About Me

Hi there! My name is Matt Mansfield, and I'd like to welcome you to the "About" page. I've been a technology veteran for over 20 years. I love playing with software, figuring out how it works and finding the best software for different purposes. This pursuit includes finding and exploring online software and now, by using this site, you can reap the benefits of what I discover.

Putting together this site has long been a dream of mine. Everyone has been discussing online software and Web 2.0 in magazines, on TV and of course, all over the Web. But I've found that the message is not reaching the business owners who can benefit from software online the most: small businesses and startups.

Why not? Because most people are not techies and they don’t spend their time reading about technical stuff until they need to at which point, if they are starting or running a business, they are too busy to do something that does not relate to the core of their business (like making sales and delighting customers!).

Over and over I have had the same conversation with friends, family and colleagues. It goes something like this:

• Other Person: I wish I could start a business/expand my business/lower the time my business takes to run, but it just seems to cost so much.
• Me: You really think so? What makes you think that?
• Other: Well, I took this course in college/spoke to a friend/once sat down and thought it over and the numbers seemed really big. I just don't have that kind of money!
• Me: How much have you explored using online applications to run your business?
• Other: Online applications?
• Me: Yeah. Using online applications can save you tons of money, time and help you get your business up and running pretty quickly. Usually, you can find lots of shortcuts, not in just running your business but in setting up sites, communities and software that will help you grow and expand your business once it's started/starts to expand..
• Other: Wow...tell me more.
• Me: I've been planning to build a site about online software, so I have lots of information already gathered. Why don't you come by my office and I'll show you what I've got?

For many years, that's how it went. They would come over and get a full list of different types of applications and learn how and when to use them. We were both happy, but I wanted to do more.

This site is that "more". Now I can reach all the existing and potential business owners who use the Web. Now I can give you my lists and suggestions and you don't have to make a trip to my office! I am helping a much larger group of people by leveraging the Web and, I am having a BLAST!

One of the best things about my life is that the company to which I devote the most time is very similar in regards to the goals of this site. I am a partner in Knowledge-Mint, where we work to help both individuals and companies leverage the Web to find success and fulfillment.

The "Official" About Me Section

I am a "scanner" which means I love taking up a new interest, learning all I can about it and then move on to the next one.

Driven to explore and learn about anything that catches my attention, my eclectic career experience spans over 20 years of technology support and administration, software design and development, product and project management, marketing and PR and training for both groups and individuals. For more details, check out my LinkedIn profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/mansfieldmatt.

Since 2000, I have been immersed in the World Wide Web. For me, the Web satisfies both the creative and gear-head sides of my brain and I am a strong advocate of the Web's ability to communicate, connect, sell and provide an platform on which starting and running a business can be done both more quickly and with much less complexity.

Over the years, I have contributed to the planning, design, building and management of many Web sites for employers, clients, family and friends. A few samples (besides this site and the Knowledge-Mint site) are:

• www.starofyourownlife.com
  www.bagpipercollection.com
  www.sacredspaceshome.com
  www.loon-co.com
  www.principalhealthnews.com

I am also a member of the School Town team. In that role, I design the functionality and look-and-feel for a unique and powerful student learning environment.

I live in the suburbs North of Chicago with my wife, four kids, four fish and many, many books.

Contact me...