Managed Services: 7 Blogs MSPmentor Didn’t Write, June 21
It was another busy week for MSP-oriented conferences. Level Platforms MSP Community Summit wrapped up in Las Vegas. Now our team is at TruMethods Schnizzfest in Philadelphia. Amid our team’s travels this morning, here are seven managed services provider (MSP) blogs and news stories MSPmentor didn’t have a chance to write for the week ending June 21, 2013.
7. Backup Option: GFI Max Backup has launched. It’s based on GFI Software’s IASO acquisition. Many GFI Max RemoteManagement MSPs have used the backup technology over the past year. But now, MSPs that are not using GFI MAX RemoteManagement can also leverage the backup software. We’ll be learning more about GFI Max Backup during our June 27 Channel Expert Hour webcast.
6. Do You Still Like the Way You Look?: When Men’s Warehouse fired Founder and Pitch Man George Zimmer, the move triggered a key question in my mind: Should MSPs and technology companies use their own executives as the faces of their businesses? Or is it dangerous to have your brand so closely aligned with an individual?
5. Intriguing Event: HTG Peer Groups is preparing a new conference called Vision Summit. The agenda suggests that the event will be a bit like TED — which is highly respected across the business and technology landscape. Do I plan to register? I’ll answer that question and offer far more details in an extended blog soon.
4. Growing Up Fast: The recent LabTech Automation Nation conference was quite different than its 2012 counterpart. Back in 2012, I think LabTech was struggling to keep up with support challenges and growth. This year’s event seemed far more focused on training and education for technical administrators — the folks who live in LabTech all day. I had multiple interviews with CEO Matt Nachtrab and the executive team. And I’m finally off the road to offer a deeper look at the company. Stay tuned.
3. This Looks Familiar: As AVG buys Level Platforms, take a closer look at Panda Security‘s relationship with CentraStage. Then look back on the Panda-CentraStage story MSPmentor broke back in November 2012. Anybody else see all the similarities? Did the Panda-CentraStage relationship spark the AVG-Level Platforms deal? Hmmm…
2. Pixar Falling Like Apple?: In the post-Steve Jobs era I can’t help but wonder if Pixar’s star is falling just a bit — like Apple’s. Monsters University has arrived. The reviews are pretty good. But under Disney’s ownership, what happened to Pixar’s classic risk taking?
1. MSPmentor 250 Experts, Entrepreneurs and Executives: The sixth-annual MSPmentor 250 survey is accepting nominees through August 2. Please take a minute and nominate an MSP expert for the honor — yes, you can even nominate yourself. No need to stuff the ballot box. One nomination per person is all it takes for consideration. You’ll find the survey link here: http://www.mspmentor.net/top250.
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JP,
I would like to comment
JP,
I would like to comment on #6 about the CEO being the face of their company. I am a huge believer that no one can “sell” your company better than you. In my presentation at the LPI Summit this week, I used the example of Martha Stewart, Donald Trump, Papa John’s Pizza and Domino’s Pizza. All have their CEOs as the “pitch men”.
As an MSP Consultant or “Coach”, I do advise my partners to be the face of their companies. That said, it is a good idea to have a sales or business development person doing the leg work or heavy lifting. I am sure that George Zimmer wasn’t sitting around in one of the Oakland, CA Men’s Warehouse stores waiting to measure you for a new suit or sell you an overpriced tie. The executives of the MSPs shouldn’t necessarily be the ones “selling” to every prospect that comes along.
The typical MSP usually needs to have a local “face” of their company. A major corporation such as Men’s Warehouse will at times need to revamp their marketing image. This is what they have done in this case. If you recall when Jack in the Box blew up the clown and their sales slumped, the brought him back in a newer, fresh version.
It is a shame that George won’t be on TV anymore. If the executives in our industry take a step back, they’ll see the way their companies really look. “I guarantee it!”
Stu