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<title>Commentary - RSS Feed</title>
<link>http://www.channelinsider.com</link>
<description>Commentary news - RSS Feed</description>
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<lastBuildDate>Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:45:00 -0500</lastBuildDate>
<pubDate>Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:45:00 -0500</pubDate>
<item><title>Finding Myself My Own New Adventure</title>
<pubDate>Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:56:27 -0500</pubDate>
<link>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Finding-Myself-My-Own-New-Adventure-314487/?kc=rss</link>
<description><![CDATA[So this is my last column with Channel Insider. After selling my MSP, Ive taken a new role as the Director of Partner Community with Level Platforms, and the leap to the vendor side of the channel changes things for me.   -   
So this is my last column with Channel Insider. After
selling my MSP, Ive taken a new role as the Director of Partner Community with
Level Platforms, and the leap to the vendor side of the channel changes things
for me.
In my last article, I talked a bit about the solution
provider itself, a...]]></description>
<guid>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Finding-Myself-My-Own-New-Adventure-314487/?kc=rss</guid>
</item>
<item><title>ChannelEyes: Will It Transform the Channel?</title>
<pubDate>Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:27:05 -0500</pubDate>
<link>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/ChannelEyes-Will-It-Transform-the-Channel-822513/?kc=rss</link>
<description><![CDATA[If the 2000 decade was about automation for the IT services channel, the current decade could well be about social media. At least that's what former Autotask CEO and industry visionary Bob Godgart believes. Here's why   -   
If the 2000 decade was about automation for the IT services
channel, the current decade could well be about social media. 
For many out there, the jury is still out on the
effectiveness of social media in a business context. But now that the channel
is about to get a dedicated social networki...]]></description>
<guid>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/ChannelEyes-Will-It-Transform-the-Channel-822513/?kc=rss</guid>
</item>
<item><title>The Customer Loyalty Crisis of 2012</title>
<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:03:34 -0500</pubDate>
<link>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/The-Customer-Loyalty-Crisis-of-2012-613233/?kc=rss</link>
<description><![CDATA[Don't count on customer loyalty in 2012. According to a new study, fickle customers are among the top challenges that non-financial services companies will face this year. How will your company rise to the challenge?   -   
Now that the New Year has started, lets talk about your
customers for a moment. Customer retention is always a challenge, and as such,
it must be a priority in any companys strategic business plans for the year.
Fortunately for IT services providers, they have never had
better customer-retent...]]></description>
<guid>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/The-Customer-Loyalty-Crisis-of-2012-613233/?kc=rss</guid>
</item>
<item><title>Valuable Social Media Lessons, Sponsored by Verizon and Netflix</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:57:41 -0500</pubDate>
<link>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Valuable-Social-Media-Lessons-Sponsored-by-Verizon-and-Netflix-304140/?kc=rss</link>
<description><![CDATA[Verizon and Netflix's recent gigantic errors in judgment can serve as lessons for the rest of businesses. Here's a look at the right way to treat customers.   -   
We need big companies to step in it once in a while. How
else are we to learn important business lessons?
Thankfully, Verizon and Netflix have obliged in recent
months with spectacular public relations missteps that proved the worth of
social networking for consumers.
Any company that sells ...]]></description>
<guid>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Valuable-Social-Media-Lessons-Sponsored-by-Verizon-and-Netflix-304140/?kc=rss</guid>
</item>
<item><title>Mistakes, I've Made a Few</title>
<pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:22:01 -0500</pubDate>
<link>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Mistakes-Ive-Made-a-Few-248699/?kc=rss</link>
<description><![CDATA[I recently sold my MSP business, and now with the benefit of hindsight, here are the mistakes I believe I made when I started it and built it. Has your company made similar mistakes?   -   
I sold my MSP business. 
At every sale, there are always a large number of success
claims about how it was built to sell, and how everyone is delighted about the
sale of their company. Many go on to tell war stories about how “they did it”,
assuming that the advice is useful and everyone shou...]]></description>
<guid>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Mistakes-Ive-Made-a-Few-248699/?kc=rss</guid>
</item>
<item><title>Solution Provider Nightmares (And How To Fix Them)</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:39:19 -0500</pubDate>
<link>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Solution-Provider-Nightmares-And-How-To-Fix-Them-527091/?kc=rss</link>
<description><![CDATA[Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares where the celebrity chef helps struggling restaurant owners fix what ails their businesses just may be the recipe to help you shape up your own business.   -   
Im totally addicted to Gordon Ramseys Kitchen
Nightmares.     
Im not much of a reality TV show fan, but somehow this show
has gotten me hooked. I watch both the
US version and the UK version, and my wife watches along with me.
For those that havent watched, the format is rather
simple. Che...]]></description>
<guid>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Solution-Provider-Nightmares-And-How-To-Fix-Them-527091/?kc=rss</guid>
</item>
<item><title>Why You Need to Make Mobile Device Management a Priority in 2011</title>
<pubDate>Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:17:43 -0500</pubDate>
<link>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Why-You-Need-to-Make-Mobile-Device-Management-a-Priority-in-2011-490896/?kc=rss</link>
<description><![CDATA[Mobile devices will dominate the IT conversation in 2012. Are you ready to make the most of this opportunity and build it into a revenue stream?   -  If you look around the
web right about now, youll notice a beloved yearly ritual – IT predictions for
the coming year. The giddy end-of-year predictions orgy already is in full
swing, as countless prognosticators, contemplators and agitators consult their
digital crystal balls to make divination...]]></description>
<guid>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Why-You-Need-to-Make-Mobile-Device-Management-a-Priority-in-2011-490896/?kc=rss</guid>
</item>
<item><title>Specializations: Getting to Value, Quality</title>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:18:19 -0500</pubDate>
<link>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Specializations-Getting-to-Value-Quality-405604/?kc=rss</link>
<description><![CDATA[Specializations can make the difference in a vendors or IT solution providers business in today's more competitive environment. But that doesn't mean there aren't issues to overcome. Here's a deeper dive into the world of specializations.   -   
Having base-level product skills isnt cutting it any longer. Not for
vendors. Not for end-users. So what do you need to go beyond these base-level technical
skills to differentiate yourself and continue to grow in todays market? The
prescription: specialize.
As the IT market continues to matu...]]></description>
<guid>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Specializations-Getting-to-Value-Quality-405604/?kc=rss</guid>
</item>
<item><title>Crowdfunding: A Key Component of Jump-Starting Small Businesses and Our Economy</title>
<pubDate>Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:17:18 -0500</pubDate>
<link>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Crowdfunding-A-Key-Component-of-JumpStarting-Small-Businesses-and-Our-Economy-857789/?kc=rss</link>
<description><![CDATA[Everyone agrees that increasing the availability of capital to small business will help boost our economy. Two proposals in Washington now could encourage that by creating rules for crowdfunding, a way for a large group of investors to make small investments in a business.   -   
 
By Lamar Whitman,
Director of Public Advocacy, CompTIA 

For some time, CompTIA has been calling on Congress and the
Obama Administration to advance technology progress and job creation by
providing small businesses and entrepreneurs greater access to growth capital. While CompTIA continu...]]></description>
<guid>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Crowdfunding-A-Key-Component-of-JumpStarting-Small-Businesses-and-Our-Economy-857789/?kc=rss</guid>
</item>
<item><title>How to Choose a Vertical Industry or Technology Specialization</title>
<pubDate>Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:15:16 -0500</pubDate>
<link>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/How-to-Choose-a-Vertical-Industry-or-Technology-Specialization-529063/?kc=rss</link>
<description><![CDATA[Specializations can boost revenue and profitability for IT solution providers, but how do you decide on a vertical or technology niche? Here's a look at some of the factors to consider.   -  By Beth Vanni,
Vice President, Amazon Consulting 
Specializations programs are now mainstream parts of many vendors competency-based
programs.   And, results show a positive
impact to solution providers overall. However, selecting the type of
specialization to invest in is not as easy as choosi...]]></description>
<guid>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/How-to-Choose-a-Vertical-Industry-or-Technology-Specialization-529063/?kc=rss</guid>
</item>
<item><title>Do Managed Services Really Save Money?</title>
<pubDate>Thu, 01 Dec 2011 10:32:32 -0500</pubDate>
<link>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Do-Managed-Services-Really-Save-Money-608662/?kc=rss</link>
<description><![CDATA[While cloud computing has yet to demonstrate it can save users money, the jury is in when it comes to managed services.   -  Cost savings always comes up as one of the main selling
points of cloud computing. It is also one of the most compelling reasons for
businesses to hire managed services providers (MSPs).
How much of a beneficial impact cloud
services will actually have on IT budgets remains to be seen. The expec...]]></description>
<guid>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Do-Managed-Services-Really-Save-Money-608662/?kc=rss</guid>
</item>
<item><title>Calculating the Real Value of Your Business</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:31:18 -0500</pubDate>
<link>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Calculating-the-Real-Value-of-Your-Business-897477/?kc=rss</link>
<description><![CDATA[There's a difference between knowing what your business is worth to you and what it might be worth to a potential buyer.   -   
So many solution providers are focused on what their
business is worth. For example, the recent IT Nation show had a number of sessions on
 quot;Mergers and Acquisitions. quot; Service Leadership spends time helping business owners understand how
much their business is worth.
But all of this ...]]></description>
<guid>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Calculating-the-Real-Value-of-Your-Business-897477/?kc=rss</guid>
</item>
<item><title>Why MSPs Have Nothing to Fear from Best Buy</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:15:59 -0500</pubDate>
<link>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Why-MSPs-Have-Nothing-to-Fear-from-Best-Buy-791338/?kc=rss</link>
<description><![CDATA[Sure, Best Buy is a giant in consumer electronics retailing and already has its Geek Squad which competes with those solution providers targeting the S part of the SMB market. But even with its acquisition of a real managed services provider, MindSHIFT, Best Buy won't make a dent in the managed services market. Here's why.   -   
Dont panic, folks. Best Buys planned entrance into the
managed services market will have as much impact on the IT channel as a gnat
flying into a pane of glass. You may get a little spot on the glass, but the
pane wont budge.
The reason is simple: Best Buy cannot compete with the
managed ser...]]></description>
<guid>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Why-MSPs-Have-Nothing-to-Fear-from-Best-Buy-791338/?kc=rss</guid>
</item>
<item><title>Hello, Siri, People Aren`t Obsolete Yet</title>
<pubDate>Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:43:40 -0500</pubDate>
<link>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Hello-Siri-People-Arent-Obsolete-Yet-232994/?kc=rss</link>
<description><![CDATA[Only humans can solve problems. Most end-users come to you because they need a problem solved. Companies whose people can solve customer problems are gold. They will help retain customers even when a competitor lowers prices. Here's what else humans can do.   -   
By Charles Eaton 

Like most users of the new iPhone 4S, Ive been having fun discovering
what Siri, the phones virtual personal assistant, will say to odd requests.
The Apple team has done a great job giving her witty responses. Make a HAL
reference, for example, and Siri sighs like shes hea...]]></description>
<guid>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Hello-Siri-People-Arent-Obsolete-Yet-232994/?kc=rss</guid>
</item>
<item><title>The Right Hire: Why It's So Important at SMBs</title>
<pubDate>Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:40:18 -0500</pubDate>
<link>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/The-Right-Hire-Why-Its-So-Important-at-SMBs-334469/?kc=rss</link>
<description><![CDATA[A recent Wall Street Journal commentary by a professor of management at Wharton offered some suggestions to cure today's high unemployment. Here's why those ideas just don't work for small business.   -   
The Wall Street Journal recently did a piece about employees
and the difficulty finding people.   Its an interesting read, and the professor of
management at Wharton has a lot of things to say.   Hes also not working in a small business,
and as business school knowledge often is, he is out of ...]]></description>
<guid>http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/The-Right-Hire-Why-Its-So-Important-at-SMBs-334469/?kc=rss</guid>
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