MSPmentor

Over the past several months, MSPmentor has quietly investigated several alleged complaints against MSP University — which helps managed services providers with education and marketing services. We’ve spoken with three MSPs who allege they are each owed roughly $5,000 or less from MSP University. We’ve also spoken with dozens of VARs and MSPs who continue to applaud MSP University’s services. Now, MSP University has issued an official statement about the alleged complaints, which involved a marketing program that apparently did not meet certain customer expectations.

Read More >

The MSP Centrifuge, an emerging managed services peer group, has partnered with Service Leadership Inc., Paul Dippell’s well-regarded consulting firm for solutions providers and channel-centric vendors. Meanwhile, the market for MSP peer groups appears to be growing. In addition to MSP Centrifuge and HTG Peer Groups, it sounds like Stuart Selbst is preparing to launch virtual peer groups (online gatherings) for MSPs in the SMB market. Here’s the update.

Read More >

What’s the single best way for managed services providers (MSPs) to find new sales leads? Before I answer the question let me start with a news hook: This morning, MSP Leads, a new company, launched lead generation services for U.S.-based managed services providers. Another company, called MSP Telemarketing, has been offering lead generation services to MSPs for quite some time. So what makes MSP Leads different? And where, ultimately, can MSPs find qualified leads?

Read More >

Each Tuesday, MSPmentor’s Ask a Mentor service publishes a reader question and invites you to weigh in with recommendations. This week’s question comes from a reader in Western Massachusetts, who wants to know more about managed services contracts and service level agreements. Here’s the question and our reply…

Read More >

Each Tuesday, MSPmentor’s Ask a Mentor service publishes a reader question and invites you to weigh in with recommendations. This week’s question comes from a reader in Europe who is seeking information about managed services software — options and recommendations. Here’s the question and our reply…

Read More >

When we launched MSPmentor back in 2008, a lot of managed services providers (MSPs) ask me for guidance on such topics as search engine optimization (SEO), Google Adwords, pay-per-click advertising campaigns and online marketing. Some of that chatter died down over the past year or two. (Maybe readers realized I was clueless.) But the SEO and online marketing chatter is starting up again — especially as MSP marketing budgets somewhat improve. Still, I wonder: Are MSPs really ready to master online marketing?

Read More >

Consuro, a managed services provider in North Texas, has hired Tina Stovall as marketing director. That bit of news got me wondering: Are MSPs preparing marketing moves from 2011? And if so, how will the best MSPs promote themselves across social media, broadcast and print platforms? I’ve got a few educated hunches.

Read More >

The lines between cloud computing and managed services continue to blur. The latest example: MSP University, ChannelCloud and ClearCenter are set to to launch a cloud education, training and certification effort in 2011. An official announcement is expected sometime around December 8. In the meantime here’s a preview.

Read More >

The MSPmentor blogging team was pulled in multiple directions this week. Alas, here are seven managed services blog entries we didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending Sept. 24, 2010.

Read More >

The managed services gold rush has created a cottage industry of consultants and organizations that are assisting MSPs with marketing, sales, mergers, acquisitions and other strategic business tasks. Three recent examples include MSPexcellence, MSPXchange and Ulistic’s MSP Marketing initiative. Here’s a closer look at each organization and its backers, plus a broader update on the coaches and pundits assisting MSPs with their business efforts.

Read More >

CoreConnex, promoter of the Corelytics financial dashboard, continues to expand its channel partner strategy. The Bellevue, Wash.-based software company has inked recent deals with MSP University and CompTIA. Here are some quick details.

Read More >

This week gave new meaning to the term “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.” My flight home to New York from Denver got re-routed to Pittsburgh for a range of reasons. I wound driving home from The Steel City. Now, it’s nearly time for some family time. But first: Here are seven managed services blog entries MSPmentor’s team didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending July 30, 2010.

Read More >

I’m not sure how, when or why it happened. But this weekly “Seven things…” blog entry has developed a cult following of sorts. My inbox is filled each Friday morning with rumors, gossip and, um… music picks (thanks Gerard…) from readers. And each Friday afternoon, we publish seven pieces of reader chatter that MSPmentor’s blog team otherwise didn’t have a chance to cover. Here’s the rundown for the week ending June 25, 2010.

Read More >

Sometimes the best managed services sales tips are short and sweet. During our June 23 MSPmentor Live webcast, ARRC Technology CEO Alex Rogers called on MSPs to rethink their approach to sales. Among Rogers’ three recommendations…

Read More >

The MSPmentor team is preparing for a three-day holiday weekend here in the U.S. But before we unplug (at least for a little bit…), here are seven managed services blog entries we didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending May 28, 2010.

Read More >

How’s this for ironic: A service provider may host numerous Web sites, but still not know much about promoting itself on the Web. LaDezign, a Los Angeles-based Web site design and Internet marketing solutions company, thinks it can fill that void.

Read More >

Small business owners and managed services providers ask me all the time: How can they leverage Google Adwords to target local customer prospects? No doubt, Adwords is an effective tool for highly targeted, cost-effective marketing promotions. And those promotions can be global, regional or local in nature. But here’s a counter-intuitive thought: Maybe MSPs should spend more time on direct mail marketing. After all — even the Mighty Google is spending big dollars on direct mail campaigns. Here’s why.

Read More >

A quiet race to recruit managed service providers into associations and user groups continues. The latest example: CompTIA MSP Partners has announced a relationship with PartnerConduit Network, an online community that helps solutions providers to manage collaborative opportunities. Here’s a look at the relationship. Plus, a broader look at the effort to find and recruit MSPs into associations, organizations and user groups.

Read More >

A so-called “free” strategy continues to sweep across the managed services market. But whether you’re an association, a software provider or a managed services provider (MSP), “free” is a tricky strategy to manage — especially as you try to convert free clientele into paying customers. Here’s a look at the trend.

Read More >

It sounds like a simple strategy: Host a contest to give one small business customer a free extreme technology makeover. And use all the publicity around the event to fuel your lead generation efforts. But here’s what can go right — and wrong — with the extreme technology makeover contests that VARs and managed service providers are hosting.

Read More >

When MSP Partners on March 31 announced plans for a managed services accreditation test, I offered some quick perspectives but also raised five follow-up questions. Seeking answers, I contacted MSP Partners and the MSPAlliance — which already offers a managed services accreditation. Here are some perspectives on key questions I had raised.

Read More >

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.

Read More >

One of the most vocal personalities at SecureMyCompany — a Master MSP that hosts Kaseya software — apparently is leaving the company to join MSP University.

Read More >