HTG Recognizes Members With Awards

HTG just finished its annual HTG Summit in Dallas Texas. Part of the festivities included recognition of a set of members and sponsors who have gone above and beyond in their participation and service to the HTG community. We recognize these award winners as the cream of the IT channel crop and are proud to be associated with each of them. The 2010 HTG award winners:

Are You a Procrastinator?

Then this post is for you because we are down to the deadline to apply for a very important award. The MSP Mentor 100 award is on the line and the deadline to apply is tomorrow, December 11.

Company awards are an excellent way to celebrate business achievement and shine a spotlight on your business. Try it and you might discover some of the bottom line benefits and the power of industry and local awards. This is often an overlooked tool in your marketing toolbox. Marketing consists of many techniques and channels from advertising and direct response to radio and trade shows, but you can take your small business to new levels by entering your company for awards. The trick is they don’t just happen. You have to apply, submit an entry or nominate yourself. Awards are not just for big companies. At all levels, businesses have the opportunity to compete for awards, but if you don’t take the time, they probably won’t happen. Usually the application process involves completing an application, a brief essay and a description of your business. Some might require financials. The good news is that once you apply for one it will get easier from there so just do it!

Below are some sources for awards:
• Industry publications (MSPmentor, Channel Insider, Everything Channel, Business Solutions Magazine, ChannelPro Magazine)
• Industry associations (VTN, TechSelect, CompTIA, ASCII.....)
• Vendors and suppliers(industry and local)
• Local organizations and publications (business journals, associations, clients)

So you think you’ll never win. Again, if you don’t enter then you probably won’t. Entering corporate awards and contests as a marketing strategy is an untapped area by small business. With limited entries, your odds of winning improve. Even if you don't win, a title nomination can bring many rewards.

We won, now what do we do? Share the news within your organization. This is a great morale building tool for your team. Tell them what they did to help your organization win that award. Put out a press release and share it locally as well as within your industry. Put the word out via your social networking outlets such as Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin. Post the press release and the award to your website. Good news like this will get noticed by vendors, distributors, associations, clients, prospects, media, employees and future employees. Tell everyone you won!

That being said, MSPmentor is still accepting nomination for their annual MSPmentor 100 list. Have you submitted your company yet? The deadline is Friday, December 11th. Do it NOW!!

2009 HTG Award Presentations

This year marked the first year we have presented the HTG Awards to our membership. We have some of the greatest partners in the IT Channel, and we were able to recognize them on Tuesday evening as part of our HTG Summit in Dallas last week. Here is the list of winners:

Award - Name - Recipient Company
Group of the Year - HTG2 - Facilitator Nate Austin
Rookie of the Year - Amy and Peter Kardel - Clever Ducks
Facilitator of the Year - Erik Thorsell - Success Computer Consulting
Vendor of the Year - Zenith Infotech Ltd.
Spirit Award - Robert Lindley - Innovative Systems, Inc
Leadership Award - Dan Hay - ISOutsource
Founder’s Award - Lyf Wildenberg - Mytech Partners
Friend of HTG - Paul Dippell - Service Leadership, Inc.
Excellence in Partnering - Aaron Booker - Hardlines Co.
Best Practice/Great Idea - Mitch Miller - Dynamic Computer Solutions
Best Practice/Great Idea - Alex Ziogas - AZBS
Best Practice/Great Idea - Andre Vittorio - Idealogical Systems, Inc.

Group Members of the Year
HTG1 - Dan Shundoff - Intellicom
HTG2 - Lyf Wildenberg - Mytech Partners
HTG3 - Steve Riat - Nex-tech
HTG4 - Garrett Brucker - Solve IT
HTG5 - Cohen Barnes - TBC Net, Inc.
HTG6 - Dave Rodman/Jeremy Kurth K&R - Network Solutions
HTG7 - Chris Bates - The Computer Hut
HTG8 - Roy van Norstrand - Usherwood Office Technology
HTG9 - Gary Stein - Netlink Systems Inc.
HTG10 - Randy Biggs - VACS
HTG11 - Raja Pagadala - The Final Step Ltd.
HTG12 - Jamison West - JWCS
HTG13 - Steve Winter - ERGOS Technology
HTG14 - Don Bentz - Preferred IT Group
HTG15 - Amy and Peter Kardel - Clever Ducks
HTG16 - Tom Fox - Tech Experts
HTG17 - Greg Gurev - MySherpa
HTG18 - Ben Rife - Integrity Networks

Congratulations to the winners. We are proud of you!

2008 Microsoft Partner Award Opportunities

Microsoft recognizes a broad spectrum of partner innovation and contribution. From competency excellence to supporting nonprofit technology access, apply for awards that highlight your organization’s strengths.

You have two great opportunities for recognition – one local and one worldwide. Deadlines for submissions:
Local Area Awards: Due May 17, 2008
Worldwide Partner Conference Awards: Due April 4, 2008 UPDATE: April 8, 2008 (the deadline has been slightly extended)

Local Awards
Nominate Your Solution For A Local Award! Open Now!
Each semester, your local Microsoft team recognizes partners who have excelled in sales, marketing, growth, competing to win, partnering, and customer experience. Each winner will receive a custom-engraved plaque, a framed letter from the Area General Manager, and you’ll be included in a partner award press release. You can view full details on the award categories and self-nominate using our new web-based submision tool. Nominations for this award period are open from February 12 to May 17, 2008.

Worldwide Partner Conference Awards
Nominate Your Solution For A Microsoft Global Award! Open Now!
Each year, via its Worldwide Partner Conference Awards program, Microsoft recognizes partners who have delivered exemplary solutions built on Microsoft technologies. Awards are presented to winning partners at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference, this year in Houston, Texas, USA July 7-10, 2008. This is a unique opportunity for you to showcase your solutions. Award winners and finalists benefit from increased press coverage, and market recognition that may drive new business opportunities. Award categories are aligned with Microsoft Competencies and specializations. Make sure your Competency enrollment is active, then nominate your solution using a web-based tool, between February 4 and April 4, 2008 April 8, 2008. The entry tool and detailed information about the Awards program can be found here.