Growth is a universal business goal. The question is how to achieve it -- not haphazardly, or according to the whims of the marketplace, but in a planned, controlled and strategic manner.

For many solution providers today, the answer lies in partnering with their peers through mergers, acquisitions and other forms of channel consolidation. In this issue of the Channel Advisor, we're taking a look at this trend with the goal of helping you decide which approach is right for your own business.

To hear opinions from industry experts, read our cover story, "Buy, Sell or Hold." You'll also benefit from the real-life examples of three solution providers, including our cover subject, Mont Phelps of Waltham, Mass.-based NWN, who have expanded through mer gers and acquisitions. You'll find out how you can take advantage of Ingram Micro resources, such as the Ingram Micro Services Network, channel communities and new social networking sites, to achieve the leverage of "virtual consolidation" without formally combining your company with another.

And you'll learn about Ingram Micro's newly formed strategic alliance with M&A Forum, an open online marketplace that allows Ingram Micro customers to exchange information and find candidates for mergers, acquisitions and capital investments at a reduced rate.

For another take on consolidation, read "Build Your Business Today for Success Tomorrow," in which Tiffani Bova, our Sales & Marketing Advisor guest columnist and a research director with Gartner, discusses how to develop a healthy, profitable business that's ready for any opportunity, including a merger or acquisition.

Also, be sure to check out our selection of features on high-opportunity technologies and market segments -- including electronic medical records, VoFi, Microsoft Vista security and storage solutions for midsize businesses -- that can contribute to your business' overall growth.

Finally, as we wrap up the Channel Advisor for 2007 and begin planning for 2008, we'd love to get your feedback on how we can make the publication even more useful for you. If you have suggestions for topics you'd like to see covered, or a success story that we should know about, feel free to e-mail our editorial team at editor@channeladvisor.com. We look forward to continuing to be your best source for channel information and insight in the upcoming year.