EP216 - IASME Security Update No 1 with Neil Furminger & Ian Luckett
IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett
Release Date: 01/17/2025
EP229 – Ask Stuart #19 – Help! …I’m Scared of Niching My MSP Marketing with Ian Luckett & Stuart Warwick
IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett
Or more accurately, the fear of niching. It’s that internal tug-of-war between wanting more leads and being scared that if you narrow your focus, you’ll somehow lose out on opportunities. So in this episode, I turned the tables and interviewed my co-host Ian Luckett, who’s been doing some seriously powerful work with our clients on this very subject over the past 12 months. Let’s get this out in the open straight away – niching is not about turning people away or putting your business in a box. It’s about getting clear on who you help, how you help them, and making sure...
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EP228 – MSP Lead Gen Secrets with Scott Millar & Ian Luckett
IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett
Now, for those of you who don’t know Scott, he’s been helping MSPs since 2016 after experiencing the all-too-familiar frustration of lead generation in his own MSP. As he says, once you’re in the room with a prospect, it’s usually straightforward to talk about tech, pain points and solutions. The hard bit? Getting in the room in the first place. That challenge became the mission behind IT Rockstars, and today Scott works with hundreds of MSPs around the world, transforming how they attract and engage new business. The heart of our conversation was about practical, real-world...
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EP227 - Preparing Your People for M&A with Alison Whitfield & Ian Luckett
IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett
Now we all know M&A – mergers and acquisitions – can be one of the fastest ways to grow and scale your business. Once you’ve got your house in order, and you’re running at a solid EBITDA with strong operational maturity, bolting on new businesses might seem like the logical next step. But – and it’s a big but – what’s often overlooked is what that really means for your people. And if your culture, leadership, and structure aren’t ready, the train can very quickly come off the rails. Alison brings a grounded, real-world view to this conversation. She’s been on...
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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...
info_outlineNeil starts by giving us a solid understanding of IASME’s pivotal role as the sole delivery partner of the Cyber Essentials scheme on behalf of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). Working in close partnership with the NCSC and the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT), IASME ensures the consistency and credibility of Cyber Essentials across the UK. Neil explains how this collaborative effort aims to improve awareness, adoption, and implementation of essential cybersecurity measures, particularly for MSPs and their clients.
One of the key points of our discussion is Neil’s emphasis on the necessity of Cyber Essentials. He explains that the scheme is designed to protect businesses against the most common cyber threats, offering a prescriptive approach to cybersecurity. Unlike other standards, Cyber Essentials doesn’t simply recommend best practices—it mandates them. Neil stresses that MSPs, as custodians of their clients’ IT systems, must lead the charge in implementing these essential controls. From patch management to MFA (multi-factor authentication), Cyber Essentials lays out straightforward measures that every organisation, regardless of size, can adopt.
Neil provides context about why some MSPs are still hesitant to embrace Cyber Essentials. He attributes it to a lack of education and regulation within the industry. Despite being targeted by cybercriminals due to the vast number of endpoints they manage, many MSPs either underestimate the risks or delay action until after an incident. Neil calls on MSPs to take proactive steps by embedding Cyber Essentials into their service offerings, not only to secure their clients but also to stand out in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
We also explore the three tiers of accreditation offered by IASME: Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus, and the IASME Cyber Advisor certification. Neil elaborates on the differences, highlighting how Cyber Essentials focuses on a self-assessment validated by a trained assessor, while Cyber Essentials Plus involves an external audit of a business’s IT systems. For those looking to further establish credibility, the IASME Cyber Advisor certification is an excellent option. Advisors are trained to provide implementation guidance and help businesses achieve compliance. This certification represents a golden opportunity for MSPs to differentiate themselves and gain the trust of potential clients.
Neil’s passion for education is evident throughout our conversation. He believes Cyber Essentials is not just a sales tool but a vital framework for educating businesses about cybersecurity. Whether it’s a sole trader or a multinational corporation, adopting Cyber Essentials means laying a solid foundation for cybersecurity and safeguarding against the ever-present threat of cyberattacks. He challenges MSPs to embrace their role as educators and advisors, helping clients understand the importance of these controls and encouraging adoption.
In terms of what’s next, Neil shares exciting updates about upcoming changes to Cyber Essentials. Starting in April, IASME will introduce a new set of requirements, codenamed "Willow". These updates will reflect the industry’s shift towards passwordless authentication and more robust vulnerability management. Neil highlights the growing role of passkeys, which offer a safer alternative to traditional passwords. This evolution aims to stay ahead of cyber threats while making compliance more accessible and effective for businesses of all sizes.
As the episode concludes, Neil reinforces the importance of collaboration across the industry to secure the UK against cyber threats. IASME is committed to being approachable and responsive, ensuring MSPs have the support they need to succeed. Whether it’s through their technical guidance team or Neil himself, IASME offers resources to help MSPs navigate the certification process and enhance their cybersecurity offerings.
With Cyber Essentials growing in adoption year after year, the time has never been better to get involved. Whether you’re considering Cyber Essentials certification, Cyber Essentials Plus, or becoming an IASME Cyber Advisor, this conversation with Neil Furminger will inspire you to take the next step.
Feel free to contact Neil Furminger through his email at [email protected]
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Until next time, look after yourself and I’ll catch up with you soon!