Full Sail Partners Blog | Amy Balassone

Posts by Amy Balassone:

Hosting Solutions for the Agile Workforce: Remote Access, Security, and Scalability

Posted by Amy Balassone on Oct 16, 2025 12:00:00 AM

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The way we work has changed and looks very different than it did even just a decade ago. Teams are no longer tied to one office or one location, and many employees are collaborating from home, on project sites, and even across the world. While this shift has opened exciting opportunities such as new levels of productivity and talent reach, it also creates unique challenges around data access, security, and system performance leading management to ask, “How can firms keep everyone connected, secure, and equipped to grow?

That’s where cloud hosting solutions come in. By moving your firm’s systems and data to the cloud, you can give your teams the secure access they need, while ensuring your business is ready to scale as it grows.

Secure Access from Anywhere

One of the most critical requirements for today’s workforce is the ability to access information and applications from any location. In today’s business environment, flexibility is key. Cloud hosting allows employees to log in securely whether they’re in the office, on the road, or at a client site. Instead of being limited to a single computer or network, your team can access the tools and information they need whenever and wherever they’re working.

For executives, this also means more reliable visibility into project performance and financials. Leaders can access dashboards, reports, and KPIs in real time—without waiting for updates from siloed systems. That level of access supports faster decision-making, better client responsiveness, and stronger competitive positioning.

Protecting What Matters Most

Security is not optional—it’s essential. Cybersecurity threats are a concern for every business, and for good reason. Cloud hosting providers offer layers of protection that go far beyond what most firms can maintain on their own, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and continuous monitoring. By leveraging a cloud hosting solution, firms can confidently protect client data and proprietary information, meeting both internal security needs and regulatory requirements. This means peace of mind for executives and confidence for your clients.

For IT managers, cloud hosting also provides access to enterprise-grade security tools without the burden of managing them in-house. Routine patches, threat detection, and compliance audits are handled by experts, reducing risk while freeing up valuable internal resources.

Effortless Scalability

Growth brings opportunity—and technical demands. Adding new staff, projects, or locations can put strain on in-house systems. As your firm takes on new projects or adds more staff, your technology needs to grow too. With cloud hosting, scaling is simple. You can quickly add capacity or users without having to purchase new servers or go through complicated system upgrades. It’s a solution designed to grow with your business, not hold it back.

This agility is especially valuable for project-based firms that experience seasonal or project-driven fluctuations in demand. The ability to scale up or down ensures resources are used efficiently, helping to maximize profitability while supporting business expansion.

Simplifying IT Management

Managing IT infrastructure in-house can be expensive and time-consuming. Cloud hosting shifts that responsibility to the hosting provider. With cloud hosting, firms no longer need to budget for costly servers, hardware upgrades, or extensive onsite IT staff. The hosting provider is the one that will handle updates, maintenance, and troubleshooting, so your team can focus on serving clients and growing the business.

For executives, the predictable monthly cost structure provides budgeting clarity, while IT leaders benefit from being able to redirect their focus from “keeping the lights on” to more strategic initiatives like digital transformation and data analytics.

Making the Move with Confidence

For firms embracing remote teams and distributed project sites, cloud hosting is more than just a technology upgrade—it’s a strategic investment. By delivering secure remote access, protecting what matters most, and offering effortless scalability, hosting solutions empower the agile workforce to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving business environment.

Whether you’re an executive looking for business continuity and growth or an IT manager seeking operational efficiency and reduced risk, cloud hosting positions your firm to meet today’s demands—and tomorrow’s opportunities.

Ready to explore how Deltek Cloud hosting can support your firm’s future?

Take the first step today by filling out our Cloud Conversion Interest Form. Our team will help you evaluate your options and build a secure, scalable path forward.

 

Understanding the Four Levels of Severity When Submitting a Case to Deltek Support

Posted by Amy Balassone on Feb 13, 2025 12:00:00 AM

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Let's be real: dealing with system issues can be a major headache. But knowing how to categorize your problem when submitting a support case to Deltek can make all the difference in getting the help you need—fast. Choosing the right severity level ensures that Deltek can prioritize your case appropriately, saving you from unnecessary delays and frustrations.

So, let’s break down the four severity levels Deltek offers, what they mean, and how to make sure your issue gets the attention it deserves.

1. Mission Critical (Severity 1)

This is the "all hands on deck" level. If your system is completely down, producing incorrect data that could lead to major business blunders, or preventing you from working altogether—this is your category.

Examples of Mission Critical Issues:

  • Your entire system crashes and won't let you log in.
  • Financial calculations are way off, potentially leading to serious business risks.
  • A major system failure with no workaround, grinding operations to a halt.

What Happens in Severity 1 Cases:

  • Deltek immediately prioritizes Severity 1 cases as top priority.
  • A dedicated Support Services Analyst will be assigned to your case full-time to ensure a rapid resolution.
  • This level is used when there’s an imminent deadline or business-critical operations at risk, and there’s no reasonable workaround to mitigate the issue.

Why It’s Important: Mission-critical issues require swift action to minimize downtime and business disruption. This is why Deltek places the highest priority on these cases and dedicates full-time resources to resolving them.

2. Critical (Severity 2)

Think of this as the "high priority, but not a total meltdown" level. A major function isn't working properly, but you can still get some work done with a workaround.

Examples of Critical Issues:

  • A key feature is glitching, but you’ve found a workaround to keep moving.
  • A non-production system is acting up and causing delays.

What Happens in Severity 2 Cases:

  • Deltek assigns a Support Services Analyst to tackle your issue during business hours.
  • The case is treated with urgency, but since you have a workaround, it’s not as critical.
  • The analyst works with you to identify the problem and find a long-term solution.

Why It’s Important: Your operations might not be at a full stop, but resolving these issues quickly is crucial to avoid further disruptions.

3. Elevated (Severity 3)

This level covers the "it's annoying but not a deal-breaker" kind of issues. Your system is working, but not as smoothly as you'd like.

Examples of Elevated Issues:

  • A visual glitch that’s more of an eyesore than a real problem.
  • A feature that’s sluggish but still functional.
  • Formatting errors that don’t impact operations.

What Happens in Severity 3 Cases:

  • A Support Services Analyst will take a look and work on a fix.
  • These cases don't demand immediate attention but are still important.
  • Issues may be escalated if they become more problematic.

Why It’s Important: Even small frustrations can add up. Getting them fixed ensures your system remains efficient and user-friendly. Deltek prioritizes resolving these issues promptly to maintain optimal system performance and user satisfaction.

4. General (Severity 4)

This is your "curious, but not in a rush" level. These cases are for general questions, feature requests, or minor bugs that don’t disrupt daily operations.

Examples of General Issues:

  • You’re unsure how to use a specific feature and need clarification.
  • A minor bug that’s annoying but doesn’t impact your workflow.
  • Suggestions for future improvements.

What Happens in Severity 4 Cases:

  • Support will get to these as part of their regular workflow.
  • Since there’s no critical time constraint or major business impact, the response time may be longer than for higher-severity cases.
  • Support staff will provide assistance based on normal procedures, and issues may be resolved in future product updates or patches.

Why It’s Important: Even small things matter—whether it's answering your questions or improving future system versions.

How to Choose the Right Severity Level

Picking the right severity level helps Deltek help you—quickly and efficiently. Here’s a cheat sheet:

  • Severity 1: If your business is at a standstill—submit ASAP.
  • Severity 2: Major impact, but you can still function.
  • Severity 3: Moderate impact with workarounds.
  • Severity 4: Minor impact or general questions.

By understanding and accurately selecting the severity level of your issue, you help Deltek respond faster and more effectively, ensuring minimal disruption to your business. Remember, the more specific and detailed you are when submitting your case, the quicker and more efficiently your issue will be addressed.

Need Help Deciding? We're Here for You!

Still unsure which severity level fits your issue? No worries! Reach out to your Full Sail Partners Account Manager, and they'll help you submit your case with confidence. We're here to make your Deltek experience as smooth as possible!

 

 

Navigating Your Digital Transformation: Embrace the Future with Cloud Solutions

Posted by Amy Balassone on Dec 19, 2024 12:00:00 AM

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In today’s fast-paced digital world, businesses are embarking on a transformative journey toward modernizing their IT infrastructure. Imagine your business is like a spacecraft venturing into the vast expanse of a new digital universe. Instead of charting the stars alone, you can have a trusted mission control—a consulting partner—to guide you through the complexities of this digital cosmos. Welcome to the future of IT: Cloud Solutions.

What is a Cloud Solution?

To grasp the concept of Cloud Solutions, let’s explore this futuristic digital landscape. The “cloud” is a sophisticated network of servers and services that exists online, accessible through the internet. It’s not a physical entity but a metaphor for a model where your IT infrastructure is managed by a specialized provider. This partnership means that all aspects of IT—data storage, hardware, software updates, and security—are handled by experts, allowing you to focus on your core business activities.

Consider this: you run a cutting-edge architectural firm, renowned for your innovative design projects. Your architects are masters of design and creativity, but managing internal IT systems, keeping up with technological updates, and handling technical issues are outside their expertise. Additionally, purchasing and maintaining IT equipment represents a significant non-revenue-generating cost. A Cloud Solution offers the ideal remedy by taking these burdens off your shoulders. Advantages of Cloud Solutions

Cost Efficiency

Cloud Solutions bring a new level of financial predictability and efficiency. Instead of being burdened with large capital expenditures for on-site hardware and its ongoing maintenance, cloud computing allows you to shift to a more manageable and predictable financial model. By adopting a cloud-based approach, you benefit from a fixed annual cost that covers all your IT needs—hardware, software, updates, and support. This fixed cost model helps stabilize your IT budget, turning what was once a variable expense into a consistent, manageable investment.

Not only does this make budgeting easier, but it also eliminates the financial strain of unexpected IT expenses. With Cloud Solutions, you’re investing in a streamlined, cost-effective approach to managing your IT infrastructure, freeing up resources to focus on growing your business and pursuing innovation.

Robust Security

Data security is a top priority in the digital realm. Cloud providers invest in advanced security measures, including encryption, regular audits, and compliance with stringent standards. Furthermore, cloud facilities are designed to withstand physical threats like natural disasters, ensuring your data remains protected and accessible.

Sustainability

Embracing cloud computing aligns with environmental stewardship. Cloud Solutions contributes to reduced energy consumption and lower carbon footprints by optimizing resource utilization and minimizing electronic waste. This supports broader sustainability goals and corporate responsibility.

Accessibility and Flexibility

The cloud’s most transformative feature is its accessibility. It enables you to access data and applications from anywhere, anytime, and on any device. This flexibility supports remote work, enhances collaboration, and keeps your team productive regardless of their location.

Choosing the Right Digital Transformation Consulting Partner

As you prepare for this digital voyage, partnering with an experienced consultant is crucial. So, what are some key traits of successful consultants?

  1. Dependability: A great consultant consistently delivers on their promises and provides reliable service.
  2. Attention to Detail: Precision matters. Top consultants produce flawless work and manage every aspect of your IT environment with meticulous care.
  3. Expert Knowledge: Seek consultants with extensive experience in cloud technologies. Their expertise will guide you through the intricacies of cloud solutions and help you make informed decisions.
  4. Critical Thinking: Exceptional consultants evaluate all potential solutions thoroughly, considering various factors to identify the best fit for your needs.
  5. Resourcefulness: Effective consultants are adept at finding creative solutions to complex challenges, leveraging their industry knowledge and connections.
  6. Effective Communication: Good consultants ask insightful questions and listen attentively to your needs, ensuring their recommendations align with your business goals.

Embark on Your Digital Journey with Full Sail Partners

As you venture into the digital future, Full Sail Partners is your mission control, offering the expertise and support needed to navigate the cloud’s vast opportunities. Available consulting services and free webinars provide valuable insights into the benefits of cloud computing, helping you make the most of this technological leap.

With just a click, you can begin your journey towards a more efficient, secure, and sustainable IT environment. Embrace the future with confidence, knowing that your digital transformation is guided by expert hands.

So, while you may not be exploring distant galaxies, the journey to digital transformation is just as exciting and essential. Partner with Full Sail Partners and chart your course to a future where technology enhances your business capabilities and drives success.

The Value of Continuous Employee Feedback

Posted by Amy Balassone on Jul 25, 2018 12:00:00 AM

Employee Feedback

Annual review time is often seen by many employees as a stressor. For even the most productive employee, the question of what hasn’t been said until this one point in the year causes concern. From the manager’s perspective, how is it even possible to clearly remember a year’s worth of employee performance? It makes much more sense to offer feedback consistently throughout the year. Let’s take a closer look at the value of continuous employee feedback especially for project-based firms.

Employee Engagement

With continuous employee feedback, managers can initiate employee engagement which leads to further discussions. The more opinions and ideas that are gathered will ultimately improve the project and ensure that it is done efficiently and on budget. If issues crop up, as they often do, engaging employees frequently will allow for proactive problem resolution instead of reactive analysis down the road. 

Good Balance

Keeping a balance between positive and negative feedback is another benefit of continuous employee feedback. While an employee’s performance may have to be corrected over some issue during a project, other things that have been done well can be provided to offer encouragement. This way, employees are still motivated to do their best work and don’t react negatively to the one matter that needed improvement.

Actionable Feedback

Continuous feedback provides actionable items that are mutually beneficial to managers and employees. Freshly addressing the situation at hand allows managers to respond and employees to correct immediately rather than reacting to what has already transpired and cannot be changed. Employees can also be given proper training to improve their efficiency and the outcome of the project. 

Goal Setting

Talking regularly about performance allows employees to set goals for themselves. When employees see how they are contributing to a project and know they will be a part of the positive outcome, they are inspired to perform better than before. Goal setting benefits managers and employees alike. 

Learn from Feedback

Offering continuous feedback is a way for employees to learn, grow and develop. It is a much better strategy for project-based businesses than annual performance reviews. Consistent feedback encourages conversations, goal mastery and efficiently run projects which is a win for everyone in your firm.

 

How to Attract and Keep Great Employees Throughout the Employee Journey

Posted by Amy Balassone on Mar 15, 2018 12:00:00 AM

TalentIf I were to ask you which is more important to a successful business, the employee or the client, what would you answer? It's a tough call and either choice could be right depending on your circumstance. However, I would argue the employee is more important to ensuring a company is successful because great employees attract and keep great clients. So then why aren’t we investing more in our employees, and more importantly, how do we attract and keep great employees? The answer lies in mapping the employee journey.

To understand the employee journey and the imprint your firm is making, we will look at five key steps along the path of an employee.

  • It all begins with awareness or the knowledge or perception of a situation or fact. The key word being perception. How do candidates perceive you? Perception of a potential candidate can come from many sources:

    • Knowing an employee
    • Speaking to your clients or vendors
    • Articles and information disseminated by your firm
    • Research on the internet
    • Your website and social media pages

All of these are related to your brand. Brand awareness is equally important for HR to comprehend. A simple way to start to understand your brand is to ask exemplary employees: What did you know about our company before you interviewed and what made you choose us? This question can give you insight into your brand and what to do more of to ensure you know employee perception and the source of that info.  

  • The interview phase is another area that creates an impression. Not only for those you hire, but those you don’t. There are resources like Glassdoor that provide potential candidates insight on what the interview process is like and what it’s like to work at the firm. Do you know what is being said about your firm? The interview phase should give a candidate a sense of what it would be like to work for the firm and what will be expected. Recruiting and interviews are also a great time to build your network. You never know where the best candidate or client might come from. Even if you decide this person is not the candidate for this position, think about these things:

    • Could they fit another current or future position?
    • Do you know another position outside of your company?
    • Is this a person that could be great for networking?
    • Did you leave a positive impression while telling them they didn’t get the position?

  • The on-boarding phase can say a lot about a company. Firms that don’t have a formal process may find employees quickly leaving. Employees want their own manager to take charge, not HR. Firms should still be focused on recruiting an employee even after hiring. Additionally, on-boarding isn’t completed within the first week or even month of hire. Here are some things to think about when developing your on-boarding program:
     
    • Do you have a checklist for your onboarding?
    • Does the new hire have a place to sit and a computer to work on?
    • Is the hiring manager there on the employee’s first day?
    • Who are the mentors to train this new hire?
    • Who is responsible for reviewing company policy items, i.e. Timesheets, Expenses, Social Media, 401k, Healthcare, etc.
    • Do you have 3, 6 and 9-month goals and expectations outlined?
    • If local, who takes them on a tour and welcomes them?

  • The retention phase is the most vital stage for both the employee and the company. The relationship between an employee and employer will have its ups and downs, but continuous feedback and formal reviews will ensure everyone is on the same page. The needs of both the employee and employer must be balanced. Establishing goals, offering feedback and discussing a career path provide multiple benefits to the organization:
     
    • Decreases turnover
    • Increases employee loyalty
    • Increases employee referral
    • Differentiates the firm from competition
    • Creates a more engaged company culture
       
  • The exit phase is not a phase that many companies plan for, but firms should have a process in place for when an employee leaves. Just like onboarding, your firm should have a checklist. How will you transition clients, projects and job duties? Capturing institutional knowledge and minimizing single points of failure can be critical to the success of the firm. Lastly, remember that an exiting employee could become a client, vendor, or maybe even return to your firm, so be sure to keep the line of communication open.

The entire employee journey with your firm should be as positive as possible. Each of the five key phases is significant to ensuring your firm is perceived well by employees. Creating a good impression of your firm is essential to attract and retain the best employees. Check out our webinar to learn more about how your firm can increase its HR effectiveness by properly marketing itself.

Mixing Business with Fun at Deltek Insight 2017

Posted by Amy Balassone on Sep 6, 2017 12:00:00 AM

Deltek Insight 2017 Celebrating 10 YearsDeltek Insight 2017 is fast approaching­! Have you made your plans to go? This year it will be in Nashville, Tennessee from October 23rd to 26th at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. If you aren’t yet convinced of why you should attend Deltek Insight, here’s a look at some reasons to make it worth your while.

Sessions With Deltek Vision Experts

Deltek Vision can do more than most can even imagine. At Insight, there are numerous breakout sessions with Vision experts where you can learn tips and tricks that would otherwise remain undiscovered. Sessions are provided for Deltek Vision users of all skill levels from the novice to the expert Vision user. Sessions offer continuing education, provided by Vision experts, geared to increase your knowledge and ability to utilize Vision successfully.

Full Sail Partners will have several of its own experts on-site leading sessions. Rana Blair will demonstrate capabilities available to on-the-go project managers by displaying how iAccess can help more effectively monitor projects. If concerned with the challenge of recruiting top talent, you can join Sarah Gonnella as she shows how you can improve your HR effectiveness by deploying marketing tactics. Check out the whole list of Full Sail Partners’ led sessions here.

Network With Other Deltek Vision Users

Insight is the largest gathering of Deltek users. Attending Insight you will have many opportunities to network with Vision users from around the world. You will be able to talk with others in your industry about common user issues. In these pleasant interactions, you may be given answers to problems you have encountered, or you may be able to provide feedback that you acquired in using Vision.

Mixing Business With Fun

Deltek Insight begins with a huge welcome reception giving attendees the ability to mingle while learning more about the planned events for Insight 2017. Attendees will enjoy delectable hors d’oeuvres provided by Deltek. The welcome reception is a great time for you to stop by our booth and see what we are doing to improve our customer experiences and help you get the most out of Vision.

Insight 2017 also marks its 10th anniversary. At the Celebrate Insight event on the last night of the conference, LoCash will take the stage at the Grand Ole Opry. Attendees are never disappointed with the way that Deltek closes the action-packed week of networking and education. Between the food/dessert buffets and entertainment, this Insight event is sure to please.

Register Now for Deltek Insight 2017

It should be pretty obvious now that Deltek Insight provides great benefit to you and your firm. From the networking to the learning experiences to the fun, it is worth the effort to attend.

 

Uncovering the Value of Deltek Vision for Project Based Firms: A Short Story

Posted by Amy Balassone on Aug 2, 2017 12:00:00 AM

Short Story The following account is a true story. It begins with an AE firm recognizing the need for change in order to support its growth. This firm quickly realized that bringing disparate systems to one integrated platform like Deltek Vision was the fix they needed.

Here’s the firm’s story…

Identifying the Need for Change

Initially to manage its business, this firm was using several different systems that communicated poorly. Specifically, each critical function for the firm used a separate system which had its own unique database:

  • Accounts Receivable – MS Access database
  • Accounts Payable – MS Access and an outdated accounting program
  • Project Management – Internally developed and managed databases, spreadsheets, and online systems
  • Reporting – Internally developed and supported 

Desiring the ability to make better and faster decisions, the firm opted to move to a single enterprise-wide and industry-proven software platform. The move would allow this firm to streamline operations and reduce overhead time/costs by eliminating duplicate efforts and manual operations. The software of choice for this firm was Deltek Vision. 

Implementing Deltek Vision 

The implementation began with the drafting of processes using the project life cycle as a template. It was built to engage project managers earlier and more often throughout the entire process. Additionally, the firm recognized the need to ensure a budget could be developed using Resource Planning (RP). 

Having a budget became a requirement before a project could be initiated. As a result, the contract compensation was directly tied to the budget making routine maintenance integral to the project’s life. Furthermore, time charging, invoicing, and revenue recognition were not allowed without a project budget. 

The firm also sought to embrace the automation capabilities of Deltek Vision. Automation, of course, enabled the streamlining of processes. As an example, they decided to utilize invoice review automation to allow accounting to work in tandem with operations to deliver financial results. 

Most importantly, the philosophy around reporting changed dramatically. The firm now wanted to standardize reporting practices. Originally, employees had created and used their own desired data and had determined not only individual key performance indicators, but how and what those measurements were based upon.  

The Result of Choosing Deltek Vision 

I began working with this firm three years ago, and there is so much success to share: 

  • Reduction of invoicing time
  • Faster and more reliable monthly closes
  • More and better insight into project performance based on standardized reports 

These are just a few of the identified areas where using Deltek Vision has improved this firm’s performance. In the end, using Deltek Vision, the firm has seen its overall financial performance improve. 

Advice for Implementing Deltek Vision 

Here are some tips to help ensure successful Vision implementations:

  • Engage and work closely with a Deltek consulting partner like Full Sail Partners
  • Plan, design and configure based on your firm’s unique requirements
  • Testing, testing and more testing - both transactional and end to end
  • Make necessary changes and continue testing
  • Prepare for go live including preparing your staff with training  

Emergency Preventing a Commute into Work? Don’t Get Stuck, Get Virtual

Posted by Amy Balassone on Apr 26, 2017 12:00:00 AM

Virtual OfficeIt seems like every time you turn on the news, there appears to be a new emergency. It might be a man-made disaster like the recent I-85 bridge collapse in Atlanta or a natural one like a Snowmageddon event or a devastating wildfire. The concern of lost work time due to an emergency is a reality, especially if employers expect all employee work to be done on site at the office. In order to decrease downtime and loss of productivity due to such emergencies, firms should provide flexible work options for their employees.

Getting virtual is a necessity and it is becoming a common occurrence. According to statistics from Global Workplace Analytics, the telecommuting workforce has increased by about 102% from 2005 to 2014. How your firm gets virtual first requires the employer to evaluate the specific needs of the employees and identify what would be best for the employees and the firm.

Let’s Get Virtual

The ideal situation would allow employees to work from anywhere, anytime which requires virtualization. There are different options available to get virtual depending on your firm’s desires. At a minimum, a plan should be in place for unforeseen circumstances that keep employees from getting to the office.

Let’s take a look at some solutions that would help professional services firms:

Desktop and Application Virtualization

A desktop solution like Desktops2Go is a perfect option. Using any internet connected device, such as a tablet or smartphone, you can access your virtual desktop from home or another location. Work files and resources are housed remotely in the cloud, so there is no need to be physically in the office to get your work done. Whatever your job may be, from accounting professionals to project managers, all company information and software such as Vision or AutoCAD would be accessible in this cloud solution. 

Additionally, this cloud solution has the benefit of allowing you to switch between devices and pick right back up where you left off. In case one device fails or is stolen, you could continue working without missing a beat. Since none of the company information is stored locally, you don’t ever have to worry about losing control of company collateral.

Virtual Private Network

If you don’t want to be completely in the cloud, you could take advantage of Virtual Private Networks (VPN). This solution allows you to connect your company issued laptop directly to the company network and work virtually that way. While you will feel like you are at the office, you can work from any location with internet access. The only downsides of this option are:

  • IT department approval and configuration are required
  • It may not work from every remote network an end user is connected to, such as a hotel, café or airport
  • Additional training and user actions are needed to get connected and can be difficult to troubleshoot 

Remote Control Software

Another good option to get virtual is to use remote control software such as GoToMyPC to access a company workstation from anywhere. This solution does not require a company issued laptop. Instead, any IT department approved device can be used to work remotely with internet access. The drawbacks are:

  • It requires additional software and training for remote access which can be expensive
  • IT security policies may preclude this option

Web-enabled Products like Deltek Vision, Deltek PIM and Microsoft Office 365

Finally, and specifically for Deltek and Microsoft users, you can take advantage of web-enabled Deltek Vision, Deltek Project Information Management (PIM) and Microsoft Office 365. With these products, you can access Vision and all company information such as company files, emails and Microsoft Office from anywhere. However, remote access to Vision and PIM do require IT involvement and approval to configure for remote access.

Full Sail Partners Can Help You Get Virtual

Full Sail Partners can assist you with any of the solutions you feel will fit your firm’s needs. We look forward to helping you get virtual so you will never have to get stuck again in any emergency. Click here to request more information! 

 

Ten Traits of a Great Seller

Posted by Amy Balassone on Sep 21, 2016 12:00:00 AM

 

Traits_of_a_Good_Seller_2.pngSales is a tough industry where success is measured by attaining goals and quotas. So why are some sales people more successful than others? The reality is, selling and buying are not completely an intellectual process and actually requires building an emotional relationship. In order for you to be a great seller, several of these personality traits should characterize you.

  1. Visionary – Seeing the future and the big picture is a key to being successful in sales. More importantly, they do not allow where they are today to determine where they are going in the future.
  2. Ambitious – Top sellers have personal drive and don’t wait for someone else to tell them to do something. They know there is no time to wait for the next opportunity to come along, but that they need to be actively seeking more opportunities.
  3. Enthusiastic – It’s hard to sell anything if you’re not excited about the product. In fact, there might be some situations where your product is inferior to the competition. But if you’re more passionate about your product it’s more likely the buyer is going to be convinced to purchase from you.
  4. Persistence – The length of a sales cycle is different for every product and other outside factors such as under-motivated decision makers. Top sellers are tenacious. They know how to stay top-of-mind with decision makers so that when they finally decide to move forward, they’re there to close the deal.
  5. Conscientious – This is a personality trait used to describe a person that is efficient and well organized. Conscientious sales people are also motivated and able to keep moving forward after facing rejection.
  6. Active Listener – It’s hard to know the challenges a client faces without them explaining them. An active listener helps drive the conversation so everyone involved is able to come to a mutual understanding about the challenge at hand. Therefore, great salespeople take the time to understand the challenge from the client’s perspective. They stay focused on the conversation and make notes  
  7. Ask the Right Questions – There’s always multiple ways to ask a question, but choosing the right wording is critical to getting the right answer. “How’s business going?” will get a simple answer. Whereas, “What’s your biggest challenge this year?” can create a conversation.
  8. Problem Solvers – Sales people are often called solution engineers and for good purpose. Sellers need to know how their product solves the problem or problems the client is facing. Additionally, they need to be able to demonstrate how the solution can solve a problem.
  9. Assertive – When going through the sales process, sales people can become passive or overly aggressive. This is a huge mistake and can quickly dissuade a prospect. Assertive sales people use conversation to understand what’s going on so they know how to properly approach the situation to keep the sale process moving forward.
  10. Create Value – There’s common saying about gifted sales peoples, “he/she could sell ice to an Eskimo.” In most terms, this means they are smooth talkers. However, what if the ice they are selling is perfectly shaped to build an igloo? Now the ice has more value to an Eskimo.

Which Traits of a Seller Do You Have?

It’s time to take your sales to the next level! Start selling more by first identifying the personality traits you already possess. Next, identify ways to improve on the traits you lack or need to hone. 

 

Full Sail Partners Recognized as a 2016 Premier Partner

Posted by Amy Balassone on Apr 11, 2016 12:00:00 AM

Deltek_Premier_Partner_Black-1.pngFull Sail Partners Named as a Deltek Business Partner – Focused on Extending the Deltek Vision Product to Support Future Growth.

Full Sail Partners has been recognized by Deltek as member of the Million Dollar Club and a Premier Partner for 2016.  As a Premier Partner, Full Sail Partners is not only required to meet and maintain a number of standards for sales and marketing goals, but also provides implementation, consulting, support and customization services for project-focused Professional Services organizations. 

Deltek is the leading global provider of enterprise software and information solutions for government contractors, professional services firms and other project- and people-based businesses. Deltek Vision is a leading enterprise software solution designed for project-based professional services firms to improve business performance, streamline operations and win new business. Deltek Vision uniquely integrates end-to-end business processes by automating the marketing, financial management, planning, tracking and administration of resources and projects.

“We are proud to represent Deltek products,” said Sarah Gonnella, VP of Marketing and Sales from Full Sail Partners. “We believe this year will be even more successful with the release of our BlackBox Connectors, focused on connecting Deltek Vision to the outside world. This new connection tool allows firms to extend Deltek Vision’s already robust ERP solution, to maximize our client’s investment.”

In 2016 Full Sail Partners will continue to partner with Deltek to help businesses integrate their process in to one singular system, better understand and retain current customers, increase market share, and differentiate through targeted relevant and consistent conversations across systems and channels.

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