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
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareObtaining a business credit card enables the small business owner... Read More
"The way to develop self-confidence is to do the thing... Read More
If you interviewed business owners of failed businesses, a majority... Read More
If you own a small business, you should know that... Read More
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a... Read More
As a practise gets larger & larger the associated problems... Read More
How do you make sure you have the business solutions... Read More
In today's fast paced marketplace it is easy to neglect... Read More
Winning small and home based businesses today must continually shake... Read More
Writing a business plan is a fundamental step to ensuring... Read More
Many times small businesses want to expand their businesses and... Read More
As the owner or an employee of a small-to medium-sized... Read More
At first blush this idea might be difficult to wrap... Read More
In the first article we mentioned the main characteristics that... Read More
One of the hidden perks of raising six children is... Read More
I'll be the first to admit that I went a... Read More
Many auto detailers fall short in their sales presentations. I... Read More
If you are a franchisee of a large franchise system;... Read More
Washing the exterior of a truck. Sounds easy right? Well,... Read More
To maximum potential profits and dollars in a mobile washing... Read More
Image of your franchise automotive outlet is so important. Some... Read More
After over 30 years of participating in hundreds of businesses,... Read More
What kinds of things effect mobile service businesses P and... Read More
If you own a small business, then you know the... Read More
Shopping for a franchise is easy if you know what... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..Why are Chambers a good launching pad?Chambers provide you with... Read More
When do you need to get more involved with the... Read More
I started working with another new client last week. He... Read More
Car Wash Crime in the Hood. Apparently not everyone is... Read More
Tap these treasures of ideas. The best money you can... Read More
Many small companies work very hard to get new accounts.... Read More
Many auto detailers fall short in their sales presentations. I... Read More
Franchisors of home based and mobile businesses need to carefully... Read More
Many small business startups fail within the first 2 years... Read More
There are almost as many opinions and views on marketing... Read More
Sacred cows take a long time to die. We get... Read More
Since you own a business you probably have liability insurance... Read More
This is the tale of two business plans with very... Read More
In my 18 years of consulting I have heard it... Read More
Often smart entrepreneurs look for out of the way businesses,... Read More
Why does consistency in the message have an effect on... Read More
Now that winter has passed, the annual ritual of spring... Read More
Auto detailers are often asked to clean boats and detail... Read More
There is significant competition in auto detailing and car washing.... Read More
Are you thinking of starting a small pressure washer business... Read More
Has this ever happened to you... 'John, you have a... Read More
Increase your profit potential by identifying ? and avoiding ?... Read More
As a business owner, you already know how important it... Read More
The revenue history is a vital piece of your power... Read More
When pressure washing heavy equipment each piece of equipment has... Read More
Small Business |