Build Solution Sets to Sell Products AND Services With Confidence

By: Len DiCostanzo, SVP and Dean of Autotask Academy

You may have started your IT company as an IT consultant, selling professional or technical services by the hour. Typically, you’ll let your clients buy products from another source, maybe even a source you recommend, because you feel that it’s just too hard to make money with all the competition and small margins.

Then you realize the downside to this strategy when you lose a client to a competitor who sells products, but then bolts on the associated servicing of those products in a one-stop transaction. Even loyal clients might not think they are violating your business relationship, feeling like they are simply buying from someone something you don’t offer.

Going Vertical.

By: Bob Godgart, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Visionary Officer

I just got back from the terrific “Breakaway 2010” event put on by CompTIA, the leading computer industry association, and I was glad to see the big emphasis that was being placed on opportunities in the healthcare vertical market for IT solution professionals.

Healthcare has been a choice vertical for IT solution providers for a decade or more, due to the constantly and rapidly developing technology in the medical field – and the abundance of money spent in that industry. At CompTIA, much time was devoted to educating IT professionals about what it takes to get a piece of the health-care action, along with some useful tools to help insure success.

Back To The Future For IT Product Sales

By: Len DiCostanzo, SVP and Dean of Autotask Academy

During my 20+ years as the founder and CEO of a successful IT solutions company, I saw first-hand the importance of evolving our business models to meet the needs and capabilities of our clients and our own companies. And, as I work with our customers and countless others in the channel now, I see that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Top Reasons To Use Surveys To Run Your Business Better.

By: Bob Godgart, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Visionary Officer

I’m always impressed when the IT service providers I work with take the time to ask me how things are going.

Consumer-oriented companies figured this out a while ago. They know that regular customer satisfaction check-ins will help to maximize customer retention, and help them figure out how to best position themselves to win new business. But businesses that provide services to other businesses have been slower to figure this out, and I’m continually surprised at how few companies in the IT business regularly conduct surveys of their customers.

And, increasing customer retention and loyalty is only one of the many reasons you should be regularly conducting surveys – of your customers as well as your prospects. Here are my top 10 additional reasons:

Big Switch: Trusted Advisors Become Embedded Tech Advisors

By: Bob Godgart, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Visionary Officer

Much has been written and taught about the “holy grail” of IT service providers — to become your clients’ “Trusted Technology Advisor.” But don’t stop there. The next logical step is to become your customers’ Embedded Technology Advisor. Here’s why.