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Generally speaking, I think most MSPmentor readers have been building their managed services businesses for five to 10 years. But what if you were building that business from scratch right now? Here are 10 steps to consider for startup MSPs — though the steps certainly apply to established MSPs that are looking to rethink their strategies for the second half of 2011.
Bob Vogel, most recently executive director of demand generation at Autotask, has left the company to launch B2 Marketing, which offers “specialized marketing products and strategic marketing consulting, exclusively for MSPs, VARs, IT Solution Providers, Systems Integrators and IT consultants.” Vogel’s departure is the latest change at Autotask since the company hired CEO Mark Cattini in December 2010. Here’s the update.
Within the managed services market two key executive changes caught MSPmentor’s attention today. First, sources say Amy Luby is no longer with Synnex, which has been building a managed services platform for MSPs. Second, Ted Hulsy is making the leap from SonicWall to join eFolder as VP of marketing in July. Here’s some background on both developments.
Recently, I posted an entry about how stagnant unemployment figures could actually beneficial for MSPs, as companies who are not hiring new employees are more likely to need outside assistance. According to the Boston Globe, there is a counterintuitive trend going on in this mediocre job environment where as many as two in three US employees are testing the hiring market and one in three actively want to quit their jobs. The article even cites one employment specialist as saying more people voluntarily quit their jobs in the past 12 months than were let go.
TDS Telecommunications Corp., the eighth largest telecom provider in the United States, has hired former Nimsoft VP Phil LaForge as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of TDS Hosted & Managed Services LLC. LaForge will play a key role in the organization’s merger and acquisition strategy, which apparently includes some deals that could be announced soon. Here’s the update.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics last week released the May unemployment figures, and they were pretty mediocre. Nonfarm payroll employment changed little (a net total of 54,000 jobs added) in May, and the unemployment rate was essentially unchanged at 9.1%. Private sector employment continued to trend up (83,000 net jobs added), although by a much smaller amount than the monthly 244,000-job average for the prior three months. The computer systems design and related services subsector added 8,000 net jobs for the month. For most people, these statistics are not especially heartening. However, for MSPs, especially those serving the SMB market, they should offer some comfort. Here’s why.
At TruMethods Schnizzfest, top managed services providers are on stage describing how they grew their businesses, developed their pricing philosophies and stay energized. The session, moderated by TruMethods CEO Gary Pica, includes MSPmentor 100 companies and leaders such as White Glove Technologies CEO Tommy Wald; EndSight CEO Mike Chaput; and IT Solutions CEO Ted Swanson (pictured left to right). Here’s the recap.
Paul Chisholm, CEO of mindSHIFT (an MSPmentor 100 and Talkin’ Cloud 50 company), is sharing some secrets to managed services success; merger and acquisition valuation points; and growth strategies during Schnizzfest, a TruMethods conference held today in Philadelphia, Pa. TruMethods CEO Gary Pica just wrapped up an on-stage interview of Chisholm (pictured), who addressed roughly 150 managed services providers. Here’s the recap.
Roughly 150 managed services providers (MSPs) have gathered for Schnizzfest, a sales-driven conference hosted by TruMethods CTO Bob Penland and CEO Gary Pica (pictured, left to right). The opening theme here in Philadelphia: Growing monthly recurring revenues (MRR) — while succeeding in work and life. Here are 10 highlights from this morning’s keynotes.
The MSPmentor job board has received several new career listings across sales, marketing, technology and more. We’re not out to compete with big career centers. But MSPmentor does want to connect experts with highly targeted careers in managed services and cloud computing. Take a look at the job board. It’s free to all.
In addition to serving SMBs, many MSPs are small businesses themselves. As a result, small MSPs and small business customers sometimes face similar challenges. Chief among them: Keeping up with health care costs.
GreenPages, an MSPmentor 100 company, has hired Michael Halperin as VP of managed services. Halperin has been a consultant for GreenPages for the last year, and is well-known within MSP circles for his work at Cogent Growth Partners and a range of technology companies. I caught up with both Halperin and GreenPages VP of Marketing and Operations Glen Jodion for an update.
A decade after launching Autotask, former CEO Bob Godgart wrapped up his final day at the company today. Although Godgart remains chairman of the PSA software provider, he no longer has a day-to-day role at Autotask. Here’s the update and some perspectives on Godgart’s legacy in the managed services market.
SunGard Availability Services Inc. has put the spotlight on four executives to expand the company’s services portfolio — which include cloud computing, disaster recovery and managed hosting offerings. Among the four executive moves worth watching…
The MSPmentor Job Board lists several new positions for managed services and cloud experts. The career opportunities include sales, marketing and technical opportunities. Take a look at the opportunities or feel free to use the job board to post openings within your own company. The latest openings include…
The word “partner” gets thrown around quite a bit in the IT market. But this blog entry isn’t about technology partnerships. Instead, it’s about joint business ownership — working with someone to build a business together. Quite a few MSPs have joint ownership structures, with two or more executives holding major stakes in the company. But how the heck can you ensure you’re going into business with the right person? Speaking from personal experience, here are five traits and requirements you should absolutely demand from the person who will help to make (or break) your professional fortunes and personal sanity.
Chris O’Malley, a CA Technologies veteran with deep cloud computing and M&A experience, is set to succeed Gary Read as CEO of Nimsoft. The move comes roughly one year after CA acquired Nimsoft. Here’s the update, including perspectives from O’Malley (pictured) and Read — and the potential implications for managed services providers.
A major executive change is under way at Nimsoft, the managed services software company owned by CA Technologies. Nimsoft CEO Gary Read is stepping down, to be succeeded by CA GM Chris O’Malley. The planned transition comes roughly one year after CA acquired Nimsoft as part of a cloud computing and managed services software push. Plus, it sounds like some executive promotions and key hires are set to be announced soon at Nimsoft. Check MSPmentor again in about 30 minutes for the complete report. Here’s the complete report.
Rob Leon, formerly VP of Spam Soap and a well-known executive in the managed services market, is planning his next career move. Leon confirmed that he’s left Spam Soap (SaaS email security) and its sister company, Inhouse IT (an MSP). Here’s the update, plus perspectives on how Spam Soap itself is evolving.
When it comes to the IT channel, sometimes the media — MSPmentor included — is guilty of focusing too much on massive VARs and MSPs. Meanwhile, there are thousands of micro MSPs (sub $1 million annual recurring revenues) navigating the SMB market. Can those micro MSPs thrive as big vendors promote SMB cloud solutions?
Imagine the following business scenario: A hurricane knocks your managed services business offline. Your family suffers personal losses during the storm. And your customers are also in the dark. Could your business survive as you scramble to put the pieces of your own life back together? Instead of pressing the panic button, MSPs that participate in HTG Peer Groups will soon have an emergency help line. Here are some preliminary details.
Looking to make a career change? Need to advertise a job opening (for free)? Our MSPmentor Job Board lists several new sales, marketing and technology positions in the managed services and cloud computing markets. Take a look at the latest vacant positions or post your company’s own career openings…
NetEnrich, best known for its NOC (network operations center) services, has recruited Jennifer Anaya as VP of corporate marketing. The move signals NetEnrich’s continued push beyond NOC services for MSPs and VARs. Anaya is well-known within the managed services industry, having previously assisted Autotask and Ingram Micro with various channel and managed services efforts.
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