SMB Community Podcast

Host Karl sits with Acronis's Michael Callahan at Cyberfit Summit!

Michael is a security marketing executive with the rare combination of branding, product and technical expertise. Proven track record in both large and startup companies developing and executing go-to-market and enablement programs that drive record revenue.

He is an experienced leader who creates a collaborative environment while setting clear objectives and holding himself and the team accountable to deliver results.

Specialties: corporate marketing, product marketing, field marketing, product management, web marketing, social media, corporate communications, branding, messaging and press and analyst relations

Sponsor Memo: PCMatic

PC Matic — Endpoint Security built on a zero trust/default deny foundation.

Finally - a light weight, simple to deploy & easy to manage approach to application allowlisting. The perfect compliment to your current security stack.

No minimums and no annual contracts.

Find out more about PC Matic by visiting https://PCMatic.com/MSP today.

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Topic 1: The Federal Communications Commission has published the initial draft of its revised high-speed internet coverage maps.

The old maps were census-block based. The new maps are based on more detailed information from broadband providers. With the old system, a huge census block would be marked as served even if only one household had broadband.

https://www.fcc.gov/news-events/notes/2022/11/18/new-broadband-maps-are-finally-here

You can examine updated maps from here:

https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/home

For an interactive map, start here and zoom in and out as desired:

https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/location-summary/fixed

Want to see how you can make money filling the gaps? Check out:

https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov/resources/federal/federal-funding

Topic 2: An Update - The Labor Situation in Technology Companies

While many large tech companies are aggressively shedding employees, some are actually positioned to absorb that talent. TikTok is specifically planning to hire 3000 new engineers.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2022/11/21/tiktok-is-one-of-the-few-tech-companies-aggressively-hiring-could-regulatory-scrutiny-impede-its-us-presence/?sh=6cfb68c06572

https://www.teamblind.com/post/Meta-CTO-uses-Blind-😂-QtH4wcxQ

Topic 3: Should the Federal Government Provide Cybersecurity Insurance?

Flood, Fire, . . . and Cyber?

Insurance companies are pushing for taxpayer assistance to provide coverage in the event of catastrophic incidents.

The comment period for this topic has been extended until December 11th. https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2022-24476.pdf

See the original request for comments here: https://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2022/09/treasury-seeks-comment-how-structure-cyber-insurance-program/377793/

Rather than increasing the number of laws, CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) is looking at directing behavior by asking insurance companies to enforce rules on insured companies AND paying the premiums under the right circumstances.

How big does a “catastrophic” event have to be for the government to get involved? The emerging model is based on the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program adopted after September 11th.

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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Fire Clients - or Prune Your Client Garden - with Erick Simpson and Karl Palachuk

Recently, our friend Erick Simpson blogged that "end of year" is a great time to fire some clients. He and Karl are pretty much in agreement on that, but look at it from different perspectives.

Erick was on the ChannelPro Network podcast and talked about this approach. So, Karl wrote a blog post about the same topic from a different perspective.

In this interview, Karl interviews Erick about why you might want to get rid of some clients and how it can actually result in making more profit AND making your staff a lot happier.

Background articles: - Erick's blog: https://ericksimpson.com/erick-simpsons-msp-newsletter-october-2022-its-time-to-fire-some-customers/

- ChannelPro podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MI15aTE1DU (ChannelPro Weekly podcast #245).

- Karl's Blog: https://blog.smallbizthoughts.com/2022/11/fire-clients-and-give-better-service.html

Erick is, of course, the author of some of the best selling books on Managed Services, and is a great coach, trainer, and mentor for many in the community. You can catch up with him at https://ericksimpson.com.

Sponsor Note: FieldEffect

MSPs are frequently at the forefront of cyber security challenges. Between changing customer expectations and the growing threat landscape, you are stretched thin.

Need a helping hand?

Download research sponsored by FieldEffect, and learn how offering MDR increases revenue, simplifies operations, and maximizes margins for MSPs.

This independent analysis explores the growing managed detection and response (MDR) market and how MSPs can differentiate their managed security service with the right MDR solution.

You'll also find insights from five MSPs who have added covalence, a hybrid MDR solution, to their offerings and the positive impact it has had on business.

Want to learn more? Check the link in the show notes.

https://hubs.li/Q01cPMsj0

:-)

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Topic 1: Good News on the EV Front: Lithium Ion Batteries can be Recycled!

https://www.axios.com/2022/11/10/audi-redwood-ev-battery-recycling

Yes … we are headed for an EV world. No … there are not nearly enough batteries or charging stations or grid capacity to handle an EV world. But in a positive sign, it turns out that the rare Earth minerals used in LIon batteries do not degrade and can be recycled into new batteries. Increase supply. Reduce pollution. Recycle all those old battery items lying around your house. Win!

https://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/the-big-battery-challenge-3-potential-alternatives-to-lithium-ion

Topic 2: Nine in Ten SMBs Fear a Ransomware Attack    https://www.msspalert.com/cybersecurity-research/most-smbs-fear-ransomware-attack-amid-heightened-geopolitical-tensions/   A new study from OpenText reveals that nearly 9 in 10 SMB IT security professionals fear a ransomware attack on their organization … yet most do not plan to increase cybersecurity spending. Is this a failure to communicate … or a case of intentional ignorance?

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Topic 3: Is Rude Behavior Contagious

Rude behavior on the rise: https://www.axios.com/2022/11/10/rude-behavior-frontline-workers

“Employees who experience rudeness at work are less satisfied with their jobs, less engaged with their work, less productive, less helpful, and less creative,” Taylor said.

https://www.uschamber.com/co/start/strategy/how-rudeness-can-ruin-your-workplace

Sponsor Memo: Gozynta 

Do you like getting paid? Then make it easy for your customers with Gozynta Payments.

Do you teach your customers not to click on links from strange domain names like mymsp.monkeypayments.com or slowbooks.com?

Gozynta Payments uses your branding and domain name. No redirects. No confusion.

Gozynta Mobius is trusted by over a thousand MSPs to sync financial data. Their new product Gozynta Payments is built with the same care and empathy to make the payment process easy for your customers.

Gozynta is a family-owned business dedicated to making software suck less every day.

Go to https://gozynta.com/payments to learn more or get started.

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Jost James sits down with Hartland Ross.

Hartland Ross is a digital marketing strategist, founder and president of eBridge Marketing Solutions – a digital marketing agency and M&A advisory firm founded in 2001 catering to IT service firms providing opportunities for growth through acquisition and & organic marketing strategies.

Hartland has been working in the sales and marketing of IT services and SaaS firms since 1999.

He is well recognized and regarded in the IT services industry and to date has worked with hundreds of firms providing opportunities for business growth through M&A, marketing strategy and by providing industry advice, recommendations and introductions.

Resources and Links:

https://www.thehostbroker.com

https://www.ebridgemarketingsolutions.com

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

Sponsor Memo: PCMatic

PC Matic — Endpoint Security built on a zero trust/default deny foundation Finally - a light weight, simple to deploy & easy to manage approach to application allowlisting.

The perfect compliment to your current security stack. No minimums and no annual contracts.

Find out more about PC Matic by visiting https://PCMatic.com/MSP today.

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

Topic 1: Lessons from the Stripe Layoffs - for tech ITs, vendors, and everyone.

Stripe layed off 14% of their workforce, and were very open about the reasons. We all make mistakes in periods of rapid growth and rapid decline. This stuff is hard!

https://www.businessinsider.com/stripe-layoffs-memo-tech-sector-challenges-2022-11

https://www.npr.org/2022/11/14/1136659617/tech-layoffs-amazon-meta-twitter

https://www.channelfutures.com/business-models/gradient-msp-layoffs-20-impacted-amid-go-to-market-model-shift

Topic 2: Twitter Melting Down

Twitter has typically reviewed its products for privacy problems before rolling them out to users, to avoid additional fines from the F.T.C. and remain in compliance with the settlement. But because of a rapid pace of product development under Mr. Musk, engineers could be forced to “self-certify” so that their projects meet privacy requirements…

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/10/technology/elon-musk-twitter-employees.html

Topic 3: The Crypto Meltdown. Gaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!! (If you are an FTX investor)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonmoore/2022/11/10/what-to-make-of-this-weeks-crypto-meltdown/?sh=223282b937f8

https://www.forbes.com/sites/billybambrough/2022/11/13/jpmorgan-reveals-shock-cascade-bitcoin-price-prediction-after-stunning-ftx-meltdown/?sh=809cc6c3f66e

https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2022/11/11/ether-turns-deflationary-as-amount-of-eth-burned-spikes-amid-ftx-induced-market-volatility/

Crypto for MSPs: https://youtu.be/C6hXJC0_r3o

This week the proverbial $h!t hit the literal fan and the crypto market is in full-on chaos and panic mode. What? Why? How? Where do we go from here?

Sponsor: FieldEffect 

MSPs are frequently at the forefront of cyber security challenges. Between changing customer expectations and the growing threat landscape, you are stretched thin.

Need a helping hand?

Download research firm, Aite-Novarica Group’s report, sponsored by FieldEffect, and learn how offering MDR increases revenue, simplifies operations, and maximizes margins for MSPs.

This independent analysis explores the growing managed detection and response (MDR) market and how MSPs can differentiate their managed security service with the right MDR solution.

You'll also find insights from five MSPs who have added co-va-lence, a hybrid MDR solution, to their offerings and the positive impact it has had on business.

Want to learn more? Check the link in the show notes.

https://hubs.li/Q01cPMsj0

https://fieldeffect.com/msp-report/

Relax Focus Succeed: https://relaxfocussucceed.com/

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Host Karl sits down with Loren Williams of PCs for People.

After more than 25 years working for IBM and other companies that bought, sold, and leased computer equipment, Loren Williams moved to the non-profit sector joining PCs for People in 2021. Loren focuses on building relationships with organizations that want to put their "retired" technology towards bridging the digital divide. In his spare time, Loren likes to bicycle and travel.

According to the Pew Research Center, about 4 in 10 adults with lower incomes do not have a desktop or laptop computer (41%). In our modern society, reliance on technology access has never been greater, as it has become a necessity for learning, working, health care and many other daily activities.

PCs for People works to fix this problem. In 2021 we distributed 53,000 computers to low-income individuals and saved 3.5 million pounds of electronics from going into landfills.

Resources and Links:

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/06/22/digital-divide-persists-even-as-americans-with-lower-incomes-make-gains-in-tech-adoption/

https://www.pcsforpeople.org

https://www.linkedin.com/in/loren-r-williams/recent-activity/shares/

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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Topic 1: U.S. workers have gotten way less productive. 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/10/31/productivity-down-employers-worried-recession/

No one is sure why. So we get to make up reasons! 

Can this be attributed to the Quiet Quitting Phenomon? Maybe. But maybe not. (Again, we get to come up with our own theories today.)

Perhaps, complexity is the enemy of productivity; thus, remote working might not give our brains enough buffering time between each tasks than say walking from the meeting hall to your cubicle would.

Also, as we settle into a sort of kind not really post-pandemic world, we can surmise that the line between our work lives and home lives has become less muddled. And maybe, just maybe, this means we aren't being less productive, rather we are setting healthy work to home boundaries at the expense of a project deadline...Again, just speculating.   

Topic 2: Spending for Cloud Computing in 2023 is Forecast to Grow … a Lot!

https://siliconangle.com/2022/10/31/gartner-spending-public-cloud-services-will-exceed-591b-2023/

In a slight surprise, and a noticeable change of tone, Gartner forecasts that spending on cloud computing – across all 6 categories they include in the segment – will rise in 2023. Just because spending is down in some categories doesn’t mean it will be down in all categories. SaaS / PaaS / IaaS / DaaS / CMaaS / BPaaS. So many awkward acronyms!

Topic 3: US Banks spent over $1 Billion on Ransomware in 2021

...that they reported!

https://www.techradar.com/news/us-banks-processed-over-dollar1-billion-in-ransomware-payments-last-year 

Time to head into the cloud of uncertainty! 

Sponsor Memo: TimeZest 

Does coordinating meetings and help desk calls frustrate you and your clients?

 Wouldn’t it be easier if you could automate this process and it integrated with ConnectWise Manage or Autotask?   

TimeZest is schedulig automation that gives you control of your schedule and removes the frustration of calendar ping pong. 

As the only solution specifically designed for MSPs, it integrates with your PSA to schedule appointments right in your workflow. 

And the best part? You can try it for free.

Visit https://timezest.com  to try it out today.

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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.

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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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