JLOOP

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm and the CEO of a beauty business that operates a chain of retail outlets based in South East Asia.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire JLOOP, and what were your goals?

We could not find a POS that would work for our business. We searched high and low to no avail. The market offerings even till today were loaded with features, but all very hard to find and inflexible while we wanted something that was intuitive, easy to use/train, while providing the flexibility to do the things we wanted to do.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We found JLOOP through the small business team at Apple Fashion Island, Newport CA. The person we spoke to at the small business team said they had heard very good things about a small (then) team out of Long Beach. They also gave us another two names. We met with all of them. We clicked with Jay and his team immediately.

The deciding factors were :

1. Did we think we could work with them remotely, as our business is based in Asia. You have to have strong conviction that they would be able to deliver a quality product in another time zone. And not only that but deal with unique cultural and technical challenges, for example, at the time, many payment gateways didn’t operate in south east Asia which did in the US so we needed to find work arounds. Additionally consumer behaviour is in some cases vastly different from what the CA based team were accustomed to, they had to be able to think on their feet and see around corners. I think they enjoyed (most of the time) learning about these challenges and finding solutions, I would say that part of their DNA as a company.
2. Did they have the necessary team members and skills that could provide the solution within our time frame? We knew it was not a big team, but we’re they big enough to handle what we were asking (thousands of hours of work). And we had to bet that they wouldn’t take on other business that might find its way to prioritise over our work. We were cognisant that we might be happy at the beginning but later when back in Asia, be disappointed as we got relegated to the back of the queue as other opportunities came by. We backed them and never experienced that even when we were out of the heavy development phase.
3. Could we afford them? We felt that the pricing was in our zone, they weren’t the cheapest, but most importantly we never felt overcharged (which is rare..) and our budgets have always been very respected.

In the 8 years we have worked together, there were times that certain elements went over budget, as they do, but there was always a very honest and open conversation about these as soon as it was recognised and we decided together many times what to do next.

It has been an exceedingly collaborate process. And as our business ebbed and flowed (cashflow wise) they were very cognisant of our business challenges and took that into account when discussing what was and was not feasible. We couldn’t have chosen better.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

They designed a unique POS system built around a proprietary “queue system” which would allow for our customers to queue through an app in order to do their beauty services (in lieu of booking). The JLOOP team designed the user experience for the web and for an iPad kiosk application, architected and built a completely custom software platform which included a web-based management and customer-facing tools for mobile and tablet.

The project steps included Discovery and Strategic Planning, UX Architecture and UI Design, Software Engineering and Quality Assurance.

The key deliverables were a complete software platform with web-based management, database, integrations with 3rd party systems, and custom reporting modules, as well as an innovative iPad application for customer intake and processing.

The main technologies used were custom HTML/CSS/JavaScript on the front end, and PHP/MySQL on the back end, as well as native development for iOS.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

I don't know the exact number of people but they have a small and agile team of strategists, project managers, designers, and engineers who have worked on the project for us over the years.

One thing that was important for us from the outset was that we had a main point of contact who would be lead our project pulling in resources to get the work done. This is how they work so it was a good fit for us. Despite having a main point of contact, I always felt the entire JLOOP team very much owned and supported our project to this day.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

We have a system that has withstood the test of time. The code is high quality. To the point that after 8 years we have not had any issue that has disrupted our business (more than a few hours in the first year, and Jay and team were quick to respond to those issues even in Asian time zones and over the weekend/holidays etc).

Our clinics have transacted over 500,000 treatments during that time, with huge amounts of data being spun off with each treatment. We have managed to scale our business to 10 outlets now and the queue system that JLOOP developed has been a real point of difference for our business that has helped us grow. But in reality the whole system has performed terrifically for our staff and our customers.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

The project management style is straight forward. There will be a team leader, this changed over time depending on what we were doing. Basecamp was our central place of truth throughout all the years of project and remains the case today.

The teams organisation is impeccable. I often remarked to my own team what we could learn from them. I can assure anyone that is considering to work with JLOOP that they will not be disappointed about the experience with the team. They are quite simply a pleasure to work with, true professionals.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

It has to be the people. Working with a company in technology for 8 years and having the same faces around for the whole time says it all really. Jay has just built a really strong team a culture to support that.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

No, not really.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the senior digital marketing manager for a yogurt company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with JLOOP?

We needed help with web development.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

When we first started working with JLOOP, they developed our initial website and a custom application. They’ve also revamped our website’s homepage since initially developing the site. They’ve performed a complete refresh, focusing on Americans with Disabilities (ADA) initiatives to ensure our website is compliant with requirements and accessible to users. They’re also responsible for hosting our website. 

Now, they support our additional website development needs. They’ve created other sites for us, including a franchising website and landing page. Each month, they update our homepage to reflect our limited-time offers and new campaigns. 

Furthermore, they’ve helped us with HTML coding for our email marketing campaigns and rewards programs. They also manage the setup and integration of our gift card and loyalty program. Additionally, they help us with Google Analytics and tracking services. 

What is the team composition?

Our primary contact is a senior producer, but we’ve also worked with a senior designer and a developer. 

How did you come to work with JLOOP? 

JLOOP had been working with the company since before I started, so I’m not sure how we initially found them. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested about $500,000 in the partnership with JLOOP. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with JLOOP in 2015, and the partnership is ongoing.  

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

We love working with the JLOOP team. They’ve continued helping us with the various things we’ve thrown at them, which we appreciate. Additionally, they’ve responded quickly to bugs and maintenance requests. 

How did JLOOP perform from a project management standpoint?

JLOOP is a very professional, timely, and organized partner. They meet deadlines and typically let us know when we’re approaching overage costs, which is great. We communicate via phone and email. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their most significant strength is clear and open communication. Our primary point of contact schedules work to be completed within our desired timeframe. They deliver high-quality work efficiently and are always willing to answer questions outside the scope of work.  Whenever we ask a question that falls outside their expertise, they help us with research and provide feedback, which is nice. They also work well with our other agency partners.  

Are there any areas they could improve?

It would be great if JLOOP could inform us of industry trends and provide strategic business recommendations. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be very specific about your goals and give JLOOP enough time to deliver. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of OutSell Consulting, a consulting and training organization. We’re a boutique company and usually work with a small group of clients. Our specific focus is helping our clients to work better with their customers. We design custom sales training programs to help companies win clients and grow relationships.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with JLOOP?

By hiring JLOOP, we were addressing the challenge of delivering relevant training that our clients could use at scale to help their dispersed teams develop the needed skills and practices.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

JLOOP has helped us develop and produce custom-branded videos for our clients. They've followed our process for developing and tailoring the content to have the maximum impact on the client and ensure it's relevant for them. JLOOP has been involved in the entire creative process, including idea generation and storyboarding. They've worked on three video projects that have all included live-action video, animation, and voiceover. For each project, they've produced 6–10 videos.

The team has also helped us architect a potential technology product we would offer our clients. JLOOP has worked on the concept and made wireframes. Currently, they're working on a brand promise project, where they're consulting for us and helping us evolve our brand promise since we're at an inflection point in our business. Additionally, they provide ongoing technical support. 

What is the team composition?

We've worked with six teammates from JLOOP on different projects. 

How did you come to work with JLOOP?

Mutual friends introduced me to Jay (Founder & President). The quality of JLOOP's work for other clients motivated me to work with them. 

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent over $200,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in 2017, and our relationship is ongoing and project-based.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

The best evidence of JLOOP's success is that our clients continue to use the videos years later, showing their work's value and quality. They're also highly professional, and our clients often comment about how JLOOP's work makes their brands look great.

Moreover, they have a very consistent staff; I value working with them because I can develop an understanding and relationship with the team, which helps us do our best work. Overall, they've been a great partner, which is why I continue working with them. 

How did JLOOP perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management is great; they're collaborative, flexible, and communicative. They use Basecamp for project management, and we communicate through phone calls and emails. The team also interacts directly with our clients. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

What makes JLOOP stand out is the way they think about technology. They don't just want to create pretty things; they think of functional tools. The team is very good at looking past superficial aspects that don't serve a broader purpose. They really focus on technology that matters, enhances people's work, and makes it easier for people to get things done. 

With technology, it's easy to chase shiny objects and throw a lot of money into them. However, JLOOP is very disciplined in thinking about how their work will impact behavior, add value, and serve in the right situations to help a client or brand. This approach is unique and valuable because our clients ultimately pay us to help their team improve. 

Moreover, JLOOP is very thoughtful and engaging in their approach to technology. They understand that getting to the essence of technology takes dialogue and work, so they're collaborative and partner-driven. As a result, the team has done great work for our clients and continues to help us evolve what we do. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

The more we interact with JLOOP, the more our company benefits from sharing ideas. Therefore, I want more interaction, discussion, and sharing of ideas. That informal consulting is part of what helps us all navigate choppy waters and make better decisions. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be very open to discussion and ideas, especially early in the project. This approach will really help JLOOP understand how they can help you beyond the surface level. While you might have an idea about trying to move a metric or reach an objective, there might be a deeper goal to mine, and you need to put time and effort into your discussion with the team to dig in. 

If you're really trying to get to a deeper understanding of more advanced approaches to achieving things, don't just go to JLOOP for a pretty site. You can get a pretty website or app in many places, but JLOOP can provide better value than other shops.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the President of a company that serves independent real estate brokerages and top-performing agents. We provide advertising, PR, and digital social promotion, which our clients use to compete against larger firms in their markets.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire JLOOP, and what were your goals?

JLOOP has been our sole technology partner over the last 10+ years since our company launched. Our business has evolved greatly over time and we have increased our needs and reliance on our technology. Our initial goal was to launch a network of real estate brokerages and draw them in with a beautiful brand and user experience that would elevate their individual brands.

The goals have grown over the last 10 years to include: building a system to receive and publish our clients' data (listings), transmit data to advertising partners, build a user-friendly client portal where clients can manage their own content and advertising, and build a system to generate polished presentation reports that our clients provide to their sellers.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

The founders of our company did extensive research. We chose JLOOP because their values, approach, and vision were aligned with ours. They have an impressive body of work, and we were confident in their ability to deliver custom solutions. Of equal importance is their fabulous and talented team and leadership.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

Our large projects start with a kick-off meeting to discuss goals, objectives, and anticipated boundaries. From there, the team delivers mock-ups and wireframes for our site. The process is iterative and collaborative. From there, the work is built and we get to see and test it on our staging site. Once finalized, we go live!

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

We have been so fortunate to have a consistent Senior Producer and several developers over the duration of our engagement. I firmly believe that having been able to work with a dedicated and loyal team has elevated the possible results.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

We work with several of the nation's top-producing real estate agents and independent brokerages because they appreciate the design of our site/brand and the tools that we provide like our polished advertising reports.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

JLOOP has been open to all forms of communication. We use Basecamp to submit questions/open tickets, discuss projects, and maintain a historical reference of data. They're available for scheduled or impromptu zoom or phone calls when we want to have a voice-to-voice conversation, which generally happens at least twice per month.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Jay is a great leader and business person. He's developed a strong culture and JLOOP's team is very engaged and has a long tenure with the company. That makes a big impact on my experience as a client, and I love supporting a team of good people who do exceptional work!

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

Any small challenges that we may face are usually on our (client's) end.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the CEO of a digital media ecosystem centered around a public figure that delivers training advice, e-commerce, e-learning, products and licensing to dog owners around the world.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire JLOOP, and what were your goals?

We first launched our website over 10 years ago, and JLOOP handled both the design and execution of a new brand property for us. Over the years, they have overseen many projects related to this cornerstone property and beyond including additional websites, custom integrations, SVOD, and general digital media property consulting services. For the past several years, JLOOP has been working with our team closely to architect, design and execute a complete brand refresh and accompanying website rebuild.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We found JLOOP through word of mouth originally. They have remained a central part of our extended team for over a decade due to their unique combination of flexible vision-making chops alongside our internal team while being able to execute high-level technical architectural concepts in the digital space - all while being guided by a 'what's next' mentality in terms of both future-proofing technology and peering around corners to anticipate what challenges might be more effectively addressed before they materialize.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

JLOOP listened intently to all of the guidance we provided regarding what we wanted the site (and its related properties) should be able to do, identified the best solutions to employ for those hurdles, and then executed them with an adaptability and focus on doing the work the 'right way', not just in a manner which would get to a finish line. They built a custom CMS which incorporates entirely custom-built e-learning LMS concepts, SVOD platform, SEO best practices, and future-leaning UX principles.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

In addition to the layers of additional engineers and designers with whom we did not work directly, the JLOOP team consisted of its owner and principal as a chief concept and technical design thinker, a detailed project manager, a primary designer, an illustrator, several engineers/coders, and admin staff.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

Previous projects have always found the mark and delivered the best possible experience for the budget assigned. The current project has increased in scale throughout the process, and JLOOP has worked with us to identify strategies to be able to recalibrate effectively while working toward the goal of delivering a final product in line with our initial goals.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

JLOOP's transparency is a key trait, and one that is highly valued. At every turn, the team from the top down has shown a willingness to entertain all ideas while remaining realistic about timelines, budget, usefulness, and overall feasibility. They are as hands-on as you need or want them to be, and unless we're outliers (which I doubt), I would feel comfortable assuming that each one of their clients is treated like a truly valuable relationship where our success is as important to them as it is to us.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

More than any other entity we've worked with. JJLOOP can see the big picture while remaining organized and systematic to deliver a real-world product. They are not comfortable with 'good enough' or ok-for-now - they challenge us to think about what might come next so that the product being built can maintain prime effectiveness to as wide an audience as may be called for while delivering an elegance and usability that maximizes the ever-evolving field of digital technology. They're not in the game to simply develop the next thing and move along - they want to help make an impact upon whatever playing field they're invited to work on.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

Given the aspirational nature of their approach, scope has sometimes been an issue, but they've worked with us transparently to identify and implement mutually-workable solutions.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Western Economic Association International is a 501(c)3 professional society of economists dedicated to the dissemination and encouragement of economic research via the staging of conferences and publication of two quarterly peer-reviewed journals. I am the Deputy Executive Director and have been with WEAI in various positions since 1985.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire JLOOP?

WEAI had gotten into a bit of a rut and our website was looking out dated. With a very small staff, we all wear many hats and are accustomed to finding DIY solutions to our tech needs (without really learning the actual technical skills ourselves). Now that our internet presence is our primary marketing and communications tool, our website had to be next level and DIY was not going to cut it. JLOOP was contacted to help us reimagine the form and function of our website from the ground up. Through that project, we also did a logo redesign and a CMS backend that allows us many-hat-wearing staff members to maintain the beautiful new site (again, without having had to acquire the crazy tech skills one would assume necessary). We've continued to turn to JLOOP more recently when we needed tech know how for a cloud and email migration, then for design and web expertise for a 100-year anniversary timeline.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We met with Jay initially and found his straight talk and honesty to be refreshing. Rather than feeling like we were hearing a sales pitch, it felt like we were getting to know each other from both sides of the table to see if our project made sense from their perspective as well as ours. We had heard from plenty of slick-talking-yes-man sales types, so Jay was a breath of fresh air with his candor. For WEAI, it's about the people and the quality of the end product, and it felt the same for JLOOP.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

For the website redesign, JLOOP did a background study of competitor sites as well as a dive into what our user expectations would be for our new site. The discussion of functionality allowed us to look critically at all of our current website content from a fresh perspective, cleaning out background clutter and only keeping the essentials -- sort of a Marie Kondo treatment on our site. Once we started to review design ideas for the new site, it became clear that our logo needed some love as well in order to fit with our new look.

JLOOP designers gave us several options and we went back and forth attempting to morph our old logo into something more modern, but in the end all agreed ditching our old logo completely was a more sensible way forward. The building and testing of our new website occurred while we were in the midst of planning one of our annual conferences, so we didn't have a team of people to dedicate to the website project.

Thanks to JLOOP's established processes for review and feedback, we were able to do all of the necessary testing and back and forth with minimal impact to our normal 'busy season' workload. JLOOP handled all of the conversations with our database provider as well as other outside systems that needed to be integrated with the new website, and patiently answered all of our myriad questions about how everything worked and why.

They spoke the same language as the tech people at these outside providers and relieved us from having to play operator to pass back and forth information we didn't begin to understand. We launched the new site on schedule and under budget -- something we'd never experienced before where any sort of development was involved.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

We worked with three primary people, one for background research, one for design, and one for overall project management. I know there were many more in the background as we saw glimpses here and there of the genius behind the curtain.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We can't necessarily say it was caused by the new website, but in the few months after the launch of the new site, we had two of our largest conferences on record. I am certain that the more modern look of our site communicates to visitors that they are going to get a higher level of conference experience with WEAI, and that that in conjunction with location caused the two conferences that year to be far and beyond our normal attendance figures.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow we have with JLOOP feels like they are just an extension of our own office. They are the technical department we can't afford to have on staff. Every project we've done with JLOOP has been a fun experience and the end results have exceed our expectations in every way. They make us look good and way smarter than we actually are.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

I am a big fan of getting straight answers up front, even if it's not the answer I was hoping for. JLOOP gives honest answers and assessments rather than making promises that are ultimately unfulfilled. Even when there is a bump in the road (which is inevitable), they come up with work arounds and ways to still get the end goals accomplished. Their resourcefulness and positive energy is infectious, too.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

Hmmm, none come to mind.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a team lead at an IT services and consulting company. My team is responsible for knowledge services programs.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with JLOOP?

We had several scenarios and business problems we wanted to solve. The predominant issue we faced was the inherent demand for our highly-skilled resources in designing hybrid cloud spaces. With that, finding available resources in-house to do this work on internal engagements was challenging. Our staff was fully engaged in commercial accounts, so we hired JLOOP to augment our existing team to enable key features and functions around our drive as a company in the hybrid cloud and AI space.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

JLOOP provides us with staff augmentation. Initially, they focused on UI design for our technology. As our relationship has grown, they’ve kept augmenting our team as needed and branched off to doing full stack development across various aspects of the business. They’ve mainly focused on the frontend, although we also have backend developers from their team. 

Their development resources have worked on cloud migration, AI, automation, and hybrid cloud development. When we go to market, we want clients to know we use our own tools, so a lot f JLOOP’s work involves using our proprietary technologies. We’ve also leveraged the team for strategic partnership efforts. Additionally, they use technologies like Java and Angular. 

What is the team composition?

We have around seven teammates from JLOOP working with us. From them,  three people work on the design, and the other four are full stack developments; two developers work on the frontend and two on the backend. We plug and play team members where we need them. 

How did you come to work with JLOOP?

We knew them because they have worked with other elements of our organization in different aspects of the business. Therefore, they were an existing entity for us. From conversations with our team and the work we’d seen from them, we knew that JLOOP was an ideal fit for the design work we were looking to enable within the applications we support.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent over $5 million.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in January 2015, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

We use analytics centered around a net promoter score (NPS), which determines how likely people are to come back and use an application. Thanks to JLOOP's work, we've gone from an NPS of 40 to 65, which is excellent. The fact that we've been using JLOOP for seven years evidences the value they bring.

We're so busy that it's hard to find resources for internal engagements, and they've been able to bring a ton of value to the job that we do. Moreover, JLOOP has our senior leadership's sponsorship because executives understand what they bring to the table, which is a testament to the quality of their work and the relationship we've built. 

How did JLOOP perform from a project management standpoint?

We handle project management, and we've had no issues or concerns with their ability to deliver on time. Since we're a multinational company with resources everywhere, we have no time zone pain. JLOOP's ability to adjust their schedules to our needs enables us to stay on time and within the budget. 

As for communication, we use WebEx for web conferences,  Slack for internal team communication, and email. We also use Jira to manage our work items and tasks and GitHub as our code repository. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Since JLOOP is a smaller company, they have a culture and philosophy around building relationships.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I advise you to listen with intent, which is important because JLOOP is very creative in their thought process and diligent in their strategy. The culture and relationship you build with them are also important; you're not just dealing with a number but building a relationship with people. 

On their side, you're not just a dollar amount for them; they'll immerse you in their culture. In your relationship-building, they'll be just as invested as you in making successful deliverables — they won't leave you hanging.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the owner of a corporate finance SAAS service.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire JLOOP, and what were your goals?

We used JLOOP for code review, support services, marketing website and branding work.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

personal relationships

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

Scope and deliverables were flexible. All projects were managed with their own scope. Three main projects were brand and logo development, marketing website and support for company product launch. All had kickoff and update meetings

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

7 people, including: 

• the owner
• project manager
• database developer
• code support
• creative designer
• third-party app specialist 
• CSS specialist

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

I have been very happy with the deliverables. Response times were quick as long as our company delivered on our part. Very easy team to work with.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

kickoff meetings followed up with using Basecamp for communication and updates on tasks. Responses were very timely and flexible based upon stage and availability of my company.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

So easy to work with. Could translate my vision into final product. Very communicative on status and task completion. Ready to step up and do more in various areas based upon my need.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

Nothing yet. I will continue to use them in more and more areas.