As regular readers are aware, much of my consulting practice centers on working with software-based companies such as SaaS and infrastructure software. But I have substantial hardware market experience as well, so I also work with hardware companies. A debate around hardware vs software business models is something that you don’t often see a lot. […]
Technology Sales & Marketing-Is a direct or indirect approach best?
A question that often arises with early-stage software and hardware companies is “How should we sell our product? Should our technology sales approach be to sell directly, or should we sell through distributors, dealers/retailers, or OEM partners?” Best Technology Sales Method: It depends The answer, like most topics discussed in this forum, is rarely as […]
Channel Conflict
In my consulting practice I do a lot of work with software and hardware companies in area of channel development. One of the hardest things to manage while growing a channel business is the inevitable conflict between all the players throughout your various distribution methods, including your direct sales force. Of course, my colleagues in […]
US Government Sales & Marketing
What’s the difference between US Government sales versus selling to the Commercial market? It’s like night and day. Sales and Marketing to the government truly are the flip side of those functions in commercial activities. You really can’t believe how different government and commercial markets are, until you’ve actually come from one side–and tried to […]
International Distribution of Software Products
Have you ever heard (or thought) the following? “We’re an early-stage software company. We’ll attack our home market first, then consider selling software internationally later.” Wrong answer! (In a lot of cases, anyway). I have worked with a lot of SaaS, infrastructure, and mobile software companies in my career and I hear something similar to […]
