Where’s Jay?

Earlier today, it was announced that Jay McBain will be leaving his role as Senior VP at Autotask. MSP Mentor broke the story (nice job Joe!) and was followed by Channel Insider, Channomics, and even CRN magazine. Those stories can be found here:

What everyone is curious about however is where Jay will land. There are several companies in the IT Channel that can certainly use some direction. Does Jay already have a position lined up? Probably. Although it’s possible he’s being fought over, while we all have to wait to hear, I thought it would be interesting to play the “Where’s Jay?” game and suggest what companies can best use the talents of the veteran, guru, inspirational, industry icon Jay McBain. (I feel like he has more adjectives than Apollo Creed in Rocky)

Vote or comment if you’d like, or just take a look at these companies and think of how and where (or if) they fit in YOUR company’s strategy. And for the “potentials” listed below I will say this: If you have a Channel problem, and if you can find him, maybe you can hire, Jay McBain! (insert A-Team theme music here).

The list below is divided into “The WOWs” as in Wow, good for Jay!, “The Maybes” as in companies worthy of Jay’s talents and could use his Channel help, “The Unlikelys” as in companies that must have made Jay a sweetheart deal to get him, and the “No Ways” as in companies that… well you get the idea.

The WOWs:

1. Apple: While I don’t think it would be as Steve Jobs replacement as one of Jay’s Facebook friends quipped, could Apple really be starting a Channel program? In a company whose open-mindedness peaked recently with offering the iPhone in white, I’d say the likelihood is close to zero. But hey, if anyone can pull it off, it’s Jay!

The Maybes:

1. HP: With all the hoopla lately over the possibility of HP selling off its PC division and tablet that made Response Point look like an established product, it’s true that Jay could be of some use. From a Channel prospective, however, HP seems to be well staffed and positioned to continue to do well. I’d say the likelihood is about 20%.

2. Dell: Talk about a company that could use some help in the Channel. Who better than a former Lenovo guy to step in and get it done for them? Say, I wonder what the term of Jay’s non-compete from Lenovo was? I’d say the likelihood is at least 50%.

3. Intuit: Before you scoff, know that Intuit is A) huge and B) getting ready to make a huge Channel play, and they’ve already begun in baby steps. Maybe Jay can teach them how to walk in the Channel? likelihood about 35%.

4. Cisco: Hiring someone “big” within a few months to a year after layoffs is a play right out of the Fortune 100 playbook. Of course, Cisco’s SMB division is doing extremely well – I heard the most profitable division within the company, although that’s not a direct quote. What has Cisco been lacking, if anything? A pretty face in the Channel perhaps? Jay’s a rock star. likelihood about 25%.

5. Intel: The recent acquisition of McAfee and the close relationship with Lenovo makes Intel the most probable of choices in my estimation. Will Jay lead Intel’s cloud services division? likelihood about 70%.

The Unlikelys:

1. OKI: Look for OKI to “go big” in the Channel over the next few months. I think I may go to SMB Nation just to have a ~ 1:400 chance to win a Harley Davidson! Is OKI sexy enough for Jay McBain? I think it would have to be an amazing offer. likelihood 15%.

2. Microsoft: The mothership is certainly big enough for an “icon” but Microsoft has traditionally not acted that way unless an acquisition is involved. In short, I don’t believe Microsoft will offer the dollars for Jay to move to the Pacific Northwest and turn in his iPhone. likelihood around 10%.

3. AppAssure, CMS Product Solutions, Xilocore, Trend Micro, Heroware and numerous others who have either recently had some staff changes or are ready to make serious progress within the Channel. All of these companies, while well intended, will succeed upon their merits and would not be able to fully leverage the likes of Jay McBain. likelihood less than 10%.

The No Ways:

1. Tigerpaw: I cannot imagine Jay McBain living in Omaha any more than I can imagine Autotask’s NDA allowing it. likelihood less than 5%.

2. Connectwise: The only possibility here lies in the wiliness of the Bellini brothers. Perhaps there is an algorithmic equation that balances legal fees with product sales and further market dominance which would coincide with the addition of Jay? likelihood around 7% just because I’ve learned never to underestimate Arni.