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EP213 - Happy New Year 2025 with Stuart Warwick & Ian Luckett

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett

Release Date: 12/29/2024

EP226 – What To Do When Your Clients Say They Can’t Afford You Anymore with Clare Elliott & Ian Luckett show art EP226 – What To Do When Your Clients Say They Can’t Afford You Anymore with Clare Elliott & Ian Luckett

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...

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EP225 – Inside the MSP Growth Hub – January 2025 Intensive Round Up with Stuart Warwick, Clare Elliott, Julie Hutchison & Ian Luckett  show art EP225 – Inside the MSP Growth Hub – January 2025 Intensive Round Up with Stuart Warwick, Clare Elliott, Julie Hutchison & Ian Luckett

IT 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...

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EP224 – What’s the Perfect Structure for an MSP? with Alison Whitfield & Ian Luckett show art EP224 – What’s the Perfect Structure for an MSP? with Alison Whitfield & Ian Luckett

IT 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...

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EP223 – Ask Stuart #18 - The Consequence of Not Stopping! And Taking Stock with Ian Luckett & Stuart Warwick show art EP223 – Ask Stuart #18 - The Consequence of Not Stopping! And Taking Stock with Ian Luckett & Stuart Warwick

IT 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...

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EP222 – STOP Attracting the Wrong People to Your MSP with Julie Hutchison & Ian Luckett show art EP222 – STOP Attracting the Wrong People to Your MSP with Julie Hutchison & Ian Luckett

IT 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...

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EP221 – Becoming B Corp… And the Difference It Made To My Business - Success Stories with Gildas Jones & Ian Luckett show art EP221 – Becoming B Corp… And the Difference It Made To My Business - Success Stories with Gildas Jones & Ian Luckett

IT 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,...

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EP220 – Improving Service Delivery in your MSP with Michelle Coombs & Ian Luckett show art EP220 – Improving Service Delivery in your MSP with Michelle Coombs & Ian Luckett

IT 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...

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EP219 – Want to Grow Your Business?... Then Leverage Your Team with Julie Hutchison & Ian Luckett  show art EP219 – Want to Grow Your Business?... Then Leverage Your Team with Julie Hutchison & Ian Luckett

IT 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,...

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EP218 – How to Prospect on LinkedIn with Sam Rathling and Ian Luckett  show art EP218 – How to Prospect on LinkedIn with Sam Rathling and Ian Luckett

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett

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EP217 - Grow your MSP with Apple…Or Get Left Behind with Ben Greiner & Ian Luckett show art EP217 - Grow your MSP with Apple…Or Get Left Behind with Ben Greiner & Ian Luckett

IT 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...

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We kicked off the episode with a bit of festive banter about Christmas indulgences, proving that even between the mince pies and wine, we’re committed to helping you move your business forward. Stuart, ever the reflective one, shared his highlights of the year, starting with the remarkable growth of the MSP Growth Hub community. With nearly 50 MSPs now on board, the energy, vulnerability, and results in the room have been nothing short of inspiring. It’s a testament to the power of shared ambition and the results that come when business owners start thinking differently about their potential and plans. 

2024 has been a year of breakthroughs for many MSPs, and a recurring theme in our conversation was the transformative power of having a clear plan. Stuart and I talked about how, when MSPs stop thinking they’ve hit their ceiling and start stretching their thinking, incredible things happen. Whether it’s through a business growth blueprint session or stepping back to review what’s truly holding them back, the results speak for themselves. As Stuart put it, businesses grow to the size of the thinking of their owners—a powerful reminder to challenge yourself as you enter 2025. 

One of the most impactful initiatives from the past year has been the distillation of the Growth Hub’s trainings into simple, actionable frameworks. Stuart highlighted the new account management framework, which links strategic and tactical activities to drive meaningful results. It’s about connecting the dots between numbers, people, and marketing to create a seamless asset in your business. Similarly, the Future Leaders programme, launching in 2025, is set to be a game-changer for MSPs. This initiative will help the next tier of leaders step up, taking on the skills and mindset needed to transition from technician to business leader. It’s all about building the leadership capacity required to scale MSPs beyond the day-to-day. 

We also delved into the importance of breaking down challenges into manageable chunks. Stuart’s teaching background—yes, he was once a maths teacher—provides a perfect metaphor. Just like teaching kids to build confidence in maths by mastering small steps, MSPs need to simplify their approach to big challenges. Whether it’s planning, implementing a PSA tool, or tackling sales and marketing, breaking tasks into smaller, achievable goals makes all the difference. We’ve seen this approach unlock massive wins for our clients this year, from those taking their first deliberate steps into leadership to others smashing their revenue targets. 

The community itself has been a standout highlight. Stuart shared an anecdote about an MSP leader who used a creative reward—a luxury hotel stay—to motivate a team member. This small gesture transformed not only the individual’s performance but also saved the business the cost of hiring additional staff. It’s a reminder that leadership is about understanding what truly motivates people and tapping into that potential to achieve extraordinary results. 

Looking ahead to 2025, Stuart and I are laser-focused on growing the MSP Growth Hub community and amplifying its impact. Together, we’re creating a movement that changes lives, supports businesses, and brings a sense of fun and camaraderie to the MSP world. As Stuart often says, it’s about helping more people, having a bigger impact, and enjoying the journey along the way. 

If there’s one takeaway we’d love you to have as you head into the New Year, it’s this: be deliberate. Take the time to reflect on what you’ve been avoiding, what’s truly holding you back, and what steps you can take to move forward. And remember, you don’t have to do it alone. Join a community, find accountability, and surround yourself with people who will challenge and support you. 

Thank you for letting us infiltrate your earbuds this year. It’s been an absolute privilege to share these conversations with you, and we’re so excited for what 2025 holds. If you’ve got a success story or want to be a guest on the podcast, get in touch—we’d love to hear from you. Here’s to an incredible year ahead. Let’s make it the best one yet! 

Connect on LinkedIn HERE with Ian and also with Stuart by clicking this LINK 

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!