SuperPod — The no-filter MSP show

In this week's episode of SuperPod, the no-filter MSP show, we're delighted to have Robert Jolliffe as our guest on the show. Robert Jolliffe is a graduate of University of Toronto with a 4 year B.A.Sc (bachelor of engineering - focused on manufacturing engineering) and an expert in ERP and manufacturing. He blends a knowledge of supply chain, six-sigma, information technology, manufacturing information systems / enterprise resource planning and entrepreneurship.   He also owns MicroAge-Kitchener, a local IT services company (aka Managed Services Provider) focused on the industrial sector.  He is an expert in the small and medium manufacturing market and technology. He is also president of Sabre Limited, a Microsoft Dynamics Business Central manufacturing reseller and training center selling throughout North America. Robert Jolliffe talks about his experience in building a niche in the manufacturing industry, and how there is a lot of opportunity for MSPs to find fresh sources of revenue through strategic business partnerships and sticking to a niche segment instead of branching out. He also elaborates on how the pandemic transformed his business model positively, and why it's so important to move to a secure cloud infrastructure, in light of the recent slew of cybersecurity attacks.

Tom Watson is a veteran in the IT services field who currently works as a Chief Channel Advisor at NinjaRMM. He harnesses his expertise in the IT field to create valuable and insightful instructional content for MSPs, and coach budding entrepreneurs to shine in a heavily competitive MSP space. In this episode of SuperPod, we delve deep into cybersecurity and its implications for MSPs and their clients in a post-pandemic world. Arvind and Tom talk about why the adoption of AI in the MSP space isn't as high as it should be in a tech-driven space like the MSP market. Tom calls for MSPs to step up their cybersecurity game and train themselves to keep clients and their data safe. But wait, there's more—Arvind and Tom discuss a need for knowledge consolidation, innovation for noise reduction, and an insightful rapid fire round, so tune in!

Mitch Kranitz is an MSP Channel Manager for Print Partner, a vendor that offers print solutions for businesses. Mitch is an incredibly gifted engineer, who's obsessed with solving all sorts of complex problems for his clients. He is a two-time MSP owner, who saw an opportunity in the print space, and now partners with MSPs to help clients understand what they need, and oversees their requirements to completion. From the age of 13, he knew that he was destined to be in the IT services field, eventually making his way in as a break-fix service provider. His emphasis on building relationships and learning from his community of peers helped him build customer advocacy, kickstarted his transition as an MSP, and ultimately landed him his role in Print Partner. His experience as a seasoned MSP owner illuminated the possibility that laid dormant in Print Partner: that MSPs did not have a solution for print, and they would be the ones to give it to them. Mitch harnessed his years of experience in the MSP field to build a strong partner network that covered offices located in across 40 states in the US, to create better support experiences for clients. He explores a variety of his experiences with service partners to help MSPs understand if you're better off outsourcing, how to identify partnerships that can work for you, and where to draw the line when selling to clients and recommending solutions you truly believe in. In this episode of SuperPod, Mitch delves into how relationships are a crucial driver for MSPs, in more ways than one.

In this episode of SuperPod, Chris gets candid about the role of PSA in running your MSP business.

Nancy Sabino is the CEO of SabinoCompTech. Having been in the MSP space for the last 15 years, she has seen the industry's transformation — be it the business model, technology, customer needs, or marketing. According to her, “IT is the infrastructure that supports the business being able to operate. IT should help with efficiencies across the board like communication, capturing processes, streamlining documents and information, and protecting the business. An outsourced IT department should be more than just IT support. It should be invested in the success of the business at every level.” In our conversation with Nancy, she talks about the most critical aspect of building a business: customer relationships.

Most MSPs want to become more cybersecurity-focused. But they aren't quite sure where to start. If you're feeling that way, it's not your fault. Vendors in the security space are multiplying quickly, and most of them use messaging that is confusing and filled with enterprise-level security jargon. Once you build a solid security package, you then have to sell that premium package at a premium price to small businesses with little respect for security (and who have even less of a budget.) Jennifer Bleam, a.k.a Cybersecurity Sherpa, is the founder of MSP Sales Revolution, where she helps MSSP businesses design better marketing strategies and close more cybersecurity leads. In this SuperPod episode, she spills the beans on how she helps her clients achieve a 60% closing rate (or better) on managed security contracts in less than eight weeks. It’s a 3-step process that she created after having countless conversations with successful IT companies and MSSPs. Listen to the podcast to learn about the process.

Justin Esgar is the CEO of Virtua Computers — a 360 degree IT consulting, server management, and IT security services. He's created some of the best-selling apps like SignMyPad, the paperless PDF signature solution, TruckFood and Goodnight, the parental monitoring app. He is a blogger, podcaster, speaker, and author of the book— Appitalize on Your Idea. In this SuperPod episode, Justin talks about customer delight as a differentiator in an overcrowded MSP market. He also lets us in on the three secrets to delightful yet consistent customer service. We even discuss ways to hire a great support team that aligns with your company's values and vision.

Andrew Moon a.k.a the Orange Nomad is a serial entrepreneur who has launched and run several successful businesses since the young age of 8. After running a successful MSP company of his own for 10 years, which he sold in 2014. He founded Orange Nomad to help MSPs, small businesses and entrepreneurs bridge the gap between strategy and execution. In this SuperPod episode, he talks about how important it is for MSP to 'take a break' and yet still be in control of the company you're running. He also gets candid about his thoughts on hiring and how to nail your sales using LinkedIn.

Jeff Ton, a well-known IT expert and founder of Indy CIO Network, talks about the evolving role of an IT leader. He delves into the thought process behind a CIO's decision-making and the potential for MSPs to function as virtual CIOs.

Michelle Ragusa-McBain is one of the most influential faces in the tech space. She is currently the VP of Global Channel and Digital Strategy for JS Group and chairman of CompTIA's Advancing Women In Technology group. In this special episode, she talks about the importance of diversity in the IT environment and how organizations can take conscious decisions to improve diversity and teamwork.