SMB Community Podcast

Host Karl chats with Richard Tallman & Michael Reeves of Bitdefender.

Richard Tallman is a 20+ year veteran in the technology industry merging the physical & virtual worlds under one umbrella.

At Bitdefender, he manages Global Cloud Markets & Managed Service Providers (MSP) working directly with the Remote Monitoring & Management (RMM) Platforms and Cloud & Distribution Marketplaces.

Prior to Bitdefender, Richard led the charge at some of the biggest technology companies in the world to streamline and secure customer and partner application enhancements to the cloud for both on and off premise solutions.

When not at work he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children while sharing his love of beach volleyball, mountain biking and surfing.

Michael Reeves is the CISSP - Technical Director, Cloud & MSP at BitDefender. With over 22 years in the industry, Mike is a true pioneer of cloud security. His ability to translate engineering concepts to a business audience is unmatched.

He enjoys spending time with his family, playing bass guitar, and four wheeling in his Jeep - especially at the same time!

Bitdefender is a cybersecurity leader delivering best-in-class threat prevention, detection, and response solutions worldwide.

Guardian over millions of consumer, business, and government environments, Bitdefender is one of the industry's most trusted experts for eliminating threats, protecting privacy and data, and enabling cyber resilience.

With deep investments in research and development, Bitdefender Labs discovers over 400 new threats each minute and validates around 40 billion daily threat queries.

The company has pioneered breakthrough innovations in antimalware, IoT security, behavioral analytics, and artificial intelligence, and its technology is licensed by more than 150 of the world's most recognized technology brands. Launched in 2001, Bitdefender has customers in 170+ countries with offices around the world.

In this edition of SMBCP, we briefly overview the current threat landscape for MSPs and SMBs and how these segments are impacted by the current market trends.

Skills gap, complex tooling, alert fatigue, insufficient or poor onboarding all lead to slow provisioning and license restrictions. Richard and Michael discuss how an MDR service can address these struggles.

Resources and links:

https://www.bitdefender.com

Blog:

MDR—What is it and Why Should SMBs Care?

https://businessinsights.bitdefender.com/mdr-what-is-it-and-why-should-smbs-care

Article (MSPs): 10 Things MSPs Should Know About Cybersecurity Insurance

https://connect.comptia.org/blog/10-things-msps-should-know-about-cybersecurity-insurance

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Host Karl chats with Eveline of airSlate.

airSlate is a Boston-based technology company specializing in no-code automation solutions, specifically in no-code document workflow automation, eSignature services, and document management.

Eveline leads special projects at airSlate, including partner programs for MSPs as well as the airSlate Academy with a mission to educate and empower a community of people that are passionate about workflow process automation.

Eveline is a managing partner at One Way Ventures, a seed-stage venture capital fund investing in exceptional immigrant entrepreneurs.

Previously, she was a director at Techstars, a mentorship-driven startup accelerator based in Boston. At Techstars, Eveline along with her team sourced, invested, and nurtured over 50 prominent startups.

Eveline is also the former CEO of leading media company Ekonomika, having launched several popular websites including delo.ua, the most quoted business portal in Ukraine.

Prior to Ekonomika, Eveline was CEO of high-tech startup APCT, winner of the second annual "Silicon Valley Open Doors" contest in 2006.

Before moving to Ukraine, Eveline worked for 10 years as an engineering associate on several multi-million dollar projects for the top industrial gas company Praxair, Inc.

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

:-)

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Host Karl welcomes back Toby Nangle, the Global Director, Channels and Partnership at Field Effect to talk about a new white paper highlighting partner success with Field Effect.

You can catch up on Toby's first podcast with us here:

https://www.smbcommunitypodcast.com/2022/01/field-effect-on-changing-security-requirements-for-msps/

On today's show, Toby and Karl delve into the latest in cybersecurity and its changing environment.

Since our last conversation, activity in the cybersecurity space has changed drastically as the conflict in Ukraine continues to shake the globe.

Toby and Karl discuss how FieldEffect and other cybersecurity vendors are navigating the emerging threats and how their services are adapting to this everchanging platform. Karl also had the chance to ask Toby about the White Paper, prepared by Aite Novarica. In the White Paper, Aite Novarica surveyed five, random partners of FieldEffect to learn about their experience so far with the company.

Toby summarizes for us the conclusion of Aite Novarica's finds.

Download the whitepaper here: https://hubs.li/Q01dCmGZ0

Resources and Links:

Field Effect Website:

https://fieldeffect.com

Follow Field Effect on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/field-effect-software/

Follow Field Effect on Twitter:

Field Effect (@fieldeffectsoft) / Twitter

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 linode.com/mspradio

:-)

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Host Karl speaks with Frank Raimondi of IGI Cyberlabs. Frank currently is the VP of Channel Development for IGI CyberLabs, a MSP focused tool that delivers complete visibility of your network, real-time discovery of devices, and prioritization of security gaps (vulnerabilities).

Recent and past consulting clients include start-ups and established companies, including among others: Intel, ECS, CompTIA, ATTO Technology, Absolute Software, Higher Ground Gear, Chargifi, Kickpost, Vedamo, VidBid & MarketStar.

Additionally, Frank was a national board member of the non-profit Community Health Charities (www.healthcharities.org), a guest lecturer at UC Davis, and provides additional marketing and business development support to other non-profits.

He also participates as a Faculty member for CompTIA, presenting at industry conferences on their behalf, and most recently is a member of the Washington County (OR) Medical Reserve Corps, actively participating in the Covid-19 vaccine rollout.

Resources and Links:

https://nodeware.com/events

https://nodeware.com/blog

Sponsor Memo: Egynte

Are you still using on-prem file servers and VPNs to share files with remote workers?

Egnyte is a business class cloud sharing solution that works more like your on-prem server than other solutions.

With a security first approach to file sharing and collaboration, Egnyte offers multiple options for sharing files and collecting files from outside sources. And do it all addressing data governance and compliance.

Want to learn more?

Check out Egnyte.com/mspradio, and when you do, tell them we sent you.

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Host Karl chats with Owen McGab Enaohwo.

Owen McGab Enaohwo is the CEO and Co-founder of SweetProcess, an easy-to-use software that enables company executives and their employees to collaborate together to quickly document and/or improve their standard operating procedures, processes, and policies.

On this episode, we discuss the following:

- Tired of being the Bottleneck in your business? How to stop doing it all yourself

- Growth strategies for small businessed

- Simplifying your systems and processes

- Why you need work instructions (and how to create them like a pro)

- How SweetProcess helps businesses scale, organize workflow, increase productivity and cultivate a winning culture

Resources and Links:

https://www.sweetprocess.com/smbcp

Sponsor Memo: Small Biz Thoughts Technology Community

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

:-)

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Host Karl chats with Marnie Stockman. Marnie Stockman, Ed.D. started her career in Customer Success with the toughest customers of all - high school math students. Her passion for education and using data and humor to help others grow and succeed took her from the classroom to Sr. Director of Customer Success of a leading Ed Tech company - and now to co-founder and CEO of Lifecycle Insights - a vCIO/Customer Success platform for MSPs.

With her default setting locked on "Smiles," she aims to create raving fans for Lifecycle Insights and help MSPs do the same for their customers. She strongly believes your clients success becomes your success. When she isn't Lifecycling, she can be found playing volleyball with her husband and two 20-something kids in Greensboro, MD.

Resources and Links:

https://lifecycleinsights.io

https://lifecycleinsights.sucks

https://www.amazon.com/Literally-Book-Customer-Success-MSPs/dp/1646492110

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marniestockman/

https://www.facebook.com/lifecycleinsightsmsp

https://twitter.com/lifecyclemsp

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 http://Acronis.com

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Host James speaks with Jeff Nevins and Josh Wittman of Simeon Cloud.

Jeff has worked in roles ranging from architecture and implementation of complex solutions to building and leading technology organizations.

His experience leading teams in software development, cloud engineering, and IT architecture, combined with his passion for automation has led Jeff to found Simeon Cloud, the leading Microsoft 365 configuration management solution.

Josh has always been driven by automation and champions the notion that every minute spent doing a repetitive task is a minute not spent growing your business. Josh currently serves as co-founder and chief operating officer of Simeon Cloud.

Prior to launching Simeon, Josh worked at American Express, supporting the chief marketing officer with thought leadership and analysis of the company's sponsorships and marketing investments. Josh began his career working in the capital markets.

He received his Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics and Management from Cornell University. In his free time, he enjoys hiking and surfing along the coast of California.

Microsoft 365 has become a best-in-class solution for SMBs. Companies are rapidly adopting Microsoft's suite of collaboration, productivity, and security tools.

However, MSPs have no way of managing their client's tenants in a streamlined or standardized way. Settings and policies are scattered across numerous portals. There is no ability to have a single baseline configuration across portals and tenants.

That's where Simeon Cloud comes in. We are the first multi-tenant configuration solution that scales and standardizes the management of M365 tenants.

We specialize in automated deployments and ongoing baseline management of O365, Azure AD, and Intune configurations.

Resources and links:

https://www.simeoncloud.com/

https://twitter.com/simeoncloud

https://www.linkedin.com/company/simeon-cloud/

Sponsor Memo: Huntress

Remember Huntress? The cyber startup that helps MSPs detect footholds and persistent malware? If you haven't checked out their platform recently, it might be time for a fresh look.

Over the past two years, Huntress has added a ton of new features and functionality to its managed security platform—including EDR capabilities, a powerful next-gen antivirus, ransomware detection and much much more.

The company is on a mission to secure the 99%—those small and mid-market businesses being served by MSPs and IT resellers. Visit huntress.com/mspradio to learn more about their latest innovations and how they can help you continue growing your security practice.

Or, ready to start a free, 21 day trial? Visit huntress.com/mspradio to start today.

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Host Amy speaks with Heather Johnson

Heather Johnson, MBA, has her background in business consultation and senior leadership.

She co-founded Gozynta in 2018 and became their Chief Operating Officer. Since her arrival, she has developed and executed a successful marketing plan; created a knowledge base; and built a support and sales department. Heather recently became the Vice President of the National Society of IT Service Providers and is their Committee Liason.

Prior to coming to Gozynta, Heather was a co-organizer of the 2015 and 2016 President's Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge at the White House which had over 10,000 attendees. She worked with a remote team of organizers from the Department of State, Department of Education, and Georgetown University.

As an extension of the President's Challenge, she organized and led a trip to Southeast Asia.

Heather was the Human Resource Director of a graduate school for five years where she organized a successful fundraising art and music festival.

Resources & Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-johnson-gozynta/

www.gozynta.com

And we are launching Gozynta Payments www.gozynta.com/payments

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 including Meraki, Duo, and Umbrella, learn more with the link right in the show notes. https://lnkd.in/gsydMya

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Host Karl speaks with Gil Cargill of Cargill Consulting.

Today we discuss coaching and consulting in Sales Process Managment.

"The sales function of an IT company must provide predictable NEW revenue. The owner who masters sales management is the owner that will continue to flourish."

- Gil Cargill

Resources and links:

www.salesmanagementmastery.com

Sponsor Memo: AgileBlue

AgileBlue is a 24/7 SOC, XDR and SOAR providing managed breach protection including monitoring, detection, and automated response to cloud, networks, and endpoints. Helping MSPs build their cyber business while increasing gross margins, ARR and stickiness. AgileBlue's partner program engages, enables, supports, and rewards your business growth with a white-labeled security dashboard, pooled pricing, marketing collateral, and purpose-built sales content.

A 24/7 extension of your team, learn more at agileblue.com

:-)

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Host Karl interviewed Susanne Tedrick.

Susanne is a Cloud Infrastructure Specialist for Azure. She's also a published author, and President of CompTIA's Advancing Tech Talent and Diversity executive council.

The conversation covers all of those topics: Susanne's book (Advancing Women in Tech), diversity in the IT workspace, an right-sizing Azure cloud services.

Susanne's speciality at Microsoft is supporting professional sports teams and leagues. Leagues are clearly at the enterprise level with one set of challenges. Teams are generally more in the SMB space, often as small as twenty actual users.

Sponsor Memo: Egnyte

Are you still using on-prem file servers and VPNs to share files with remote workers?

Egnyte is a business class cloud sharing solution that works more like your on-prem server than other solutions.

With a security first approach to file sharing and collaboration, Egnyte offers multiple options for sharing files and collecting files from outside sources.And do it all addressing data governance and compliance.

Want to learn more?

Check out Egnyte.com/mspradio, and when you do, tell them we sent you.

:-)

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