SMB Community Podcast

Host Karl caught up with Vadim Peskov, CEO and Founder at Diffco. The company develops mobile AI and computer vision solutions.

Vadim has a lot of expertise in FinTech, cybersecurity, and B2B software development. He is also an advisor at Alchemist Accelerator and numerous startups. He is an expert and speaker who combines years of experience in AI-enhanced applications and Computer Vision, Cybersecurity, VC, and product design.

The Diffco team has been developing powerful Android and iOS apps, AI-enhanced solutions and back-end architecture since 2008. The company specializes in transforming any business visions into revenue driving products for startups and SMBs, or complex scalable systems for enterprise companies.

Links: - https://diffco.us - https://www.facebook.com/diffco.us/ - https://www.linkedin.com/company/diffco

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Sponsor Memo:

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.

:-)

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Host Karl talks with Scott Sandland from Cyrano.ai, a company that is developing smart "AI" software that will help counselors address some tough emotional issues. Scott started out focusing on teen suicide and has built up systems from there.

Scott is the former world's youngest hypnotherapist. A few companies (and decades) later he is the CEO of a company focusing on artificial empathy and strategic linguistics. As a former executive director and CEO of a mental health clinic and longtime technologist, he has experience leading purpose driven organizations. He has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, Psychology Today, Forbes, and Entrepreneur Magazine. Scott has presented his AI work at the United Nations AI for Global Good Conference and is a frequent guest lecturer at various universities.

Here we dig into AI chatbots that are attempting to do good things - with empathy and strategy. We also dig into some of the current issues with AI and ethics.

Scott's company builds and has patented an AI system optimized for effective communication skills, active listening, and strategic responses to help people increase motivation towards a desired outcome. Acknowledging that this is a very difficult chore and it could be very dangerous to get it wrong. Links: https://blog.cyrano.ai/ https://www.cyrano.ai/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottsandland/

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Sponsor Memo: Gozynta

Did you know that the average MSP spends 10 hours manually inputting accounting data each week?

That time is 120 prospect calls, building an entire lego death star, or most of the content put out by Karl Palachuk in a week.

Gozynta Mobius can make your life easier through accounting automation.

Automatic sync of invoices, expenses and inventory from ConnectWise Manage into QuickBooks Online in just a single click of a button.

With onboarding, direct support, and regular feature releases, Gozynta is a family owned company dedicated to making software suck a little less each day.

Visit them at https://gozynta.com

:-)

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Host Karl talked to Matt Solomon and Kevin Lancaster from Channel Program. They are producing a series of new programs for the SMB IT Channel, including Channel Pitch, Channel Explorer, and Channel Cash.

Kevin is the CEO and Matt is the Chief Business Development Officer of the new company. They have joined forces again to start Channel Program, an innovative collaboration platform uniting the best Channel Partners (MSP's, MSSP's, VAR's, IT Service Providers, and Consultants) with the best Technology Vendors out there.

Kevin and Matt previously led ID Agent, one of the fastest-growing start-ups through acquisition in a 2 year period. The new programs are:

Channel Pitch - Allows MSPs/Channel Partners to attend anonymously and provide valuable feedback to the vendors. For vendors, they get 7 mins, (even playing field), cut out the fluff, and get direct feedback.

Channel Explorer - Video platform, allow both MSPs and Vendors the ability to build a brand, thought leadership, community.

Channel Cash - Launching the first Vendor agnostic MDF (Marketing Development Funds) program.

Links:

• Web - www.channelprogram.com
• Matt LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjsolomon/
• Kevin LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinlancaster/
• Channel Program - https://www.linkedin.com/company/channel-program/
• Twitter - https://twitter.com/bethechannel
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Channel-Program-113031624351535
• Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/c/ChannelfiedPodcast

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Sponsor Memo: Calyptix Security Cyber security for small business has become overwhelming. Unprecedented threats, escalating rhetoric and limited resources. None of us can battle alone. Lean on your community at Calyptix Security. The Calyptix Community Shield automatically unites small businesses and raise the costs and challenges for cybercriminals by harnessing threat intelligence from our community. If they attack any one of us, everyone gets the benefit with Community Shield. The best part? No added costs. By working together, we will prevail. Learn more at https://calyptix.com and tell them Karl sent you.

:-)

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Host Karl interviews Harry Brelsford and Scott Lopez about maintenance as the great new MSP opportunity.

Scott is the creator of AOM - Alternative to OEM maintenance (AOM).

Technology entrepreneur Harry Brelsford has teamed with Austin-based ZPI to bring the AOM World ecosystem to market to drive MSP success. Harry is best know for the SMB Nation community and several other startups including 420MSP.

Link: https://aom.world/

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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.

:-)

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Host Karl interviewed Manoj Srivastava, General Manager of ID Agent and Graphus.

Today's employees have a better understanding of cybersecurity risks than in years past, but it can still feel like a massive undertaking to get everyone to complete even the most basic of training. While hacking into a system is difficult, sophisticated social engineering attacks tricking users to give away their credentials is far more common, meaning anyone can fall victim to these scams.

Manoj explains why training is not enough. He believe cybersecurity awareness should be embedded into the culture of an organization, with employees understanding how their daily behaviors contribute to the cyber environment.

Links:

• www.kaseya.com
• www.idagent.com
• www.graphus.ai

About Manoj Srivastava Manoj Srivastava is General Manager, ID Agent and Graphus, where he focuses on products that help managed service providers (MSPs) and IT professionals protect their customers – small and mid-sized companies – against cybercrime. He oversees a suite of solutions that includes monitoring for compromised credentials, employee security awareness training, attack simulations, email security, and identity access management.

About Graphus Graphus, a Kaseya company, is an industry-leading, cloud email security solution. As the world's first automated phishing defense platform, Graphus protects email users from cybercriminals posing as trusted contacts by automatically eliminating social engineering threats such as spear phishing, phishing, and business email scams. Its patented technology employs artificial intelligence to establish a TrustGraph® between people, devices, and networks to detect threats. For more information, visit https://www.graphus.ai.

About ID Agent ID Agent, a Kaseya company, provides the leading Dark Web monitoring, security awareness training and identity & access management solutions to organizations of all sizes worldwide. Its flagship product, Dark Web ID™, delivers validated intelligence to identify, analyze and monitor for compromised or stolen employee and customer data. The company's BullPhish ID™ product provides cybersecurity awareness training and phishing simulation geared to the non-technical end user, to enhance a company's overall cybersecurity and further safeguard corporate systems. Passly™ delivers comprehensive identity & access management to secure remote workforces and protect organizations from risk of exposure. To learn more, visit www.idagent.com.

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Sponsor Memo: Calyptix

Cyber security for small business has become overwhelming. Unprecedented threats, escalating rhetoric and limited resources. None of us can battle alone. Lean on your community at Calyptix Security. The Calyptix Community Shield automatically unites small businesses and raise the costs and challenges for cybercriminals by harnessing threat intelligence from our community. If they attack any one of us, everyone gets the benefit with Community Shield. The best part? No added costs. By working together, we will prevail. Learn more at https://calyptix.com and tell them Karl sent you.

:-)

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From Karl: Everyone is a little overwhelmed with the fast-changing world of cybersecurity and what we should be doing. I wanted to give folks some clear, precise guidelines and questions about starting this process. I go into some detail on the questions and process I recommend for engaging EVERY client in this discussion.

I make reference to the model cybersecurity training you can access and download from https://www.mspwebinar.com. You can view the entire 1-hour video (recorded live with a client in November 2021), and download the PowerPoint in PPTX format. Download it, remove my branding and graphics, and create your own version. Hey, it's easier to edit my stuff than to start with a blank page, right?

And if you are a member of the Small Biz Thoughts Technology Community, you can access example resources for data handling documents and the sample client-facing cybersecurity questionnaire. If you're not a member, sign up now at https://www.smallbizthoughts.org.

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Sponsor Note: Gozynta

Did you know that the average MSP spends 10 hours manually inputting accounting data each week? That time is 120 prospect calls, building an entire lego death star, or most of the content put out by Karl Palachuk in a week.

Gozynta Mobius can make your life easier through accounting automation. Automatic sync of invoices, expenses and inventory from ConnectWise Manage into QuickBooks Online in just a single click of a button.

With onboarding, direct support, and regular feature releases, Gozynta is a family owned company dedicated to making software suck a little less each day.

Visit them at https://gozynta.com

:-)

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

Host James Kernan interviews Dakota Fitzgerald from the new TDSynnex to discuss the Tech Data-Synnex merger and what it means for IT Service Providers.

Dakota is the SYNNEX StellrCloud Cloud and Platform Strategist. Her background is in coding, development, and mass communications. In her current role, she works to develop new and innovative Cloud Strategies that provide resellers with the competitive advantage they need to navigate disruption and thrive in the Cloud arena.

By connecting passionate people to powerful platforms through purposeful partnerships, TDSynnex is becoming the leader for Digital Transformation in the channel. Through end-to-end solutions, support, and services, Dakota works to serve reseller partners, vendors, and colleagues in making TDSYNNEX StellrCloud the obvious destination for all Cloud needs.

More info at:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dakota17fitzgerald/

And of course . . . https://www.tdsynnex.com/

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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.

:-)

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Host Karl talked to Corey White.

Corey is a proven security industry veteran with more than 25 years of success building and implementing security strategies and leading consulting teams. His work encompasses virtually every industry, including government, high tech, hospitality, critical infrastructure, finance, healthcare, and manufacturing.

Corey is disrupting the modern approach to cybersecurity with Cyvatar.ai, making cybersecurity effortless for businesses with fully managed customer-centric security solutions that are mapped to business outcomes. As the industry's first membership-based, cybersecurity-as-a-service (CSaaS) company, Corey's mission for Cyvatar is to transform the way the security industry builds, sells, and supports cyber solutions.

Corey also served as the SVP of Worldwide Consulting, Chief Experience Officer at Cylance and as the Southwest Director of Consulting for Foundstone & McAfee/Intel Professional Services. He's an avid lover of bio-hacking, manifestation, and meditation. He can offer valuable insights into the current state of affairs as well as the dangers on the horizon. He would love to talk about cyber security as it relates to healthcare, hospitality, gaming, cannabis, and more.

https://cyvatar.ai/

:-)

-- -- -- Sponsor Note: PC Matic

Think you know PC Matic? Think again. PC Matic is working with MSPs to deliver true zero trust/default deny endpoint security. Allowing only trusted applications and blocking all the rest. A light weight, simple to deploy & easy to manage approach to application allow-listing. Layering a default deny approach provides MSPs of all sizes the ability to again focus on prevention, and PC Matic delivers this without impacting performance or efficiency. Find out more by visiting https://pcmatic.com/MSP. Be sure to ask about PC Matic's exclusive lead sharing program for MSPs backed by a prime time national TV campaign.

:-)

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Host Karl talked to Larry Mandelberg, one of the founding members of the National Society of IT Service Providers Board of Directors.

Larry is a long-time technologist and business consultant. He is the author of the forthcoming book, Businesses Don't Fail, They Commit Suicide.

Larry is a "serial entrepreneur" who solves complex business problems for companies in a wide range of industries. He represents the fifth generation of his family's business, inheriting 150 years of successful organizational experience. Larry has experience in all stages of business growth. He has launched four start-ups, led a merger, and conducted a successful turnaround.

When the NSITSP was formed in the Summer of 2021, Larry was selected as one of the Board members. He brings a great deal of experience in non-profit boards as well at professional businesses and business success.

Links:

https://mandelberg.biz https://mandelberg.biz/mandelblog/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrymandelberg/ https://businessesdontfail.com

For information on the NSITSP, please visit https://nsitsp.org

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Sponsor memo: Calyptix Security

Cyber security for small business has become overwhelming. Unprecedented threats, escalating rhetoric and limited resources. None of us can battle alone. Lean on your community at Calyptix Security. The Calyptix Community Shield automatically unites small businesses and raise the costs and challenges for cybercriminals by harnessing threat intelligence from our community. If they attack any one of us, everyone gets the benefit with Community Shield. The best part? No added costs. By working together, we will prevail. Learn more at https://calyptix.com and tell them Karl sent you.

:-)

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

Host Karl caught up with Toby Nangle, a channel sales pro with Field Effect.

With a 23-year career in technology channel sales, Toby has worked extensively in the Education Technology, Cloud, IT Infrastructure and IT Security sectors. His expertise lies in developing cohesive channel strategies, identifying and developing the shortest path to revenue for new technologies and implementing the necessary internal and external structures to support channel partnerships.

Field Effect works to bring simplicity to a complex process of delivering top-notch cybersecurity. Their primary product is Covalence, which bring great security monitoring from a wholistic approach. Rather than deploy a variety of "DR" (detection/response) tools, Covalence monitors all traffic on both your on-site and cloud networks with one portal.

Alerts are managed through a central system and delivered to MSPs. Of course it also connects to your PSA and other tools.

If you're interested in offering a successful managed security practice, the Field Effect partner program is a great place to start. We dig into a good deal of the technology as well as deployment and monitoring for the MSP. Their service is sold on a per-user basis in order to make sure people don't exclude devices due to price. Their ideal market is between 25 and 2,500 users. (Not strictly enforced.)

Links:

Field Effect Partner Program: https://fieldeffect.com/partner-program/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FE_Partners

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/field-effect-partners/

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Sponsor Memo: BVOIP

BVOIP — the Cloud communications offering designed specifically for IT providers, BVOIP offers a complete Unified Communications suite which can also be tightly integrated via Microsoft Teams. BVOIP delivers the modern workforce cutting edge features including Contact Center, integration to your business apps, and real time visibility into your remote workers.

You control the price, with a unique hybrid model that avoids the complex dial tone taxation or compliance bullseye. Don't get stuck in a vendor relationship that works against you! BVOIP is channel only company that's here to support you. Find out more by visiting www.bvoip.com/mspradio

:-)

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