5 tips to help VARS Grow

I agree with their 5 tips. Link here to see full article.

1. Social Networking
2. Take advantage of available talent
3. Check out Cloud Computing
4. Expand your base (build new customers)
5. Data Center Migrations

Here are my additions:

6. Leverage your manufacturing relationships. They will fall over to help you if you help them.
7. Clean up your line cards. A inch deep and a mile wide is no way to run a profitable VAR model
8. Stay true to your roots. This is the time to build on your strengths. Reputations are still important.
9. Don't be cheap. You can be thrifty and smart but if you are going to spend, don't skimp.
10. Invest more in marketing. Take another look at how you are attracting new customers and trying to keep your existing ones. Ask for ideas outside your company.

Do you have Information Overload Syndrome?

Looking for a career coach?

Looking for a career coach to help advance your career and give honest feedback? http://tinyurl.com/llwqyt

How much time do you spend maintaining your career?

Here's a good question for you. What do you spend more time doing?

A. Exercising
B. Watching TV
C. Casual Computer Surfing
D. Building and maintaining your career
E. Working on a pet project (car, wood shop, IPhone App)

My answer was A. first followed by C. Wow. I guess most could say exercising is important because it helps manage my weight (sometimes a losing battle) and my energy level. Now depending on your lifestyle and life choices, none of the answers are bad. But for those who are financially dependent on an employer for their paycheck, what about answer D?

I've come to realize that many people in 40's and 50's and most people in their 20's and 30's will not have the 30 year career and then retire off into oblivion. No more pensions, volatile 401Ks, shifting job markets, global competition, and quickly evolving job skills make today's job scene overwhelming for those who don't prepare. So what to do? My suggestions for next time.