“The benefits far outweigh the financial and opportunity costs, making it a worthwhile investment for any serious business owner in the IT industry.”
“It’s helped us avoid costly mistakes. By implementing the knowledge I gained from Evolve, I was able to “curve jump,” accelerating my business growth without significant or major financial setbacks.”
Call it luck.
Call it fate.
Call it what you will, it was magic-in-the-making.
A chance encounter in 2005 between Arlin Sorensen, Vice President of Ecosystem Evangelism, ConnectWise, and Ed Correria, CEO, Sagacent, set the course for a decades-long journey, ignited by a mission to enrich the lives of IT professionals.
How It Started
Correia first encountered IT Nation Evolve™ after attending a presentation by Paul Dipple on service leadership and best practices (SLI™). This initial exposure provided invaluable insights into tracking performance and implementing best practices. It was also the first point of entry to a peer group environment which allowed Correia to understand the value of others’ experiences.
“If you want to do anything in this industry, really want do it well and grow a successful business and then, one day, be able to sell it, you absolutely need to be in peer groups,” said Correia.
For Sorenson and Correia, it was the right time, right opportunity to put a plan into practice.
This is how peer groups formalized.
How It’s Going
IT Nation Evolve™ (formerly HTG) was designed to provide MSPs with industry knowledge, peer support, and expert strategies that would position them for long-term success. Peer groups are exposed to knowledge sharing, networking; and resources that support strategic growth, and leadership development.
“The peer groups foster deep relationships through shared experiences, such as traveling together and hosting meetings in different locations. These connections enhance the overall support network.”
Correia emphasizes the importance of being open to criticism and sharing challenges honestly. This openness allows for valuable feedback and support. The facilitators in Evolve bring their own experiences and connections, providing personalized support and introductions to a diverse set of resources.
“If you can be honest, vulnerable, and share your challenges, there are people around the table who can offer you suggestions. I learned that there are natural plateaus in business growth, and we needed to pivot strategies to reach the next level.”
Scaling Operations with Enhanced Business Processes
One of Correia’s significant challenges was scaling his business operations efficiently.
“As we grew, managing the increasing workload and maintaining service quality became difficult. Through Evolve, I learned best practices for scaling operations, including effective delegation and process automation, which helped me manage growth without compromising service quality.”
Participation in multiple peer groups allowed Ed to build successful structures and processes within his business, particularly in sales and service management. In addition, Evolve’s focus on leadership development helped Correia bring in and train new leaders, ensuring the long-term success and scalability of his business.
Long-Term Business Sustainability
Ed credits his business’s survival and success to the insights and support gained from Evolve.
“Evolve can be summed up in one word: amazing. It’s truly one of the best experiences of my career.”
The peer groups provided the knowledge and strategies needed to navigate the ever-changing IT industry. Despite changes over time, the core culture and character of peer groups have been preserved in IT Nation Evolve, maintaining a strong foundation of support and collaboration.
“The benefits far outweigh the financial and opportunity costs, making it a worthwhile investment for any serious business owner in the IT industry.”
Correia attributes his growth and continued success to Evolve. Learning from others’ experiences has helped us avoid costly mistakes, further enhancing the ROI of participating in Evolve.
“It’s helped us avoid costly mistakes. By implementing the knowledge I gained from Evolve, I was able to “curve jump,” accelerating my business growth without significant or major financial setbacks.”
