Ken Clay got his start as an entrepreneur with the consulting company 38th Street Studios. The company helped clients “solve their problems and better tell their story through marketing and technology.”
Trackit Technology came from a passion project that Ken Clay worked on during his time at 38th Street Studios. This project earned positive feedback from many clients.
At Trackit Technology, Ken Clay runs a “digital display content management system that lets businesses and events control the content on their screen.”
Their platform is universal, “simple to use and meant to accommodate your needs.”
Ken Clay believes that companies need to innovate constantly to become great, instead of just good. Great companies also listen to their customers and try to “become the ultimate resource.”
This belief helps animate Ken Clay’s work at Trackit Technology. His success at Trackit is an example of his efforts to realize his “passions and visions.”
As an entrepreneur, Ken Clay has built up an “extensive professional network that ranges from executives of Fortune 500 companies to professional athletes.”
Ken Clay heads Trackit Technology by overseeing “all of the firm’s day-to-day operations, contract negotiations, client relations, brand management, and developmental efforts.”
With his entrepreneurial efforts, Ken Clay hopes to “create the future he wants to see.”
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What makes our company stand out is that our software is truly universal. Ken Clay, Trackit Technology
Jerome Knyszewski: What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?
Ken Clay: What makes our company stand out is that our software is truly universal.
By allowing our clients to control the content on their screen, they can now elevate the experience of their guests, employees, and visitors in creative yet simple ways.
Jerome Knyszewski: Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
Ken Clay: It’s hard to say because I still haven’t figured this part out.
In 5 years, I can see myself needing serious therapy because I never let myself take a break or compartmentalize all of the emotions of the trials and tribulations I’m currently going through right now.
I did try picking up meditating recently, and it has helped my anxiety. So I would certainly recommend that.
A good company solves a particular problem for a particular problem and does it consistently well.
Jerome Knyszewski: None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?
Ken Clay: This list is so long as it’s impossible to just name one person.
First and foremost, my entire team for the sacrifices they had to make to get us to where we are.
Afterward, ALL of our vendors of course, and Yvette Harris of Harris Public Relations for her patience with our young company and wisdom.
iAutomation who manufactures our kiosk, and Derek Parks, who leads all of our Events business.
Truly, the list goes on and on, and I feel so guilty not being able to list everyone.
Jerome Knyszewski: Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s shift to the main focus of this interview. The title of this series is “How to take your company from good to great”. Let’s start with defining our terms. How would you define a “good” company, what does that look like? How would you define a “great” company, what does that look like?
Ken Clay: A good company solves a particular problem for a particular problem and does it consistently well.
That’s awesome, and there is nothing wrong with that, but if you do not continue to innovate and, more importantly, study the trends of your clients, you’ll never be great.
A great company listens to its customers and tries to become the ultimate resource.
Without spreading themselves too thin, they expand on their product offerings or services because they realize their clients could gain value from it.
Otherwise, someone else will come along and steal the entire business away from you because they aren’t just a one-trick pony.
A great company listens to its customers and tries to become the ultimate resource.
Jerome Knyszewski: What would you advise to a business leader who initially went through years of successive growth, but has now reached a standstill. From your experience do you have any general advice about how to boost growth and “restart their engines”?
Ken Clay: I do not. However, it’s never a bad idea to try and get more out of and do more for your current clients.
They are your best resource. Can they offer referrals, would they be willing to give a testimonial, etc. Start there.
Jerome Knyszewski: Generating new business, increasing your profits, or at least maintaining your financial stability can be challenging during good times, even more so during turbulent times. Can you share some of the strategies you use to keep forging ahead and not lose growth traction during a difficult economy?
Ken Clay: I network every day and try to do research every day about the industries our product fits in.
How can we be a solution?
Then I try and perfect my cold pitches, calls, and emails every day.
Jerome Knyszewski: In your experience, which aspect of running a company tends to be most underestimated? Can you explain or give an example?
Ken Clay: Managing people and relationships. As a founder, you carry everything on your shoulders.
Not just the stress from trying to grow your company but from your employees and their situation.
You have to know when to push and when to ease up.
It’s easy to drive people into the ground and burn them out. That isn’t sustainable.
As a founder, you carry everything on your shoulders.
Jerome Knyszewski: Of course, the main way to increase conversion rates is to create a trusted and beloved brand. Can you share a few ways that a business can earn a reputation as a trusted and beloved brand?
Do what you say you are going to do every time.
Ken Clay: Great customer service and great customer experience are essential to building a beloved brand and essential to be successful in general.
Jerome Knyszewski: What are your thoughts about how a company should be engaged in Social Media? For example, the advisory firm EisnerAmper conducted 6 yearly surveys of United States corporate boards, and directors reported that one of their most pressing concerns was a reputational risk as a result of social media. Do you share this concern? We’d love to hear your thoughts about this.
Ken Clay: Meh. I’m indifferent to this. If having a strong personality on social media fits your brand, then do it.
If you don’t know what to say, don’t say it, it’s that simple.
Social media has been a valuable asset to my business because we can use our platforms as a resource for our clients and partners.
We can explain the different values of our product without overselling to our clients because we can display it an interesting way on social media.
Do not overextend yourself as being a founder is already hard enough. Ken Clay
Jerome Knyszewski: What are the most common mistakes you have seen CEOs & founders make when they start a business? What can be done to avoid those errors?
Ken Clay: Over promise and under deliver. If we feel like we have to talk a big game, people won’t be willing to help us.
In our experience, most people will respond better to honesty. Do not overextend yourself as being a founder is already hard enough.
Jerome Knyszewski: Thank you for all of that. We are nearly done. You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
Ken Clay: Honestly, I believe that if cities invested in tech more, they could solve a lot of problems.
I’m always looking for ways to work with cities with our technology and digital displays because I believe it can be a real revenue generator, job creator, and educational tool to help underserved areas.
Jerome Knyszewski: How can our readers further follow you online?
Ken Clay: Follow me and Trackit Technology on:
Twitter & Instagram: @kclay16 | Website: Trackitmedia.com | Linkedin: Kenneth Clay, Company page Trackit Media.
Jerome Knyszewski: This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent with this!