Central Coast Web Design, eCommerce & Custom Web Development
Bergan Blue Website Design and Development

the bergan blue blog

the everyday happenings of the team at bergan blue, plus news on the design industry and business in general!

Archive for the ‘Bergan Blue News’ Category

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We’re goin’ on a Winter holiday!

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

It seems the longer you’re in business, the quicker each year passes by. Was it really 12 months ago our team was sitting around the office with sore hands after writing on hundreds of Christmas cards? Apparently!

With this time of year comes our regular Christmas and New Year break.

Our office will be closed from the 20th of December 2009 to the 24th of January 2010.

During this time, we’ll be jetting to London and Rome - just to make sure we actually stay away from the office!

If any urgent matters arise during this time, please head to our support page and fill out a support request. This will be the easiest and fastest way to each us. Please note that we will not be checking phone messages during this time.

We’ll be back in the office on Monday the 25th of January, 2010. We hope you have a safe and enjoyable Christmas and New Year!

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Finalists in the 2009 Central Coast Business Achiever Awards!

Monday, October 12th, 2009

Central Coast Business Achiever 2009 Awards

We would like to say a big thank you to all of our fantastic Central Coast clients, friends and supporters for voting for us in the 2009 Central Coast Business Achiever Awards. Your votes were enough to push us through and make it to the finals again!

On Wednesday November 25th, we’ll be heading along to the Central Coast Express Advocate 2009 Business Achiever Awards Dinner to celebrate with other finalists and business people, and find out the results!

If you’re interested in coming along to the Awards Dinner for a great night of fun, food and entertainment, buy your tickets online or call 02 9553 4820.

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Vote for us in the 2009 Central Coast Achiever Awards!

Tuesday, August 25th, 2009

Central Coast Business Achiever 2009 Awards

Wow! We’ve just had some fantastic news!

Bergan Blue has been nominated in the 2009 Central Coast Achiever Awards. We now need your help!

Please click here to vote for us and you could win an indulgent weekend at the newly transformed Crowne Plaza Terrigal. You will enjoy 2 nights in a new Pine Suite including full buffet breakfast, a three course a la carte dinner in the Seasalt Restaurant, a relaxing treatment in the Tea Tree Spa, a bottle of sparkling wine in your room and complimentary parking.

So, please place a vote for Bergan Blue! We’d absolutely love it if you did!

Thanks!

Jon & Marnie

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Bergan Blue holiday notice

Friday, August 14th, 2009

We’re taking a short break to recharge our batteries! Bergan Blue will be closed from the 31st of August to the 4th of September 2009.

For urgent requests during this time, please email us.

Please note: This will not affect the schedules of any current projects.

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Finding the right match

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

Over the last couple of years, being in business has taught me the importance of finding the right match. I’m talking about finding products, services or people that suit your business, suit what it needs, suit your personality and your culture.

Recently we spent some time looking for a new bookkeeper and then a new accountant. When finding the bookkeeper, it became really clear to me that I didn’t just need someone I felt was competant doing my books - I also needed someone who I felt shared the same values as we do at Bergan Blue and one who I would feel happy to just have a chat to.

So with a shortlist of two bookkeepers, I went with my gut. I went with the bookkeeper I felt would be the best fit for us.

Three or four months down the track, I can honestly say I have not doubted my decision once.

Needless to say, a couple of months later when looking for a new accountant, I went into it with the same attitude - I wanted to find an accountant that I felt was a good match for us.

We were rather strapped for time and after meeting the first accountant, decided we would probably just go with them. But then I stopped and realised that things didn’t quite click with them for me. Although we were already running late on finding a new accountant and we felt the first seemed very good at their job, we decided to arrange an appointment with another local accountant just to be sure. Like the bookkeeper, Jon and I walked out of the meeting with this other accountant with smiles on our faces and knowing that we had found the right accountant for us.

To date, both our new bookkeeper and accountant have gone above and beyond, answering any questions we might have, no matter how silly they seem.

I think it’s important to understand though that finding someone who is the right fit for you doesn’t just extend to the person who designs your website or who does your accounts. Finding customers/clients that you also click with is really important.

If you’re fortunate enough to be in a position where you can pick and choose your clients, I’d really suggest listening to that inner voice when meeting new potential clients.

Do you feel they would be a pleasure to work with? Do they value your opinions and professional judgement? Looking past the dollar signs, would you be happy to work with this client if you were doing it for free? Are any red flags going up in your mind? Is there something small about this person that’s niggling away at you?

Those tiny things that get shoved aside in the beginning often turn into something big in the end which leaves both the client and the supplier unhappy. So listen to what that little voice has to say. Go with your gut. It might just turn out to be right.

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Updates to our Quote Request Form

Thursday, March 12th, 2009

Recently we implemented some major updates to our quote request form on our website. These updates were introduced to not only simplify the quoting process at our end but also to speed up the quoting process for our clients.

Previously, our quote form was very static and relied on us to ask multiple questions once the quote had been submitted. Although this method worked well, it required numerous emails or phone calls to/from the client to clarify everything. So, we decided to make things easier on everyone.

Probably the biggest change we implemented was the introduction of dynamic questions. In other words, we made the form react to the options the user selected whilst they progressed through the form. For example, when a user selects Web Design as a service they’d like us to quote them on, the form instantly displays a number of new questions relating to that service. This functionality occurs with various service types throughout the form and really does allow us to get some clarity on what the client is after.

Interested in seeing these changes in action? Take a look right here! You’d be suprised at how much better this works. If you do run into any problems, please let us know.

We hope you find these updates worthwhile.

Take care.

Regards,
Jon

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Twit It Up-date

Thursday, March 5th, 2009

For those clients and friends who downloaded and installed Twit It Up after we mentioned it in our last e-newsletter, you may have noticed a bug. We noticed that when certain characters were used as part of a blog post title, some issues occurred with the JavaScript behind the site which in turn would stop the plugin from working properly on that particular post.

These issues have now been resolved. Read about it at the Twit It Up page and download the updates!

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Our very own Marnie Bergan contributes to compilation book!

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

Our very own Marnie Bergan has been selected to contribute to an international compilation book featuring some of the most successful businesswomen, bestselling authors and designers from around the world.

SPROUT Publishing has released the first title in the SPROUT the Life You Love series called ‘Tales and Secrets from Female Entrepreneurs’.

Celebrity authors include: Lipstick Queen, Poppy King; EMMY award winner, bestselling author and repeat OPRAH guest, Rhonda Britten; and the number #1 book publicist in the US, Arielle Ford – just to name a few!

SPROUT the Life You Love (Tales and Secrets from Female Entrepreneurs) is a valuable resource for women seeking motivation and inspiration to take their business ideas to the next level. Never before has there been such a great time to learn how to make money from home and from doing what you love.

The book contains 35 authors that are profiled and reveal their key secrets to personal and business success.

Check out Bergan Blue on page 106!

“The SPROUT concept is about empowering people to construct freedom in their lives by following their creative desires,” says SPROUT Publishing founder, Sarah Prout.

SPROUT the Life You Love (Tales and Secrets from Female Entrepreneurs) will be available in bookstores everywhere or purchase your copy online at http://www.SproutPublishing.com.au

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Happy launch day, Talking Sales!

Wednesday, September 10th, 2008

Over the past couple of months, Bergan Blue has been working closely with a unique promotional agency called Talking Sales. Whilst the business had been around for a while, Talking Sales had no solid branding in place. We worked closely with owner Kimberley to create a logo, business cards, with compliments slips and a website.

We’re happy to announce that the Talking Sales website was launched today! Please click on the image below to view the website, or go to talkingsales.com.au.

Talking Sales Website - designed by Bergan Blue

Talking Sales Website - designed by Bergan Blue Talking Sales Website - designed by Bergan Blue

Talking Sales Website - designed by Bergan Blue

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2008 TrueLocal Business Awards

Monday, August 18th, 2008

Cumberland Courier Newspapers holds the True Local Business Awards for 19 regions across Sydney and the Central Coast. Their aim is to acknowledge and celebrate the success of businesses in their local communities. The program unites the local community, and in recognising the success and potential of local businesses, encourages community growth and development.

Nominations and voting has now opened for 2008 and I’m proud to announce that once again, Bergan Blue has been nominated!

2007 saw Bergan Blue as a Finalist in the Professional Services category and we’d love to be able to achieve the same for 2008. If you feel that we deserve a spot as a Finalist, please click HERE then click on ‘Vote Now’ on the right to cast your vote!

By voting, you also go in the draw to WIN one of 20 indulgent weekend packages for two at the Crowne Plaza, Terrigal!

You’ll enjoy two nights accommodation in Pine Tree Suite including breakfast, dinner at Seasalt restaurant, a relaxing spa treatment, champagne and a late checkout! The perfect romantic weekend away!

What are you waiting for? Cast your vote!

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