SMB Community Podcast: Business Advice for Small MSP Owners

Topic 1: CISA Under the Microscope

CISA was called out in the Project 2025 document as a left-wing organization inside the government due to their warning about election interference. It is now subject to cuts and scrutiny. In the mass firings at DHS on February 14th, 130 employees at CISA were fired as they were “probationary” employees.

Many MSPs and MSSPs subscribe to CISA.gov alerts. It is unclear how this will be affected. Wherever you stand on politics or related topics, small business needs a good source of security alerts we can rely on.

What's your take?

Topic 2 (AI, of course): Was DeepSeek revolutionary or just the next obvious step in the evolution of AI?

From Geekwire: Satya Nadella's response was, "Jevons paradox strikes again! . . . As AI gets more efficient and accessible, we will see its use skyrocket, turning it into a commodity we just can’t get enough of."

What do you think. Just another step in the evolution of AI? Or is there news here?

See: - https://www.geekwire.com/2025/microsoft-ceo-says-ai-use-will-skyrocket-with-more-efficiency-amid-craze-over-deepseek/ 

- Wikipedia on Jevon’s Paradox: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jevons_paradox 

- ChatGPT now has 300 million users (https://backlinko.com/chatgpt-stats)  - Google Search has 1 billion regular users, and now includes Gemini results at the top of every search - Microsoft CoPilot has about 30 million users (https://www.businessofapps.com/data/microsoft-copilot-statistics/)  - Adobe Creative Cloud has about 30 million users and includes AI in all products (https://photutorial.com/adobe-statistics/) 

Topic 3: Will Microsoft compete with you - or your SOC?

Now available: Microsoft Defender Experts for XDR

Says Microsoft: "Our expertise is now your expertise. Augment your teams across security, compliance, identity, management, and privacy with Microsoft Security Experts."

See https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/business/services

Is this service worth considering, or should Microsoft put those resources into fixing security problems in their deployed software? The pages makes it sound like this will have a major human-led component, but that's exactly what they are NOT doing.

Will you jump on board or wait to see if this is real first? And will this help Microsoft cut payroll, or just require more hiring?

We welcome your feedback!

:-)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Overview: In this episode of the SMB Community Podcast, hosts Amy Babinchak and James Kernan discuss various topics including the aftermath of the Super Bowl, the trends in mergers and acquisitions, and the effectiveness of Microsoft Action Pack programs. They explore the potential of AI in increasing productivity through a new book, 'AI Productivity Leap', and AI project management software. The episode also covers trending news from the growth trends of tech franchises to leadership changes in major companies. Chapter Markers: 00:00 Introductions 00:52 Super Bowl Recap and Reactions 06:15 MSP Question of the Week: What is the Value of my MSP? 13:36 T-Mobile and Starlink Partnership 16:10 DeepSeek Hack and Government Response 17:27 Microsoft Action Pack Program Ending 19:02 Franchise Growth in the IT Industry 20:49 CEO Shuffling in the Tech Industry 21:28 Weekend Reads: Intel and Kaseya Leadership Changes 23:59 5 Minutes with a Smart Person Interview: Manish Bhardia of AIMEY.AI 27:49 AI Productivity Leap: The Book 36:22 Upcoming Industry Events 40:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

New Book Release: I'm proud to announce the release of my new book, The Anthology of Cybersecurity Experts! This collection brings together 15 of the nation's top minds in cybersecurity, sharing real-world solutions to combat today's most pressing threats. Whether you're an MSP, IT leader, or simply passionate about protecting your data, this book is packed with expert advice to help you stay secure and ahead of the curve. Available now on Amazon! https://a.co/d/f2NKASI

Sponsor Memo:

Since 2006, Kernan Consulting has been through over 30 transactions in mergers & acquisitions - and just this past year, we have been involved in six (6).

If you are interested in either buying, selling, or valuation information, please reach out.

There is alot of activity and you can be a part of it.

For more information, reach out at kernanconsulting.com

About the SMB Community Podcast: Weekly business advice for small MSP owners from Amy Babinchak and James Kernan of the Small Biz Thoughts community — MSP sales, MSP pricing and agreements, hiring and leading an MSP team, MSP operations, selling your MSP, and AI for small MSPs. Produced by MSP Radio. More for MSP owners at smallbizthoughts.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Overview: In this episode of the SMB Community Podcast, hosts James Kernan and Amy Babinchak discuss the transformative impact of AI on MSP sales and efficiency, emphasizing AI's potential to double market size and help MSPs manage new applications. Amy announces the start of her new AI class. This episode also delves into recent tech industry news, including the U.S. Department of Justice's intervention in the HPE and Juniper deal, changes in Ingram Micro's leadership, Dell's policy on employee location, and CrowdStrike's efforts to recover its reputation. This week's 5 Minutes with a Smart Person special guest, Melissa Hockenberry from First Things First Training and Consulting, shares insights on customer retention and how her company customizes training to enhance client experiences. Chapter Markers: 00:00 Introduction to SMB Community Podcast 00:52 Hosts' Morning Banter 01:35 MSP Question of the Week: AI in Sales 03:32 AI's Impact on MSPs 10:15 Industry News Highlights 13:04 Dell's Return to Office Policy 20:03 CrowdStrike's Comeback 21:37 Intel's Potential Takeover 24:14 5 Minutes with a Smart Person: Melissa Hockenberry on Training 39:23 Upcoming Events and Engagements 41:26 Final Thoughts and Farewell

New Book Release: I'm proud to announce the release of my new book, The Anthology of Cybersecurity Experts! This collection brings together 15 of the nation's top minds in cybersecurity, sharing real-world solutions to combat today's most pressing threats. Whether you're an MSP, IT leader, or simply passionate about protecting your data, this book is packed with expert advice to help you stay secure and ahead of the curve. Available now on Amazon! https://a.co/d/f2NKASI

Sponsor Memo:

Since 2006, Kernan Consulting has been through over 30 transactions in mergers & acquisitions - and just this past year, we have been involved in six (6).

If you are interested in either buying, selling, or valuation information, please reach out.

There is alot of activity and you can be a part of it.

For more information, reach out at kernanconsulting.com

About the SMB Community Podcast: Weekly business advice for small MSP owners from Amy Babinchak and James Kernan of the Small Biz Thoughts community — MSP sales, MSP pricing and agreements, hiring and leading an MSP team, MSP operations, selling your MSP, and AI for small MSPs. Produced by MSP Radio. More for MSP owners at smallbizthoughts.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Overview:

In this episode of the SMB Community Podcast, hosts Amy Babinchak and James Kernan discuss winter weather conditions across the Midwest, then transition into tech news, including rumors of a potential acquisition involving Intel. The conversation shifts to insights on compliance for managed service providers (MSPs), particularly around the new CMMC regulations. They also talk about TikTok's current legal challenges and the latest Citrix acquisition. This week's 5 Minutes with a Smart Person features an interview with Brandi Bonds of Next Level Now, who shares her expertise on providing strategic CFO services to MSPs, emphasizing the importance of accurate financials and strategic planning. The show wraps up with discussions on upcoming classes and events aimed at helping IT professionals improve their business skills and stay ahead in the industry.

Chapter Markers:

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

00:51 Weather Chat and Personal Updates

03:59 Tech News: Intel Acquisition Rumors

06:43 CMMC Compliance for MSPs

10:58 TikTok's Future and Acquisition Proposals

13:53 Citrix Acquires Unicorn

14:43 MSP Question of the Week: Answering Calls Live vs. Auto Attendant

19:10 Upcoming Classes and Events

24:05 5 Minutes with a Smart Person: Brandi Bonds with NextLevelNow.Net

41:16 Conclusion and Upcoming Events

New Book Release: I'm proud to announce the release of my new book, The Anthology of Cybersecurity Experts! This collection brings together 15 of the nation's top minds in cybersecurity, sharing real-world solutions to combat today's most pressing threats. Whether you're an MSP, IT leader, or simply passionate about protecting your data, this book is packed with expert advice to help you stay secure and ahead of the curve. Available now on Amazon! https://a.co/d/f2NKASI

Sponsor Memo:

Since 2006, Kernan Consulting has been through over 30 transactions in mergers & acquisitions - and just this past year, we have been involved in six (6).

If you are interested in either buying, selling, or valuation information, please reach out.

There is alot of activity and you can be a part of it.

For more information, reach out at kernanconsulting.com

About the SMB Community Podcast: Weekly business advice for small MSP owners from Amy Babinchak and James Kernan of the Small Biz Thoughts community — MSP sales, MSP pricing and agreements, hiring and leading an MSP team, MSP operations, selling your MSP, and AI for small MSPs. Produced by MSP Radio. More for MSP owners at smallbizthoughts.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the SMB Community Podcast, hosts Amy and James discuss the dynamics of reselling computer hardware and software for MSPs, emphasizing the importance of building trust with clients. They highlight recent changes in market leadership among PSA and RMM tools, with Kaseya overtaking ConnectWise. The conversation also covers major developments in the tech industry, such as the proliferation of data centers and chip manufacturing to support AI growth. Additionally, Amy announces a new class aimed at helping MSPs add AI management and security services to their offerings, underscoring the significant business opportunities in AI management.

Chapter Markers:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:51 Weather Woes and Personal Stories

03:29 MSP Question of the Week: Should MSPs Resell Hardware and Software?

04:29 Debate: The Role of MSPs in Selling Hardware

14:11 Big Players vs. Small Players in the MSP Market

15:20 TikTok and Tech Industry News

24:00 Microsoft Windows 10 End of Life

27:37 Upcoming AI Class for MSPs

31:10 Conclusion and Sign-Off

News Articles:

• https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjde3p0rnjgo
• https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/19/tsmc-confident-in-continued-chips-act-funding-under-trump-says-cfo.html
• Channel News: For the first time ever (dating back 29 years), ConnectWise has relinquished the #1 market share position to Kaseya. NinjaOne grew at 54.1% y/y and overtook N-able for the #3 market share position. Doubling in size with 102% y/y growth, HaloPSA (Halo) now finds itself in the Top 5 of global market share.

• MS Windows 10 EOL Oct 2025
• 900 million Windows 10 devices are still in use, needing refresh. --> Intel Corporation, AMD and Qualcomm are bringing NPU technology (A neural processing unit (NPU) is a specialized computer microprocessor designed to mimic the processing function of the human brain. ) to mainstream and entry-level chip offerings, which will expand the accessibility of AI-capable PCs. Demand is huge – especially over the next 3 years. --> NVIDIA is bringing out the latest Blackwell RTX 50 series GPUs, injecting fresh momentum into the gaming PC market. --> Lenovo, Dell Technologies, HP and ASUS all expanded their AI assistants and applications pre-installed on devices, making AI assistants on PCs a new norm.

New Book Release: I'm proud to announce the release of my new book, The Anthology of Cybersecurity Experts! This collection brings together 15 of the nation's top minds in cybersecurity, sharing real-world solutions to combat today's most pressing threats. Whether you're an MSP, IT leader, or simply passionate about protecting your data, this book is packed with expert advice to help you stay secure and ahead of the curve. Available now on Amazon! https://a.co/d/f2NKASI

Sponsor Memo:

Since 2006, Kernan Consulting has been through over 30 transactions in mergers & acquisitions - and just this past year, we have been involved in six (6).

If you are interested in either buying, selling, or valuation information, please reach out.

There is alot of activity and you can be a part of it.

For more information, reach out at kernanconsulting.com

About the SMB Community Podcast: Weekly business advice for small MSP owners from Amy Babinchak and James Kernan of the Small Biz Thoughts community — MSP sales, MSP pricing and agreements, hiring and leading an MSP team, MSP operations, selling your MSP, and AI for small MSPs. Produced by MSP Radio. More for MSP owners at smallbizthoughts.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In today's episode of the SMB Community Podcast, hosts Amy Babinchik and James Kernan dive into the best AI tools for marketing and sales, including popular choices like ChatGPT and Gong. They discuss the latest news in the IT industry, such as Fred Voccola's abrupt resignation from Kaseya and the rebranding of CompTIA's nonprofit arm. The conversation also covers expectations from Apple's upcoming product updates and potential regulatory actions in consumer privacy. Lastly, Amy and James share details about their upcoming educational classes focused on AI management and mergers and acquisitions, respectively.

Chapter Markers:

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

01:04 MSP Question of the Week: AI Tools for Marketing and Sales

02:26 Exploring AI Tools and Newsletters

04:53 Using AI for Content Creation and Marketing

06:08 AI in Video Content and Sales Tools

10:33 Kaseya CEO Resigns: https://www.crn.com/news/channel-news/2025/fred-voccola-out-as-kaseya-ceo-5-things-to-know

14:14 CompTIA's New Identity and Mission

16:29 Apple's Upcoming Innovations

20:43 Consumer Privacy Concerns: What's next for our privacy? | MIT Technology Review

22:16 Upcoming Classes and Events

24:51 Conclusion and Sign-Off

New Book Release: I'm proud to announce the release of my new book, The Anthology of Cybersecurity Experts! This collection brings together 15 of the nation's top minds in cybersecurity, sharing real-world solutions to combat today's most pressing threats. Whether you're an MSP, IT leader, or simply passionate about protecting your data, this book is packed with expert advice to help you stay secure and ahead of the curve. Available now on Amazon! https://a.co/d/f2NKASI

Sponsor Memo:

Since 2006, Kernan Consulting has been through over 30 transactions in mergers & acquisitions - and just this past year, we have been involved in six (6).

If you are interested in either buying, selling, or valuation information, please reach out.

There is alot of activity and you can be a part of it.

For more information, reach out at kernanconsulting.com

About the SMB Community Podcast: Weekly business advice for small MSP owners from Amy Babinchak and James Kernan of the Small Biz Thoughts community — MSP sales, MSP pricing and agreements, hiring and leading an MSP team, MSP operations, selling your MSP, and AI for small MSPs. Produced by MSP Radio. More for MSP owners at smallbizthoughts.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this Thursday episode of the SMB Community Podcast, host James Kernan talks with Mike Anderson, Director of Global Channels for EZDMark. They discuss the importance of DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) in improving email deliverability and protecting domains from spoofing.

Mike shares his journey from the car business to technology, and explains how EasyDMARC's user-friendly analytics platform aids MSPs in managing DMARC concerns and monetizing these services. They highlight the platform's risk assessment tool, which allows MSPs to generate quick, customized risk assessments to attract potential clients. The episode concludes with details on special promotions and the simplicity of onboarding with EasyDMARC.

Chapter Markers:

00:00 Introduction to SMB Community Podcast

00:54 Meet Mike Anderson from EasyDMARC

01:58 Mike Anderson's Journey into Technology

03:08 Understanding EasyDMARC

04:33 EasyDMARC's Unique Features and Benefits

06:34 The Power of EasyDMARC's Assessment Tool

10:31 Onboarding and Special Promotions

14:06 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

New Book Release: I'm proud to announce the release of my new book, The Anthology of Cybersecurity Experts! This collection brings together 15 of the nation's top minds in cybersecurity, sharing real-world solutions to combat today's most pressing threats. Whether you're an MSP, IT leader, or simply passionate about protecting your data, this book is packed with expert advice to help you stay secure and ahead of the curve. Available now on Amazon! https://a.co/d/f2NKASI

Sponsor Memo:

Since 2006, Kernan Consulting has been through over 30 transactions in mergers & acquisitions - and just this past year, we have been involved in six (6).

If you are interested in either buying, selling, or valuation information, please reach out.

There is alot of activity and you can be a part of it.

For more information, reach out at kernanconsulting.com

About the SMB Community Podcast: Weekly business advice for small MSP owners from Amy Babinchak and James Kernan of the Small Biz Thoughts community — MSP sales, MSP pricing and agreements, hiring and leading an MSP team, MSP operations, selling your MSP, and AI for small MSPs. Produced by MSP Radio. More for MSP owners at smallbizthoughts.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In today's episode of the SMB Community Podcast, host James Kernan interviews Mike Semel, a prominent expert in cybersecurity compliance. Mike shares his extensive background in the IT industry, dating back to the 1970s, and discusses his transition from being an MSP to becoming a top compliance consultant. They delve into the differences between cybersecurity and compliance, the significance of proper documentation, and the importance of risk-based selling for MSPs. Mike also introduces his comprehensive educational program and a new CMMC reference guide aimed at helping MSPs ensure their clients' compliance with evolving regulations. The discussion highlights the urgent need for MSPs to deliver compliant services and the growing regulatory scrutiny in various industries.

Chapter Markers:

00:00 Introduction to the SMB Community Podcast

00:27 Meet Mike Semel: Compliance Guru

01:27 Mike's Journey in the IT Industry

03:29 The Importance of Compliance in IT

05:20 Cybersecurity vs. Compliance

09:35 Mike's Consulting Services

10:58 Challenges and Solutions in Compliance

14:49 Educating MSPs on Compliance

22:05 Risk-Based Selling for MSPs

28:48 CMMC and the Future of Compliance

31:20 Conclusion and Contact Information

Link for Semel Consultings CMMC Reference Guide: https://www.semelconsulting.com/

Link for their MSP training program: https://semelconsulting.mykajabi.com/semel-consulting-msp-landing-page-final-1

About the SMB Community Podcast: Weekly business advice for small MSP owners from Amy Babinchak and James Kernan of the Small Biz Thoughts community — MSP sales, MSP pricing and agreements, hiring and leading an MSP team, MSP operations, selling your MSP, and AI for small MSPs. Produced by MSP Radio. More for MSP owners at smallbizthoughts.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

1.) MSP Question of the week: What are your channel predictions for the new year of 2025?

---

2.) Notes on the News

1. Microsoft is planning to invest about $80 billion in fiscal 2025 on developing data centers: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/03/tech/microsoft-ai-data-centers/index.html
2. Last week, the DC Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously upheld the law, clearing the way for it to take effect on January 19. Days later, TikTok asked the court to issue a temporary pause on the ban while the company asks the Supreme Court to review its challenge to the law: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/13/tech/tiktok-ban-appeals-court-supreme-court/index.html

---

New Book Release: I'm proud to announce the release of my new book, The Anthology of Cybersecurity Experts! This collection brings together 15 of the nation's top minds in cybersecurity, sharing real-world solutions to combat today's most pressing threats. Whether you're an MSP, IT leader, or simply passionate about protecting your data, this book is packed with expert advice to help you stay secure and ahead of the curve. Available now on Amazon! https://a.co/d/f2NKASI

Sponsor Memo:

Since 2006, Kernan Consulting has been through over 30 transactions in mergers & acquisitions - and just this past year, we have been involved in six (6).

If you are interested in either buying, selling, or valuation information, please reach out.

There is alot of activity and you can be a part of it.

For more information, reach out at kernanconsulting.com

About the SMB Community Podcast: Weekly business advice for small MSP owners from Amy Babinchak and James Kernan of the Small Biz Thoughts community — MSP sales, MSP pricing and agreements, hiring and leading an MSP team, MSP operations, selling your MSP, and AI for small MSPs. Produced by MSP Radio. More for MSP owners at smallbizthoughts.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

To kick off the new year, hosts James and Amy discuss business plans & goals, this week's MSP question of the week, as well as year-end news.

---

1.) MSP Question of the week: When should a business update their business plan and goals?

---

2.) Notes on the News

1. Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger has resigned as of December 1: https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/02/tech/intel-ceo-pat-gelsinger-resigns/index.html
2. In late November, a ransomware attack disrupted a third-party software used by Starbucks to track and manage its baristas' schedules. As a result, the coffee chain has had to switch to manual operations: https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/25/tech/starbucks-ransomware-attack/index.html

---

New Book Release: I'm proud to announce the release of my new book, The Anthology of Cybersecurity Experts! This collection brings together 15 of the nation's top minds in cybersecurity, sharing real-world solutions to combat today's most pressing threats. Whether you're an MSP, IT leader, or simply passionate about protecting your data, this book is packed with expert advice to help you stay secure and ahead of the curve. Available now on Amazon! https://a.co/d/f2NKASI

Sponsor Memo:

Since 2006, Kernan Consulting has been through over 30 transactions in mergers & acquisitions - and just this past year, we have been involved in six (6).

If you are interested in either buying, selling, or valuation information, please reach out.

There is alot of activity and you can be a part of it.

For more information, reach out at kernanconsulting.com

About the SMB Community Podcast: Weekly business advice for small MSP owners from Amy Babinchak and James Kernan of the Small Biz Thoughts community — MSP sales, MSP pricing and agreements, hiring and leading an MSP team, MSP operations, selling your MSP, and AI for small MSPs. Produced by MSP Radio. More for MSP owners at smallbizthoughts.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.