Small Business Chat on the Value of Technology Partners with TRC Networks

On October 20 Cisco Canada and TRC Networks discussed the value that a technology partner can bring to your small business -- whether you are looking to upgrade your network, deploy a unified communications system or determine which IT solution will maximize your technology investment.

@CiscoCanadaSB: Our first is now underway! Let's kick off the chat with our first question. > Q1: What is the biggest technology challenge for a small business in Canada?

@trcnetworks: I would say the biggest challenge is keeping a companies technology steps ahead of the competition

@CiscoCanadaSB:Q2: What are the top 3 concerns SMBs have today about tech and its use in their business?

@trcnetworks:

1. Cost to acquire new technology and the ROI

2. The ability to maintain and support the technology with limited resources

3 How to embed the new technology into their new business practices. How do they leverage more from their phones

@CiscoCanadaSB: Excellent points @TRCNetworks - financial resources are an issue across Canadian #SMBs/#PMEs

Q3: What best practices should SMBs follow to take best advantage of their technology?

@trcnetworks: Leveraging a consultative approach and identifying a customers needs

@CiscoCanadaSB: Very important > RT @trcnetworks: Leveraging a consultative approach and identifying a customers needs

Q4: What advice do you give SMBs that want to upgrade their technology?

@trcnetworks: Try to tie technology to their business objectives and goals

@CiscoCanadaSB: Wer'e halfway through today's chat! > Q5: How does partnering with Cisco allow you to remain competitive in the SMB landscape?

@trcnetworks: Ability to offer best of breed technologies across multiple architectures for example Collaboration, Security and Borderless networks

@CiscoCanadaSB: Great points!

Q6: What services can a tech partner provide that make them essential to an SMB's toolkit?

@trcnetworks: Providing education and consultation for voice, data and video in the converged workspace

@CiscoCanadaSB: You both raise a good point about the SMB's ability to manage all of their solutions. Very true

Down to the last few q's > Q7: What are the top 3 trends in technology you see in your small business customers?

@trcnetworks:

1. Increased focus on opex expenditures as verses capex (hosted/cloud offerings)

2. Video/collaboration (video conferencing, IP Surveillance )

3. Using social media

@CiscoCanadaSB: Q8: How do you differentiate yourself in the technology partner landscape?

@trcnetworks: By using a consultative approach to truly understand a customers needs and goals. Also, looking at their objectives and leveraging technology to support and enable the companies goals

@CiscoCanadaSB: We're glad to have partners that distinguish themselves in the marketplace the way you both do! Last question coming up

Q9: What is the one thing you want small businesses to remember about Cisco's SMB products?

@trcnetworks: Cisco products offer a complete end to end solution (data, voice, video, wireless, surveillance)

@CiscoCanadaSB: That concludes today's TweetChat! A huge thank you to @TRCNetworks for taking part

@trcnetworks:
Thanks for hosting the Tweet Chat!
If anyone has any questions feel free to send us a tweet. Visit us online at http://www.trcnetworks.com