How will big box PC retailers conquer the managed services market when they can’t even run their own businesses? That question came to The VAR Guy’s mind when he heard Circuit City filed for bankruptcy protection today.
Sure, everyone from Best Buy to Circuit City and Staples offers a range of on-site IT services, and a growing number of big box PC retailers are testing managed services programs for their customers.
But Circuit City’s decision to file for bankruptcy protection reinforces the fact that retail locations come and go, leaving VARs as the primary “feet on the street” to service small and midsize customers.
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Posted In: Managed Services
Tags: Circuit City Bankrupt | Circuit City vs. Managed Service Providers | Circuit City vs. VARs
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Tags: Circuit City Bankrupt | Circuit City vs. Managed Service Providers | Circuit City vs. VARs
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Anyone who says retailers can replace a true IT consultant doesn’t understand the difference between commodity products and true consultative services.
Remember when Circuit City was a favorite in “Good to Great” by Jim Collins? Remember when we thought being big gave you clout with customers and vendors to produce long-term returns (Michael Porter’s 5 Forces Model)? It’s time we recognize that the old approach to management doesn’t work in a rapidly shifting competitive world. There are winners in today’s market, but they follow a different approach. Read more at http://www.ThePhoenixPrinciple.com
Frankie: The VAR Guy agrees.
Adam: The VAR Guy agrees on most fronts. Big retailers like Best Buy have done a lot of things right in the consumer electronics space, but they’re still not a “local” threat to VARs and MSPs.
And the only PC retailer that really understands customer service is Apple (the Apple Stores). Other than that, the local market remains a paradise for VARs who really understand their customer needs.