Reader Spotlight: David Shaffer, Tier One Technology Partners
A conversation with David Shaffer, Tier One Technology Partners
In this Reader Spotlight, Tier One Technology Partners founder and CEO David Shaffer shares a little about himself, company, and the state of the channel.
Summarize your background/professional experience. 30 Years’ Experience in SMB information technology with a keen interest in team building and seeing an MSP as a people company first and technology company second.
What is one interesting/humorous/entertaining fact about you? I managed a regional Dinner Theatre in my early years, which oddly was responsible for my passion for technology.
What verticals do you serve and what services and technologies do you sell? Professional services, Healthcare, Not-for-profit, and Manufacturing/Engineering. Services and technologies include Backup and disaster recover, Cloud Storage, Collaboration/File Sync and Sharing, Help Desk/Service Desk, Identity Access Management, Infrastructure as a Service, Internet of Things, Managed Compliance Services, Managed Email/Spam, Managed VoIP, Managed Security, Mobile Device Management, Mobile Applications Management, Remote Monitoring, SaaS Email, and Virtual Desktop Infrastructure.
What vendor partners do you work with? Microsoft, Continuum, ConnectWise, Datto, BlackPoint, Dell, HP, Intuit, and Lenovo.
What is the best sales opportunity on your 12-to-18-month horizon? Managed Security Stack.
What threatens that opportunity? Popularity of service offering and the service becoming commoditized.
What could accelerate it? Publicized threats for SMBs.
What is the most difficult aspect of leading an IT service provision company? Without a doubt balancing the happiness of clients and employees.
How are you attacking that challenge? Happy employees (team) means happy clients. It starts with our people. Benefits, scheduling, telecommuting, more vacation, great work environment, clear communication.
In the context of running your business, what apps/tools/utilities could you not live without? My peer group and EOS.