specially designed the system in such a way that you don't work on complimentary muscles two days in a row. This allows for sufficient rest in each muscle group. Sufficient rest is one of the most important pillars in building muscle and getting the most out of your workout routine.

What about sets and reps?

DDS 1.0 is based on Dana DeSarle's proprietary system of Main, Stretch and Burn. This new system of muscle training will help you build muscle and burn fat like you can't believe. The system works on getting the most out of your muscles in a limited amount of time.

We have written some really great articles on DanaDeSarle.com. If you have time, take a look at the articles. One of my favorite articles is: Energy Workout For Men. This article talks about why it's important to exercise to GET energy. Pretty important concept.

Another great article you can read on the web site is: Why Resolutions Fail. Everyone knows how hard it is to stick with a New Year's Resolution... or any resolution for that matter. This article digs to the core of why humans fail and what you can do about it.

The last article I recommend you read is: Why Working Out Is Important. This article talks about the importance of working out to stay healthy. Americans are getting fatter and fatter every year... just look around. Fat is everywhere. It's time you do something about it, before it's too late.

Finally, a little about Dana DeSarle Systems and our goal for the company.

Dana DeSarle Systems is a company dedicated to helping busy professionals get in shape and live a better life.

Our flagship product, Dana DeSarle Systems [DDS 1.0], is a revolutionary workout system designed specifically to work for busy, professional men.

DDS 1.0 is a series of workout videos, guides, and email coaching program. The workouts are based on Dana's proprietary methodology of Main, Stretch and Burn… a new way to build muscle and burn fat.

I would love for you to see an example of Main, Stretch and Burn in action. Click this link to be taken to DanaDeSarle.com. Once you're there, just enter your email address and click "Show Me The Video" to preview a workout.

If you are a busy professional, with a family and career, and what seems like no time in your day to get in shape... this workout fitness program for men is designed for you!

Search Engine Optimization Company

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 20:46:00 GMT

I got a phone call this morning from an SEO company promising to "get my business on the first page of Google." Normally I hang-up on solicitors like this, but today I held the line to see what they offered. Below is the conversation.

Sales Guy: What's your first name, company name and what industry is your company in?
Me: John. Bullsprig. Business consulting.

Sales Guy: Great John. What keyword do you want to get on the first page of Google for?
Me: "Business".

Sales Guy: Okay great. What town do you live in?
Me: That doesn't matter. I want to get on the first page of Google for the keyword "Business" across the country.

Sales Guy: Oh! Well, we can't possibly do that!
Me: Why not? You promised me the first page of Google for any keyword. I want the first result for "Business".

Sales Guy: Well... we target keywords for Google Maps in your specific city.
Me: Exactly. Please don't call again.

I get these spam phone calls and emails almost daily from so-called "SEO Companies"... as do most of our clients. What they offer is complete bull.

Here's the hard facts: proper SEO is expensive and time consuming. The spam guys that call you up, email, or spam your contact forms are just that... spamers.

Run for the hills when these guys contact you.

Online Marketing and Advertising Metrics

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:38:00 GMT

Online marketing and advertising is a strategy every business owner should be using to improve the bottom line and generate more business. Below are three key metrics to use for gauging your online marketing and advertising efforts and effect.

Cost Per Lead (CPL) is the cost of bringing a lead to your business. Leads can come from a variety of generation methods, including: opting-in to your email list on your website, calling your office, filling out your online form, purchasing a product, et cetera. Generating these leads cost you something. For example, the cost of maintaining your website, the cost of getting your phone number in front of the customer, the cost of your online marketing and so on. Measuring your cost per lead is very important.

Cost Per Lead = Cost from Marketing Effort ÷ Number of Qualified Leads Generated

Cost Per Acquisition (CPA) expresses the cost of actually acquiring a new customer. It's important to measure your CPA because spending dollars on online advertising and marketing that isn't converting leads into new customers for your business is a waste of time, money and effort.

Cost Per Acquisition = Revenue from your Marketing Effort ÷ Cost from Marketing Effort

Return On Investment (ROI) is the rate at which you recover your investment on online advertising. You ROI determines whether your local online advertising is working (or not). If you spend $500 a month with online advertising, you want--at least--$500 coming back to your business. Otherwise, again, you're wasting time, money and effort.

Return on Investment = Revenue from Marketing Effort - Cost from Marketing Effort ÷ Cost from Marketing Effort

With any online marketing and advertising strategy, analyzing these three metrics is integral to your online marketing success. ROI is the most important metric... are you getting your money back? CPL and CPA are also very important. Also, it's important to note, often times acquiring a new customer (CPA) takes a long amount of time (some of Bullsprig's clients have lead times greater than one year!). You may have to wait a while before you can determine your CPA. But keep doing it.

Software for Ecommerce Websites

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 22:14:00 GMT

If you're looking to build a website with ecommerce functions, there are a lot of options to choose from!

When reviewing ecommerce software, make sure the system you choose provides not only ecommerce, but the ability to manage your website, a customer database, website analytics and reporting, and an easy to use interface.

It's also important to read the documentation... you might be stuck installing multiple plug-ins and writing code! Not fun.

If you don't want to write code or waste time and money on fiddly codes or add-on modules for your site, then Bullsprig's system is perfect for you. Our integrated website system gives you fully functional ecommerce capabilities, straight out of the box.

When you partner with Bullsprig for your website design and development, we give you a website (and training) that frees you to focus on your unique business goals, not waste time mastering HTML and other web technologies. At Bullsprig, we give business owners and individuals all the tools needed to succeed online. No back-end programming, no creative limits!

Premier Retreats Website

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:02:00 GMT

We recently designed and developed a new website for Premier Retreats. Premier Retreats is a luxury vacation rental company that specializes in high-end rental properties.

Their first luxury vacation rental property is located on the beautiful Mayacama golf course.

Premier Retreats plans to add additional luxury vacation properties every year. With this in mind, the design and development of the website needed to scale easily. As you can see, the look and feel is very clean, utilizing large background graphics to give the user a greater sense of the location and surroundings of the property.

As Premier Retreats adds properties to their portfolio, the home page will change to incorporate each individual property. Users can click on each property right from the home page.

The Premier Retreats website is powered by Bullsprig's content management system. This allows the owners to manage and update the website from any computer with an internet connection.

If you are looking for a new website, or a website redesign, contact Bullsprig today and let's talk. One of the most important aspects of working with Bullsprig is that after your website's launched, we give you full control over your website... you don't have to hire Bullsprig again (or another web designer) to make changes to your site. You can do it yourself! Bullsprig's CMS is an advanced technology infrastructure that integrates pre-built tools and modules to get you up and running fast.

REDCO Website Design and Development

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:53:00 GMT

Bullsprig just launched a newly redesigned website for REDCO. REDCO is a Rubber Engineering and Development Company located in Carson City, Nevada. In business since 1948, REDCO has a strong reputation for dependability and quality rubber products.

REDCO was unhappy with their old website and wanted a redesign that was new and fresh. The design challenge was to create a site that was clean, informative and easy to navigate, while keeping the industrial look and feel.

REDCO is a quality company. They have been going strong since 1948, specializing in precision rollers, custom rubber molding, die cutting and foam fabrication, silicone specialties and rubber bumpers.

All of their products are produced in Carson City, Nevada. Their shop is impeccable, and REDCO's Management Team was a pleasure to work with.

If you have a chance, take a look at REDCO's website. If you have a business that needs a website redesign, fill out our contact form, and let's get in-touch!

Project Point Spread Website Design

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 04:59:00 GMT

A couple of weeks ago we launched a redesigned website for Project Point Spread. The site is a football pick' em site... essentially, you can log-in to the site and make your football picks every week (NFL and College). The really powerful part about the site is the "prediction engine", which allows users access to documented expert picks for every College Gameday and NFL Sunday.

This was a super-fun project to work on! A lot of brainstorming and thought went into the design. It was a very challenging design because there is actually 2 websites working here: 1) A "marketing" side to convert first-time visitors, and; 2) An "application" side, where you make your picks, join groups, contests, follow experts, etc.

If you have time, take a look at this website... I'd love to hear what you think. It is free to create an account and make picks. Access to the prediction engine is $99 per season. Well worth the money if you like football!

Using Pay Per Click to Grow your Business

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 01:31:00 GMT

Google AdWords is an incredible marketing product for businesses. I think it's such an important tool for any business or individual with a product or service they are trying to sell.

One of our clients built his entire business from Google AdWords and pay-per-click advertising. He did not spend money in any other marketing channels. Only pay-per-click. His business grew like crazy, and was very profitable.

Ultimately, AdWords is so powerful because you are targeting your customers specifically. Your ads are being served according to their search terms. This is not "shotgun" advertising. This is pin-point, right-on-the-money advertising, that every serious business should be using.

Online Marketing Strategy for the Long Term

Sat, 07 Aug 2010 23:35:00 GMT

Here's a great article by Seth Godin The secret of the web (hint: it's a virtue). From the article:

Google was a very good search engine for two years before you started using it. The iPod was a dud. It still takes ten years to become a success, web or no web. The frustrating part is that you see your tactics fail right away. The good news is that over time, you get the satisfaction of watching those tactics succeed right away.

Being successful on the web takes time. At Bullsprig, one of our clients in on the first page of Google for 30 different keywords... 6 of those keywords are the very first listing. That's valuable real estate, but it took time! A long time to get there. We're on a marketing retainer for this client. Every week we work on their website, their social media, their pay-per-click campaign. We have a very specific strategy to see results. But again, it takes time.

If you want to see success on the web, you have to put in the time and effort required. You have to have an online marketing strategy. This strategy must include where you want to be in 1-2 years, not months. It doesn't work that way. Getting a successful online presense takes time.

Get professional help for your Online Marketing

Sat, 07 Aug 2010 23:01:00 GMT

A friend of mine owns a couple of rental properties here in Reno. A few weeks ago I ran into him at The Home Depot. He was buying drywall supplies... evidently one of his tenants had destroyed a five foot area of drywall. So there he was buying his supplies, getting ready to fix the damaged wall.

I talked to him a little while later and asked about the drywall. He said it took him 5 days and about $450 to fix the wall. When I asked him how it looked, he replied, "It'll work".

That conversation got me thinking about business owners, their websites and online maketing. There are a ton of "do-it-yourselfers" in business. People who ask the question, "Why should I pay someone to build website? I can do it myself."

Of course you can build your own website. There are tons of free services out there that will allow you to do just that. But, the end result usually works out like my buddy who repaired his own drywall: learn how to do it, spend a lot of money and time, and end-up with something less-than desirable. Something that "will do".

As business owners, we justified learning how to do things ourselves in order to save the cost of paying someone else to do it. I think this philosophy works for some specific business issues. But it won't work for your website, your pay-per-click campaigns or your search engine optimization.

These online initiatives are simply too complex to handle yourself (that is, if you want to see results). In today's world, your website is more important than your storefront. Spend the money and get professional help.

Business Lessons

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 22:01:00 GMT

When I was 15 years old, I started a lawn mowing business with a good friend of mine. We had a mower, a weed eater, and a desire to make money. We were in business.

We started out by walking door-to-door in my neighborhood passing out flyers. The name of our business was "Mighty Mowers". I made a black and white flyer featuring two buffed guys mowing a lawn. I wasn't buffed then (nor am I now) but the idea of two buffed guys mowing lawns was sure to land us a bunch of accounts.

The flyers worked out really well and we started getting accounts. At first we would literally push our lawn mowers up and down the streets in our neighborhood, going from house to house cutting the grass. Soon, it became too much work and my Dad joined our operation as the driver. We put the mowers in the back of the truck and would drive to each house.

As our business started to pick-up, we needed to get a trailer. My friend's dad had an old trailer that we fixed-up and painted. The trailer had to be red because my Dad's truck was red... it was really cool. When I turned 16 my Dad officially retired from the business and I started driving to all our accounts. Our first year in business was very successful. We made a lot of money and were having fun!

The next year began much the same way. We made copies of the flyer and passed them out door-to-door. We had almost all the accounts from the first year. With good word-of-mouth (and my great flyer), we added more accounts to the route. We started to get really busy. My Dad came out of retirement and started helping us again. We also put a couple of our friends to work 3-4 days a week.

The money was rolling in. It was a great business. I continued to own and operate the business through the summer before college. Then, after my first year in college, I was too busy playing baseball to continue operations. So, I gave the business to my cousin. He ran the business for about 2 months. Ultimately, he lost all the accounts and Mighty Mowers went into history as a great business that was ruined because of bad customer service.

Looking back, I realize what an awesome business I had! It was all cash, the revenue was reoccurring, our customers loved the service and it was scaleable.

You might ask: "Why not start another lawn mowing service?" Well, I have thought hard about it. However, there's a number of reasons why I didn't do it again. When we first started Mighty Mowers there we only 3 or 4 lawn mowing companies in town. Now the competition is fierce. Today the licensing requirements are very strict. And, there's not really a competitive advantage. But the number one reason is the amount of competing lawn mowing companies. There are simply too many.

When you're looking to start a business, or buy a business, you need to look hard at the competition. If there are too many competitors--even it you're the best--it's harder to win.

Monitor your Brand Image Online

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 05:46:00 GMT

I got a call today from one of our clients about some false claims on a website blog. The comments were in-fact, completely untrue... but, nonetheless hurt my client's image.

Here's the deal guys, conversations are being held on the web with or without our consent, some of these conversations can have a negative impact on your brand.

Take time each day to monitor your brand. Find out what people are saying about you and your company online. News travels fast on the web--good or bad. It's your job to make sure you're on top of it.

Your Website is your Biggest Storefront

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 17:24:00 GMT

I just read a great article from Adage about the importance of a company's website.

Your website is ostensibly your biggest office or storefront. Think real estate: Would you cheap out building your headquarters, manufacturing plant, distribution center, customer service center, or store? And yet, a website can be all of these. This piece of property is available to customers and prospects all over the globe 24/7.

Read that paragraph again. The importance of a great website in this day-and-age should be your number 1 priority. Your website is where your customers go first... before calling you. Trust me.

An interesting thing happened to me the other day. I needed to order some light-bulbs for the office last week. I went to Google and searched for my light-bulb guys. Nothing. Searched again, same result. I searched a couple more times, could not find the phone number. Then I looked down at my feet, there it was: the telephone book. I looked up the number, made the call and got my light-bulbs.

Ordering light-bulbs is not very interesting. What IS interesting is the fact that I searched Google first instead of opening up the Yellow Pages.

Trust me, this is happening all over the world. Your website is where your customers go first!

If you're not spending money on quality website design and development and on online marketing (what you need to do to drive customers to your website) you are missing a huge shift in consumer behavior.

Online Business and Brand Consulting

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:47:00 GMT

I'm a bus dev guy. That is my passion. I currently own two businesses and am working on a third. Being an entrepreneur is hard. In addition to the long hours and hard work, there is a lot of ups and downs! And, (in most cases) when you first start out, you have to do--and learn--everything: accounting, marketing, sales, operations, legal, fixing the toilet... et cetera. Is it worth it? Totally!

When I first started my web design and development company Bullsprig I didn't quit my day job. Let's face it, I needed to pay the bills somehow. What I did was work on the business at night, after my "real job". I would come home from work and spend time with my wife (girlfriend at the time) then, when she went to bed, I would get to work. This is what it takes guys. Hard work. Period. No other way about it.

I have a lot of entrepreneur / start-up business clients at Bullsprig. I love it because I love helping people achieve their dream of financial independence. Over the past couple of months, I have taken a good, 360 degree, look at my business. What are my clients really looking for? What do my clients want from me?

There is obviously a lot of answers to these questions, but I think I have really narrowed it down.

So, what's the point of this post? Well, I want to tell all my beloved readers and clients I'm taking Bullsprig in a new direction. Yes, we will continue to provide web design and development services and online marketing services. But, we're going to go a step further and provide more consulting services regarding their online and social media presence. We're going to help our clients build brand equity online.