CrossComm

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

We have a couple of ongoing projects with them that are in different stages of development and client feedback has been positive across the board. Everyone who sees the products are floored by what CrossComm has created. It’s amazing to watch people experience AR for the first time. Also, they helped us overcome an insane deadline that was imposed on us by another firm. They came to our aid and that demonstrated their character and work ethic.

How did CrossComm perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project manager is awesome. He’s easy to get a hold of and quickly responds to questions. He’s also helped train us on a couple of things so we can be more self-sufficient in the future. Open communication facilitates reasonable expectations on both sides. Our work hasn’t yet necessitated the use of project management tools, so we only communicate via phone and email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Each individual on their team is passionate about what they do. When we bring an idea or client to them, they immediately start thinking about how to create something awesome. I always know they’ll deliver something great because they’re excited to take on the challenge. As a result, that excitement spreads to our team and the client as well. We continue to work with them because they work quickly, communicate cordially, and they produce remarkable products.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I’d advise their future partners to remember that development takes time. If you want good work, you have to be willing to pay for it and wait for it.

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

I've been collecting qualitative interviews. I’ve had about 10 people review the app, including several cancer survivors, oncologists, a social worker, and a financial navigator. I sat down and have gone through every piece of it. Overwhelmingly, people have been impressed with how reliable the design, the feel, and the navigation are. I’ve gotten no comments or critiques for improvement and I have also not experienced any crashes in software at this point.

How did CrossComm perform from a project management standpoint?

Overall, they’re run very efficiently. During the thick of the development, we had weekly meetings set-up with Don. He was consistent and responsive during those times; when I would send a message, I would get a reply right away. Their method of listening first and asking questions like in our first meeting continued. If they see a better way to go about something, they present it as an option, rather than changing what we’re doing.

What did you find most impressive about them?

In addition to their efficiency and having a good product, what struck me most is when I had my first face-to-face meeting with Don. He was very candid in wanting to produce work that was socially meaningful. He’s taken on my project, he’s working with two other faculty members in our group, and then we’re talking about maybe taking on another project in the upcoming months. He seems to be into the mission. It doesn’t feel like we’re customers to him, but he seems to be engaging and putting his whole weight behind the projects. I didn't expect that, and it's really made us all want to keep working with them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. I'm overwhelmingly impressed with them, with Don specifically. I can’t think of anything.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If you’re just starting out, look for a company that spends more time asking you questions rather than telling you things.

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

CrossComm has built a mobile app which allowed our customers to review their benefits and interact with that information directly. It was an enormous success within all the banks we work with. Our biggest goal was to present ourselves as innovators.

Insurance can be extremely boring, so in order to elevate the appeal to consumers, we needed to build an API that would showcase their benefits, allowing them to make better consumer choices. We created a nice customer-loyalty environment for banks as a result.

What did you find most impressive about CrossComm?

CrossComm's principal and team follow a culture of listening to and interacting with clients. There has been a number of people who've participated in our project. Every one of them has taken the time to listen, ask questions, and thoroughly understand what we were trying to accomplish. In doing so, they became comfortable in challenging any positions we may have held. This was done not in their own interest or success, but for the success of the project. The mantra of CrossComm's principal is that our success is his, which is not a cliché for him. Having worked in development for 30 years, I've come to the realization that how well a person can code matters less than their ability to understand a project, bring creative solutions to it, and think differently. CrossComm's team can certainly work in a robotic manner if needed, but it would be a shame if an organization was to hire them just to code. They're smart people.

Are there any areas CrossComm could improve?

There's nothing that comes to mind that CrossComm would need to work on; they've done an excellent job. I wish CrossComm could come to Chicago more often, given that I enjoy our interactions, but this is more to do with our budget.

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

The app they built served as a basis for other knockoffs of that app. It played a very foundational role in our whole mobile product group.

What did you find most impressive about CrossComm?

They were always very forthcoming and straightforward with any challenges. I felt they were always being candid about what was and wasn’t possible and when they could and couldn’t deliver certain things. We had developed a real level of trust. I never had to second guess their estimates. I never felt like they were trying to string us along or extract more fees out of us. Especially with a contracting developer and company relationship, you feel like you’re always kind of on the defensive side and looking for areas where you’re being gouged. They did not do that at all. Their role in keeping us up to date, communicating at just the right level, and being very transparent was refreshing.

Are there any areas CrossComm could improve?

No. I think they did a great job.