Bill Detwiler shows you how to avoid five blatant security mistakes when deploying a new wireless access point.
Generally speaking, I think most MSPmentor readers have been building their managed services businesses for five to 10 years. But what if you were building that business from scratch right now? Here are 10 steps to consider for startup MSPs — though the steps certainly apply to established MSPs that are looking to rethink their strategies for the second half of 2011.
Managed services providers (MSPs) use everything from Google Adwords to Kutenda for their online marketing programs. But marketing experts like Robin Robins continue to promote direct mail strategies as well. Fortunately, a range of companies have designed direct mail templates to help small business owners — including MSPs — with their marketing efforts. One recent example: Postcard Services has designed a marketing campaign platform for small businesses.
By Shannon Kavanaugh, Go-To-Market Strategies’ President
I was having a conversation with a business owner recently to help him determine how to bolster his revenues in this rocky time. As we were evaluating what his situation, a key problem became very clear. While he had gathered a lot of information from a lot of sources, it was not centrally located. Some data was stored on his computer in spreadsheets, some in sticky notes on various employees desks, and still more in salesforce.com or the accounting system.
I was reminded once again, that one of the biggest sales and marketing mistakes companies make is not capturing the information they gain in one central place–leading to lost opportunities, mistakes, and inefficiencies!
According to a recent study conducted by eConsultancy, only 35% of those surveyed report they collect data from different sources and store it in a single database. I realize it’s simply math, but that means 65% of you are operating from many different data sources, including that stack of sticky notes on your desk!
If everybody is doing it, or not doing it as the case may be, “why is it so bad” you might ask?
It’s bad because KNOWLEDGE is power. In many environments this is true, but never more so than in the sales and marketing arena. Whether you’re looking for more accurate forecasting, that “low hanging fruit” to fill the pipeline, or the right segment to launch your next campaign….you won’t be as successful without full integration!
SO, take the Spring Cleaning Challenge, gather up all your key data capture mechanisms (including those sticky notes, spreadsheets, and one off databases), design/document your sales process, and build a centralized location to house all associated information/data. You just might be surprised how knowledgeable (aka powerful) you are!
The Zagat Theory of the Universe now rules the universe: “The shared opinions of thousands of avid consumers with real experiences are inherently more accurate than the opinions of just one or two critics.”
Groupon’s astounding success has encouraged a wave of copycat start-ups but how many can survive?
Why are visitors using the site more to browse than to buy?
If done right, social media can be a great marketing tool for small businesses — but not a lot of businesses are doing it right.
A P.R. pro and a restaurant owner debate the merits of public relations.
For some reason, people are using the site, houstoninteriorplants, more like a brochure than as an online retail store. Can it — or should it — be fixed?
A toner-cartridge manufacturer shows how destroying printers can build brand awareness.