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By Gennifer Biggs, Security, Storage, and Managed Services Editor, Business Solutions magazine.

In recent conversations with VARs and MSPs (managed services providers) at a variety of shows and during reader calls, a clear theme is emerging. The topics that most pique your interest revolve around business advice. From sales training to business process to hiring tips to partner agreements — it's all about doing business more efficiently and more profitably. I thought I would share some of the best advice I've heard.

Almost a year ago I had the chance to listen to Daniel Pink present the CompTIA Breakaway keynote. The author of several books (most recently Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us), Pink talked to the audience about the misconceptions of what motivates us (money) and what they as business leaders can do to change that ineffective habit in their business. The bottom line: Three things motivate most people: autonomy, mastery, and purpose. Pink suggested that by giving your team autonomy over their time, technique, team, and task — even for a few hours a week — you can spark fresh creativity that is not only satisfying to your staff but enhances your business. If you follow that up with mastery — allowing people to improve at their job — you've taken another step. And lastly, if you succeed in giving them purpose — showing them why they are important to the overall success of your business — you have hit the trifecta.