Category: Better Business
Big hat, no cattle: Walking the walk as an MSP
It’s easy to have lofty ideals in the MSP space without sticking to them. Texas even has a phrase for people like that: “Big hat, no cattle.” The expression comes from the days when herding cattle was a common way...
Spending survey indicates MSPs are holding, but not gaining, ground
One of the first IT spending forecasts for 2020 contains both good and somewhat disappointing news for managed service providers (MSPs). Based on a Spiceworks survey of 1,105 IT leaders in the U.S. and Europe, spending driven by the need...
The power of peer groups
I was recently asked by a Managed Service Provider (MSP) owner what the one thing is that would help him build a successful IT Solution Provider business. I think this particular business owner was expecting me to share a book...
Survey finds increased appreciation for external IT service provider expertise
Far too many leaders of small to medium businesses (SMBs) still don’t appreciate the strategic role IT can play in the success of their organizations. However, a survey of 250 business executives at organizations with $5 to $50 million in...
Where should IT leadership go for advice?
IT executives are looked upon as the technology experts within their organizations, but where can they go for trusted advice when they don’t have all the answers? Technology consulting offers an excellent platform to fill the trusted adviser role for...
Survey highlights growing shift in IT attitude among customers
When it comes to prospective customers, managed service providers (MSPs) often find themselves trying to navigate between two extremes. On one hand, there are organizations with highly competent IT teams that feel they are the equal with MSPs in terms...
This Labor Day, MSPs should rethink their IT staffing strategy
During the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend, most leaders of managed service providers (MSPs) will turn their thoughts to IT staffing issues. After all, the success of any MSP basically comes down to how they manage their IT talent. The...
National Women’s Equality Day: From the channel perspective
A gender diverse workforce, relative to a homogeneous one, is beneficial for business. Increased sales revenue, more customers, and greater relative profits are all associated with gender diversity. Companies in the top quartile for gender diversity are 15 percent more...
Don’t byte off more than you can chew – IT leadership for the 4th Industrial Revolution
The wave of the 4th Industrial Revolution is breaking onto the shores of every facet of our lives. As we enter this new era, the IT function within organizations is set to shift and evolve at a rapid rate. While...
Ask an MSP Expert: How can I effectively communicate with my SMB customers?
Q: One thing that we’ve noticed is that we only talk to our SMB clients when something is wrong. How can we increase communication with our clients—the right way? How often should we reach out to them? Communication is a...