RSPA Trusted Advisor

In Episode 44 of “The Trusted Advisor,” the RSPA’s Jim Roddy talks with Hussain Darsi, CEO of VAR Loyalty Sense in Calgary, and Shannon Moyes, Business Development Manager for software developer Volante Systems in Toronto, about how their organizations are moving forward during Canada’s COVID lockdowns. Among the topics discussed are best practices for maintaining company culture in a restrictive environment and impactful sales/marketing innovations for VARs and ISVs.   For more information on RetailNOW, July 25-27 in Nashville, or to register for “Where The Industry Meets,” follow this link: http://www.gorspa.org/retailnow   “The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is an award-winning content series designed specifically for point of sale resellers and software developers. Our goal is to educate you on the topics of leadership, management, hiring, sales, and other small business best practices. For more insights, visit the RSPA blog at www.GoRSPA.org.

In Episode 43 of “The Trusted Advisor,” the RSPA’s Jim Roddy explores the fast-growing cannabis market with Dan King, Owner and President of New West Technologies/GreenForcePOS, and Stephen Bergeron, VP of Sales and Marketing in North America for APG Cash Drawer. Among the topics discussed are why VARs should jump into this market before the payment processing stampede, how to initially engage in the cannabis vertical, and which cannatech products and services generate the most sales for resellers.   For more information on RetailNOW, July 25-27 in Nashville, or to register for “Where The Industry Meets,” follow this link: http://www.gorspa.org/retailnow   “The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is a content series designed specifically for point of sale resellers and software developers. Our goal is to educate you on the topics of leadership, management, hiring, sales, and other small business best practices. For more insights, visit the RSPA blog at www.GoRSPA.org.

Episode 42 of “The Trusted Advisor” features the second-ever “Battle of the Channel Stars,” an industry-focused conversation in a fun and competitive framework. The RSPA’s Jim Roddy talks with Jules Curs, the Director of Operations at VAR Qlaborate, and Sean Buckley, the Retail Partnerships Lead at Shopify about accountability. Among the topics discussed are how self-accountability is foundational to organizational health, how obviating helps your team stay on track, and how conducting a candid failure analysis helps you avoid repeat mistakes.   For more information on RetailNOW, July 25-27 in Nashville, or to register for “Where The Industry Meets,” follow this link: http://www.gorspa.org/retailnow   “The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is a content series designed specifically for point of sale resellers and software developers. Our goal is to educate you on the topics of leadership, management, hiring, sales, and other small business best practices. For more insights, visit the RSPA blog at www.GoRSPA.org.

In Episode 41 of “The Trusted Advisor,” Josh Wintoniak of Auto-Star Compusystems Software, Hunter Allen of VAR Cervion Systems, and the RSPA’s Jim Roddy analyze the 2021 RSPA POS Channel KPI Study. Among the topics discussed are the rise – and sales struggles – of ISV/VAR hybrids, an expected increase in channel M&A activity, the continued shift to the as-a-Service recurring revenue business model, and why VARs and ISVs keep missing out on marketing opportunities.   To obtain your copy of the RSPA POS Channel KPI Study, follow this link: 2021 RSPA POS Channel KPI Study   For more information on RetailNOW, July 25-27 in Nashville, or to register for “Where The Industry Meets,” follow this link: www.GoRSPA.org/RetailNOW   “The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is a content series designed specifically for point of sale resellers and software developers. Our goal is to educate you on the topics of leadership, management, hiring, sales, and other small business best practices. For more insights, visit the RSPA blog at www.GoRSPA.org.

In Episode 40 of “The Trusted Advisor,” the RSPA’s Jim Roddy takes a deep dive into the fast-growing cannabis market with Dave Albert, president of VAR Retail Control Systems, and Duane Roebuck, Sr. Channel Manager of Retail and IoT at distributor BlueStar. Among the topics discussed are recent market changes affecting VARs and ISVs, opportunities for retail IT resellers in this space, and steps solution providers should take now to position their business for the future.   “The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is a content series designed specifically for point of sale resellers and software developers. Our goal is to educate you on the topics of leadership, management, hiring, sales, and other small business best practices. For more insights, visit the RSPA blog at www.GoRSPA.org.

In Episode 39 of “The Trusted Advisor,” the RSPA’s Jim Roddy sits down with Cort Ouzts, the CEO of POS Nation, and Will Atkinson, formerly the President of CAP Software and now POS Nation’s Director of Channel Sales. They discuss POS Nation’s VAR-to-ISV transition and acquisition of CAP Software plus engage in a wide-ranging conversation about navigating the challenges retail IT VARs and ISVs face today.   “The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is a content series designed specifically for point of sale resellers and software developers. Our goal is to educate you on the topics of leadership, management, hiring, sales, and other small business best practices. For more insights, visit the RSPA blog at www.GoRSPA.org.

Episode 38 of “The Trusted Advisor” features the first-ever “Battle of the Channel Stars,” an industry-focused conversation in a fun and competitive framework. The RSPA’s Jim Roddy talks with Rick Feuling of VAR/ISV hybrid RITE Enterprises/Cloud Retailer and veteran channel consultant Bruce Mann, best known for his years supporting CRS resellers, about what SMBs can learn from well-run sports teams. Among the topics discussed are employee recruiting, the importance of systems, accountability through public transparency, and why you should establish a culture of resilience. This episode is based on the video 10 Reasons Sports Teams Are Better Run Than Most Businesses by Rick Crossland. Crossland’s reasons are: Talent Development Coaching Recruiting Playbook Practice Execution Accountability Toughness & Resilience Discipline Scorekeeping “The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is a content series designed specifically for point of sale resellers and software developers. Our goal is to educate you on the topics of leadership, management, hiring, sales, and other small business best practices. For more insights, visit the RSPA blog at www.GoRSPA.org.

In Episode 37 of “The Trusted Advisor,” the RSPA’s Jim Roddy takes a deep dive into “The Ultimate Guide to QBRs for VARs” with Jeremy Julian of VAR/ISV hybrid CBS NorthStar. Jim and Jeremy walk through each slide of the new guide, discuss details behind the best practices, and answer QBR-related questions from RSPA reseller members.   The Ultimate Guide to QBRs for VARs is available exclusively to RSPA members and can be accessed through the RSPA website following the link below. For member log-in details or for information on RSPA membership, email Membership@GoRSPA.org. The Ultimate Guide to QBRs for VARs   “The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is a content series designed specifically for point of sale resellers and software developers. Our goal is to accelerate the success of today’s and tomorrow’s leaders in the retail IT industry. For more insights, visit the RSPA blog at GoRSPA.org.

In Episode 36 of “The Trusted Advisor,” the RSPA’s Jim Roddy sits down with George Muchae, Principal and Vice President of Business Development for VAR/ISV New West Technologies, and Chris Duffy, the Director of Distribution Sales for Star Micronics. Among the topics discussed are using social media to advance sales, how to consistently generate leads and referrals, and sales/marketing changes to expect in 2021 and beyond.   “The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is a content series designed specifically for point of sale resellers and software developers. Our goal is to educate you on the topics of leadership, management, hiring, sales, and other small business best practices. For more insights, visit the RSPA blog at www.GoRSPA.org.

In Episode 35 of “The Trusted Advisor,” the RSPA’s Jim Roddy goes in-depth with Brady Nash, the owner and CEO of BNG Team, a technology solution provider headquartered in Fargo, ND, and the creator of The Accidental Entrepreneur video series. Jim and Brady discuss shaping your organization to take advantage of emerging trends, scaling your business while staying true to why you started your company, and key questions business leaders need to ask themselves frequently.   “The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is a content series designed specifically for point of sale resellers and software developers. Our goal is to educate you on the topics of leadership, management, hiring, sales, and other small business best practices. For more insights, visit the RSPA blog at www.GoRSPA.org.   This special episode is sponsored by Shift4. For more information, visit www.shift4resellers.com.