In a recent conversation with Andrea Caby Barrow, a key player at ConnectWise, I had the pleasure of diving deep into the latest strategies and tools MSPs can leverage to grow and thrive in the competitive IT landscape. Andrea, who has been with ConnectWise for over 14 years, shared invaluable insights into how the ConnectWise Marketplace is evolving, the significance of vendor integrations, and the importance of a consistent approach to success. In this blog, I’ll break down the key takeaways from our discussion, offering actionable tips for MSPs to unlock growth in their businesses.
1. Modernizing the ConnectWise Marketplace for a Better User Experience
One of the most exciting aspects of my conversation with Andrea was hearing about the recent revamp of the ConnectWise Marketplace. The platform has undergone significant changes, not just in terms of aesthetics but also in functionality. ConnectWise has focused on streamlining the user experience, making it easier for MSPs to find the tools and solutions they need to run their businesses efficiently.
Pro Tip for MSPs: Regularly explore the Marketplace to stay updated on the latest tools and integrations that can enhance your service offerings.
2. Leveraging Vendor Integrations through the Invent Program
With over 400 vendor integrations available on the ConnectWise Marketplace, Andrea emphasized the importance of using Invent-certified integrations. These integrations are certified through rigorous security reviews and technical scoping to ensure they offer the best value to MSPs. Andrea pointed out that utilizing these certified solutions gives MSPs confidence that they are implementing secure and reliable tools into their tech stack.
Pro Tip for MSPs: Always look for Invent-certified vendors when exploring the Marketplace. Certified integrations not only provide security but also come with dedicated support, ensuring smoother implementation.
3. Educational Resources for MSPs: Knowledge is Power
Andrea highlighted ConnectWise’s commitment to providing educational resources to its MSP partners. The Marketplace blog features thought leadership content from vendors, helping MSPs stay informed on industry trends and best practices. This enables MSPs to make better decisions when selecting solutions, allowing them to improve their service offerings and client satisfaction.
Pro Tip for MSPs: Take advantage of the educational resources available in the Marketplace. Read vendor blogs, attend webinars, and stay informed about new developments that can benefit your business.
4. The Future of Personalization in the ConnectWise Marketplace
Looking ahead, Andrea shared ConnectWise’s vision of creating a more personalized experience for MSPs on the Marketplace. Much like e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, the future ConnectWise Marketplace will tailor its offerings based on an MSP’s browsing and purchasing history. This will allow MSPs to find the solutions that align best with their current setup, eliminating the need to search through irrelevant options.
Pro Tip for MSPs: Embrace the upcoming personalized features to streamline your tool selection process and improve operational efficiency.
5. Consistency Over Perfection: A Mindset for MSP Success
When asked about discipline and how it plays a role in her life, Andrea shared a powerful insight that MSPs can apply to their own operations: consistency over perfection. She explained that while striving for perfection is admirable, it’s often unattainable. Instead, focusing on being consistent with processes, even in the face of setbacks, is the key to long-term success.
Pro Tip for MSPs: Focus on building consistent processes in your business. Whether it’s how you deliver services, communicate with clients, or manage your tech stack, consistency will drive better results over time than trying to achieve perfection in every instance.
