I’m writing this in my car while I wait for my son to finish hockey practice. I’ve got a zoom call in 15 minutes, I need to prepare for a podcast I’m guesting on, I have resumes to review, some planning to do for the next Channel Pitch event, and I really need to go over some strategy and marketing plans we’re developing with my new CMO. I think I’ll grab some dinner at some point. My newest project, Channel Program, has grown from just two people (me and my business partner, Matt Solomon) … [Read more...] about I Love the Start-Up Grind. Here’s Why.
Private: Kevin Lancaster Blog & Insights
A Chat with the Channel Experts: Revolutionizing the Way We Interact
My first instincts aren’t always right. In 2014, when I first met Matt Solomon, my Channel Program partner, he was interviewing to join me at Winvale, my first consulting company. And, well… I didn’t really like him. Matt loves to tell the story: “Apparently the VP of Sales liked me, but then Kevin interviewed me and told the VP that I ‘wasn’t a closer.’ And he was unsure about hiring me,” he says, a bit of a grin on his face. “Not until we launched and then started growing, did Kevin start … [Read more...] about A Chat with the Channel Experts: Revolutionizing the Way We Interact
Pitch Perfect
We did it. I guess I should say, Happy New Year! But also, we did it. The thing I’ve been dreaming of doing finally happened, and it was a huge success. Our first Channel Program pitch event brought together hundreds of MSPs, vendors and others in the IT channel space, for a day of pitching, learning and connecting. We had eight speakers, and provided qualitative and quantitative feedback for vendors and their investors. And I’m so freaking excited. What is the Channel Program … [Read more...] about Pitch Perfect
MVE. It’s What’s Trending in 2022
It’s time to chat about 2022. Forget about turkey and presents and holiday carols for a minute, because I want to share what I see as THE major thing to focus on in the new year. It’s not about the next big investment you won’t want to miss, or the exciting new start-up, or where I think the channel is heading in terms of products or services we need. Nope. It’s much bigger (and also so much simpler!) than that. Any guesses? After decades in the IT Channel, I’ve seen it all. I’ve been … [Read more...] about MVE. It’s What’s Trending in 2022
What’s Your Magic Trick? Selling Your Product in One Minute or Less
Did you know there are between 35,000 and 40,000 vendors in the IT channel space? Crazy, right? Even if you whittle that down to the top 500, that’s still an overwhelming amount of vendors for an MSP to consider. Too often they leave a trade show with no clear strategic direction, and then spend the next couple of weeks inundated with calls from eager vendors wanting to work with them. When there are so many options to wade through, and so many of them sound the same, how the heck do you get … [Read more...] about What’s Your Magic Trick? Selling Your Product in One Minute or Less
My Top 5 Tips for Choosing Investment-worthy Companies
I’m always on the lookout for the next big thing. As someone who’s been in the IT channel space for more than 20 years, I like to keep my pulse on what’s happening, staying in touch with what’s new and exciting. But not every new startup is worth my investment dollars. As someone who has built, scaled and exited my own companies, and now advises startups on how to attract and prepare for investors, I need potential investments to show me something special. (Spoiler: Very few measure … [Read more...] about My Top 5 Tips for Choosing Investment-worthy Companies