Sheryl Hoskins

After reading Jim Ziegler's recent LinkedIn post about his health, https://lnkd.in/gNT6QbYw , I had to call Jim Ziegler, CSP, HSG, OG this morning. In the article he asked for his friends to share a stories of how he impacted, or influenced them over the years. Jim helped change my perspective around what was possible in F&I. He was the original automotive "influencer", decades before we even knew what an influencer was at all. Jim has always been a larger than life character in automotive retail, and I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to have Jim as my friend. It was a privilege for me to introduce Jim prior to his final keynote a few years ago, when we were attending Digital Dealer in Tampa. He provided a dynamic presentation, and was as relevant and controversial as ever. But as controversial as Jim has been over the years, we always knew where he stood on tough issues. He never chose to take the easy road, and always resisted following the status quo. He has always been a trailblazer for future disruptors in automotive retail. Jim and I have not always been in agreement on every issue. He and I have positively debated back and forth on a few issues. Even though we haven’t agreed on 100% of all the issues, we have been in alignment on 95%+ of them. And I have always respected his opinion. His outside the box thinking always offers a unique perspective. Jim's impact on our industry has been legendary. Industry legends like Jim that have been trailblazers for decades, are a treasure for our industry. The car business will not be the same without Jim in it. Although his health may be deteriorating, the legacy that he created will always live on… How has Jim influenced you over the course of your career?

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Great news for us, the talent working hard to make things happen. And it's directly related to my last post. The idea that a big company can buy a smaller company for 12 billion, and at the same time layoff thousand people with the expectation those people won't start their own business because it competes with their trade secrets is no more. Laying off thousands doesn't save money when you are spending it elsewhere and you still need talent to develop those drugs too. Nonsense. Maybe I'm being naive, but in my opinion, this rule will force big companies to think twice and treat their talent differently. https://lnkd.in/eD6ntMTC

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Thoughts from ConnectWise PartnerFest '24 The "PE Financial Backer" fireside forum at PartnerFest24 provided a fascinating glimpse into the evolving world of private equity investment in the managed service provider (MSP) industry. As the MSP market undergoes significant consolidation and transformation, driven by an influx of over $150 billion in private equity capital, MSPs and their partners are navigating a new landscape of opportunities and challenges.   The panel featured leaders from private equity, banking and a founder lead operating partner who have been at the forefront of this transformation, including Sydney Hockett from Evergreen Services Group, Rashaad Bajwa from Integris, and Abraham Garver from Focus Investment Banking specializing in MSP transactions. Through their unique perspectives and experiences, the panelists shed light on the key trends, strategies, and implications of private equity investment for MSPs the industry.   Key insights: 1) Decision-makers within PE-backed MSPs are changing. 2) The MSP industry is seeing significant consolidation, with over $150 billion of private equity money seeking to make platform investments in the space. PE-backed MSPs often prioritize integration, standardization, and professionalization of their acquired companies to achieve economies of scale and drive growth. 3) The IT Nation Evolve community has been a game-changer for MSPs, providing a valuable platform for networking, peer learning, and business development. 4) As MSPs grow and become PE-backed, their relationships with vendors like ConnectWise are evolving, with a greater focus on strategic partnerships and value creation. Advice for ConnectWise Colleagues: 1) Understand the unique needs and priorities of PE-backed MSPs and tailor your engagement and support accordingly. Remember that timing is everything! 2) Understand and be proactive in building relationships with the new decision-makers of PE-backed MSPs to ensure continued partnership and value creation. 3) Demonstrate the value-add of ConnectWise solutions and how they can support the growth, professionalization, and integration goals of PE-backed MSPs. 4) Collaborate with PE-backed MSPs to provide strategic insights, best practices, and resources that can help them navigate the challenges and opportunities of rapid growth and consolidation. 5) Continue to foster and support the IT Nation Evolve community, which is a critical platform for MSPs to connect, learn, and grow, and can help ConnectWise stay close to the evolving needs of the industry. Conclusion:   The MSP industry is undergoing significant transformation, driven by the influx of private equity investment and the rapid consolidation of the market. As the market evolves, needs, priorities, and decision-making structures are changing, presenting both challenges and opportunities for partners like ConnectWise. We are The IT Nation. Wise Together, Rise Together! #PartnerFest24 #ITNation #ConnectWise

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What's wrong here? John Cutler's chart beautifully illustrates the lag time between what management is thinking and how this propagates to the teams. Some lag time is inevitable due to the different levels of perspective (macro vs. micro), but we can actively minimise that. What are your best practices to minimise lag time and create a strong alignment between teams and management?

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GET THE FACTS Data driven humans. I heard Steve Balmer created USAFacts. Finally digging into what they created. The data is presented in a clear, concise, nonpartisan manner so its is accessible and understandable to people you share it with to help them make smart, informed decisions. Alot to consume so take small bites like How long does family-based immigration to the US take? What are the current swing states, and how have they changed over time? Are fentanyl overdose deaths rising in the US? Which groups have experienced an increase in hate crimes? How many teens are in the labor force? An overview of the US–Mexico border. For a quick snapshot explore the data under 'Noteworthy Data' section to see Line Charts on Population, Families in poverty, Violent crimes, Percent of adults with obesity, Presidential voting rate compared to total voting-age population, ... https://lnkd.in/gWdDMtCa Enjoy and share with your friends for informed conversations. or don't share and be the smarty pants in the room.

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