Ken Rutsky

When I was a wet behind the ears sales rep in the Rolling Meadow's Illinois branch office in 1986 (yes, they had computers back then :)), I remember the big sign that hung on the wall: Calls + Demos = Sales Our office sold everything from PCs to copiers (yes, IBM sold copiers) to mini computers (S34, 36, 38, and later AS/400 and RS6000s) and the biggest S360 Mainframes. Though the sign belonged to the "Office Machines", i.e., Copiers, team, I quickly learned in my territory of small manufacturers and distributors, the key to selling the minicomputer lay in not just having the right software package, but in putting a killer demo in front of the customer. As Jerry Maguire might say, "show me the money" and I say then and now, "show me the demo". Fast forward 25 years or so and I now have come to the corollary to this sign for B2B technology vendors: Marketing + Exp... (more)

It's Not Just the Cloud - The Re-invention of Everything

Look around and be amazed, everything is being re-invented.  From the tablet computer to the thermostat, from cars to enterprise software, from incubators to light-bulbs.  We are living in an amazing time.  Opportunities abound to capitalize on the biggest industrial change since electricity. While those of us in Cloud and IT tend to focus on a few ideas like Cloud and Big Data,   we are at the the convergence of 6 megatrends, some new, some old, that when taken together create this incredible rush of innovation and opportunity.  The megatrends are: Microelectronics - Moore's Law ... (more)

Are You Experienced? - Transforming SaaS Go to Market

Many ISVs are making dramatic shifts to become SaaS providers. This requires a shift in mindset from product to service and in organization from linear to circular. Once these shifts are under way, in order to succeed and stand out, ISVs we must now bridge their go-to-market strategy, objectives and tactics from Evaluation to Experience. Today's customer has little patience for white papers, datasheets, detailed feature function product specs and the like. They may attend a webinar, but the next step is experience. Even for large organizations with complex buying behavior, the e... (more)

Poking Through the Clouds

About five years ago, I had the pleasure of sitting through sales training with John Costigan. I remember John's opening as he said something like, "How are you?" and got the typical quiet reaction. John went on to say something like, "when I am asked, I say "OUTSTANDING" and you should too. Because to STAND OUT, you MUST BE OUTSTANDING." Fast forward to last week, when I was having a discussion on positioning with a very successful entrepreneur turned VC. He said, "The only way to win in today's markets is to STAND OUT, create something new." Immediately I thought of John and s... (more)

Organizing for SaaS Success: Surround the Customer

For ISVs and others attempting to offer SaaS services to the market, organizational structure and approach represents one of the largest hurdles to success. In order to achieve success as a service provider, organizations must change my organizational approach from linear to circular, surrounding the customer throughout the service relationship lifecycle, reducing barriers to adoption, and ensuring long-term customer retention. Today's typical ISV organization and its interaction with customers are linear with sporadic customer contact. Product managers may gather requirements f... (more)