The Global Moxie Manifesto
Global Moxie is a business, it's how I make my living, and that means it has to turn a buck. But profit is an effect, not a cause. Making money is like breathing: Sure, you have to breathe to live, but it's not why you get out of bed in the morning.
I find other missions more motivating. The Global Moxie Manifesto is a catalog of the values that inspire my work and shape my products.
Make something meaningful.
My highest priority is to do good for others, to give more than I take. Because my company and my products are extensions of myself, I demand the same of them. My creations are my personal ambassadors; they are the expression of my professional passion and the sum of my creative ability. I will not make crappy software just to turn a buck.
First, do no harm.
Too much software is frustrating, stubborn, inflexible or inscrutable. It causes pain. I believe software should get out of your way and inspire you to create. It should be easy to install, easy to use, and intuitive at every step.
Create experience, not technology.
It's not about technology for its own sake. You need tools that help you to be creative and productive. These tools should be seen and not heard, quiet technology in the service of good experience. The technology should be my headache, not yours, and the result should be so approachable and easy to use that it's actually fun.
"Sophisticated" does not mean "complex," and vice versa
I make powerful, flexible software that shields you from complexity. Everyday tasks should be obvious and intuitive, and more complicated maneuvers should wait in the wings until you're ready. The software that is simplest to use is often the most difficult to create, but no matter how complex the technology under the hood, the final experience should always be smoothly sophisticated.
Stay focused.
Great software doesn't do everything. It has a focused set of tasks that it does very well. Every feature is carefully chosen, unnecessary features stripped out. My products may not fit every need or every profile, but they will satisfy the needs of the intended audience extremely well, without clutter or confusion.
Be open and honest.
Customers should know what they're buying and should be comfortable that they have picked the right tool for their needs. I'm honest and direct about what my products can and cannot do. I encourage customers to try competitive products. I don't keep secrets or charge hidden fees, and I believe that you deserve your money back if my software does not meet your needs.
Be responsive.
You place your trust in me by choosing my products, and you deserve a prompt and informed response from the guy who actually created the software. I answer the vast majority of e-mail support requests in the same business day, providing detailed and personal responses so that you can get back to work quickly.
Support the little guy.
After all, I'm a little guy, too. I believe that technology solutions should be inexpensive, accessible to non-techies, and viable for small businesses, non-profits and individuals. Jargon should be minimized, learning curves flattened.
Remain committed.
Nothing great is created suddenly. I seek out challenging work, which naturally takes longer than easy work. Great results require a lot of thought, a lot of time, a lot of experimentation. My products evolve and improve over time. I'm in this for the long term and understand that this takes effort and sacrifice.