We all are in the same profession. We are technology-oriented sales people!
Technology-oriented? Well, I think I don?t have to explain that.
But Sales People? Yes, even if we work in some else?s technical department we have to sell ourselves. Every one of us does it, likes it or not, and I?m not talking about IT people. I mean EVERYONE, from the secretary to the clerk we have to show some value for the company and adapt to the corporate rules. WE ARE SELLING US!
Those of us who ?sell? products or solutions to external clients are more familiar with this reality. But the rest of us, believe it or not, perform, one way or another, internal sales to our superiors when we design, implement or suggest some kind of solution. The same happened when we influence end users to change behavior or accept professional recommendations.
So, if we are in the same business (regardless if we are freelancers, consultants, or someone?s else employee), why can?t we collaborate to achieve mutual benefits?
I know what you are thinking. This is not new. This is in everyone?s head from time to time and we always manage ourselves to set it aside before saying a word about it. Etc., etc. etc.
Why are we let the big players to design ?our? market share? Well, it is not yours yet, but it could be!
Strategic alliances have been around since one million years (to hunt mammoths, probably), but are associated with big corporations and/or small businesses. What about individual professionals? What about very tiny one or two men solution providers?
I think we can find strong complementary services and characteristics among many of us.
Will the Microsofts, the IBMs, the HPs, the Novells, the Red Hats and the CISCOs of the world dictate the size of the crumbs we will receive for our expertise in the next 25 years?
What do you think about it?
Do we have any hope?
Jose.-
