theWHIR Blogs - Tom Millitzer

Soviet Style Negotiations - You Can Negotiate Anything

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:10:12 -0400

By Tom Millitzer Earlier in my carrier I negotiated franchises for the largest cable television company in the United States. I learned a lot, had the opportunity to really screw things up (Did not) and learned a great deal about motivation and negotiation styles. Most people do not go into a proceeding considering what negotiation posture they should take. They are a product of their own self-psychology, history, goals and prejudices - they just show up. Sellers are often too close to the deal. They have an idea of the outcome they desire, but not the path.

July 2nd -- Time to Make It Or Break It

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:48:44 -0400

By Tom Millitzer When growing up I always felt that when July 4th arrives summer was halfway over. I guess Memorial Day looked so much closer than it did the last day of school. It is interesting how we cubbyhole certain days and seasons in our personal and business life. Wednesday is hump day, April 15th is tax day, the third Thursday in November is Thanksgiving that is followed by Black Friday. Then there is July 2nd.

Millitzer Presenting at HostingCon - Bring Your Family

Thu, 14 May 2009 15:55:17 -0400

By Tom Millitzer If you have not heard, I am presenting "Dissecting a Hosting Company Acquisition" at HostingCon on Wednesday August 12th. Hosting executives were doing back flips when this was announced. Other than this obvious, and rare, self-promotion; the previous paragraph is a lead in for an important subject. Taxes.

Sell Your Hosting Company - Give them what they want

Fri, 08 May 2009 10:33:26 -0400

By Tom Millitzer Your partner, shareholder or loved one comes up and says, "I think we should consider selling the hosting company." Exiting, the polite word, better stated as selling your business should be part of your business plan strategy and analysis. It should be an annual event and part of your discussion with your partners, corporate board meeting or at lunch with your family management associate.

I Believe in Santa – But Not Earth Day

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:39:48 -0400

By Tom Millitzer It began one Saturday when my wife and I volunteered at an event to plant trees in a local park. First was the lecture, I am not good lectures, specially nature lectures that inform me that tree manufactures kill 14 million trees a year so I can get my newspaper. I think some of the children were about to cry. My wife quickly stuffed the newspaper in her purse. I wanted to tell them about the replanting that goes on and on in these tree farms so they can stay in tree business forestever, but I was overruled by family management. There were about 50 people at the event and all of 35 trees to plant. We were to get into small groups of about three people, take a tree and plant at the marked location. My wife and I decided our group was large enough. We planted a tree. I got another tree, it to was planted. Lisa and I planted 11 trees.

Monetizing Your Toys - Building Your Business

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:34:50 -0400

By Tom Millitzer On board is a Bell Jet Ranger III helicopter, two tenders a 19-foot Cigarette a 23-foot Donzi - and two BMW motorcycles. They don't have it in the Brochure but I saw a small yellow submarine amidships in a cubbyhole about 15 feet above the water line. I am talking about the Forbes Yacht, The Highlander. I saw it in Milwaukee. No one waved me to come on board this 151 ft creature as I sailed as deftly as my nautical skill would allow along the towering hull. 151 ft is large, when I first met her I would have easily thought 200 ft' +. In reading it does sound James Bond (1980's) in nature, in reality it is close.

Rackspace - Easy to Get Lost

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:20:39 -0400

By Tom Millitzer It is hard for the market to get excited about a $700 million cap/ex company when the financial world has been tumbling here and over there. But its Spring Training time and everyone gets a chance. Anticipating the August 2008 Rackspace IPO, David Menlow, president of IPOfinancial.com. said, "There has been far too much importance placed on this I.P.O. as the pied piper for the tech sector and for the health of the I.P.O. market," he continued "Rackspace is not the I.P.O. market savior."

Canada Invades U.S. Again

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:15:50 -0400

By Tom Millitzer There are a lot of reasons to enter the US market if you are from Canada. The US is a big market. This week British Columbia based Hosting Nation acquired two US firms; Hosting With Us and Domains With Us - each out of Atchison, KS - looks like sister companies. Although I usually don't connect the words "Grass roots" and "International" in the same sentence the GM of Hosting Nation said, "We have put a lot of energy into grass roots marketing efforts, but it's always been a part of our plan to expand internationally."

Hire An Attorney-Hire a Salesman

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:43:05 -0500

By Tom Millitzer Help Wanted: Attorney with commercial or government contract experience. Knowledge of government bidding processes a must. Bar Membership preferred but not required. 1-5 Years Experience. You should be able to hire an attorney and possibly one with executive sales experience. The market for young attorney is soft, and so are the salary levels.

ISPCON IS DEAD

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:07:03 -0500

By Tom Millitzer The last ISPCON had the feeling of, well, life-support. Alex Goldman has announced the expected, ISPCON is dead. I have been going to the trade show since 1997 where 15,000 to 20,000 attendees marveled at this Internet thing. It was a good vibrant business function that was a critical part in launching the digital age. Life was good.