It's a Numbers Game

Justin returns to the podcast and discusses the challenges and lessons from acquiring three Apple-focused businesses since 2020 amid consolidation in the Apple consultant community and difficulty targeting Mac-using clients. He describes buying a small Iowa Apple consultancy with the seller kept on for business development, only to learn ownership doesn't equal sales skill and that ex-owners often...

Tom discusses Adfin as a "new, better GoCardless," arguing it offers stronger support, more competitive pricing, and a broader product: direct debits, cards (including Apple Pay/Google Pay), open banking, and bank transfers in one platform with integrated chasing and reconciliation via Xero. He says the market has lacked innovation for 15–20 years and positions Adfin's goal as getting businesses p...

Paul joins the podcast to discuss MSP M&A trends and what 2026 may look like after years of consolidation driven by PE-backed platforms, self-funded acquirers, listed buyers, and newer permanent capital vehicles. He explains why the market has been attractive (fragmentation, cloud migration, cyber demand, COVID-driven working changes, inflation-led price increases) but notes the bar is rising for...

Adam Morris and Daniel Welling discuss how MSPs can offer compliance as a service to differentiate and create recurring, high-margin revenue, joined by Dom Haughton (Brigantia Partners) and Alastair Goodwin (Adoptech).  They explain that MSPs are increasingly asked by customers for certifications such as Cyber Essentials, ISO 27001, ISO 9001 and ISO 42001, but often avoid selling them due to perce...

Daniel Welling welcomes back cybersecurity advisor Adam Pilton (Heimdal Security) for a masterclass on cyber tabletop exercises. Adam defines a tabletop as a staged rehearsal where senior leaders and key responders use the organisation's incident response procedure while a facilitator introduces evolving information, aiming to build confidence, stress-test decision-making, and improve communicatio...

Dave discusses how Flotek scaled its finance and billing operations from a simple setup (a bookkeeper and a director overseeing finances) to a more structured team while growing rapidly through acquisitions. He explains their philosophy that client-facing billing is part of service delivery, with SLAs and a "wow" mindset to protect relationships and reduce friction from invoice errors. The convers...

Dave joins the podcast to discuss Flotek's M&A journey, having completed 14 acquisitions in three and a half years, and argues the MSP market is diverse, fragmented, and active, with frequent inbound opportunities. He explains deal sourcing through SEO, brokers, network reputation, and supplier referrals, and stresses sellers should do due diligence on buyers. Flotek prioritises cultural and value...

In this episode, the hosts Adam and Daniel are joined by PR consultant Rahme to discuss an upcoming 2026 collaboration and unpack what PR means for MSPs and vendors: public relations as audience-focused communication that builds reputation, brand awareness, and relationships with influencers such as reporters, editors, analysts, and advisors. They contrast PR with marketing, using a white paper as...

Chris joins Daniel and Adam to discuss Patrick Lencioni's Working Genius assessment, a 40-question framework about where people get energy and joy at work, contrasting it with tools like Myers-Briggs and DISC (communication preference). He explains the WIDGET model: Wonder (identify gaps), Invention (generate ideas), Discernment (judge ideas), Galvanizing (rally action), Enablement (help others mo...

Loneliness Is the Tax You Pay for Autonomy: The Hidden Cost of Business Ownership Adam and Daniel depart from the usual guest format to discuss the often-ignored loneliness of business ownership, especially in MSPs. They frame autonomy as rewarding but inherently tied to responsibility, asymmetrical relationships, and an unshared cognitive load that leaders can't fully offload to employees or spou...

In this episode, we welcome Nils, co-founder of Ironbridge, to discuss the transformative potential of AI for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). Nils shares his extensive background and experience in scaling businesses and investing in tech startups. He elaborates on how MSPs can leverage AI to revolutionise their operating models, scale efficiently, and deliver new, high-value services. The conver...

Join us as we chat with Justin Esgar about the ACEs Conference, an event designed to help MSPs (Managed Service Providers) grow their businesses with a focus beyond just technological skills. Justin shares his journey in founding the conference, designed originally for Apple consultants but open to all. He talks about the unique business-oriented aspects of the conference, the importance of non-te...

In this podcast episode, Nicola Moss, a marketing expert, discusses effective budgeting strategies for marketing within Managed Service Providers (MSPs). She highlights the differences in budget allocation and approaches between small and large MSPs and provides a practical guide on setting annual marketing budgets based on percentages of turnover and desired outcomes. Nicola emphasises the import...

In this episode, Alicia discusses her role as a hybrid distributor and manufacturer within the Wortmann Group, focusing on Terra branded devices and their distribution of over 10,000 SKUs from various major brands. The conversation delves into supply chain issues exacerbated by the pandemic and the Windows 10 support cessation, and how Terra positions itself against tier-one brands like HP, Dell,...

In this episode, the Adam and Daniel welcome Al Lakhani a cybersecurity expert, to discuss the revolutionary MFA 2.0 technology. Al explains how traditional MFA (Multifactor Authentication) methods, known as MFA 1.0, are vulnerable to credential phishing attacks, highlighting recent breaches by the Shiny Hunters group. He introduces MFA 2.0, which utilises public key cryptography to eliminate pass...

In this episode, Roy Castleman joins the podcast to share insights from his extensive experience in leveraging AI to run multiple businesses. The conversation delves into practical applications of AI, the challenges of selecting the right tools amongst many, and optimising AI usage through clear communication and iterative prompting. Roy emphasises the importance of understanding AI as an enhancem...

In this episode, Adam Pilton from Heimdal discusses his role in educating and supporting MSPs and small businesses on cybersecurity. He shares his unique perspective drawn from a 15-year career in law enforcement and as a Cyber Essentials auditor. The conversation covers the importance of storytelling, recognising and mitigating risks, maintaining cybersecurity standards like Cyber Essentials, and...

In this episode, Fiona discusses the rapid advancements in AI, especially in the Managed Service Provider (MSP) sector. The conversation delves into how AI avatars are surpassing human avatars in social media, the adaptation of MSPs to AI technologies, and the importance of staying updated in the swiftly changing AI landscape. Fiona recalls past initiatives like the Mentori Program which helped na...

In this engaging episode, hosts Daniel, Adam and guest Graham Norris explore their personal journeys within the Toastmasters program, highlighting its significant impact on their public speaking skills and confidence. They share stories about overcoming initial fears and discuss how repeated practice at Toastmasters helped them become better communicators. Graham describes how his experience with...

In this episode, host Daniel welcomes Jason Kemsley to discuss the evolving landscape of Managed Service Providers (MSPs). Jason shares his insights on the three Cs that will define successful MSPs by 2026: Consolidation, Certification, and Compliance. The conversation explores the importance of niching down and standardising operations to thrive in a competitive market. They also delve into how c...

In this podcast episode, Adam, Daniel, and Anne discuss the significance of legal agreements for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and how they impact EBITDA. They discuss the inherent risks MSPs face, the importance of proactive use of contracts, and common pitfalls like revenue leakage from services out of scope. The conversation highlights the need for MSPs to educate their clients and align int...

In this episode, industry expert Rob joins the hosts to discuss the significance of high-quality, effective case studies for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). The conversation delves into the current state of case study usage among top UK MSPs, revealing that while many are embracing both written and video formats, there is still a lot of room for improvement. Rob outlines the primary benefits of...

In this informative session, Adam and Dan delve into the intricate world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) specifically tailored for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). Recorded live at the MSP Show 2025, returning for a second year to the London exhibition, the duo builds upon last year's discussion on valuations and management accounts to explore negotiation tactics and heads of terms. They aim to...

In this episode, Colin returns to discuss the intricate challenges MSPs face regarding billing reconciliation. He explains how MSPs struggle with managing a wide spectrum of resold products and the dynamic nature of SMB customers. Colin introduces a new 'done-for-you' reconciliation service designed to simplify this task, reflecting on its development origins and the benefits it offers. The conver...

In this episode of It's A Numbers Game, hosts Adam Morris and Daniel Welling discuss the future of payments with open banking expert Kevin Ludford. The conversation delves deep into the advancements and benefits of variable recurring payments (VRP) for managed service providers (MSPs). Kevin explains the transformation occurring in payment collections, particularly the shift from traditional direc...