We’ve just completed our 14th MSP acquisition, with more already in motion!In this episode of M&A Focus, Brendan and Ross discuss the exact playbook we use to ensure two things happen every time we acquire a business:- The people who join us feel respected, supported, and excited about the future, and- The customers we inherit become 10/10 fans within six months of integration.Get the real conversations, lessons learned, and the behind-the-scenes mechanics of making acquisitions work for humans and for business outcomes.We cover the staff experience, customer expectations, cultural alignment, the pod model, the integration timeline, and how we communicate through a period where people often feel the most uncertainty.If you're growing through acquisition, or preparing to be acquired, this is your playbook.🔖 Chapters00:00 – Why We Bought This MSP: Staff + Customer FitWhy cultural fit and ICP alignment are the real reasons behind every acquisition — and how that shapes the entire transition.02:34 – Supporting Staff Through an AcquisitionHow we help employees who didn’t choose us understand who we are, where we’re going, and why they matter. Respect, clarity, and real career opportunity.06:40 – Customer Reactions & Reducing UncertaintyWhat customers worry about on Day 1, how we communicate when communication is limited, and why many end up relieved they now have access to bigger capability.10:55 – The Pod Delivery Model ExplainedHow we keep the “small MSP feel” while providing big-MSP resources — and why pod GMs are critical for client experience and stability.14:17 – Events, Connection & Culture After a SaleHow we use shared learning, in-person events, and community to help staff and customers feel part of the broader First Focus family.16:50 – The 6-Month Integration RoadmapA peek into our dedicated integration team, tool cutovers, communication cadence, and how we ensure every customer is fully transitioned and supported.

In this episode of M&A Focus, Brendan Ritchie and RossSardi break down the real technology, cybersecurity, culture, and integration risks that determine whether an acquisition creates value or becomes a costly mistake. Drawing on experience across 14+ acquisitions, Ross explains what tolook for in tech due diligence, how to manage post-acquisition integration, and how to decide between single-brand vs multi-brand strategy after buying acompany.

🔎 Key Topics:

- What to check in technology due diligence (tech stackmaturity, licensing risks, security posture)

- The biggest cybersecurity risks during M&A and how toavoid breaches during the transition period

- How to identify deal-changing red flags before you buy abusiness - How post-merger integration works (systems, people, security, data,processes)

- When to keep an acquired company’s brand vs when tocollapse everything into one

- Why every business becomes a technology business inM&A, whether you like it or not

⏱️ Key Chapters:

00:00 — Why We’re Seeing So Much M&A Activity Right NowBrendan & Ross unpack the spike in buying and selling across the market andwhy tech sits at the centre of every deal, regardless of industry.

05:12 — The Tech & Security Due Diligence Playbook Whatexperienced buyers actually look for: stack maturity, licensing issues, hiddenrisks, and the mindset needed to protect price and future integration.

12:40 — Integration Risks: The Overlap Period No One TalksAbout Why the post-acquisition “bridge period” is one of the highest-riskwindows for breaches and how to mitigate it even if you can’t log into everysystem during DD.

21:18 — One Brand or Many? How to Decide Post-AcquisitionStrategy Ross shares real lessons from running multiple brands vs. unifyingeverything under one banner and why clarity beats confusion every time.

MSP and business owners are selling at a rate we haven’t seen in years, but not for the reasons you might think.In this episode, Ross Sardi and Brendan Ritchie break down the real factors driving the surge in exit conversations: generational fatigue, economic pressure, AI-driven change, customer expectations, valuation trends, and the growing awareness that selling is no longer a last resort, but also a strategic move.Whether you’re planning to sell, scale, or simply survive the next wave of industry transformation, this conversation gives you the clarity you need.Grounded in real acquisition experience and market insights, we explore what’s changed in the past 6–12 months, why more owners are initiating conversations themselves, and how to think about timing your exit for maximum value.KEY CHAPTERS:00:00 – Why So Many Owners Are Exploring an Exit NowIncreased inquiries, inbound sellers, and the shift in owner behaviour.02:30 – The Generational Wave: 15–20 Years of FatigueWhy long-term owners are hitting a natural transition point.05:10 – The Capacity Ceiling: When Your Business Maxes OutWhat happens when the owner is the linchpin and the team is at full load.07:40 – AI, Automation & The New Business ModelWhy the next era demands reinvention and why some owners would rather exit.10:45 – What This Means for Your Business StrategyHow to think about selling, staying, reinvesting, or restructuring.

In this final episode of the Finance Focus series, Ross Sardi (CEO, First Focus) and Jarrod Morris (Founder & CEO, Bolden) explore what finance looks like in the age of artificial intelligence.From automation and analytics to hiring the next generation of finance leaders, this discussion explores how AI and robotic process automation (RPA) are changing everything and what that means for finance teams, executives, and businesses of every size.Discover how AI is removing manual processes, enhancing data analysis, reshaping the CFO role, and even democratising app development through low-code and “vibe coding.”Whether you’re a finance professional, business leader, or curious about how AI is impacting corporate strategy, this episode will give you a grounded yet forward-thinking view of what’s next for finance in 2025 and beyond.KEY CHAPTERS:00:00 – Welcome to Episode 5: Finance in the Age of AIThe hosts introduce the series finale and outline the focus on AI’s impact on financial processes and leadership.01:00 – AI + RPA: Automating the Manual Finance WorkloadHow AI and robotic process automation are revolutionising repetitive tasks and freeing finance to focus on strategic value.04:00 – From Automation to Intelligence: Data and Analytics in FinanceWhy AI-driven analytics are transforming decision-making and the risks of relying on bad data.06:45 – Garbage In, Garbage Out: Ensuring Data QualityHow businesses can build reliable datasets and use AI to improve reconciliation, reporting, and accuracy.10:00 – Does the Data Make Sense? Context Is EverythingFinance’s evolving role in providing insight, validation, and strategic context to AI-generated outputs.14:00 – The Future of Finance Leadership: Enabler, Not GatekeeperHow AI is democratising financial knowledge and transforming the CFO from controller to collaborator.20:00 – Hiring in the Age of AI: Curiosity Over CredentialsThe new must-have traits for finance professionals (curiosity, adaptability, and problem-solving) and the rise of fractional CFO models.29:00 – Redefining Success: How to Measure CFO Impact in 2025Why performance metrics for finance leaders should focus on execution, innovation, and technology enablement.30:30 – Building Bespoke Finance Tools: The Power of “Vibe Coding”How AI is empowering non-technical leaders to create custom financial tools and the risks of shadow IT.39:00 – Final Thoughts: Finance as the Central Nervous System of BusinessRoss and Jared reflect on finance’s dual role in shaping and being shaped by technology and the importance of continuous learning in AI.

In this episode of Finance Focus, Brendan Ritchie sits down with Ross Sardi and Jarrod Morris to unpack one of the most overlooked parts of digital transformation: adoption.You’ve invested in technology, built the business case, and forecasted the returns… but what happens if your people don’t use it?Explore how adoption rates multiply ROI, why executive sponsorship is essential, and how to turn resistors into advocates.🔥 You’ll learn:- Why ROI × Adoption Rate = Actual ROI — and how to boost both- How to identify and engage “constructive resistors” in your team- The role of leadership in modelling adoption (“a fish stinks from its head”)- Why zero-based budgeting and continuous improvement matter for long-term ROIIf you’re a CFO, technology leader, or finance professional navigating digital transformation, this conversation will help you turn tools into outcomes and make every dollar deliver.Chapters: 0:35 – Why adoption is the multiplier for ROI1:30 – Measuring and respecting adoption metrics3:00 – Internal vs external adoption (staff & customers)5:00 – Changing behaviour and onboarding momentum6:00 – Involving users early in discovery7:00 – Executive sponsorship and leading by example8:30 – The Technology Acceptance Model explained9:40 – The psychology of adoption and the power of “why”11:20 – Dealing with resistors and driving cultural alignment13:30 – Turning resistors into champions15:00 – Avoiding perfection paralysis: solving for 80%16:30 – Continuous improvement and zero-based budgeting18:00 – Wrapping up: adoption as a mindset

In this episode of Finance Focus, host Brendan Ritchie is joined by Ross Sardi (CEO, First Focus) and Jared Morris (CEO & Founder, Balden) to unpack one of the biggest challenges facing modern finance teams — choosing the right technology stack.Together they explore why so many Australian businesses are frustrated with legacy ERPs, what’s driving the shift to modular, cloud-based finance tools, and how to build a curated, best-in-class tech stack that keeps your data accurate, decisions fast, and teams happy.💬 Key discussion points:- Why most ERPs create more problems than they solve- The real cost of manual processes and disconnected tools- How process mapping can transform your finance operations- What an ideal modern finance stack looks like (and the tools behind it)- The importance of single-source data entry for real-time reporting- How Australian mid-market businesses can build smarter, scalable finance systems📈 Whether you’re a CFO, COO, or finance leader in a growing Australian organisation, this episode will help you modernise your finance systems.🕒 Key Chapters0:00 Intro – Welcome to Finance Focus: Building the Right Finance Tech Stack0:35 The Problem with Current Finance Tools – Frustration, manual work, and gut feel decisions1:45 No Single Source of Truth = Slow or Bad Decisions – Why data trust is everything3:50 The ERP Headache – Why so many businesses are ditching legacy systems6:20 The Shift to Best-in-Class Apps and APIs – From all-in-one to curated stacks10:30 Mapping Processes Before Tech Decisions – The key to building a fit-for-purpose stack13:45 Real-World Example: Xero, Unleashed, Lightspeed, Shopify + Causal16:10 Avoiding App Bloat and Driving Adoption – Designing systems around people18:50 Wrap-Up – Finance Tech That Empowers Better Decisions

Most businesses know they need to invest in technology, but few can actually prove the return.In this episode of Finance Focus, Ross Sardi (CEO, First Focus) and Jarrod Morris (CEO, Bolden) sit down with host Brendan Ritchie to break down the ROI gap: why so many technology and AI projects fail to deliver results, and what smart Australian businesses can do differently.💡 Learn how to connect every tech project to your profit and loss (P&L), measure success quarterly, and avoid falling for the vendor ROI mirage.If you’re a CFO, CEO, or business leader wondering whether your technology spend is really paying off then this episode is for you.🔍 What You’ll Learn- The real reason most tech and digital transformation projects fail- How to map technology investments directly to ROI- Why adoption metrics matter more than early results- How to set realistic ROI timelines (and when to walk away)- The five key ROI drivers: efficiency, revenue, quality, productivity, and risk- How to spot inflated vendor claims and avoid the “ROI mirage”- Real-world examples of AI ROI done right👉 Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-focus-it👍 Like this video, subscribe, and hit the bell so you never miss an update!

AI is moving faster than ever – and Adam Spencer is here to help us break it all down.

In this episode of the First Focus podcast, Adam joins Brendan Ritchie and Ross Sardi fresh from the IT Nation Connect ANZ 2025 stage to share his take on:

• The real story behind GPT-5 (and why it’s more “raise the floor” than “lift the ceiling”)

• The race toward Artificial General Intelligence and Superintelligence – and the risks of being first• How AI is already reshaping workplaces, from law firms to managed IT service providers

• Why prompt-writing is the newest power skill• The rise of “digital twins” and what it means for leaders and innovators

Whether you’re a tech leader, business owner, or just curious about how AI will impact Australia’s future, this chat is packed with insights and a few laughs along the way.

👉 Follow First Focus IT on LinkedIn for more conversations, events and AI updates: https://au.linkedin.com/company/first-focus-it

In this episode of SharePoint Focus, experts Mia Tait from First Focus and Alyssa Blackburn from AvePoint sit down to share practical steps every Australian organisation can take to clean up legacy file servers and manage information smarter within M365 and SharePoint.They also discuss what it really takes to:- Clean up and consolidate data scattered across file servers, Dropbox, Slack and other collaboration tools- Avoid the classic “lift-and-shift” mistake that simply moves the clutter into Microsoft 365 without fixing it- Understand the information life cycle—from creation and collaboration through to retention, archival and secure disposal- Use metadata and sensitivity labels to improve search, trigger security processes and stay compliant with the Australian Privacy Act- Cut cloud storage costs while reducing the environmental footprint of your data centre usage- Prepare your data for AI readiness, ensuring tools like Microsoft Copilot deliver accurate insightsKEY CHAPTERS: 0:00 – Intro & Episode OverviewA quick welcome to Episode 5 of SharePoint Focus and what’s ahead: cleaning up legacy file servers and mastering the information life cycle.0:34 – Tackling Data Sprawl Across Multiple PlatformsMia and Alyssa explain how to start with a stocktake of all your data sources—Dropbox, Slack, HR systems and more—before you migrate.3:29 – Why a Lift-and-Shift Migration Creates More ProblemsWhy simply moving everything to SharePoint without sorting is like moving house without cleaning—just moving the clutter.7:57 – Understanding the Information Life CycleAlyssa defines the key stages from creation through retention to secure disposal, and why managing each stage matters.9:50 – Privacy Risks & The Danger of Holding Old DataReal-world examples of how keeping unnecessary data increases risk and why deletion can be safer than hoarding.13:18 – Metadata: The Secret to Search and ComplianceWhat metadata really is, why it’s called a “love note to the future,” and how good tagging makes information easier to find and secure.17:15 – The Three Pillars: Integrity, Efficiency & Cost SavingsHow proper life cycle management protects compliance, saves staff time and cuts cloud storage costs—including environmental benefits.25:09 – Best Practices for SharePoint Life Cycle ManagementPractical tips: assign file owners, automate retention policies, use Microsoft Purview labels and run regular audits.Whether you’re an IT manager, business leader or simply trying to make your Microsoft 365 environment easier to navigate, you’ll discover why a strong information life cycle strategy isn’t just about compliance—it’s about saving time, cutting costs and protecting your business.

AI rollouts are everywhere—but why do so many fail before they even get off the ground? 🤔 In this episode of SharePoint Focus, Brendan Ritchie, Mia Tait (First Focus M365 Practice Lead), and Alyssa Blackburn (AvePoint) unpack why most AI proof of concepts don’t deliver results and how SharePoint can help set your business up for success.From government Copilot pilots that missed the mark, to the hidden risks of "confetti licenses," and the critical role of clean, well-governed data—this conversation covers the real-world lessons you need to avoid wasted investment.

We’ll explore:

✅ Why defining clear outcomes is non-negotiable

✅ The importance of data governance and ROT (Redundant, Obsolete, Trivial) cleanup

✅ Training, adoption, and why ease of use matters more than hype

✅ Measuring AI ROI with real-world examples

✅ How to roll out Copilot and AI in stages for lasting success

Whether you’re testing Microsoft Copilot, looking at AI pilots, or trying to avoid wasted spend, this episode will give you the insights to make your AI strategy stick.