Erick and Rich discuss the coming “supercycle” of PC sales and three techniques MSPs can use to manage remote employees. Then they’re joined by Elisabeth De Dobbeleer, vice president of the Cisco Partner Program, and Ken Seitz, Cisco’s senior director of partner managed and XaaS sales, for a discussion of underleveraged revenue opportunities in security, networking, and beyond, plus the role partner programs can play in helping MSPs pursue them. And finally, one last thing: How a potty-mouthed parrot found a new loving, home.
 
Discussed in this episode:
Canalys analyst Jay McBain on the PC sales “supercycle”
The Cisco partner program
Cisco partner managed services
Cisco partners LinkedIn site
Elisabeth De Dobbeleer on LinkedIn
Ken Seitz on LinkedIn

In this special bonus episode of MSP Chat, sponsored by Acronis and its new MSP Academy, Erick and Rich discuss how the XDR solution Acronis recently introduced underscores important cybersecurity trends and three tactics for overcoming the ongoing shortage of MSP talent. Then they’re joined by Acronis President Gaidar Magdanurov for an in-depth conversation about the value of education for MSPs and how vendors can help their partners address education pain points and opportunities. And finally, one last thing: if you’ve been putting something off until hippos fly, that day has now arrived. 

Discussed in this episode:
Acronis joins the XDR club
Acronis MSP Academy
Hippos might fly: UK research discovers animal can get airborne

Erick and Rich discuss why MSPs should give outsourcing some of their tech work overseas a second look, and the secrets to preventing project creep and seep. Then Rich is joined by MJ Shoer, CompTIA’s Chief Community Officer, and CompTIA members John Harden and Carrie Green to discuss the power of community in the SMB channel. And finally, one last thing: the surprisingly long tail enjoyed by floppy disks in Japan and Germany. 

Discussed in this episode:
Channelholic: Going global gets a look
The Secret to Building Winning Global Teams: How to Leverage Offshore Talent to Exponentially Increase Profitability and Valuation, by Sunny Kaila, CEO, IT By Design
5 Questions with John Harden: 2024 CompTIA Community North America Future Leader Award Winner
5 Questions with Carrie Green: 2024 CompTIA Community North America Community Leadership Award Winner
CompTIA ChannelCon 2024 home page and registration

Erick and Rich discuss Pax8’s budding IT management stack and how MSPs can keep pace with evolving customer expectations. Then they’re joined by Kaseya CEO Fred Voccola for a wide-ranging conversation about trends in security and AI, the initial market reception to the Kaseya 365 solution introduced earlier this year, and the “monster, monster, monster” announcement Kaseya will make in October. And finally, one last thing: why Erick and Rich may be accessories to a copyright infringement crime. 

Discussed in this episode:
Pax8’s first IT management stack
Follow-up post on Pax8’s IT management stack
What’s Bigger Than Kaseya 365?AI’s Most Ambitious Music Generators Accused of ‘Massive’ Infringement In New Lawsuit
Episode 20: Cracking the Code on MSP Relationships (the part about Suno begins around the 1:02:50 mark)

Break out the fireworks! Erick and Rich are joined by Channel Mastered PR guru Bill Robbins to dispel common misconceptions about public relations and lost opportunities to benefit from it. That comes after a discussion of what the coming appearance of “mega MSPs” means for smaller ones and three smart ways for MSPs of any size to differentiate themselves from competitors. And finally, one last thing: why people lined up for hours in Boston to see a very stinky flower. 

Discussed in this episode:
The Mega MSPs Are Coming
Six Channel PR Misperceptions You MUST Avoid

Erick and Rich discuss data from ConnectWise unit Service Leadership detailing the advantages MSPs backed by private equity enjoy relative to independently owned competitors, and how those independently owned providers can fight back. That’s followed by three tips from Erick on avoiding customer churn and an interview with Marty Falaro, EVP and COO of Wasabi Technologies, about the big and underappreciated opportunity in storage generally and cloud storage specifically. And finally, one last thing about the disappointing results when researchers at Google asked generative AI platforms to write them jokes. 

Discussed in this episode:
Hard data on private equity-backed MSPs
What happened when 20 comedians got AI to write their routines

Erick and Rich discuss ConnectWise’s stealthy step into the XDR market and how to set strong, effective Q3 business growth goals. Then Rich is joined by Gerwai Todd, CEO of Pia, to explore the present and future of AI as an operational efficiency tool for MSPs. And finally, one last thing about a thrift store shopper who bought a 2,000-year-old Mayan vase for a mere $3.99. 

Discussed in this episode:
Of ConnectWise, Security, and Ducks
$3.99 thrift store find turns out to be nearly 2,000-year-old Mayan vase

Erick and Rich discuss Pax8’s ambitious new online marketplace and how to turn lost deals into future sales. Then Dave McQuarrie, chief commercial officer at HP Inc., joins in to explore often underappreciated AI-related revenue streams for MSPs in PCs and print (yes, print!). And finally, one last thing: how interacting with an AI chatbot version of you in the future can talk you out of dumb mistakes today. 

Discussed in this episode:
Pax8 Unveils Next Generation Marketplace Experience
There’s a Red-Hot SMB Market Opportunity in…Print?!?

Erick and Rich discuss research from Sophos that suggests security vendor and tool consolidation are on the rise as well as the importance of keeping your messaging aligned with your target market as it evolves over time. Then they’re joined by Craig Fulton of Evergreen Services Group and Peter Melby of New Charter Technologies for a rare buy-side insider’s take on the M&A landscape for MSPs. And finally, one last thing: A story from Virginia about a lucky woman who beat odds even worse than hitting the lottery. 

Discussed in this episode:
Cybersecurity Skills Shortage Is Ranked as the Biggest Risk to MSPs and Their Clients
To Rollup or Not to Rollup? That is the Question for MSPs
Fortune cookie numbers earn Va. woman $50,000 Powerball prize

Erick and Rich discuss the issues (hint: they mostly concern AI) making data security posture management a hot new revenue opportunity and how to turn local networking events into marketing goldmines. Then they’re joined by JB Fowler of Domotz for a look at how hybrid work and the Internet of Things are changing networks and network management. And finally, one last thing: How a Japanese village employed creative obstruction to get rid of obnoxious tourists. 

Discussed in this episode:
Why “DSPM” Was the Acronym to Watch at This Year’s RSA Conference
To fend off tourists, a town in Japan is building a big screen blocking the view of Mount Fuji