Accepted for presentation at #ACSSanDiego True Stories of Success from Chemical Entrepreneurs

243rd ACS National Meeting, San Diego, CA

#ACSSanDiego

Document ID: 15157

Program Area: SCHB: Division of Small Chemical Businesses

Symposium Title: (SCHB001) 

SESSION: True Stories of Success from Chemical Entrepreneurs

SESSION START TIME: March 26, 2012, 8:30 am

PRESENTATION FORMAT: Oral

DAY & TIME OF PRESENTATION: Monday March 26, 2012 from 10:15 am to 10:45 am

LOCATION: San Diego Convention Center , Room: Room 26B

INSTITUTIONS

1. PID Analyzers, LLC, Sandwich, MA, 02563, United States

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AUTHORS

1. Jennifer L. Maclachlan¹ , Managing Director, 2 Washington Circle, #4, Sandwich, MA, 02563, United States , 6176994307, pidgirl@gmail.com

2. Jack Driscoll¹ , 2 Washington Circle, #4, Sandwich, MA, 02563, United States , 7744135281 X119, pidguy@aol.com

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Reason for Abstract Submission: I was specifically invited to submit this paper.

Preferred Presentation Method: Oral Only

Title: Staying lean and utilizing social media: Remaining relevant as a small chemical business

Abstract Body: As a small chemical business providing turnkey monitoring solutions to a niche market, we recognized the need to apply the principles of lean manufacturing to our standard operating procedures. This decision was made for several reasons, including cost control, supply control, and ease of manufacturing one-of-a-kind systems that stem from a base product. We utilize standardized major components throughout our product lines, such as electronic and mechanical components as well as software platforms. In 2008, as our resources for print advertising were dwindling, we started a monthly E-Newsletter to connect with our current clients and to market new systems, upgrades, and services. Based on our successful first year of the newsletter campaign, we decided to incorporate social media so as to enhance our newsletter reach, i.e., to expand our prospective client base. We started a company blog, opened a Twitter account, and created business pages on Facebook and LinkedIn. In 2011, we have converted leads into sales and can track the source to our social networking activities, including the foregoing social media and active participation in Linked-In discussions and tweets.