Babeltech started early 2009 to fill a gap in our local market – bridging the divide between traditional IT and increasingly complicated technology (TV, Stereo Systems, Cell Phones). We provide a combination of IT and Technology support, repairs and consulting helping our customers achieve more, develop a better understanding of their equipment and have a better quality of life.

As a startup business, Babeltech has found it essential to try and minimize costs such that we didn’t require the help of venture capitalists or investors and thus keep profits internally. Using a service such as Setster allows us to do this.

By using Setster to run an appointments widget on our own website, where we can direct new and existing clients to make appointments, instead of having to receive the calls ourselves. This is a fantastic change, as receiving calls whilst on a job site was always troublesome and doesn’t give the professional image nor the quality of care we want to give our customers.

Setster’s integration with our invoicing company, Freshbooks, was another revelation! By automating the invoicing process, such that appointments made with Setster and completed are turned into drafts invoices in Freshbooks, we save time. Saving time when invoicing allows us to spend more time with the clients, letting us focus more on what we do best and results in greater revenue.

As a startup business, it feels good to be supporting other expanding companies, such as Setster. I would recommend Setster to any other business out there (and I regularly do!)

James Buzzard
Head Babeltech www.babeltech.com.au

Machine Methods Consulting may sound like a large firm with a team of people waiting by the phone ready to assist your every technical need but it isn’t. It is just me trying to help as many people as one person can handle. And, until human cloning is perfected, that is likely all it will ever be. Therefore, I need to use every tool I can to save time while continuing to maintain a high level of service for my clients.
As a “business of one”, here is how my client scheduling used to often occur…

I would get a call from a client, usually in a situation where I could not pick up (for instance, if I was assisting another client). They would leave a message with a technical problem. Later, I would call them back and often they would not answer and I would leave a message. Then, just to be safe, I would follow up with an email to let them know I got the message and it sounded like something I should make a visit for. I would ask what times are good for them. They would reply back with some times, none of which were available for me. Often, several emails may bounce back and forth, voicemails left, etc. before a solid appointment time could be set.
Here is how my client scheduling happens now…

My clients go to my website, click on the Setster Appointment Widget on the right hand side of the page, choose the service they need, choose an available time, enter their contact information, and click confirm. Done.
Setster empowers my clients with knowing that if they have a service need they can schedule me, at a time available for us both, and then rest in the knowledge that I will show up and get the job done or follow up before hand if I have further questions. They have the control. There is no back and forth, no phone tag or email relays. It’s fast, it’s simple, and a tremendous time saver for everyone involved.

Patrick Rhone is Your Guy at Machine Methods Consulting in Saint Paul, MN.  http://www.machinemethods.com

We are seeing a new generation of entrepreneurs that are adapting, creating new opportunities and prospering in this economy.   From the one shop freelancer to large organized groups, we are witnessing a seismic shift in how technology is being applied to generate new business.

As we started hearing about how our clients were using Setster, we became inspired by their stories.  A surprisingly large range of individuals and companies are growing, prospering and in some cases have created unique market segments for their services.

Since seeing and having success makes dreams believable and achievable, we thought we would share their success with others.

In this series, we’ll be highlighting business using Setster’s appointment software.  In their own words, users describe how they have been able to generate success.  We hope you enjoy their stories and hope it motivates and inspires you to create and prosper.

The Setster Team

http://www.setster.com/blog/2010/01/from-a-hobby-to-a-business/

http://www.setster.com/blog/2010/01/a-more-efficient-machine/

http://www.setster.com/blog/2010/01/heros-of-the-new-economy-finding-a-niche-to-bridge-the-divide/

http://www.setster.com/blog/2010/01/heros-of-the-new-economy-balancing-time/