Last we
ek I came across an amusing graphic from theoatmeal.com entitled “What your email address says about your computer skills.” You can check out the graphic here but the gist of it is that each type of email address, from using your own domain to using @aol.com, gives others a distinct impression about you and your capabilities when it comes to computers and the internet.
While the graphic was meant to be entertaining (and it certainly was), it also brings up some valid points. In fact, it reminded me of a blog post that my colleague, Brad, wrote back in January. Brad took a look at the impact that your email address can have on your business, particularly from a marketing standpoint. Your email address holds a unique branding opportunity among other things.
Whether it’s your business, your computer skills or [insert a number of other things here], your email address speaks volumes. From your level of professionalism to your credibility as a company, it’s a reflection of your image. It’s the first thing your potential clients, vendors, etc. see in their inbox. It may even be a deciding factor in whether or not they open your email. It’s your first impression and potentially your last. Shouldn’t it be a good one?
The answer is yes. Then why isn’t every business using their own domain name? For some it’s the perceived cost associated with setting up a dedicated mail server. For others, it’s the time and effort it takes to switch from their current solution. Yes, it will take some time. But depending on the mail server you choose, the cost incurred can be minimal. In some cases, even less than what you may be paying now. And if you choose a vendor with pre-sales installation support and migration assistance, the effort on your part is minimal as well.
Isn’t it worth the time to find an email server that in addition to sending your mail enables you to communicate your brand and professional image to all of your contacts? Heck, I’ll even save you some time and get you started. IMail Server has low-cost mail server options that include pre-sales installation and migration support. There are no more excuses to let go of that generic joe_schmo@aol.com email address! (And of course, my apologies to the owner of that address)
How many of us can say that our work environment is ideal? That it’s comfortable, flexible, overall just a great place to be 5 days out of the week? My bet is not very many. But those of us that work for Ipswitch can!!! And while we’ve known it has been a great place to work for some time now, we are excited to announce that the Boston Business Journal now thinks so too.
Ipswitch, Inc. has been named one of Boston Business Journal’s Best Places to Work in 2010. Ipswitch is one of 60 companies honored with this award. Criteria for selection include a comfortable work environment, work-life balance, job satisfaction, and advancement opportunities among others.
Congratulations to Ipswitch for being recognized by BBJ as a Best Place to Work and to all my co-workers for their role in creating a remarkable work environment!
Ipswitch Messaging Division announced the release of IMail Server v11.02 today. With the new release, Ipswitch Messaging has added features and functionality that simplify mail server administration. A key driver for the v11.02 release was listening to IMail customers. “We actively seek out the voice of our customers. Most of the new features found in v11.02 came from direct conversations with our customer community,” says Tripp Allen, President of the Ipswitch Messaging Division.
What’s New in v11.02…
>> 2GB maximum mailbox size limitation has been removed
>> Improved mailbox processing for faster performance
>> Added the ability to refresh licenses right in the Web and Console Admin.
>> Added the ability to maintain separate trailer messages at each domain level
>> Added the ability to customize language files for the IMail Web Administrator user interface
Just a few weeks ago, Ipswitch also released a free administrative utility pack to all existing IMail Server customers, again focused on making IMail Server administration as easy as possible. Allen adds, “Many companies practice one-way communication with their customers. We take a different stance. We value our customers’ voice and incorporate it into everything that we do.”
For more details on the IMail Server v11.02 release, check out the full release notes at: http://docs.ipswitch.com/_Messaging/IMailServer/v11.02/ReleaseNotes/.
How’d we do it? That’s the question I have been asked multiple times since we won the business division and overall championship with the fastest pull at the Ronald McDonald House plane pull in Augusta, GA. This was the second year in a row that we won both trophies, and it has left many people baffled. Why? Well, mainly because our team is composed of computer programmers, marketers, salesmen, and technical support specialists from Ipswitch. The competition this year included teams from the Navy, Army, a semipro football team and even a group of muscular fellows from the local Gold’s Gym. The objective is for each team of 20 people to pull a 727 twelve feet in the fastest time. You would think all these teams of soldiers or athletes could beat a team of computer nerds. But two years in a row is beginning to prove the old “brains over brawn” adage.
So how did we do it? We do have a secret, but we keep it locked away in a vault at an offsite location. We won’t reveal the secret, but anyone who watched us pull the plane in 6.499 seconds should be able to figure it out. To get ready for the event we don’t do anything special. For the week before the pull, we keep our donuts / coffee numbers per hour numbers low, and do keyboard curls for a couple minutes each day. I noticed a few of the team members had a power lunch of hot dogs and sodas before we pulled the plane as well. My real answer when people ask me how we did it is we have a great team of people at Ipswitch. We know how to work together to achieve a common goal, and we practice this every day by making sure we keep our customers happy. The Messaging team has the primary goal of customer satisfaction, and each person in the division is focused on that goal daily.
Last year around 20 teams pulled the plane, and this year 36 teams pulled. I would love to see some more competition at the Augusta airport next year so we can brag even more about who we beat. The pull is for a really great cause and we all have a great time out there every year. I challenge all the other CSRA businesses to put together a team and try to beat us in 2011!
This past weekend, Ipswitch employees came together to participate in the 2nd Annual FedEx Plane Pull at the Augusta Regional Airport in Georgia. The fundraiser event was set up to benefit the Ronald McDonald House, specifically to build a new house in the Augusta area.
Ipswitch was one of 36 teams that competed to pull a 150,000 lb. FedEx Boeing 727 jet for a total of 12 ft. in the fastest time. In addition to helping out a good cause, Ipswitch had a title to defend as the 2009 Plane Pull Champions. And I’m proud to say, they didn’t disappoint. The Ipswitch team pulled out a first place victory with a time of 6.499 seconds. Who would’ve guessed that a team of computer guys would dominate over teams from the Army, the Navy, and Gold’s Gym. Now that’s teamwork!
Check out the winning pull:
Great job everyone! Not only for your victory but more importantly, for your important contribution to the Ronald McDonald House!
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