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Uncle Marv’s IT Business Podcast is a show designed for IT professionals and Managed Service Providers. The podcast aims to provide actionable advice and tips that help IT businesses grow...
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Uncle Marv’s IT Business Podcast is a show designed for IT professionals and Managed Service Providers. The podcast aims to provide actionable advice and tips that help IT businesses grow and thrive in the competitive tech industry. Each episode covers various topics, from technology updates to marketing strategies, business best practices, and interviews with industry experts.
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Uncle Marv's IT Business Podcast
Uncle Marv's IT Business Podcast
687 From Quarterback to Convict: Damon West at ASCII Edge
26 LUG 2024 · Damon West, the keynote speaker at ASCII Edge in Boston, joins Uncle Marv to discuss his extraordinary life story. West begins by praising ASCII Edge for their exceptional client relationships and event organization. West recounts his past as a Division 1 starting quarterback at the University of North Texas, whose career was cut short by injury. This led to substance abuse issues, which escalated when he was introduced to methamphetamine while working as a stockbroker in Dallas. His addiction spiraled out of control, resulting in a life of crime and eventually a life sentence for organized crime. The turning point in West's life came in Dallas County Jail, where he met a seasoned convict named Muhammad. Muhammad shared the powerful analogy of the coffee bean, encouraging West to be like a coffee bean that changes its environment rather than being changed by it. This philosophy transformed West's outlook and behavior in prison. West describes how he became a positive influence in prison, helping others and maintaining a hopeful attitude. His transformation was so significant that after seven years, the parole board interviewed him and ultimately released him. West now lives on parole until 2073 but has become a sought-after motivational speaker and author. The interview touches on West's efforts to find Muhammad after his release, only to discover he had passed away. In honor of Muhammad's impact, West established a scholarship in his name for students from Muhammad's old neighborhood. West concludes by mentioning his books, including "The Coffee Bean: A Simple Lesson to Create Positive Change" and his autobiography "The Change Agent." Buy the Books!
- The Coffee Bean: A Simple Lesson to Create Positive Change: https://amzn.to/4dBC6UX
- The Change Agent: https://amzn.to/3WfXk3s
Key Takeaways:
- Adversity can be an opportunity for personal growth and transformation
- The power of positive thinking and hope in overcoming challenges
- The importance of being a "coffee bean" - changing your environment rather than letting it change you
- The impact of servant leadership and believing in others
- The value of education and giving back to the community
=== Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://www.patreon.com/join/itbusinesspodcastOne-Time Donation: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unclemarv=== Music: Song: Upbeat & Fun Sports Rock LogoAuthor: AlexanderRufireLicense Code: 7X9F52DNML - Date: January 1st, 2024
686 CrowdStrike: A Look Back
23 LUG 2024 · Uncle Marv kicks off the episode by acknowledging the sponsor, SuperOps, and dives into the major news of the CrowdStrike incident. A faulty sensor configuration update from CrowdStrike led to widespread computer outages affecting about 8.5 million Windows machines globally. Marv explains how he managed client concerns and highlights the critical need for robust disaster recovery strategies and business continuity planning. He underscores the importance of having a comprehensive crisis response plan and testing it regularly to ensure effectiveness. Marv also praises the IT community for their rapid response and effective communication during the incident, noting the collaborative efforts across various platforms and peer groups. Marv shares his personal weekend ordeal with a new HP system that repeatedly blue-screened at a client's site but worked fine in his office. After troubleshooting, he discovered a faulty NVIDIA T1000 add-in card was the culprit. He also recounts the sudden resignation of a staff member, CJ, and the ensuing challenges due to the lack of communication from the client. The episode wraps up with Marv discussing his upcoming trip to ASCII Edge and encouraging listeners to use his Amazon affiliate link to support the podcast.Key Takeaways
- CrowdStrike Incident: A faulty sensor configuration update caused widespread outages, emphasizing the need for robust disaster recovery and business continuity plans.
- Rapid Response and Communication: Effective communication and collaboration within the IT community were crucial in managing the incident.
- Personal Troubleshooting: Marv's experience with a faulty NVIDIA T1000 card highlights the challenges of diagnosing hardware issues.
- Staff Resignation: The importance of clear communication between clients and service providers was underscored by a sudden staff resignation.
LinksASCII Edge 2024: https://events.ascii.com/CrowdStrike Lessons: https://tinyurl.com/9esmm7ysCrowdStrike Community Support: https://tinyurl.com/mhypna7t === Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://www.patreon.com/join/itbusinesspodcastOne-Time Donation: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unclemarv=== Music: Song: Upbeat & Fun Sports Rock LogoAuthor: AlexanderRufireLicense Code: 7X9F52DNML - Date: January 1st, 2024
685 Boost MSP Efficiency with Strategy Overview
22 LUG 2024 · Boost MSP Efficiency with Strategy OverviewWebsite: https://www.strategyoverview.com/In this episode, Uncle Marv sits down with Alex Markov to delve into Strategy Overview, a software platform tailored for MSPs to optimize their strategic planning and client management. Alex explains how the platform's powerful and flexible template engine allows MSPs to standardize their processes and save significant time. The user-friendly interface and comprehensive client portal are highlighted as key features that set Strategy Overview apart from other tools. The discussion also covers the platform's development history. Initially created as a spreadsheet to manage Alex's own MSP operations, it evolved into a multi-tenant product over seven years. This journey involved overcoming various challenges and continuously refining the tool based on user feedback. Alex and Marv explore the platform's extensive features, including QBRs, asset management, Office 365 licensing, and a ticketing system integrated with ConnectWise. They also discuss the future of Strategy Overview, particularly the integration of AI to automate tasks and further reduce the workload for MSPs. The episode concludes with insights into the MSP industry, the advantages of different business models, and the importance of maintaining a balance between growth and personalized customer service.Key Takeaways
- Unique Template Engine: Strategy Overview's template engine allows MSPs to create customized reports and standardize processes efficiently.
- User-Friendly Interface: The platform is designed with a clean and intuitive UI, enhancing user experience.
- Comprehensive Client Portal: Clients can access their strategy, health scores, budgets, and tickets through a white-labeled portal.
- Development Journey: The platform evolved from a spreadsheet to a sophisticated tool over seven years, driven by real-world MSP needs.
- Future AI Integration: Plans to integrate AI aim to automate QBR prep and ticket handling, saving significant time for MSPs.
- Industry Insights: Discussion on the benefits of different MSP business models and the trend towards boutique service providers.
=== Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://www.patreon.com/join/itbusinesspodcastOne-Time Donation: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unclemarv=== Music: Song: Upbeat & Fun Sports Rock LogoAuthor: AlexanderRufireLicense Code: 7X9F52DNML - Date: January 1st, 2024
684 SaaS Security with Overe: An Interview with Paul Barnes
22 LUG 2024 · Revolutionizing SaaS Security with OvereWebsite: https://www.overe.io/In this episode, Uncle Marv welcomes Paul Barnes, co-founder and CEO of Overe, to discuss their SaaS security platform and its role in the IT Nation Pitch It Accelerator program. Overe focuses on providing automated security analysis and continuous monitoring for SaaS applications, addressing the increasing number of cloud security incidents. Key Highlights:
- Introduction to Overe: Paul explains that Overe was created to address the growing need for SaaS and cloud application security. The company offers two main products: Novia Assess, a free tool for visibility and risk assessment, and Overe Protect, a comprehensive service for policy enforcement and adversarial activity response.
- Focus on Microsoft 365: Overe initially targets Microsoft 365 due to its widespread use among MSPs and their clients. The company plans to expand to other popular SaaS applications like Google Workspace.
- M365 Benchmark Audit: Overe's free assessment tool goes beyond Microsoft's security score by providing a customized score based on the client's licenses, company attributes, and security policies. It also includes dark web monitoring and MFA status checks.
- Licensing and Security: Paul discusses the challenges MSPs face in upgrading clients from basic to premium security licenses. Overe's tools help MSPs demonstrate the need for higher security levels without necessarily pushing for the expensive E5 license.
- Automated Responses: Overe's platform includes automated policy enforcement and response to adversarial activities. The system continuously monitors for policy drifts and automatically re-enforces security settings if they are altered.
- Framework Alignment: Overe's policies align with frameworks like NIST and CMMC, providing MSPs with benchmarking against industry standards.
- Unique Selling Points: Overe differentiates itself with a user-friendly setup, comprehensive threat intelligence, and integration with endpoint data to reduce false positives and provide high-confidence alerts.
- Market Strategy: While Overe is focused on MSPs, the platform is also accessible to mid-market and enterprise clients. The company is expanding its presence in the U.S., recognizing the significant market potential.
- Future Plans: Overe aims to enhance its product offerings, expand its monitoring capabilities, and strengthen its U.S. sales and distribution channels. The company is committed to supporting MSPs and attending industry events like IT Nation.
Key Takeaways
- Overe offers innovative SaaS security solutions with automated analysis and continuous monitoring.
- The platform initially focuses on Microsoft 365 but plans to expand to other SaaS applications.
- Overe's tools help MSPs assess and improve client security without pushing for unnecessary high-cost licenses.
- Automated policy enforcement and response features ensure continuous protection against security threats.
- Overe's policies align with industry frameworks like NIST and CMMC, providing valuable benchmarking.
- The company is expanding its presence in the U.S. and aims to support MSPs through easy-to-use tools and strategic partnerships.
=== Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://www.patreon.com/join/itbusinesspodcastOne-Time Donation: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unclemarv=== Music: Song: Upbeat & Fun Sports Rock LogoAuthor: AlexanderRufireLicense Code: 7X9F52DNML - Date: January 1st, 2024
683 Align Spending with Business Goals - Tim Coach
18 LUG 2024 · Uncle Marv welcomes Tim Coach to discuss strategic spending in IT businesses. Tim emphasizes the importance of aligning spending with business goals and market demands. He advises against arbitrary budget cuts, instead recommending a focus on ROI and strategic investments. Tim highlights the significance of investing in both technology and talent. He suggests prioritizing spending on areas that directly impact customer satisfaction and business growth. Tim also discusses the need for flexibility in budgeting, allowing for adjustments as market conditions change. The conversation covers the challenges of balancing short-term needs with long-term investments. Tim recommends a mix of both, ensuring immediate operational needs are met while also planning for future growth. He stresses the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in the fast-paced IT industry. Tim shares strategies for maximizing ROI, including careful vendor selection, negotiation tactics, and leveraging partnerships. He also discusses the value of investing in employee training and development to enhance productivity and retention. The episode concludes with Tim's advice on creating a culture of strategic spending within organizations. He emphasizes the need for clear communication, alignment across departments, and regular review of spending strategies to ensure they remain effective and relevant. Key Takeaways:
- Align spending with business goals and market demands
- Focus on ROI rather than arbitrary budget cuts
- Invest in both technology and talent
- Prioritize spending that impacts customer satisfaction and growth
- Maintain flexibility in budgeting to adapt to market changes
- Balance short-term needs with long-term investments
- Maximize ROI through careful vendor selection and partnerships
- Invest in employee training and development
- Create a culture of strategic spending within the organization
- Regularly review and adjust spending strategies
=== Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://www.patreon.com/join/itbusinesspodcastOne-Time Donation: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unclemarv=== Music: Song: Upbeat & Fun Sports Rock LogoAuthor: AlexanderRufireLicense Code: 7X9F52DNML - Date: January 1st, 2024
682 Solo Tech Success: TorqueNet LLC
16 LUG 2024 · In this episode of the IT Business Podcast, host Uncle Marv interviews William Hibbard, owner of TorqueNet LLC. The two discuss Bill's journey from Air Force cyber operations officer to running his own Managed Service Provider (MSP) business. Hibbard shares insights on transitioning from a hobby to a full-fledged business, his approach to cybersecurity, and the challenges of being a solo tech. Bill explains how his Air Force background in information assurance prepared him for his current role, though he notes that the business aspects required separate learning. He discusses his company's evolution, including the move from Colorado to Florida, and how he maintained 80% of his customer base during the relocation. The conversation covers Bill's security stack, which includes tools like ThreatLocker and Huntress, and his perspective on balancing security with usability for clients. He also shares valuable advice for solo MSPs, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with other local IT professionals. Throughout the interview, Uncle Marv and Bill reminisce about their shared past in Satellite Beach, Florida, including their time on the track team and working at McDonald's. They discuss how their hometown has produced several IT professionals and touch on upcoming reunions. Key Takeaways:
- Air Force experience in cyber operations can provide a strong foundation for running an MSP
- Transitioning from hobby to business requires adapting pricing and service models
- Collaboration with other local MSPs can be beneficial for solo operators
- A robust security stack is crucial, but must be balanced with client usability
- Continuous learning and adapting to new technologies is essential in the IT industry
Website: https://torquenet.net/ === Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://www.patreon.com/join/itbusinesspodcastOne-Time Donation: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unclemarv=== Music: Song: Upbeat & Fun Sports Rock LogoAuthor: AlexanderRufireLicense Code: 7X9F52DNML - Date: January 1st, 2024
681 Boosting VCIO Services with GetInSync
15 LUG 2024 · Stuart Holtby introduces Get In Sync as a comprehensive platform that helps businesses uncover their IT strategy. He uses the analogy of a treasure map to explain how the tool works, assisting organizations in putting together all their applications, information, projects, and processes to visualize their overarching strategy. The platform goes beyond traditional IT spend analysis, incorporating various aspects of business operations. It uses frameworks like TBM to provide a holistic view of technology-related costs and budgets. Get In Sync creates a two-way marketplace where both MSPs and their clients can actively participate in strategic planning. Stuart emphasizes that Get In Sync is designed to be a leading indicator, unlike QBRs which are lagging indicators. The tool provides real-time insights, allowing businesses to make informed decisions quickly. It features idea creation and prioritization capabilities, enabling organizations to foster innovation and vet new ideas effectively. The platform is AI-enabled, making it easy for users to access information using natural language queries. It offers view access to everyone in an organization while distributing portfolio management responsibilities across different departments. Get In Sync is positioned as a sell-through product for MSPs, allowing them to boost their VCIO margins and resell the application to clients. Stuart discusses the pricing model and mentions ongoing efforts to integrate with ConnectWise Manage, particularly for project management. Key Takeaways:
- Get In Sync helps businesses visualize and develop their IT strategy
- The platform provides a holistic view of technology-related costs and budgets
- It offers real-time insights, unlike traditional quarterly business reviews
- The tool features idea creation and prioritization capabilities
- AI-enabled functionality allows easy access to information
- Get In Sync can be resold by MSPs to boost VCIO margins
Website: https://getinsync.ca/ === Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://www.patreon.com/join/itbusinesspodcastOne-Time Donation: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unclemarv=== Music: Song: Upbeat & Fun Sports Rock LogoAuthor: AlexanderRufireLicense Code: 7X9F52DNML - Date: January 1st, 2024
680 Unlock Hidden Revenue Opportunities with MyITspend
11 LUG 2024 · Uncle Marv interviews Kevin Lancaster and Matt Solomon from https://channelprogram.com/ about their new product, MyITspend. The guests introduce the tool as a client management solution designed to help MSPs optimize their client relationships and boost revenue. Kevin explains that MyITspend grew out of the need to solve big problems in the MSP industry and make operations more efficient. The tool started with the Navistack concept, which helps MSPs visualize their technology stack and identify gaps. MyITspend expands on this by allowing MSPs to manage their own and their clients' technology spend, contracts, and subscriptions. Matt highlights the tool's ability to uncover shadow IT and provide greater visibility into clients' technology investments. This enables MSPs to have more mature conversations during quarterly business reviews and identify new revenue opportunities. He also demonstrates the tool's interface, showing how it helps MSPs track their own expenses, manage contracts, and visualize their clients' technology stacks. They emphasize the tool's potential for lead generation, allowing MSPs to offer it to prospects as a way to gain insight into their IT spend. Kevin and Matt discuss pricing, with internal use starting at $99 per month and customer-facing licenses at $249 per month. They stress the tool's affordability and potential ROI through improved operational efficiency and new revenue opportunities. The conversation touches on the challenges of getting clients to share their technology spend information and how MSPs can position the tool as a valuable service. The guests also hint at future developments, including integrations with PSAs and features to help MSPs manage contracts and commissions from various sources. Key Takeaways:
- MyITspend helps MSPs manage their own and clients' technology spend
- The tool provides visibility into contracts, subscriptions, and renewal dates
- It can be used for lead generation by offering it to prospects
- MyITspend enables more mature conversations during quarterly business reviews
- The tool helps MSPs differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplace
- It addresses operational inefficiencies in contract and subscription management
- Pricing is designed to be affordable for MSPs of all sizes
- Future developments include integrations with PSAs and expanded features
Website: https://info.channelprogram.com/myitspend === Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://www.patreon.com/join/itbusinesspodcastOne-Time Donation: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unclemarv=== Music: Song: Upbeat & Fun Sports Rock LogoAuthor: AlexanderRufireLicense Code: 7X9F52DNML - Date: January 1st, 2024
679 Dawn Sizer's Secrets to MSP Success
11 LUG 2024 · Dawn Sizer, CEO of Third Element Consulting, joins Uncle Marv to discuss the success of her MSP business. She attributes their success to working closely with her husband and having a strong leadership team. Dawn shares insights on adopting AI tools like Copilot, emphasizing the importance of skilled workers to effectively use these tools. The conversation covers Third Element Consulting's high client retention rate, which Dawn credits to authenticity, transparency, and building strong relationships with clients. They discuss the challenges of providing IT services to diverse industries, including government agencies and cannabis businesses, focusing on high availability and compliance. Dawn talks about her active participation in the channel community, highlighting the benefits of peer learning and vendor relationships. She also shares her company's growth plans, including hiring a salesperson and aiming for significant revenue increases. The episode concludes with a discussion on recent Florida man stories and upcoming industry events. Key Takeaways:
- Strong leadership team and working with a spouse can contribute to MSP success
- Effective use of AI tools requires skilled workers
- High client retention stems from authenticity and strong relationships
- Diverse client industries require focus on high availability and compliance
- Active channel participation provides valuable peer learning opportunities
- Growth strategies include hiring dedicated sales staff
Links from the show:
- Date Night with The Sizers: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/293
- Florida Man Uses Alligator to Open Beer Can: https://tinyurl.com/5ak58crw
=== Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://www.patreon.com/join/itbusinesspodcastOne-Time Donation: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unclemarv=== Music: Song: Upbeat & Fun Sports Rock LogoAuthor: AlexanderRufireLicense Code: 7X9F52DNML - Date: January 1st, 2024
678 The Evolution of RMM: NinjaOne
9 LUG 2024 · Joe Lohmeier, NinjaOne's new channel chief, joins the IT Business Podcast to discuss the company's recent developments and growth. NinjaOne, formerly known as NinjaRMM, has expanded its offerings to become a unified endpoint management platform serving both MSPs and internal IT departments. The conversation covers NinjaOne's rebranding, its recognition as a top RMM solution for 20 consecutive quarters, and the launch of the Ninja One Now partner program. Lohmeier highlights the company's focus on customer satisfaction, product innovation, and responsiveness as key factors in their success. NinjaOne's platform now includes features such as RMM, backup, patch management, endpoint monitoring, and mobile device management. The company has seen significant growth in both the MSP and enterprise markets, with some customers managing over 100,000 endpoints. Lohmeier discusses the challenges faced by MSPs in managing increasingly vulnerable and risky endpoints, and how NinjaOne is positioned to help address these issues. He also touches on the company's approach to AI integration, emphasizing a cautious and thoughtful implementation to ensure security and reliability. The interview concludes with insights into NinjaOne's global expansion, its record growth in 2023, and hints at upcoming announcements in the fall. Key Takeaways:
- NinjaOne has rebranded from NinjaRMM and expanded its offerings
- The company has been rated the #1 RMM for 20 consecutive quarters
- NinjaOne Now partner program launched to simplify partnerships
- NinjaOne serves both MSPs and internal IT departments
- The platform includes RMM, backup, patch management, and MDM features
- NinjaOne is seeing growth in both SMB and enterprise markets
- The company is taking a cautious approach to AI integration
- NinjaOne is expanding globally with a strong presence in APAC and EMEA
Website: https://www.ninjaone.com/ === Show InformationWebsite: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/Host: Marvin BeeUncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZBecome a monthly supporter: https://www.patreon.com/join/itbusinesspodcastOne-Time Donation: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unclemarv=== Music: Song: Upbeat & Fun Sports Rock LogoAuthor: AlexanderRufireLicense Code: 7X9F52DNML - Date: January 1st, 2024
Uncle Marv’s IT Business Podcast is a show designed for IT professionals and Managed Service Providers. The podcast aims to provide actionable advice and tips that help IT businesses grow...
mostra di più
Uncle Marv’s IT Business Podcast is a show designed for IT professionals and Managed Service Providers. The podcast aims to provide actionable advice and tips that help IT businesses grow and thrive in the competitive tech industry. Each episode covers various topics, from technology updates to marketing strategies, business best practices, and interviews with industry experts.
mostra meno
Informazioni
| Autore | Marvin Bee |
| Organizzazione | Marvin Bee |
| Categorie | Tecnologia , Notizie di tecnologia , Imprenditorialità |
| Sito | www.spreaker.com |
| - |
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