RSPA Trusted Advisor

In Episode 32 of “The Trusted Advisor,” the RSPA’s Jim Roddy sits down with Michelle MacKeith, Vice President of VAR Pinnacle Hospitality, and Suzanne Davis, the Senior Vice President of Business Development for Shift4, to discuss the path to reseller success in 2021 and beyond. Among the topics explored are effective go-to-market strategies, new customer service approaches, and the importance of remaining agile as merchants and market forces rapidly change.

“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 31 of “The Trusted Advisor,” RSPA Legal Counsel Jill Miller returns to the pod to talk with host Jim Roddy. Miller shares today’s biggest legal challenges facing VARs and ISVs, insights into new data privacy regulations, and which payment-related legal issues should be top-of-mind for solution providers in 2021.

“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 ScanSource. For more information, visit www.ScanSource.com.

In Episode 30 of “The Trusted Advisor,” the RSPA’s Jim Roddy interviews Kevin Spencer, the President at VAR Rod Plus Solutions, about growing his company despite incredible adversity in 2020. Spencer shares how he’s managed his team during his seven months out of the country, best practices for entering a new geography, and how to balance growth while caring for your current customers.

“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 Heartland. To become a Heartland dealer, go to www.heartland.us/become-a-dealer/rspa.

In Episode 29 of “The Trusted Advisor,” the RSPA’s Jim Roddy interviews Mark Fraker, the Vice President of Marketing for RSPA distributor member BlueStar, about software developer keys to success in the retail IT channel. Fraker discusses where direct ISVs fit in our channel, steps they can take to build partnerships with resellers, and how internal systems are necessary for ISVs to sustain success long-term.

“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 28 of “The Trusted Advisor,” the RSPA’s Jim Roddy sits down with Kyle DeWitt, ScanSource’s Vice President of Technical Services, and Brenda McCurry, Vice President of Merchandising for ScanSource POS and Barcode. DeWitt and McCurry discuss the retail IT Total Solution Provider technology stack, how to transition to complete offerings without wrecking your cash flow, and effective tactics for marketing and selling your total solution.

“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 27 of “The Trusted Advisor,” the RSPA’s Jim Roddy sits down with Bill Fultz, the Vice President of POS for Heartland POS. Fultz shares his insights on reseller technology innovations, effective new go-to-market strategies for VARs, and how to create a culture of innovation in your organization.

“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 26 of “The Trusted Advisor,” Vanessa Foden, Intel’s Head of Global Strategy and New Innovation for Retail, Banking, Hospitality and Education, previews the RSPA Academy Symposium panel “Retail Trends and New Technologies Emerging in 2020, Post-COVID.” Among the technologies Foden and the RSPA’s Jim Roddy discuss are online ordering, IoT (Internet of Things), AI (Artificial Intelligence), and cloud technology.

Scheduled for Aug. 26-27, 2020, the RSPA Academy Education Online Symposium will feature 20+ education sessions across six tracks: VAR & ISV Executive Education, Marketing, Sales, Customer Experience, Security, and Next Gen Technologies. To register, go to www.GoRSPA.org/education-symposium.

“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 25 of “The Trusted Advisor,” Keith Sampson, the National Sales Director for North American Bancard, shares highlights from his RSPA Academy Symposium talk “Enabling Customer Success with Programs Outside the Surcharge Challenge.” Sampson and the RSPA’s Jim Roddy also discuss social media best practices (spoiler alert: content is king) and how B2B marketers should adapt when their in-person industry events are cancelled.

Scheduled for Aug. 26-27, 2020, the RSPA Academy Education Online Symposium will feature 20+ education sessions across six tracks: VAR & ISV Executive Education, Marketing, Sales, Customer Experience, Security, and Next Gen Technologies. To register, go to www.GoRSPA.org/education-symposium.

“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 24 of “The Trusted Advisor,” Jeremy Julian, the COO of VAR/ISV hybrid CBS NorthStar, previews the RSPA Academy Symposium industry expert panel “Pivoting After COVID-19.” Julian and the RSPA’s Jim Roddy talk through the biggest challenges for resellers and software developers as they move forward, mistakes to avoid during the transition, and how to lead during this crisis.

Scheduled for Aug. 26-27, 2020, the RSPA Academy Education Online Symposium will feature 20+ education sessions across six tracks: VAR & ISV Executive Education, Marketing, Sales, Customer Experience, Security, and Next Gen Technologies. To register, go to www.GoRSPA.org/education-symposium.

“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 23 of “The Trusted Advisor,” Tom Bronson, the President and CEO of business consultant Mastery Partners, previews his RSPA Academy Symposium presentation “Transform your Marketing with Story Brand.” Bronson and the RSPA’s Jim Roddy discuss the story brand concept, what first steps VARs and ISVs should take to transform their story brand, and how solution providers can maximize their business value.

Scheduled for Aug. 26-27, 2020, the RSPA Academy Education Online Symposium will feature 20+ education sessions across six tracks: VAR & ISV Executive Education, Marketing, Sales, Customer Experience, Security, and Next Gen Technologies. To register, go to www.GoRSPA.org/education-symposium.

“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.