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Author Archives: Chris Martin

About Chris Martin

Chris has a first class Honours degree in Software Engineering and Masters in Computer Science. He has the dubious distinction of being one of the earliest Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers (MCSE) in the UK. Chris started his career in the early 90s in Enterprise IT at NCR/AT&T as a Software Engineer and morphed into Infrastructure looking after company Network & Servers. He then spent some years in small business, forming and running an IT Support Company. Chris lives in Fife, Scotland with his partner, kid and two dogs. He’s a keen sportsman, cycling, running, golfing and various other (sometimes risky) outdoor pursuits. He claims (and we believe him) that he really wants to be an Egyptologist or Economist.

Show me the money… honestly!

Show me the money… honestly!

on October 2, 2009

Yesterday, we took our one-year-old daughter for a day out to a local fruit farm and tried to go to their play complex.  I asked ‘how much to take our kid in’?  ‘We charge £4.25 per adult’ said the attendant, …

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Note to Self!

Note to Self!

on September 24, 2009

I work in marketing (I think? Or I did and nobody has told me otherwise) for a Software Company. They provide software to help run IT Companies, or as they seem to be known (in some cases) Managed Service Providers! …

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MSP’s Single Most Important Marketing Message

MSP’s Single Most Important Marketing Message

on July 14, 2009

I recall being at a networking meeting once with a woman who was reputed to be very good at marketing, and, I’m sure she was – her track record supported her reputation.  In any event, she was explaining how, if …

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How can I make IT Support business less stressful?

How can I make IT Support business less stressful?

on July 7, 2009

Running any business during these turbulent times is stressful. Operating an IT Support Business which deals with those businesses most affected by the recession – smaller companies — is especially nerve-wracking. We think tthat the best way to reduce stress …

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MSPs – Difference between Success…

MSPs – Difference between Success…

on July 1, 2009

and failure!  In my experience there are a few to think about.  See below. I’m assuming that most small and medium sized IT companies are run by Technical people who’ve grown into the CEO/Managing Director role, much as I did …

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Seven Habits and all that stuff

Seven Habits and all that stuff

on June 26, 2009

Some years ago, I read Covey’s book ‘Seven Habits of Highly Succesful People’.  The message above all others that I took away from it was that the most succesful people ‘invested’ in building and maintaining RELATIONSHIPS. You’re probably wondering how …

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Becoming the Hub of the ‘IT Club’

Becoming the Hub of the ‘IT Club’

on June 23, 2009

Cycling to work this morning for this first time since last month’s accident, I was wondering what I’d write about this morning.  As it happened I was cycling through Dundee Centre past the main offices in town. I remembered that …

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Ideas for Selling Managed Services

Ideas for Selling Managed Services

on June 22, 2009

In sales, understanding your clients’ needs plays an instrumental role in determining what it is that you’re going to sell them. It also sets the stage for how you’re going to then position those services. One way to simplify this …

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Customers WILL pay more for more value

Customers WILL pay more for more value

on June 18, 2009

A random thought popped into my (mostly empty) head this morning.  During the last few years that I was running my IT company, I changed from being very nervous when asking for money to being much more comfortable.  I think the turning point was a book …

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Marketing Idea for IT Support/MSPs

Marketing Idea for IT Support/MSPs

on June 16, 2009

Just an throwaway marketing thought… It’s a scientifically proven fact that people tend to adopt a ‘herding instinct’ in times of uncertainty. I think the decision process goes something like this: ‘Jeezo – I’m worried. The quickest way I can …

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