RSPA Trusted Advisor

In Episode 12 of “The Trusted Advisor,” the RSPA’s Jim Roddy sits down with Blake Gillum, General Manager of DCR, and Thomas Greenman, Sales Manager at Skurla’s POS Solutions, to discuss their leadership transition journeys at their reseller organizations. Among the topics explored are the importance of internal systems and standards to ensure an effective transition, the biggest challenges new leaders face, and the importance of staying true to the company culture.

“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 11 of “The Trusted Advisor,” the RSPA’s Jim Roddy connects with Dave Albert, the founder and President of VAR Retail Control Systems; Brian Meyer, co-founder of Solvent; and Duane Roebuck, Sr. Channel Manager of Retail and IoT at BlueStar, about VAR and ISV opportunities – and challenges – in the emerging cannabis and CBD vertical. Among the topics discussed are resources VARs and ISVs should utilize to learn more about this market, specific steps required to enter this vertical, expected roadblocks during this journey, and lessons learned firsthand by our guests.

“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 10 of “The Trusted Advisor” features members of the RSPA W2W (Women to Women) Community discussing Work/Life Balance. Guest moderator Brianna Moriarty of Star Micronics sits down with guests Brenda McCurry of ScanSource, Deanna Joseph of BlueStar, and Michelle Johnson of VAR Pinnacle Hospitality Systems. Among the best practices they share are understanding it’s okay to wait on non-urgent tasks, putting yourself as a priority, eating and thinking healthy, squeezing in visits with friends during work travel, and having an “attitude of gratitude.”

“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 9 of “The Trusted Advisor,” the RSPA’s Jim Roddy sits down with Kevin McGrath, co-owner of restaurant and retail VAR Value Systems, and Mic McGrath (no relation), Sr. Partnership Manager at Worldpay, to discuss how they provide stellar personal customer service. Among the topics discussed are their customer service philosophies, technology that helps keep customer service high, how to execute Commercial Teaching, and why you should strive to be “trusted and loved” by your 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.

In Episode 8 of “The Trusted Advisor,” the RSPA’s Jim Roddy interviews Global Business Technologies CEO Danny Hernandez and POSitive Technology/OpSuite President Brett Bennett about how their companies transitioned from VARs to software developers. Among the topics discussed are the importance of owning intellectual property, the biggest challenges for VAR/ISV hybrid organizations, transitioning to a recurring revenue/SaaS business model, and emerging technologies for the grocery, convenience store, and retail verticals.

“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 7 of “The Trusted Advisor,” the RSPA’s Jim Roddy discusses the next generation of retail IT technologies with Greg Dixon, the Chief Technology Officer and Technology Evangelist at ScanSource, and Brad Holaway, the President of restaurant reseller NexTouch. Their conversation covers a variety of technologies – including IoT (Internet of Things), AI (Artificial Intelligence), blockchain, digital currency, edge computing, and cybersecurity – and details how retail IT resellers can take advantage of these innovations. Dixon and Holaway also share the biggest lessons learned during their channel careers and recommend books aspiring channel executives should read. 

“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 6 of “The Trusted Advisor,” the RSPA’s Jim Roddy interviews John Kirk, the association’s President and CEO. Their conversation focuses on today’s evolving channel and the RSPA’s emerging role in this new world. Kirk also shares key leadership lessons and principles learned during his 20+ years in the industry.

“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.

Watch Episode 6 now:

“The Trusted Advisor” is also available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. Subscribe today!

In Episode 5 of “The Trusted Advisor,” the RSPA’s Jim Roddy sits down with Melanie Tawil, the CEO and co-owner of RSPA reseller member SwipeTrack Solutions. Their conversation covers several topics including SwipeTrack’s humble beginnings in 2011, maintaining differentiation with your products, services, and company culture, SEO tactics that lead to sales, and where retail technology is heading.

“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.

Watch Episode 5 now:

“The Trusted Advisor” is also available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. Subscribe today!

In Episode 4 of “The Trusted Advisor,” the RSPA’s Jim Roddy discusses how VARs and ISVs can build a stellar company culture with Michelle MacKeith, Vice President at VAR Pinnacle Hospitality, and Colin Martin, General Manager of Vigilix. Their conversation covers a variety of culture-oriented topics including Pinnacle’s and Vigilix’s guiding principles, systems that can help you execute your vision, how to maintain a culture across multiple locations, and how to groom talented employees into company leaders. 

“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 3 of “The Trusted Advisor,” the RSPA’s Jim Roddy discusses VAR and ISV business development best practices with Jason Cowan, Principal of Business Development at VAR Spark Solutions Group, and Jake West, Director of Business Development for ISV Vend. Jim, Jason, and Jake talk through the most effective lead gen tactics, how to secure referrals, key elements of a successful business development program, and internal sales systems SMB channel companies should embrace.