Gone Phishing

Want to find out what truly fuels a thriving community? Connor and Andrea Ayala, Senior Community Manager at ScalePad, are back for another captivating episode diving deep into the essence of authenticity and community building, exploring the often-overlooked benefits that drive individuals to actively participate. Today, Connor and Andrea unravel the secret sauce of successful communities, explor...

Can fun and work coexist seamlessly? Today Conner is joined again by Tara Rummer, Director of Community and Events at ImmyBot, to help shed light on the importance of infusing joy into the workplace and creating a culture that employees truly love. They also tackle the challenges of transitioning to remote work and the creative ways companies are keeping the fun alive virtually. From trivia sessio...

Are you prepared for the security challenges that come hand in hand with the rise of Artificial Intelligence? Today Connor welcomes back Jimmy Hatzell, CEO and co-founder of Hatz.ai , in a gripping exploration of AI security. How do we secure AI in a world where its adoption is soaring? With the disruptive nature of AI, we must shift our focus toward securing the technology itself and the need for...

Can the skills acquired in social work truly find a home in the fast-paced, dynamic landscape of technology and business? Join Connor and Andrea Ayala from ScalePad as they unravel the secrets behind effective community management and sales conversations, emphasizing the art of active listening and problem-solving.  The pair explore challenges in personal branding, the impact of external factors o...

Have you ever wondered how to build a successful community in the technology industry? In today's episode of Gone Phishing, Connor Swalm, CEO at Phin, explores the network effect with Andrea Ayala, the Senior Community Manager at ScalePad. But what is the network effect, and how does it affect the value of a company? Join Connor and Andrea as they offer insights on how to build a successful commun...

Ever wondered if the traits you dismissed as quirks could be clues to something more profound?  Today on Gone Phishing, Tara Rummer, Director of Community and Events at ImmyBot, shares her personal journey of self-discovery and a recent diagnosis of adult ADHD. She talks about the impact of ADHD on work and daily routines and shares coping mechanisms that transformed her life. Tara also highlights...

Are the pursuit of profits ruining the essence of MSP events? Today Connor welcomes back Kyle Spooner, CEO of MSP Geek Con to discuss the delicate balance between profitability and purpose in the Managed Service Provider industry. The guys explore the impact of rising costs and profit-driven decisions on event dynamics, they question the fine line between delivering value and becoming excessively...

Ever felt like you're on the brink of being exposed as a fraud, despite your achievements? Today Connor is joined by Tara Rummer, Director of Community and Events at ImmyBot, for an insightful episode exploring the intricate realm of imposter syndrome. In this candid discussion, Tara opens up about her 11-year journey in the MSP arena, sharing how imposter syndrome lingers even for seasoned profes...

Have you tried to unlock the potential of artificial intelligence for your MSP business yet? In this episode of Gone Phishing host Connor Swalm teams up with Jimmy Hatzell, CEO of Hatz. AI, to explore the game-changing concept of AI as a service. Join them as they delve into the revolutionary shift towards AI integration in businesses, unraveling the simplicity and significance of adopting AI as a...

Discover why automation is not just a trend but the heartbeat of Managed Service Providers (MSPs) in today's world filled with buzzwords. Join Jeff Farris, CEO of CloudRadial, as he delves into the evolution of MSPs and the ever-expanding realm of automation. Explore the untapped potential of direct client-tech stack connections, paving the way for a new era of seamless, comprehensive automation i...

Have you noticed that there aren't many conferences for technicians and staff who work at MSPs? In the latest episode of Gone Phishing, Connor welcomes back Kyle Spooner, Director of Operations at an MSP and CEO of MSP GeekCon. They discuss the origins of MSP GeekCon and how it is committed to enhancing the MSP industry through education. Connor and Kyle delve into the challenges faced by the MSP...

Ever wondered what it's truly like to sell your Managed Service Provider (MSP) business? Join host Connor Swalm and Ian Richardson, Principal Consultant at Fox and Crow, in this gripping episode of "Gone Phishing." Picture this: you're at the brink of selling your life's work, and the journey involves three distinct phases – the LOI dance, the rollercoaster of due diligence, and the high-stakes cl...

Did you know that an MSP is like the UPS of the internet, from securing the virtual delivery to addressing user preferences they make sure your data travels securely across the internet. Today Connor Swalm is joined by Jeff Farris, president and CEO of CloudRadial. They Delve into the DNS (Domain Name System), the web's very own address book and explore the layers of protection and challenges face...

Ever wondered why the term "salesperson" often carries a cringe-worthy stigma? Today Connor sits with Jeremy Young, Director of Partnerships at Blumira, to unravel the secrets to transforming the world of sales. Join the guys as they recount tales from a recent event, shedding light on the dos and don'ts of sales etiquette. From building genuine relationships to adopting a "Go-Giver" mentality, th...

Ever felt overwhelmed by the multitude of tools in the MSP industry? Today, join host Connor Swalm and the seasoned CEO of OIT and MSP Media Network, Ray Orsini, as they unravel the challenges of vendor fatigue. We’ll explore the evolution of vendor strategies, discover why customization hurdles persist in the diverse MSP landscape, and the pivotal role of low code/no code solutions. Are new vendo...

Ever wondered when is the right time for your Managed Services Provider (MSP) business to spread its wings and exit the nest? Dive into this episode of "Gone Fishing" with host Connor and guest Ian Richardson, Principal Consultant at Fox and Crow. They unravel the secrets of successful MSP exits, emphasizing the pivotal role of mindset and timely preparation. Learn why waiting until the last minut...

Ever wondered why some Managed Service Providers (MSPs) excel at sales while others struggle to gain traction? Today Conner chats with Ian Richardson, the brilliant mind at Fox & Crow Group. They unravel the mysteries of MSP sales process failures, explore the pitfalls, and offer some transformative solutions. If you are stuck in the tech jargon trap and losing potential clients in translation...

Do you find it difficult to explain your cybersecurity job to your family during gatherings? In this episode, Connor Swalm is once again joined by Jeremy Young, the partnerships expert at Blumira, who shares his approach to explaining what he does to his Mom. Jeremy provides insightful tips on simplifying the language of cybersecurity, making it relatable even during holiday dinners. As the festiv...

Have you ever wondered how Managed Service Providers (MSPs) navigate cybersecurity while using Master Service Agreements (MSAs) to grow their business? Today, we will explore the untapped potential of MSAs as a sales tool for MSPs. We will discuss how MSPs can redefine their approach to cybersecurity and make it an integral part of their journey.  In this episode, Connor is joined by Jeremy Young,...

As an MSP, what is your relationship like with your vendors? Today we welcome back the insightful Alex Farling, Co-founder of Empath to chat with Connor about the complexities of this relationship. Are vendors truly in sync with the challenges faced by smaller MSPs? How can vendors enhance accessibility and build genuine connections with their MSP counterparts? From stolen strategies to pioneering...

Are your cybersecurity layers as foolproof as they seem? We welcome back to the show cybersecurity expert Martin White, founder of Tech ID Manager to unravel the layers of defense that safeguard our digital realms. Discover the secrets behind effective cybersecurity layers, drawing parallels from historical castles to modern-day digital fortresses. The pair delve into the human element in cybersec...

Ever wondered if your online interactions are truly secure? In a digital age where passwords are both our shield and vulnerability, Martin White from TechID Manager explores the evolving landscape of human-computer interaction. Join Connor and Martin as they dissect the dangers of admin account sharing, the psychology behind changing passwords, and the dystopian scenarios emerging in the realm of...

As an MSP (Managed Service Provider), do you ever feel like you're a bit behind compared to other businesses? Today Connor Swalm and Ray Orsini tackle this question and Ray explains that the industry has evolved, but MSPs lag behind enterprises by 10-15 years. However, he also defends MSPs' unique challenges. The pair discuss the love-hate relationship between MSPs and vendors and how transparency...

Are you overwhelmed by the sheer amount of MSP content available and struggling to find shows that truly resonate with your tech-savvy soul? In this episode, Connor teams up with Ray Orsini, the CEO of OIT and the mastermind behind MSP Media Network (MMN). Ray shares insights on MMN, a dedicated 24/7 network that caters to the Managed Service Provider community. Together, they delve into the impor...

Ever wondered if putting all your MSP tools in one basket is a genius move or a ticking time bomb? Today, Connor Swalm and guest Alex Farling, co-founder at Empath Cyber, unravel the mysteries of the MSP industry. They jump into the realm of large MSP conglomerates, exploring the risks and rewards of a unified vendor strategy. Should you believe the hype about a single login and portal? How do MSP...