Does Your Company Have What It Takes?

One of the things I most love about the Fast Growth project is it allows us to shine the spotlight on solution providers that are often overlooked by big vendors, mainly because they often don't generate the volume required by vendor programs for special recognition. The irony is that the Fast Growth 100 crowd is the community most in touch with small businesses and regional midsize firms—the ones these product suppliers desire most to reach. That doesn't mean the CRN Fast Growth list only features small companies. The No. 33 player last year, ProSys Information Systems of Norcross, Ga., posted 2005 net sales of more than $435 million.

The other thing I love about the ranking is that it is incredibly dynamic. Only 20 or so companies that made the 2005 list also appeared on the 2006 ranking. There are several logical explanations. For one thing, the laws of simple mathematics make it tough to sustain high growth rates, especially as the revenue bar keeps getting higher and managers are called upon to balance increased sales and profitability. Another big factor, which should come as no surprise, was channel consolidation. I suspect this also will be the case as we begin collecting data for the next edition, slated to publish July 9. Indeed, several of the companies I was prospecting for CRN TV video interviews have been acquired, in some cases by other Fast Growth companies.

So, do you have what it takes to be on the next Fast Growth ranking? Consider the company ranked No. 100 last year, Sysix Technologies, logged growth of 50 percent over the two-year period considered. In 2005, the Downer's Grove, Ill., company had $57 million in sales. The top Fast Growth player, Groupware Technologies, grew by an astonishing 3,920 percent.

This year, we'll accept applications for cumulative growth over the past two years. As before, the ranking will focus on independent, U.S.-based solution providers doing business according to classic channel models, including VARs, resellers, retailers, network and systems integrators, and managed service providers. Vendors and distributors are not qualified; and custom-system builders will be recognized in our upcoming Leading System Builders project. You'll find the 2007 Fast Growth 100 call to action at www.crn.com/fg2007. Meanwhile, if you have questions about whether you should apply or you're a past member who'd like a shot at a video interview, e-mail me at [email protected]. You can also contact CRN Research Editor Jeanette Boyne at [email protected] with questions about the project methodology.

Apply now for 2007 fast growth 100 at www.crn.com/fg2007.
CRN Editor Heather Clancy welcomes letters at [email protected].