Launch Partner Spotlight: Rob Howard
WHEN YOU’RE READY WE’LL BE READY
As we’ve been navigating these trying times, the CityCentral team has been brainstorming ideas on how we can help DFW businesses thrive when the time is right. With the help of our amazing partners, we came up with our latest idea, LAUNCH. The LAUNCH program is not just space, but a set of tools to help you either launch or re-launch your business. Over the next few weeks, we will be talking to our partners in the LAUNCH program who are ready to tell you why they are excited to give back to DFW businesses.
For over a decade, Rob Howard oversaw community management for major corporations like Apple and Microsoft. After selling his first company, Telligent Systems in 2015, Rob founded DailyStory. DailyStory is a cloud marketing automation platform which helps businesses communicate with their customer base and expand to new customers through various forms of online communication. Now, Rob is partnering with CityCentral’s LAUNCH program and offering a free 30-day starter package from DailyStory, which includes text messaging, email, landing pages, and more. Rob has taken some time out of his still busy schedule to discuss the industry, how he is adapting, and the future with LAUNCH.
“WE LOVE TO HEAR CUSTOMERS RAVE ABOUT [OUR] SERVICE.”
When we sat down with Rob the first thing he told us is that his industry is incredibly crowded. In a tech-based industry with the heavy competition you could expect to hear claims about advanced tech or algorithms, but that is not how Rob chooses to highlight DailyStory. Rather, Rob highlighted that what most sets him and DailyStory apart is having the best customer service. Rob ensures that all of his clients have his direct phone number and can get in touch with him directly for their needs.
“MY DAY NEVER CEASES TO BE INTERESTING”
Sociability isn’t the only thing setting Rob apart from the pack. Rob tries to avoid being anchored down or having his day be entirely structured. Like many involved with the LAUNCH program, he enjoys utilizing his success and extensive knowledge for the benefit of the DFW business community. He says that's the part of his job he actually loves most, being able to coach young or new developers trying to succeed in a crowded tech industry.
“THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO AS AN ORGANIZATION IS TO SEE HOW YOU CAN BEST SUPPORT YOUR CUSTOMERS.”
It is hard to estimate the impact COVID-19 has had on all of us. Business outreach has become particularly difficult as corporate lunches and happy hours are no longer a safe or realistic means of networking. As a result, marketing and outreach have shifted to almost entirely be based online. While this may have led to an opportunity for sales for Rob and DailyStory, he has chosen to focus his efforts on addressing the situation with humanity rather than solely the growth of his own business. Rob, like the rest of us, has been inundated with emails from businesses still offering their services to everyone on their mailing lists. Aside from being annoying, Rob also warns that it will likely hurt those companies. Companies trying to capitalize on a crisis to sell products to consumers is fairly transparent and risks giving the company a reputation of being uncaring. To quote Mr. Howard; “60 months of 0% APR on a new car is not what people are thinking about right now.”
“PEOPLE ARE GOING TO WALK AWAY WITH IMPRESSIONS OF YOUR ACTIONS WITH THEM”
For his part, Rob is doing very little to market his own company right now, instead, he is trying to focus on being there for his clients in whatever form they need him. In many instances through training. With so much business being handled online right now many companies are seeing jams in their online traffic. Rob has been offering unlimited training to his clients on how to handle these systems. Beyond that, he is also helping on the frontlines of the COVID 19 response, DailyStory has been integral pushing communication and updates about Coronavirus testing and managing blood donations. Any way Rob can push utilize his business and expertise to support others during this time he is exploring.
“COMMUNICATION IS KEY TO FINDING AND KEEPING BUSINESS.”
Rob's desire to help others is what led him to join the LAUNCH team. Digital marketing is really what companies are limited to right now, and for small businesses and start-ups, Rob can be a benefit to quickly jump-starting a campaign. The free month of his platform is an inclusive marketing communication package. In that time a start-up could expect to run two campaigns, and providing major outreach during an especially tumultuous time. LAUNCH is a means for Rob, and the rest of the team, to give back to the community and support new business owners. Aside from LAUNCH, Rob wants to remind the community to stay safe, stay strong, and feel free to say "hello" when we're finally back in the office.
