Yes, this is what you do to family members :). We thought carefully whether we should beta with Michael's store, but we knew he would be tenacious and suggestive. Mike and his staff were amazing. It turned out better than any system change over, 4 total, that I have been a part of over the last 25 years. There were a flurry of issues, we were ready, and now I can say we have a world class product. Bravo is freaking amazing. Our team has added over 100 new features since June and remedied every issue our customers have thrown at us.
Big surprise. In every installation so far, I am astonished what effort is required to ready our clients. Everyone is afraid of change. There are 1000's of books on change. Bravo is a game changer and you have to be ready to adjust. When you have been practicing something for more than 3 years, and some for over 30 years, expect some change! It is something that requires preparation. My personal experience and style operating my company over the 28 years, was constant change. Everyone that has worked for me either loved it or quit. I was never satisfied, and it was my belief that when you stopped re-inventing, you were doomed. Don't sit on your hands and wait for something to happen, because the things that happen are usually not positive. I don't believe in "don't fix what isn't broken" mantra. I believe in making things better everyday. Bravo customers can expect a dynamic product.
Well, installing Bravo I haven't found change enthusiasts. No one is ready enough. We have to do some hand holding, preparing, reminding, and coaching. It is a bit crazy! Now this isn't just for small, medium size companies. We have been analyzing a number of public traded companies in the pawn industry over the last 3 months. Same thing. Great people, talented, just aren't as aware as you would think. My software competitors read my blogs and they are laughing their asses off right now. I had no clue, I was the naive one. Damn.
We are adapting quickly and have a new program rolling out in the next 2 weeks. Keep posted we are going to approach this obstacle head on.
Another big surprise. New Pawnbrokers are the best adopters and are simply 'with it'. This industry has been using such antiquated tools, the old timers just don't know. This is the real opportunity. When you put experience with Bravo you take the existing Industry to the next level! Can't wait. The old timers have been forced to figure it out. Come up with the work-around, extra procedures, post-its, reminders, audits, and then ultimately extra personnel to do the job there systems should be doing. Everyone that has been in this business for the last 5 years or more are so trained not to expect anything from their systems, they don't.
The new pawnbrokers just starting out have higher expectations, are knowledgeable what other systems do for other industries, and when they see Bravo it does more, they love it. It makes sense to experienced retailers that are coming into the pawn business for the first time. This has been really fun for our team to see the entrepreneurial spirit live on. Our companies ethos is about helping small business create businesses and jobs. We will be announcing a special offering for new pawnbrokers to continue the momentum.
Bravo has feature. We have assembled the industries most powerful computing power, partnered with IBM, the best tools by Microsoft - Azure/Cloud, and processes of PRIMA to make the best operating system ever. It is packed with power and flat out generates more revenue for our users, reduces costs of the operation, and the design is loved by the users that use it everyday.
We do admit missing a report that someone loves from one of the 20 other systems out there, we get to them within a few weeks. Bravo has processes that no one can duplicate and we dedicate ourselves in creating new and better things in the future. With a new system there new ways and better ways to look at your business.
Bravo has eCommerce. This has been my dream for 12 years. Since 1999 in Boston I have been dreaming of operating system that sells stuff off the shelf. Here it comes, days away. It is going to be freaking amazing, simple, integrated, and no extra effort for the store operator and employees. The Website we are launching is www.maxpawn.com. Out of the gate nothing fancy. Stout, efficient, simple.
Believe. It is hard work. Change. Be Bravo. These systematic practices brought amazing results for my company and bringing this to you via Bravo will bring bounty to yours. We have a robust platform, the theory has been tested and proven, we earn our money only when you have success. The next 4 months will be even more exciting.
International Bravo-Mexico is completely internationalized and is ready for South America. Europe is next !
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