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
maide service in Lincolnshire ..Top 3 Ways to Maximize Your Small Business Server Consulting... Read More
As the owner or an employee of a small-to medium-sized... Read More
In your small business debt collection laws will eventually become... Read More
It is essential that you fully understand how the fuel... Read More
When working properly, computers enable small businesses to make big... Read More
What does buying a fat pig have to do with... Read More
Many people ask how many graphs or charts they should... Read More
As a specialist in getting restaurants open, it is surprising... Read More
To have one of the popular in home daycare businesses.... Read More
Imagine that you have operated a successful franchise business for... Read More
A Small Business Opportunities Magazine is one of the new... Read More
The following are six essential skills to business success. You... Read More
Aside from the fear of losing a spreadsheet or research... Read More
One way to determine your companies mission statement is based... Read More
Someone new to business ownership recently told me, "Before I... Read More
I ran a franchise company for many years, a car... Read More
One of the critical success factors for service-related businesses is... Read More
As a practise gets larger & larger the associated problems... Read More
When should you create a foundation in order to solidify... Read More
If your home business is not performing the way you... Read More
Which questions do you need to ask to even get... Read More
You are probably hard at work promoting your business (and... Read More
Outsourcing is the strategic use of outside resources to perform... Read More
There have been many great points raised on both sides... Read More
Image of your franchise automotive outlet is so important. Some... Read More
cleaning lady near Deerfield ..COLLABORATIVE NEGOTIATING:Collaborative negotiating is a win-win strategy that can focus... Read More
You're pretty proud of yourself! After all, only four months... Read More
While I was hard at work last week, an everyday... Read More
Most small business owners seek advisors who can help them... Read More
What are the benefits of using a Freelance Consultant /... Read More
When small businesses fail, the wreckage is often assigned to... Read More
Scenario OneDuring a recent presentation, a business owner was given... Read More
Your on-line success is based on your efforts and yours... Read More
Approximately 200,000 new businesses are started each year. More people... Read More
Mr/Ms, 'not me' is often on holidays in your business.... Read More
Paper Shredding Business Opportunities are blossoming up everywhere because in... Read More
The American system of business management has been admired and... Read More
Washing the exterior of a truck. Sounds easy right? Well,... Read More
No matter type of business you operate you've got to... Read More
If you discovered the bottom line in your business depended... Read More
Aside from the fear of losing a spreadsheet or research... Read More
Habit: A consistent behavior you perform so frequently that it... Read More
We have all seen the mobile washing units cruising our... Read More
Home based travel businesses are no longer the wave of... Read More
Concrete Roof Tile Business: During the 2004 summer season, storms... Read More
Macon, GA goes after garage-gas station conversion detail/hand car washes... Read More
Cash is King?That is what everyone tells us and it... Read More
Marketing is one of the four corner-posts of a solid... Read More
I ran a franchise company for many years, a car... Read More
The life cycle of the typical small business is short... Read More
Small Business |