Budget cuts or simply no budget are common constraints for web and intranet professionals. How do you overcome this challenge?
My suggestion: Start by introducing something free, prove the value, and earn your right to get funding.
Here some ideas for what you can get for free. You might be pleasantly surprised:
- Tools. Every single industry these days has free tools, be it web CMS, enterprise search, enterprise portals or web analytics. Why ask for a tool budget, when there is free stuff out there? These days even many commercial vendors will give you permission to use their tools free of charge, at least for a limited period.
- Reports and research. Most analysts, including AMR Research, Butler, Forrester, Gartner and Ovum, offer free excerpts of their reports. Some longer chapters than others. You can also participate in their research and get a full complimentary copy in return. Since analysts are always looking for practitioners to interview, you can simply reach out to your favourite analyst firm and start the conversation. Also, if you are willing to take some time to participate in a survey, e.g. Jane McConnell’s Global Intranet Trends, you will normally receive a full complimentary copy of the final report in return.
- Event tickets. Many major cities have regular free events hosted by vendors. There are enough of those to easily fill your calendar – if you are not critical! Also, if you are willing to do a presentation or sit on a panel, most independent conference organisers (including ourselves) will offer you complimentary tickets in return. Some might even cover travel costs and offer additional tickets for your colleagues.
- Consulting. You can easily get management consultants or agencies to visit you and give you some attention free of charge, in particular if you dangle a real paid project in front of them. Remember that most are hungry for work and thus willing to talk to you about your projects.
- Feedback. Use your network and peers to get feedback on your work. Be specific in your requests and you are likely to get highly valuable advice in return. This is one of the most important aspects in the J. Boye community where likeminded practitioners help each other.
You can get more of the above, if you early on indicate that you are willing to act as a reference customer.
Vendors, be it software companies, analysts, consultants or system integrators, can decide how much they are willing to give away for free. Fortunately for you as a buyer there are many options in this marketplace.
What have you received free of charge?
