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Can a single visionary transform a solutions provider into a managed service provider? Or does it take multiple executives — each, with different talents — to build a thriving managed services business?
Before you answer, consider the situation at Computer Network Solutions LLC, a fast-growing MSP in Plainview, N.Y., that now manages more than 200,000 customer devices,
During a trip to CNS last week, I toured the company’s network operation center (NOC), service and support center, and emergency product inventory for customers who need replacement parts. Imagine a min-EDS command center merged with a mini-CDW product warehouse, and you have a snapshot of CNS’s headquarters. (Side note: Thanks to Business Development Manager Jim Beirne for arranging my visit.)
CNS President Alan Cook launched the company in 1997 as a break/fix maintenance services business. While Cook continues to provide company vision, Chief Operating Officer Thomas Montoya transforms Cook’s vision into day-to-day goals and strategies.
In recent years, the company has successfully lined up some big-name customers — including a major restaurant chain and a major retailer. And Montoya has helped CNS master new MSP tools, including a remote administration platform.
Two Leaders, One Destination
The more I spoke with Montoya, the more I realized we were on parallel journeys. He and Cook have vastly different talents, but together they are striving to build one of the East Coast’s top MSPs. I doubt Cook or Montoya could build such a company on their own.
The situation is similar at MSPmentor. While I focus on content, content and more content, my business partner (Amy Katz) works overtime on business development and financial management.
Frankly, I’m not sure how any Web 2.0 or MSP business can thrive with a solo leader. But perhaps I’m biased because of my own experience.
Is it possible for a single mind to build, advance and lead a managed services company? Or does it take a combination of leaders with complementary talents?
Posted In: Finance | HR | Marketing | Sales
Tags: Computer Network Solutions | Managed Service Providers | Managed Services | MSPmentor | MSPs
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This is a great point, Joe! I certainly could not have built Everon to where it is today without Josh Clifford, our Chief Service Officer. He runs the show service-wise every day, which frees me up to do…something useful I’m sure.
Seriously, any good company requires a visionary and someone who executes; that rarely comes in one package.
Mike Cooch
http://www.everonit.com
http://www.smbitpros.com
I think platforms like mspmentor or communities like LinkedIn can be greatly used for polishing ideas. Imagin, people even pay with shares to form a board of advisors. Here you can gate all the advises for free. Just post your questions and people who are experts in their fields will share your knowledge. Before I do something, I post a question to the community and I get a lot of openions and suggestions. Some of them priceless. We were using such approch to tune prices, polish marketing, get recomendations for vendors, even suggest our services. We just have to be creative in the ways we use services like mspmentor, linkedin, facebook and other social networks. It is great to have a second CXO, but if you don’t, employ your peers!!!!!!!!!
Digital Edge: I’m blushing. Thanks for the MSPmentor praise.
One important point of distinction between this site and other social networks … you don’t have to “register” to share your opinions on MSPmentor.net. We consciously designed this site so that everyone could have a voice.
I like social networks, but I am stretched too thin these days to join more social networks beyond LinkedIn. I certainly see value in true social networks. But for MSPmentor and TheVARguy.com, we wanted to ensure social inclusion for even our casual visitors/readers.
Well, you just have to find your crowd. But then you can ask: “Guys we wanted to do this, did anyone tried this? How did it work fo you?” Instead of: “Guys, what do you think?…”, or “guess what would be the outcom if we do this…”
I agree completely with Digital and the article too. Multiple mindsets or just sets of eyes looking at things give us multiple perspectives to consider.
I got some excellent ideas on helping to position my hardware refreshing financing program as a potential HAAS solution for MSPs (who are the majority of my tech vendors I’m serving) just from conversations I’ve had on this site. I’ve gotten great questions to ask my source for this program too so I can address these questions and better serve these vendors. Everyone has been very open with me here and I really appreciate it and hope to work to make their lives easier with their clients too.