All Posts Tagged
Tag: ‘HTG’

Heartland Technology Solutions Channel IT Summit 2011

Posted Sep 22 2011 by in Aaron Booker, Arlin Sorenesen, Channel IT Summit 2011, Heartland Technology Solutions, HTG Peer Groups with 0 Comments

 

Aaron Booker from Varvid joins Arlin Sorenesen of Heartland Technology Solutions in Harlan, Iowa to talk about HTS‘s Channel IT Summit. Arlin explains he’s seeking a way to deepen the relationship with the Vendors he partners with through the Heartland Technology Group by sharing the experience of what it’s like for VARS to be “in the trenches.” Arlin states “what better way than to invite them to come out here to rural Iowa to experience our business at HTS to share some of the things we’ve learned over the last 25 years.”

Arlin plans to talk about HTG, which has over 260 members that are part of his organization worldwide, and his goal for the summit is for Vendors to get a feel for what it’s like to serve SMB customers out in the real world. Arlin thinks that Vendors will be surprised at how complex the business really is for him and HTG, as they aim to serve a vast array of different kinds of clients. HTG services small micro businesses up to some of the mid-market customers, all of whom have very different needs and these different sized organizations expect very different things. As Arlin says himself “it’s not as simple as it seems on paper and we think we’re going to be able to show this to the Vendors who attend this week.”

The main points that Heartland Technology Solutions‘ Channel IT Summit 2011 promises attendees to come away with are:

• Understanding the roles in a typical VAR company
• Understanding how VAR’s grow and the barriers to growth
• Understanding things you should not do when working with VAR’s
• Understanding how to work effectively with SMB communities
• Understanding some of the frustrations VAR’s experience working with your tools and trying to procure your products and services
• Experience rural Iowa and hear from SMB partners and customers first hand

 

To find out more, visit:

HTG Launches New Peer Group for Companies with 50+ Employees

Posted Jun 7 2011 by in Arlin Sorenesen, ConnectWise, HTG Peer Groups with 0 Comments

HTG has done it again. Longtime friends of Varvid, HTG has always led the way in bringing IT professionals together in peer groups to discuss issues, solve problems, and act compassionately. Now, HTG is launching a new kind of peer group: HTG50+ powered by IT Nation. HTG50+ is engineered specifically for IT companies with more than 50 employees.

“Larger firms have distinct advantages as well as challenges in strategic planning, finance, corporate culture, human resources, marketing and business development,” said Arlin Sorensen, founder and CEO of HTG Peer Groups. “At a time when our industry is evolving rapidly, HTG50+ powered by IT Nation, backed by the expertise of ConnectWise and the support of colleagues, provides these members with all the benefits of the peer group model.”

What makes HTG50+ even more distinct from its predecessors is its meeting structure: The CEO-level executives will meet quarterly, and twice-yearly the HTG50+ peer group meetings will be attended by the member companies’ whole management staff, rather than a single representative. This new model of peer management team to management team interaction will create a more effective way of transferring ideas between companies rather than expecting one person to carry all the ideas back to their team for execution.

Also in recent HTG news, Cisco, Intel, and Varvid have joined HTG-V1, HTG‘s first peer group for vendor executives, which was formed in early 2010.

HTG Peer Groups Announces Hands That Give

Posted May 4 2011 by in Aaron Booker, Arlin Sorenesen, Hands that Give, HTG Peer Groups with 0 Comments

As many of our clients know, Varvid began as a Technology Services firm delivering outsourced IT (aka Managed Services) to firms in Bellingham and the Seattle Region under the name Hardlines Company.  Almost five years ago Hardlines was invited to join the HTG Peer Groups organization which involved meeting with a peer group quarterly to work on our business every quarter for 2 days. Three years ago, my peers suggested we start delivering video for VARs and their vendor partners for the “IT Channel.” So we did. At the time we called ourselves VARvid – we were that focused on IT firms. A year ago I sold Hardlines to focus exlusively on Varvid – but HTG has remained near and dear to my heart and we volunteer our services to the organization several times a year.

This morning HTG announced a wonderful new solution called “Hands That Give” which will allow peers that are having disasters to get help from their peers. It’s a little bit like insurance – with everybody paying in, but more importantly everybody participating has to have an updated Lifeplan and an updated Disaster Recovery Plan – so that the HTG members that come to help have a plan to work with. This will help those in times of emotional or physical turmoil in their lives (and therefore their businesses) or even if the principal passes away. It’s a wonderful thing to bring to the HTG Peer Groups – very forward thinking. This video features Arlin Sorensen, founder of HTG, speaking about Hands That Give.

Varvid and HTG Peer Groups Sign Partnership to Promote Internet-Delivered Video

Posted Aug 18 2010 by in Aaron Booker, HTG Peer Groups with 2 Comments

Varvid, Inc. is pleased to announce it has recently entered into a strategic partnership with HTG Peer Groups.  HTG was founded by Arlin Sorensen, CEO of Heartland Technology Solutions, one of the member companies. Arlin launched the first HTG peer group in 2001 based on his desire for an opportunity to interact with peers in a non-competitive setting and observation of a lack of peer groups in the SMB partner space.

“Varvid has been an innovator in how VARs, MSPs and vendors create and use content on the web and a principal force in social media for IT-related businesses,” said Sorensen, HTG founder and CEO. “Through this new partnership, HTG Peer Group members will have an opportunity to learn about Internet video from the undisputed industry leader.”

HTG Peer Groups are composed of industry leaders led by industry insiders with years of experience, all sharing best practices in a non-competitive environment.

“HTG is a revolutionary organization with strategic and forward thinking leadership, a model for success that has been proven to help VARs, MSPs and vendors to succeed,” says Aaron Booker, founder of Varvid, Inc. “I believe this partnership will greatly benefit HTG members by providing them access to top-notch internet delivered video production, webcasting and video playback solutions.”

Booker is no stranger to the MSP/VAR world, spending more than 15 years in the IT industry and participating in the early years of HTG’s existence. “The HTG Peer Group experience was an enormous benefit to my professional development, and I’ve wanted nothing more than to be able to give back by helping HTG member companies cost-effectively maximize their use of video on websites, blogs, and social media outlets,” said Booker. “I hope this partnership will add a great deal of value to HTG members and, ultimately, enhance their ability to promote their own services.”

With more than eight years of experience in live and on-demand Internet-delivered video, Varvid is uniquely equipped to aid VARs, MSPs and their vendor partners in developing online videos for use in marketing, social media, training and client relations. As a strategic partner, Varvid will serve as a resource for HTG members that want to produce and use video content, and will develop exclusive offerings for HTG members.

In addition to providing paid video services to the IT Channel, Booker recently launched Varvid.tv, a new and free video ‘TV Channel’ covering industry events and featuring IT channel content.  Varvid.tv not only features professional content but is also looking for fresh voices from the channel partner community at large.  All contributions from the IT channel will be professionally edited, hosted and optimized at no charge.

Learn more about HTG at http://www.htgmembers.com or by calling (712) 744-3619 .  You can also check out a sampling of Varvid’s past work for HTG to get an idea of what Varvid might be able to do for you and your business!

Live Webcasting and MSPU – Success Squared

Posted Jun 16 2010 by in Event Coverage, MSPU, Uncategorized with 0 Comments

We find our band of troubadours fresh off the heels of HTG Summit in Dallas and prepping for WPC in July. Does that leave any room to help others in the internet delivered video arena?  Of course it does.

The Varvid team recently returned from a triumphant excursion to Southern California for the live webcasting of MSPU’s Boot Camp in Santa Ana. Here’s the quick overview of what MSP University offers.  Whether you’re a Managed Services startup, or a $100 million dollar a year Managed Services Provider, Managed Services Provider University has the resources and the experience to help you improve your IT business by decreasing costs and increasing revenue.

Aaron at the helm...

Not only did Varvid stream live from the event, they were on site to record a myriad of classes for the MSPU catalog, available exclusively to MSPU clients. Some of the topics that were discussed included Sales 101, Marketing, Service Delivery and CEO Tracks. Now if you didn’t get the chance to attend this Boot camp, not to worry. They offer these all over the nation.

In a nutshell, MSPU provides MSP’s the opportunity to continue to learn the ins & outs of this industry. Visit their site for more details and to learn more about this incredible organization.

A special thanks to the Varvid crew on hand for this stellar event; Traci, Trevor & Jeremy really stepped up to the plate and took charge.  And what can we say about “King” Aaron? Simply put, he is the reason Varvid continues to be an industry leader in internet delivered video, from event coverage and webcasting to client testimonials and case studies.

Disneyworld or bust!

Posted Jun 1 2010 by in Conferences, ConnectWise, Travel, Uncategorized with 1 Comment

The Varvid crew brings you Rachel and Ben Schow, two of the hardest working HTG helpers EVER, talk with Jeannine Edwards of ConnectWise about the opportunity to visit Disney World in November.  Here’s the deal… HTG and ConnectWise have scheduled their November conferences back to back in Orlando, FL.  Heartland Technical Group Founder Arlin Sorensen is committed to sending these two youngsters to help in the overall logistics at the HTG event. (They continue to do a fantastic job!) The question is, will big-hearted ConnectWise CEO Arnie Bellini help Rachel and Ben’s dream of visiting the magic kingdom come true?  Will these kids be rewarded for all of their efforts or will it be another case of “so close yet so far away”… Stay tuned…

(We dare you not to cry watching this video)

Varvid Crew on the Road

Posted May 17 2010 by in Drew Thoughts, Uncategorized with 2 Comments

It’s been a couple weeks since our incredible journey to HTG 2010 Summit in Dallas and our video shoot in College Station/Bryan with the AgniTEK team.  After going over my notes and emails I’d like to share a couple of thoughts and observations from the ”newbie” POV:

Christy, Ken and and the Info Desk Crew

1. The organizational staff with HTG is completely top-shelf. Arlin, Scott, Ken and Christy are incredible human beings who are extremely generous with their time and talents and help those around them reach their true potential. (Note: Christy “fired” me with a smile 10 minutes upon my arrival in Dallas.  Ask her about it sometime.)

2. HTG Peers are embracing the “go-giver” attitude in ways I have never seen an organization members do.  EVER. This peer group is destined for greatness on many levels, both as a group and individually.

From Dallas to College Station with a lapfull of rubber.

3. Don’t try and save a couple bucks when renting a car to haul gear from Dallas to College Station. I mean no disrespect to my boss (the one who signs my checks) but a spare tire on your lap for long car ride leaves you smelling like the Michelin Man and unable to use your legs for 13 minutes and 43 seconds. While I love the Grand Marque, I’ll gladly pay the extra 20 or so for the van upgrade and pitch in on the gas.

Ribs & Brisket with Fried Okra & Slaw... yummy!

4. If you’re ever near Bryan or College Station in Texas, stop by the Martin’s Place for some yummy and very cost effective BBQ, but make sure you wear something you don’t mind smells like smoke for the next couple days. And don’t try to get through airport customs with a zip-lock bag full of ribs and sausage… that dog was on me like… well, a dog on meat.

5. Jamison West is the man. A real-life “go to guy”. Period.

6. ConnectWise, Quosal, Ulistic and JoomConnect are going to be some partners we’ll walk with during this journey.  We’re honored to have such guests along this early part of the path. We may stumble, but it’s good to know you are there.

Antonio and David, the heart and brains of AgniTEK.

7. Take time to get to know your clients,  I spent a lot of time with the crew at AgniTEK in Bryan. David and Antonio have built one of the smoothest operations I’ve ever witnessed. Friendly staff, knowledgeable team and-on top of that-their clients wouldn’t stop saying great things about them on and off camera.

It’s been a month or so since we all came together in the same room, working on common goals and I must say… this team is really starting to gel.  Aaron and I are working with clients, Mike is in his cave editing all the footage he shot, and Bryce keeps the wheels on by doing all the HR/PM stuff. I am really excited about the potential of this company.  Now to get the processes in place and really help our clients succeed.  We are ready to rock it. Are you?

Scott Scrogin at the HTG Summit in Dallas 2010

Posted Apr 29 2010 by in Conferences, HTG Peer Groups with 0 Comments

Scott Scrogin, HTG President, chats with Varvid’s Drew Graham about the success of HTG 2010 Summit in Dallas. Scott shares that the sucess HTG IT MSPs have experienced will be made available to a limited number of IT MSP vendors as well. Begining in June, these peer groups will be structure much like the original HTG peer groups, including multilpe levels of accountibility. The hope is vendors can build lasting and solid relationship together and with other HTG members.

Christy Sacco at HTG Summit in Dallas 2010

Posted Apr 29 2010 by in Conferences, HTG Peer Groups with 0 Comments


Christy Sacco, Director of Operations HTG Peer groups, chats with Drew Graham from Varvid at HTG 2010 Summit in Dallas. She details her roles with this IT organization and the overall success of this years event. With a  great response from vendors and attendance from members at 95%, HTG staffers are thrilled. The focus remains on quality and accountability for both members and vendors.

Arlin Sorensen at the HTG Summit in Dallas 2010

Posted Apr 29 2010 by in Conferences, HTG Peer Groups with 0 Comments

HTG Founder & CEO Arlin Sorensen talks with Varvid’s Aaron Booker at HTG 2010 Summit in Dallas about HTG’s vision session. Arlin says it’s all about going back to the basics. He says HTG members will focus on business and personal growth, driven by execution and the “four plan”. Arlin also announced that HTG will cap it’s total membership at 250, allowing them to go deeper with current membership. Celebrating 10 years as an organization and living the “Go Giver” way has paid off, says Sorensen.

Page 1 of 41234»