Harry meets up with Arlin Sorensen at IT Nation to chat about Modes. Modes is a Mindset that combines how you define success, manage your service delivery offering, lead your teams, build systems, and develop partnerships.
Watch and learn as Harry and Arlin review modes and how your mindset may need to shift in order to grow your business.
Video Transcription
Harry Brelsford
Hey nation nation, Harry here with Arland Sorensen. I mean, Arlen, we go back to the beginning.
Arlin Sorensen
It's way back when I had hair that wasn't white,
Harry Brelsford
then you I think you were still on a tractor at times, as well, hey, listen, it's been a few years. So let's let's reintroduce you to SMB Nation quickly. Tell us your story. And then what are the updates the last four or five years?
Arlin Sorensen
Yeah, well, you know, as you all know, I ran an IT company for 27 years on my farm in Iowa. And we grew that 2012 I exited that business 10 years ago, wow. Got out of doing the managed service gig and move to the peer group thing and put my focus there. And we grew HTG. Sir, no, and grew that to over 350 companies globally, that were involved in peer groups. And you know, that's my passion is really helping people through get into peer interaction, much like you do through the community. Yep. And so in 2018, we were at a point where I had to either put a lot of money into the growth, yeah, projectory, or find a partner to work with. And yeah, we went to connect wise and Arne and I struck a deal. And we became part of the ConnectWise family on January 1 2018. So I've been working as an employee, that was a shift. Yeah, yeah, I was. I was the boss for 30 some years, and now I have a boss and, but it's been a good run with them. They they're passionate about community, as evidenced by this show. And so we continue our journey. We're serving over 600 companies now globally, and, you know, really focused on driving partner success, which is one of the core values that ConnectWise has for its partner. So my job today is they call me ecosystem evangelist, yes, basically means I'm going to help partners nicer where they want to go, right, if you can find it, let me tell you. So that's what I get to do every day is get up and help partners achieve what they're trying to do. And so it's been a it's been a good run. Excited,
Harry Brelsford
what tell me what can I expect, in lecture this afternoon? With the the steps are, what do you call a mods with modes? Modes? I'm going to attend that lecture. What's the basic story?
Arlin Sorensen
So So I mean, the thing about modes, really is it's a framework for communication. It's not rocket science, and completely GAAP kind of thinking. But what we found when we were doing the research was, there's really four kinds of companies that are operating the business world, not just in it, but in all business. There's a startup company, right, everybody starts there. And, you know, 95% of them remain startups their entire time. Yeah. But when they break out, if they put together the right people, process and profit, they can break out into one of three other modes. And really what that is, is owner mindset, right? Yeah. We have the balance builders, those are folks that really try to build a business that supports their lifestyle. They're not about they're not about, you know, lack of growth. Yeah, they weren't consistent growth little bit, but it's all about really working to live. That's the driver. And another one is what we call the value builder. They're the folks that are playing the long game. They want to move the business up into the right, with the intent that at some point in the future, they're going to sell that, that asset and have what they want for the rest of their life. And then we have the empire builders, they're the guys that want to go fast. They're all about rapid growth, it's to go bigger go home, we want hockey stick growth. That's where private equity usually comes
Harry Brelsford
in. I already already have the founder ConnectWise are symbols that yes, absolutely. No question about it.
Arlin Sorensen
And so they give up some control, give up some equity to get that growth. And they're they're banking on something happening really quick. So
Harry Brelsford
what two final thoughts one is a friend of mine, back in the in Seattle, has been writing a book on the ferry Hi, I'm not sure he's quite done yet. But it was from entrepreneur to employ he Paul Travis, entrepreneur went to work for Avalara, the large online sales tax, yep, company. And he started to journal what it's like to go from being an entrepreneur to an employee. And it is a it is a mind shift. You know, because in the in the face to the balance company, where I put myself are like, I can go ride my bike in the Texas Hill Country at 11:15am. I mean, I just get up and go, Sure. Sure. Well, you're in employ. Maybe not.
Arlin Sorensen
Yeah, there's no question that the mindset mindset has to shift. I mean, the fortunate thing For me is that, that I work for guys that understand entrepreneurship and that I'm not gonna sit at a desk, you know? And if I want to go ride a bike at 1115, I can do that you. Yeah, I got. But, but it is it's still, you know, the trade off, right? I don't wake up in the morning wondering about payroll next week because I don't have to do that anymore. Yeah. And I spent a lot of years where that was certainly something I had to think about. But I also have now surrounded by a team of people that, you know, are all focused together. And so being part of a company going from 30 employees to 3000 employees. There's a lot more resources available to us. And we're able to do things today that we couldn't even dream of back in the earlier days. Yeah,
Harry Brelsford
yeah. No, I get it. Well, final question. Let me put my analyst hat on, I always like to ask influencers, name and event that's upcoming that people could expect to see you at. And maybe you can name either a blog or a book that you recommend people read?
Arlin Sorensen
Well, so I'm at all the it nation evolve events, for sure. Okay. The next big event that I'll be at with ConnectWise will be it nation secure next June, okay. And of course, this event happens every year. So I met all those events. You know, I'm not sure what the event cycle is going to look like going forward, right. Fair enough. I was going to the data, that didn't actually happen. So I'll be at events. That's definitely part of my role. You know, the book I recommend Harry is the Go Giver by Bob Berg. You know, it's been around a while, but it really, that mindset is what defines community. Yeah. If we can all have the mindset of how we can add value to each other. We all raise the tide you always talked about Yeah, yeah, exactly. Yeah. Tried for
Harry Brelsford
all blue ocean and whatnot. Alright, well, I know you're busy and you got to get on stage. Thanks for your time.
Arlin Sorensen
Thank you, Harry.