HTG: European and Australian MSPs Network Up
Even as the managed services market expands, the world shrinks. A case in point: MSPs located in Europe and Australia are beginning to network with one another through HTG Peer Groups. Here are some perspectives, including views from HTG President Scott Scrogin, who recently returned from a series of MSP-related meetings in Australia.
A range of organizations run peer groups, which allow VARs and MSPs to share best practices and financial information under a cone of silence. HTG got its start in North America, but recently expanded into Europe and Australia. The typical group includes a dozen CEOs representing VARs and MSPs. And each executive comes from non-competing regions.
HTG has standardized on Microsoft SharePoint and ConnectWise’s PSA software to help drive collaboration and best practices. (Somewhat similarly, Taylor Business Group has started a peer effort for Autotask users.)
Back at HTG, Scrogin offers plenty of background in the following video. But for those who are reasonably familiar with the peer group concept, Scrogin offers some deeper insights. First up: MSPs in Europe and Australia are starting to network with one another. Second, the Australia managed services market is looking more and more like the U.S. market — though certainly labor and compensation differences remain.
MSPmentor FastChat Video
Here’s my FastChat conversation with Scrogin:
The video covers…
0:00 Introduction
0:12 HTG Peer Groups — the mission and focus for VARs and MSPs
0:53 HTG’s expansion into Europe and Australia
1:22 Will VARs and MSPs network up across continents?
2:10 Australia MSP seeks UK presence
2:30 HTG’s observations of the Australia managed services market
3:10 Pricing and customer-centric questions remain
3:35 Cost of labor issues in Australia
3:55 Vacation time and the impact on availability
4:18 More information about HTG
4:36 Conclusion
Getting Organized
Somewhat like peer groups, MSP software providers have been organizing user groups in Europe and Australia. In recent months, Autotask, ConnectWise, Kaseya and N-able each have hosted user group meetings in Australia.
Hi Joe,
It was great to meet Scott in Australia and the feedback from the new HTG group members was super positive. I am interested in the statistics about the growth, profitability and success of HTG members against the general industry from what I have seen I expect they would be much stronger on all fronts. Something to consider……
Cheers
Tim
Tim: Thanks for continuing to share key views from Australia. I’m not sure if the HTG team has any stats describing peer member performance vs. the broader IT channel (VARs and MSPs…). But I’ll be sure to ask. Please keep us posted as you make additional moves.
-jp
Although somewhat bias (being part of the first Aus HTG group), I can definitely say the experience and outcomes from our first meeting were fantastic. Personally for our company just the willingness on HTG’s behalf to send their CEO out to kick start this new group down under speaks to their true goals of helping resellers like us grow. As you have said before Joe us Aussies love the local feet on the ground!
Zaun: Scott Scrogin’s visit to Australia sounds similar to my experience in 2008: I expected big differences between the North American and Australia markets. But I found more similarities than differences.
I certainly hope to visit Australia again. But in the meantime, I appreciate the fact that you (Zaun) and other readers continue to share Australia market perspectives on MSPmentor.
-jp