Cogent Conversations

💼 Thinking about selling your MSP or tech company? This episode breaks down what really drives founders to exit—and what buyers are actually looking for behind the scenes. In this conversation, we explore the real motivations behind M&A decisions , from hitting leadership ceilings to navigating massive industry shifts like AI and cybersecurity. Many owners say they’re “not for sale,” yet the...

💼 What separates a business that sells from one that gets overlooked? In this episode of Cogent Conversations , we break down the realities of IT mergers and acquisitions—what actually drives valuation, what buyers look for, and where most MSPs get it wrong. Rick Murphy shares direct insights from closing over 200 IT deals, challenging common assumptions around “exit strategy” and replacing it wi...

🧲 What actually makes a client stay—and what makes them leave? In this episode of Cogent Conversations , Rick Murphy breaks down the truth about client stickiness in MSP and IT services businesses . While many providers focus on tools, automation, and integrations, the real driver of retention is much simpler—and often overlooked. ⚠️ It’s not your tools. It’s your relationships. Rick explains why...

🔗 What if your biggest client risk isn’t service… it’s who you know ? In this episode of Cogent Conversations , Rick Murphy dives into a critical but overlooked issue in MSP and IT services businesses: single-threaded relationships . Many MSPs rely on one key contact—one “Bob”—to maintain an entire client relationship. ⚠️ And when that person leaves… everything changes. Rick explains how leadersh...

🤫 What if your clients aren’t complaining… because they’ve already decided to leave? In this episode of Cogent Conversations , Rick Murphy exposes one of the most dangerous threats in the MSP and IT services space: silent churn . Clients don’t raise issues, they don’t argue, and they don’t negotiate—they simply exit. ⚠️ And most MSPs never see it coming. Rick breaks down why customers stay quiet,...

💼 What if your most loyal client isn’t actually loyal? In this episode of Cogent Conversations , Rick Murphy breaks down a hard truth in the MSP and IT services world: long-term clients leave—and often without warning . Drawing from real M&A experience, Rick shares how even a single lost client can disrupt valuation, derail deals, and expose hidden risks in your business. 🚨 Many MSPs assume...

Selling your MSP isn’t just about valuation — it’s about structure, truth, and preparation. In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Rick Murphy, CEO of Cogent Growth Partners, breaks down what MSP owners regret most after selling — and how to avoid costly mistakes in deal structure, earnouts, staffing, and due diligence. With over 200 closed IT services transactions, Rick delivers direct insight...

💰 Thinking about selling your MSP? Or just preparing for growth? This episode of Cogent Conversations delivers straight talk on MSP mergers and acquisitions, liquidity events, deal structures, and what really happens after closing. Too many technology service providers misunderstand the difference between an exit and a liquidity event. Not every sale means you walk away. In fact, many founders st...

When is the right time to sell your MSP? Is it market conditions… or mindset? In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Rick Murphy of Cogent Growth Partners breaks down one of the biggest myths in IT M&A: waiting for the “perfect number” before selling. Many MSP owners anchor themselves to a valuation goal — a retirement number — without understanding what actually drives buyer interest and li...

🏢 IT Mergers & Acquisitions. Real Talk. No Fluff. In this episode of Cogent Conversations, we break down what truly drives value in MSP mergers and acquisitions. If you’re a managed service provider considering growth, acquisition, or exit planning, this is essential listening. Rick Murphy and the Cogent team share practical insight from 200+ completed MSP transactions. They clarify the reali...

What makes an MSP truly valuable in today’s M&A market? In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Rick Murphy, CEO of Cogent Growth Partners, breaks down the real factors that determine whether your IT services company is positioned for growth — or vulnerable in a deal. From customer concentration risks to profitability traps, this episode delivers straight talk on how MSPs should structure rev...

🏗️ Build a Business Buyers Actually Want 🚀💼 Episode Summary (Approx. 200 Words) What separates an MSP that runs like a job from one that runs like a sellable asset? In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Rick Murphy, CEO of Cogent Growth Partners, breaks down what truly drives enterprise value in IT services and MSP businesses. From operational maturity to tech stack optimization, Rick deliver...

📊 The Truth About MSP Valuations & Exit Strategy In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Rick Murphy, CEO of Cogent Growth Partners, delivers straight talk on IT mergers and acquisitions for MSPs and technology service providers serious about growth, acquisition, or an eventual exit. If you’re asking: • Do I really know my EBITDA? • Are my “add-backs” realistic — or just hopeful math? • How...

Thinking about selling your MSP? 🤔 Or wondering what actually makes an IT services business valuable to buyers? In this launch episode of Cogent Conversations, Rick Murphy, CEO of Cogent Growth Partners, delivers straight talk on MSP mergers and acquisitions — without the fluff. This episode unpacks the real reasons owners sell, what “winning” actually looks like in a deal, and why most acquisiti...