SMB Community Podcast

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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Topic 1:  Update on that Apple Self-Repair Kit for iPhone Screen

The basic program includes two large Pelican cases full of equipment and tools, which you rent for $49/week plus a $1,300 deposit. Then the repair kit is about $10 cheaper than taking your phone to the Apple store for the service.

At this point, the self-repair program appears to meet enough requirements that you can check the box and say there IS a self-repair option. But it is not the simple, elegant “Apple” experience you might have assumed you would have.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/25/technology/personaltech/apple-repair-program-iphone.html

One of many videos you can find:  https://www.macrumors.com/2022/05/04/apple-self-repair-program-hands-on/

Topic 2: “Digital Nomad” Visas Are Becoming Quite Competitive

30 Best Digital NOMAD VISA and Residency Programs for Remote Workers in 2022

https://www.travelinglifestyle.net/countries-offering-digital-nomad-visas-and-residency/

How “Digital Nomad” Visas Can Boost Local Economies

https://hbr.org/2022/05/how-digital-nomad-visas-can-boost-local-economies 

This article includes a great summary graphic.

Topic 3: Techies reject worker surveillance 

About half of tech employees would jump ship rather than have their productivity monitored via audio/video recording, keystroke tracking or similar methods, according to a Morning Consult poll shared exclusively with Axios' Ina Fried.

Why it matters: Employers are experimenting with new, often controversial ways of keeping tabs on an increasingly remote workforce.

By the numbers: More than half of tech workers wouldn't take a new job at a company that surveils its employees, the survey found.

About 3 in 5 tech workers who are currently working either partially or entirely remotely said they have no interest in returning to the office full time.

About 3 in 5 tech workers also said they would be open to using virtual reality for training and professional development.

https://www.axios.com/2022/05/31/tech-workers-quit-employer-recorded-surveillance

Vendor Memo: Field Effect 

When it comes to delivering cyber security services to your clients, there’s a lot to consider – and even more at stake. Firewalls and antivirus don’t provide enough protection anymore and adding more tools to an already complex tech stack is expensive and difficult to manage.

The Field Effect Partner Momentum Program, together with their award-winning security portfolio, solve these issues by making it easier for MSPs to:

-Deliver complete cyber security protection; -Unlock new revenue streams; -Simplify operations; -And stand out from the competition.

Learn more and connect with the Field Effect team today by visiting: fieldeffect.com/MSPRadio

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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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Topic 1:  Shredding the Myth of Anonymity in Bitcoin 

Wired recently published a long, detailed story of how law enforcement agencies around the world collaborated to bring down the largest child abuse sex network in history. One key element in this take-down is the “trick” of turning bitcoin from an anonymous tool into a perfect record of evidence.

This story truly is the modern equivalent of the Al Capone story. Once agents have access to a few crypto wallets, they can then use the public Bitcoin blockchain data to identify every transaction, and every buyer or seller. All of this data is unique, unalterable, and publicly accessible.

A few key points: 

Bitcoin has been used extensively by criminals on the promise that it’s anonymous and untraceable.

Bitcoin exchanges are “permanent, unchangeable, and entirely public” in nature. Once one Bitcoin transaction is connected to a specific legitimate account, an entire web of related transactions can be built.

https://www.wired.com/story/tracers-in-the-dark-welcome-to-video-crypto-anonymity-myth/

Somewhat related story: Man gets life in prison for traveling to Vietnam to sexually abuse children.

https://www.wistv.com/2022/05/16/man-gets-life-prison-traveling-vietnam-sexually-abuse-children-doj-says/

Topic 2: 911 Needs to Move to the Cloud. What's taking so long?

"Modern" 911 systems are actually old, outdated, and far more complex than they would be if you rebuilt the system from the ground up.

But rebuilding all that infrastructure takes time and costs money. Plus, if you get it wrong, people die.

https://www.protocol.com/enterprise/emergency-911-cloud-contact-center

Topic 3: CISA Addresses Self-Attestation for IT Service Security

It would be impossible to have government agencies test and verify everything they are charged with regulating. But, as we saw with Boeing’s 737 Max, there are real consequences for letting companies regulate themselves.

The Computer Information Security Agency just released “guidance” around security services sold to government agencies. Basically, they want companies to declare (and eventually document) their compliance with security frameworks such as CMMC.

Note that the National Institute for Standards and Technology released similar guidance as well, in addition to being the home of CMMC and other standards.

See: https://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2022/05/nists-supply-chain-security-guidance-tells-agencies-look-fedramp-first/366564/ 

Quote from the NIST report: “The external system service providers discussed in this publication include cloud service providers.”

See: https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800-161r1.pdf 

https://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2022/05/federal-ciso-recommendations-acquisition-council-software-procurement/367351/ 

Vendor Memo: Gozynta 

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

That time is 120 prospect calls, a month’s worth of the Business of Tech, or building an entire lego death star.

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 us at gozynta.com

:-)

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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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Topic 1:  Found all those Great Resignators: They’re working somewhere else.

Looks like a basic shake-up that forced a number of employers to treat their employees like humans.

Maybe, and we're only speculating here, the working person realizes they don't have to work somewhere that has no decent pay, no decent benefits, no decent work evironment, and so on...Maybe.

Consistent data shows that this so called Great Resignation is about worker power. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/13/business/great-resgination-jobs.html

Topic 2: Truly terrifying – AI + Ransomware:

https://www.protocol.com/newsletters/protocol-enterprise/ai-ransomware-microsoft-rodney-clark

The unholy combination of AI + Ransomware is upon us. 

It's time to draw up a plan to prepare your business for the looming ransom payment.

Topic 3: Roe v Wade implications for privacy rights:

The spread of data science is inevitable. Is imploying a privacy regulation futile or ABSOLUTELY necassary? 

https://www.axios.com/2022/05/13/big-data-less-more-sensors-surveillance?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslogin&stream=top

Vendor 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 Dave sent you.

:-) 

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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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Topic 1:  Ransomware leads to the first casualty in the higher education market as Lincoln College closes permanently due to cyberattack in December 2021. Who was their MSP … and why was there not a plan in place?

Ten years ago, a system failure of more than 24 hours could mean the end of your business. Today, with ransomeware on the rise, what are the odds of hundreds of schools, hospitals, businesses etc. going under? As this inevitable threat unfolds, it begs the question: Why haven't we implimented data back ups as the standard?

https://www.engadget.com/lincoln-college-ransomware-attack-shut-down-covid-19-164917483.html

Topic 2: Let’s not ignore Apple’s 180 on Right to Repair

...But, of course, it’s right to repair their way, and does not play nice with so-called partners.

Conceptually, Apple's 180 on the Right to Repair is heading in the right direction! That said, the right to repair doesn't necessarily mean access to the right to an easy repair. 

https://www.computerworld.com/article/3641328/apple-gives-in-on-right-to-repair.html

Topic 3: Market sentiment - end of times! 

Trends predicate yet another recession. But with record numbers and a growing demand in the tech realm, the recession might be the best time for you to invest. 

But before you put on those rose tinted glasses, you might want to weigh in the drag this slump might have on potential customers.

https://www.axios.com/2022/05/09/next-tech-downturn-cheat-sheet-recession

https://fortune.com/2022/05/09/tech-hiring-slowing-down-job-market/

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 James speaks to Alex Farling on the QBR Process.

As a recovering MSP owner and co-founder of Lifecycle Insights, Alex is working with hundreds of MSPs to help them automate the QBR process and deliver actionable information to their clients.

Resources and links: https://lifecycleinsights.io https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexjfarling/

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 Acronis.com.

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