Richard Tubb's Blog, page 11

TubbTalk 172: Richard in The Hotseat: Advice on Business, Wellbeing and Growth

In this unique TubbTalk episode, I become the guest! I was interviewed on The Remarkable People Show, broadcast earlier this year (2024). It’s hosted by Polly Brennan and Maggie Martin on Koast Radio, a local station in the north east of England. We talk business, wellbeing and more.

An Interview With Richard TubbHow I Started Tubblog

‘Tubblog’ the blog dates back to my time as an MSP owner. My intention was to share an online journal into what was working and what wasn’t. My company was supporting other local small businesses, so I was learning a lot.

And my competitors thought it was ridiculous, because I was sharing all of the secret sauce and behind the scenes experiences. But I carried on doing it, and people started to ask me to speak at events and so on. Then in 2014 or so, I sold my company.

I had no plans for ‘what next’ other than sitting around in my pants, eating pizza. But then IT owners started ringing and asking for advice – they felt they could ask now I was no longer a competitor. And it took off from there. Now there’s a podcast, books, social media channels…

How I Support My Wellbeing with Downtime

So as much as I’s like to shatter the IT and tech geek stereotype, I’m afraid I can’t! I love comic books, superhero movies and all that sort of thing. I get excited when a new Marvel film comes out.

I’m also a committed Whovian, and watch the Christmas/New Year specials every year as they’re broadcast live. Plus I have my own retro gaming museum, which is exactly how it sounds!

I travel a lot for work, even though I’m always cutting back, so having things I enjoy and can do to relax is vital for my wellbeing. I’d urge any small business owner to do the same.

How I Stay Resilient for Better Mental Wellbeing

If I’m honest, I’ve always been a people pleaser. And that also translates into putting those around me first. I want to make sure that they’re well and happy. Now, that’s no bad thing on the surface, but it can mean I put other people’s feelings before my own wellbeing.

So I’ve worked to be aware of that and put myself first more. When I’m struggling with depression, I remind myself that my brain is being unkind and saying things that aren’t true. It’s telling me lies, and being hurtful. And remembering that helps.

And I also remind myself that I’m loved and appreciated. When people give me nice feedback, I thank them and acknowledge it to myself. I keep their letters and emails as a physical reminder that I look at from time to time. So when my brain says I’m awful and unlikeable, those messages are what’s really true.

Daily Techniques to Keep My Wellbeing Tank Topped Up

My number one tool for better mental wellbeing is meditation. As a geek, I love to look at the apps and things that people use, especially when they’re successful. And what I noticed was that those people all meditate. Some with an app, and some without.

So I started out using the Headspace app, doing 10 minutes a day. And I’ve now been doing it for 10 years. It give me a bit of calm when things are hectic. If you think you’re too busy to meditate, that’s probably the time you need it most.

I also journal regularly. For me, I like to take five minutes at the start and end of each day to reflect on the good things that have happened. I try to come up with something unique each time. And it’s a nice way to find the positives when you’ve had a hard day.

My Superpower

The British have a reputation for not blowing their own trumpet, but it turns out that it’s a global problem. I recently asked the team to share their superpowers, and they really struggled.

But because I work with them so closely, I could see what they were really good at. And I’d say that’s my superpower – seeing the potential in people that they don’t see themselves.

I’ve done that a few times as a mentor. So I hope I can encourage people to build their skills and become more confident in acknowledging what they’re good at.

The Best Piece of Advice I’ve Been Given

The best advice I’ve ever been given? Don’t do it alone. There’s a notion that you have to struggle on your own, but that’s absolutely not the case. Because things are tough enough, so find good people to surround yourself with. They’ll remind you of your value.  And in turn that supports your wellbeing.

I’ve always been inspired by successful people in my industry. So often, people think, ‘Oh, I can’t talk to them. They’re too successful’. But the opposite is true. Tell them they’ve made an impact on you, and they’ll be thrilled to know that.

The most successful people in the world have been the ones to freely give their time to me. Don’t ask for anything, just let them know how they’ve helped. And you might be surprised with their reply.

How I’d Like to Leave the World a Better Place

When my father passed away 13 years ago, he wasn’t successful in a business sense, but he was a happy man. He’d lived a good life and had many ways to define success.

And at his funeral, my brother and I were amazed by all the people coming up to us who hadn’t seen our dad for 30 years. They’d tell us how he’d done something kind for them, and what it had meant to them. There was a stream of people.

So that made me think about legacy. What will people say about you when you’re gone? How will they feel about you? Because even if you haven’t kept in touch, if you’ve helped them, they’ll remember that. So I’d like people to speak well of me. I’ve written further about this in a blog post here.

How to Connect With Polly and MaggieKoast RadioPolly’s website: Adventurous CoachingLike Adventurous Coaching on FacebookConnect with Polly on LinkedInMaggie’s website: Stanley CreativesConnect with Maggie on LinkedInHow to Connect With MeSubscribe to TubbTalk RSS feedSubscribe, rate and review TubbTalk on iTunesSubscribe and rate TubbTalk on SpotifyFollow TubbTalk on iHeartRadioFollow @tubblog on TwitterMentioned in This EpisodeDepartment for Business and TradeAuthor and journalist: Chris BroganBook: Bob Burg: The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business IdeaMeditation app: HeadspaceEntrepreneur and author: Steven BartlettCopywriter and content marketer: Gudrun LauretBritish actor: Brian BlessedYou Might Also be Interested inPodcast: Interview with Chris BroganFor Better MSP Wellbeing: We’re Not Machines, We’re Human BeingsMental Health Resources for MSP Business Owners

TubbTalk 171: Rob Rae: How to Break Barriers and Build MSP Ecosystems

Rob Rae is the Corporate Vice President of Community and Ecosystems for Pax8. They’re a cloud marketplace for future-focused managed service providers (MSP). After 20 years in the channel, Rob has a lot of advice on how to build better MSP ecosystems.

An Interview With Rob RaeWatch the Video Interview With Rob Rae

Rob’s Role at Pax8

Prior to joining the Pax8 team, Rob worked at Datto for several years. He really enjoyed his job, but he wanted to make an impact at another company. And as he says, what he liked about Pax8 was what he liked about Datto – innovative vendors.
organization.

“The channel is innovating all the time. Things don’t stay the same. And I was excited about what Pax8 were doing – they’re really creating something new. And they’re putting the MSP at the centre of it,” says Rob.

The Culture at Pax8

Again, Rob draws parallels between Datto and Pax8: “Like many large organisations, we’ve been through a journey together and hit a level of maturity. So that makes us like a family. But of course, that’s not sustainable, because sometimes you have to lay people off.

“The culture starts out as ‘we’re all working together’ but you have to plan for the future, too. So both companies have built a place where people want to come in and work. The staff enjoy being there, and they know they’re supported.

“But you have to work at that, and pay attention to the little things. Because happy employees means happy customers. That has to be your starting point. We have three pillars for every single interaction – people, product, profit. If people are happy – internally and externally – then the other two will follow on.”

The Day to Day Tasks to Help Partners Grow MSP Ecosystems

Rob says that his role has two main elements: the community and the MSP ecosystem. He explains: “The events that I organise are important, but they’re just a mechanism to engage with people.

“So we work hard on the message we want to share with people, and how we communicate that. We do that through our own content and by appearing on podcasts like this one. And for me, I want to be a good member of the community.

“I watch forums and chat boards to keep an eye on what’s happening from an MSP perspective. Are they unhappy about things that vendors are doing? How can we help with that? Because we don’t want to become a huge, faceless company. We want partners and MSPs to know that we care about them.”

How Community Grows MSP Ecosystems

The managed services community is unique, Rob believes, and very different to that of other industries. “And there are a couple of reasons for that which can be hard to explain: “Especially as we’re getting people coming into the industry from other places.

“Firstly, we work together, including competitors. And we share information and advice – on a global basis. The community does well together, because we’re all committed to helping each other.

“And from a vendor point of view, especially at Pax8, we lean into this. So we ask ‘how can we help our partners grow’? What can we do to help them, and in turn help the rest of the community too? It’s all about growth for us. And being truly helpful.”

A Key Learning From Rob’s Time in the Industry

Even with rapid developments in technology, building new solutions takes time. Rob gives an example from early on in his career: “I was part of a company that was an RMM (remote monitoring and management) platform. It took a long time to build it.

“And we had to sell it early on, so we could improve it. So we’d have a release and people would complain for six months because there were bugs. Then we’d fix it and it would be great for another six months, until we came out with the next version.

“But even though customers weren’t always happy, we cared. We had honest, transparent conversations with them so they knew what was going on. I learned a lot from that on how to work in the channel. And the community as a whole wants to make sure nobody fails. So even if they’re annoyed, they’ll support you.”

How to be a Better Leader

Rob has two examples that he shares: Firstly, he says, if you’re going to be a leader, then making no decision is worse than making a bad decision. “If someone asks for help, give them a straight answer. Procrastinating won’t make them go away.

“Second, think about how you portray yourself to your staff. For me, I want to be friendly and approachable. Ask them about their lives, so they know you care. And respect their boundaries – don’t contact them at weekends or late at night.”

How to Connect With Rob RaePax8Follow Pax8 on TwitterLike Pax8 on FacebookFollow Pax8 on LinkedInEmail RobConnect with Rob on FacebookConnect with Rob on LinkedInHow to Connect With MeSubscribe to TubbTalk RSS feedSubscribe, rate and review TubbTalk on iTunesSubscribe and rate TubbTalk on SpotifyFollow TubbTalk on iHeartRadioFollow @tubblog on TwitterMentioned in This EpisodeCybersecurity and backup: DattoMSP Technology and IT Management: ConnectWiseIT & security management: KaseyaPodcast: Rob Rae bonusodeDan Wensley, Operating Advisor, Top Down Ventures; Strategic Advisor, ScalePadCybersecurity and data protection tool: AcronisIT certifications and training: CompTIAMSP peer group: The Tech TribeAustin McChord, Chief Executive Officer at CasanaCharlie Tomeo from RewstPaul Redding at CyberQPScott Barlow, Sophos NextGen Cybersecurity Channel Sales LeaderJason MageeNadia Karatsoreos, Channel Sales and Marketing Specialist, n-AbleChristine Gassman, VP of Community at MailprotectorPax8 Beyond 2025You Might Also be Interested inPodcast: Best-Kept Secret to Global Leader: The Remarkable Evolution of CompTIAThe 2025 List of Awesome Events for MSPsNetworking Tips for MSPs: How to Build Relationships That Convert

The post TubbTalk 171: Rob Rae: How to Break Barriers and Build MSP Ecosystems appeared first on Tubblog: The Hub for MSPs.

TubbTalk 170: How to Master Email and File Migrations for MSPs

In this interview, Richard Tubb speaks to Colin Hogg, the Vice President of Sales for Couchdrop. They have an amazing migration solution for MSPs called Movebot. It makes it much easier to do data migrations for MSPs’ clients.

An Interview With Colin HoggWatch the Video Interview With Colin Hogg

The MoveBot Migrations for MSPs Solution

The Movebot solution, Colin says, is the best tool for data migrations for MSPs: “MSPs have told us how much we help them. Because for the most part, migrations are so complex that they avoid doing them.

“And we know that it’s time-consuming and there’s a risk that the data doesn’t end up in the right place. So we built Movebot to address those issues and take the complexity out of migrations. It’s next-gen tech with a very modern architecture.

“Plus, we’re confident that we support more platforms than any other migration tool out there. So from an MSP perspective, we enable technicians at all levels to run migrations and be confident that the data will end up where they want it.”

How Movebot Have Developed a Rapid Response Process

As a company, Movebot are aware that vendors can sometimes go off track and invest in a new trend rather than paying attention to the platform they already have. “So, Michael (Lawson, the company founder) encourages us to go down the road less travelled.

“And what that means is we have built the best tool for migrations for MSPs. But we work to constantly make it better. The development team monitor migrations. They look for errors and correct them when they see them. If it’s within their control, they can deploy a fix.

“They also know if a problem happens to one customer, it’s probably happening to others, too. So they’re proactive with monitoring errors. But we are at the mercy of the idiosyncrasies of the platforms we connect with, so we have to mitigate those issues.”

How Movebot do the Most Common Migrations for MSPs

With Movebot, moving emails, contacts and calendars is a straightforward process. And it starts, says Colin, with the discovery stage. “First, you can run a scan to give an overview of data size, how many files and folders. And most importantly, are there going to be any issues?

“So we can see that right at the beginning, and it helps the MSP decide how and when they’ll do the data move. They might decide to segment all the different types out, and move some data before others, such as older data.

“Or, we may run it separately, and archive older data instead. Second, once the scan has been done, we can map the data to the appropriate destination. Thirdly, we’ll run the actual transfer. You can monitor it in real time, and we can give you an estimated timeframe for completion.”

How Movebot Support MSPs When Things go Wrong

Movebot want their product to be easy and straightforward to use, but sometimes things go wrong. So they have global support, with the customer success team on hand as soon as there’s an issue.

Colin explains: “Within the product, we have a chat function you can use to get in touch. And it’s a person, not a robot. If you want, we can do a call, screen share and walk through the issues.

“Plus there’s a premium support option for MSPs on our partner plan, with a ‘break glass’ option. We want to make ourselves available to help MSPs and alleviate the pains. We want them to feel comfortable, happy and confident with the tool.”

Advice on Email Migrations for MSPs

Firstly, Colin says, don’t do a full weekend cut over of email migrations. “Because the API calls with both Google and Microsoft can be really limited. We do our best to work around that, but give yourself some time so you’re well ahead of schedule.

“With email migrations, you don’t need to run a scan. Instead, you can decide to move data older than three months. And simply seed it into the destination platform, so it moves over in plenty of time.

“Then you pick a cut over delta and get it moved. Once that’s done, do a post-migration cut over to make sure the last emails are done. Give yourself as much time as you can. We’re going to be introducing a mapping process option to make it even easier for MSPs.”

How Couchdrop Stay Up-to-date With Platform Changes

When it comes to understanding the technical aspects, it’s relatively straightforward. But keeping up to date with API changes is like a game of whack a mole, says Colin! You don’t know when Google or Microsoft will decide to do something new, he adds.

“So you have to reverse engineer some aspects to overcome the problems. And that’s what our team does. They look at the problem and work out whether or not they’re documented.

“We have a saying in the office: ‘we’re developing painkillers, not vitamins.’ Because the users aren’t taking their vitamins (checking for changes). But they DO want their problems solved (painkillers). So that’s what we give them.”

How to Connect With Colin HoggMovebot.ioFollow Movebot on LinkedInConnect with Colin on LinkedInFollow Couchdrop (Movebot’s parent company) on TwitterLike Movebot on FacebookHow to Connect With MeSubscribe to TubbTalk RSS feedSubscribe, rate, and review TubbTalk on iTunesSubscribe and rate TubbTalk on SpotifyFollow TubbTalk on iHeartRadioFollow @tubblog on TwitterMentioned in This InterviewPodcast interview with Michael LawsonVideo walkthrough demo of MovebotFree trial of MovebotMovebot’s parent company and SFTP solution: CouchdropMulti-tier storage: Apache IgniteMicrosoft collaboration tool: SharePointYou Might Also be Interested inPodcast: How to Fight Ransomware Cybercriminals, Secure Data and Protect Your MSP ClientsFive Powerful Security Tips for Keeping Data Secure This ChristmasPartnering With Vendors: A Strategic Approach to Enhance Your MSP’s Offering

The post TubbTalk 170: How to Master Email and File Migrations for MSPs appeared first on Tubblog: The Hub for MSPs.

Tubbservatory Round-Up #35 – November 2024

Tubbservatory Round-Up – Tools and Resources for Your MSP

Every month, Richard Tubb scours the web to uncover top resources, creating a new collection for IT Managed Service Providers (MSPs) eager to excel.

Welcome to the Tubbservatory – a dynamic video series featuring curated articles, podcasts, events, and more, all crafted for IT professionals.

Presenting the Tubbservatory Round-Up #35, your go-to guide for November 2024! This month’s must-watch episodes are ready for you to enjoy.

Explore links to these essential resources at the end of the post.

This month, we’re uncovering the latest in gadgets, must-read books, smarter business networking and telephone answering services for MSPs. Plus cutting-edge cybersecurity, mental health support, NOC and Helpdesk insights, and strategies to tackle holiday threats and outsource cyber-criminals.

Tubbservatory: The November 2024 Round-Up Video

Tubbservatory Round-Up #35: November – Week 1#1 365 Total Protection

If you’re an MSP looking to future-proof your business operations with AI-powered M365 security, data protection and compliance, then here’s a solution for you.

Hornetsecurity have announced their Multi-Tenant M365 Manager for MSPs, and it’s nothing short of impressive.

If you find manually onboarding all the different settings and policies across your Microsoft tenants daunting and time-consuming, then 365 Multi-Tenant Manager can automate the task.

#2 Achieve Your Business Ambitions. Learn How to Buy or Sell an MSP

If you’re looking to buy another MSP, or sell your own, then here’s an extremely useful resource.

MSP experts Mark Copeman and Ken Roulston have put together the MSP M&A Pathway to Success programme — 8 hours+ of training containing a blueprint on Managed Services Mergers & Acquisitions.

The principles in these videos apply to all geographies, so this is well worth checking out.

#3 GloCalMe SIM Card Plug-in & Use Immediately

Here’s a gadget I’ve found really useful when travelling.

The Numen Air is the world’s first Global 5G Mobile WiFi.

This little device allows you to travel the world, and quickly connect to a 5G signal in the local area, ensuring you stay online wherever you go.

#4 ScaleCon24 – DAY 3 Recap

If you missed the ScaleCon24 event in Las Vegas, then here’s a wonderful video recap.

The Tech Tribe and MSP Camp put together an amazing event, and the great news is, pre-sale tickets for ScaleCon 2025 have already been announced!

#5 THE Event for the Italian MSP Community

MSPs in Italy, check out the MSPx retreat taking place on Nov 14-15th at the SAN VIGILIO GOLF resort in Lake Garda.

MSPX is a 2-day experiential event designed by MSPs for MSPs.

Hosted by Vera Tucci of T-Consulting, this event promises to be an MSP retreat to remember!

Tubbservatory Round-Up #35: November – Week 2#1 Books by Richard Tubb

You know that business networking is a great way to meet potential new clients, but the thought of walking into a room full of strangers is… yucky.

Well, I’m pleased to announce the launch of my latest book which may help – Business Networking for Geeks!

The book is written for my fellow IT business owners and gives you a system you can use to overcome the resistance to networking, and get out there to allow people to get know, like and trust you.

Business Networking for Geeks is now available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle format.

#2 How Answering Services Can Boost Lead Generation for IT/MSPs

One issue stopping MSPs getting out to promote themselves is a ringing telephone.

So an article I’d recommend is “How Answering Services can Boost Lead Generation for MSPs” by Ben Graham of AnswerConnect.

Answering services such as AnswerConnect are popular for MSPs as they are a powerful tool for customer service, lead generation, and productivity.

#3 Cyber Security with Sasha Roshan

A YouTube channel that caught my eye is Sasha Roshan’s videos on cybersecurity.

Roshan, who is a Security Sales Engineer at Huntress, lays out videos explaining MDR, EDR, DDOS and many of the other acronyms that MSPs will hear in Cybersecurity.

Make sure to subscribe to this channel now!

#4 Meet Huntress: Demo and AMA

And talking of Huntress, if you’re not familiar with how Huntress’s cybersecurity services can help your MSP fight back against hackers, here’s a good introduction.

Meet Huntress is a Demo and Ask Me Anything which explores how Huntress’s 24/7 human-led SOC detects, investigates, and remediates threats on your behalf, and dives into the dashboard, incident reports, and active remediation that MSPs can expect.

#5 Mental Health and Wellbeing

Mental health and wellbeing are hot topics for any MSP, which is why I want to draw your attention to the great work being done by Paul Croker of 18IT in the UK.

Croker is planning regular regional meetups of UK MSPs to make new friends in the industry, support each other, and raise awareness of mental health challenges.

Interested in joining? Check out Paul’s LinkedIn post and register your interest.

Tubbservatory Round-Up #35: November – Week 3#1 MSP Lift Off 

Great news for new MSPs, as SuperOps have announced the launch of their MSP Startup Program!

In addition to a generous 40% discount on the already competitive Next-Gen PSA/RMM SuperOps platform, program members can benefit from expert-led mentorship sessions with industry luminaries such as Nate Freedman, Paul Green, Erick Simpson, Juan Fernandez, and others.

This is an excellent opportunity for any nimble MSP to get the flying start they need.

#2 Unlock Cost-Effective IT Solutions with Uptime’s Staff Augmentation Service

Now, a challenge that every MSP faces is finding the right people.

So, if you’re an MSP looking to scale your operations without the hassle of hiring in-house staff, then I’d highly recommend this eBook.

“A Guide to Staff Augmentation Solutions for MSPs” is a free download from Uptime.

Whether you’re looking to flexibly add engineers based on your needs, from NOC support to entire helpdesk teams, or quickly fill gaps in your team without long recruitment cycles, this eBook is a useful guide for you.

#3 November Surprise: Private Equity Nabs CompTIA

In a move that took the industry by surprise, Private Equity companies HIG and Thoma Bravo announced they’ve acquired IT training and certification vendor CompTIA.

CompTIA’s MSP and IT communities will remain separate non-profits.

For full details of this emerging story, check out the official press release from CompTIA.

#4 Make Your MSP More Money: All the Best Tips

Congratulations to Paul Green and his team as their MSP Marketing Edge podcast celebrates its 5th birthday!

To mark the occasion, the show has produced a special “Make Your MSP More Money” episode featuring quick fire tips from a range of MSP experts, including yours truly.

#5 The MSP Business Growth Blueprint Workshop

UK MSPs, mark Tuesday 3rd December 2024 in your calendar for the MSP Business Growth Blueprint Workshop.

Hosted by industry experts Ian Luckett and Stuart Warwick, this exclusive one Day workshop will help build your 2025 growth plan and become more confident about scaling your MSP.

Registration is now open with strictly limited places.

Tubbservatory Round-Up #35: November – Week 4#1 How a Trust Programme Helps You Build Lasting Business With Your Clients

Trust is the cornerstone of any successful relationship, and is especially important for Managed Service Providers, who hold the keys to their clients’ kingdoms.

So I was intrigued to read this excellent article on “How a Trust Programme Helps you Build Lasting Business With Your Clients”, by Robb Reck, Chief Trust and Security Officer at Pax8.

Client expectations for trust around security, privacy, and compliance are higher than ever before, says Reck, and his guide sets out a trust program as a set of principles specifically built to earn trust from clients that your MSP operates ethically and will treat their information with due respect.

This is definitely an article to check out.

#2 The No-Bullshit ZTNA Vendor Directory

And speaking of trust, Zero-Trust Network Access has become a welcome solution for MSPs, but which provider should you use?

Well, the no-bullshit Zero-Trust Network Access vendor directory is a curated, impartial and open-source directory of ZTNA vendors and architectures.

Thanks to the team at Enclave.io and other contributors for curating and maintaining this ZTNA vendor directory.

#3 Welcome to Police CyberAlarm

Another useful resource that caught my eye is the Police CyberAlarm.

This is a free tool for UK businesses, provided by local police forces and funded by the Home Office, to help you and your clients monitor and report the suspicious cyber activity you face.

I’d recommend sharing this resource with all of your MSP clients.

Thanks to MSP expert Ian Luckett for this recommendation.

#4 /e/OS Is a Complete, Fully “deGoogled” Mobile Ecosystem

If you’ve ever become frustrated with smartphone manufacturers withdrawing security updates for your phone, and wondered if there is a greener way to maintain your hardware, then this might be it.

/e/OS is a completely de-Googled, open-source mobile operating system with a focus on privacy and longevity, which is compatible with all Android apps.

If you or your clients have an aging smartphone that is still functional, eOS may be the solution.

#5 Unlocking AI for MSPs: Attract, Engage, and Scale Your Customer Base

If you’re curious about how AI can revolutionise your MSP’s marketing efforts but unsure where to begin, then this webinar is for you.

Unlocking AI for MSPs: Attract, Engage, and Scale Your Customer Base takes place on November 26, 2024 11 AM EST (that’s 4pm GMT), and is hosted by MSP digital marketing experts Logan Ochitwa and Andrew Down for Barracuda MSP.

Registration is now open.

Tubbservatory Round-Up #35: November – Week 5#1 Holiday Hack Classics: Exploring Hackers’ Favourite Holiday Season Tradecraft

The holidays are meant to be a time of cheer and celebration, but that can quickly change if cybercriminals crash the party. People are travelling more, setting up new accounts, and doing more online shopping—the perfect time to strike unsuspecting victims.

So a video that caught my eye is Holiday Hack Classics: Exploring Hackers’ Favourite Holiday Season Tradecraft.

In the video, Tony Black of Huntress and Truman Kain explain the most common holiday threats and the tactics behind them, and how your MSP can stay secure with security awareness training.

#2 Your Secret Agent for Continuous M365 Security

Here’s a new solution for MSPs using Microsoft 365 with their clients.

Inside Agent continuously monitors and evaluates your multi-tenant M365 systems, pinpointing compliance gaps and highlighting areas that require attention.

Founded by experienced MSP guru Scott Riley, Inside Agent promises to fortify your defences and safeguard your clients with cutting-edge technology and proactive oversight.

#3 Finally Get LinkedIn Ads Working the Way You Want Them to

Now, LinkedIn Advertising can be a powerful source of potential new clients, but if done wrong, it can be an incredibly expensive waste of money.

So a tool that caught my eye is Linklo, a UK-startup company that provides an ad management platform for LinkedIn.

If you’re using or thinking of using LinkedIn Ads, Linklo may help you get real results.

#4 Unlock the Full Potential of AI Comparison

AI is a powerful new tool for MSPs, but with so many different AI options, where do you begin?

Well ThisorThis.ai is a website that allows you to save time and effort with side-by-side AI comparisons.

Thanks to AI expert Pascal Fintoni for the recommendation.

#5 Helping You Take Your MSP to the Next Level

2025 is going to be the year you hit the jackpot, right?

Well, Tech Tribe members should mark 4th December 2024 in their calendar for the next Tribal Fireside Chat: Setting Yourself Up For Financial Success.

And if you’re not already a Tech Tribe member, use the code at techtribe.com/richard for up to 49% off membership. Kaching!

 

Links to the Resources Mentioned in this Round-Up

From Week 1365 Total ProtectionAchieve Your Business Ambitions. Learn How to Buy or Sell an MSP.GloCalMe SIM Card Plug-in & Use ImmediatelyScaleCon24 – DAY 3 RecapThe Event for the MSP CommunityMentioned in Week 2Books by Richard TubbHow Answering Services Can Boost Lead Generation for IT/MSPsCyber Security with Sasha RoshanMeet Huntress: Demo and AMAMental Health and WellbeingWeek 3MSP Lift Off Unlock Cost-Effective IT Solutions with Uptime’s Staff Augmentation ServiceNovember Surprise: Private Equity Nabs CompTIAMake Your MSP More Money: All the Best TipsThe MSP Business Growth Blueprint WorkshopAnd Week 4How a Trust Program Helps You Build Lasting Business With Your ClientsZero-Trust Network AccessWelcome to Police CyberAlarm/e/OS Is a Complete, Fully “deGoogled” Mobile EcosystemUnlocking AI for MSPs: Attract, Engage, and Scale Your Customer BaseAnd Week 5
Holiday Hack Classics: Exploring Hackers’ Favourite Holiday Season TradecraftYour Secret Agent for Continuous M365 SecurityFinally Get LinkedIn Ads Working the Way You Want Them ToUnlock the Full Potential of AI ComparisonThe Tech Tribe 

How You Can HelpAs we close out Tubbservatory Round-Up #35 and the festive season draws near, the year’s end is in sight!

Got something valuable to share? Whether it’s a must-have tool, an insightful article, or a clever tip, drop it in the comments below. Let’s wrap up the year on a high note—your insights are priceless!

You Might Also be Interested inUptimeLIVE 2024: Key Takeaways from an Exciting New MSP EventTubbTalk 157: Looking Into The Mindset Of A Successful, Modern MSPTubbservatory Round-Up #32 – August 2024

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TubbTalk 169: Professional Musician to MSP Guru: the Amazing Luis Giraldo

Luis Giraldo is the Chief Evangelist for Scalepad, a company that offers a collection of applications to help MSPs launch their growth. In the IT space, he is something of an MSP guru.

He has also been an MSP, CEO, SaaS consultant and an active member of the CompTIA peer group. And in this interview, he tells Richard about his journey to his current role and his live podcast show.

An Interview With Luis GiraldoHow ScalePad Help MSPs

ScalePad has a number of fantastic products that solve the intricate daily problems that MSPs have. And that’s at any stage of the journey – many of the problems start-ups have don’t go away.

Automation is always key, says Luis, to claim back time. “So we have products in a range of categories, each serving a different MSP need. That includes warranty lookups, software asset management and infrastructure improvements.

“We’re always looking at ways to better support MSPs. So each product is refined and improved based on feedback. We want to help MSPs have more in-depth conversations with clients to help both of them grow and scale.”

Why ScalePad Attracts a Certain Type of MSP

Luis explains that it’s not always the biggest MSPs that partner with ScalePad. Rather, it’s about the attitude to business and growth that attracts them. They like how ScalePad help MSPs evolve and change.

“So, we want to work with other vendors to educate the industry and drive an increase in maturity. That’s not always easy, because most start-up MSPs are small shops who all make the same mistakes.

“And some of them don’t want to grow too much – lifestyle MSPs. But we also see MSPs who are driven and focused on growth. Those tend to be the businesses we attract as partners.”

Where MSPs Should Start With ScalePad

For new MSPs, Luis says it’s essential to understand the asset inventory across your entire client estate. And manage your backups effectively. So there are two tools in ScalePad to help you do that.

“Lifecycle Manager and Backup Radar are the two solutions to start with. They help MSPs become more mature in their processes and have better conversations with their customers. And they can start to drive technology initiatives.

“The two tools work really well together. And then you can add in Lifecycle Insights. That makes account management easier. It means that MSPs can do QBRs (quarterly business reviews) or even provide vCIO services.

How Vendors can Improve Customer Experience

Luis says: “What we should strive for is creating meaningful conversations and connections between vendors and MSPs. Because it ultimately improves the experience for both sides. But it IS a challenge.

“From the MSP side, they love to work with small vendors. They’re responsive, and iterative in their functions and feature development. But as they grow they lose some of that personal connection.

“So maintaining connections and continuing meaningful connections will improve experiences the most. And it’s a two-way street. Both MSPs and vendors need to work together so they hit their goals.”

An MSP Guru Shares the Biggest Misunderstanding MSPs Have About Vendors

Often, MSPs don’t know enough about a vendor. And this can lead to misunderstandings about what they offer, how they can help and how they work. Sometimes, Luis says, this is because they’ve overcomplicated their message.

“I think it makes difficult for MSPs to understand what it is we do. And how that solves the specific pain or challenge. So to improve that experience, we need to simplify our message. We should be able to describe what we do in one sentence.

“Be specific and accurate. Sum up what you do so MSPs understand it immediately. Because when you simplify the message it does wonders for them seeing what you have to offer them.”

What a Typical Vendor Doesn’t Appreciate About MSPs, According to an MSP Guru

‘MSP DNA’ is a buzzword at the moment. And a lot of vendors today have come from an MSP background. Luis explains: “They saw a challenge in their business, built a solution and then switched to being a vendor.

“So they can understand their clients’ challenges really well. The nuances of the language they use when they talk about it lowers the barrier to entry to open up a conversation.

“But on the other hand, they disconnect from the day-to-day struggles of being an MSP. It requires a lot of mental toughness, especially as a smaller business. So remembering that means they can have more meaningful discussions.”

What Makes the MSP Space Unique

Luis and I agreed that the MSP space is very different to most other sectors: “Sometimes someone joins ScalePad but aren’t familiar with the industry at large. And they’re pleasantly surprised by how open and supportive people are.

“Because it’s a unique industry. Every one of our partners talks to each other. And in different places – conferences, peer groups, events or online communities. It just doesn’t happen elsewhere.

“And it ties into that ‘MSP DNA’ we mentioned before. It’s normal amongst MSPs to be supportive of each other. But it happens on the vendor side too. And it’s one of the key things that keeps us connected.”

How to Maintain Resilience: Advice from an MSP Guru

Luis shares a tip that came from a personal technique he developed to keep conversations going. “I have a list of random questions on my phone. And when things go stale at the dinner table, I pick one to ask people.

“But one of them is ‘tell me about a pivotal moment in your life.’ And while you wait for them to respond, you think about your own answer to it. It gives you a chance to think about what matters to you in life.

“So for me, I learned that I can be introspective and give myself time to work through challenges. I will come out the other side, and I will be successful. And success is about being fulfilled with my role and giving value to customers or the community. When I remember that, I can be resilient.”

How to Connect With Luis GiraldoScalePadFollow ScalePad on LinkedInConnect with Luis on LinkedInLike ScalePad on FacebookFollow ScalePad on TwitterFollow ScalePad on YouTubeHow to Connect With MeSubscribe to TubbTalk RSS feedSubscribe, rate and review TubbTalk on iTunesSubscribe and rate TubbTalk on SpotifyFollow TubbTalk on iHeartRadioFollow @tubblog on TwitterMentioned in This EpisodeFully Managed by TELUS Business from Chris BlayDocumentation solution: IT GlueIT management: N-ableLuis Giraldo musicBook: Ray Dalio: Principles: Life and WorkScalePad MSP surveyClient management: Lifecycle Managers (ScalePad solution)GRC (governance, risk and compliance) tool: ControlMap (ScalePad solution)QBR tools: Lifecycle Insights (ScalePad solution)Backup monitoring: Backup Radar (ScalePad solution)BI tool: Cognition360 (ScalePad solution)Quoting software: Quoter (ScalePad solution)Matthew Bookspan of Blacktip ITMSP conference: IT Nation ConnectMSP conference from N-able: EmpowerMSP peer group: ConnectWise EvolveShawn Walsh and Dave Cava from Encore StrategicCloud marketplace Pax8 peer groupsPeer group: CompTIAMark CohenPeer group: The Tech TribePodcast interview with MJ Shoer, CompTIA’s Chief Community OfficerPodcast interview with Dan Scott of IT NationPodcast interview with Todd Thibodeaux, President and Chief Executive Officer of CompTIAPodcast interview with Arlin Sorensen of ConnectWiseBook: Ryan Holliday: The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living: Featuring new translations of Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus AureliusInvestment company: Top Down VenturesDigital photo journal: BlipfotoPodcast interview with David Brereton of Myson PagesBook: Bob Burg: The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business IdeaLuis and Bob live stream chatBook: Alan Weiss: Value-Based Fees: How to Charge – and Get – What You’re WorthPodcast interview with Todd Kane of Evolved Management ConsultingAuthor: Catherine GrayBook: Robert Wilburn and David Wilkeson: Profit and Growth for MSPs: Dragon Boats, Catamarans, and SuperyachtsBook: Shawn Walsh, Dave Cava et al: THE PUMPKIN PLAN FOR MANAGED SERVICE PROVIDERS: The Roadmap To MSP Prosperity: How The Right Focus Leads To Real FreedomYou Might Also be Interested inPartnering With Vendors: A Strategic Approach to Enhance Your MSP’s OfferingsMSP Pricing Models for Profitability, Growth and Client SatisfactionPodcast: How to Partner With a Vendor to Grow Your MSP Business

 

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Team Tubb Takeover – Christmas 2024

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Networking Tips for MSPs: How to Build Relationships That Convert

If you’ve been following Tubblog lately, you’ll know that Richard recently published Business Networking for Geeks – a fantastic guide to expanding your MSP through the power of connecting with others. It’s the book to read for networking tips!

I’m a huge fan of networking – I honestly think it’s one of the best ways to get your business and brand out there, and even if you’re not making sales right away, you’re connecting with like-minded people. That means you’re a step or two away from setting up some fantastic working relationships for years to come.

In fact, pursuing networking helped me find my way to Team Tubb – I’m writing for the blog today largely thanks to connections made along the way!

What’s more, the people you meet always know other people – meaning there’s unlimited networking out there for you to tap into if you know how to conduct yourself!

The MSP owners I’ve talked to, too, often feel they’re more the background tech geeks – never really the face of a business. I’ve been there, too! It’s easy to fall into your work without realising you can really be your brand and get out and about connecting with others.

Alongside his book, Richard’s written up a fantastic introduction to networking recently that’s well worth diving into. As such, I thought I’d write up a quick list of networking tips and tricks that really work for me as a business owner and self-confessed geek – which I think translate amazingly well to MSP owners, too.

So – let’s quickly explore what networking is, what some of the challenges are, and what some of my favourite tips (including a sneak peek at Richard’s book) are.

What is networking, and why should you do it?

Networking is all about meeting people! Think of it as a social event where business owners get together to find common ground and interests, and learn more about their journeys so far.

For MSPs, this can be a fantastic opportunity to share advice and stories with people from elsewhere in the industry. What’s more, it can be an excellent chance to find talented people who might be able to support your MSP and connect you to further professionals and opportunities.

And, of course, you should never enter into networking just to make quick sales or wins! You should always make time for networking to touch base with your wider community – to genuinely find out more about the people around you, and to see if there are any ways you can help others.

One of the best pieces of advice I received about networking – as a small business owner – over the years is to focus more on what you can do for others, rather than what you get in return. Much like how Christmas should be more about giving rather than getting, networking should be an altruistic exercise!

That said, I’ve talked to MSP owners over the years who have struggled to make networking work – and hopefully, Networking for Geeks goes a long way to help people remedy these problems.

Networking challenges for MSP owners

Networking can be tricky – hence why Richard’s produced a how-to guide to help geeks like me get around the basics and make it really work for us.

Common challenges for MSP owners might simply be that they don’t see themselves as the face of their businesses – which, again, is something that you can break out of if you really want to!

To overcome networking challenges, you need to be willing to face them head-on. Let’s take a brief look at some of the common problem areas MSP owners have explored with me personally.

There’s not enough time

Ok – we’ve all heard or even used this line before! The answer isn’t simply “well, make more time,” but rather, to think carefully about the ROI of networking for your business.

How much time are you actively putting into marketing and promoting your business? Could you re-evaluate your marketing budget if certain campaigns haven’t been converting for a while?

Beyond financial investments, start treating yourself like a client. This is one of the best steps I took when first growing my own business – to put time aside for my own development and personal projects, I decided to label myself an important customer.

That encouraged me to carve out time in my schedule for areas such as networking, just an hour or so here and there.

If you don’t have time to attend physical networking due to travel, consider finding groups that offer online meetings and chats. Since 2020, online networking has really exploded – you’d be surprised at how many distanced groups there are.

You’re meeting the wrong people

This can get frustrating – but it’s often simply a case of you needing to expand your circles a little. Or, perhaps you simply need to register with and attend highly specific networking groups for your niche.

You don’t even have to look locally for some groups. Some national networking groups offer online meetings that you can get set up with from afar – and you might only need to attend one or two meetings in person per year.

Don’t be afraid to niche down your networking. You won’t always find the right people right away at events, and some will offer different connections to others. It’s a process that takes time and effort – so, be ready to give it patience and an open mind.

You’re just not converting on networking

Again, this is all to do with keeping patient and ensuring you have an open mind. If you’ve been to four or five meetings with the same group but are yet to make strong connections, it’s likely time to try another group, or to change your approach.

Otherwise, keep making time for networking. Richard’s book goes into further detail on how to adapt your mindset and start getting more out of what you pay into the process – and below, I’ll share with you some of my personal favourite tips.

Top Networking Tips You Can Put Into Action NOW

Ok – we’ve addressed why networking is important, and how some of the major challenges you might be facing could be handled more easily. Now, it’s time for me to get stuck into a few networking tips I’ve personally used to improve my experience and find more satisfying connections.

Some of the tips below cross over with advice from Networking for Geeks, so to avoid treading on Richard’s toes, I’ll be giving my own quick spin and preview – and suggest you dive deeper into the book for more ideas on how to put them into practice.

With that out of the way, here are some super-fast networking tips you can start getting to grips with right now!

1. Choose the right networking group

I’ve covered this in a little detail above, and Richard certainly explores it in more detail in Networking for Geeks – but if general networking groups aren’t working out for you, be sure to niche down and find groups that are tailored more to your areas of expertise, interests, or local areas.

In fact, I greatly recommend Gudrun’s guide to embracing different types of networking groups as a starting point, too. Keep your mind open, and if one group doesn’t work out for you, try others!

2. Check the guest list and make yourself known

Yes – you can check who’s attending networking events before you attend, and one of the best ways to do this is to see who’s responded to events online, such as through LinkedIn or Facebook.

It’s not a cheat to get ahead of the pack and see who’s showing up! If there are people you’d like to make connections with or start supporting via your MSP, they might be attending networking near you – so, snoop at the list.

And, make yourself known! If you’re active on LinkedIn, share that you’re heading to an event and that people can catch you there. There’s a chance activity on your post might reach others in your extended network.

These, again, are a great couple of tips that Richard dives into more through his book, and there’s extra guidance on pre-networking tips via the blog.

3. Become a matchmaker

What I really enjoy about Networking for Geeks is how energised it is about the sheer power of bringing people together! And, at networking events, you have some superb opportunities to link people up (in a purely professional capacity, of course!).

Even if your MSP doesn’t stand to benefit from connections there and then, you could kickstart conversations between others who might benefit from knowing each other.

Again, think about being altruistic – if you can’t help yourself, help others. You might even have a few connections or clients of your own who attend networking events – it’s a great opportunity for you to tap into your knowledge of what they do and find opportunities.

4. Listen actively to others

The power of active listening is your friend when it comes to regular networking. Don’t attend events feeling desperate for opportunities to speak! Listen to what others have to say, and really listen – ask follow up questions, and show genuine interest in your fellow attendees.

This not only helps us to get to know each other better and feel more at ease with each other, but also helps you dig deeper into what makes others tick – and whether or not there could be working opportunities in store.

5. Always follow up fast

I’ll keep this step nice and short, but here’s an example of my own – after online networking, I always make sure to send LinkedIn requests and offer to meet up with people one on one.

Following up quickly after events shows others that you genuinely care about what they do, and opportunities that you might be able to find, mutually, though extended conversations.

I’ve met long-time clients and colleagues through following up after networking – if it can work for me, it’ll work for you, too!

6. Don’t just seek out people who benefit you

Again, this is a personal favourite of mine – networking should be about expanding your networking and meeting new people, much less about seeking sale after sale.

Some people do tackle networking this way, and it’s a surefire way to end up disappointed, at least to an extent. If you go into every networking session expecting to find someone who wants to partner with or invest in an MSP, you might be sorely disappointed.

Instead, look at networking as an exercise to meet and connect with as many people as possible. Remember the equation I mentioned earlier – other people know other people – meaning there’s a virtually infinite well of opportunities out there, down the line.

Want to partner with a cybersecurity vendor, but end up building a rapport with a graphic designer? They might know someone in their network who can help you – and if not, they might be a fantastic addition to your professional network all the same.

Conclusion

It really isn’t easy to condense networking 101 into a simple article – and I’m sure many have tried it!

Networking for Geeks, however, is a brilliant all-in-one guide to helping networking newbies and skeptical MSP owners get to grips with the finer points of professional connection-building.

Even if you’re completely new to the idea of building your own brand – you never know what fantastic connections you might make from event to event!

I highly recommend taking a look at Richard’s book! And let us know what you think of these tips. What would you add?

You Might Also be Interested inBusiness Networking for Geeks: Top Tips to Make Better ConnectionsWhy You Should Make Time for Networking as a Busy MSP OwnerThe Power of Help Through Your Local MSP Peer Groups

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The Best Apps and Resources for Winter Wellbeing

We’ve acknowledged that the winter blues and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can be challenges for managed service provider (MSP) owners and their staff. So now you know about the symptoms to look out for and what the possible causes are, let’s look at some tools to help support winter wellbeing.

Productivity and Winter Wellbeing Apps

There are a TON of apps available to help with productivity, mindset, wellbeing and more. So, here is a list of just some of those available. These are apps that TeamTubb have tried and recommend.

Meditation: Headspace

Richard’s meditation app of choice is Headspace. He uses it daily for just 10 minutes to set him up for his day. They offer a range of programmes to support sleep, mental wellbeing and more.

Meditation: Calm

Calm is a similar meditation tool. Try it for free, and use it to support mindfulness. Essential for your winter wellbeing!

Focus and Mindfulness: Forest

A lovely little app that encourages you to plant a tree. As you stay focused, the tree grows. But leave the app and it dies! And yes, you can plant a whole forest. Oh, and Forest plant real trees too!

Productivity: Pomofocus

The pomodoro (red tomato – named after the kitsch kitcen timer!) technique encourages you to work for 25 minutes of total focus, and then have a five minute break. Use Pomofocus to track your work blocks.

Productivity: AppBlock

This does what is says on the tin! Available on iOS and Android, AppBlock will stop you getting distracted by apps on your smartphone.

Mindfulness: 5 Minute Journal

No time for mindfulness? What if we told you you could do it in just five minutes a day? That’s what the digital version of the popular 5 Minute Journal promises.

Moodfit

How about one app to rule them all? Moodfit customises the tools that will help you the most, and offers insights on your progress and overall wellbeing.

Mood and wellbeing tracker: MindDoc

A wellbeing and mental health tracker. Read more about MindDoc  in this review.

Health: The Body Coach

Lockdown hero Joe Wicks offers his own training app to help you to get fit and boost your mental health. Ideal for winter wellbeing. Find out more about The Body Coach.

Mental Health and Support Podcasts

Prefer to listen and learn? Here are some podcasts you might enjoy.

Andrew Huberman, Ph.D. is a neuroscientist who talks about how science-based tools help wellbeing and mental health: Huberman LabGP and wellness Dr. Rangan Chatterjee interviews health and wellbeing guests: Feel Better, Live MoreArnold Schwarzenegger’s daily show to get you motivated: Arnold’s Pump ClubAuthor, habits and happiness expert Gretchen Rubin’s show: HappierAuthor, speaker and habits expert Mel Robbins talks candidly about her own wellbeing and that of her guests: The Mel Robbins podcast

Books to Boost Winter Wellbeing

A short selection of books we recommend for wellbeing, lifestyle and productivity.

Jordan B. Peterson: 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to ChaosArnold Schwarzenegger: Be Useful: Seven tools for lifeDr Peter Attia: Outlive: The Science and Art of LongevityDavid Cain: How to do Things David Allen: Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-free ProductivityBob Burg: The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea 

So, what do you think? Are there any resources in this article you’re keen to try? Or do you use something that’s not on this list? If so, let us know in the comments!

You Might Also be Interested inHow to Introduce a Mental Health Programme into Your MSPPodcast: Mental Health for MSP OwnersFor Better MSP Wellbeing: We’re Not Machines, We’re Human Beings

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Beat the Winter Blues: Top Tips for Better MSP Wellbeing

The clocks have gone back so it’s dark when you go out in the morning and dark when you come home. The UK has already had its first snows of the year, causing chaos. And other than Christmas, it’s a long slog to lighter nights again. The winter blues can hit hard.

So it’s no surprise that many of us dread the winter months. It can be hard to get going in the morning when you’re toasty in bed, and motivation for exercise can often be lacking too.

But for some people, there are more serious problems at this time of year. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is a clinically-recognised condition. here are six main symptoms to be aware of. If you notice these in yourself, or spot them in your colleagues or loved ones, then you may be suffering from SAD:

1. Feeling irritable
2. A low mood that doesn’t improve
3. Feeling low on energy or sleepy during the day
4. Sleeping for longer but finding it hard to get up in the morning
5. Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or despair
6. A loss of interest of pleasure in normal daily activities

The NHS outlines some other indicators to note. They describe it as a seasonal depression, and if it becomes severe you should seek help.

What Causes the Winter Blues?

There isn’t one clinical cause, but the NHS and other health bodies suggest reasons for the winter blues, including:

• Circadian rhythm – the body relies on natural daylight to regulate its internal clock – shorter days can affect this
• Increased melatonin – this is the hormone that makes us feel sleepy. It’s possible that people with SAD produce more of it
• Decreased serotonin – linked to mood, appetite and sleep: a reduction in this hormone can make you more prone to SAD
• Genetics – like other mental heath conditions, SAD can run in families

Be Open and Ask for Help

If you’re really finding it hard at this time of year, then speak to your GP. If you have an occupational therapist or HR department in your MSP, let them know too.

Remember to be kind to yourself. Suffering from depression does not mean that you’re a failure. And these feelings are temporary. You can and will get better. If you’re not comfortable with sharing how you feel with your staff, then at least confide in your senior leadership team.

And if you need some time off, make sure that they are able to support you with that. You will need to tell the team something, so discuss what that might be. Although if you CAN share what you’re going through, it might make it easier for someone else to open up about their own mental health.

Support Your Staff

Firstly, make sure your staff know that their workplace is a safe space to talk about mental health and wellbeing issues. If they are struggling, let them come to you. Alternatively, you may have an arrangement with a third-party provider. Or, in a larger company, an occupational health team.

Secondly, if you spot a team member whose mood has dropped or is otherwise not themselves, speak to them privately. Offer assistance, signposting and a non-judgmental, friendly ear.

Finally, look at provisions you could make before winter really kicks in. Perhaps you offer a discount for a local gym – exercise is a proven way to boost mental health. Or, you might arrange for a yoga teacher to run sessions over lunchtimes.

Not only will these perks make people happier in their workplace, it also sends a clear message that you take their wellbeing seriously. And at this time of the year, that could make a really big difference to someone.

Is it Burnout Rather Than Winter Blues?

What do you think? Do you have measures in place to support your staff at this time of year?

You Might Also be Interested inMental Health Resources for MSPsWhy Mental Health is a Key Pillar of Success to IT BusinessesInvest in a Mental Health for a Happy MSP Team

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CompTIA EMEA 2024: Member and Partner Update and More!

The 2024 CompTIA EMEA event was held on 21st and 22nd October at the Park Plaza in London. We sent Lenka and Richard along to find out what’s new.

As always, this was a great opportunity to network, hear from inspiring speakers and to find out what CompTIA has planned for its members and partners in 2025 – and beyond!

*UPDATE* Since we attended this event, CompTIA have been acquired by Thoma Bravo and HIG. These private equity firms have plans to split the organisation. So, from 2025, there will be a for-profit business and a separate non-profit trade association.

This means that the community can thrive, as there will be dedicated teams to focus on each element specifically, including the training and certification side. You can read more about the plans and what it means for the members here.

Deborah Meaden: Key Strategies for Sustainable Growth and Resilience

Investor, business expert and ‘Dragon’, Deborah Meaden offered advice for MSP’s operating in today’s challenging business environment. The four tips she shared provide a roadmap to balance profit with purpose and allow you to stay ahead.

First, she advises a focus on values and purpose. It’s essential to align your business practices with your core values, especially when it comes to the environment. Second, effective cash flow management is vital. Meticulous planning and regular reviews will make a big difference.

Third, Meaden encourages MSPs to embrace innovation mindfully. Choose tools to enhance your services but don’t compromise on quality. And finally, business success stems from a strong, value-aligned team. Leaders need to foster a workplace that attracts talent who are invested in the company’s mission.

Thomas Reinbacher: Mental Health, Depression and Managing Wellbeing in a High-Stress Industry

Thomas Reinbacher’s CompTIA EMEA presentation was a reminder to MSPs to prioritise mental health. And that’s for themselves as much as their employees.

Because it’s not only essential for longevity in the industry but also a step towards a healthier, more resilient workplace. He shared four key tips:

1. The Importance of Recognising Stress

Know your personal limits. It’s critical for MSPs to identify and manage stress to avoid burnout.

2. Self-Care and Boundaries

Thomas openly shared about his own experiences. He recommends establishing boundaries to protect mental health. And acknowledging that being constantly available can lead to exhaustion.

3.Recognising Symptoms of Mental Health Issues

MSPs need to stay vigilant about symptoms of problems in themselves and their teams.Warning signs of depression include:

InsomniaIrritabilityLack of concentration4. Supportive Leadership

Leaders should engage genuinely with their teams and ask open-ended questions for more honest answers. In MSP environments, where rapid change and high client expectations are the norm, compassionate leadership is crucial for employee well-being.

Todd Thibodeaux: Actionable Insights for MSPs

President and CEO of CompTIA, Todd Thibodeaux gave an inspiring keynote to highlight the organisation’s latest initiatives.

His vision is to support MSP growth in a rapidly evolving tech landscape through upskilling and community. There were five core messages in the keynote:

1. Expand Career Pathways

CompTIA has a goal to offer more certifications and close the skills gap. So whether you’re new to tech or a seasoned pro, you can upskill.

2. Career Exploration

CompTIA now have a Career Explorer tool. It provides a deep dive into IT roles. And for MSPs, it’s a handy recruitment tool to find candidates beyond the usual talent pool.

3. Modular “Expansions”

This is about adding “expansions” to existing certifications. For example, someone with a Security+ can add an AI-specific module.

4. Commitment to Vendor-Neutral Training

CompTIA remains committed to vendor-neutral certifications.

5. Industry Influence and Community Support

CompTIA has global reach and a unique approach to reinvesting revenues into free events and community support.

Were you at the CompTIA EMEA event? What were your highlights? We’d love to know, so please share in the comments!

Videos from CompTIA EMEA London

We’ve also compiled a list of the dozen or so videos we recorded live, at CompTIA!

Check them out in on YouTube in the playlist below.

You Might Also be Interested inCompTIA ChannelCon 2024: Key Takeaways on MSP GrowthPodcast: Best-Kept Secret to Global Leader: The Remarkable Evolution of CompTIACompTIA UK&I 2024: Remarkable Insights for Excellence and Innovation

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