Planning
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Research: As-A-Service Critical To Organizations, But For Most, Years Away
10/9/2015
New research from Accenture and HfS Research has found that while 53 of executives view the as-a-Service business model as “critical” for their organizations, 68 percent report they won’t be delivering processes as-a-Service for five years or more.
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What You Can Learn Traveling The Unpredictable Road To Business Success
10/8/2015
Lief Morin, president of Key Information Systems, participated in The Mongol Rally this summer, and he discovered you can draw a lot of parallels between the adventurous rally and building a business.
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Managed Services Continues To Be Money In The Bank
10/5/2015
If you are an “IT guy,” who trades your labor for dollars, then offering managed services (flat rate services) should be a no-brainer. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean your business model can guarantee you are doing it correctly or more importantly, being successful at it. The transition from a break-fix business to a managed services business model is actually not as difficult as many people might think. However, there are two vital factors that must be taken into consideration before deciding to make this transition.
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Building Value: Components Of Successful Channel Partner Programs
10/1/2015
In today’s always-on environment, end users have more choices than ever before: more choices in finding answers to and solving their challenges and infinite ways to buy. Disruptive technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), enterprise asset intelligence, and cloud computing coupled with end-user buying behavior impacts how channel partners position themselves in the market and what services and skills they require to survive. To meet the varying needs of customers, channel partners can deliver value from the convenience of fulfillment of replacement products to the delivery and execution of complex solutions. New partner models mean there is a need for new partner programs that quickly adapt to this evolving environment.
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4 Best Practices For Better VAR, MSP Time Management
9/30/2015
If time is money, then most managed service providers (MSPs) and value added resellers (VARs) are probably pinching pennies. With ever increasing demands on their time as the industry continues to grow and customers expect better service, IT service providers have to re-examine how they’re spending their time and energy managing their businesses.
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The Challenge In Creating The Perfect Partner Ecosystem
9/29/2015
Let’s start at the beginning; what exactly is a partner ecosystem? The definition is simple: it is a community of mutually beneficial partners that are interested in achieving similar goals. Imagine the benefits to a business: open, honest two-way communication; information shared on demand and immediate response to questions.
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Managed Services Tiers, Pricing Questions Answered At Channel Transitions
9/28/2015
New managed services providers (MSPs) — and even some seasoned MSPs — have questions on bundling and pricing services and whether to offer discounts and package tiers. Karl Palachuk, keynote speaker at Channel Transitions VAR/MSP Executive Conference, powered by Business Solutions on Sept. 24 at the DoubleTree Chicago-Downers Grove, had answers.
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Leadership Lessons For IT Solutions Providers From The Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area
9/16/2015
In the still, cool early morning air, two bald eagles soar over the slate-gray lake encircled by a dense, dark green pine forest. A blue-gray heron drops to the safety of the middle of the lake. A few moments after the eagles disappear into the distant trees, the heron flies toward the lake’s edge for its morning fishing.
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Ask Coach: How To Give Up Control Of Tasks In My IT Solutions Provider Business
9/16/2015
Q: How do I give up control of things I shouldn’t do anymore? Coach: It has been said the longest journey a man will ever take is the 18 inches from his head to his heart. I think this adage has some application to your question.
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Leading Your IT Solutions Provider Business To Stay On Budget
9/16/2015
The benefits of managing a business according to a sales plan and budget are proven and well documented. Companies that submit to this one basic discipline tend to execute better, improve speed in decision making and make better course corrections, all while adding more dollars to the bottom line.