SMB Community Podcast: Business Advice for Small MSP Owners

Host Karl speaks with Patrick and Mike Clements of SherpaDesk.

As co-founder and CEO of SherpaDesk, Patrick is committed to delivering a powerful easy to use professional services automation (PSA) solution that simplifies the three core activities of MSPs and IT Service Providers; track customer requests, log billable time, and manage customer's assets.

Patrick has spent over 20 years in building software technology companies. He is a member of several non-profit boards and is an active member of the entrepreneurial community in mentoring new startups.

Mike's best asset is being able to relate to people by listening to what they have to say. Mike has had over 20 years of in success in sales and the customer experience profession. He has led multi-million-dollar teams at Oracle and is a member of several non-profile boards.

He enjoys spending time with his three young kids and is very passionate about the outdoors. Mike enjoys pushing himself by competing in Iron Man, or trekking in the Peruvian Andes.

He's been part of the SherpaDesk team for 15 years and has an identical brother, that happens to be SherpaDesk's CEO

Resources and Links:

https://www.sherpadesk.com

https://www.sherpadesk.com/blog

https://www.facebook.com/SherpaDesk/

https://twitter.com/sherpadesk

https://www.reddit.com/r/SherpaDesk/

Sponsor Memo: OITVOIP

Did you know about STIR/SHAKEN?

If you're doing voice for your customers, you had better — the deadline was June 30.

This technology is focused on reducing robocalls, and providers have to take action. Are you compliant?

The team at OITVOIP has put together resources for you to learn more… or, for their customers, it's already handled.

Want to learn more?

Visit https://oit.co/mspradio/ for resources to help make sure you're covered.

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.

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Topic 1: Japan pushes for digitization 

https://apnews.com/article/technology-health-japan-covid-public-d47817295a647379f69da9bb16160d13

Japan has stepped up its push to catch up on digitization by telling a reluctant public they have to sign up for digital IDs or possibly lose access to their public health insurance. 

As the naming implies, the initiative is about assigning numbers to people, similar to Social Security numbers in the U.S. Many Japanese worry the information might be misused or that their personal information might be stolen. Some view the My Number effort as a violation of their right to privacy.

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Topic 2: Drone Swarms! No … really. 

https://www.technologyreview.com/2022/10/24/1062039/us-navy-swarms-of-thousands-of-small-drones/?truid=&utm_source=the_download&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=the_download.unpaid.engagement&utm_term=&utm_content=10-24-2022&mc_cid=1cc458b67f&mc_eid=61a7b17087

What has been thought of until now as a sci-fi plot or a Hollywood movie trick is now an actual budget line item for the US Navy. We have seen choreographed drones in large-scale performances at the Super Bowl and the Olympics … but (as far as we know) none of those drones were carrying warheads. That’s no longer a safe assumption. And the US military isn’t the only country making progress on this weaponization of small-form UAV technology.

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Topic 3: (NK) Australia flags increased penalties for data breaches following major cyberattacks

https://www.reuters.com/technology/australia-flags-increased-penalties-data-breaches-following-major-cyberattacks-2022-10-22/

Australia will introduce laws to parliament to increase penalties for companies subject to major data breaches, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said, after high-profile cyberattacks hit millions of Australians in recent weeks.

The proposed changes would lift maximum penalties for serious or repeated privacy breaches from the current A$2.22 million ($1.4 million) to the greater of A$50 million, three times the value of the benefit obtained through the misuse of information, or 30% of turnover in the relevant period, he said.

"Significant privacy breaches in recent weeks have shown existing safeguards are inadequate. It's not enough for a penalty for a major data breach to be seen as the cost of doing business," Dreyfus said.

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Sponsor Memo: Cisco 

I bet you think working with Cisco is hard.  They’re big, and have so much going on, and you’re … smaller.   

That’s why there’s Cisco Partner Journeys, an innovative new digital experience designed to accelerate your engagement with Cisco.

Each unique journey leads you to the best tools, services, programs and portfolio offerings to help you accelerate sales, build a practice and enhance profitability.

Whether you are new to Cisco or a long-time partner, Cisco has the right journey for you.  

Interested? Visit https://ciscopartnerjourneys.com/ to find out more.

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Host Karl speaks with Anne Hall.

Anne Hall is the owner and founder of ITagree – The Agreement Lifeguard, providing legal agreements-as-a-service globally.

Anne recognized just how much IT companies struggled with customer agreements so she decided to put her 25 years' experience as an IT lawyer in New Zealand to use in an innovative way, establishing ITagree in 2016.

ITagree provides access to the specific types of legal agreements needed by IT companies, quickly and cost-effectively, in order to help them to reduce business risk. ITagree's agreements have been developed and refined to suit the needs of IT companies in North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and several European countries.

ITagree was founded by Anne Hall who has 25 years of experience as a specialist IT lawyer in New Zealand.

Anne wanted to provide IT companies with access to IT legal agreements without delays or big legal fees. Now we have customers all around the world and the ITagree team continues to be committed to saving time and costs on legal agreements, so you can focus on growing your business.

ITagree is a global leader for MSPs and IT companies in helping them to reduce unnecessary business risks.

ITAgree has you covered if you provide: Managed Services Microsoft 365 or Azure Private Cloud Hosting Professional Services Third Party SaaS Master Services Agreements And more! For Example Hardware-as-a-Service AWS Services Supply Unified Communications SaaS, including for Microsoft add-on

Resources and Links:

www.itagree.com

https://itagree.com/blogs/news

Sponsor Memo: SBTTC

This podcast is sponsored by the Small Biz Thoughts Technology Community. Check us out at https://www.SmallBizThoughts.org

Forms, templates, and checklists are just the start. Our Community includes ALL of the best-selling books on managed services in all available formats, plus free training, members-only programs, and the best business training available to managed service providers anywhere.

Plus, we have weekly live members-only Zoom calls. The average member saves more than 200% of their membership cost each year. We are totally dedicated to YOUR success.

Just because you're in business for yourself doesn't mean you have to go it alone. Join us today at https://www.SmallBizThoughts.org

:-)

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.

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Topic 1: Marketplaces — McBain is big on them, but how well do they scale down?

AWS Marketplace makes it so you find everything you need in one spot. As a seller, the appeal is apprent. As a vendor, especially a small to medium business, the playing floor might be a bit crowded.

https://www.protocol.com/newsletters/sourcecode/aws-cloud-marketplace-advantage

Topic 2: Voice-Scanning AI Aims to Diagnose Respiratory and Mental Illness … What Could Possibly Go Wrong? 

https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-login-6fed080c-d844-4bb4-a7cc-3a838ec2a572.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslogin&stream=top

Whereas facial recognition software is designed to use AI to recognize your image, voice-scanning AI is designed to evaluate vocal patterns and attributes that can be used in call centers or via hearing-aid style devices to identify if the speaker is struggling with depression, anxiety, asthma, COPD, etc.

Advocates point to 80% accuracy (?!?) as a way to improve diagnostic success. Critics point to abuses of privacy … not to mention the bigger issues of fraud and violation of existing (limited) laws.

Topic 3: Disparity in Internet Speeds Does Not Equal Differences in Internet Service Prices

https://themarkup.org/still-loading/2022/10/19/dollars-to-megabits-you-may-be-paying-400-times-as-much-as-your-neighbor-for-internet-service

If we’re willing to look at the data with a clear lens, the quality : price of internet service around the US is nowhere near good enough … nowhere near equal … and nowhere near an accident.

The analysis provided in this report by The Markup shows massive disparity in access to internet services in markets across the country. And the fact that this low level of service quality exists in the country where this technology was actually invented should make our heads explode.

Clearly this is a deliberate strategy, and it isn’t going to change anytime soon. What can the tech industry do to jolt the internet security provider industry to change their strategy? How can we go around them to provide quality internet service to everyone?

Sponsor Memo: CyberFit Summit 

This November, Miami will be the safest place on the internet.

MSPs are returning to Miami Beach for the Acronis #CyberFit Summit.

Not only will you hear former FBI Director Judge Louis Freeh, you’ll also witness the latest advancements in Cyber Protection … DLP, EDR,

Advanced management, and so much more. There’s even a track dedicated to MSP marketing and business growth.

The entire event will be capped off with an inspirational message from Earvin “Magic” Johnson, live and in-person. You don’t want to miss it.

Get all the details and register now at https://Acronis.events

I’ll see you there, and so will Karl.

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Host Karl speaks with Donna Turgeon.

In her role as head of channel, Donna will lead Infosec's channel sales team and indirect go-to-market strategy, operations and revenue globally.

Donna brings 30 years' experience driving indirect and direct revenue, ensuring customer success, delivering global GTM programs, leading corporate Channel and Distribution strategy, recruiting and onboarding business partners, and building effective Global sales and support teams.

Donna is a multiple-year CRN Channel Chief award winner. Before her role at Infosec, she built an excellent indirect and direct sales and Marketing organization as CRO of VIPRE Security Group. She has held various senior leadership roles at various companies, including KnowBe4, Tech Data, InspiredeLearning and AccentHealth.

Resources and Links:

http://www.infosecinstitute.com/channel Email: [email protected]

Sponsor Memo: Acronis

Are you still relying on a frustrating patchwork of legacy solutions. Modernize your cybersecurity and data protection with Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud.

It's a single solution that combines backup, anti-malware, and endpoint protection management.

As an MSP, you can easily improve clients' security posture, eliminate complexity, and generate more recurring revenue.

Learn more about Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud at https://Acronis.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.

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Topic 1: Some juicy stats...

https://www.zippia.com/advice/tech-industry-statistics/ 

The U.S. tech market accounts for 35% of the total world market.

The U.S. tech industry is expected to grow by 6.7% in 2022.

The U.S. tech industry employs roughly 12.2 million workers as of 2020.

Check out these stats and let us know what stood out to you. 

These stats open up the floor to new approaches to shake up the industry. Those currently in the industry can take these numbers as a driving force to recruit more inclusively.

Topic 2: Checking in on the metaverse: Is this a thing yet?

https://techcrunch.com/2022/10/11/meta-announces-the-1499-quest-pro/

https://www.platformer.news/p/metas-metaverse-turns-pro

Meta hosted a big event to announce … a more expensive VR headset. And in spite of some really enthusiastic promotion, the question remains whether immersive VR or integrated AR will actually be a thing. While some industrial- and business-related use cases are emerging, the user numbers don’t sound remotely impressive … suggesting that Meta Mark has work to do to convince us to volunteer to feel car sick.

Topic 3: STORY 2: THOR’s Day … the role & opportunity of mobile internet & power services

https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-whats-next-2e64fdc0-48ff-4560-9932-40e6a3607c07.html 

Natural disasters have put the fragile state of our telecommunications and internet and power systems in the spotlight. To put it kindly: there are many holes. So wireless companies and others have stepped up to provide temporary coverage & access. The question is whether this is a sufficient solution for an advanced economy … and whether there is an opportunity for location technology solution providers to step in and create a point-to-point network that can meet the needs of a population amidst increasingly frequent and devastating storms.

Sponsor Memo: Huntress

hack_it returns this Nov. with hack_it 2022.

It's a hands on, interactive cybersecurity training designed to help you thin like a hacker and provide the security training you can use today to level up your own defenses.

Join Huntress Co-founder and CEO Kyle Hanslovan, Huntress threat researches, and soon to be announced special guests for two and a half days of cybersecrutiy education for the community, by the community.

Content over three days, including an optional lab and it's all virtual. 

Attend from your desk, couch, swing set, or wherever you feel most comfortable. 

Sign up at https://hack-it.com

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Host Karl speaks with Dave Charest.

Dave Charest is Director of Small Business Success at Constant Contact, the online marketing leader trusted by millions of small businesses. In his role, Dave acts as an educator and an advocate for small business leaders, marketing professionals, and nonprofits by providing them with practical marketing advice that can help them achieve their goals. He is a dynamic leader, speaker, creator, and award-winning marketer who strives to inspire small businesses by simplifying the complex world of online marketing.

Resources and Links:

https://www.constantcontact.com/

Sponsor Memo: Linode

Linode – a top Infrastructure as a Service provider has resources specifically for helping MSPs explore the alternative cloud.

Discover this growing market: one of the best-kept secrets in building a scalable, thriving, modern Managed Service Provider business.

Learn about the cloud provider landscape, improving KPIs, security, and more in Linode's free ebook, The MSP's Guide to Modern Cloud Infrastructure, available now.

This resource and more at https://linode.com/mspradio

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.

Topic 1: The Open Internet as We Know It Dodged an Existential Bullet Last Week

https://www.itu.int/en/mediacentre/Pages/PR-2022-09-29-ITU-SG-elected-Doreen-Bogdan-Martin.aspx

https://www.brookings.edu/blog/techtank/2022/08/12/the-most-important-election-you-never-heard-of/

In an election for the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), members chose Doreen Bogdan-Martin from the United States – the first-ever woman to hold the post. But that is not the reason this election was monumentally important: it was literally a showdown between an open internet and an authoritarian-controlled internet. And almost every single human on Earth didn’t know it even happened … or what the consequences may have been. Consider us lucky.

Topic 2: Google Shuts Down Stadia Online Gaming Service … Does Google Have an Innovation Problem?

https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-login-555c72e1-380a-4a69-affe-e8260ae5734e.html

Google announced it’s shutting down the 3-year old Stadia gaming service … the latest in a long line of big technical breakthroughs that Google has failed to turn into big business successes. Why did this (seemingly really cool) new service not succeed? And does this hint at a bigger issue about Google’s ability to grow? Or … about the ability of tech giants in general to grow at a rate that is “enough” for their thirsty shareholders?

Topic 3: Amazon Wants to Cocoon You With ‘Ambient Intelligence’

The company’s new smart gadget uses radar to track your breathing while you sleep. It’s part of Amazon’s plan to weave its products invisibly into your life.

Meet “Halo Rise” - Because they couldn’t come up with a creepier name.

Consider it the opposite of the metaverse. 

https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-wants-to-cocoon-you-with-ambient-intelligence/ 

Sponsor Memo: IT Service Provider University

IT Service Provider University helps you improve the business side of your business.

We launched IT Service Provider University in 2013 and today we offer more than twenty courses on every aspect of running your consulting business. 

IT Service Provider University provides training and pathways to certification for individual IT Service Providers as well as offering company-level certifications.

Pathways Include: Management, Technician, Sales/Marketing, Service Manager, Front Office.

Learn more about professional classes and certifications at https://ITSPU.com

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Host Karl chats with Brian Laufer.

Brian Laufer is the Vice President of QuoteWerks. With a background in IT consulting, software development, and government contracting, he works to ensure business owners and sales professionals have the tools they need to obtain their goals. Brian makes this happen through educating the community and by facilitating seamless integrations between distributors, CRMs, PSAs, QuoteWerks, QuoteValet, and others.

Resources and Links: https://www.quotewerks.com/

Sponsor Memo: Cisco

Did you know Cisco helps Managed Services Providers directly? Know about the Cisco Partner Program?

Focused on helping partners combine managed services expertise and service creation with innovative Cisco technology and proven go-to-market resources, there's a program option for you.

With provider pricing, MDF, and marketing resources coupled with Cisco's leading technologies inculding Meraki, Duo, and Umbrella, learn more with the link right in the show notes. https://lnkd.in/gsydMya

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.

Topic 1: Public Cameras, Social Media, Art, and Privacy concerns

Great article on how to use publicly-available surveillance systems and open source facial recognition to mash up Instagram selfies with Earthcam video. 

Artist shows all the “behind the scenes” activities that go into professional selfies - all while violating copyrights and GDPR on a grand scale.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/24/technology/surveillance-footage-instagram.html

Topic 2: Machine translation - what if the translation misses subtlety?  

In our global society, we are starting to lean heavily on these online translating tools. Because of this, we are now at a place where machine translation is reasonably advanced…“Reasonably” being the operative word. 

So what happens when we rely on machine accuracy in times of life and death? What are the real human implications of being lost in translation? 

https://slate.com/technology/2022/09/machine-translation-accuracy-government-danger.html?mc_cid=b9a417312e&mc_eid=70cbbe1cdc

Topic 3: Darth no more? Is an AI Darth Vader still a valid Darth Vader?

To immortalize one’s voice–any ethics concerns here? And by doing so, will there be any room for new talent? Will we continue to recycle a pool of posthumous talent? How far will we go with synthesizing a living, breathing human? 

https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/24/23370097/darth-vader-james-earl-jones-obi-wan-kenobi-star-wars-ai-disney-lucasfilm

Sponsor Memo: Nodeware

Know about Nodeware?

Nodeware is an in-demand and real-time cybersecurity solution that helps businesses reduce their risk of ransomware or other cyber attacks —all with breakthrough simplicity and affordability.

With truly continuous vulnerability scanning, even during normal business hours, you’ll get real-time alerts of network access & new found risks, with easy and insightful reports to take action on and report to your customers.

Want to learn more?

Visit https://nodeware.com/partners to find out more

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