dave sobel

Defining Your MSP Role – From Turning a Screw Driver to C Level Executive

ByMonica Caraway February 18, 2014April 17, 2015 Karl Palachuk, Managed Services

Karl speaks with GFI Max’s Dave Sobel and GFI client Neil Holme, from Impact Business Technology. There is discussion on how one defines their MSP role to their clients.

Dave says it important MSPs become bolder in the way they define their role to their clients. He maintains that you need to be seen and heard as more than just the guy who works on the computers. He says if you set the tone right, a very different kind of relationship can evolve – a big difference in the way you are perceived by clients and in the services you can deliver to them.

Neil talks about the primary conflict MSPs encounter. He says they have to often decide between acting on the behalf of the customer vs. making service/product suggestions as a business person trying to make money. Neil and Karl agree that you will ensure long-term relationships with clients, that will result in more referrals, if you always put the client needs first. Karl notes that he is a huge fan of Road Map meetings with clients where it takes the relationship to that consulting level and the MSP is not just pushing a Purchase Order.

Bob Nitrio makes his debut in our Oddballs segment.

Bob outlines a new tool known as Touchcast, which is currently in beta testing for PC. He says the tool gives you the power of a TV studio on your desktop, with tools ranging from editing to teleprompter. More information about Touchcast can be found at Touchcast.com.

Have a listen to these segments and our Tech News segment by clicking below. And if you have a show idea – please reach out to us on the Contact page 🙂

Karl Palachuk | Managed Services

The Trusted Advisor Is Dead, You Need To Be The Outsourced CIO

ByMonica Caraway February 12, 2014April 17, 2015 Karl Palachuk, Managed Services

Tuesday, Feb. 18, Karl talks with GFI’s Dave Sobel about the importance of MSPs to rethink their role to their clients. Dave Sobel is responsible for fostering the growth and success of GFI MAX Partners. He is regarded as a leading expert on cloud computing, mobility and virtualization, and is a featured speaker at industry events including the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference, CompTIA and SMB Nation and is often quoted in business and technology publications. Dave authored the book Virtualization: Defined, is a contributing writer for the corporate blog, and was a regular blog contributor to both Channel Insider and Channelnomics. In 2013, Dave was recognized for the fourth consecutive year as one of the top virtualization experts globally as a Microsoft MVP for Virtualization and was appointed Chair of the Mobility Community for CompTIA.

In our Oddballs segment, we introduce Computer Wallah Bob Nitrio! Bob got his start with computers in the early 1980s because he recognized the potential for using technology as a way to provide business solutions. Ten years later he closed his construction company to create a business consulting firm that helps small business clients improve their operations through the strategic application of technology solutions.

One of the things that has driven Bob over the years is a quest to know what solutions are available, what they do and how they can be applied to his client base. As times have changed some solutions become obsolete but there is always something new to be discovered, tested and cataloged for the day that he needs to have a ready-to-go answer for a client problem.

Join us Tuesday, Feb 18 to hear Bob, Dave, Karl, and show Producer Monica Caraway as they share MSP tips & IT news of the day!