Category Archives: Basic Business Concepts

Derek Silvers, president of CD Baby, knows how to make a customer smile. Furthermore, his concern for delivering value to the customer made me want to spread the word about this little online record store that only sells CDs by independent musicians.

I have written posts before about the advantage a small company has over large companies in developing close relationships with customers. That advantage can be summed up as the ability to engage in meaningful communication at a personal level.

Derek’s company, CD Baby, engages customers in real communication and it is no wonder that word is spreading about this unusual online CD store.

It isn’t the logo that captures your attention, it’s the attention to detail in every email Derek sends out. Even the automated emails seem friendly, and that is masterful work. Additionally, Derek delivers what he promises, which is a great way to establish immediate trust.

Here are a few things that make this store worth supporting:

They only sell CDs that come directly from the musicians. No distributors. Musicians send them CDs. They warehouse them, sell them to you, and pay the musicians directly.

Continue reading →

This Thanksgiving trip to North Carolina gave me a chance to drive by hundreds of successful and failed businesses. My earlier conclusion, for what it’s worth, is that successful businesses appeared to be managed by strong personalities. Everything I could … Continue reading →

Filled with the holiday spirit, we drove south on country roads listening to the blues of Sheryl Warner and the Southside Homewreckers. The Virginia countryside appeared wet and somber through sheets of pouring rain, but we had the roads to ourselves … Continue reading →