MSP University Managed Services Blog

Which Newsletters Do You Subscribe To?

Let's talk newsletters for a moment. And I don't mean the newsletters you receive that you haven't made a conscious decision to subscribe to – I mean newsletters that you find add value to your business or personal life. What are your criteria for signing up? Here are a few of mine:

1. It adds value to my overall business
2. It adds value to my personal life
3. It keeps me informed on topics that I have an interest in
4. It keeps me informed on topics that I have a specific need to know about (such as when I'm writing a white paper)
5. It has been referred to me by someone whose opinion I value

I'd like to start a list of newsletters that you can contribute to, as well as add your criteria for registering for newsletters. My criterion is above, and here are a couple of newsletters that I will recommend:

• MSP University's newsletter – sign up by creating a FREE basic membership here
• Karl Palachuk's Relax Focus Succeed newsletter – sign up here
• Vlad Mazek's new technology and business newsletter – sign up here

Let's continue to build this list – I look forward to your comments.

Next time – your favorite blogs.

Erick Simpson
Visit MSP University FREE for all things Managed Services
www.mspu.us

Expetec Convention 2008 Visits Microsoft

Expetec Technology Services is holding their 2008 Convention here in Seattle, Washington a few days ahead of the SMBNation 2008 Fall Conference. Attendees received a rare treat yesterday as they were hosted by Kevin Watt, Microsoft Product Manager for Windows Server for an in-depth overview of Microsoft SBS and EBS 2008 at Microsoft Headquarters in Redmond. Thanks to Bernardo Alfredo Munoz and Kevin Watt for graciously making this happen for the Expetec franchisees and delivering a unique opportunity to interact with the top of the Windows Server org chart.

I delivered a keynote presentation today focusing on improving service delivery profits during periods of economic downturns and discussed the need to move towards a more service-centric business model and away from commodity-based deliverable;, and the need to understand four key areas when engaging with prospects and clients in order to align ourselves more closely with their business needs as a Trusted Advisor:

• Understand your clients' business operations
  • What are their daily workflows, processes and procedures?
• Understand your clients' target market
  • Why do customers buy from your client instead of their competitors?
  • How can you improve your client's value proposition to their customers?
• Understand your clients' competitive challenges
  • Who are your client's competitors?
  • What could cause a customer to leave your client?
• Understand your clients' business priorities
  • What are each business unit's daily, monthly and yearly goals?
  • What are your client's overall business goals?
  • What is your client willing to invest in today to achieve these goals?

Erick Simpson
Join MSP University FREE for all things Managed Services
www.mspu.us