Editor's Notebook
-
An Idiot’s Experience With IP Video
11/16/2011
IT integrators have trusted advisor status with their existing customers, yet have historically passed off video surveillance deals to someone else. By Mike Monocello, editor-in-chief, Business Solutions magazine
-
From BlueStar’s VARTECH: Qualities Of The Best Teammates
9/13/2011
I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at BlueStar’s VARTECH Conference, held Aug. 29-31 in Cincinnati. The keynote speaker for VARTECH was Jim Abbott, who pitched in the Olympics and the Major Leagues despite being born without a right hand. The stories he told about overcoming obstacles on his way to success are downright inspiring.
-
Social Media - Getting Started With Minimal Effort
9/3/2011
By Mike Monocello, chief editor
One of the most common objections I hear regarding the adoption of social media is lack of time. Indeed, if you already have a full plate, how are you supposed to make time for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and blogging? Unfortunately, this isn’t an article on where you can find the 25th hour of the day. The fact is, to participate in social media, you’ve got to make the time. However, the amount of time you need to devote might be less than you’d expect. -
Five Tips For Writing A Successful Blog
9/3/2011
By Mike Monocello, chief editor
During the recent RSPA Inspire winter conference, speaker Brian Offenberger shared five tips to success with social media. While the tips apply to any form of social media, they really apply well to blogging. -
Webinar: Building The Right Team
8/28/2011
This month's Business Solutions' Lunch & Learn Webinar Series will focus on: "Building The Right Team: Advice For VARs and MSPs." Join us on Thursday, Sept. 17, 1 to 2 p.m. ET, for this free webinar that will offer advice on ways you can build the right team – and the appropriate “corporate...
-
An Inside Look At Ingram Micro’s Corporate Sales Office
8/24/2011
By Mike Monocello, chief editor
Business Solutions magazine recently made a trip to the Buffalo, NY corporate sales office of value-added distributor (VAD) Ingram Micro. It’s here where the VAD houses approximately 300 sales associates including 20 Data Capture/POS (DC/POS)-dedicated sales resources. -
Why Blog?
8/24/2011
By Mike Monocello, chief editor
I recently stumbled upon an article on why magazines should utilize blogging. In the article, the author asked a group of publishers why they blog. While the reasons varied, there was a common response that I think can be applied to VARs. It's this: As a provider of value-added services, you have a responsibility to... -
Miss Our SaaS Webinar?
8/21/2011
Did you miss the Business Solutions' Lunch & Learn Webinar on "How VARs and MSPs Can Make Money Using SaaS," which offered real-life, channel-focused advice from Business Solutions magazine's President Jim Roddy and Managed Services Editor Gennifer Biggs and our special guest, BJ Farmer, president of...
-
Stimulus Money: The Great VAR Opportunity
8/20/2011
By Mike Monocello, chief editor
I hope you're not overlooking the huge sales opportunity that the economic Stimulus Package provides. Sure, you might think the government vertical is out of your reach. You might be right. You're probably wrong. Let me try to boil this down for you: The money out there is very real. The money has to be spent. -
RSPA Inspire 2011: It Was The Best Of Times, It Was The Worst Of Times
2/11/2011
The RSPA (Retail Solutions Providers Association) is riding a tidal wave of recent success. Membership is up 81% over the past four years to 700+ member businesses. VAR attendance at the RSPA’s RetailNOW 2010 show increased 41% vs. 2009, resulting in the second highest attendance in the history of the event. And attendance for the RSPA’s recent Inspire winter conference, held Jan. 23 to 26 in Maui, was also near record levels. Throw in the fact that Inspire was held at the heavenly Grand Wailea Resort, which might be the most gorgeous 1,500 acres on our planet, and you’ve got a recipe for perfection. By Jim Roddy, president, Jameson Publishing and Business Solutions magazine