IT Marketing: Use Trusted Business Advisors
As technology change and shifts, so does the IT field. The tricky thing about technology is that it's all-encompassing. It touches on every aspect of your business, from marketing to accounting. Consequently, it can be difficult for companies to keep up with the latest and greatest technologies that are coming out each year.
Today, the IT department has more than just technical issues to worry about. Suddenly, you're hiring salespeople and marketing specialists who are expected to know about all things IT. If you're not prepared to give them direction, you're likely to end up with a lot of lost time, energy and resources.
That's why every company needs a trusted advisor . . . someone whose job it is to keep your company up-to-date on the latest technologies and trends in the IT field.
As such, finding the right trusted advisor is critical for your IT marketing efforts. Ultimately, you want to find someone who can bring a fresh perspective to your company, someone who can help you and your IT department think more strategically about the future.
What makes a trusted advisor?
According to Jim Bevilacqua, President of Computer Marketing Consultants, Inc., it's all about specialty. "A trusted advisor is like an investment advisor," he says. "They focus on creating a detailed plan for your company that meets its short-term and long-term needs."
So what does this plan look like? Bevilacqua says it starts with research. In fact, you'll find that many IT marketing experts have spent years studying the IT field and focusing on specific niches within it. As such, they'll look for your company's pain points and help you develop plans to overcome them.
You'll also want to look for marketing consultants who can provide high-level strategic planning. For example, your IT advisors should help you develop a marketing strategy that includes all aspects of your business, from product development to customer service.
Bevilacqua says great advisors will work to reverse engineer your customers' entire experience with your company, measuring everything from sales conversions to the efficiency of workers in the field. Essentially, they'll take a close look at your entire business model and make specific recommendations on how to improve it and drive more business success.
Their expertise should go beyond the technology as well. According to Bevilacqua, it's important to partner with marketing experts who understand the business models of today. In other words, they'll be able to explain your options to you in terms that are easy for everyone on your team to understand.
How do you find a good IT marketing advisor?
The first step is to narrow down your potential advisors by doing a little research into their backgrounds. Make sure they have experience with the latest technology and trends and that they understand not just IT, but also marketing best practices.
Consider asking for referrals from other business professionals in your network, including customers and vendors. You should also search the web for more information on companies and consultants you're considering.
Don't be afraid to meet with a few different advisors to get a feel for their strengths and weaknesses. In some cases, you may find that more than one is a good match for your company's needs.
In the end, make sure any potential advisor you choose can provide a realistic plan for your company's IT marketing success. The last thing you want is to hire a marketing expert who can't deliver results or understand your business goals.
What other characteristics do great IT marketing advisors possess? Please share them in the comments below!
IT Marketing: Use Trusted Business Advisors , original post on MSPmentor, click on the headline to read all four parts of thi s article .
About the Author: Michael Dexter is the founder of MSPmentor, which is focused on providing information and insights to help IT channel professionals grow their businesses. Whether you are just starting out or are a seasoned professional, MSPmentor will keep you up-to-date on all things IT channel. Click here to subscribe to "MSPmentor" for free .
Please note: This post was published as part of the MSPmentor Community Contributor Series , where thought leaders from across the industry share their ideas and expertise with our community. These contributors do not represent or work for Computer Marketing Consultants and we do not actively encourage readers to engage or collaborate with them. If you would like to be considered for inclusion as a contributing writer, please contact us at [email protected]
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About the Author: Jim Bevilacqua is the President of Computer Marketing Consultants. As an IT industry veteran and strategist, he has been involved in establishing numerous successful IT channel organizations throughout his career. He has successfully combined his expertise in all aspects of customer marketing and sales with his unique knowledge of web technologies. To learn more about how Jim can help grow your business through effective IT Channel Marketing, contact him at [email protected] or call (203) 295-0603.
Posted by Michael Nuccitelli, MSPmentor Editor February 15, 2016
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About MSPmentor: MSPmentor is the voice of the global managed service provider industry. It is a community-based website and weekly e-newsletter that provides information, education, news, and peer interaction for a worldwide audience of over 172,000 MSPs and their suppliers. We focus on helping MSPs grow their businesses through providing advice, best practices information, news and links to vital resources.
About the author: Michael Nuccitelli, Editor of MSPmentor , is a freelance consultant who has helped numerous MSPs grow their businesses. He is a frequent speaker at technology conferences, and has been quoted in Computerworld; Information Week; Network World; and Redmond ChannelNet. Contact Michael at [email protected] .
Conclusion
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