Category: Better Business
Ask an MSP Expert: How can we better position new products and services?
Q: We are a fast-paced IT service provider. We are constantly bringing on new customers and adding new solutions to our portfolio. This often presents challenges with communicating new services between our teams—specifically our technical engineers and our sales staff....
Ask an MSP Expert: How can we expand our IT service business internationally?
Q: The managed service business is very competitive and sometimes the United States feels saturated with IT providers. My business is strong and I’m primed to grow it. Are there any options for expanding internationally? Good question! For insights on...
Ask an MSP Expert: How can we proactively plan for the next storm?
Q: Luckily, our area wasn’t affected by Hurricane Florence — but we might not be so lucky next time. What are some steps we can take to ensure that our SMBs have foolproof disaster recovery plans in place? Natural disasters...
Clive Longbottom: When selling MSP services is like selling a house
I’ll start with a bold statement: being an MSP salesperson is like being a real estate agent. Hold on – don’t stop reading: there is a reason for such a statement. Any real estate agent will tell you what a...
Block-time billing as a stepping stone to managed services
In my previous two articles, I’ve shared my thoughts on why should you move to the managed services model and also written on how to understand which of your existing clients will move to managed services. But for many IT...
Ask an MSP Expert: Navigating the bid process for government clients
Q: My MSP has never gone after government business, I have wanted to, but I keep getting scared away by the whole bidding process. How complicated is it? An excellent MSP opportunity may be hiding in plain sight. Many MSPs...
Ask an MSP Expert: How to effectively manage multiple teams
Q: In the past year, we’ve gone from a three-person team to a team of 13. I have a technical background, but now I’m running several different teams within my MSP business. How can I effectively manage multiple teams? No...
A vendor’s perspective: 4 ways to distinguish a good MSP from a great one
What sets apart the most outstanding MSPs goes beyond just business acumen, customer empathy, and technology expertise. As important as these factors are, what I’ve observed – now from many years in the channel – to be even more valuable...
Ask an MSP Expert: When should I make the transition to MSP?
Q: I keep hearing that the industry is moving toward a managed services model. I’m not convinced I should take the leap. How do I know when I’m ready to make the transition to become a managed services provider? What...
Richard Tubb: How to understand which of your existing clients will move to managed services
Using the managed service model instead of the traditional break/fix model of selling time for money is a no-brainer. But what is more challenging is working out *how* to sell this new model to existing clients. We’re going to look...