At first glance, the ConnectWise reorganization merely involves several executive titles and branding changes. But take a closer look and you'll see an organizational chart that strives to deliver a more consistent partner experience across R&D, sales, partner onboarding, support and more. The big question: Can the reorg really unlock the full power of ConnectWise and its software?
The reorganization occurred in mid-2015 but wasn't publicly announced until this week's IT Nation 2015 conference. In some ways it was four years in the making. ConnectWise invested in LabTech Software in 2010, then gradually added the Quosal and ScreenConnect investments. There also was a 2013 investment in BizDox (sources say it didn't work out), along with a key relationship with CharTec (which involves a range of specialties, including training).
Four Becomes One
Many partners assumed the current product portfolio -- ConnectWise, LabTech, Quosal, ScreenConnect -- essentially represented "one company." But that didn't actually occur until several weeks ago, when legal paperwork finalized the reorganization and put all of those assets under a single corporate roof: ConnectWise.
In anticipation of that move, the company took steps to transform its organizational structure -- naming a dedicated GM to drive each product area, while also shifting some roles in the executive suite.
Here's a closer look at the moves and what they potentially mean to ConnectWise and the company's Community efforts.
Reorganization Details
Sources: CEO Arnie Bellini, President and COO Matt Nachtrab, Chief Revenue Officer Adam Slutskin
1. Executive Leaders: Under a sweeping reorganization that brings ConnectWise, LabTech, Quosal and ScreenConnect under one roof (parent: ConnectWise), Arnie Bellini remains CEO and extends to Chief Product Officer. Also, LabTech veteran Matt Nachtrab shifts to president and COO of the overall company, reporting to Arnie Bellini. Chief Revenue Officer Adam Slutskin now reports to Nachtrab. And David Bellini continues his international focus, carrying the new title President and Managing Director, ConnectWise International.
"Everyone saw the companies together, but we really weren't 'all one company' until this reorganization," says Nachtrab.
Dig a little deeper, and you'll see General Managers leading each business unit. All sales and marketing rolls up to Chief Revenue Officer Adam Slutskin -- so that overall planning on both sides of the table can be in harmony, he asserts.
2. R&D, Sales, Onboarding, Support and More: ConnectWise is striving to deliver a consistent partner experience regardless of how you engage with the company. Also, R&D teams across the product lines are meeting weekly or every other week, led by Arnie Bellini. No doubt, ConnectWise also sees opportunities to promote ConnectWise Business Suite across its partner base. The company has a combined 9600 partners, but only about 830 partners run ConnectWise, LabTech and Quosal as a complete trio solution -- the suite.
3. Expert Guidance: Judith Glaser, the author of Conversational Intelligence, consulted on the reorganization -- a lengthy process involving plenty of white boarding discussions and even job interviews for existing team members to move into new positions.
ConnectWise Community: IT Nation, User Groups, More
Sources: Senior Director of Community Amy Hodge, Chief Revenue Officer Adam Slutskin, Co-founder David Bellini
4. The Big Picture: Roughly 3,000 people -- mostly IT solutions providers -- attended IT Nation 2015. There also are about 30 user groups worldwide. And so-called meetups -- where a few dozen partners meet for dinner in a specific city -- could incubate additional user groups. Meanwhile, the other brands (LabTech, Quosal, ScreenConnect) have specific community components as well.
5. Defining Moment: ConnectWise began accelerating its community efforts about six years ago, when CEO Arnie Bellini decided to give the group its own budget and its own seat at the executive table. Instead of having Community report to Marketing, Community was set free from that potential limitation.
With community and IT Nation, "Arnie tapped into the entrepreneurial spirit of our members," says David Bellini. "They’re all business owners. When I looked around at the first IT Nation, I was very proud of my brother. I still am."
Jeannine Edwards (now director of platform at ConnectWise) pioneered the early community work. More recently, Amy Hodge has led the community charge -- which includes 18 employees. Hodge's mission: Grow the community and deepen engagements, while protecting and maintaining the authenticity and credibility of the community.
6. The Concept for IT Nation: Who pushed ConnectWise to launch a conference like IT Nation? Hmmm... Slutskin credits Andrew Morgan, an MSP industry veteran now at LogicMonitor. Moreover, Morgan was the industry insider who introduced Slutskin to Arnie Bellini and other ConnectWise leaders.
7. IT Nation 2016 Europe?: ConnectWise is contemplating a first-time IT Nation 2016 conference for Europe.
Cheat Sheet: ConnectWise Leadership
Still trying to figure out who does what? Here's a cheat sheet for partners -- a sampling of some (though not all) executives at ConnectWise, and their potential channel impact.
Arnie Bellini, Chief Executive Officer & Chief Product Officer
David Bellini, President & Managing Director, ConnectWise International
Matt Nachtrab, President & Chief Operating Officer
Adam Slutskin, Chief Revenue Officer
Craig Fulton, General Manager, ConnectWise Business Suite
Kent McNall, General Manager, Quosal
Linda Catrett Brotherton, General Manager, ConnectWise
Brett Cheloff, General Manager, LabTech
Jeff Bishop, General Manager, ScreenConnect
Mark Sokol, Vice President, Product Marketing & Branding
Amy Hodge, Senior Director, Community
Next Moves
It sounds like the top ConnectWise priority is delivering a range of 16.1 enhancements for partners, many of which were demonstrated at the conference. But international expansion and perhaps event some funding opportunities could be on the table, ChannelE2E notes.
President and COO Matt Nachtrab mentioned that ConnectWise has zero debt. When we asked about a potential IPO either near- or long-term, Nachtrab simply stated that it was job to help ensure ConnectWise was in the best position possible for any type of future financial event. Translation: He didn't answer the question... but I'll keep asking.
