If you check my resume I typically spend two to three years focusing on a specific job. Then I move on. Here at Nine Lives Media, I've pushed past the four-year mark and I'm rather enjoying the journey. But a lot of MSPmentor readers have moved onto new jobs -- some within the managed services industry, some outside of it. Here's an open letter to many of those people...
1. Jennifer Anaya: You mastered communications at Ingram, built your own consulting firm, assisted Autotask with strategic messaging, sharpened NetEnrich's marketing focus... and now you've recently rejoined Ingram Micro as VP of Marketing, North America. Somewhere along the line you had dinner in Miami with a few trusted sources. And come to think of it -- was that the Secret Service dining at the table next to us? It has been awhile. I'm fine. How's your new gig?
2. Gennifer Biggs: You were a constant presence at MSP events while covering managed services for Business Solutions magazine. You made a career change and launched Generate Marketing and Communications. And we trade email about upcoming events but I never took the time to say: Best wishes, I'm fine, I hope all is well with you.
3. Santo Cannone: You worked closely with Arnie and David Bellini to prepare ConnectWise for its next stage of growth. Then you exited, on great terms, to join Open Solutions Inc. to focus on the financial services market. I appreciate the walk and talk we had at ConnectWise Partner Summit 2009. I'm fine. How is the world of finance treating you?
4. Greg Donovan: You built Alpheon -- a successful MSP focused on the health care vertical -- sold it to mindSHIFT, and then... well... have you disclosed what you're up to now? I'm fine. And I look forward to the update.
5. Jim Hamilton: You built MSP Partners and led its successful integration with CompTIA. You invited Amy Katz and me onto a golf course... and I promptly became an expert on Water Hazards. You've been developing community at CompTIA but we haven't spoken as much in recent years. Thanks for all the briefings and background. I'm fine and I look forward to seeing you at CompTIA Breakaway.
6. Gerard Kane: We first met when you were at CompTIA. We tried to get into a Dallas night club... but I waited outside when the bouncers claimed my white sneakers clashed with the rest of the crowd. I've still got half a $20 bill in my wallet... Yada, yada, yada... you're now at Insight. I'm fine. How are you?
7. Peter Klanian: You helped to build Silverback, and you helped me to understand some key twists and turns in the managed services market from 2008 through about 2009. Now you're a sales director for channel services at Dell. I'm fine. How have you been?
8. Rob Leon: You helped to build Spam Soap into a channel brand. You offered me reality checks during MSP industry hype cycles. And you made me laugh. A lot. Now you're at KnowledgeCentrix. I'm fine. How are you?
9. Amy Luby: You built an MSP, sold it, and helped a distributor and an IT vendor with their respective managed services partner programs. It was good to talk at last year's IT Nation. But it's been awhile. I'm fine. I hope all is well with you.
10. Todd McKendrick: You were the first person Amy Katz and I ever met at a managed services trade show. Your guidance and advice were invaluable during MSPmentor's early years. You had successful tours of duty with Do IT Smarter, Dell and Nimsoft. Last I heard, you've been focusing on application sales at Oracle -- quite a dramatic shift from the managed services market. I'm fine. How the heck are you?
11. Rob Ross: I know you run a nifty MSP in Sacramento called Think Smart Inc. You helped MSPmentor with a lot of early webcasts. And you knew how to impress a certain media company CEO with a bottle of wine. But the really cool thing is you play Segway polo with Steve Wozniak. I'm fine. How are you? Win any tournaments lately?
12. Dan Shapero: I think you and Dan Wensley (Level Platforms) were the first two people to back MSPmentor with marketing dollars. Sure, I'm an editor who shouldn't focus on sponsorships. But I also realize without sponsors there is no editorial. I'll never forget that early vote of confidence. After your time at Kaseya, you've launched ClikCloud, a digital marketing company for MSPs and channel partners. I'm fine. How are you enjoying ClikCloud so far?
13. Brian Sherman: You introduced MSP coverage at Business Solutions, you joined Autotask to build industry alliances, then you ultimately launched Tech Success Communications. We run in similar circles but don't bump into each other often enough. I'm fine. What's new with you?
14. Lane Smith: Speaking of Do IT Smarter (see Todd McKendrick, #10), you built a respected MSP before selling it. You also provided key insights to MSPmentor, the MSPAlliance and other folks working in this industry. These days, I hear you're working with 4-Profit, a successful coaching organization serving IT solutions providers. I'm fine. How are you enjoying your new gig?
15. Bob Vogel: You led marketing at Autotask and we had some great debates about the future of the industry. You always answered my questions. These days you're building B2 Marketing, helping IT service providers to build their sales pipelines. I'm fine. How's life as an entrepreneur? Side note: For other Autotask veterans like Bob Godgart and Jay McBain: We're already confirmed to talk. I'm fine, and I look forward to hearing updates from you.
Will I Hear From You -- And 250 Other Experts?
For the folks above, I'd love to hear from you. Email me with an update -- Joe [at] NineLivesMediaInc [dot] com. Or post a comment.The idea for this blog entry popped into my head because we're just about ready to launch our Fifth Annual MSPmentor 250 survey, tracking the top executives, entrepreneurs and experts in the managed services market. Details soon...
