Just like any other web 2.0 proposition, edocr.com also struggled to come up with a viable commercial model for some time. We knew from the outset that our strategy would be to generate revenues on the first day our product would allow us to do so.

Most strategies are driven by available resources, mainly around level of capital at one's disposal. Given that we were self-funded, we did not have the luxury of spending significant dollars (actually sterling pounds) by enriching our product with features. We had no choice but to allocate all our resources to get the product ready for commercialisation, which we achieved on 1st June 2009.

At early days, we had number of potential strategies to pursue, some of these were:

- Sell documents: ironically, this is what one of our competitors chose recently, entering into a market dominated by Amazon.com
- Licensing: we rightly declined to pursue this
- White-labeling/branding: delayed, but nevertheless an opportunity which got our attention
- Pro Account: not pursued, but may revisit when it becomes a compelling opportunity

At the end, by remarkable coincidence, we decided to launch Company Profiles and the associated edocr.com Business Directory, a model no one else have thought of until edocr.com. At this juncture, we started paying more attention to the needs of organisations than individuals, even though we deal at individual level.

Having said all above, what is above got to do with the title of this blog article? Well having come up with a commercial model, how do you know whether anyone would buy it? Would you consider paying for your own services? Do you believe the services you sell provide a value? Well, in my case the answer was a compelling Yes Yes Yes.

In addition to edocr.com, I also run eveo Ltd, which has been an early user of edocr.com. Rightly so, eveo Ltd became the first customer of edocr.com. This allowed me to view edocr.com from a completely different perspective, and really question the value it provides. The end result is, value-focussed customer-centric product delivery.

Here are some of the types of documents hosted on edocr.com platform and embedded on eveo's website:

- Invoices, yes you heard right. eveo Ltd have streamlined invoices for its events, which attendees can download from edocr.com.Entry point is embedded invoices on event pages.
- Brochures
- Press releases
- Partner offerings including partner marketing collateral
- Third party documents creating a rich resource base

We are also entering into building exhibition lists thanks to eveo Ltd, exploring possibilities through forthcoming Technology World 2009 Conference, where in fact, edocr Ltd would be an exhibitor.

It is not always possible for one to become its own customer. However, if you could achieve this somehow, you could begin to crique your own product from a completely different perspective, which can only result in improving your customer value proposition.

Keen to hear any thoughts you might have on this issue.