Avvo Turns Two
I need to warn everyone out there . . . Avvo turned two today. Wondering what we are all in for, I searched for the behavioral characteristics of your average two-year old and the outlook is grim. See the gory details below with my commentary on how we plan to manage this difficult period.
According to Bella Online, your average two-year old:
• Wants exactly what he wants when he wants it [Since Avvo’s launch, we have had high expectations for our products and the ongoing evolution of the legal profession. We have also been very impatient with these expectations. Upon further reflection, I see all of this as a positive and we won’t be changing anything over the next year.]
• Will not usually give in [If it relates to getting consumers better guidance regarding their legal issues and more business for top-notch lawyers, I don’t see us changing this either. Geez, I didn’t expect to be so unyielding!]
• Everything has to be done just so [Well, yes, we are particular. You can’t effectuate change by being wishy-washy.]
• Likes to give orders [We like to give orders as long as we are simply implementing the feedback of consumers and lawyers. However, if we ever come off as bossy, please let us know. We are here to serve passionately, not bossily.]
• Has trouble making decisions [Well, this is sort of true. Because we are a small company without the infinite budgets of some of our competitors, we make choices everyday regarding how to allocate our limited resources. It is always hard, but I think we have done a decent job to date. Stay tuned for some neat products we have coming down the line.]
• Wants to continue doing whatever he is doing no matter what [Well, that’s true. And if you talk to our customers, they want us to continue as well.]
• May begin to bite. [Hmmm . . . we’ll have to handle that one on a case-by-case basis.]
After thinking this through, maybe we’re in pretty good shape. Could it be that many of the behavioral characteristics of the “terrible twos” are actually required to succeed in the competitive marketplace? Paging Jim Collins: There is a best-selling management book in there somewhere.
Thank you to everyone who has helped make Avvo such a success. 2008-2009 was a banner year for us, and we look forward to 2009-2010 being even better. I am reminded of one lawyer’s quote that “Avvo may be the greatest thing for lawyers since the invention of a laptop.” I’m not sure how we are going to top that, but we will (greatest thing since cloud server architecture maybe?)
And finally, I would like to give the biggest of all shout-outs to Team Avvo, a highly talented group of individuals up here in rainy Seattle that has worked tirelessly to make the Avvo marketplace something special. It is my honor to work with each and every one of you every day – let’s just keep the biting to a minimum.
Giddyup!
June 5th, 2009 at 10:25 am
“May begin to bite”? Well we do allow dogs in the office. We should post a sign in the front — “Beware of Dogs” even though the dogs at the office may lick you to death. Happy Birthday Avvo!