OUR
STORY
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
Keen Insites opened its doors in 2008 as a website development company. Founder Jimmy LaSalle was also in the midst of launching another startup called Driven Local, a Search Engine Marketing service provider, which grew to become a full service digital media firm.
One of the early challenges with launching new clients with Driven Local was their lack of a website, or having an older website that was not going to perform well on the search engines.
From 2008 through 2012, Jim, through Keen Insites, was the primary website developer for the clients that he brought on board to Driven Local. Around 2012, Driven Local started their own web development department and Keen Insites mainly focused on maintaining the websites developed and on occasion, creating a new website when in need.
In 2017 Jim and his partners at Driven Local decided it was time to sell their firm and were acquired by Scorpion Design, a California-based Web Marketing firm. Jim opted to not join the rest of his partners at Scorpion, and instead decided to go his own way and start focusing on Keen Insites once again. As there was a non-compete period, Jim was able to slowly organize his vision and structure and start planning for the future. No longer having partners, one of the first orders of business was to define the Company’s Core Values, the values by which he would run his firm going forward.
OUR CORE VALUES
KAIZEN
KAIZEN
The constant striving for perfection. It comes from the Japanese Kai, meaning change, and Zen, meaning good. At Keen Insites we are always working to improve. We work on improving our offerings, the knowledge of our team, and of course, the results we deliver to our clients through our services!
DIRECT, BLATANTLY HONEST COMMUNICATION
DIRECT, BLATANTLY HONEST COMMUNICATION
We find that beating around the bush leads to errors in communication. If something is not correct, we will quickly adjust course. Time is precious for our team and our clients. Speak your mind, but note core value #3 in treating all with respect. Keep to the facts and provide clear direction. “I need it this way because….” We find this to be effective for us!
TREAT ALL WITH RESPECT
TREAT ALL WITH RESPECT
At Keen Insites, we emphasize treating everyone we interact with equally. This helps to create an inclusive and friendly work environment.
TEAMWORK & COLLABORATION
“TO GET IT DONE”
TEAMWORK & COLLABORATION
“TO GET IT DONE”
We believe in working together. This includes both amongst the team, and between our team and our clients. Collaboration leads to innovation. This leads to confidence in the collective. Proactive communication and timely feedback helps to get things done!
POSITIVE ATTITUDE & COMMITMENT
“TO GET IT DONE”
POSITIVE ATTITUDE & COMMITMENT
“TO GET IT DONE”
A can-do attitude is always welcome. We want our team and clients to always see the possibilities. We ask for these two things, because with them, we can accomplish anything!
FIND THE FUN
FIND THE FUN
Making work a game is challenging, and keeping things light and enjoyable allows for more creativity. Positive attitudes (CV#5) tend to lend to the type of environment where fun just happens. We try to find the fun wherever it may be hiding.
Jim’s core values for Keen Insites and really all of his businesses and personal interests have helped to set up an inclusive and enjoyable work environment.
These values work well together and focus on having positive interactions, strong communication and teamwork, which lead to the continuous improvement that the company stresses both organizationally and individually. Kaizen!
With the core values set, decisions were easy. All of our interviews for staff, and expectations set for clients revolved around these core values.
In mid-2018, Keen Insites began evolving into a more complete advertising agency. Putting together the fulfillment team was fairly easy. Former Driven Local team members wanted to join the new KI team because we made things easy.
Working from wherever was a thing at Keen Insites before it was cool, and certainly COVID mandated! We were well ahead of the curve. Jimmy’s motto all along has been that it does not matter where or when things get done, just that they get done on time, and correctly.
- Joanna, who ran the entire SEM department at Driven Local, now wanted to stay home with her young family but still work with clients. No problem.
- Nick wanted to freelance social media campaigns after becoming an NYC Firefighter - no problem.
- Corinne liked doing social media campaigns, but also enjoyed her full time job, no problem. So long as the team is happy and doing what needs to get done for our clients, it does not matter when they do their work.
Performance Based Compensation
Everyone starts in a part time capacity. We train our new team members and start adding to their plates. As they become competent in their work, their compensation starts to shift. We can equate value to tasks vs tracking time. As one starts managing clients, they are compensated a percentage of the client revenue they are responsible for. This allows for accountability. As one excels, they get more to do.
Growing with Customer Experience In Mind
Today we continue to grow and innovate. We look to bring on the best people, and understand that the digital landscape is always changing and that we need to adapt and evolve with our offerings and as a company.
We just recently created our very own ADA compliance widget that can be added to any website, we incorporated a complete reporting solution that includes all connections, whether we manage them for our clients or not, as well as a CRM system where clients can open tickets and communicate with the proper person on our team for whatever they need! Full speed ahead!!
