Small Business Distribution

[Steve Kilbride]

At 08:00 AM 6/16/2009, you wrote:

>I'm still having a challenging time convincing people that a pure Linux
>network can work in a business environment. I'm not surprised of course.
>I do think there is a small market for it now, and I expect it will only
>get bigger. The only problem right now is there is nothing to offer,
>which is the immediate problem I am looking to address.

 From a marketing (ie sales) trying to push a pure Linux approach is 
doomed for failure imho.  Technically it's possible, but we all know 
of technically superior products that went nowhere in the 
marketplace.  The "pure" approach may get you *some* adopters, but 
not enough to build a business around I'm afraid.  The key, I think, 
is to have an approach that gets you in the door.  Whether that's a 
backup server, or a firewall, or a intranet, etc.  Then once you're 
in the door (and you've made them aware of how well it's working for 
them), you keep adding to the repertoire.  This is called "job security".  :D

Now my background is in business, not computers or IT (although it is 
an interest of mine and I've used the technology for decades - TO 
SAVE ME MONEY AND MINIMIZE GRIEF).  That, I think, is what other 
business owners really want (and frankly, need).

I don't have the time to put all of my years of experience growing a 
business, marketing, etc. in a single post (and I apologize if I'm 
sounding like you know little about sales and marketing - that's not 
my intention) but building a business is all about selling a product 
or service.  Sales is the only thing that generates 
revenue.  Everything else is expense.  A smart business (and one that 
survives and thrives) is the one that figures out "what can I sell 
TODAY".  It's really that basic.  That being the case, what are the 
PAIN points a customer has?  How best to alleviate that 
pain?  Solutions to that generate sales.

/end soapbox

Now don't get me wrong... having a broad set of services is a good 
idea.  It allows you to be in a position to deploy broader solutions 
- just don't expect that everyone will want or need that whole 
approach on Day 1.  Let 'em buy the package over time. :D

Steve