SMB Community Podcast

Today's guest is Victor Raessen, founder of MSP Navigator. What are the first three questions every new MSP asks? 1) How do I get clients? 2) What are you using for RMM? 3) What are you using for PSA? Victor won't help you for #1, but MSP Navigator is designed to help you with #2, #3, and all the other "What are you using for" questions. Victor has worked in the IT Managed Services space for more...

Our guest this week is JB Fowler, CPO of Domotz. Domotz is a fast growing provider of a remote network monitoring and management system for all connected devices and IoT systems. The system is super affordable and enables MSPs to offer new IoT and security services for all connected devices - from cameras to VoIP systems. JB has spent over 20 years in the networking industry where he has led produ...

I sat down (virtually) with Harry Brelsford, the true found of the SMB IT consulting community worldwide. For more than twenty years, Harry has been the prime mover and shaker at SMB Nation, and is the author of more than twenty books, primarily focused on technology and consulting in the SMB space. Many years ago, Harry wrote one of my favorite books on how to be a technology consultant - SMB Con...

Brian Doyle meets up with host James Kernan to discuss customer engagement. Most MSPs have rock-solid service delivery process. But - the simple things, like checking in outside of assisting customers when not in duress, get lost. Listen in for some tips on improving your connections and how it can improve your business. Brian spent nearly 20 years in the MSP industry owning his own shop, as a par...

Karl Palachuck connects with Dortha Hise to talk about virtual assistants and what they can do for you . . . even if you're a "Type-A" business owner. Check out a few resources from Dortha to get started: VA Prep Checklist & Worksheets - if you're ready to hire a VA, this checklist and worksheets will provide you with questions to ask, a place to track your logins, make notes for budget, must-have...

Karl Palachuk connects with Corey Munson of PC Matic on a topic at the back (or forefront) of everyone's mind: What if nobody returns to the office? Corey shares some ideas and opportunities for MSPs, should this be the case. Corey Munson is Vice President of Sales at PC Matic, developers of the only endpoint security software developed and supported exclusively in the U.S. In his 15 years with PC...

Karl was joined by Marwan, co-founder and CEO of Veem, to talk about the one thing on every business owner's mind: where's my money?? Doing business internationally comes with a lot of opportunity, but also potentially a lot of fees. Marwan breaks it all down and also shares how his business, Veem, may be a good platform for your business. Veem simplifies payments to vendors, international contrac...

Karl caught up with Scott Sanders, founder of the IT Business Owners Group to dig into the details of Scott's online Facebook community. And - to hear about their upcoming member cruise in September 2021 so there's plenty of time to join The IT Business Owners Group (ITBOG) is a sponsor driven community that was created on social media to bring a common channel for IT business owners and the vendo...

Karl connected with Paul Green about not only how to get started (or continue) your marketing strategy as an MSP, but also how to navigate the sales climate created by COVID. Grab some free resources at his website below and catch some actionable tips during the podcast. About Paul: Paul Green is an MSP marketing expert, based in the UK, working with 200+ MSPs all over the world. He helps MSPs imp...

Karl talked with Jim Roddy this week on the topic of the Retail IT Channel. Jim Roddy is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Retail Solutions Providers Association, and he does not fall short in suggestions on how to support your clients in the restaurant, retail, and similar spaces during COVID-19. About Jim: Jim Roddy is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Retail Solu...

Karl and Mike get together to talk about some simple steps to lower your risks and preserve your lifestyle as a smart managed services provider. Mike Semel is a noted thought leader, speaker, blogger, and best-selling author. He is the President of Semel Consulting, focused on compliance regulations; cyber security; and Business Continuity planning. Mike has also developed Semel Systems, a series...

Karl caught up with his good friend Rayanne this week to talk about your IT Business' Finances, updates to the PPP Loans, and your chart of accounts. Rayanne is the owner of ABC Solutions, LLC in Clearwater, Florida providing complete accounting, business, and tax consulting services to IT Professionals in the United States and abroad. Pick up some tips about tracking sales tax vs use tax and more...

James Kernan met with Eric Beller about building residual income. Eric Beller is a seasoned sales leader with executive experience in managing business development and support operations for decentralized sales teams and distributors. He is senior vice president of sales for Sandler Partners, America's Fastest Growing Distributor of Connectivity & Cloud Services. In this role, Beller oversees recr...

Co-hosts Karl Palachuk and Amy Babinchak got together to discuss the use of Retainers in the MSP space. Amy shares exactly how they are applied in her business, the freedom they allow, and how she deals with the question of "roll-over hours." And more - there's always more when these two get together. - Amy Babinchak is the owner of three IT related businesses: Harbor Computer Services, Third Tier...

Karl sat down with Chris Timm of Sondela Consulting and Autotask PSA consultant. Listen in as they dive into the roll of PSAs in your Managed Services business, setting up Autotask for success, and the importance of tracking time. Chris started Sondela Consulting to focus on his passion for working with MSPs to help them become more successful and more efficient by understanding and utilising thei...

James Kernan meets up with Matt Solomon and Natasha Boyko discuss the evolution of ID Agent and how serious they are about supporting their vendors. ID Agent provides Dark Web Monitoring + Phishing Simulation & Security Awareness Training, identity & Access Management Matt Solomon is an experienced sales professional with over 15 years in B2B, B2C and B2G environments. Past sales experience includ...

Karl meets with Susanne Tedrick about her new book: Women of Color in Tech: A Blueprint for Inspiring and Mentoring the Next Generation of Technology Innovators . Susanne also gives great advice about how young women of color can get started with a career in tech. Susanne Tedrick is a technical specialist for a leading Fortune 50 technology company. Fiercely committed to increasing participation o...

Host Karl Palachuk meets up with Simon Severino to talk about how a strategy sprint can double your sales conversions - even during this tough sales climate. Learn what your bottleneck is with a free sales audit from Strategy Sprints - an $800 value at https://www.strategysprints.com/sales . Simon Severino is the Founder and CEO of Strategy Sprints. Host of the Strategy Show. Expert in Business St...

Karl sat down with Community Leaders Amy Babinchak and Joshua Liberman to talk about remote work. Amy runs Harbor Computer Services, which always runs a remote operation. They invite all employees in for a weekly meeting, but the rest of the time, they all work remotely. Josh has personally worked remotely for years, but runs an IT consulting company that is build around in-office work. We asked t...

James Kernan meets with Danny Jenkins to discuss how ThreatLocker adds a new and different level of security for MSPs. ThreatLocker CEO, Danny Jenkins is a technical guru with a deep understanding of corporate IT and cybersecurity. He has an entrepreneurial background and two decades of experience in building and securing corporate networks. Before taking the reins at ThreatLocker®, Danny held CEO...

Nigel built and sold a managed service business - and survived the last big recession. In this interview he talks with Karl Palachuk about the lessons he's learned. Nigel went on to found the Tech Tribe membership community and now helps hundreds of IT consultants run great businesses. Recently, he released a new ebook: Survive & Thrive: The MSP Owners Guide to Surviving & Thriving in Uncertain Ti...

Host Karl Palachuk meets up with Justin Esgar to talk about the ACES Conference 2020: The Prequel - a free conference for all small to medium business owners, to help them survive and thrive in a post-Covid world! Justin is the owner of Virtua Consulting Group, a NYC-based company that helps not only clients with IT, but other consultants as well. Virtua Computers helps those companies with Mac-Ba...

Host Amy Babinchak talks with Janet Schijns about how to generate demand, social selling, tactics to use when times are bad and community based IT marketing - you won't want to miss this. Janet Schijns is CEO and Co-Founder of JS Group, a go to market consultancy dedicated to achieving results in the channel. Janet was the 2019 Channel Influencer of the year and is a known expert on go to market....

Host James Kernan interviewed Tim Taylor. Tim is the Founder and President of TaylorWorks, Inc., a leading Managed Service provider in Central Florida. For over 20 years, TaylorWorks has provided companies with proactive IT consulting and support services. Tim has successfully guided his company over the past several years to 300% growth rate. Tim also has a consulting practice, www.timtaylorconsu...

Interview: Harry Brelsford from 420MSP Harry joins us for the one year anniversary of the launch 420 MSP ( www.420MSP.com ). Harry released How to Be an MSP - vertical edition focused on the cannabis industry last year at this time. His community has grown significantly. If you listen carefully, he digs right into the technology of the cannabis vertical. Perhaps the biggest thing going on right no...