So you don't think you compete with Best Buy?
If you're a small biz VAP/VAR, think again . . .
While at the Microsoft Across America event in Lincoln this afternoon, my partner (Amy) had the chance to visit with the Best Buy rep from Chicago, and he mentioned how Best Buy is rolling out on-site IT service for both home & smallbiz users. (For more on this, you can read up here, here or here) All of those links focus heavily on the home-user segment, but according to Amy's converation with the Best Buy rep this afternoon, small business is a big target.
Am I worried? Not at the moment. First, it's a new initiative. Second, the small biz owner who would buy a 'server' from Best Buy isn't exactly our target market. Third, I'm still a firm believer that it's the relationship that matters to small businesses - they don't want to have to deal with someone new every time they have an issue - they want consistency, and to know they can depend on ME, not just our company. Most of our regular customers would rather wait an extra day or two to have their issue resolved by their regular tech than have someone else come out on the same day. I don't see Best Buy nurturing that type of relationship. Fourth, I can't help but laugh whenever I think of a Best Buy tech installing / configuring / supporting SBS :^) But on the other hand, I'm not so naive as to completely dismiss them. Best Buy does have the resources available that if they decide to really go after small business, they could make one hell of a dent.