Working for a VAR?

[Anonymous]

I'm considering a job offer with a VAR. They're partnered with some big vendors. Does anyone have thoughts on the industry, average pay, etc.?

[Anonymous]

Depends on who the VAR is.

[Anonymous]

Most VAR's are partnered with big vendors. If you are thinking that because they are an HP, IBM, Microsoft and Cisco partner that they are a major player well you're wrong. It all depends on how much business they're doing with these mfg's. Any VAR can have partnerships with the following and it doesn't mean anything. Trust me, I've been in the VAR industry for 6 years and I know that it doesn't matter who they are in bed, or partnered with, especially when it's a strong relationship with State and Local and you're selling in the commercial sector... (those partnerships don't mean jack because if your company is doing millions with a MFG in State Govt, and zilch in commercial, well the commercial team from HP doesn't recognize you having much value to them at all)... Also, it's a what have you done for me lately mentality, so most of the time, Cisco for example might have hundreds of partners and locally may be only doing business with a couple of them because they are actively bringing in deals.

The industry standard is small base and hopefully big commissions from services (not product because the pm is tiny these days). With that being said, make sure the VAR is not just a box pusher, and actually performs IT services for customers.

I would skip working for a VAR and try and get into working directly for the MFG, or go into a different type of sales completely..

[Anonymous]

Veteran here,

The golden days are over. Good start and looks good on a resume, but margins are non existent anymore and you are getting crushed by 400 competitors doing essentially the same thing. Industry is rough for disty's, mfg's, and var's right now.

Good for starting out, but I say the best side is to be working for the mfg. IF not get in and get experience and move on. Still alot of people in it making big $, but not near like there used to be. This is the voice of experience.

[Anonymous]

Veteran here,

The golden days are over. Good start and looks good on a resume, but margins are non existent anymore and you are getting crushed by 400 competitors doing essentially the same thing. Industry is rough for disty's, mfg's, and var's right now.

Good for starting out, but I say the best side is to be working for the mfg. IF not get in and get experience and move on. Still alot of people in it making big $, but not near like there used to be. This is the voice of experience.

Would you recommend any of the competitors?

[Anonymous]

Look at SHI. 3.7 billion dollar LAR. Can compete with CDW and Dell. Far better option than any of the local VARs.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Great thread! I'm the original poster. I took the VAR job. Everything you said is on the money. I had a decent first year, but the experience has been invaluable. I got thrown in day one with no experience and no training agenda, but I found a way to swim. Looking for an opp to move to a manufacturer role.

[Anonymous]

Great thread! I'm the original poster. I took the VAR job. Everything you said is on the money. I had a decent first year, but the experience has been invaluable. I got thrown in day one with no experience and no training agenda, but I found a way to swim. Looking for an opp to move to a manufacturer role.

Glad to hear that things are going well. Are you finding that mfg's are hiring now?

[Anonymous]

Veteran here,

The golden days are over. Good start and looks good on a resume, but margins are non existent anymore and you are getting crushed by 400 competitors doing essentially the same thing. Industry is rough for disty's, mfg's, and var's right now.

Good for starting out, but I say the best side is to be working for the mfg. IF not get in and get experience and move on. Still alot of people in it making big $, but not near like there used to be. This is the voice of experience.

How about LaSalle Solutions? Any good?

[Anonymous]

Anyone with info about Lasalle?

[Anonymous]

Anyone with info about Lasalle?

I hear good things. The LAMP product is taking off.