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Managed services as an IT service delivery model is here to stay. Now for the risk: As with any other relatively new market, the SMB managed service space is highly fragmented. There are hundreds of existing application and service vendors and just as many new entrants to the industry competing for solution providers’ mind share and market share. So how do you tell the good partners from the bad ones?
The Times reports that the growing armies of the unemployed are sick and tired of sending out resumes and are starting their own businesses in droves. One laid-off biologist is making–and taking orders for, thank you very much– $25,000 jelly fish tanks. An entrepreneurship professor at the University of San Francisco coined this phenomenon “forced entrepreneurship.” It’s what you do when you can’t find a job and you have to pay the bills. Plenty of former IT administrators, for instance, could become IT consultants and managed service providers.
I had an hour-long discussion with an MSPmentor 100 CEO on Friday night. He told me he’s attending fewer general-topic IT events this year — but spending more time meeting privately with peer managed service providers. During those gatherings (held by organizations like HTG Peer Groups and True Profit Groups), this particular CEO shares detailed financial information with peer MSPs. Would you dare to join such a group?
SecureMyCompany veteran Stuart Selbst is turning a rare double play in the master MSP market: After a short stint at MSP University, Selbst is joining VirtualAdministrator as director of channel development. Both VirtualAdministrator and SecureMyCompany specialize in hosted Kaseya and other master MSP services — making Selbst a rare find in the manged services market.
Whether you’re transitioning into the managed services market or launching an MSP from scratch, I spotted some timely start-up guidance from Inc. magazine. The article highlights the need for “careful morale management.” But I think you need to take the example one step further and ask yourself: Can you really build a business doing everything by yourself?
Why isn’t every VAR a successful managed service provider (MSP)? There are many paths to success, but aspiring MSPs also make many common mistakes that hinder their ability to become profitable. Interested in becoming a successful provider of managed services? Then read, learn, and avoid these common blunders.
An update from the managed services talent pool: Nancy Williams, a veteran of MSP Services Network (MSPSN), has joined SecureMyCompany as VP of community relations. Here’s a bit more on the move.
First, the good news: MSPmentor and its parent company (Nine Lives Media Inc.) continue to grow. However, I made a key mistake in 2008 that nearly caused me (and my business partner, Amy Katz) some pain in 2009. Plus, I suspect many managed service providers (MSPs) are making the same mistake. Here’s where I goofed.
For portions of 2008, I used Facebook for business purposes. But in recent weeks I’ve soured a bit on Facebook for business. Apparently, I’m not alone. I’m starting to hear from managed services professionals who are drawing a clear line between LinkedIn (for business) and Facebook (for personal contacts).
Gary Pica (pictured), a veteran of mindSHIFT Technologies, is making the leap from managed service provider to industry educator. And he’s not alone. As more executives successfully embrace managed services, they’re finding time to launch businesses or consulting gigs that educate the MSP masses.
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