SMB Community Podcast

Karl caught up with Chris Timm from Sondela Consulting. Chris has a long history in the SMB IT community. He is a former MSP owner and spent a few years at Autotask. Today Chris is a coach and thought leader around making the most of your PSA. He runs a podcast with Rayanne Buchianico at http://psaimpact.net/ . Check it out! But our focus here is Chris's new book! PSA Profitability is available on...

Using LinkedIn to Generate Leads for MSPs with Nathaniel Freedman, Tech Pro Marketing Karl interviews Nathaniel Freedman, CEO of Tech Pro Marketing. As Nate says: You don't want marketing help from just anyone — you want it from someone who is focused exclusively on using MSP Marketing to help MSPs generate leads. Tech Pro Marketing is dedicated to delivering predictable, quality leads to Managed...

Karl caught up with coach Erick Simpson ( www.ericksimpson.com ). He works with a lot of partners, and we talk about what partners are experiencing as the extended "work from home" world evolves. Luckily, many IT service providers are thriving and doing well helping their clients to be successful. That is a great example of technology that used to be "nice" and is no critical. So that has turned i...

Karl interviews Ben Niernberg from MNJ Technologies. MNJ is an MSP that also helps other MSPs resell phone services and Internet connectivity. Ben currently oversees all sales, marketing, services and vendor management relations for MNJ Technologies. Before joining MNJ, he spent a decade at Canon Solutions America, a subsidiary of Canon USA Company, where he was in a variety of management and exec...

Host Amy Babinchak interviews Josh Barker from TechRug (the Technology Risk Underwriting Group). Their topic is: The Insurance Landscape for MSP's. Amy starts out with the big question: What's up with the big price increases? Is it all ransomware? And just so we don't put all the blame on the "bad guys," Amy and Josh also discuss the promises made by MSPs that get them into trouble. If your web si...

I caught up with Paul Green again, from Paul Green's MSP Marketing. One of the first things Pauls says is that you can't really speed up sales most of the time because you don't have the power place your prospects in a position of "needing" your services. Your goal is to be there when they realize they have a need. But you can't create the need. In this interview, Paul talks about the power of phy...

I caught up with Amy as she's running around (virtually) getting ready for the big Acronis Summit 2020. More information at https://summit.acronis.events . The Acronis Summit is . . . October 19-20-21 Registration is free at https://summit.acronis.events Amy is a long-time friend of the Channel and is now the Channel Chief Evangelist at Acronis. She is organizing a number of the sessions for the S...

I caught up with Michael Slater, Director of Corporate Sales at Sherweb. Sherweb has promised that the 2020 Accelerate conference will be focused on MBA for MSPs. Accelerate is always focused on education, and 2020 will continue that approach. Historically, Accelerate has been held in Montreal. So, they decided to move to Florida this year. Well . . . then 2020 happened. Now, the conference is 100...

Today's guest is Todd Snapp from Stridepoint, the developer of Relay Managed Security Awareness. We do a deep dive into "Security Awareness" services. And, of course, my big question was about the managed piece of this. Several companies will now send out test phishing email to catch client users opening things they shouldn't. Relay Managed Security Awareness goes way beyond this, including preven...

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...