Brian Sherman Posts

You don’t need to hold an MBA or be a CPA to run an IT channel organization, though either probably helps. Few solution providers have a formal education in business, human resources or finance, yet many manage dozens – perhaps even hundreds or thousands – of highly skilled employees. Acquiring office skills and insight isn’t easy for many tech-oriented individuals, just as gaining computer and network technology expertise would likely be no simple task for most executives.Not to underestimate a ...

Like it or not, today’s business is driven by the world economy. World markets and international manufacturing have a profound effect on literally everything we buy and sell, and that interconnect is sure to grow in the future, as companies and countries leverage their combined resources. There are as typically more similarities than differences in the organizational and technology issues facing businesses in each region, with the legislation and culture the biggest variables.The IT channel is k ...

Have you been in the market for a new vehicle lately or just checked out the latest cars on display at the dealership? If so, you likely saw vehicles that incorporate some cutting edge communications systems—including General Motors’ OnStar, Ford’s SYNC and Hyundai’s BlueLink. While these packages are tailored to the everyday needs of the average driver, tying in apps and voice control options to improve safety and convenience, they also increase productivity for mobile workers.These computer-dr ...

In a managed services business, change is not only inevitable; it’s a necessity. The true value of an MSP is an almost telepathic view into your clients’ business operations; spotting and addressing potential risks and performance issues before they cause a disruption. Of course, those clairvoyant abilities are fueled by innovation and continual improvement, employing the latest technologies and processes to ensure that each client system is secure and robust.The latest technology news from the ...

“Unless you have 100% customer satisfaction…you must improve.” -- Horst SchulzConstant improvement is a mantra among IT channel companies, especially when it comes to the services they deliver and the clients that receive them. There’s no place for complacency in an industry as competitive as this, and owners have to keep their eyes, and business practices, focused properly on process upgrades and other enhancements to ensure their long-term success. Identifying the areas where a company needs i ...

In the IT channel, a lot of focus is placed on the market potential of certain solutions and technologies, especially in areas where few solution providers would dare to invest their resources. If the opportunity for entering a new market isn’t large enough or requires too much time or money to get started, it often gets shelved until the situation changes to make it a more lucrative endeavor. But one aspect many companies overlook is the cost of what’s not on their list of portfolio options.Fiv ...

Going with the flow isn’t a strategy, and it certainly isn’t a route that business owners should take. But the path of least resistance is often thrust upon solution providers, especially when their clients and prospects are the ones making the decisions. Satisfying clients while doing what’s in their own best interests is a delicate balancing act. With cloud services, that’s a common dilemma.Without a carefully crafted, well-validated strategy, solution providers may find themselves pulled into ...

While business owners and executives are more inclined to focus on the bottom line costs of new investments, typically due to cash flow and stockholder demands, most understand that price plays a lesser role when it comes to protecting their assets. That doesn’t mean companies are open to purchasing preposterously expensive security services, but most will spend a few dollars more each month to ensure their organization is compliant with governmental and industry regulations.The inclination of b ...

Whenever new trends or business opportunities comes along, each typically has its own “shelf life” or time-period when companies can either take advantage of it, or see it fade away. We often see that happen in the tech and consumer industries, where the first to design and produce a quality product   typically leads the market. But that’s where the IT channel differs.Product sales are often infrequent, and consumers can be quite erratic with what they purchase and use every day. When better thi ...

The latest CompTIA Small Business Owners (SBO) Community is ready to help. Rather than focusing on a specific vertical market or technology, this group concentrates on business improvement methods, educational programs, and the tools to build a successful organization. As a true “peer community,” SBO members are solution providers and experienced IT industry professionals who understand the value of sharing suggestions and ideas.The group’s educational initiatives are paying off, yielding a numb ...