EP201 – BF Edition – How to Grow My MSP In 2025 with Ian Luckett
IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett
Release Date: 10/04/2024
IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett
But is that really the end of the road, or is there something you can do to keep that client, maintain profitability, and avoid unnecessary churn? In this episode of the IT Experts Podcast, I sat down with our resident finance coach, Clare Elliott, to explore what MSPs can do when faced with clients who are reconsidering their contracts. Clare works with MSPs every day inside the Growth Hub, helping business owners understand their numbers, optimise their pricing, and make better financial decisions. One of the key takeaways from our conversation is that if a client calls you to say...
info_outlineIT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett
I’m joined by fellow MSP Growth Hub coaches Stuart Warwick, Julie Hutchison, and Clare Elliott, as we reflect on the key takeaways from our January 2025 two-day intensive. These intensives are the cornerstone of the MSP Growth Hub’s Scale with Confidence model, bringing together MSP owners and leaders to reflect, reset, and refocus on their business growth. The January event was centred around the theme of ‘Harnessing Ambition’—not just setting strategic goals but ensuring they are cascaded throughout the entire organisation. This is where business owners can make real...
info_outlineIT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett
Many MSPs start with a handful of technical people, then bolt on account management, sales, marketing, and operations as they grow. But without a clearly defined structure, this approach can create inefficiencies, miscommunication, and stalled growth. That’s why we brought in Alison Whitfield from Cultivate People Services, a people and culture expert with a wealth of experience working with MSPs. Together, we unpack the essential components of structuring an MSP for growth, leadership development, and team alignment. Alison shares her perspective on why structure is so much more...
info_outlineIT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett
As business owners, we often pride ourselves on pushing forward, solving problems, and keeping things moving. But what happens when we don’t stop to reflect? What are the hidden risks of ploughing ahead without taking a moment to reassess our strategy, our goals, and even our own leadership? Stuart and I unpack exactly that in today’s conversation, and trust me, if you’re an MSP looking to scale, this is something you don’t want to ignore. We all know the feeling of getting caught up in the day-to-day operations—whether it's handling client issues, managing your team, or...
info_outlineIT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett
Now, if you've ever been in the frustrating position of recruiting someone you thought was perfect for the job, only to find out they’re not the right fit at all, you’re not alone. This happens more often than you might think, and in today’s episode, we uncover exactly why MSPs keep attracting the wrong people—and more importantly, how to stop it from happening. Julie shares a story from a recent conversation with an MSP owner who was struggling to find the right person for their team. They needed someone dynamic, open to change, and capable of taking the business forward. But...
info_outlineIT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett
For those who aren’t familiar, B Corp is essentially a certification that demonstrates a company’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility. It’s often described as the gold standard for ethical business practices, ensuring that organisations consider the impact of their decisions on employees, customers, suppliers, the community, and the planet. It’s about running a business with integrity and proving that you’re doing the right thing—not just saying you are. Gildas explained that he’s always been passionate about running a business with strong values,...
info_outlineIT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett
One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation is that when clients say an MSP is “too expensive,” what they actually mean is that they don’t see the value in the service. This is a massive problem in the industry. MSPs often assume that if tickets are low and complaints are minimal, everything is running smoothly. But in reality, service delivery is about so much more than just fixing issues. It’s about building relationships, setting clear expectations, and continuously improving processes to meet client needs. Michelle Coombs quickly pointed out that the traditional...
info_outlineIT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett
One of the biggest challenges we see in the MSP space is that many business owners started their journey as technical experts. They didn’t necessarily set out to run a business – they just knew they were great at what they did and wanted to do it better than the company they worked for. The problem? Running a business requires a completely different skill set to just doing the technical work. At some point, every MSP owner reaches that moment where they realise they can’t do it all themselves. But that realisation often comes with frustration—because even when they bring in a team,...
info_outlineIT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett
info_outlineIT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett
We began by addressing a common stigma: why so many MSPs avoid Apple devices despite their undeniable popularity and premium quality. Ben highlighted that while many MSPs are deeply rooted in the Microsoft ecosystem—largely due to its strong channel support and financial incentives—Apple has been quietly making significant inroads into the business world. In fact, as Ben pointed out, companies like IBM and Cisco have embraced Apple devices, with up to 60% of their employees choosing Apple when given the option. This trend is a clear indication that Apple is no longer just for creatives...
info_outlineOne of the biggest traps I see MSP owners fall into is waiting until the end of the year to think about what they want to achieve next year. Why wait until December or January to make plans for growth? If you want to grow your MSP, the planning needs to start right now, while there’s still time left in the year to make an impact. Don’t fall into the trap of doing the same thing every week and expecting different results. It's time to make a change.
I’ve spoken to countless MSP owners who’ve been running their businesses for over a decade and yet are still stuck in the same cycle. Many are fed up, struggling to hit that elusive seven-figure turnover and unsure of how to break through to the next level. If this sounds familiar, this episode is for you. Growing your MSP requires focus, dedication, and—crucially—a proper plan.
First things first, you need to take personal responsibility for your time. If you’re serious about growing your MSP, you need to carve out time to think. As a business owner, thinking time is some of the most valuable time you can spend. Book a meeting with yourself, create an agenda, and work out what success looks like for you. Be clear on your objectives and treat it like the important business it is. It’s all about setting aside time to think strategically, which is something many MSP owners' neglect.
Next, avoid getting stuck in an echo chamber. It’s easy to keep going over the same thoughts and ideas with the same people and expect new outcomes, but that rarely works. You need fresh perspectives. Get a coach, join a peer group, or find someone who can hold you accountable. At The Growth Hub, we’ve seen first-hand how important accountability is for MSP owners who want to grow their businesses. Having someone who can challenge your thinking and keep you on track is vital if you want to grow your MSP in 2025.
The third step is to clarify where you want to end up. If you’re not sure what a successful 2025 looks like for you, think about what you don’t want to repeat from this year. Maybe it’s a lack of leads, clients leaving, or team issues. Whatever it is, pinpoint the things you don’t want to see again and start planning to avoid them. The vision you create now will guide you through the next year and keep you focused on what really matters.
Another key point is to prioritise stability before you rush into sales and marketing. Many MSPs make the mistake of jumping straight into lead generation before stabilising their current operations. At The Growth Hub, about 90% of MSPs we work with spend the first 12 months focusing on alignment, profitability, and getting their teams in place before they even touch sales and marketing. Growing your MSP isn’t just about getting new leads—it’s about creating a solid foundation for growth that will last.
Finally, as we edge closer to the end of 2024, now is the perfect time to get your plan together. You’ve got three months left to carve out time, get a coach or accountability buddy, and set your vision for 2025. The ROI of investing in the right support is massive—you’ll recover those costs in no time when you’ve got a solid plan and the accountability to follow through.
So, if you’re ready to grow your MSP in 2025, now’s the time to act. Follow the steps in this episode, and you’ll set yourself up for success in the coming year. If you’re serious about growth, take the first step today by visiting The MSP Growth Hub and checking out our Scale with Confidence quiz, where you can assess your current position and see exactly what’s needed to grow your MSP.
Remember—if you want to grow your MSP, you’ve got to make the changes. It’s up to you!
And when you’re ready to take the next step in growing your MSP, come and take the Scale with Confidence MSP Mastery Quiz. In just three minutes, you’ll get a 360-degree scan of your MSP and identify the one or two tactics that could help you find more time, engage & align your people and generate more leads.
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To join our amazing Facebook Group of over 400 MSPs where we are helping you Scale Up with Confidence, then click HERE
Until next time, look after yourself and I’ll catch up with you soon!