Providing an on-point, creative solution that increases a client’s return on technology investment and produces the Raving Results we constantly seek to deliver.

When Account Manager Shirley Rouen moved to Jonesboro a little over a year ago, she was excited about the opportunity to embrace and connect with her new community.  She wanted, too, to better acquaint Jonesboro to the Datamax family. After all, we’ve only had brick and mortar there for two short years.

It’s a community that is undoubtedly growing. According to Neilsberg, Jonesboro's population expanded from 55,803 to 80,650 from 200 to 2023, marking a 44.53% increase over 23 years. This equates to an average annual growth rate of approximately 1.94%, with consistent year-over-year increases and no recorded declines during this period.

Even so, Jonesboro reminded Shirley of where she’d been previously: Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

“I was new here, I didn’t know anybody here, but it was an exciting thing for me. I knew I could do it. I’m easy going. I can talk to anyone all day long. And I’m a huge nerd when it comes to technology (she went to school to study computers and graphic design).

It’s been a great fit. Shirley has honed her craft of developing relationships and building FTA business in a relatively new territory for both her and Datamax. As she says, “little by little,” she’s Creating Raving Fans in Northeast Arkansas.
 

She's all about building relationships.

If there’s a chamber event or business expo in sight, Shirley’s going, no matter what the subject matter or vertical market it pertains to.  It’s about getting in front of people.

“Any event I can attend, that’s what I’ll do. Eventually, people will begin to say, ‘I know you from somewhere,” Shirley said. “It gets my face out there. And you know, people love talking about their business. So, if I can do that, we can begin to connect in multiple ways.”

She's creatively marketing the Datamax brand in NE Arkansas.

A couple of months ago, scrolling through LinkedIn, Shirley ran across an Ad for the Northeast Arkies Best” awards. It was an annual voter-driven competition among businesses across the region. There was a business technology category, and on a hunch, she presented it to Manager Ken Allison, who told her to run with it.

Eventually, Datamax was a winner for the “Computer/IT Services” category.

“I entered us in and began emailing people to go in and vote,” Shirley said. “I think it just helps get the Datamax name in this area out there even more.” 

She knows the Datamax "Difference Makers."

Often, she can beat them (competitors) on price. Almost always, she can beat them on service. Longevity, commitment, partnership. Shirley has a great talk track for communicating Datamax Difference Makers.

“If I can take them out to lunch a couple of times and have the opportunity to show them the value of what we bring to the table, I can switch people over from our competitors.”