RSPA Trusted Advisor

rspatrustedadvisor

“The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is a content series designed specifically for point of sale resellers and software developers.

  1. 26 AUG

    RSPA Trusted Advisor Ep. 141: Leadership Communication Keys with COCARD’s Dan Brattland

    In Episode 141 of “The Trusted Advisor,” RSPA CEO Jim Roddy sits down with COCARD’s Dan Brattland to discuss leadership communication best practices. Among the topics discussed are how to teach effective communication throughout your organization, how to establish credibility, the importance of preparing and asking questions, and why you should keep your team “in the information loop.”  “The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is an award-winning content series designed specifically for retail IT VARs and software providers. Our goal is to educate you on the topics of leadership, management, hiring, sales, and other small business best practices. For more insights, visit the RSPA blog at www.GoRSPA.org.  The RSPA is North America’s largest community of VARs, software providers, vendors, and distributors in the retail, restaurant, grocery, and cannabis verticals. The mission of the RSPA is to accelerate the success of its members in the retail technology ecosystem by providing knowledge and connections. The organization offers member-to-member warm introductions, education, legal advice, industry advocacy, and other services to assist members with becoming and remaining successful. RSPA is most well-known for its signature events, RetailNOW and Inspire, which provide face-to-face learning and networking opportunities. Learn more by visiting www.GoRSPA.org.

    47 min
  2. 11 AUG

    RSPA Trusted Advisor Ep. 140: Boutet, Monocello Offer Post-RetailNOW 2025 Analysis

    In Episode 140 of “The Trusted Advisor,” RSPA CEO Jim Roddy sits down with retail strategist Carl Boutet and channel expert Mike Monocello about their top takeaways from RetailNOW 2025, held July 27-29 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Among the topics discussed are AI, data monetization, the ever-changing channel, technology diversity, managed services, and the next generation of retail IT channel leadership. “The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is an award-winning content series designed specifically for retail IT VARs and software providers. Our goal is to educate you on the topics of leadership, management, hiring, sales, and other small business best practices. For more insights, visit the RSPA blog at www.GoRSPA.org.  The RSPA is North America’s largest community of VARs, software providers, vendors, and distributors in the retail, restaurant, grocery, and cannabis verticals. The mission of the RSPA is to accelerate the success of its members in the retail technology ecosystem by providing knowledge and connections. The organization offers member-to-member warm introductions, education, legal advice, industry advocacy, and other services to assist members with becoming and remaining successful. RSPA is most well-known for its signature events, RetailNOW and Inspire, which provide face-to-face learning and networking opportunities. Learn more by visiting www.GoRSPA.org.

    53 min
  3. 25 JUN

    RSPA Trusted Advisor Ep. 138: Retail IT Channel Networking Best Practices

    Episode 138 of “The Trusted Advisor” features four RSPA members discussing networking best practices for retail IT channel trade shows and conferences: Melissa McGrath of VAR Value Systems, Megan Farley of VAR Electronic Office, Crystal Barrineau of ISV OrderCounter, and host Christine Antonson of VAR Synovus. McGrath, Farley, Barrineau, and Antonson are graduates of the RSPA’s Leading Conversations Bootcamp, an education program launched in 2024 to help women build the skills and confidence to moderate panels at shows and lead conversations inside their organizations. “The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is an award-winning content series designed specifically for retail IT VARs and software providers. Our goal is to educate you on the topics of leadership, management, hiring, sales, and other small business best practices. For more insights, visit the RSPA blog at www.GoRSPA.org.  The RSPA is North America’s largest community of VARs, software providers, vendors, and distributors in the retail, restaurant, and grocery verticals. The mission of the RSPA is to accelerate the success of its members in the retail technology ecosystem by providing knowledge and connections. The organization offers member-to-member warm introductions, education, legal advice, industry advocacy, and other services to assist members with becoming and remaining successful. RSPA is most well-known for its signature events, RetailNOW and Inspire, which provide face-to-face learning and networking opportunities. Learn more by visiting www.GoRSPA.org.

    34 min
  4. 11 JUN

    RSPA Trusted Advisor Ep. 137: Toshiba, Popmenu Share How Vendors Can Navigate Channel and Direct Sales

    In Episode 137 of “The Trusted Advisor,” RSPA CEO Jim Roddy discusses how vendors can appropriately manage channel and direct sales with Crystal Harrison, Vice President of Channel & Pre-Sales Solution Architects at Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions, and Tony Roy, President and Co-Founder of software provider Popmenu. Harrison and Roy share their best practice philosophies, strategies, tactics, and communication techniques to effectively work with both their internal sales teams and valued channel partners. “The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is an award-winning content series designed specifically for retail IT VARs and software providers. Our goal is to educate you on the topics of leadership, management, hiring, sales, and other small business best practices. For more insights, visit the RSPA blog at www.GoRSPA.org.  The RSPA is North America’s largest community of VARs, software providers, vendors, and distributors in the retail, restaurant, grocery, and cannabis verticals. The mission of the RSPA is to accelerate the success of its members in the retail technology ecosystem by providing knowledge and connections. The organization offers member-to-member warm introductions, education, legal advice, industry advocacy, and other services to assist members with becoming and remaining successful. RSPA is most well-known for its signature events, RetailNOW and Inspire, which provide face-to-face learning and networking opportunities. Learn more by visiting www.GoRSPA.org.

    56 min
  5. 30 MAY

    RSPA Trusted Advisor Ep. 136: Creating an Ownership Culture with Payteva’s Steve Casteel

    In Episode 136 of “The Trusted Advisor,” RSPA CEO Jim Roddy talks leadership with Steve Casteel, the President of VAR/ISO Payteva. Among the topics discussed are strategies to build an ownership culture inside your organization, the importance of investing time and money supporting local groups, why pushy sales tactics don’t work, and how humility enables leadership growth. “The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is an award-winning content series designed specifically for retail IT VARs and software providers. Our goal is to educate you on the topics of leadership, management, hiring, sales, and other small business best practices. For more insights, visit the RSPA blog at www.GoRSPA.org.  The RSPA is North America’s largest community of VARs, software providers, vendors, and distributors in the retail, restaurant, grocery, and cannabis verticals. The mission of the RSPA is to accelerate the success of its members in the retail technology ecosystem by providing knowledge and connections. The organization offers member-to-member warm introductions, education, legal advice, industry advocacy, and other services to assist members with becoming and remaining successful. RSPA is most well-known for its signature events, RetailNOW and Inspire, which provide face-to-face learning and networking opportunities. Learn more by visiting www.GoRSPA.org.

    43 min
  6. 8 MAY

    RSPA Trusted Advisor Ep. 135: Startup Leadership with TechGrid’s Philip Wegner and Coworked’s Shawn Harris

    In Episode 135 of “The Trusted Advisor,” RSPA CEO Jim Roddy talks leadership with two startup founders/CEOs: Philip Wegner of TechGrid and Shawn Harris of Coworked. Among the topics discussed are the differences between leading at an established company vs. a startup, how to navigate early-stage turbulence, and how to establish and maintain a “democratic but decisive” leadership style. “The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is an award-winning content series designed specifically for retail IT VARs and software providers. Our goal is to educate you on the topics of leadership, management, hiring, sales, and other small business best practices. For more insights, visit the RSPA blog at www.GoRSPA.org.  The RSPA is North America’s largest community of VARs, software providers, vendors, and distributors in the retail, restaurant, grocery, and cannabis verticals. The mission of the RSPA is to accelerate the success of its members in the retail technology ecosystem by providing knowledge and connections. The organization offers member-to-member warm introductions, education, legal advice, industry advocacy, and other services to assist members with becoming and remaining successful. RSPA is most well-known for its signature events, RetailNOW and Inspire, which provide face-to-face learning and networking opportunities. Learn more by visiting www.GoRSPA.org.

    52 min
  7. 16 APR

    RSPA Trusted Advisor Ep. 134: Networking and Connectivity VAR Opportunities with BlueStar’s Jim Hilton

    In Episode 134 of “The Trusted Advisor,” RSPA CEO Jim Roddy talks with Jim Hilton, Director of Networks and Connectivity at distributor BlueStar. Among the topics discussed are networking and connectivity opportunities for retail and hospitality VARs, what VARs need internally to seize these opportunities, how these technologies generate recurring revenue, and what’s around the corner in networking and connectivity. “The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is an award-winning content series designed specifically for retail IT VARs and software providers. Our goal is to educate you on the topics of leadership, management, hiring, sales, and other small business best practices. For more insights, visit the RSPA blog at www.GoRSPA.org.  The RSPA is North America’s largest community of VARs, software providers, vendors, and distributors in the retail, restaurant, grocery, and cannabis verticals. The mission of the RSPA is to accelerate the success of its members in the retail technology ecosystem by providing knowledge and connections. The organization offers member-to-member warm introductions, education, legal advice, industry advocacy, and other services to assist members with becoming and remaining successful. RSPA is most well-known for its signature events, RetailNOW and Inspire, which provide face-to-face learning and networking opportunities. Learn more by visiting www.GoRSPA.org.

    50 min

About

“The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is a content series designed specifically for point of sale resellers and software developers.