GFI Max this week unveiled research supporting its vision for MSPs: the "Perpetually Valuable MSP." Here are another five ways for MSPs to reach that status.

CJ Arlotta, Associate Editor

September 11, 2014

2 Min Read
GFI Max Partner Community Director Dave Sobel says he wants partners to have businesses that are viable and maintainable
GFI Max Partner Community Director Dave Sobel says he wants partners to have businesses that are viable and maintainable.

GFI Max this week unveiled research supporting its vision for managed services providers (MSPs): the “Perpetually Valuable MSP.” On Wednesday, Dave Sobel, director of partner community at GFI Max, continued the discussion.

The channel-based remote monitoring and management (RMM) solutions provider based its findings on surveys conducted by partners. According to GFI Max, the results point to the Perpetually Valuable MSP model, an ideal business model for MSPs that balances consistency and agility and predicts the end result through stable sales offerings.

Earlier in the week, Sobel gave partners five ways to reach the Perpetually Valuable MSP status. Today he gave the audience another five ways:

  • Argue in the alternative. Argue as both your customer and potential competitor. How would someone argue against your brand and offering? Sobel said this prepares MSPs for objections during the sales process. Find out your weaknesses before hitting the pavement.

  • Non-revenue compensation metrics. “People are motivated by the things they’re compensated on,” Sobel said. The proper compensation model for your sales team creates predictable behavior. Find a compensation model that fits your business.

  • SWAT team resource allocation. Assign, assign, assign. MSPs have success when management takes the time to assign projects to employees, Sobel said. Place tasks into dedicated workloads. Make sure teams own new offerings.

  • Define a specific launch methodology. Design a specific system for launching new offerings. The more you practice rolling out a new offering, the more successful you’ll be each time, Sobel said. Find out what works and what doesn’t. Define it — something specific.

  • Define a specific de-commission methodology. Know your exit strategy when something doesn’t work, Sobel suggested. How do you shut down a practice that’s no longer viable? Learn how to shut down a new technique or offering.

“We want your business to be viable and maintainable and grow with you as long as you intend to run it and grow it,” Sobel told MSPs in attendance. “What are you going to commit to today that’s going to make a difference in your business tomorrow?”

Keep checking back to MSPmentor for updates, insights and rumors coming out of GFI Max’s user conference. Have a tip? Email Senior Editor CJ Arlotta at cj.arlotta”at”penton.com.

Follow CJ Arlotta on Twitter @cjarlotta and Google+ for further updates on the story above — or if you just want to say hello.

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About the Author(s)

CJ Arlotta

Associate Editor, Nine Lives Media, a division of Penton Media

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