Our First Research Report: The MSPmentor 100

When we unveiled the MSPmentor 100 research report on January 28, we expected to turn a few heads. But in the past 48 hours, even we have been surprised by the report’s success.

The MSPmentor 100 is a global research effort identifying the world’s most progressive managed service providers. It’s also a great case study for those who are dabbling in Web 2.0 technologies, research, content, marketing and branding. Based on several key metrics, the report is a big success. Plus we learned a wealth of information to help us with our next online research project.

New Media Wins Again!

I have a confession. I stole the headline for this blog entry from Cheryl Snapp Conner, managing partner at SnappConner PR. In a blog post earlier today, Cheryl wrote:

“Clearly, social networking is a force today’s PR professionals can no longer afford to ignore.”

We couldn’t agree more. Cheryl’s comment was a reaction to the MSPmentor 100, our new research report. The MSPmentor 100 identifies the world’s most progressive managed service providers. Cheryl noted that the entire project was conducted online, using our MSPmentor.net Web site, peer social networks and Web 2.0 survey tools.

As a result, we weren’t limited by national borders, or print magazine subscriber lists. Don’t get us wrong: There’s still value in print circulation lists. We just prefer the Web 2.0 world, where readership truly is global.

Skeptical? Managed Service Providers from New Hampshire to The Netherlands are celebrating their position on the MSPmentor 100. (Here’s a map displaying all of the MSPmentor 100 honorees.)

Take a look at the MSPmentor 100. We’d welcome your feedback, because we’re already hard at work on additional reports for both MSPmentor and its sister Web site, The VAR Guy.

Our First Company Crisis

Business was going so well. Nine Lives Media Inc. has been hitting it off with customers and we’re having fun building out our first two digital media brands, The VAR Guy and MSPmentor.

Now, for the problem: Co-founder Amy Katz lives near Boston and is a New England Patriot fanatic. Her business partner — yours truly — lives in New York … home of the Super Bowl bound Giants. So, Giants vs. Patriots. Things may get a little tense around here for the next few weeks.