Uncle Marv's IT Business Podcast (Real Talk for IT Pros & MSPs)

Uncle Marv kicks off the episode with Aaron Kennedy, discussing his journey from MSP owner to ScalePad executive. Aaron shares his experiences selling an MSP in 2016, highlighting the importance of contracts and EBITDA in valuations. He then details his transition to Cognition 360, which was later acquired by ScalePad. The conversation shifts to the significance of data in managing MSPs. Aaron explains how tools like ScalePad help owners analyze agreement profitability, technician efficiency, and make informed decisions about growth and hiring. He emphasizes the need for historical data analysis to predict future performance and maintain service levels. In the second segment, Ryan Sigouin, ScalePad's Chief Revenue Officer, joins Uncle Marv. Ryan discusses ScalePad's recent acquisitions and the company's vision for integrating its various products. He reveals plans for a consolidated data platform that will streamline integrations across the MSP space, potentially revolutionizing how software companies interact within the industry. Ryan also sheds light on his role as CRO, explaining how it encompasses sales, marketing, revenue operations, and customer success. He stresses the importance of a cohesive approach to product-led and marketing-led growth, as well as customer retention and expansion. Websites and Links:ScalePad: https://www.scalepad.com/People mentioned for shoutouts: Brooke Lee (Director of Channel at ScalePad)Chris (ScalePad executive)Joel (ScalePad executive) === Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

Uncle Marv kicks off the episode with a heartfelt tribute to veterans, acknowledging their sacrifices and encouraging listeners to support veteran organizations. He then dives into his recent experiences at three major IT conferences: ASCII EDGE in Clearwater, DattoCon in Miami, and IT Nation Connect in Orlando. The podcast host shares exciting news about upcoming episodes featuring interviews from IT Nation Connect. He mentions live streaming efforts at the conference, made possible by Rhythms' internet-in-a-box solution. Listeners can expect 16 interviews across 8 episodes, including candid conversations with industry figures like Rob Rae from Pax8. Uncle Marv touches on key announcements from the conferences, such as Datto's K365 addition and ConnectWise's ASIO platform expansions. He briefly discusses his own product stack and approach to adopting new technologies. The episode wraps up with a preview of upcoming content, including a swag review, Black Friday preview shows, and a special holiday episode. Uncle Marv encourages both long-time listeners and newcomers to stay tuned and follow the show on their preferred platforms.People Mentioned for ShoutoutsRob RaeAmy RomanCole KnuthAdam KerriganFlo RidaTony HawkHenry Timm === Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

In this episode, Uncle Marv roams the vendor hall at DattoCon 2024, bringing us candid conversations with key players in the MSP industry. He kicks things off with Dean Trempalas from Empath, discussing the surprising turnout and the impact of Kaseya 365 on the MSP landscape.Next, Matt Solomon from Channel Program shares insights on the event's traffic and the importance of product reviews in the channel. We also hear about their new feature that helps MSPs find relevant events based on their tech stack.Cynthia from CyberQP talks about their hot new end-user elevation product and their charitable efforts supporting sea turtles. She also gives us a sneak peek at their upcoming appearances at IT Nation and DattoCon APAC.Dustin Puryear of Giant Rocket Ship explains how their Smart Dispatch feature is revolutionizing ticket management for MSPs. He also shares some exciting news about his recent exit from his MSP to focus fully on Giant Rocket Ship.The episode wraps up with conversations with industry veterans George Bardissi from B-VoIP and Michelle Ragusa McBain from SonicWall. George dishes on the event's atmosphere and their legendary pizza party, while Michelle talks about SonicWall's new partner portal and service provider program.Throughout the interviews, we get a taste of the vibrant energy at DattoCon, from the packed vendor hall to the late-night networking events. It's clear that despite the challenges of the past year, the MSP community is thriving and innovating.Vendors Interviewed:Dean Trempalas (Empath)Matt Solomon (Channel Program)Cynthia Schreiner (CyberQP)Dustin Puryear (Giant Rocket Ship)George Bardissi (B-VoIP)Michelle Ragusa McBain (SonicWall)Michael Crean (SonicWall) === Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

Uncle Marv kicks off the episode by setting the scene at DattoCon, where the energy is high after two days of groundbreaking announcements. He introduces Ranjan Singh, who dives right into the buzz surrounding Kaseya's latest offerings.Ranjan explains the challenge of keeping product launches under wraps until the big reveal, emphasizing the importance of a well-executed rollout. He shares the overwhelmingly positive reaction to Kaseya 365, with customers describing it as a "no-brainer" decision.The conversation turns to the inclusion of SaaS Alerts in Kaseya 365 user at no additional cost, addressing concerns about long-term pricing. Ranjan clarifies that this is not a temporary promotion but a core part of the Kaseya 365 license offering.Uncle Marv and Ranjan discuss the significance of having 12 point products integrated into two platform licenses, potentially replacing up to 11 vendors. They explore the benefits for both emerging MSPs and established businesses, touching on time savings, cost efficiency, and streamlined onboarding.The interview takes an interesting turn as they address concerns about commoditization in the industry. Ranjan reframes the conversation, describing Kaseya's approach as "democratizing" rather than commoditizing, making essential tools accessible to MSPs of all sizes.They wrap up by discussing the future of Kaseya's product lineup, hinting at more innovations to come, and emphasizing the value of attending events like DattoCon to see these announcements firsthand.People Mentioned:Ranjan SinghFred Voccola, CEO of KaseyaNadir Merchant  === Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

Uncle Marv kicks off the episode by introducing Kelvin Daniels, a seasoned IT professional with over 20 years of experience in the industry. Kelvin shares his journey as a long-term Datto partner, selling their products for over 15 years and being credited with pioneering innovative sales approaches in the Midwest. The conversation then shifts to Xtona, where Kelvin has been working for the past three years. He explains how he introduced Datto products to the company, replacing their previous Barracuda solutions. Kelvin highlights the challenges of convincing customers to switch to a more expensive but superior product. Kelvin goes on to describe Xtona's diverse client base, which includes ISPs, municipalities, law enforcement agencies, and manufacturing companies across the United States. He emphasizes their focus on compliance and regulation, particularly for clients with heavy compliance requirements. The discussion then turns to the recent announcements at DattoCon, particularly the launch of the 365 User portion. Kelvin expresses his excitement about this development and how it aligns with Xtona's current evaluations of similar products. Uncle Marv and Kelvin also touch on the importance of integrated solutions and how they contribute to efficiency and customer retention. Kelvin shares that Xtona ranks in the top 5% of the top 1% of companies nationwide in customer retention, attributing this success to their commitment to service delivery. The conversation wraps up with Kelvin explaining Xtona's philosophy of being a "managed services partner" rather than a provider, emphasizing their focus on creating partnerships with clients and helping them serve their own customers better. People mentioned for shoutouts: Nadir MerchantManny (Account Manager)Vega (Account Manager) === Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

Uncle Marv kicks off the episode from the Fontainebleau resort in Miami, where he's attending DattoCon 2024.Nadir Merchant introduces Kaseya 365 User, a new product offering that focuses on protecting and backing up users, complementing the previously launched Kaseya 365 Endpoint. The Kaseya 365 User bundle includes email protection, anti-phishing software, security awareness training, phishing simulation, and SaaS backup. Nadir emphasizes that Kaseya 365 is not just a bundle, but a unified product with seamless integrations and a consistent user experience.Cooper AI, Kaseya's artificial intelligence engine, is powering several new features, including the Smart SOP Generator, launching early next year, will automatically create SOPs by recording and annotating user actions in the browser. Nadir hints at future developments, including expanding Cooper Copilot capabilities to passwords, configs, and checklists.The episode wraps up with a teaser of more announcements to come at the conference and future Kaseya events.Cooper Bots: An automation platform allowing users to create autonomous workflows across IT Complete.Cooper Copilot for IT Glue: Introduces Smart Assist for curating documentation and the upcoming Smart SOP Generator.Cooper Copilot for PSA: Available for both Autotask and BMS, offering ticket summarization and resolution summaries.  === Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

Uncle Marv kicks off the show by recapping his recent visit to DattoCon in Miami, where Kaseya made significant announcements about new user licenses and product offerings. He then welcomes Jennifer Bleam, author of "Simplified Cybersecurity Sales for MSPs," to discuss marketing and sales strategies. Jennifer emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to marketing, explaining the concept of a marketing funnel and how different tactics serve various purposes. She stresses that while leads are the ultimate goal, top-of-funnel activities like creating awareness and engagement are crucial steps in the process. The conversation shifts to LinkedIn marketing, with Jennifer cautioning against aggressive tactics that can erode trust. She advocates for a more thoughtful approach, suggesting that valuable content and personalized outreach can set businesses apart in a sea of generic pitches. Jennifer provides practical advice on nurturing leads without being pushy, recommending a consistent schedule of weekly emails and regular social media posts across platforms. She introduces the concept of "habit stacking" to help MSPs build a sustainable marketing routine. The discussion turns to sales techniques, with Jennifer outlining a strategy to naturally lead prospects towards closing. She explains the importance of revealing gaps in a prospect's current situation and helping them visualize the consequences of inaction. Uncle Marv and Jennifer also touch on the value of qualification and disqualification in the sales process, emphasizing that not every lead is worth pursuing. They discuss how to gracefully exit conversations with prospects who aren't a good fit. The episode concludes with Uncle Marv's signature "Florida Man" segment, where Jennifer shares a bizarre local story from Maryland, only to be outdone by Uncle Marv's tale of a Florida man's inexplicable in-flight assault.Websites and Links Mentioned: Jennifer's Book, Simplified Cybersecurity Sales for MSPs: https://amzn.to/48rDSq6Jennifer's Book, with Bonus Material: https://mspsalesrevolution.com/book-plus-bonus They Ask, You Answer by Marcus Sheridan: https://amzn.to/3YNvk8PKeyword Research Tool: https://answerthepublic.com/Florida Man Assaults Sleeping Passenger: https://tinyurl.com/2emdvxjuPeople Mentioned: Dawn SizerTim GoldenSean Lardo === Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

Uncle Marv kicks off the podcast with Robert Thompson, an ASCII member and Spark peer group leader from Canada. Thompson shares his journey from break-fix to managed services, highlighting the importance of client communication and technology business reviews. He emphasizes the value of the ASCII community in knowledge sharing and business growth. The podcast then shifts gears with Vladan Gajicic, owner of GVS IT Services in Jacksonville, Florida. Gajicic recounts his transition from working for managed service providers to starting his own business in 2018. He discusses how his company unexpectedly grew during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing level three support to other MSPs. The episode concludes with an exciting interview featuring Juan Fernandez from SuperOps. Fernandez unveils SuperOps' new AI, named Monica, and hints at upcoming integrations. The conversation also touches on the ASCII Cup event, sponsored by SuperOps, which includes a DeLorean-themed party and break dancers, emphasizing the importance of community building in the IT industry.Key Segments: Robert Thompson on managed services and client communicationASCII community benefits and peer group leadershipVladan Gajicic's journey from employee to business ownerUnexpected growth during the COVID-19 pandemicSuperOps' new AI integration: MonicaASCII Cup event and community buildingThe future of managed services and IT business  === Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

Uncle Marv kicks off the episode with Joe Balsarotti, a long-time ASCII member and owner of Software to Go, a computer store with over 40 years of history. Joe shares his journey from retail software sales to becoming a full-service IT provider serving customers in 42 states. He emphasizes the importance of empowering staff, sharing how he gives his employees credit cards and encourages them to think like owners. Joe recounts a heartwarming story about hiring his office manager from a McDonald's drive-thru and how she's grown to handle basic tech support for clients. He also discusses the evolution of his business model and the value of ASCII membership over the years, highlighting the importance of relationship-building and networking at events. The episode then shifts to an interview with Terry McAdams of Mac Tech Solutions, representing ASMC (Apple Solutions Marketing Corporation). Terry explains the recent partnership between ASCII and ASMC, aimed at bridging the gap between PC-focused MSPs and Apple-centric businesses. He shares his background in both Windows and Mac environments, debunking misconceptions about the limitations of Macs in business settings. Terry discusses the opportunities for collaboration between ASCII and ASMC members, including hardware sales, co-managed services, and knowledge sharing. He also touches on the challenges of transitioning to managed services and the overwhelming array of tools available in the industry. Both interviews provide valuable perspectives on adapting to industry changes, the importance of customer relationships, and the potential for growth through strategic partnerships. Key Segments: Joe Balsarotti's 40+ years in the IT industryEvolution of Software to Go's business modelEmpowering employees in IT businessesLong-term value of ASCII membershipASCII and ASMC partnershipTerry McAdams' journey from Air Force to Mac Tech SolutionsMisconceptions about Macs in business environmentsOpportunities for collaboration between PC and Mac-focused MSPsChallenges in transitioning to managed servicesThe overwhelming landscape of IT tools and servicesPeople Mentioned for Shout Outs: Jeffrey BoydBradley Gross === Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

Sean Lardo Interview: IT Nation event coming up in two weeks (November 6-8) at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, FloridaPitchIT competition highlights: record number of applicants (over 150) from global regionsFinal three PitchIT competitors: PC PowerSafe, Senteon Cybersecurity, and Seedpod CyberIT Nation features: Tony Hawk as keynote speaker, Stone Temple Pilots for entertainmentK9s for Warriors philanthropy initiative with autographed Tony Hawk skateboards for top donorsUnexpected $1,001 donation pledge from Uncle Marv for K9s for WarriorsStanley Louissaint Interview: ASCII SPARK peer groups: geographically dispersed members grouped by revenue rangesBenefits of peer groups: problem-solving, sharing experiences, and business growthImportance of consistency in business and client satisfactionDiscussion on client acquisitions and IT integration challengesAutomation in IT businesses: balancing efficiency with practicalityPersonal anecdote about over-complicating automation for financial data conversionKey Segments: IT Nation and PitchIT competition updatesASCII SPARK peer groups overviewBusiness consistency and growthClient acquisitions and IT integrationAutomation in IT businessesPersonal experiences with automation attemptsWebsites mentioned:IT Nation PitchIT: https://www.connectwise.com/theitnation/pitchitIT Nation Connect, November 6-8: https://www.connectwise.com/theitnation/connect-naPeople mentioned for shout outs: Michael Crean from SonicWallChad Kempt Dawn Sizer === Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast