Memo to VARs: Time to Hire Cloud Sales Strategists

As VARs and managed services providers introduce cloud services, they’re also busy recruiting sales experts who can focus specifically on cloud solutions. The latest example involves Solid Quality Mentors (SolidQ), an IT consulting and training firm, hiring Microsoft veteran Antonio Laloumet as global director of cloud computing and strategic sales & solutions.

In his new role, Laloumet will work at matching customers with the right cloud solutions. There’s a symmetry to Laloumet’s appointment: In his previous job at Microsoft, he worked in the department that designed several of the products he’s now selling for Microsoft Gold partner SolidQ.

Before his five-year stint in the Microsoft Server & Tools unit helping organizations build applications on their platform, Laloumet spent 15 years at Oracle leading teams in the company’s server and middleware divisions, according to the press release. In total, Laloumet has 30 years of IT management experience under his belt.

Said Laloumet about his new job in the statement:

“I’m especially excited to lead SolidQ’s cloud computing initiatives and help customers succeed in this new area. I think the cloud represents great opportunities for IT organizations, and SolidQ is ready to hit the ground running with practical, innovative solutions.”

Laloumet is especially focusing on corporate customers in European markets, according to that press release. And it’s going to be his job to work with SolidQ’s local sales teams all over the world to build the company’s cloud momentum.

But TalkinCloud wonders whether SolidQ is actually angling for the expanding international cloud market. Plus, we think this could be the start of a bigger trend: Solutions providers seeking cloud sales talent.

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