Frenemies are good for your business

By John Zanni

Last week, I told you I would share some of what I learned from talking to hosters at the Parallels hosting summit. Microsoft and Hosting companies have a colorful relationship. This is because we both partner and compete in some parts of the market. On Thursday, Steve Ballmer spoke about Cloud Services and how Microsoft is investing heavily in Cloud Services. We are all in. A partner might look at this story and think that we don't need them but they would be wrong.

Groupthink is a type of thought exhibited by group members who try to minimize conflict and reach consensus without critically testing, analyzing, and evaluating ideas. I fear groupthink. That is why partnering with companies that challenge your thinking is healthy. I make a point of talking to hosting partners every month.

Take a look at how Microsoft is transforming and ask yourself the following:

1.       What business drivers are causing Microsoft to transform?

2.       Would these same drivers affect me?

3.       Has Microsoft limited my options or expanded my opportunity in new and different ways?

I learned that we need to do a better job in explaining why we are doing what we are doing. That is why I started blogging. We, along with others, are driving awareness of hosting and its benefits. This is giving you a larger customer base to go after. We are also adding more ways you can partner with us. You can host our server products or resell our hosted products and add your own special sauce. It is your choice.