Offshoring vs. Local Hiring: Where to Find Success
SMB Community Podcast by James Kernan
In this Thursday episode of the SMB Community Podcast, hosts James Kernan and Amy Babinchak discuss recent events and trends in the IT and business world. Amy details her recent speaking engagement at the M365 Community Days event, highlighting the importance for MSPs to network with internal IT professionals. The hosts dig into the question of whether MSPs are finding success with offshore resources versus local hiring. They share mixed opinions but note a growing number of success stories with offshoring, particularly post-pandemic. The episode also covers major news, including Apple’s...
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Maximizing Industry Events: Tips, Trends, and Insider Insights
SMB Community Podcast by James Kernan
Overview: In this episode of the SMB Community Podcast, hosts James and Amy discuss effective strategies for making the most out of attending industry events. They highlight the importance of sitting with different people at meals, asking questions during sessions, and breaking the ice in socially awkward situations. The conversation shifts to upcoming events, the challenges of event attendance, and relevant industry news, including Sophos's recent layoffs and industry forecasts for 2025. Chapter Markers: 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:44 MSP Question of...
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Business Valuations: What is My Worth?
SMB Community Podcast by James Kernan
Overview: In this episode of the SMB Community Podcast, hosts Amy Babinchak and James Kernan discuss various topics including the aftermath of the Super Bowl, the trends in mergers and acquisitions, and the effectiveness of Microsoft Action Pack programs. They explore the potential of AI in increasing productivity through a new book, 'AI Productivity Leap', and AI project management software. The episode also covers trending news from the growth trends of tech franchises to leadership changes in major companies. Chapter Markers: 00:00 Introductions 00:52 Super...
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Enhancing MSP Success: AI, Customer Retention, and Industry Trends
SMB Community Podcast by James Kernan
Overview: In this episode of the SMB Community Podcast, hosts James Kernan and Amy Babinchak discuss the transformative impact of AI on MSP sales and efficiency, emphasizing AI's potential to double market size and help MSPs manage new applications. Amy announces the start of her new AI class. This episode also delves into recent tech industry news, including the U.S. Department of Justice's intervention in the HPE and Juniper deal, changes in Ingram Micro's leadership, Dell's policy on employee location, and CrowdStrike's efforts to recover its reputation. This week's 5 Minutes with a Smart...
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How Should I Answer My Client Calls? Live vs. Attendant
SMB Community Podcast by James Kernan
Overview: In this episode of the SMB Community Podcast, hosts Amy Babinchak and James Kernan discuss winter weather conditions across the Midwest, then transition into tech news, including rumors of a potential acquisition involving Intel. The conversation shifts to insights on compliance for managed service providers (MSPs), particularly around the new CMMC regulations. They also talk about TikTok's current legal challenges and the latest Citrix acquisition. This week's 5 Minutes with a Smart Person features an interview with Brandi Bonds of Next Level Now, who shares her expertise on...
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MSPs and the Evolving Tech Environment: Reselling Hardware & Software
SMB Community Podcast by James Kernan
In this episode of the SMB Community Podcast, hosts Amy and James discuss the dynamics of reselling computer hardware and software for MSPs, emphasizing the importance of building trust with clients. They highlight recent changes in market leadership among PSA and RMM tools, with Kaseya overtaking ConnectWise. The conversation also covers major developments in the tech industry, such as the proliferation of data centers and chip manufacturing to support AI growth. Additionally, Amy announces a new class aimed at helping MSPs add AI management and security services to their offerings,...
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Exploring AI Tools in Marketing and Sales
SMB Community Podcast by James Kernan
In today's episode of the SMB Community Podcast, hosts Amy Babinchik and James Kernan dive into the best AI tools for marketing and sales, including popular choices like ChatGPT and Gong. They discuss the latest news in the IT industry, such as Fred Voccola's abrupt resignation from Kaseya and the rebranding of CompTIA's nonprofit arm. The conversation also covers expectations from Apple's upcoming product updates and potential regulatory actions in consumer privacy. Lastly, Amy and James share details about their upcoming educational classes focused on AI management and mergers and...
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Unlocking the Potential of DMARC: An Interview w/ Mike Anderson
SMB Community Podcast by James Kernan
In this Thursday episode of the SMB Community Podcast, host James Kernan talks with Mike Anderson, Director of Global Channels for EZDMark. They discuss the importance of DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) in improving email deliverability and protecting domains from spoofing. Mike shares his journey from the car business to technology, and explains how EasyDMARC's user-friendly analytics platform aids MSPs in managing DMARC concerns and monetizing these services. They highlight the platform's risk assessment tool, which allows MSPs to generate quick,...
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Compliance in the New Year: Interview with Mike Semel
SMB Community Podcast by James Kernan
In today's episode of the SMB Community Podcast, host James Kernan interviews Mike Semel, a prominent expert in cybersecurity compliance. Mike shares his extensive background in the IT industry, dating back to the 1970s, and discusses his transition from being an MSP to becoming a top compliance consultant. They delve into the differences between cybersecurity and compliance, the significance of proper documentation, and the importance of risk-based selling for MSPs. Mike also introduces his comprehensive educational program and a new CMMC reference guide aimed at helping MSPs ensure their...
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Channel Predictions for 2025
SMB Community Podcast by James Kernan
1.) MSP Question of the week: What are your channel predictions for the new year of 2025? --- 2.) Notes on the News Microsoft is planning to invest about $80 billion in fiscal 2025 on developing data centers: Last week, the DC Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously upheld the law, clearing the way for it to take effect on January 19. Days later, TikTok asked the court to issue a temporary pause on the ban while the company asks the Supreme Court to review its challenge to the law: --- New Book Release: I'm proud to announce the release of my new book, The...
info_outlineAnother fun week of James and Amy! Following Halloween, James and Amy shared their mission of Halloween costumes and handing out Halloween candy. Kicking off this week's episode, DATTOCON missed out an opportunity for press and hype. From lack of a major announcement, there is a PR opportunity missed.
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1.) MSP Question of the week: How can you hold your team accountable?
Business coaches are being hired all across the country due to a lack of accountability. Instead, James and Amy share some insightful areas to strengthen your accountability with your team:
- Set goals with your team on a set cadence either daily or weekly
- Create expectations in writing with your team. Utilizing meetings, such as a daily huddle, can be a great opportunity to do a checkin with the team and leadership.
- Enhanced communication is effective accountability. Accountability is not conflict, instead, accountability is effective communication.
- Train your employees. Without proper training, it is difficult to hold employees accountable.
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2.) Notes on the News
a). The Consequences of Getting Hacked: DNA-testing website 23andMe fights for survival
https://www.bbc.com/news/
b.) How big tech instends to power AI's thirst for energy:
A huge upswing in the number of data centers worldwide shows no signs of slowing down, prompting Big Tech to consider how best to power the artificial intelligence revolution.
Some of the options on the table include a pivot to nuclear energy, liquid cooling for data centers and quantum computing.
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3.) 5 Minutes with a Smart Person: Dan Amaro w/ E-Merge Real Estate from Ohio. Dan shares his story of success of becoming a full-time realtor and the steps he took to persevere.
Learn more about Dan by following him on social media or sending an email to [email protected].
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Our upcoming events and more:
December 4: M&A Workshop in Scottsdale, AZ
December 5-6: MASTERMIND LIVE in Scottsdale, AZ
http://bit.ly/kernanmastermind
December 11: Channel Program M&A Forum in Dallas, TX
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