In this conversation, Adam Walter and Skip Ziegler discuss the pervasive issue of 'ghosting' in IT, where professionals fail to communicate effectively with clients and vendors. They emphasize the importance of maintaining regular communication to prevent misunderstandings and to foster strong relationships. The discussion covers strategies for building connections beyond mere transactions, the necessity of intentionality in client interactions, and the impact of communication cadence on product...
Dec 02, 2024•23 min
In this conversation, Mike Giovaninni shares insights on how Managed Service Providers (MSPs) can build strong relationships with clients through effective communication and understanding their needs. He emphasizes the importance of listening, being a trusted advisor, and creating value through solutions that help clients achieve their business goals. The discussion highlights the role of empathy in IT, the significance of long-term client engagement, and strategies for navigating client challen...
Nov 25, 2024•32 min
In this conversation, Adam Walter, Richard Bauer, and Skip Ziegler discuss the challenges and opportunities that Managed Service Providers (MSPs) face as they approach the end of the year. They emphasize the importance of strategic planning, understanding client needs, and setting clear goals for the upcoming year. The discussion highlights the need for MSPs to move beyond technical solutions and focus on the business impact of their services, ensuring they are aligned with their clients' object...
Nov 18, 2024•25 min
summaryIn this conversation, Adam Walter and Skip Ziegler discuss the importance of overcoming excuses and taking action in both personal and professional contexts. They explore the mindset shift required to move from analysis paralysis to proactive behavior, emphasizing the need for efficiency and the dangers of waiting for the perfect moment. The discussion also highlights the value of learning through doing and the significance of setting SMART goals to combat procrastination and enhance prod...
Nov 11, 2024•27 min
In this conversation, Adam Walter and Jennii Kosmowski discuss innovative ways to enhance cybersecurity awareness through gamification. They explore the concept of typosquatting, the importance of password management, and the necessity of enforcing cybersecurity policies within organizations. The discussion emphasizes the need for engaging methods to educate users about cybersecurity risks and best practices.
Nov 04, 2024•29 min
In this conversation, Adam Walter and Anup from ThreatMate discuss the importance of continuous threat exposure management and the role of managed service providers in cybersecurity. They explore the complexities of attack surfaces, the significance of blue team activities, and the emerging trend of compliance as a service. The discussion emphasizes the need for effective vulnerability management and the integration of compliance frameworks to enhance cybersecurity efforts for businesses....
Oct 28, 2024•25 min
In this episode, Adam Walter discusses with Anup from ThreatMate about the importance of vulnerability management and how managed service providers can offer high-margin security services without being experts. They explore the concept of continuous threat exposure management, the role of AI in simplifying security solutions, and the significance of communicating security metrics effectively to clients. The conversation emphasizes the need for simplicity in security practices, especially for sma...
Oct 21, 2024•24 min
In this conversation, Adam and Jenny discuss the intricacies of password management, especially in the context of cybersecurity awareness. They explore the evolution of password management tools, the debate surrounding the use of password managers, and the critical importance of multi-factor authentication. The discussion also touches on shared passwords, innovative strategies for password management, and the gamification of password security to encourage better practices. Ultimately, they empha...
Oct 14, 2024•30 min
In this engaging conversation, Adam Walter and Jenny discuss the unique approach of using a zombie apocalypse scenario to teach business continuity planning and cybersecurity awareness. They explore how thinking about extreme situations can help businesses prepare for real-world crises, emphasizing the importance of data management, communication, and team dynamics. The discussion also highlights the value of tabletop exercises in making these concepts relatable and fun, ultimately leading to be...
Oct 07, 2024•27 min
In this conversation, Adam Walter interviews Wayne Kramer from Symoda, discussing the importance of customer experience in the MSP industry. They explore the layers of customer communication, the significance of understanding customer needs, and the evolving landscape of technology and its impact on service delivery. Wayne emphasizes the need for MSPs to adapt to changing expectations and to build strong relationships with their clients by effectively communicating at different levels. The discu...
Sep 30, 2024•28 min
In this conversation, Adam Walter and Dave discuss the importance of networking for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and vendors at industry conferences. They explore strategies for maximizing conference attendance, the significance of pre-event preparation, and the value of building relationships with both vendors and peers. The discussion also touches on overcoming introversion in networking situations and concludes with key takeaways for effective networking.
Sep 23, 2024•27 min
In this conversation, Adam Walter and Dave discuss the concept of 'selling without selling,' emphasizing the importance of building relationships, listening to clients, and engaging genuinely rather than pushing for sales. They share personal experiences and insights on how to effectively connect with clients and the significance of networking in the MSP industry.
Sep 13, 2024•25 min
In this conversation, Adam Walter and Sudhir discuss marketing for large MSPs and how Xamplify helps coordinate and streamline marketing efforts for these companies. They highlight the challenges faced by large MSPs in managing multiple partners and products, and the need for standardization and coordination. Xamplify offers a solution by providing a platform where MSPs can invite partners, create landing pages, and co-author collateral. They also emphasize the importance of effective partner pr...
Sep 09, 2024•24 min
Xamplify is a marketing automation and co-marketing automation solution for MSPs. The conversation explores why MSPs often struggle with marketing themselves and how they can overcome this challenge. One reason is that marketing services is more complex than marketing physical or digital products. Another reason is that MSPs often lack guidance and support in marketing. The conversation emphasizes the importance of defining target markets and specializing in specific areas. It also highlights th...
Sep 02, 2024•24 min
In this conversation, Adam and Skip discuss the importance of creating value for clients. They emphasize the need to understand what clients care about and tailor solutions to meet their specific needs. They also highlight the significance of listening to clients and making them feel heard. The conversation touches on the concept of perceived value and how it can be enhanced by focusing on what moves the needle for the client's business. The hosts provide practical tips for increasing value, suc...
Aug 26, 2024•26 min
In this conversation, Tim Golden discusses the concept of compliance as a service and how it can make things easier for MSPs. Compliance as a service involves helping clients become more compliant and defensible by offering services such as policy development, risk assessments, and security awareness training. The key is to have a centralized risk register where clients can make business decisions based on identified risks. Regularly reviewing the risk register is crucial to ensure that risks ar...
Aug 19, 2024•21 min
In this podcast episode, Adam Walter and Tim Golden discuss why compliance is becoming increasingly important for small businesses. They emphasize the expanding regulations and the need for MSPs to offer compliance as a service to stay competitive and help their clients meet requirements. The conversation also touches on the complexities of different compliance frameworks and the importance of defensibility in case of a security incident. The speakers highlight the financial benefits for MSPs wh...
Aug 12, 2024•24 min
We used to make our clients money as technology experts. What happened? When did we decide that we were just here to clean up after clients rather than work with them. In this episode Skip and Adam talk about how to make your clients money. Because when they make money...you make money. There are few things that can accelerate a business faster than a solid IT strategy. Learn how here!
Aug 05, 2024•26 min
Greg Sharp, Author of "From Basement to Boss" talks with Adam Walter of Humanize IT about everything from how to use best-in-class solutions to solve the right problems to how to effectively lead your company to greater multipliers. When it comes to contract management or compliance, you don't want a "Oh we do that too", you want someone who lives eats and breathes this stuff. So you can tell your client "We work with the best so you have the best" This is the core of how you get away from being...
Jul 29, 2024•34 min
Learning from failure is one of the most important skills as a engineer or business leader. However, do you know how to learn from failure rather than just blaming others? Maybe you have employees who defer issues to other people. In this podcast, we talk about how to accept failure and our part in it as well as how to grow from failure.
Jul 22, 2024•29 min
How can MSP's use 5G to help their customers? Isn't it just faster cell service? In this episode, Steve Copeland from Rythmz discusses how 5G will help MSP customers with everything from Incident Response to primary internet service. Learn how the future will be shaped by 5G and how MSPs can take advantage today to give their clients next-gen connectivity.
Jul 15, 2024•27 min
Building a network results in more opportunities, more influence over events, and confidence in the future. Some people will call you lucky, and you get to tell them you are just casting a wider net with your network. Bonus, the more you help your network succeed the more you will succeed, so go find those like minded professionals and grow!
Jul 08, 2024•27 min
We start our careers at the bottom of the chain and work our way up. It is no wonder why we are always thinking from the bottom up when it comes to solutions. In this episode, Skip and Adam talk through how to flip this approach to thinking about the solution from a top level. This approach is useful in every part of life so stay tuned!
Jun 24, 2024•23 min
Building loyalty is about more than just meeting expectations. You have to build relationships and observe the Platinum Rule "Treat people how they want to be treated" This goes a long ways towards a profitable relationship for both sides, whether it is a client or co-worker.
Jun 17, 2024•22 min
We continue celebrating the 200th episode with guest Richard Bauer and talk about where the podcast is going. Spoiler alert...MORE GUESTS! We really want to highlight the different kinds of MSPs and strategies out there. We also want to celebrate the successes of MSPs around the world. If you are interested in being a guest and talking about your MSP, listen to this episode and reach out on social media or email to let us know so we can get you scheduled!
Jun 10, 2024•21 min
What a ride 200 episodes! I know it says episode 300, we started counting at 100 thinking we would have each season be the first digit. We are actually a little more than that as we have had a few special episodes scattered throughout. With special guest Richard Bauer coming on some of you might remember him from the Tales from South Africa episode. We talk about the humble beginnings of audacity and stitching items together with entry-level microphones to today with Rodecasters, Streamyard and ...
Jun 03, 2024•22 min
Summer is almost it's own quarter, it bridges Q2 and Q3 but it is a season where people are vacationing, kids are home, and clients are quiet. This means opportunities for those of you who are more strategic in your planning. Take advantage of this shift in the economy to get projects with different sectors in place. In this episode Skip and Adam talk through how to take advantage of the Summer from a planning perspective.
May 27, 2024•23 min•Ep. 199
What is this "mental health" everyone talks about? Why do we avoid it? I should just work harder and ignore stress right? Maybe I am sleepy and should just drink more caffeine. Perhaps even you have an overbearing sense of anxiety so you just calm yourself with a drink or two. This episode we talk with Mental Health Professional Dr Andrea Walter to talk through the tough topic of mental health, suicide awareness and general wellness.
May 13, 2024•24 min
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and we hear a lot of tales around burnout with IT professionals. Where a great employee turns into a jerk who is constantly dropping the ball. There are a lot of other issues we deal with and so we wanted to focus on how to be cognizant of mental health in the IT field. This entire month we give tips and tricks on how to balance you and your employee's mental health in IT.
May 06, 2024•25 min
How do we shift with the economy? It seems like a LOT is moving around right now in the MSP world. So how do you adapt? Take it from Skip and Adam who have been through several of these shifts. What is going on in 2024 and how can you prepare/take advantage of this shift?
Apr 29, 2024•23 min
