Top 3 Ways to Maximize Your Small Business Server Consulting Profits
Over the past 7 years, Microsoft Small Business Server (SBS) has gained traction as a widely-respected Small Business Server networking suite.
As a result, many small business computer consultants, systems integrators, and value-added resellers have jumped on-board the Microsoft Small Business Server bandwagon.
However, before you go ahead and bet YOUR company on Microsoft Small Business Server, consider the following three Small Business Server Business Tips... so you can maximize your Small Business Server consulting profits.
(1) Most small businesses in your area have never heard of Microsoft Small Business Server.
Although there may be hundreds, if not thousands, of small businesses in your area that would be excellent candidates for Microsoft Small Business Server, don't make the ultra-common mistake of assuming that the typical non-technical small business owner even knows what Microsoft Small Business Server is.
If you want to maximize your consulting profits and avoid commodity price wars, you're much better off leading off with a pitch for something that's more universally recognized... such as getting rid of computer viruses, stopping SPAM, or preventing computer security breaches.
(2) Sell your small business prospects on YOUR company first.
The real money in Small Business Server is NOT in reselling the Microsoft Small Business Server software. The real money comes from selling the RELATIONSHIP with the small business. So your company essentially becomes your clients' outsourced IT department.
Remember, no small business owner is going to wake up in the middle of the night, in a cold sweat, craving Small Business Server. However, small business owners DO constantly lose sleep over what will happen to their companies if their computer systems fail them. Become the solution to the more primal, survival instinct and you'll get plenty of opportunities to sell Small Business Server, once you've established a solid client/consultant relationship.
(3) Microsoft doesn't value computer consultants as much as they sometimes say.
Little known fact: the first version of Microsoft Small Business Server, planned in 1996 and released in 1997, was code-named "SAM"... because Microsoft's goal was for Small Business Server to completely bypass their reseller channel and be sold at "Sam's Club" warehouse clubs.
So the product team had the mandate to make the Small Business Server product SO simple that a non-technical small business end user could buy Small Business Server at the warehouse club and have the Small Business Server suite running in their office that same day.
Shortly after the first-version shipped, Microsoft realized that the most cost-effective way to reach small businesses with Small Business Server was through their reseller channel. And since then, Small Business Server resources have flowed toward the channel.
However, even today, you can often find 5-user versions of Microsoft Small Business Server in retail stores.
So the point: Microsoft isn't putting all its Small Business Server "eggs" in one basket, so why should you?!? Which brings us back to points one and two: Small business owners aren't actively shopping for a "Small Business Server". So instead of "selling" Small Business Server per se, you're much better off selling a small business on YOUR company, BEFORE you sell Microsoft Small Business Server.
The Bottom Line
In this article, we looked at three Small Business Server business tips that every computer consultant, systems integrator and value added reseller needs to be aware when selling Microsoft Small Business Server.
Copyright MMI-MMV, SmallBusinessServerTips.com, All Worldwide Rights Reserved.
Joshua Feinberg is a 15-year veteran computer consultant, an internationally recognized expert on small business computer consulting. He has appeared in dozens of business and IT trade publications including CRN, VARBusiness, Microsoft Direct Access, TechRepublic, American Express OPEN Platinum Ventures, Entrepreneur, Inc, SCORE, Small Business Computing, and USA Today. He is also author of Building Profitable Solutions with Microsoft Small Business Server. To learn more about Joshua's proven strategies for squeezing more consulting profits out of Microsoft Small Business Server, sign-up for his free one-hour training seminar at http://www.smallbusinessservertips.com
elite cleaning services Mundelein ..As a solo entrepreneur or small business owner, one of... Read More
The bad things starts with the letter 'O'?.like Obstacles, Obstruction,... Read More
What is the satisfaction & expectation review of the business... Read More
There is a rather famous true story called "Acres of... Read More
1. Resolve to build a consistent network system.Since referrals are... Read More
When a person knows and knows not that he knows.... Read More
When should you create a foundation in order to solidify... Read More
What is a Virtual Assistant?? A Virtual Assistant is that... Read More
How do you sponsor an event and get personal introductions... Read More
In the world today, many people are further in debt... Read More
Starting the blind cleaning business is one of the best... Read More
What is the Big Race all about when it comes... Read More
No matter how small your small business is, it is... Read More
The revenue history is a vital piece of your power... Read More
Let me get right to the point. The single most... Read More
Washing the exterior of a truck. Sounds easy right? Well,... Read More
Nothing can drive a business down faster than customers who... Read More
You need to be visible to attract customers, right? But... Read More
Here's why 'WHY' is such a profit-making marketing trigger."Stop taking... Read More
There are both fixed and mobile detailers. Consumers often will... Read More
As you may already know, asphalt paved parking lots do... Read More
Do you know what your genius work is? It's the... Read More
As you may know, there are many ways to incorporate... Read More
When someone owes your small business money, you certainly feel... Read More
Security Professionals provide the products and services necessary to create... Read More
Airbnb cleaning service Mundelein ..There will come a time in your business where you... Read More
You've heard marketing and advertising gurus quip, "Sell the sizzle,... Read More
Business card size works well for invitations to special events.What... Read More
Q: A friend told me that as a woman of... Read More
As I am preparing for my attendance to the CoachVille's... Read More
How do we keep track of our business deals?If you... Read More
There's no question that hard work and a little luck... Read More
In the first article we mentioned the main characteristics that... Read More
If you are thinking of turning your current into a... Read More
Commonly folks have asked me what the technical difference is... Read More
-- The One Pager Shortcut Series --An effective and compelling... Read More
Thankfully, most of us will never find out. That is... Read More
If you are a franchisee of a large franchise system;... Read More
If you own a Pressure Washing Company and wish to... Read More
The home-based business market, sometimes called the SOHO (small-office/home-office) market,... Read More
Q: I will be retiring this year at age 60... Read More
Rule 15C211Under SEC Rule 15C211, a U.S. securities broker or... Read More
Everyone is talking about small businesses. In 1993, when it... Read More
If you're starting your own business or currently work for... Read More
Recently one of my customers told me the chaos swirling... Read More
COLLABORATIVE NEGOTIATING:Collaborative negotiating is a win-win strategy that can focus... Read More
Have Some Time to Yourself One of the most important... Read More
If you own a mobile service or home based franchise... Read More
As a business owner, you already know how important it... Read More
In a perfect world, starting a small business would be... Read More
Small Business |