Continuing our series of Employee Spotlights, this month we’ve interviewed one of A-LINE’s co-founders and its lead programmer, Drew Refshauge. Here, Drew answers some questions about the industry, gives advice for marketing clients, and shares his tips for finding balance.
If you were to equip a client with only one marketing tool, what would it be?
It would be tough to pin down just one. I feel like a quality website is the cornerstone of all marketing initiatives. But no matter how good your website may be, it’s not going to work for you unless you keep adding relevant content. So, I’d have to say website and a well thought-out content campaign combine to make the most powerful marketing tool.
What are the ingredients of a successful client relationship?
A successful client relationship is built on trust and solid communication. We strive to be as transparent and open as possible with all communication (internal and external). This is the very foundation that A-LINE is being built on.
What are the ingredients of a strong team?
A good company culture is key to attracting and retaining a strong team. Chuck and I have been very intentional in building A-LINE in a way that encourages everyone that we work with to have a full and happy life. When people are encouraged to find time for themselves and their families, then they have a much higher quality of life. You can see the positive impact that this culture has in everything that we do.
Almost anyone can be taught to code. But what makes a good programmer?
A good programmer has strong communication skills and the ability to step back to look at the big picture. I find that clients sometimes have a difficult time describing what they want. So it’s important to be able to listen to their needs and then recommend a solution. If you can truly understand the business case for what they are trying to accomplish, then you can more easily exceed their expectations.
What do you do in your free time that makes you better at work?
I spend my free time playing in the woods. There’s nothing better than unplugging and getting outside. It’s where I do some of my best thinking.
What's next?
I feel like our company, our community and our clients in general are in a really great place right now. I’d like to become more involved in helping our existing clients while attracting more quality clients whom we enjoy working with. It’s an exciting time in Spartanburg with so much community growth and pride. We want to be a part of as much upbeat and positive stuff as possible to promote this awesome place and the people who do business here.
