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How do you view your IT MSP? As a valued and essential extension to your own organisation, or just another supplier to hold to account when things don’t go quite to plan?
And how does your IT MSP view you? As a customer they’ll go all out for, or just another tick in the box for that oh so important monthly recurring revenue stream?
It’s an all too common model that MSPs are engaged not just to provide a service but as a way of offloading risk and drudgery, bound by a contract steeped in SLAs, service credits and penalty clauses.
But whilst there has to be accountability, this approach misses the fundamental principles that underpin the concept of “the whole being greater than the sum of the parts.” And what’s the net result of this? Bad supplier relationships? Less value generated? Certainly the provision of a sub-standard service.
Does any of this resonate with you? Then it’s probably time to flip the script…
The most successful supplier relationships are almost always based upon:
Mutuality, trust and respect.
Working as a true partnership.
Shared responsibility and shared rewards.
So when you’re seeking an MSP, don’t just bear these things in mind, put them to the top of your list. Make them a priority. And seek out an MSP that does the same. Adopt an Abundance Mindset.
It’s a win-win approach, one of the renowned American educator, author, businessman, and keynote speaker, Stephen Covey’s infamous ‘habits’ from his international bestselling book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Success and longevity is all about culture, ethos and shared values.
In a Nutshell: It’s time stop hiding behind SLAs and embrace the relationship you have with your MSP as a partnership rather than a hierarchy…
Are You Ready Yet? Schedule An Informal Chat With Me Here and Lets Find Out Together.
Maxine Thurston is Sales & Marketing Director of Venture 1 Consulting.
Related Reading
Buy Stephen Covey's book: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People