ePlus Earns Top Marks

Sometimes, earning recognition from the vendors they work hard to support goes a long way: 2007 CRN Fast Growth company No. 18, Axispoint, New York, received the Vertical Partner of the Year Award for the East Region from Cisco Systems Inc., San Jose, Calif.

The distinction, presented at the Cisco Worldwide Partner Summit in Honolulu last month, is awarded to the Cisco partner that best represents innovative solutions for vertical industries and focuses on comprehensive solution selling and delivery. Axispoint was selected best among 3,200 other Cisco partners for this achievement and was recognized for its proactive approach in partnering with other best of breed technology companies.

Even with tight budgets abounding, a number of companies find a crucial part of getting employees revved up and ready to go includes getaways similar to Cisco's summit and the one recently enjoyed by ePlus and its crew.

Solution provider ePlus Inc., a fast-growing, $791.61-million VAR based in Herndon, Va., held its three-day national sales meeting in Florida at Orlando's Omni ChampionsGate resort. The Olympic-themed "Achieve" event featured team-building events, awards for the top ePlus sales performers and was capped off with a keynote address by Mike Eruzione, who scored the winning goal in the Miracle on Ice victory over the Soviet Union team in 1980.

ePlus Vice President George Pashardis noted there were 120 ePlus sales reps at the event. Due to their efforts, the company enjoyed better than 22 percent growth during the past year.

Much of the company's technological prowess was on display, promoting internal pride among employees. ePlus Account Executive Dave Guzzio showed off one of the company's powerful software solutions: ePlus' Emergency Response and Digital Paper XE (Extended Enterprise). The ePlus software solution provides first responders with instant wireless access to latest floor plans and maps and provides enhanced collaboration with central dispatch to identify the best and fastest way to address an emergency situation.

Inspiring employees can lead to better morale, and, ultimately, limit unwanted headcount turnover. Olympic Gold Medalist Eruzione spoke to the ePlus force, sharing the story of how the underdog defeated the Soviet Hockey team in the 1980 Olympics. Eruzione credited head coach Herb Brooks for setting the stage for the upset of the century. Despite his sometimes gruff messages (his first address to the team was: "I will be your coach. Not your friend."), Brooks was widely regarded as an excellent and huge team builder. His pre-Soviet game speech has cemented his reputation in history: "You were born to be players. You were meant to be here. This moment is yours."

—Jennifer Bosavage contributed to this story