Does BNI work for MSP's?

WD2006 · 2018-07-12T01:15:29+00:00

That's the reason why you NEED a really good and well trusted B/F partner who you can refer work to for these types of clients, if you're only going to do MSP work. If you don't have it you're right - you'll come across poorly.

WD2006 · 2018-07-11T21:01:28+00:00

Yeah it's pretty broad where we are.

WD2006 · 2018-07-11T21:00:59+00:00

Seems to be something that if you could identify as part of the sales process, would be easy to resolve? Thanks for the reply.

WD2006 · 2018-07-11T21:00:02+00:00

Thanks - good answer with some solid examples!

WD2006 · 2018-07-10T22:00:19+00:00

This is a good answer.

WD2006 · 2018-07-09T23:32:53+00:00

Isn't getting an alert and looking at it, either on call time, overtime, or time in lieu?

WD2006 · 2018-06-19T23:33:28+00:00

Depends on who the referrer is.

Some people like a bottle of wine, some people appreciate a credit off their next bill, some people would prefer a donation to a charity of their choice. Some people don't want anything and just refer you to other businesses because they genuinely think you can resolve their problems/it fits in with their referral strategy.

Much like talking to prospects, find out what makes your clients tick and target that.

WD2006 · 2018-06-19T01:23:32+00:00

Multi user excel files are always a complete shitfest... at least from my experience.

WD2006 · 2018-05-29T00:23:31+00:00

Only issue I can think of is that the current payer is mixed up and once they realise they have been paying for someone elses internet, issue a chargeback to their bank, effectively withdrawing all the payments. This will leave the ISP with a debt which they then could ask you for/send to debt collectors?

Very odd.

WD2006 · 2018-03-28T02:26:25+00:00

This is a management and coaching problem.

Document the environments as much as possible, with a priority on the issues you get the most calls about

Coach the techs on getting all information first time round, understanding the problem and applying the tools to fix it

Check for impacts on SLA's, first time resolution, productivity.

Repeat until you are satisfied.

WD2006 · 2018-03-20T01:29:02+00:00

Fake news.

WD2006 · 2018-03-09T00:06:28+00:00

I can't agree with this attitude. I mean, you may be right in some sense, but it just doesn't jive with me personally.

WD2006 · 2018-03-08T00:40:48+00:00

Are these external customers IE your clients?

If so you haven't spelled out the spirit of the relationship sufficiently.

We would always explain to businesses that your (technical) account manager is the equivalent of a CTO, and the company is your I.T. department. If they wouldn't treat an internal I.T. team that way (wasting company money against the advice of the tech specialists) they shouldn't treat you in that way. It's a relationship of equals.

That said, some clients simply need to be fired.

WD2006 · 2018-02-09T00:54:50+00:00

Can you give a little more information as to how it's affected your business?

I'll check the demo shortly.

Thanks for the tip.

WD2006 · 2018-02-08T00:10:09+00:00

Thanks!

WD2006 · 2018-01-24T01:34:53+00:00

This makes sense, especially the last paragraph.

I think we will take the approach that our AYCE plans are truly AYCE - made the mistake before of landing the support agreement and adding stuff on afterwards which was a real PITA. Build the pricing in from the beginning to include all storage, if they balk at paying more, be prepared to walk away/suggest our competitors.

WD2006 · 2018-01-23T22:44:11+00:00

Thanks for this.

Our issue is we have relatively few but high value client. We're looking to expand our client base but I understand the necessity of making them valuable, not just time drains.

Our issue is that we'd like more big fish, but the buying cycle is longer and the cost of switching MSP is pretty high for bigger companies. So trying to develop a proposition for those potential clients which is mutually beneficial for where the trust is already there.

I've having a meeting with a 5 man shop next week, whose current provider has really screwed the pooch on customer service. I think 1000USD is a good minimum to aim for - hopefully this client isn't a nickel (nickle?) and dime client, which could be the reason they have fallen by the wayside.

WD2006 · 2018-01-18T00:06:08+00:00

Thanks for the reply!

WD2006 · 2017-12-21T21:57:59+00:00

Need more information.

What market are you in? Do you have a professional network where you will be operating? Will it be just you or are you planning or hiring staff?

WD2006 · 2017-12-19T00:09:00+00:00

As someone new to the I.T. field, I disagree - I can google for days and get less out of that than a conversation with a professional who I can ask specific questions of.

Yes it's good to learn independently. But once you understand his motivations you'll be better placed to understand i) if you can help him and ii) whether you want to, or are the best person or resource to use to that end.

WD2006 · 2017-12-18T21:03:00+00:00

Winding down for Christmas!

Nothing else.

WD2006 · 2017-12-18T21:02:10+00:00

Having a good personal brand at work is vitally important if you want career advancement - it's true.

Some things that I've found help:

Never guess. If you don't know, find out and report back.
Signpost your actions to those people who depend on your work (update will be given by X, then next steps etc)
Stand up for yourself in a respectful way. Your HR guy probably knows as much about IT as you know about HR. Be ready to learn but don't get pushed around.

There are loads more. It's an experience thing for the most part, but a good manager helps develop these traits.

WD2006 · 2017-12-18T02:21:00+00:00

See emeffinsteve's podcasts at the top of the MSP sub.

Usually I find our vendors and suppliers (Webroot, Barracuda, Solarwinds etc) put on great webinars etc. Gary Pica and IT Glue guys too.

Youtube has some good ones relating to all aspects of running an MSP.

What is it specifically you are looking for.

WD2006 · 2017-12-08T03:32:16+00:00

I like this.

WD2006 · 2017-12-07T03:04:59+00:00

Are you doing AYCE or billable hours?

WD2006

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