| Jan. 03 2008 at 1:57 PM |
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This is very sound small business technology advice from Josh Carroll, principal and COO of EndSight and Marcia Layton Turner.
I especially liked how EndSight subcontracted out its phone systems because it shows they recognize what's best for their own business and their clients.
Partnering and subcontracting is such a HUGE part of owning and managing a successful small business computer consulting firm. And it's a topic we've given a lot of ink in our computer consulting training resources.
Thanks again for raising awareness of this important, often-overlooked small business technology best practice. You simply can't effectively and profitably deliver a soup-to-nuts small business virtual IT solution without partnering.
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Computer Consulting Kit Home Study Course
from Joshua Feinberg, author/editorial director
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| Feb. 25 2008 at 11:18 PM |
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This is a good post about small business technology. A PBX phone system should be considered as a tool for small business technology because it offers cost saving on internet phone calls.
Edited by: docsharp01 - Feb. 25 2008 at 11:27 PM
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| Jun. 20 2008 at 1:27 PM |
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JoshuaFeinberg wrote:
Partnering and subcontracting is such a HUGE part of owning and managing a successful small business computer consulting firm.
...You simply can't effectively and profitably deliver a soup-to-nuts small business virtual IT solution without partnering.
Granted, a soup-to-nuts solution requires partnering help. However, I
believe the fundamental premise is flawed. In my 11 years of consulting
experience, I have found that IT services companies often divide into
two or three camps:
1) The Soup-to-Nuts Team: they try to deliver the "whole enchilada" (to
extend the food metaphor), in other words, a nearly complete
single-vendor turnkey system to their clients or...
2) The Take on the World Team: They try to deliver their products to
anyone and everyone they can with the belief they can service all
customers equally.
Here's why I think it is flawed.
The "certified solutions providers"
fall into Group 1. They can provide an IT solution for you, as long as
it fits within the scope of their strategic partners offerings. For
example, what if your business has standardized on the Linux OS. Tough
noogies, no Microsoft solution for you (as if a Linux shop would want a
MS solution, but I digress).
As for Group 2, I use an example of a local IT solutions provider whom
I mystery-shopped. In his zeal to sell his wares, the owner bragged how
his clientele ranged from a local sole-proprietorship to a
multi-billion dollar aerospace company.
Casually, I asked him how he
could adequately service such a divergent clientele. He became angry
and wanted to know why I was asking questions about his marketing
strategy. I interpreted that response as, "I don't have an answer." But
that's just me.
If necessary, you could add a Group 3. These would be "best-of-breed"
solution providers who can integrate various vendors into a single customized
solution. But these solutions are often unwieldy and are plagued with
integration and upgrade problems.
One possible solution: Best-of-breed outsourcing. Work with the client to develop a strategic IT plan that 1) allows the client to focus on their core business, and 2) allows the client to benefit from the right-sized solution for their specific business problem.
With the advent of the XML data standard and "cloud computing" (aka Software as a Service - SaaS), businesses are no longer locked into a single-vendor solution or even an homogenized system that integrates everything seamlessly. As long as the chosen solution supports XML inputs and outputs, there's nothing preventing the client from selecting the single best tool for that particular job.
And as for SaaS, the client need not even concern itself with hiring staff to support the chosen tool. The vendor does that. It's all online. Need an upgrade or a software hotfix? Already done before you reach the office. Now that's service.
I don't assert that SaaS and XML are the magic bullet to solve all IT problems. We've got enough vendors who make that claim about their proprietary solutions. My point is simply this: Ditch the strategic partner coattails. Cloud computing levels the playing field for all vendors. Let them fight it out on their own while your clients reap the benefits.
Michael J. Stelly
Smarter Consulting Starts Today!
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| Jun. 23 2008 at 2:17 PM |
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Hi Michael,
Since this thread had been dormant for a while, I'm glad to see renewed interest.
Varied opinions are always good for any industry, especially for the end-consumers... in this case, small business owners.
Please let us know how you're doing with implementing your plan to reform the IT services industry.
Thanks for your input.
Joshua Feinberg
Get Free Proven Computer Consulting Tips now at
Computer Consulting Kit Home Study Course
from Joshua Feinberg, author/editorial director
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