Richard Tubb's Blog, page 18

Phishing Defence Coaching: A Targeted Approach To End-User Security Training

In a recent webinar from cybersecurity experts Huntress, we got to take a look at a new concept from their SAT platform (Security Awareness Training) -Phishing Defence Coaching.

This is a new way to deploy phishing exercises that provide contextual interactive experiences for any users that are caught out.

Three members of Huntress SAT‘s senior product team provided a demonstration and explained some of the use cases behind the recent developments for the product and how it can help MSPs (managed service providers) to reduce the risk of the human factor for their clients.

Webinar: That Phishy Feeling – Learning to Spot Modern Phishing

The webinar event took place on Thursday 6th June 2024 at 4:30pm BST.

It was presented by:

Dima Kumets, Principal Product Manager, Huntress SATTruman Kain, Senior Product Researcher, Huntress SATJames O’Leary, Product Marketing Manager, Huntress SAT

And you can catch a full replay of the webinar here.

Security Awareness: From Threat to Training

Truman began by showing some recent examples of common phishing attempts that have been added their educational portfolio.

Example 1: Rapid Scenario Addition and Modification

There was a recent example of a phishing email targeting MSPs and domain admins in particular. It would appear as a mailbox redirect alert, which the intended victims would be used to seeing.

Huntress developers added this scenario into their SAT platform as this kind of impersonation attack is something all MSPs should be aware of.

Example 2: Malvertising

For some websites you see as trustworthy, there can still be some malicious code hiding in the javascript advertising.

Just clicking on the advert link would download malware onto the hosts machine.

Though this was picked up quickly and isolated by the Huntress SOC Team (Security Operations Centre), the remedial recommendations included enrolling the user onto security awareness training to prevent similar actions in the future.

Malvertising is another scenario now added to the Huntress SAT catalogue.

Example 3: Password Storage

Since January 2024, Huntress have discovered over 30,000 unsecure credential files.

Unsecure credential files are a massive liability because once attackers gain egress into your system, finding these files and exploiting them gives them a greater ability to pivot, hide and elevate permissions.

Because this is a bigger problem than some realise, Huntress created another specific scenario to address this problem in their SAT catalogue.

A Demonstration of Phishing Defence Coaching

To demonstrate how Phishing Defence Coaching works differently to other methods of follow-up training, Dima took us through a typical scenario.

The phishing email that he showed us was a fraud protection alert from American Express.

While it may have looked believable enough to the untrained eye, there were some clues to its lack of authenticity.

Whereas typical anti-phishing measures may spot this, and isolate it before you click on the link, phishing defence coaching works a little differently.

When you click on the phishing link, you’re redirected to a screen informing you that you were almost phished. This begins the coaching process where you’re asked a question: “Why did you click on the link?”

Possible answers you can give are:

I was in a hurryIt looked important/seemed urgentI didn’t look clearly enoughI thought I was in trouble

Or if none of these fit why you clicked on it, you can add your own reason into a text field.

Depending on the answer you give, it will give you feedback that tells you why this plays into the hands of the attackers.

Phishing Defence Coaching Shows You the Signs to Look at For

Next, the coaching refers back to the phishing email that caught you out to show you the signs to look out for next time.

Does it have a suspicious email address?Does the link address seem to direct you to a completely different domain when you hover over it?Does it convey a sense of urgency?Is the email not at all relevant to you? (e.g. do you even have an American Express account associated with this email address?)Does the email contain discrepancies in the branding, design and wording?

At the end of this process it asks: On a scale of 1 to 5, how prepared do you feel to identify future phishing attacks?

This information lets the MSP know if there’s a need for a follow-up conversation about more security awareness training, so it’s important to ask.

Phishing Defence Coaching Dashboard

When you send out a phishing simulation from Huntress SAT, it records the information about who clicked on the link and who ignored it.

Of those that were compromised, you can see the reason they gave for clicking on the link, as well as how prepared they said they were at identifying future phishing attacks.

In future, this will also be able to show historic data. So for MSPs, you can show how much better your client’s staff are at spotting phishing attempts. Which, in turn, demonstrates your value as an MSP to your clients.

What Beta Testing Revealed

Out of a sample of 181 people who were phished successfully the top three reasons given for clicking the link were:

29% said “I didn’t look closely enough”19% said “It seemed important”9% said “I was in a hurry”

Other common responses said they clicked because it referenced a colleague by name or their email address.

Truman said that it’s a common tactic that phishers employ as a way to bypass our cognitive defences. We’re much more likely to believe an email is legitimate if we see a familiar name within the text.

The preparedness indicator revealed a small number selected 1 or 2 on the scale, which is what you’d expect. However, even those selecting 3, 4 or 5 will be tested again in subsequent months. So it’s best to encourage honest responses here, because the results will reveal the truth.

Question and Answer Session

To finish the webinar, the speakers invited the audience to ask questions.

Q1: Do you think that people will be honest about their response to the preparedness question?

A2: If you see results with no 1s or 2s reported, then that’s a good thing, of course. It means you should focus on education for the 3s as the lower benchmark.

Q2: To prevent compromised users from telling everyone in the office, is it possible to delay the coaching until all the test emails have been opened?

A2: We considered this approach, but really the emphasis is one of education in the moment. This is so that they are learning while the situation is fresh in their minds.

Q3: Will the SAT platform update its content from threat intelligence collected by the MDR/EDR teams?

A3: Absolutely, in fact the Malvertising scenario we saw earlier came about because it was a common attack vector picked up by the SOC analysts. In cases like this, the details are passed across to the SAT developers to create new scenario content from when it’s judged to be relevant to MSPs and their clients.

Phishing Defence Coaching Conclusion

The human factor is still a popular vector for attackers to exploit.

Today’s phishing emails are designed to catch you off guard. Therefore, it’s important to not only protect users when they are compromised, but equip them with the knowledge to avoid being compromised in future.

As an MSP, you need to deliver the best value in reducing the risk for your client as possible. Huntress SAT’s Phishing Defence Coaching will certainly help you to do that.

You Might Also Be Interested InIn-House or Outsourced Cybersecurity: What’s Best for MSPs?TubbTalk 143: How to Navigate the Cybersecurity Landscape: A Comprehensive Guide for MSPs10 Handy AI Resources to Help Your MSP Clients Grow Their Businesses

The post Phishing Defence Coaching: A Targeted Approach To End-User Security Training appeared first on Tubblog: The Hub for MSPs.

TubbTalk 156: How To Partner With a Vendor To Grow Your MSP Business

Greg Jones is the vice president of business development at Kaseya Datto, a former MSP and the executive council leader of CompTIA UK and Ireland Committee. Greg’s led the way in encouraging modern MSP leaders to share their knowledge through video and social media and grow their business.

An Interview With Greg JonesThe Biggest Surprise Moving From an MSP to a Vendor

Having run his own MSP for many years, Greg says that moving to Kaseya Datto was an eye-opener. “What surprised me was the commonality among MSPs. It’s easy to feel isolated and think that the challenges and problems you face are unique.

“But when you get out there and talk to MSPs, they’re struggling with the same things. Yes, the scale might be different depending on where their business is, but that’s all.”

However, Greg admits that he saw how different MSPs are to vendors, and they shouldn’t be pushed into a particular route. “What’s best for the MSPs? Because if the vendors support them in the right way, they’ll both grow.”

Advice for MSPs to Build a Better Vendor Relationship

The key to a good vendor relationship, Greg says, is engagement. Too many vendors describe themselves as “a strategic partner” but the relationship is actually quite transactional.

“That’s not the responsibility of either party, but if you have a transactional relationship, it’s down to poor engagement. So, focus on building the connection. Identify key individuals and invest time to get to know them better.

“It’s not just about buying a product or service. It’s about the support system they provide. Be direct and ask them how they can help you on a strategic level, and to grow your MSP.”

Why You Need to Partner with Vendors to Scale Your MSP

Greg explains that working for a vendor gives him a unique insight into how MSPs are able to grow. “Those who grow the fastest always have one common denominator.

“It’s not who they’ve got in their executive team or the size of the business. It’s a focus on sales and marketing and a good strong relationship with all of their vendors. I’ve seen the numbers, so I know that this is the key to success.”

The Importance of Having a Mentor

No matter what stage you’re at with your MSP business, a mentor is a good idea. Many of us started out as techies and find it lonely to be the boss. Having peer support and someone to bounce ideas off is invaluable.

Greg adds: “A lot of people are confused about mentors. Maybe they don’t know who to ask, they think they have to pay or that they’re not ready to ask for help. But we all have mentors, whether we realise it or not.

“It might be a friend or a loved one. But anyone you share goals with and who you know, like and trust, can fulfil the role of a mentor for you. It’s so helpful to get an outside perspective from them, and they have your best interests at heart.”

How Greg Overcame Resistance and Put Himself Out There on Social Media

Greg is a big believer in growing your business and expanding your network by using social media, and wanted to lead by example. “What I wanted to show is that I understand the MSP space and I’m passionate about it.

“I wanted to shine a light on the MSPs, but also the vendors and the individuals who do outstanding work. Because we don’t work in silos. We are collectively great, and working together is how we overcome our challenges.

“And also, it really highlights the consistency and patterns I see with MSPs working together. It might come as a surprise, but a lot of us work on the same initiatives. We’re looking to achieve the same thing. So it’s important for me to lead by example.”

What Community Means to Greg

Community matters to Greg: “It’s the collective power of uniting, all coming together to achieve whatever that is for your business and goals. Ultimately, it’s about not trying to do things by yourself and raise the bar for both the MSP community and the IT industry as a whole.

“I sit on a number of boards, I chair the UK Cybersecurity Committee for CompTIA in the UK & Ireland. Plus I serve as a board ambassador for Alder Hey Children’s Charity. I attended one of their open days some years ago and was blown away by their commitment to driving technology and innovation in healthcare, and I wanted to be a part of that.”

How to Connect With Greg JonesDattoFollow Datto on LinkedInLike Datto on FacebookFollow Datto on XConnect with Greg on LinkedInEmail GregHow 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 EpisodeDattocon EuropeKaseyaPeer group: CompTIABusiness tools: IT CompleteEndpoint management: Kaseya 365MSP accountability programme: Kaseya TruPeerCybersecurity framework: NIST 2.0Greg’s LinkedIn series: Who Are You MondayGreg’s LinkedIn series: 1 Minute WednesdayChannel Executive CouncilAlder Hey Children’s CharityBook and lifestyle: Robin Sharma: The 5 AM Club: Own Your Morning. Elevate Your Life.You Might Also be Interested inPodcast: Interview with Fred Voccola of KaseyaHow do I Choose a CRM Vendor to Work With?Three Examples of Great Tech Support From Small IT Vendors

The post TubbTalk 156: How To Partner With a Vendor To Grow Your MSP Business appeared first on Tubblog: The Hub for MSPs.

What to Consider Putting in a Powerful MSP Testimonial

MSP testimonials can be a very powerful addition to your website in establishing your credibility and attracting new prospects.

As a way to stand out from your competition as well as showcase your talents and expertise, testimonials are a personal expression of a positive experience from your customers, in their own words.

When potential customers see the positive experiences of others, it creates greater trust and adds a layer of authenticity to your service offering.

In this article we’ll look at what should go into a good testimonial, and what to avoid.

What Do We Mean by a Testimonial?

A testimonial can either be a written statement or recorded as a video. It’s an expression of positive feedback from a client or customer about their experience in working with you, their service provider.

The genuine experiences of satisfied clients create an infectious confidence in your brand for visitors to your website, or for those viewing your marketing.

It’s in our nature to trust a brand more when they are able to demonstrate value for others. This is called social proof.

As business growth marketing expert Jay Baer says: “We trust people who are like us, and we trust people who are like people we trust.”

According to a 2023 study by the Medill Spiegel Research Centre: B2B companies that showcase customer testimonials on their website see a 45% increase in conversions on average.

So they’re worth having on your website.

Asking for an MSP Testimonial

However, some people do find it quite difficult to ask their clients for a testimonial.

Perhaps part of our introverted nature as technically-minded professionals, ‘imposter syndrome’ can creep in despite us being our clients’ chosen technology partner.

Another reason could be a fear of rejection. All business owners are very busy people, and asking them to give up their time can feel ‘a bit cheeky’.

However, if you do ask and they politely decline, this could be an opportunity for you to ask if there’s anything you can do to improve your service.

If they have received a service that they’ve been pleased with, most clients will be more than happy to help. Plus you can always sweeten the deal by offering them a little token (such as a coffee) for their participation!

What Criteria Goes Into a Good MSP Testimonial

Here are a few pointers for you if you want to get a good MSP testimonial for your website.

Authenticity

It goes without saying that a good testimonial is based on a true and accurate account from one of your clients. Otherwise it’s a wasted exercise, and it can reflect badly on you if it’s later discovered to be false.

Relevant and Relatable

Testimonials, like any marketing, have more impact when they address a desire or common concern of your audience. A customer story that resonates in this way increases the likelihood of attracting new clients.

Emotional Appeal

While it’s important for a client to mention how your services have saved them money or solved a complex problem. It’s also  to articulate how they felt about the experience.

Words that convey joy, satisfaction, relief or a sense of achievement will often have greater impact on potential buyers influencing their decision-making process.

Visually Engaging

Aesthetics are an important part of any marketing material you produce. So video testimonials should be shot with good lighting and clear sound, and should be nicely edited for maximum impact.

Written testimonials should appear in a clear font, with a professional image of the client or their business logo if possible. You can also use quotation marks to emphasise the point that it’s the client’s own words.

Brief and Concise

It sounds like there’s a lot to put into a single testimonial. But they are better if they’re brief and to the point. Less is more!

Because there’s so much to read on your website, from calls to action and the various service packages available. Shorter, punchier testimonials can be easily read, and may just sway a prospect into booking a call with you.

If you want to reveal a more detailed account, it’s better to include those as case studies.

Things to Avoid in a Testimonial

Despite all the benefits client testimonials have to offer, getting them wrong can have an adverse affect your business.

Here are a list of five things to avoid in your testimonials:

Try to avoid exaggerated accounts with unverifiable claims in testimonials, as these will greatly harm your credibility.Testimonials that are too long or poorly presented won’t keep the attention of your audience.Likewise, if a testimonial seems overly scripted it can be a turn-off for potential buyers, as it gives the appearance they’re not authentic.If one of your testimonials shows inaccurate or outdated information it can shows a lack of attention to detail on your part.Testimonials that focus too heavily on negative scene-setting can be less appealing than positive and constructive testimonials.

It’s essential to make sure you verify everything and regularly review any content produced by a third party if it’s going to be included in your marketing.

How to Go About Getting a Testimonial

There are a number of different methods for collecting testimonials for your website or marketing collateral.

You can provide a testimonial request form on your website, which presents the user with a number of questions to answer. Or provide them with a link to a video testimonial app.

If you’ve just completed a project for a client that you think would make a great testimonial, then give them a call to discuss it.

Or perhaps you’ve noticed a trend where you’ve reduced support tickets for a customer or improved their security posture. When you send them a congratulatory email, why not ask them for a testimonial then too.

You can also include a link to your testimonial submission form on ticket resolution emails, or ask for them from your clients at your regular technical review meetings.

Once you have the testimonials, you then have to decide which of them you want to publish and where to use them.

MSP Testimonials Are a Game Changer

In a crowded market where everyone claims to be the perfect partner for your business, the expression of gratitude from your clients is a game-changer.

You can be the best at what you do, but strangers might not be able to fully connect with what you can provide without the endorsement of people they can easily relate to.

Turning it around, as an MSP when you are looking for vendor partners to work with, do you look at their testimonials or other social proof?

And once you’ve mastered the art of gathering testimonials, perhaps it might embolden you into developing some case studies as well?

Is your website in need of an update when it comes to incorporating testimonials? If so, will you have the courage to ask for testimonials from your clients, making sure to give them some pointers on what to talk about?

We’d love to hear about your experience with testimonials, and any success you’ve had in attracting new prospects as a result. Please let us know in the comments.

You Might Also Be Interested InMaximizing Your MSP’s Marketing with Proven Social Proof StrategiesTubbTalk 153: The Godfather Of Modern Productivity: How To Leverage GTD For TeamsWhy Consistent Content Marketing is Key for MSP Sales Success

The post What to Consider Putting in a Powerful MSP Testimonial appeared first on Tubblog: The Hub for MSPs.

TubbTalk 155: How To Stop Mac Hacks In Their Tracks and Bolster macOS Security

Stuart Ashenbrenner is a Staff macOS Researcher focusing on macOS security and development at Huntress. And he is the co-author and core developer of the open source macOS incident response tool called Aftermath. He’s the ideal person to give advice on all things Mac.

Wes Hutcherson is the Director of Product Marketing for Huntress, where he oversees market intelligence and go to marketing strategies. His multifaceted technology and cybersecurity experience spans over a decade.

An Interview With Stuart Ashenbrenner and Wes HutchersonThe Current macOS Threat Landscape

For many years, Mac computers have been considered a safer option when it comes to cybersecurity. This mistaken belief, as Stu explains, comes from a marketing campaign by Apple which said ‘Macs don’t get viruses.’

Of course, there was built-in protection, but users were (and are) convinced their machine is safe. But as attack techniques become more sophisticated, there will be similar targeted attacks to those seen by Windows users.

Larger organisations will be more at risk, too. MSPs will have to prepare for adware, POPs and other types of malware. The challenge is not so much the threats themselves but the belief of the users.

The Huntress Mac Support Offering

Wes explains that Huntress found that many providers had been adding their Windows component onto macOS and assuming that nobody would notice. “It’s like baseball and cricket. They both use bats and balls, but the rules are completely different.

“And that means the outcomes are going to be completely different too. So we went out and hired macOS experts. We asked them to help us understand the nuances of the OS so we could detect the threats that are more prevalent on Macs compared to Windows.”

They also found that, while there are more threats to Windows out there, there has been a greater increase in threats to Macs over the last year or so. “So we looked at threat detections we could develop specific to macOS. And then we could build response capabilities to isolate and eradicate those threats.”

Today’s Most Common Attack Vectors Affecting macOS Security

Huntress have found outliers that leverage zero day attacks, either in the OS itself or within the software supply chain. However, Stu explains that the vast majority are adware or malicious extensions.

“It’s very different to the Windows platform. There are a lot of browser or search engine hijacking, or PUPs. And to users, it doesn’t seem that bad. It’s not a nation state trying to move across your network.

“But that can lead to a false sense of security which makes them more vulnerable later on. Crypto mining and info stealers are big right now, and they’re leading to massive losses, whether that’s data or money.”

Recommended Best Practices to Enhance macOS Security for MSP Clients

Firstly, Stuart says it’s important to recognise that many of these Mac threats are recent. “10 years ago, there were very few threats. “But the increase in BYOD (bring your own device) and working from home has added to the problems.

“Employers have been happy to let staff use their own computers. Which leads to them installing all kinds of programmes which weren’t’ secure enough. So the best thing to leverage an MDM. The MSP can do that on the client’s behalf.

“And that’s not common for MSPs, especially if they’re used to PCs. But it’s Apple’s recommended way to protect software. That way, every time the user goes to open a new programme, there’s a prompt the approve the tool. That gives autonomy over app permissions.”

How to Deal With Clients Who Believe Their Mac is Secure Enough

No matter what you say, some clients won’t accept that their Mac computers are at risk. So, as Wes explains, you have to give them concrete examples to help them understand the threats.

“At my previous company, we carried out a study where we recruited ethical hackers to do some penetration tests. We asked them how fast they could gain access to a network and complete an attack. 57% said they could do it in under 25 hours.

“Then, we asked them how often they’re detected. And 72% said they’re rarely noticed, with 82% saying very few companies can stop them. So we took that data to those clients and showed them how easy it was. That really brought it home for them. So use hard facts whenever you can.”

How to Stay Ahead of Evolving macOS Security Threats

The main recommendation Wes has is to make sure that your MSP has an endpoint detection response standpoint. “There are unique components for Mac visibility compared to Windows, so I’d say stay ahead.

“Remember that you can’t detect what you can’t see, so you need to pay attention.  If you decide to have a third-party provider to help with EDR, ensure they have a macOS dedicated threat intelligence or development team.

“And remind clients that attackers can strike at any time. Being isolated isn’t enough. Consider all the components to stay ahead and regard these as critical capabilities. Take the time to find the right provider and to educate your clients.”

How to Connect With Stuart Ashenbrenner and Wes HutchersonHuntressFollow Huntress on LinkedInLike Huntress on FacebookFollow Huntress on XConnect with Stuart on LinkedInConnect with Wes 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 EpisodeOpen source macOS incident response tool: AftermathPodcast: Interview with Dray AghaMalware: Atomic macOS Stealer (AMOS)Trojan: Info StealerShell programme: BashScripting language: AppleScriptKnowledge base: MITRE ATT&CKmacOS threat: CuckooXM Cyber study into breach and attack simulationsSlack community: MacAdminsBlog series: Ask the Mac Guy: macOS Security MythsOn-demand webinar: Dealing with Mac threatsMSP peer group: The Tech TribeMonthly Huntress get-together: Tradecraft TuesdayHuntress: Free trialYou Might Also be Interested inWebinar: Chilling Cybersecurity Horror Stories from the Professionals at HuntressIn-House or Outsourced Cybersecurity: What’s Best for MSPs?Top Tech and Insights From Cloud & Cybersecurity Expo

The post TubbTalk 155: How To Stop Mac Hacks In Their Tracks and Bolster macOS Security appeared first on Tubblog: The Hub for MSPs.

Why Time Off is Vital for MSP Leaders’ Mental Wellbeing

As usual, the British summer doesn’t seem to know what it wants. Heating and jumpers on one minute, and then windows down and jackets off in beer gardens the next.

However, whatever the weather does, the schools will be closed for six weeks and the motorways will be full of cars at a standstill. Holidays will be happening regardless of sunshine and showers.

So as a busy MSP (managed service provider) owner, are you planning to take a week or two off, or are you ignoring the call of the beach in order to keep working? If you have small children you may not have a choice, but even so you may end up taking your laptop and smartphone away with you.

Here at TeamTubb, we’re big believers in the importance of everyone taking time off, even the leadership. Richard himself has taken the summer off in the past, trusting us to keep things ticking over.

But if you’re reading this and thinking: “There’s no way I could take a holiday, even if I wanted to. The business needs me to be present at all times, then I’d urge you to have a rethink.

Downtime is Normal

Taking time out and away from your business isn’t a bad thing. Paid vacation leave has been available to British employees since 1938, so even the government thinks we should have a break now and then. And not just on the bank holidays!

If you really don’t think you could take a full fortnight out, then why not plan some long weekends or city breaks? Book with a friend or your family, so you’re committed to them and won’t let them down. Plan in advance so you can let the team know.

And depending on your longer-term plan for the business, this could also be a good opportunity for you to step away from some of the day-to-day tasks you’re intending to pass over eventually.

You might want to move to a four-day work week, so perhaps you can try it over the summer. Wherever possible, try to tie it in with a regular event (an evening class, a gym session) so that you’ve got an external obligation to not be at the office. 

Avoid Burnout by Taking Time Off

The main reason you need to take time off is to avoid getting run down and burning out. This is very common in self-employed people, especially when they’re new to business. Just last month, Wifi Statistics’ website WifiTalents reported that 60% of entrepreneurs said that not only had they suffered with burnout, but that it had impacted on their mental health.

And burnout is not only difficult to manage at the time, but can have a massive impact on your future health and wellbeing, as well as on your business. You might not realise until later on the full extent of its effects.

No job, even if it’s being the CEO of your own company, is worth your health. Depending on what happens, you may be off sick for several months. This may affect your income and also make it harder for you to pay your staff. If you don’t have key person insurance or similar, you might feel obliged to get back to work sooner than you’d like.

Be kind to yourself and start to look into mindfulness practices – having a week or so away from the business might be the ideal time to introduce meditation, a lunchtime dog walk or a yoga class. Wherever possible, we want to prevent burnout, not treat the after-effects. And remember to encourage your team to do likewise.

You’ve Built the Team, Now it’s Time to Trust Them

If you’re no longer operating as a break/fix one-man band and have embraced the MSP model, then you’ll have at least a couple of engineers in your employ. You’ve spent time recruiting and training people to deliver your services to the same standard you do, right?

So in that case, let them run the business for you while you’re away! It can be hard to let go of the reins when it feels less like a company and more like your baby, but that’s the whole reason you’ve got a team.

Make sure you’ve got everything in place for them before you take time off (we’ll be covering this in a future post) and, more importantly, set some boundaries. Let them know if, how and when they can contact you, or who to go to in case of something urgent.

Encourage them to take ownership of both current tasks and new things that might arise when you’re absent. And make sure they’re comfortable with saying no to clients  – and not sharing your personal number with them either!

Showing your team that you trust them to run things without you will really make them step up their game to deliver for you. And it increases their job satisfaction, too, making them more likely to stick around. 

Have Creative Ideas and Find Inspiration During Time Off

I’m a small business owner myself, and I find that when I’m out of office and *technically* not working (because I’m never completely switched off!) I have my best ideas.

If you also find your downtime is when you have your best ideas, come up with a way to capture those. If you’re analogue (and you might decide to take a digital break as well as a physical one), have a pen and notebook to hand.

Or, you might prefer to record your ideas as a voice memo or note on your phone. If you do decide to capture your thoughts on the computer, try to stay away from email and work communication channels! You might allow yourself 20 minutes a day to add things to your digital to-do list.

And make sure that you schedule some time to review these ideas when you get back to work. Put it in your calendar to do when you’re checking your newly-filled inbox, and if you need help from a team member, let them know while the idea is still fresh in your mind. 

Come Back Refreshed From Your Time Off

Whether you had a staycation, a city break or an exotic holiday, you will hopefully feel relaxed and refreshed when you get back to the day job. Having time to yourself might have stimulated new ideas, but it might have also adjusted your perspective on existing things, too.

Perhaps something that felt like a challenge before you went away now seems more manageable. You might decide that it’s time to get rid of that difficult client, offer a new service, expand the team or adopt a new way of working.

Whatever it is, you should really notice the difference when you come back after time out. Now is a great time to re-evaluate and redefine your quarter 4 goals so you can end the year strong. And make the time to have the festive period off too!

Are you taking time off this summer? Let us know in the comments how you’re preparing for the holidays.

You Might Also be Interested in7 Examples of how to Promote Positive Mental Wellbeing in Your BusinessPodcast: What do Midlife MSP Owners Need to Know for Better Health and Wellness?Encouraging Wellbeing as an Important Investment for Your Business

The post Why Time Off is Vital for MSP Leaders’ Mental Wellbeing appeared first on Tubblog: The Hub for MSPs.

Maximising Your MSP’s Marketing with Proven Social Proof Strategies

Social proof is one of the most powerful tools in your marketing arsenal as a managed service provider (MSP).

Credible peer reviews can give your business the edge over your competition, and is an essential component in helping to build a trusted brand.

But if ‘social proof’ is a novel concept for you, or you don’t know where to start, don’t worry.

In this article we’re going to look at the benefits and risks involved. And also, look at some practical examples which you can implement in your business.

What is Social Proof and Why it Matters?

Social proof was a term coined by Dr Robert Cialdini in his book Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion.

It’s a psychological phenomenon that comes from following the behaviour of people who others perceive to be correct. This includes choices they make, and the people they trust.

It’s a similar concept to herd mentality.

When marketing to potential customers, this subconscious behaviour influences the decision to buy in three ways:

Conformity – Customers unsure of where to buy will look to their peers for inspiration. Often this comes from a psychological desire to fit in and gain acceptance.

Belonging – Customers are influenced when a service provider’s values align with their own.

Trust – When other customers’ opinions increase your confidence to make a decision to buy.

Online reviews are a powerful form of social proof. In the 2023 Software Buying Trends Report from Gartner, 86% of businesses consider verified reviews critical in their decision to purchase from a business.

As an MSP, you can encourage more prospects to buy your services by leveraging social proof in your marketing.

The Benefits of Social Proof

According to digital marketing expert Gary Vaynerchuk: “Social proof is the currency of the future. It’s the most powerful form of advertising.”

When you invest in a social proof strategy, it comes with a number of significant benefits.

Shows Trust and Credibility

When you’re able to provide examples of the genuine successful outcomes you’ve achieved for those you’ve worked with, it can elevate you above the competition.

It proves you understand the needs of your customers and can be trusted to deliver.

In a B2B (Business-to-Business) context, when you’ve worked well with others in the past, their experiences, shared for your benefit, go a long way.

Real world examples that can be verified and checked will build confidence in prospective clients. It might make all the difference between choosing your MSP business to work with over another.

Demonstrates Your Industry Expertise

In the face of growing threats, and advancing innovations, your ideal prospects are looking for technology partners who are proven to be good at what they do.

By demonstrating a history of successfully implemented solutions for your customers, you’ll showcase your skills in a relatable context.

Plus, your knowledge in anticipating and adapting to trends in a rapidly evolving industry is a unique selling proposition that should be shared with your audience.

Sets You Apart from Your Competitors

IT service provision is a crowded marketplace, and so exploiting the means to showcase your achievements is an ingenious way to elevate your business above the competition.

Significant breakthroughs or challenges that you’ve successfully overcome, especially where you’ve received recognition for it, are great examples of using social proof this way.

Builds Better Relationships

It’s not just prospects that see your social proof efforts. Your existing customers and industry peers will see them too.

Case studies and customer stories can showcase how you’ve helped your clients in the past in strategic ways, and strengthen the relationships you have across your entire customer base.

Likewise, these are a great endorsement of what to expect when working with you. And therefore can lead to more opportunities for strategic partnerships and referrals.

Provides a Template for Improvement

As well as proving good service amongst your happy customers, reviews are a great way of identifying areas for improvement.

Reviews will show you what your customers valued most about their interactions with you, which in turn suggests other areas to focus on improving. Continuous business improvement will help your services mature and maintain high standards.

6 Examples of Social Proof for Managed Service Providers

When it comes to social proof that MSPs should aim in to incorporate into their business, these six examples will provide the most value to you.

1. Client Testimonials

Testimonials are powerful because they come directly from your clients and offer personal insights into what it’s like working with you and your business.

They are relatable to your prospects, and they’re seen as credible endorsements because they’re written or recorded by the client in their own words. However, it is common to provide some questions for guidance.

A good testimonial can help build an emotional connection with your audience on social media, or to visitors to your website or YouTube channel.

Some testimonials can address concerns and common objections that some of your prospects might have, and positively influence decision makers in choosing to buy IT services from you.

2. Case Studies

Case studies, sometimes referred to as customer success stories, are in-depth accounts of how your services as an IT provider have directly impacted on one of your customers or clients.

A good case study paints a clear and accurate picture of the scenario faced by your client, and how you worked with them to achieve a desirable outcome.

For maximum credibility, case studies should include feedback from the client in their own words. This will help your case studies reach your prospect audience on an emotional level.

Because of this, case studies are powerful forms of marketing for your business, and are essential on your website, and also pinned to your LinkedIn Company Profile.

3. User Reviews and Ratings

Reviews give a quick and easy indication of how valued you are by your customers as a IT service provider. When potential customers see positive reviews, it helps to build your credibility, and makes your more trustworthy.

Reviews are easy to set up, whether that’s using a service like Trustpilot or by conducting surveys from resolved support tickets. And it will allow you to show your audience the confidence you have in delivering a satisfactory service to your clients.

However, remember to be transparent about your ratings, making sure to include the number of reviews that rating is based on.

4. Peer Awards and Media Coverage

Awards are another way to showcase your talents in the industry.  Receiving recognition for your work by your peers validates your expertise in your field.

This shows your prospects that others think you do great work and gives them confidence to buy from you.

It also sets a benchmark for others to strive for which benefits the industry as a whole.

Media coverage also gives your brand recognition, especially if it’s in service of your clients or doing work for charity. For example, sponsoring a sports team that creates column inches makes for good marketing.

5. Trustmark Badges and Certifications

Similar to your peer awards, you should display your certifications and trustmarks to promote your business.

Usually, these qualifications have to be earned by completing an exam or providing documentary evidence that you’ve adhered to the requirements. However, they show both a commitment to hard work and a competency in a specific discipline.

An example of this is the Assured Service Provider scheme from the National Cyber Security Centre. This allows you to display this badge on your website, and makes you part of a select few who have this qualification.

6. Social Media Mentions and Shares

How you interact with others on social media is yet another form of social proof. Platforms like LinkedIn allow us to directly interact with our connections and followers.

What we choose to react to, comment on and share has an impact on our connected audiences. As well as any posts, videos or events that we’re tagged in.

These interactions reveal what we value as individuals and can make us more relatable and approachable to others.

Risks When Relying Solely on Social Proof

Social proof as a marketing method does come with some minor concerns to watch out for.

Bad Reviews

While sometimes a bad review is unavoidable, it’s important that you address them.

From a customer experience point of view, you should always attempt to address and rectify the issue where possible. If you miss the opportunity to try to reach out, it can send a negative signal to prospects. From reading your reviews it could appear that you don’t seem to care about your customers.

Zero Poor Ratings

It’s true that while good ratings promote your business in a positive light, bad ratings do the opposite. However, having no poor ratings at all can look suspicious, and could imply some dishonesty on your part in masking the true average.

It’s thought to be acceptable to have a minimum overall average of 3.5 out of 5 stars. Any fewer and it could put off some of your potential prospects.

Making Inaccurate Claims

It’s a risk to your credibility, and therefore your reputation if your social proof has been embellished in some way. You can assume that any marketing you put out has been fact checked, but it may be easy to miss in testimonials or case studies made by your clients and peers.

Make sure you review your social proof mechanisms and address any inaccuracies.

A mistake or two is easy to forgive, but regular claims that aren’t true could cause you problems if not addressed. And being caught in a lie makes it difficult to win back any lost trust as a result. Plus there may be legal implications too.

Where to Get Started With Social Proof

It might feel overwhelming to start incorporating social proof into your marketing. Especially given everything else you do as an MSP business owner. However, you don’t need to do it all right away. Think of it as a project that can be undertaken a bit at a time. Adding to it when you find the time.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

Figure Out What Sets You Apart from Your Competitors

Whether this is your ethos and culture, your people, your unique selling proposition or the niche that you work in. Establishing what sets you apart from your competitors early on is a good place to start for any marketing strategy.

It helps you determine your focus for who you follow on social media, what groups you’re a member of and the sort of customers you want for your business.

Approach Your Clients for a Testimonial or Review

Asking your clients for a testimonial or review might seem like a bother, but your happy customers will often be happy to oblige you.

You can make this process easier for them by offering assistance in what to say in their statement. The testimonial could be a written statement or a video.

Likewise, you can provide a link to a form to your customers that wish to leave a short review.

Start Collecting Survey Data for Resolved Tickets

If you don’t already send out surveys when you resolve support requests or complete projects, then now is a good time to start.

Survey data from your ticketing system, or an integrated software survey tool will supply the requisite data needed for establishing your customer satisfaction ratings.

Choose What to Include or Your Website

A regular review of your website should be something you think about doing every three to five years. And one of the best places to include any social proof marketing is on your website.

There are many places to include a testimonial: it could be in your trailer video embedded on the homepage, or it could be a short quotation within your hero image.

A specific testimonials subpage is another option where several can be read at once.

Another common place for short testimonials or ratings is near your call-to-action, as this is the area visitors will go to before making that emotional decision to buy.

Incorporate Social Proof into Your Digital Marketing Strategy

If you already have a digital marketing strategy, be sure to make social proof a part of it. You might think of it as ‘blowing your own trumpet’. However, it’s important to let your audience know about your achievements.

Your wins are a momentous part of your journey as an entrepreneur. Sharing them in your marketing builds your reputation and creates an emotional connection to your followers, website visitors or subscribers to your email newsletters.

Social Proof Conclusion

Many digital businesses already embrace social proof as a way to distinguish themselves as experts in a crowded market.

MSPs should make meaningful connections with their audience of peers and potential prospects by tapping into social proof. Whether that’s visitors to the website, or followers on social media.

The credibility and trust you can build up will elevate your sales and marketing game, providing you’re careful to address inaccuracies and the bad reviews.

Have you seen your sales improve after putting a few glowing testimonials on your website? Did mentioning your accreditation as a Cyber Advisor result a few more phone calls? Or have you had to address a problematic review or two that wasn’t your fault?

We would love to hear your experiences in using social proof in the comments.

You Might Also Be Interested InWhy Consistent Content Marketing is Key for MSP Sales SuccessTubbTalk 129: How an MSP Wins At Marketing in The Real World10 Handy AI Resources to Help Your MSP Clients Grow Their Business

The post Maximising Your MSP’s Marketing with Proven Social Proof Strategies appeared first on Tubblog: The Hub for MSPs.

Maximizing Your MSP’s Marketing with Proven Social Proof Strategies

Social proof is one of the most powerful tools in your marketing arsenal as a managed service provider (MSP).

Credible peer reviews can give your business the edge over your competition, and is an essential component in helping to build a trusted brand.

But if ‘social proof’ is a novel concept for you, or you don’t know where to start, don’t worry.

In this article we’re going to look at the benefits and risks involved. And also, look at some practical examples which you can implement in your business.

 

What is Social Proof and Why it Matters?

Social proof was a term coined by Dr Robert Cialdini in his book Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion.

It’s a psychological phenomenon that comes from following the behaviour of people who others perceive to be correct. This includes choices they make, and the people they trust.

It’s a similar concept to herd mentality.

When marketing to potential customers, this subconscious behaviour influences the decision to buy in three ways:

Conformity – Customers unsure of where to buy will look to their peers for inspiration. Often this comes from a psychological desire to fit in and gain acceptance.

Belonging – Customers are influenced when a service provider’s values align with their own.

Trust – When other customers’ opinions increase your confidence to make a decision to buy.

Online reviews are a powerful form of social proof. In the 2023 Software Buying Trends Report from Gartner, 86% of businesses consider verified reviews critical in their decision to purchase from a business.

As an MSP, you can encourage more prospects to buy your services by leveraging social proof in your marketing.

The Benefits of Social Proof

According to digital marketing expert Gary Vaynerchuk: “Social proof is the currency of the future. It’s the most powerful form of advertising.”

When you invest in a social proof strategy, it comes with a number of significant benefits.

Shows Trust and Credibility

When you’re able to provide examples of the genuine successful outcomes you’ve achieved for those you’ve worked with, it can elevate you above the competition.

It proves you understand the needs of your customers and can be trusted to deliver.

In a B2B (Business-to-Business) context, when you’ve worked well with others in the past, their experiences, shared for your benefit, go a long way.

Real world examples that can be verified and checked will build confidence in prospective clients. It might make all the difference between choosing your MSP business to work with over another.

Demonstrates Your Industry Expertise

In the face of growing threats, and advancing innovations, your ideal prospects are looking for technology partners who are proven to be good at what they do.

By demonstrating a history of successfully implemented solutions for your customers, you’ll showcase your skills in a relatable context.

Plus, your knowledge in anticipating and adapting to trends in a rapidly evolving industry is a unique selling proposition that should be shared with your audience.

Sets You Apart from Your Competitors

IT service provision is a crowded marketplace, and so exploiting the means to showcase your achievements is an ingenious way to elevate your business above the competition.

Significant breakthroughs or challenges that you’ve successfully overcome, especially where you’ve received recognition for it, are great examples of using social proof this way.

Builds Better Relationships

It’s not just prospects that see your social proof efforts. Your existing customers and industry peers will see them too.

Case studies and customer stories can showcase how you’ve helped your clients in the past in strategic ways, and strengthen the relationships you have across your entire customer base.

Likewise, these are a great endorsement of what to expect when working with you. And therefore can lead to more opportunities for strategic partnerships and referrals.

Provides a Template for Improvement

As well as proving good service amongst your happy customers, reviews are a great way of identifying areas for improvement.

Reviews will show you what your customers valued most about their interactions with you, which in turn suggests other areas to focus on improving. Continuous business improvement will help your services mature and maintain high standards.

6 Examples of Social Proof for Managed Service Providers

When it comes to social proof that MSPs should aim in to incorporate into their business, these six examples will provide the most value to you.

1. Client Testimonials

Testimonials are powerful because they come directly from your clients and offer personal insights into what it’s like working with you and your business.

They are relatable to your prospects, and they’re seen as credible endorsements because they’re written or recorded by the client in their own words. However, it is common to provide some questions for guidance.

A good testimonial can help build an emotional connection with your audience on social media, or to visitors to your website or YouTube channel.

Some testimonials can address concerns and common objections that some of your prospects might have, and positively influence decision makers in choosing to buy IT services from you.

2. Case Studies

Case studies, sometimes referred to as customer success stories, are in-depth accounts of how your services as an IT provider have directly impacted on one of your customers or clients.

A good case study paints a clear and accurate picture of the scenario faced by your client, and how you worked with them to achieve a desirable outcome.

For maximum credibility, case studies should include feedback from the client in their own words. This will help your case studies reach your prospect audience on an emotional level.

Because of this, case studies are powerful forms of marketing for your business, and are essential on your website, and also pinned to your LinkedIn Company Profile.

3. User Reviews and Ratings

Reviews give a quick and easy indication of how valued you are by your customers as a IT service provider. When potential customers see positive reviews, it helps to build your credibility, and makes your more trustworthy.

Reviews are easy to set up, whether that’s using a service like Trustpilot or by conducting surveys from resolved support tickets. And it will allow you to show your audience the confidence you have in delivering a satisfactory service to your clients.

However, remember to be transparent about your ratings, making sure to include the number of reviews that rating is based on.

4. Peer Awards and Media Coverage

Awards are another way to showcase your talents in the industry.  Receiving recognition for your work by your peers validates your expertise in your field.

This shows your prospects that others think you do great work and gives them confidence to buy from you.

It also sets a benchmark for others to strive for which benefits the industry as a whole.

Media coverage also gives your brand recognition, especially if it’s in service of your clients or doing work for charity. For example, sponsoring a sports team that creates column inches makes for good marketing.

5. Trustmark Badges and Certifications

Similar to your peer awards, you should display your certifications and trustmarks to promote your business.

Usually, these qualifications have to be earned by completing an exam or providing documentary evidence that you’ve adhered to the requirements. However, they show both a commitment to hard work and a competency in a specific discipline.

An example of this is the Assured Service Provider scheme from the National Cyber Security Centre. This allows you to display this badge on your website, and makes you part of a select few who have this qualification.

6. Social Media Mentions and Shares

How you interact with others on social media is yet another form of social proof. Platforms like LinkedIn allow us to directly interact with our connections and followers.

What we choose to react to, comment on and share has an impact on our connected audiences. As well as any posts, videos or events that we’re tagged in.

These interactions reveal what we value as individuals and can make us more relatable and approachable to others.

Risks When Relying Solely on Social Proof

Social proof as a marketing method does come with some minor concerns to watch out for.

Bad Reviews

While sometimes a bad review is unavoidable, it’s important that you address them.

From a customer experience point of view, you should always attempt to address and rectify the issue where possible. If you miss the opportunity to try to reach out, it can send a negative signal to prospects. From reading your reviews it could appear that you don’t seem to care about your customers.

Zero Poor Ratings

It’s true that while good ratings promote your business in a positive light, bad ratings do the opposite. However, having no poor ratings at all can look suspicious, and could imply some dishonesty on your part in masking the true average.

It’s thought to be acceptable to have a minimum overall average of 3.5 out of 5 stars. Any fewer and it could put off some of your potential prospects.

Making Inaccurate Claims

It’s a risk to your credibility, and therefore your reputation if your social proof has been embellished in some way. You can assume that any marketing you put out has been fact checked, but it may be easy to miss in testimonials or case studies made by your clients and peers.

Make sure you review your social proof mechanisms and address any inaccuracies.

A mistake or two is easy to forgive, but regular claims that aren’t true could cause you problems if not addressed. And being caught in a lie makes it difficult to win back any lost trust as a result. Plus there may be legal implications too.

Where to Get Started With Social Proof

It might feel overwhelming to start incorporating social proof into your marketing. Especially given everything else you do as an MSP business owner. However, you don’t need to do it all right away. Think of it as a project that can be undertaken a bit at a time. Adding to it when you find the time.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

Figure Out What Sets You Apart from Your Competitors

Whether this is your ethos and culture, your people, your unique selling proposition or the niche that you work in. Establishing what sets you apart from your competitors early on is a good place to start for any marketing strategy.

It helps you determine your focus for who you follow on social media, what groups you’re a member of and the sort of customers you want for your business.

Approach Your Clients for a Testimonial or Review

Asking your clients for a testimonial or review might seem like a bother, but your happy customers will often be happy to oblige you.

You can make this process easier for them by offering assistance in what to say in their statement. The testimonial could be a written statement or a video.

Likewise, you can provide a link to a form to your customers that wish to leave a short review.

Start Collecting Survey Data for Resolved Tickets

If you don’t already send out surveys when you resolve support requests or complete projects, then now is a good time to start.

Survey data from your ticketing system, or an integrated software survey tool will supply the requisite data needed for establishing your customer satisfaction ratings.

Choose What to Include or Your Website

A regular review of your website should be something you think about doing every three to five years. And one of the best places to include any social proof marketing is on your website.

There are many places to include a testimonial: it could be in your trailer video embedded on the homepage, or it could be a short quotation within your hero image.

A specific testimonials subpage is another option where several can be read at once.

Another common place for short testimonials or ratings is near your call-to-action, as this is the area visitors will go to before making that emotional decision to buy.

Incorporate Social Proof into Your Digital Marketing Strategy

If you already have a digital marketing strategy, be sure to make social proof a part of it. You might think of it as ‘blowing your own trumpet’. However, it’s important to let your audience know about your achievements.

Your wins are a momentous part of your journey as an entrepreneur. Sharing them in your marketing builds your reputation and creates an emotional connection to your followers, website visitors or subscribers to your email newsletters.

Social Proof Conclusion

Many digital businesses already embrace social proof as a way to distinguish themselves as experts in a crowded market.

MSPs should make meaningful connections with their audience of peers and potential prospects by tapping into social proof. Whether that’s visitors to the website, or followers on social media.

The credibility and trust you can build up will elevate your sales and marketing game, providing you’re careful to address inaccuracies and the bad reviews.

Have you seen your sales improve after putting a few glowing testimonials on your website? Did mentioning your accreditation as a Cyber Advisor result a few more phone calls? Or have you had to address a problematic review or two that wasn’t your fault?

We would love to hear your experiences in using social proof in the comments.

You Might Also Be Interested InWhy Consistent Content Marketing is Key for MSP Sales SuccessTubbTalk 129: How an MSP Wins At Marketing in The Real World10 Handy AI Resources to Help Your MSP Clients Grow Their Business

The post Maximizing Your MSP’s Marketing with Proven Social Proof Strategies appeared first on Tubblog: The Hub for MSPs.

TubbTalk 154: How to Use and Sell Microsoft Copilot for MSP Growth

Eric Östlund-Folkeryd is the go-to market lead for Microsoft AI at Pax8 EMEA. He’s the business lead for Microsoft Copilot and other AI tools. He’s worked in commercial AI and SaaS roles at multiple organisations, which makes him the ideal person to help MSPs make the most of the latest tools.

An Interview with Eric Östlund-FolkerydThe Opportunity for MSPs with AI

As AI is more readily available, and in an MSP-friendly format, Eric says it’s cool to see what can be done with it. “You could tell a customer about what it can do, but you can do more than just sell a product.

“Instead, why not have a discussion around the outcomes your clients would like to get with AI? They might not all be available right now, but you’re getting things started.

“Now, MSPs can get into the business of providing outcomes. You sell peace of mind, productivity and future-proofing. Because those are the things that your clients really care about.”

What is Microsoft Copilot?

A simple description is: it’s like ChatGPT, but it’s safe and usable for your work. But as Eric admits, that’s reductive. It adds generative AI and has the ability to generate new content for users.

Furthermore, Eric says: “It helps you to pull information together, connects the dots and presents the results clearly to you. And it works in every Microsoft product interaction you have.”

It’s evolving all the time, but the best way to think of it, says Eric, is to imagine it’s a junior assistant in your business. It’s available to everyone and you can offload tasks to it. It makes you a more-rounded professional.

The Challenges in Integrating AI Tools Like Microsoft Copilot into Your Existing Stack

For many MSPs and their SMB clients, it feels like AI came out of nowhere. That’s not strictly true, says Eric, but it did arrive quicker than many expected. He adds: “It’s probably the most customer driven product that I’ve encountered. Clients want to know how to use it.

“As an MSP, you want to be seen as the trusted expert who knows everything about the technology before you deploy it, and that can be a challenge. But while that’s a problem, it’s also a huge opportunity. When else do clients ask for help like this?

“There’s no defining playbook, because we don’t have years of experience to draw on. That means that MSPs have to experiment with AI tools. Look at how you can use and integrate it, and then help your customers do the same. It’s a learning curve.”

Surprising Ways You Can Use Microsoft Copilot

Eric explains that he uses Microsoft Copilot for a range of work tasks. “When I have to prepare a presentation, I use it to help me craft an outline and produce a basic PowerPoint slideshow.

“Or, when it comes to research, I give it a basic command. Then, I give more information in the follow-up prompts and refine my requests each time. I can also ask it to present the results in a table or as a report.

“But what has really been a surprise is with the Copilot for Work interface. You can use Prompt Buddy to help you to create better prompts. For instance, you can ask it to summarise your upcoming work day. It can look through emails and Teams communications to highlight what to follow up.”

How Microsoft Copilot Ensures Compliance and Security for MSP Client Data

For MSPs to keep their clients safe, Eric suggests in a premium licence for Microsoft Copilot. “If you do so, you have access to the full toolset. And you can manage who can access what, which data is shared, where and with who.

“If you want to provide a robust solution for clients’ problems, you need full data awareness, even if they don’t. You might restrict SharePoint search, for example, or give Copilot access to a few areas that are safe.

“You don’t need the client to be 100% data secure before they start with Copilot, but take it as an opportunity to help them to get organised. And there’s an ongoing benefit, because you can access their insights. Plus you can fix it when things go wrong.”

Why AI Isn’t a Magic Wand to Fix Business Problems

Many MSPs will have clients with data stored all over. And they probably won’t have the right privileges and security practices in place. So you can’t slap AI on top and say ‘Only allow the people we want to see the things that we want. Before that can happen, you need to do some data sanitisation.

This can be done in parallel with the integration of AI tools, but Eric encourages MSPs to help their clients be selective about what they share with AI tools. “You might restrict access to what the individual can see in SharePoint instead of everything stored across the company networks.

“But the really exciting use cases are those where a company has all of its data set up and securely stored. Because then you can safely reference all of the organisation’s knowledge and do some heavy lifting with AI to help you.”

How to Connect With Eric Östlund-FolkerydPax8Follow Pax8 on XLike Pax8 on FacebookFollow Pax8 on LinkedInConnect with Eric 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 EpisodeAI assistant: Microsoft CopilotAI tool: ChatGPTIntelligence system from the Terminator films: SkynetHelp with writing AI prompts: Prompt BuddyMicrosoft collaboration tool: TeamsMicrosoft AI certification: Azure FundamentalsMicrosoft skills challengesMicrosoft AI certification: Azure Data Engineer AssociateAI-powered data analytics tool: Microsoft FabricMicrosoft annual conference: BuildPax8 annual conference: BeyondYou Might Also be Interested inHow to Better Support Your MSP Clients With AI ToolsPodcast: AI, the Future of MSPs and Pax8 for MSPs: What You Need to KnowHow to Help Your MSP Clients Stay Safe When Using AI Tools

 

 

The post TubbTalk 154: How to Use and Sell Microsoft Copilot for MSP Growth appeared first on Tubblog: The Hub for MSPs.

Unlock IT Efficiency with David Allen’s ‘Getting Things Done’

Ever struggled with keeping productive? Feel like you’re sinking in an ever-rising river of emails, admin, and client tasks – without feeling like you’re getting anywhere fast?

Chances are, lots of you are nodding along. In the IT industry, we’re all used to expecting the unexpected. We’ll start the day off with a clear list of tasks and to-dos, only to find a whole host of tech demands flying from all angles, setting us off-balance.

Now – if you enjoy working in IT and tech, chances are you thrive on chaos. But, does that necessarily mean you’re being productive?

If you’ve been a long-time reader of Tubblog, you might already know that Richard strongly supports the GTD method – Getting Things Done, created by productivity maestro David Allen.

Allen’s 2001 book of the same name explores ways in which we can all stay productive while balancing stress. It’s all about attacking that initial source of stress and logically examining trigger points.

Richard and David have chatted twice about productivity and the modern IT workplace via Tubbtalk – and, recently, David’s announced the release of a follow-on from GTD – Teams: Getting Things Done With Others.

In this guide, I’ll give you an introductory tour of Getting Things Done, its follow-up, and how David’s fantastic insights are helping IT professionals manage increasingly chaotic workloads with poise and confidence.

What is it about David Allen’s work that resonates so much with IT and tech professionals? Let’s take a deep dive and find out.

Who is David Allen?

David Allen is the undisputed champion of personal productivity. Over the past three decades, he’s helped corporate leaders and CEOs worldwide master daily organisation and make the dreaded overwhelm more manageable.

In the IT industry, finding balance has never been more important – and David’s techniques are helping millions of tech experts carefully manage daily projects alongside ad-hoc requests without burning out.

His 2001 book, the aforementioned Getting Things Done, put David’s work on the map. In the years since its release, the researcher and coach has been recognised by Time Magazine and Business 2.0, and has made it to the top of international best-sellers’ lists.

But what’s David’s thought process behind creating GTD in the first place? How does he break it down into a few words – if that’s even possible?

In conversation with Richard over on TubbTalk, he describes the GTD concept as “really simple, basic moves that everybody knows how to do.”

“It’s a sort of ‘best practices’ that are simple to do, but they don’t happen automatically,” he explains. “If you learn to do them, and do them consistently, it creates more of a sense of control, more of a sense of focus – and creates more cognitive space to focus on whatever you consider the most meaningful things.”

David explains that GTD is all about “getting stuff out of your head without having to finish it,” then engaging with it and “freeing up your head to do what it does much better (…) than try to remember and remind.”

“Deciding what to do actually takes thinking and decision-making,” David says. “So, I just figured – what’s the thinking process, and the decision-making process, you need to apply to that email, letter or idea you came up with – in order to be able to then get those out of your head and actually make them much easier to engage with?”

David essentially realised his own head was unclear and that he needed to “fix” it. Clearly, his methodologies have worked well for millions – over 20 years on, he’s still regarded as the father of modern productivity.

But, what exactly does GTD involve, and how can IT professionals apply it to their increasingly complex workloads? Let’s dig a bit deeper.

What is “Getting Things Done?”

David developed the GTD system over the years to apply to people from all walks of life and to use across the industries – it just so happens it’s really caught on with tech and IT experts. 

Ultimately, GTD is all about siphoning ideas away from your mind, so you can use it to create, rather than store endless tasks and worries.

From there, you can use GTD to record and break down the tasks from your head into tangible, bite-sized steps. That might sound like it’s just about writing lists – that’s some of the work behind GTD, but the secret spice behind it all is learning how to spot and focus on the next actions you need to take.

GTD is a procrastination killer in that it clearly tells you what steps to take rather than leave tasks vaguely piling up. How often have you put off jobs or tasks simply because they appear too large, complex, or vague to break down?

Getting Things Done, according to David, is breaking down these larger tasks into smaller stepping stones. For example, what steps might you need to take when fortifying a client’s LAN security for the first time? Instead of looking at the mountain, you look at the rocks you need to climb to get to the summit.

Store these stepping stones (or rocks, if we continue the metaphor) externally, and your mind can focus on actually taking action.

The GTD workflow

Richard’s talked about the GTD workflow briefly elsewhere on Tubblog, but let’s revisit the concept and break down each of the steps in detail. Not to spoil David’s book, let’s look at each of the five main components of a GTD system and consider how we can apply them to certain IT or tech demands.

The typical or hypothetical GTD workflow or system splits into five key stages:

CaptureClarifyOrganiseReflectEngage

Here’s what those points all mean in practice:

Capture

Capture is stage one, and it’s all about recording what’s on your mind. What’s making you worry? What problems are at the forefront of your mind, and what do you need to take off your plate?

David suggests getting anything that doesn’t have a logical conclusion into a physical system where you can store it and break it down. That might be a notepad, an inbox, or even a reminder or two in a phone app. You might even benefit from recording your thoughts verbally, again, with an app or a memo recorder.

This stage lets you take immediate problems off your mind so you can start breaking them down. For example, you might worry about configuring a complex cloud infrastructure for a new client. Get that captured!

Clarify

The clarify stage is where you examine the concerns you recorded and decide what they mean. In the next stage, you organise them into different buckets so it’s easier to know what to prioritise. 

At the clarify stage, you ask yourself “what is it?” Is your concern or task something you can take action on right away, or can you ‘throw it away’? 

This is the process of ‘emptying your inbox’. If your task is something you can take action on, or should take action on, you could:

Just do it (if it takes less than two minutes)Delegate it (if there’s someone who can handle the work for you)Move it along (if you can do it later)

If it’s a task or action that isn’t a priority or might even be in doubt, you could:

Throw it awaySave it for laterFile it clearly so you can address it quickly another time

This is going to mean you need to think deeply about each of the tasks on your mind – and David explores this in plenty of detail in his book, helping you break down your concerns into tangible steps.

Organise

Now you know what each of your worries or tasks are, and how you intend to prioritise them, it’s time to organise a plan of attack.

It’s here where you take your tasks out of your inbox and start putting them in action buckets that make logical sense.

For example, you should be careful to distinguish between projects, ideas, and individual activities. Projects are long-term tasks that you can break down into separate stages and add to your calendar or priority to-do lists. 

At the organise stage, it’s important to start adding dates for delivery to your calendar, save items for later, and decide who can take on certain tasks for you.

David suggests it’s worth organising tasks into ‘projects’, ‘next actions’, ‘waiting for’, and ‘calendar’. You should also take time to assign tasks to a ‘Someday, Maybe’ list, which is where you hold any ideas or potential projects you’d like to do, but which aren’t necessarily priority straight away.

Reflect

The reflect or review stage ensures you check in regularly to ensure your projects move in the right direction. That means keeping lists and buckets up to date and measuring progress. We all love to see progress on paper – it’s a fantastic motivator.

Some people suggest updating buckets and reflecting on progress weekly, though you might instead prefer to record and measure as you go. For some tasks, such as calendar activities, it’s probably worth updating once a day.

Reflecting on your GTD buckets ensures you keep your mind clear of ‘to-do’ clutter so it’s free to get creative. Think of it as moving files from a hard drive to a USB dongle or into the cloud.

Engage

Engage is all about simply doing the tasks you’ve recorded and broken down in the GTD system. It’s easy to overthink this process stage – but fight that urge!

Focus instead on the activities and tasks you’ve listed as a priority, record the results and what you’ve done, and measure your progress regularly. Top your buckets back up with new tasks and ideas when they arise, and keep your mind clear and fresh for creative, engaging work.

As you can see, David’s model is intentionally broad and incredibly scalable. That’s just one reason why it’s so appealing in IT and tech, where projects can soon grow out of hand!

Some GTD users with ADHD even claim the system helps them to keep things in perspective and focus – it’s great for lightening the memory load. However, it’s worth making the distinction that it’s not a catch-all solution for problems you experience through neurodivergency.

How does GTD help with productivity, and why is it so appealing for IT professionals?

Now you know how the GTD system works in practice, let’s look at a few ways it can help you become more productive in IT and tech. 

There’s plenty of reasons why IT pros swear by David Allen’s principles. Some suggest the relatively complex yet practical setup of GTD appeals to technically-minded people. 

What’s interesting, too, is that despite IT professionals having largely tech-focused mindsets, GTD is built to be tool-free. “The tool solves nothing,” David says. “It’s the thought process that knows how to use the tool.”

Here are a few key reasons why GTD is so appealing to professionals in the IT industry.

It’s highly customisable

GTD is extremely appealing to overworked IT professionals simply because it is not confined to specific timeframes or workload sizes.

Depending on your role, you might have large projects to tackle for external clients one day and smaller jobs to attend to in-house the next. 

What’s more, managed IT companies are always scaling up due to increasing demand. GTD is scalable and customisable so that you can keep daily and long-term tasks rolling out of your mind and into external systems for ease of access, no matter what you have on your plate.

It helps you visualise steps up the mountain

As mentioned above, GTD is great at helping IT professionals scale mountainous tasks one stepping stone or rock at a time.

Think about some of the bigger jobs and challenges you might undertake when onboarding new clients. For example, a project or task on your plate might be to audit a client’s cybersecurity.

That’s a monumental task that requires multiple steps. Using the GTD system, you can break this down into stages such as analysing potential threats, checking software currently in place, penetration testing existing security measures, and checking if the client’s personnel have adequate training and knowledge to manage information security on their own.

With GTD buckets, you can siphon each of these tasks out of your mind and focus on creatively working down the most important aspects one by one.

It ensures you always have a next action to take

Working in IT means you’re always up against the unexpected. What problems are your clients likely to face from one moment to the next? Will you need to take emergency actions to remove ransomware, provide server support, or troubleshoot usability concerns at short notice?

In these unexpected moments, the GTD system helps IT professionals see the bigger picture in the blink of an eye. When well-trained and acquainted with GTD, IT pros can reflexively record the actions they need to take and start fixing client problems. 

GTD helps IT professionals remove any extraneous or unhelpful clutter from their minds so they can focus on creatively and quickly finding solutions.

This ties in with David’s ideas about the “next action.” With a fluid GTD process, there should be no sticking or stumbling around on one or two points. You’re always ready to be active and productive instead of fumbling around for solutions in your own head. Siphon away that fluff!

You gain control and perspective

As Richard stated via Tubblog, GTD gives you incredible control and perspective over your work. That’s not always easy to find when you’re busy managing multiple demands for several clients at once – even more so in the highly technical IT industry!

IT professionals don’t have the time or luxury to worry about what’s on their plates. Therefore, David proposes you remove the mind fluff and put it on a separate plate – a GTD system – where you can look clearly at what’s at stake and what’s ahead of you.

We all have days where we procrastinate or perhaps focus on the wrong things. However, with GTD, it’s easier for IT pros to look at the bigger picture systematically, and instead preserve their mind for creatively solving problems.

What is ‘Team: Getting Things Done with Others’?

Thanks to the expansion of the Internet and the remote work revolution, we’re living in an age of collaboration. 

Therefore, David Allen saw a need to revisit GTD for a new generation – and, some 23 years after the release of his landmark book, ‘Team: Getting Things Done with Others’ explores his principles from a refreshing new perspective. He’s worked on this new volume with Ed Lamont, his British partner on the GTD line.

David talked with Richard earlier this year about the release of his new book, and why he believes it’s important for people to tackle the principles of GTD together, not just apart. The major issue acknowledged is that, while many people apply GTD to their own work, others don’t – and that can make it harder to collaborate on specific projects and deadlines.

He explained that some people who rely on GTD (regardless of industry) might wonder “Why doesn’t everyone else use it?” 

“Most of the best practices of Getting Things Done apply to teams,” David explains, saying that the new book is an exploration of how GTD’s main five principles and six horizons of commitment can apply to teams of people at once.

David has also acknowledged the rise of productivity tools in the years since the original GTD book was released. “There was clearly a need for a GTD for teams book,” he says. “But, it was a challenge – because teams are unique in what they do, the people in them, and the experiences they bring.”

The new book applies the same five principles explored back in 2001 – but instead expands them as they apply to teams, as singular entities, with ‘owners’ at the helm. 

David and Ed look at what the former refers to as ‘symptoms of dysfunction’ within teams and break down simple steps that groups of people can take to fix root problem causes. It’s about looking at how high-performance teams, as David refers to them, work together to get great results.

The authors dig deep, too, into what they establish as the ‘horizons of commitment’ and how the mind-transferring principles of classic GTD apply when you’re managing several people at once.

The big idea behind GTD and teams is that, to be truly productive and drive great results, people in those teams need to communicate and collaborate clearly. David, in fact, refers to bigger companies often focusing too much on improving efficiency in workflows and not necessarily on individual mental overload.

“You don’t have to be a huge GTDer to get a lot out of this book,” David says. “These are all really the best practices of high-performance teams.” 

Could GTD Help You Unlock the Secrets of Productivity?

GTD has changed lives and workloads for people far and wide across the IT industry. It’s easy to think you’ve got a handle on your tasks and that you don’t need another system thrown into the mix – but if you’re in IT and haven’t yet discovered GTD, it’s absolutely worth exploring alongside David and Ed’s new book, ‘Teams’.

GTD does require commitment and some deep analysis about the tasks you have to do – but ultimately, it’s a system that can help give you an easier and more productive life!

David states that you can start with GTD through a variety of systems and resources. You can start transferring your thoughts however you see fit. “Pen and paper, you can’t beat it,” David says. “No Wi-Fi required!”

GTD remains so popular in the IT world and in our fast-paced society because it’s open, it’s flexible, and, as David says, “how you get (ideas) out of your head (is) totally up to you.”

“The people who need (GTD) the least are most attracted to it (…) it’s the people who are already productive, creative, aspirational, already forward-thinking, that are throwing themselves out of their own comfort zone, given their own productivity and creativity.”

Therefore, if you haven’t heard of GTD before, it’s amazingly quick and easy to get started. Just use this guide as a springboard – and explore David Allen’s original book, Getting Things Done, alongside Team: Getting Things Done with Others, both available online and through bookstores now.

Have you tried implementing David Allen’s ‘Getting Things Done’ method in your IT workflow? What tips or experiences can you share?

You Might Also Be Interested InTubbTalk 153: The Godfather Of Modern Productivity: How To Leverage GTD For Teams10 Handy AI Resources to Help Your MSP Clients Grow Their BusinessesEncouraging Wellbeing as an Important Investment for Your Business

 

The post Unlock IT Efficiency with David Allen’s ‘Getting Things Done’ appeared first on Tubblog: The Hub for MSPs.

Tubbservatory Round-Up #29 – May 2024

Tubbservatory Round-Up – Tools and Resources for Your MSP

Each month, Richard Tubb scours the internet, diligently seeking out essential materials, putting together a bespoke collection designed specifically for IT Managed Service Providers (MSPs) striving to excel in their field.

Step into the Tubbservatory – an engaging video series showcasing handpicked articles, podcasts, events, and beyond. Bringing together top-notch resources for IT innovators.

Presenting the Tubbservatory Round-Up #29, your gateway to the May 2024 edition! We’ve compiled all of this month’s episodes for your enjoyment.

You can find the links to these valuable resources at the end of this post.

This month’s topics include: Podcasts, MSP Productivity Tips, Private Equity, Cybersecurity Insights, Continuous Pen Testing, Content Marketing Strategies, Global MSP Day 2024 Celebration, Guides, Magazines, and more!

Tubbservatory: The May 2024 Round-Up Video

Tubbservatory Round-Up #29: May – Week 1

 

#1 TubbTalk 150: 25 Years an MSP – Valuable Lessons You Learn From Longevity

We start this week with a self high-five, as our very own TubbTalk Podcast hit a significant milestone with its 150th episode!

Episode 150 saw me speak with one of the UK’s longest running, most successful MSP owners – Craig Sharp of Abussi.

Craig shared the insights of his 25 years as an MSP, offering valuable lessons on longevity in an ever-changing market.

#2 No One is a Cyber Expert: Why Info Sharing is Critical

“No one is a cyber expert,” says CompTIA in their latest article.

Sharing cyber information is key, writes Ashley Watters of CompTIA, and in this article they share details of organisations dedicated to bringing cyber pros together with the primary goal of helping to share information. 

These resources are essential to helping spread the word and support collaboration among professionals.

#3 Produce8 // the RocketMSP Podcast

A podcast that caught my attention was Ryan McGinnis of Produce8 speaking with Steve Taylor of the RocketMSP Podcast.

Produce8 has an innovative work analytics platform that is helping MSPs boost productivity, streamline operations, and drive growth.

With productivity being a top area of focus for MSPs in 2024, the Produce8 platform could be game-changing.

#4 Jonathan Simnett: Should You Let Private Equity Invest in Your Channel Business?

Should you let private equity invest in your channel business?

That’s the question that Jonathan Simnett, UK director at M&A consultancy Hampleton Partners explores in this article for CRN Magazine.

This is a fascinating insight into investment that any MSP looking to grow should read.

#5 Huntress Breaches & Brews

Cybersecurity experts Huntress are going back on the road for their Breaches & Brews events!

Join Huntress in Adeleide and Brisbane, Australia, as well as Dublin, Ireland and Manchester, UK during May, and join your MSP peers for some afternoon beers, snacks, and cybersecurity battle stories

Registration is now open!

Tubbservatory Round-Up #29: May – Week 2

 

#1 Killware: The Emerging Cyberthreat

We’re all familiar with Ransomware, but does your MSP recognise Killware?

This emerging cyberthreat is described as as a cyberattack that is deployed with the intent of producing real-life risk to communities through the manipulation of operational technology.

Rosey Saini writes about this new threat for SmarterMSP, and while chilling reading, the article is well worth checking out.

#2 Continuous Pen Testing

Could your MSP implement continuous pen testing to bolster your cyber security offerings?

While historically this would have been a resource intensive challenge, thanks to Artificial Intelligence-based Pen Test tools like Endida, continuous pen testing may become the new normal.

In this short video, Fiona Whyte of Endida explains how continuous pen testing provides real-time insights into the security of you and your MSP clients systems.

#3 ERP095 – The Real MSP Market

A podcast that caught my ear is MSP expert Todd Kane speaking with Colin Knox of Gradient MSP.

Knox is a channel veteran, having built and sold his MSP, then creating Passportal, which he sold to Solarwinds. Now Colin is back at it with Gradient MSP, a billing platform for IT businesses.

Kane and Knox definitely get on their soapboxes discussing the state of the Managed Service market in this episode, and it’s well worth a listen.

#4 Why Consistent Content Marketing is Key for MSP Sales Success

Here’s Why Consistent Content Marketing is Key for MSP Sales Success.

Team Tubb’s Gudrun Lauret explains how making time for consistent content marketing leads to sales, and if you’re thinking you don’t have the time, Lauret explains why you should make the time.

#5 Global MSP Day 2024

June 6th 2024 is Global MSP Day — a day designed to recognise the MSP community for their unwavering resiliency and dedication to their clients.

This year’s Global MSP Day will be celebrated with not only a virtual event, but in-person celebrations all across the globe!

You can register for now for the virtual event organised by Barracuda MSP and featuring myself, Matt Soloman, Mark Copeman, Patrick O’Donnell, Wayne Selk and others.

Plus, if you’re in Columbus, Denver, San Jose, London or the Netherlands, register for the in-person parties to meet your peers and enjoy some MSP chat.

I’ll be at the London event, but don’t let that put you off — it’s sure to be great. 

Tubbservatory Round-Up #29: May – Week 3

 

#1 The MSPX Blog

A new Managed Service focused web-site you should be aware of is MSPx, launched by industry veteran Rick Yates.

Featuring insights from top industry names such as Larry Walsh, Victor Raessen, Jason Kemsley, Chris Tate, yours truly and many others, this new site promises to be the site where experts come to explore all things MSP.

#2 What is Causing MSPs to Thrive?

That’s the question that Bradley Munday, CEO of Uptime, tackles in his latest LinkedIn article, where he shares the insights he, Dan Scott and Greg Jones gave at the recent MSP Show.

Munday reveals the strategies that successful MSPs employ to retain long-term client’s, how MSPs differentiate themselves in a competitive market and much more.

This article is well worth reading.

#3 Endpoint Security Tips Curated by Experts

A resource that caught my eye was The Huntress Endpoint Security Guide. The guide contains the top ten tips that every IT and cybersecurity professional should know.

I’m a big proponent of machine learning backed by human expertise, so this guide from Huntress is a valuable read for any MSP.

#4 Stop Mac Hacks in Their Tracks

Talking of Huntress, if your MSP clients use Apple Mac computers, the Huntress webinar on May 23rd teaches MSPs how to Stop Mac Hacks In Their Tracks.

Back in the day, Macs were considered “safe” compared to Windows devices, but today with macOS adoption surging across industries, from the creative arts to finance, the attack surface is expanding and cybercriminals are taking notice.

Join Stuart Ashenbrenner and Wes Hutcherson on May 23rd for the insight on keeping your Mac clients safe.

#5 Kaseya DattoCon Europe

Kaseya DattoCon Europe takes place in Dublin, Ireland between 11-13th June 2024.

Over 1500 Managed Service industry leaders are expected to be in attendance, and I’ll be there to bring you interviews with industry experts from Kaseya, Datto, Pax8 and more.

Tubbservatory Round-Up #29: May – Week 4

 

#1 MSP Bugle

We kick off this week with a new magazine for the Managed Services community — the MSP Bugle!

The brainchild of SuperOps, the MSP Bugle shares expert insights and practical tips to help you stay ahead of the curve, and celebrates MSP business owners – the innovators, the trendsetters, “the Change-Makers”.

This first edition features a cover-story on Paco Lebron, CEO of ProdigyTeks, articles by Paul Green, Pascal Fintoni and yours truly, and much more.

Pick up your printed copy of the magazine at a SuperOps event near you, or download the free PDF now.

#2 Endida Pen Testing

MSPs know that a penetration test captures a view of their client’s security posture at a single point in time but did you know that it’s possible to continuously use the Pen Test?

In this video, Fiona Whyte of Endida explains how, like a Vulnerability Scanner, you can test your environment every day, except the results you get will be of a true Pen Test where weaknesses are proven to be exploitable and not just theoretical.

#3 Nigel Moore: Top Marketing Tips for MSPs and What’s Brewing at The Tech Tribe

Here’s an awesome video featuring James Steel of Salesbuildr speaking to the illustrious leader of The Tech Tribe, Nigel Moore.

The legendary Moore offers top marketing tips for MSPs, elaborates on what’s new and exciting at the Tech Tribe, and it’s fun to watch Steel and Moore’s enthusiasm for Managed Services pouring through.

If you need some more steel in your day (see what we did there?) then take 20-mins to watch this video!

#4 Kaseya Wants Your Love

Kaseya wants your love!

And your trust and your business, which is why it made a loud, public pledge to put partners first, reports Rich Freeman of Channelholic.

Freeman sat down with Kaseya CEO Fred Voccola to talk about all the news from the recent KaseyaCon event in Las Vegas, and this article is well worth a read to help you understand how the MSP market is changing.

#5 Pax8 Beyond 2024

The huge Pax8 Beyond 2024 event takes place in Denver, Colorado between 9-11th June.

The inaugural Pax8 Beyond event in 2023 proved to be a huge success, and so this years event promises to be a great opportunity to discover what the future holds for the channel and your MSP business.

Master cybersecurity, learn how to grow your business, and elevate your capabilities over three days of immersive, groundbreaking sessions with leading industry speakers, MSPs, and vendors.

Tickets are still available!

Tubbservatory Round-Up #29: May – Week 5

 

#1 The Profit Playbook

A new webinar series that will be of interest to MSPs is the The Profit Playbook.

Hosted by SuperOps, each live episode in this ongoing video series helps MSPs thrive with advice from experts such as Rex Frank, Adam Morris and more.

Register now to be notified of each upcoming event.

#2 AI in Marketing: Unpacked

Here’s a podcast that caught my attention.

AI in Marketing: Unpacked is a podcast that simplifies AI in Marketing for every MSP.

Hosted by Mike Allton, the show helps break down AI step-by-step and show you how real businesses are making it work.

#3 The Paradigm Shifting AI Social Media Video Editor

Here’s a wonderful tool to aid you with your MSP marketing.

Simply upload a video you’ve created, and Choppity’s AI will edit it for you using research-backed methods to maximise views and engagement on social media.

We’ve been using Choppity inside Team Tubb, and it is a powerful tool!

#4 Privacy Principles: Search, Learning and Artificial Intelligence

Talking of AI, UK Tech Policy expert Heather Burns has highlighted Slack’s intention to train its artificial intelligence on Slack users messages, files and DMs.

If you want to opt-out of this, then you need to email Slack support to request this.

This news highlights a disturbing trend for workplace tools such as Slack to swipe users data for their AI platforms.

If you have client’s using Slack, this is worth sharing with them.

#5 Discover the World’s Best Sales and Marketing Strategies to Skyrocket Your Small Business

June 18th 2024 is the date, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK is the location for Atomicon 2024!

One of the world’s top small business sales & marketing events, Atomicon has become a popular destination for tech professionals — and indeed, I’ll be there this year alongside most of my Team Tubb colleagues.

Hosted by Andrew & Pete, and headlined by Davina McCall, if you want to supercharge your sales & marketing, then this is not an event to miss!

Links to the Resources Mentioned in this Round-Up

From Week 1TubbTalk 150: 25 Years an MSP – Valuable Lessons You Learn From LongevityNo One is a Cyber Expert: Why Info Sharing is CriticalProduce8 // the RocketMSP PodcastJonathan Simnett: Should You Let Private Equity Invest in Your Channel Business?Huntress Breaches & BrewsMentioned in Week 2Killware: The Emerging CyberthreatContinuous Pen TestingERP095 – The Real MSP MarketWhy Consistent Content Marketing is Key for MSP Sales SuccessGlobal MSP Day 2024Week 3The MSPX BlogWhat is Causing MSPs to Thrive?Endpoint Security Tips Curated by ExpertsStop Mac Hacks in Their TracksKaseya DattoCon EuropeWeek 4MSP BugleEndida Pen TestingNigel Moore: Top Marketing Tips for MSPs and What’s Brewing at The Tech TribeKaseya Wants Your LovePax8 Beyond 2024And Week 5The Profit PlaybookAI in Marketing: UnpackedThe Paradigm Shifting AI Social Media Video EditorPrivacy Principles: Search, Learning and Artificial IntelligenceDiscover the World’s Best Sales and Marketing Strategies to Skyrocket Your Small Business

How You Can Help

As we bid farewell to Tubbservatory Round-Up #29, our sights are set on June!

Do you have something fantastic to contribute? Whether it’s a handy tool or a captivating resource, share it in the comments below and let’s continue our exchange of knowledge. Your input matters!

You Might Also be Interested inUnderstanding Deepfake Technology: Why It’s A Risk To Your BusinessTubbTalk 152: The MSP Owner’s Guide to Becoming a Better Leader7 Examples of How to Promote Positive Mental Wellbeing In Your Business

The post Tubbservatory Round-Up #29 – May 2024 appeared first on Tubblog: The Hub for MSPs.