In this episode, the Adam and Daniel welcome Alex, an inspiring one-person MSP, to discuss his unique journey. The conversation covers his experience working in various IT roles, including his time at BBC and the 2012 Olympics broadcast team. Alex shares his decision to avoid hiring staff and instead leverage outsourced services, describing his model'. They discuss the nuances of managing small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) without servers, focusing on client resilience and immediate support solutions. Additionally, Alex sheds light on his networking strategies, particularly through BNI (Business Network International), and emphasises the importance of building quality referral relationships. The conversation shifts to the debate on artificial vs. actual intelligence, where Alex gives his perspective on ChatGPT and Microsoft recent innovations in AI. Finally, Alex shares a unique, offbeat request related to his work with coal power station ash waste and its applications. The episode provides invaluable insights into creating a sustainably successful one-person MSP and navigating the evolving AI landscape. 

00:00 Welcome and Introduction 

00:05 Meeting at Tech Tribe 

00:25 Inspiration Behind London Tech Tribe 

00:45 Today's Topics: AI vs Actual Intelligence 

00:58 Alex's Business Journey 

02:52 The Catalyst: Outsourcing IT Helpdesk 

04:17 Focus on Small Clients and Resilience 

05:33 The Importance of 24/7 IT Helpdesk 

07:01 Running a One-Person MSP 

08:48 Field Service and Onsite Needs 

14:15 Marketing and New Business Strategies 

16:07 BNI: A Pillar of Growth 

17:48 The Importance of Networking Groups 

18:48 Strategies for Effective Networking 

20:40 Building Quality Relationships 

22:50 Artificial Intelligence vs. Actual Intelligence 

24:54 Microsoft's AI Integration 

29:44 Opportunities in AI for MSPs 

34:09 Concluding Thoughts and Shameless Plugs 

Connect with Alex Stanier on LinkedIn by clicking here – https://www.linkedin.com/in/astanier/  

Connect with Daniel Welling on LinkedIn by clicking here – https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-welling-54659715/   

Connect with Adam Morris on LinkedIn by clicking here – linkedin.com/in/adamcmorris 

Visit The MSP Finance Team website, simply click here – https://www.mspfinanceteam.com/   

We look forward to catching up with you on the next one. Stay tuned! 

In this episode of 'It's a Numbers Game,' Daniel and Adam welcome back legal expert Kim Simmonds discussing MSP (Managed Service Provider) contracts, shifting the focus from risk mitigation to revenue generation. They discuss how contracts can prevent revenue leakage through strategies such as service credits, proper termination clauses, and exit transition clauses. Kim emphasises the importance of using your own well-crafted templates and the pitfalls of relying on client-provided contracts. They also touch upon practical credit management, handling insolvency scenarios, and learning about the Insolvency Act. The episode wraps up with a brief look at Kim's SaaS platform, Cloud Contract 365, which helps MSPs create, manage, and review contracts efficiently. 

00:00 Introduction and Welcome 

00:32 Contracts as Revenue Generating Tools 

01:53 Key Contract Clauses for MSPs 

03:09 Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Penalties 

07:33 Exit Transition Clauses and Termination 

13:28 Handling Client Non-Payment 

19:57 Revenue Protection Strategies 

25:17 Cloud Contracts 365 Overview 

29:12 Final Thoughts and Future Topics 

When UK suppliers must continue to supply insolvent companies 

Connect with Kim Simmonds on LinkedIn by clicking here – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimsimmonds/ 

Connect with Daniel Welling on LinkedIn by clicking here – https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-welling-54659715/   

Connect with Adam Morris on LinkedIn by clicking here – linkedin.com/in/adamcmorris 

Visit The MSP Finance Team website, simply click here – https://www.mspfinanceteam.com/   

We look forward to catching up with you on the next one. Stay tuned! 

This episode explores the decisions MSPs face when choosing between resellers and distributors for procurement. Vincent, a seasoned industry professional, joins hosts Adam and Daniel to share valuable insights on benefits and risks, pricing strategies, and building trust in supplier relationships. They discuss the importance of efficient service, managing cash flow, and mitigating risks associated with working with partners. Vincent also highlights how to leverage strong relationships and the importance of proactive client interactions to add value. The conversation encompasses various facets of the MSP business, from managing credit to enhancing service delivery through strong, trust-based relationships. 

00:00 Introduction and Topic Overview 

00:26 Building Trust with Resellers 

00:50 Case Study: Overcoming Cash Flow Issues 

03:22 Pricing Strategies and Market Dynamics 

06:12 Challenges with Distribution and Vendor Relationships 

09:29 Value-Added Services and Long-Term Relationships 

15:44 Navigating Credit and Payment Terms 

20:20 Tips for New Businesses and MSPs 

26:37 Conclusion and Contact Information 

Connect with Vincent O’Hanlon on LinkedIn by clicking here – https://www.linkedin.com/in/vohanlon/ 

Connect with Daniel Welling on LinkedIn by clicking here – https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-welling-54659715/   

Connect with Adam Morris on LinkedIn by clicking here – linkedin.com/in/adamcmorris 

Visit The MSP Finance Team website, simply click here – https://www.mspfinanceteam.com/   

We look forward to catching up with you on the next one. Stay tuned! 

In this episode of "It's a Numbers Game" Daniel Welling is joined by resident accountant Chas Roopra to analyse Rachel Reeve's first budget and its implications for businesses, especially MSPs. They discuss the unchanged corporation tax rates and pension legislation, and highlight key changes like the upcoming increase in national minimum wage, unaltered tax allowances leading to a stealth tax, and adjustments to employer NI rates and allowances. The episode also covers changes to capital gains tax, specifically for business asset disposals, offering insights into tax planning opportunities for MSP owners. Key takeaways include the importance of budgeting, projecting director salaries, and understanding potential tax liabilities.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:32 Overview of the Budget

01:08 Unchanged Policies

02:38 Key Changes in the Budget

05:14 Impact on Employers and Employees

10:45 Capital Gains Tax and Business Asset Disposal

16:35 Actionable Takeaways for MSP Owners

18:47 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Connect with Chas Ropra on LinkedIn by clicking here – https://www.linkedin.com/in/chas-roopra-44250410

Connect with Daniel Welling on LinkedIn by clicking here – https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-welling-54659715/  

Connect with Adam Morris on LinkedIn by clicking here – linkedin.com/in/adamcmorris

Visit The MSP Finance Team website, simply click here – https://www.mspfinanceteam.com/  

For more information on the Profit Protector click here: https://mspfinanceteam.com/profit-protector/ 

In this episode of “It’s a Numbers Game” host Adam and co-host Dan are joined by Michelle Coombs from the Tech Leader Network to discuss operational effectiveness and efficiency in managed service providers (MSPs). The conversation covers key strategies for improving MSP performance, including prioritising customer satisfaction, ensuring accountability in service delivery, and setting clear objectives. Michelle shares her extensive experience across various industries, providing practical advice on how MSPs can enhance their operations to become more efficient, profitable, and maintain stronger customer relationships. The episode also touches on the importance of holding regular reviews, logging time, and the balance of internal and outsourced service delivery models. 

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 

00:23 Operational Effectiveness and Efficiency 

02:03 Customer First Approach 

04:18 Balancing Customer Needs and MSP Objectives 

07:46 Escalation Processes and Red Flag Meetings 

12:55 Accountability and Job Descriptions 

18:51 Hiring and Team Dynamics 

23:09 Cascading Objectives and Measuring Success 

29:12 Conclusion and Contact Information 

Connect with Michelle Coombs on LinkedIn by clicking here –https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-coombs/ 

Connect with Daniel Welling on LinkedIn by clicking here – https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-welling-54659715/   

Connect with Adam Morris on LinkedIn by clicking here – linkedin.com/in/adamcmorris 

Visit The MSP Finance Team website, simply click here – https://www.mspfinanceteam.com/   

We look forward to catching up with you on the next one. Stay tuned! 

In this episode, Jake discusses the robust functionalities of Inforcer, a software platform designed by and for MSPs to manage Microsoft policies across customer tenants. He elaborates on the platform's role in centralising policy management, enabling time savings, reducing risk, and creating new revenue streams for MSPs. Jake explains the challenges MSPs face without such a tool, the competitive landscape, and how Inforcer complements rather than competes with tools like Octiga and CIPP. He addresses the need for MSPs to educate their clients about the evolving security landscape and how Inforcer aids in policy enforcement and compliance. The conversation also touches on the importance of continuous improvement, client education, and setting appropriate expectations in a managed service environment.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:24 What is Inforcer?

01:21 Market Position and Competitors

02:56 Business Case for Inforcer

05:50 Revenue Streams for MSPs

09:08 Pre-Sales Auditing Tool

11:20 Challenges and Solutions

15:35 Microsoft's Role and Future

18:04 MSP Market and Security

21:16 Client Expectations and Education

28:19 Conclusion and Contact Information

Connect with Jake Webber-Cadby on LinkedIn by clicking here – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-webber-cadby-92477a111

Connect with Daniel Welling on LinkedIn by clicking here – https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-welling-54659715/  

Connect with Adam Morris on LinkedIn by clicking here – linkedin.com/in/adamcmorris

Visit The MSP Finance Team website, simply click here – https://www.mspfinanceteam.com/  

We look forward to catching up with you on the next one. Stay tuned!

In this episode, Simon discusses the CyberDrain Improved Partner Portal (CIPP), an Azure app designed to streamline the administration of Office 365 tenants for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). Simon explains the features, benefits, and cost-effectiveness of this open-source tool, which allows MSPs to manage multiple tenants from a single platform. He highlights its rapid release cycle, integrations with other tools like Hudu and Ninja, and its ability to enhance first and second-line support productivity. Additionally, Simon addresses common concerns about open-source software, emphasising the robust support community and ongoing development behind CIPP.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:21 Overview of CIPP

01:12 Cost and Hosting Options

02:50 Core Features and Functionality

06:08 Open Source and Community Support

17:16 Implementation and Best Practices

23:41 Conclusion and Contact Information

Connect with Simon Butler on LinkedIn by clicking here – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sembee/

Connect with Daniel Welling on LinkedIn by clicking here – https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-welling-54659715/  

Connect with Adam Morris on LinkedIn by clicking here – linkedin.com/in/adamcmorris

Visit The MSP Finance Team website, simply click here – https://www.mspfinanceteam.com/  

We look forward to catching up with you on the next one. Stay tuned!

In this episode, Adam and Daniel welcome Dean to discuss the nuances of recruitment and retention within the Managed Service Provider (MSP) industry. This conversation touches upon the challenges MSPs face, particularly around outsourcing and attracting the right talent. Dean elaborates on the importance of having a robust employer brand, effective onboarding processes, and the significance of personalised development pathways. The discussion also covers modern benefits that appeal to candidates, including flexible working arrangements, mental health support, and unique perks like sabbaticals. Practical advice on ensuring operational stability while embracing flexibility, as well as proactive strategies to mitigate the risk of employee attrition, provides substantial value for MSP owners and hiring managers alike.

00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Dean

00:26 The Irony of MSPs Resisting Outsourcing

01:37 Best Practices in Recruitment

03:01 Attracting the Right Candidates

03:46 Importance of Employer Branding

05:42 Benefits and Work-Life Balance

08:26 Flexibility and Hybrid Work Models

15:22 Onboarding and Retention Strategies

21:57 The Role of Job Descriptions

24:30 Employer Branding and Values

31:10 Conclusion and Contact Information

Connect with Dean Watmough on LinkedIn by clicking here – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-watmough-b0a05513/

Connect with Daniel Welling on LinkedIn by clicking here – https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-welling-54659715/  

Connect with Adam Morris on LinkedIn by clicking here – linkedin.com/in/adamcmorris

Visit The MSP Finance Team website, simply click here – https://www.mspfinanceteam.com/  

We look forward to catching up with you on the next one. Stay tuned!

In this episode, Dan Ellis, founder of PCPowerSave, discusses the inspiration behind his SaaS application designed to reduce energy consumption on computer systems. He details the challenges it addresses, particularly amid rising electricity costs in Europe. Dan outlines how his software surpasses standard power settings by providing detailed reports and automated optimisations, enabling significant cost and environmental savings for businesses. The conversation also touches on market strategies, operational details, and the product’s adoption among MSPs and enterprises, highlighting future plans for scaling and collaborations.

00:00 Introduction and Icebreaker

00:33 The Energy Consumption Challenge

01:15 How the Software Works

01:49 Optimising Power Settings

02:50 Reporting and Additional Features

04:26 Target Market and Pricing

06:11 Energy Savings and Use Cases

12:17 Environmental Impact and Business Values

18:49 Scaling the Business

24:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Connect with Dan Ellis on LinkedIn by clicking here –https://www.linkedin.com/in/djwellis/

Connect with Daniel Welling on LinkedIn by clicking here – https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-welling-54659715/  

Connect with Adam Morris on LinkedIn by clicking here – linkedin.com/in/adamcmorris

Visit The MSP Finance Team website, simply click here – https://www.mspfinanceteam.com/  

We look forward to catching up with you on the next one. Stay tuned!

In this episode of 'It's a Number Game' podcast, Adam Morris from the MSP Finance Team introduces viewers to FIRECalc, an online tool for evaluating business valuation and retirement planning.

Discover why it's crucial to get the right valuation for your business, the risks associated with undershooting or overshooting your financial targets, and how to use historical data since 1873 for more accurate projections. Learn to set realistic spending and portfolio goals, adjust for various financial scenarios, and understand the impact of different spending models and portfolio strategies. This tool empowers you to make well-informed financial decisions based on historical evidence.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:31 Introducing the FIRECalc Tool

01:15 Understanding the Importance of Accurate Valuation

02:33 Getting Started with FIRECalc

03:19 Running Initial Scenarios

07:34 Adjusting for State Pensions and Spending Models

11:10 Exploring Portfolio Adjustments

15:56 Final Thoughts and Additional Considerations

Connect with Daniel Welling on LinkedIn by clicking here – https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-welling-54659715/  

Connect with Adam Morris on LinkedIn by clicking here – linkedin.com/in/adamcmorris

Visit The MSP Finance Team website, simply click here – https://www.mspfinanceteam.com/  

We look forward to catching up with you on the next one. Stay tuned!