In this episode of Tate Talks, Chris Tate welcomes back Rob Rae, Corporate VP of Communities and Ecosystems at Pax8, as the first returning guest. Rob shares insights on the evolving MSP landscape, including challenges in scaling, leveraging AI, and navigating complexity. He highlights Pax8's innovative marketplace model and its impact on MSP growth and vendor relationships. They also discuss the value of in-person events, community building, and how MSPs can prepare for 2025 by embracing AI and staying adaptable. Tune in for actionable advice and a glimpse into Rob’s unique journey in the IT channel.

About Rob

Connect with Rob on LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠and check out the Pax8 website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to Tate Talks Season 8

In this episode of Tate Talks, I sat down with MSP veteran Eric Anthony to explore the evolving journey of Managed Service Providers (MSPs). From humble beginnings tinkering with Radio Shack computers to becoming a leader in the MSP and IT service provider community, Eric shares his unique story and key insights. Tune in as we discuss the MSP landscape, touching on the challenges of cybersecurity, AI's potential (and risks) in business, and the importance of a consultative approach for driving business outcomes. We also delve into personal experiences, the benefits of disconnecting from tech, and the value of non-technical discussions within the MSP community. Whether you're an MSP looking to grow or interested in the tech industry's behind-the-scenes, this episode has something for you.

We (well Eric) also had a great idea for using AI to improve communication over timezones...

Enjoy!

About Eric

Connect with Eric on LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠and check out the All Things/MSP Facebook page ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to Tate Talks Season 8

Today we chatted with motorsport loving DJ, James Steel of Salesbuildr - Hope you enjoy..

About James

James Steel is the Channel Chief at Salesbuildr and MSP channel veteran. With experience leading partner programs at Linode/Akamai and running UK MSP distribution, James brings a unique perspective on channel growth. Known for his engaging video content and industry live streams, he combines his passion for sales transformation with his marketing expertise to help MSPs succeed. When not revolutionizing MSP sales processes, you'll find him on a track day, racing in VR or shooting motorsport photography."

Connect with James on LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠and check out the Salesbuildr website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to Tate Talks Season 8

Today we chatted with Arlin Sorensen of ConnectWise

We discussed the history of ATG, Dan Scott, farming and much more

Books

The Go Giver by y Bob Burg & John David Mann 

About MJ

Connect with Arlin on LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠and check out the ConnectWise website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Tate Talks Season 8

Great to speak to fellow East Midlander Joe and chat about how he built and sold his first MSP business and why he's doing it all again. We also discussed his latest startup which aims to help MSP owners hit their goals.

About Joe

Joe Burns, founder of Reformed IT and MSP Blueprint, enriches MSPs with strategic growth and exit tactics, drawing on lessons from both successes and mistakes. His extensive experience guides MSPs to peak valuation, fostering transformative and sustainable business growth through real-world insights.

Connect with Joe on LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠and check out the Reformed IT website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and MSP Blueprint here

Welcome to Tate Talks Season 8

Here we are kicking of Season 8 in style with MJ Shoer of CompTIA

Books

Burn Book - A Tech Love Story by Kara Swisher

About MJ

Connect with MJ on LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠and check out the CompTIA website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to Tate Talks

This is the final episode of Season Seven and it was great to end it chatting to MSP legend and all round good egg, Christian Nagele.

From my early career at PricewaterHouse Coopers, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant, I felt drawn to small, entrepreneurial businesses. This led me to found CentraStage in 2007, with the goal of delivering a simple, affordable cloud-based endpoint management technology.
Driving a software start-up through a recession required an interesting blend of skills, determination and commitment, which resulted in CentraStage being acquired in 2014 by US-headquartered Autotask (backed by Vista Equity Partners). This heralded a wonderful opportunity to take our technology global, a journey which continued to accelerate following our merger with Datto in December 2017. Three more years of electric growth and we grew revenues 30x since acquisition, becoming the market leader in our sector. Datto IPO'd on the NYSE in November 2020.
After 15 years building and growing CentraStage it was time for a new challenge, and after a year working with SenseOn, a UK Series A cybersecurity company, I am delighted to be joining forces again with former colleagues to help drive the UK tech success story that is 1E.

Welcome to Tate Talks

Today I had the great pleasure of speaking with my good friend, MSP industry legend & best dressed man in the channel, Eric Torres of ScalePad.

About Eric

With over 15 years’ experience in the technology industry, building both a top-tier MSP as well as one of the top data security vendors, Eric shares his knowledge and experience with the IT channel. As VP, Channel, he brings expertise in business continuity and the MSP community, accompanied by a passion for educating the business community on the ever-changing cybersecurity threat landscape.

Welcome to Tate Talks

In this week's Tate Talks we chatted to aspiring weather woman and MSP finance expert Heather Alford. We started off the conversation by talking for, some might say, far too long about socks before learning more about her career and how her company helps MSPs.

Price Package Profit by Nigel Moore

All my friends are super heroes -  Andrew Kaufman

Heather is the founder of Counting Creators, Virtual Finance Department to MSPs. She passionately believes that if you can see your numbers, you can clearly direct the profitable path of your business. Her 20+ years industry experience & professional FMAAT accreditation demonstrates her capability to support MSPs transition to a place of knowledge-based decision making. Blindly running your business will lead to either accidental success or more likely crashing and burning.

Heather is an advocate for personal growth, Neurodiversity & people with an unhealthy sock fetish. While she is a true Scot, she doesn't like the cold & doesn't eat haggis.