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Partnering With Peers For Growth

ByMonica Caraway Karl Palachuk, Managed Services

Kevin Royalty

Listen to today’s episode HERE.

Karl welcomes Kevin Royalty, from Total Care Computer Consulting, to our show today. Kevin is a longstanding Microsoft MVP, Moderator on the SpiceWorks’ Small Business Server and Server Essentials Forum, and leader in the MSP community.

Kevin was featured in the January edition of ChannelPro magazine in an article entitled A How-To Guide for Partnering With Peers (Jan 2015, P. 20).

Kevin talks with Karl about the value of partnering with fellow MSPs. He says it is a mistake to loose site of how powerful working with fellow MSPs can be, despite the fact that those same MSPs may have overlap with your services and technically be “the competition”.

Karl and Kevin share a number of specific examples of how such partnering has worked for them over the years in running their managed services businesses. They both agree that some kind of partnering is vital for an MSP, otherwise you will seriously confine your growth.

Bob Nitrio

Computer Wallah Bob Nitrio also joins us today in our Oddballs segment. Bob gives a thorough comparison between Stamps.com and PB Smart Postage (a Pitney Bowes-Brother Label Printers partner service) following his experience in investigating what could be a handy and professional postage tool for his business.

 

Click to listen to today’s episode!

Odd Tuesdays

 

Listen out for today’s coupon code to save on upcoming Online MSP Classes over at Great Little Seminar!

 

MSP Online Classes

 

*LINKS from today’s episode*

* Nonprofit Technology Conference
 March 4 – 6
Austin, TX
Find Out More HERE.

* Ingram Micro Cloud Summit
March 8 – 10
Phoenix, AZ
Find Out More HERE.

* Wearables TechCon
March 9 – 11
Santa Clara, CA
Find Out More HERE.

* Channel Partners Conference and Expo
March 16 – 18
Las Vegas, NV
Find Out More HERE. 

* HP Global Partner Conference
March 16 – 19
Las Vegas, NV
Find Out More HERE.

* SMB Nation Office 365 Tour
March 17th
New York, NY
Find Out More HERE.  

* Great Little Seminar Online Courses
Mar 24 – Apr 21
Online Classes – The Ten Golden Rules of PSA
Register HERE.

* Webinar – Globalization of SMB – with Dave Sobel, MAXfocus
March 31st – 10:00 AM Pacific
Online
*Free* Register now HERE.

You can find a full 2015 listing of MSP & Tech events happening in Karl’s weekly newsletter – just visit KarlsNews.com to sign up!

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Generating Leads With Social Ammo

ByMonica Caraway Karl Palachuk, Managed Services

Social Ammo

While on our 2014 Roadshow, Karl and I met a fan in Sydney who spoke extremely highly of a lead generation company that secured him so many leads for his MSP business, he was considering removing any in-house sales positions that currently had lead generation responsibility. He raved that the difference in results from Social Ammo compared to his in-house team in teeing up new business was night and day.

 

Today Karl talks to Social Ammo’s Peter Caddick who shares how his company got started and how they can specifically help MSPs create leads. The focal point of Social Ammo’s efforts is on data mining LinkedIn connections, which can perhaps be viewed as daunting work or even an unproductive way in which an MSP can gain new business. Peter explains just how they take the reins of this strategy and outlines how successful it can be.  

 Rayanne Buchianico

Rayanne Buchianico also joins us today in our Oddballs segment. Rayanne gives step-by-step instruction on how to enter bartering transactions into QuickBooks.

 

Click to listen to today’s episode!  Odd Tuesdays

 

 

 

 

 

The 4th annual SMBOnline Conference, Time to Thrive-2015, is now accepting registrations!

The first 50 to register, get all 3 days for just $99. Don’t miss out! Visit SMBOnlineConference.com to register!

SMB Online Conference

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Boom!! Sky-High MSP Resources!

ByMonica Caraway Karl Palachuk, Managed Services

MSPmentor

Today, Karl talks to Jessica Davis, the Executive Editor at MSPmentor.net. Jessica says MSPmentor has a mission to be the news and information site for managed service providers. She says their site also operates as a connection/peer group site.

Jessica goes on to talk about some of MSPmentor’s annual research projects and resource lists. She says the MSPmentor 501 List is their biggest research project of the year, in which they rank MSPs from global entries. She notes that there are many factors taken into account in the ranking, however one of the top criteria is based on how well the MSP does with recurring revenue.

Jessica also talks about their MSPmentor 250 List, of which Karl was named in the recently announced 2014 list. She describes the criteria for that list, which is primarily about naming mentors in the industry. She says this list is particularly good for new MSPs and those MSPs seeking to take their business to the next level.

Jessica mentions MSPmentor’s sister websites, such as Talkin’Cloud®, run by CJ Arlotta, and The VARGuy.com, run by Charlene O’Hanlon. She says they are all a part of the Penton Technology Group, which recently announced the acquisition of another group of websites that includes Data Center Knowledge.

Jessica concludes discussion talking about MSPmentor’s recent launch of the IdeaXchange, which she says most admirably gives voice to an “I live this everyday” MSP perspective.

Amy Babinchak

Amy Babinchak also joins the show today in our Oddballs segment. Amy shares some tips on how to analyze what your personality brings to your MSP business.

 

Click below to catch today’s episode!

Odd Tuesdays


**NOTE**

Karl Palachuk’s annual SMBOnline Conference has just been announced!

The first 50 to register, get all 3 days for just $99.

Visit SMBOnlineConference.com to register!

SMB Online Conference

 

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Still Odd

ByMonica Caraway Karl Palachuk, Managed Services

First of all…WOOT!

We made it a full year in production!!

Odd Tuesdays

 

Our debut was last year, Jan 21 2014, where we welcomed SMB Nation’s Harry Brelsford and Cloud Nine’s Lars Anderson.

We have since added our Oddballs segment with the amazing resident Oddballs Rayanne Buchianico, Computer Wallah Bob Nitrio, Amy Babinchak, and Manuel Palachuk. We have also syndicated the show to iTunes!

And we look forward to a great year for Odd Tuesdays ahead!

Thanks to everyone who has been following the show, telling others about the show, liking us on Facebook, giving us terrific show ideas, and a special thanks to Eric Black from Fiverr who has been responsible for much of the artwork on our blog!

Karl and I thank you very much!! 🙂     …and now, on to more Podcasts!

Robert CraneIn today’s episode, Robert Crane, from CIAOPS, talks about the “green fields” opportunity that exists with SharePoint. Robert has written a number of books on SharePoint and says MSPs who choose to be a reseller of SharePoint become a specialist in a broadening technology landscape.

Robert explains that being a reseller allows MSPs to offer clients better compliance and control options, improved dynamic search capabilities, as well as a host of other progressive options.

Manuel Palachuk also joins today’s program in our Oddballs segment. Manuel shares some terrific how-to’s on documenting your processes.


Manuel Palachuk

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click below to catch today’s episode!

Odd Tuesdays

 

* And be sure to listen for the Odd Tuesdays coupon code good for everything in the SMBBooks store!
Great deals on online classes (like below) and more!

Great Little Seminar

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Results & Building Vendor Relationships

ByMonica Caraway Karl Palachuk, Managed Services

Results Software

In today’s episode of Odd Tuesdays, Karl talks to Mike Honig, Senior Director of Business Development at Results Software.

Mike talks about Results’ expanded CRM system that includes project management and field service management components. He says the software is mobile enabled and includes time tracking. Mike notes that the time tracking is integrated into QuickBooks for tracking of both employee time and client billable time.

 

Amy Babinchak
Our Oddballs segment today features Amy Babinchak discussing the importance of MSPs building and developing vendor relationships.

And as always the latest in Tech news and events happening around the place is announced – as well as the fact that Odd Tuesdays is now officially syndicated to the iTunes store!

 

 Click below to hear November 4th’s show:

Odd Tuesdays

 

Today’s episode also features a discount code for listeners to register to the brand new Great Little Seminar 5-week online course starting up on Dec. 1.  The course is instructed by both Manuel & Karl Palachuk, co-authors of the book The Network Migration Workbook.

 

Great Little Seminar

 

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Avoid Overwhelm As An IT Business Owner

ByMonica Caraway Karl Palachuk, Managed Services

Richard Tubb
Richard Tubb joins the program ahead of his impending book release of The IT Business Survival Guide.

Richard joined Karl earlier in the year in Karl’s annual SMB Online Conference and the two have frequently collaborated over the last 8 years.

Karl and Richard talk about the book, which Richard stresses is not just another “guide to running an MSP business”. Richard says the book is an easy-to-read guide full or practical advise for MSPs that are struggling with the daily stresses of running an IT business.

The book is born out of Richard’s personal experience with running an IT business and blogging tips for MSPs for 15 years.

 

Manuel Palachuk
Manuel Palachuk, a brand new addition to the show’s Oddballs team, delivers his first Oddballs tips segment!

Manuel has over 25 years of business, management, and training experience in the computer and electronics industries. He is an expert in process management. A number of his whitepapers and webinars on the subject can be found here.

Today Manuel discusses the value of learning and understanding a technology before you need it.

 

 Click below to hear August 19th’s show:

Odd Tuesdays

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Cloud Managed WiFi – WFaaS

ByMonica Caraway Cloud, Karl Palachuk, Managed Services

WiFi as a Service PowerCloud
Karl speaks with PowerCloud’s Bob Biddle and one of PowerCloud’s partners, MJ Shoer from Jenaly Technology Group, about WiFi as a Service (WFaaS). Bob describes in detail how cloud managed WiFi allows a small business to put together a series of access points that can be remotely managed by an MSP. He notes that PowerCloud addresses how to remotely manage BYOD and efficiently enables the creation of a network for all the smart phones and tablets coming into a business’ network.

MJ Shoer

MJ shares his experiences in using PowerCloud’s offering, which he has found to be a great solution due to its scalability. He says they have deployed the solution to manage very simple to complex networks. He says the solution allows them to use the same technology rather than different options depending on breadth of requirements.

PowerCloud has made available a whitepaper for listeners outlining the benefits of WFaaS, addressing mobility, the benefits of cloud managed WLANs, and how WFaaS is a great opportunity for MSPs/VARs in light of today’s explosive mobile device growth. Click here to access the whitepaper: WiFi as a Service: Market Persepective for VARs/MSPs Targeting SMBs.

amy_reg_pic

Amy Babinchak also joins us in today’s Oddballs to share perspectives on and best practice tips in delegating in your MSP business.

The Odd Tuesdays’ discount code for The Ultimate 2014 Conference Bundle is still on! Be sure to listen for the discount code! 

Click below to hear May 20th’s show:

Odd Tuesdays

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Automated Prospecting & Sales Tools for Your MSP Business

ByMonica Caraway Karl Palachuk, Managed Services

Gil Cargill

In today’s Odd Tuesdays episode, we are joined by Gil Cargill from the Cargill Consulting Group.

Gil has spent the past 39 years as a sales consultant following an incredibly successful sales career at IBM. He focuses on developing the sales process and implementing sales tracking systems for MSPs. Gil is also a feature speaker in Karl’s upcoming annual online conference, the Systematic Success 2014 conference being held June 24th-26th, where he will address in detail how to Maximize Your Sales with an Awesome Sales Process.

Today, Gil discusses tips on automated prospecting tools and how managed service professionals and VARs can make the best use of a sales person in their business.

Bob Nitrio, Computer Wallah

 

We are also joined by Computer Wallah Bob Nitrio in our Oddballs segment. Bob shares his experiences with researching & implementing a “paperless office” for his clients.

 

Today’s episode also features a special Odd Tuesdays’ discount code for The Ultimate 2014 Conference Bundle – the best offering in documentation resources that combines tickets to this year’s annual Online Conference!

Ultimate 2014 Conference Bundle

 

Click below to hear May 6th’s show:

Odd Tuesdays

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Lead with Training, Follow With Managed Services

ByMonica Caraway HIPAA, Karl Palachuk, Managed Services

Bigger Brains
Karl talks to Chip Reaves, from Bigger-Brains, about their Bigger MSP Program.

Chip says the program is a high quality video series featuring online training for business professionals covering Windows 8, QuickBooks, Microsoft Office, Gmail, sales & marketing, and more. The training series has several key elements.

1) The training is compelling – Chip says the videos were filmed with multiple cameras in studio with a focus on engagement. He says any clients that have compared the Bigger-Brains training next to comparable online training programs have found the difference to be night and day. Often online training is quite boring with a simple voiceover and screen shots. He claims their training is a cut above the rest.

2) The training is convenient for the end user –  The videos are structured so you can do the 10-minute training sessions on basically any device that can access the internet.

3) The training was built with resellers in mind – Chip says the program is IT Channel focused and adds to the offerings MSPs have overall for their clients. It is noted that MSPs could put together creative bundles/packages featuring the online training and managed service plans.

There is some mention that MSPs often neglect to consider the budgets SMBs designate annually for training, which goes beyond the IT budgets MSPs normally target. In fact, it is noted that this can be a good angle in targeting more business, with MSPs first earning new clients based on business professional training offerings and then moving into a managed services soft sell. Karl mentions that another angle to consider is that as the economy begins to recover, there are untapped government grants that pay for people to get training. MSPs could educate themselves about such grants and include that in pitches to potential clients.

Chip encourages anyone considering their training to check out their website at http://biggermsp.com. He also notes the further training Bigger-Brains is currently developing, to include a HIPAA training they hope to have up and running by the end of March 2014.

Bob Nitrio, Computer WallahAlso featured in this Odd Tuesdays episode is our returning Oddball Computer Wallah Bob Nitrio discussing Software Defined Networks (SDN).

 

 

 

Click below to hear March 18th’s show:

Odd Tuesdays

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Bigger Brains & Oddballs

ByMonica Caraway Karl Palachuk, Managed Services

Bigger Brains

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Join us March 18th when Chip Reaves from Bigger-Brains talks to Karl about the Bigger MSP Program.

Bigger-Brains has put together a series of studio-quality, unique training programs. The courses are highly interactive – a cut about the typical “screenshot and lecture” training videos.

Bigger-Brains allows MSPs access to selling these trainings as part of their Managed Services packages. Videos cover training in MS Office, QuickBooks, Sales, Marketing, and more.

The episode will feature as well our Tech News & Oddballs segment – More tech & MSP highlights to keep you going!

Odd Tuesdays

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

ByMonica Caraway 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 Sobel, GFI

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 notesNeil Holme 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, Computer WallahBob 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 🙂

 

Odd Tuesdays

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Odd Tuesdays Launches in 2014

ByMonica Caraway Karl Palachuk, Managed Services

Join I.T. Author Karl Palachuk as he delves into what’s new in tech management & guides listeners on the best options for running their I.T. business. Podcast airs odd week Tuesdays and features a variety of Vendor & MSP consultant interviews and advice segments.

Karl’s first guests will include SMB Nation’s Harry Brelsford and Sam Saab, Founder of Results Software.

Podcast Producer Monica Caraway will also introduce in the new year our Oddballs segments with regular contributors “Computer Wallah” Bob Nitrio, Harbor Computer Services President Amy Babinchak, and ABC Solutions Owner Rayanne Buchianico covering various aspects of running an MSP business.