In Episode 108 of “The Trusted Advisor,” RSPA CEO Jim Roddy talks with Truman Meecham, President at hospitality POS solution provider Alpha, and Bobby Bauer, President & CEO at VAR Business Machines Company (BMC), about their leadership journeys. Meecham and Bauer discuss the nuances of leading your family business, the experiences that shaped them as leaders, the challenge of balancing company history with forging a path for the future, and more.  “The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is an award-winning content series designed specifica ..read more

In Episode 107 of “The Trusted Advisor,” POS Nation VP of Customer Experience Will Atkinson, BlueStar VP of Marketing Dean Reverman, and RSPA CEO Jim Roddy analyze the 2024 RSPA Retail IT Channel KPI Study. Atkinson, Reverman, and Roddy discuss how niche strategies are boosting VAR and ISV profits, the continued expansion of the as-a-Service recurring revenue business model, the forecast for VAR/ISV acquisitions, and more.  To download your copy of the 2024 RSPA Retail IT Channel KPI Study, visit: www.GoRSPA.org/2024-rspa-retail-it-channel-kpi-study  “The Trusted Advisor,” powered by ..read more

In Episode 106 of “The Trusted Advisor,” RSPA CEO Jim Roddy sits down with Ryan Girvin, CEO of value-added distributor BlueStar, to discuss his leadership journey. Girvin details how he was mentored by the late Steve Cuntz, the challenge of following in the footsteps of an industry legend, actions he’s taking to ensure a smooth leadership transition, the importance of being an approachable leader, and more. “The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is an award-winning content series designed specifically for retail IT VARs and software providers. Our ..read more

In Episode 105 of “The Trusted Advisor,” RSPA CEO Jim Roddy talks with Savneet Singh, CEO of billion-dollar RSPA member PAR, about his unique leadership journey. Much of the discussion focuses on the importance of creating a culture of candor – and the challenge of maintaining one long-term. Singh also talks about identifying and testing your next generation of potential leaders, which CEOs and books have guided him as a leader, and the value of authentic leadership. “The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is an award-winning content series designed ..read more

In Episode 104 of “The Trusted Advisor,” RSPA CEO Jim Roddy sits down with Jon Decker, CEO of BlockChyp, and Tom Bronson, President of Mastery Partners, to kick off a series of interviews focusing on leadership. Decker and Bronson discuss their time together at ISV Granbury Solutions, which key trait all future leaders must possess, their most impactful mentors, and the difficult experiences that shaped them as leaders.  “The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is an award-winning content series designed specifically for retail IT VARs and softw ..read more

In Episode 102 of “The Trusted Advisor,” RSPA CEO Jim Roddy sits down with Wendy Thacker, the Vice President of North American Channel Marketing for ScanSource, to discuss how trusted advisors embrace content marketing. Thacker, who has over 27 years of channel marketing experience, shares how VARs can launch an ongoing content marketing program, how they can consistently create compelling content, and how they can effectively execute on a call to action. “The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is an award-winning content series designed specificall ..read more

In Episode 101 of “The Trusted Advisor,” RSPA General Counsel Jill Miller sits down with RSPA CEO Jim Roddy to discuss transitioning your business through either an outside sale or handing it off to a family member or employee. Miller discusses due diligence, non-compete agreements, the importance of having a written plan, the role of your CPA, and more.  “The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is an award-winning content series designed specifically for retail IT VARs and software developers. Our goal is to educate you on the topics of leaders ..read more

In Episode 100 of “The Trusted Advisor,” RSPA CEO Jim Roddy talks with Rob Dorsey, the Vice President of Sales for BlueStar, about building relationships and making sales in the retail IT channel. Dorsey, who has worked in channel sales for over 25 years, shares his insights on the importance of passion, sincerity, and mindset to build long-term relationships and partnerships.  “The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is an award-winning content series designed specifically for retail IT VARs and software developers. Our goal is to educate you o ..read more

In Episode 99 of “The Trusted Advisor,” RSPA CEO Jim Roddy talks technology trends in label printing with Jon Levin, Director of Product Management at Star Micronics, and Kate Orara, Star’s Partner Development Manager. Levin and Orara share how VARs and ISVs can take advantage of new delivery avenues requiring new labeling solutions, increased consciousness related to food safety and allergens, and helping merchants go green and save money at the same time.  “The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is an award-winning content series designed spe ..read more

In Episode 98 of “The Trusted Advisor,” RSPA CEO Jim Roddy talks with Chris Allen, the Senior Vice President of Marketing at Heartland, about SMB marketing best practices for VARs and ISVs. Allen shares his secrets to developing core messages, utilizing a B2B website to generate leads, executing effective email campaigns, and engaging on social media to win new customers.  “The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is an award-winning content series designed specifically for retail IT VARs and software developers. Our goal is to educate you on the ..read more