What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
Isaac: The app has only been released for a week, but our ROI [return on investment] has already reached 150 users, which is exactly what we expected. It’s great to have all of our needs fulfilled. Our app also boasts a 5-star rating in the Apple Store, which comes from 16 separate reviews. All of the feedback has been extremely positive.
Howard: Currently, the number of downloads and engagement, including how long people stay on the app, are the two most telling metrics. We didn’t really build into our admin tool because of budget concerns, but we plan to implement analytical tools during the next phase. We were supposed to launch in December, but due to jointly working on the scope and finding ways to do things differently, we were able to launch much earlier. We are very pleased.
How did Blue Label Labs perform from a project management standpoint?
Isaac: We have the tendency to look too far ahead into the future, but Blue Label Labs was able to bring us back to reality so we could focus on our short-term goals. Their project management was great. We used Trello to communicate, along with email, phone, text, etc.
Howard: They have a high level of communication, and I’ve been very pleased with David [Project Manager, Blue Label Labs]. We are a dual team, and since we’re so close to the project, we miss things sometimes. David kept bringing us back to our mission and our vision, and he always asks questions to better understand our intent. He knew our main goal was engagement, so he provided suggestions regarding a much larger approach during the development process.
We also used UberConference and InVision.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Isaac: The value that they provide is their most impressive attribute. We had a lot of specifications for user stories, and everything that we’d outlined for any company that we could have used for development. Blue Label Labs gives us succinct value, which makes them stand apart from competitors. They are very professional in their development, and their executive leadership has been absolutely incredible and unexpected.
Howard: Due to their experience with other apps, they were able to tell us what they’d seen in the past. They provided suggestions that kept us from making mistakes, and also helped us fill in the gaps when we were considering all of the possibilities.
They helped create a culture around our app, and they truly want it to be successful, which has been incredible to witness. Many of them knew nothing about football, but we’ve helped them learn. It’s like having a team that became a family.
Are there any areas they could improve?
Howard: They may be generating a lot of demand, but I sometimes find that some resources are pulled in a lot of different directions. I’m aware that it’s tough to have a fully dedicated staff on one particular project, but their growth is at a point where they may need to increase their staff.
We are a relatively small project compared to some of their other clients, and although I feel like their first priority most of the time, there has been some resource contention. This hasn’t impacted their ability to meet deadlines, but it has caused a bit of frustration on both sides.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Howard: Potentials clients should approach the project with an open mind instead of preconceived notions. They should stay true to their strategy, vision, and mission, but also allow it to evolve based on Blue Label Labs’ experience. When we gave them control sometimes, it helped us, and we got much more out of the app by letting them take ownership. They became a part of our team.
In addition to delivering a top-notch product, Blue Label Labs is very proactive and organized when it comes to managing projects. Outside of software development, they've provided invaluable business development support–a welcomed surprise from a vendor in their industry.