The Value of “On Demand” Partnerships

Here in 2016, we are inundated with Software-as-a-Service offerings. We see case studies of cloud migrations using words like “scale as you need” or “grows with you”. It’s a business model I understand as an entrepreneur building a unique and innovative SQL Server database services company. 

In this post I talk about an On Demand Expertise service we offer at Straight Path, talk about how I've loved bringing in the experts to help where I need that on Demand expertise myself and ask you what ideas you have.

(I used the Blue Angels photo above - because they get it. There are core pilots on the team. Yet they have a fleet of folks permanently and temporarily assigned to help every engagement they have be a success. It takes a village to keep them running, and they always work with the experts in each specialty needed. This is the right economy for us to run our businesses that way. So many experts are available to us)

Partner Or Hire?

That's a decision I find myself thinking out about a lot as an entrepreneur trying to keep myself and my team busy. . .

I could hire a full-time marketing person to help me with my site. I could bring on a full time bookkeeper. I could bring on experts in copywriting. I could spend all of my margin on hiring the experts. The best and brightest in their fields. Except. . . it wouldn’t just be my margin. To do that? To truly get a team of experts? I’d need to multiply my revenue by a factor of 20. It just doesn’t make sense. 

I could hire a jack-of-all-trades type who can do some personal assisting, help me schedule appointments, help keep the team on track, try and do the books, try and dabble in marketing and copywriting.  Except. . . I’d get what I paid for. Sure I’d have some great experiences. I would get someone who is really good in a few key areas, but miss some of the edges and end up spending more time than I should.

The Solution (for me)

I am partnering with experts. I am buying software-as-a-Service. I'm hiring experts-as-a-Service. Straight Path's website is a work in progress, but it is so much better than it was. I've hired Jon Dipietro of Liberty Digital to do this for me. I'm working with a tremendous bookkeeper as a service. She knows her stuff and I won't get in trouble. I'm using Zoho CRM (in an as a service model). I'm working with experts and expert product makers to do what they are great at. This in turn has freed me up to do what I'm great at - engage with my team and clients in their SQL Server projects.

Why Straight Path Offers Services This Way

The same reason I love that calming feeling knowing my books are set is why we offer our Senior DBA on Demand service. Instead of worrying "did I miss something?" I know I'm good. April is less stressful for me. Instead of wondering "what's changed in SEO and the web world over the past handful of years?" I trust my expert who actually spends time reading about and learning about these things.

That's what Straight Path does for its customers. It's a simple model really. We partner with our clients. Maybe for 13 or 20 hours a month on average depending on the client. We offer a discounted rate for the longer term relationship and ease of scheduling around it. We become their SQL Server peace of mind. We are part of their team just like my support team of experts are part of my company, even though I'm not paying them a salary.  They work as needed and end up giving great advice and insights they learn with other clients. I save money and get the top notch help.

We become a trusted adviser , we have the clients best interests in mind. Not ours. Not Microsoft's. We get to really know their staff and teach as we go. So often, our retainer starts with higher hours and ends with lower hours as they take on more.  We love it when that happens! It means our knowledge has been transferred. It means we gave the client what we expected to.

We step in on demand with flexed up hours for an emergency. And we step back when the dust settles and the business wants to thank IT. We let our partner client take the success as theirs. After all, we're a part of their team and in it together. You can see more about this service by reaching out to me here on Linked In or checking out our site.

How About You?

What challenges keep you up at night? Marketing? Financials? Backups? VMWare best practices? SQL Server Best Practices? How can you look at all of the resources out there and get this team of experts to come along side you, keep the budget tight and clear obstacles out of your path? I'd love to hear your tips. I'd love to check out services you provide for folks in my shoes. And, sure, I'd love to see how I could help you out in this Senior DBA On Demand service offering.