Smb Community Podcast By Karl W. Palachuk

Host Karl chats with Brian Laufer. Brian Laufer is the Vice President of QuoteWerks. With a background in IT consulting, software development, and government contracting, he works to ensure business owners and sales professionals have the tools they need to obtain their goals. Brian makes this happen through educating the community and by facilitating seamless integrations between distributors, CRMs, PSAs, QuoteWerks, QuoteValet, and others. Resources and Links: https://www.quotewerks.com/ Sponsor Memo: Cisco Did you know Cisco helps Managed Services Providers directly? Know about the Cisco Partner Program? Focused on helping partners combine managed services expertise and service creation with innovative Cisco technology and proven go-to-market resources, there’s a program option for you. With provider pricing, MDF, and marketing resources coupled with Cisco’s leading technologies inculding Meraki, Duo, and Umbrella, learn more with the link right in the show notes.     https://lnkd.in/gsydMya     

Frank Vitagliano has served as the GTDC’s chief executive officer since April 2019. His focus is on strengthening partnerships between members and vendors by addressing industry-wide issues and opportunities related to the integral role of distribution in the IT channel. In his career, Frank has consistently been recognized as a leader in the IT industry. He was inducted into the IT Hall of Fame in August 2017, in recognition of his leadership and contributions over the course of more than three decades. Additionally, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by VAR Business for his accomplishments as an industry channel chief. He is the only OEM executive inducted into Ingram Micro’s Venture Tech Network Hall of Fame. We can focus the discussion on the latest GTDC report (download here or ask and we'll send a PDF) https://gtdc.org/resource/environmental-sustainability-report/ Resources and Links:  Main GTDC page: https://gtdc.org/ ESG Report (free for anyone to download): https://gtdc.org/resource/envir

Host Karl chats with Jonathan Seelig. Jonathan Seelig is the Executive Chairman and Chief Evangelist of Ridge. He co-founded Ridge with the goal of building highly distributed cloud infrastructure, thereby enabling users to deploy cloud native applications on any infrastructure and in any location. He previously co-founded Akamai, the world's first and largest CDN. Jonathan has worked on distributed, low latency, high performance infrastructure for over 25 years. Description: With the rapidly increasing pace of digital transformation, many managed service providers (MSPs) and cloud service providers are at a crossroads: they need to decide how to best continue to support their customers as they continue to migrate to the cloud.  While the hyperscale public cloud model is an attractive proposition for some customers, there are many existing and planned use cases and business models for which local data centers and MSPs can be a better fit. These businesses’ cloud computing environments may be a blend of server

In this edition of SMBCP, Host Karl catches up with Jadon and Erin of Bitdefender on the latest of Modern Security Operations. Learn the differences between EDR, XDR, and MDR as we delve into why detection and response services are necassary for your business.  Erin has been in the technology industry for over a decade, beginning in Public and Analyst Relations before transitioning to her true passion, product marketing. As Senior Manager, Product Marketing at Bitdefender, Erin focuses on all things Managed Detection & Response (MDR) and is responsible for developing messaging, positioning, and go-to-market strategies that reflect the voice of the customer and convey the true value-props of managed cybersecurity services. Before joining Bitdefender, Erin was a product marketer at Expel, focusing on MDR, threat hunting, and partner integrations.  Jadon is a product manager who specializes in bringing new technologies to market, including a SOAR platform at Rapid7 and a Cloud Attack Surface Management Produ

Host James chats with Daniel Wang of MSPbots. Daniel Wang is a seasoned MSP owner, and CEO of MSPbots, a software platform that uses dashboards, and bots to help MSP automate the business process, and help manage, and train employees. MSPbots has the best dashboard software for MSP, easily creating MicroTraining bots to alert employees, and providing real-time Microtraining based on KPI changes, and incidents based on the data.   Resources and Links: https://mspbots.ai   Sponsor Memo: SBTTC  This podcast is sponsored by the Small Biz Thoughts Technology Community. Check us out at http://www.SmallBizThoughts.org Forms, templates, and checklists are just the start. Our Community includes ALL of the best-selling books on managed services in all available formats, plus free training, members-only programs, and the best business training available to managed service providers anywhere. Plus, we have weekly live members-only Zoom calls. The average member saves more than 200% of their membership cost each year. W

Host Karl speaks with Robert Scott of Scott & Scott LLP. Robert Scott represents mid-market and large enterprise companies in software license transactions and disputes with major software publishers such as Adobe, IBM, Microsoft, Oracle and SAP. He has defended over 250 software audit matters initiated by software piracy trade groups such as the BSA and SIIA. He is counsel to some of the world’s largest corporations, such as Schlumberger, PepsiCo, Iron Mountain and American Express, on information technology matters including intellectual property licensing, risk management, data privacy, and outsourcing. As an attorney for 26 years, Robert Scott understands that law firms rarely get fans. Yet, that’s exactly what his firm, Scott & Scott, LLP, has in owners of managed services provider companies. In what Scott, who has spent 15 years serving MSPs, called an “exciting” time, the firm earned the enthusiasts through its cloud-based customer contracting solution.  Believing that collaboration between le

Host Karl chats with Chase of JumpCloud. Chase Doelling is the Principal Strategist at cloud directory platform provider JumpCloud, where he leads the team in creating partnerships that enhance and secure digital identities. He has been working in venture-backed startups across security, integration, and DevOps for the last decade. JumpCloud offers a directory platform, specifically for SMBs and MSPs, that consolidates IT management and secures employees' access to IT resources (devices, applications, servers, networks, and more). Chase can discuss how SMBs and MSPs can leverage JumpCloud to simplify their IT environment, cut IT costs without sacrificing security, and centralize user identity so it's easy both for the admin to manage, and for the end user to navigate. The full-featured JumpCloud Directory Platform is available, for free, for any organization for up to ten users. One partner found that JumpCloud's cost saved them 80% on IT management.  Also, twice a year, JumpCloud surveys IT teams from SMBs t

In this edition of SMBCP, Host Karl sits down with Robert Sawyer and Daniel Daraban to discuss Bitdefender's GravityZone XDR (extended detection and response).  Find out what GravityZone XDR can do for your MSP business.  Robert Sawyer is the director of product marketing for cloud workload security and managed detection and response at Bitdefender. Prior to Bitdefender, he led product marketing for integration and applications at IBM as part of its newly launched automation division. He also led teams in hybrid cloud, tracing his roots back through BPM and SOA, and worked at Rackspace Technology, helping lead marketing for a newly launched managed security service offering. He’s been in the IT space for over 20 years and started his career in software development, working on industry solutions in healthcare and life sciences and media and entertainment. As a Director of Product Management at Bitdefender, Daniel Daraban manages the Bitdefender Business Solutions Group flagship product lines: EDR and XDR. Toge

Host Karl speaks with Lee Darke of Information Technology Service Providers of Canada, a non-Profit organization dedicated to the Canadian IT Services Sector. ITSPC's goal is to provide a membership-based approach to industry standardization that helps IT Service Providers align to a common standard of service delivery curated by industry peers. And like other professional bodies ITSPC felt the need for standards in service delivery and conduct. ITSPC believes that we need a "Hippocratic oath" of IT service delivery, aligned with a set of standards that professionalize the provider and empower the client. The time has come to ensure that IT services are delivered with a common goal and set of standards that clients can trust. Resources and Links:  https://join.itspc.ca https://www.linkedin.com/company/itspc https://twitter.com/itspcanada https://www.facebook.com/itspcanada   Sponsor Memo: Cisco Did you know Cisco helps Managed Services Providers directly? Know about the Cisco Partner Program? Focused on h

Skill gap, tools complexity, alert fatigue, and other market challenges have become increasingly difficult to navigate in the MSP space. And for those with limited resources, these obstacles will continue to inhibit successful customer service.   In this exclusive interview, Host Karl spoke with Bitdefender's Erin Meyers and Jadon Montero in response to these growing issues and how MDR Foundations look to act as its solution.     Erin has been in the technology industry for over a decade, beginning in Public and Analyst Relations before transitioning to her true passion, product marketing. As Senior Manager, Product Marketing at Bitdefender, Erin focuses on all things Managed Detection & Response (MDR) and is responsible for developing messaging, positioning, and go-to-market strategies that reflect the voice of the customer and convey the true value-props of managed cybersecurity services. Before joining Bitdefender, Erin was a product marketer at Expel, focusing on MDR, threat hunting, and partner integ

Host James chats with Angela Schroeder. Angela is an entrepreneur, author, speaker, coach, connector, and life-long learner. Angela is passionate about empowering people to live courageously and developing phenomenal cultures and teams.  With over 25 years of experience in launching and growing businesses, record-breaking sales, leading highly successful teams, and developing phenomenal cultures, Angela has learned it all starts with leading yourself well. Angela has trained thousands of business owners, teams, and individuals globally on growing your mindset, growing your business, and growing your life. Author of the Courageous Mind Founder Courageous Strategies & Solutions.  We empower business professionals to operate in their unique genius and delegate everything else using a virtual team so that by focusing on what matters most they can grow their businesses and their lives exponentially faster. Resources and Links: www.thecourageousmind.com @angelabangsschroeder on all platforms Sponsor Memo: Agil

Host Karl chats with Richard Tallman & Michael Reeves of Bitdefender.  Richard Tallman is a 20+ year veteran in the technology industry merging the physical & virtual worlds under one umbrella. At Bitdefender, he manages Global Cloud Markets & Managed Service Providers (MSP) working directly with the Remote Monitoring & Management (RMM) Platforms and Cloud & Distribution Marketplaces. Prior to Bitdefender, Richard led the charge at some of the biggest technology companies in the world to streamline and secure customer and partner application enhancements to the cloud for both on and off premise solutions. When not at work he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children while sharing his love of beach volleyball, mountain biking and surfing.  Michael Reeves is the CISSP - Technical Director, Cloud & MSP at BitDefender. With over 22 years in the industry, Mike is a true pioneer of cloud security. His ability to translate engineering concepts to a business audience is unmatched. He

Host Karl chats with Eveline of airSlate. airSlate is a Boston-based technology company specializing in no-code automation solutions, specifically in no-code document workflow automation, eSignature services, and document management.  Eveline leads special projects at airSlate, including partner programs for MSPs as well as the airSlate Academy with a mission to educate and empower a community of people that are passionate about workflow process automation. Eveline is a managing partner at One Way Ventures, a seed-stage venture capital fund investing in exceptional immigrant entrepreneurs. Previously, she was a director at Techstars, a mentorship-driven startup accelerator based in Boston. At Techstars, Eveline along with her team sourced, invested, and nurtured over 50 prominent startups. Eveline is also the former CEO of leading media company Ekonomika, having launched several popular websites including delo.ua, the most quoted business portal in Ukraine. Prior to Ekonomika, Eveline was CEO of high-tech st

Host Karl welcomes back Toby Nangle, the Global Director, Channels and Partnership at Field Effect to talk about a new white paper highlighting partner success with Field Effect. You can catch up on Toby's first podcast with us here:  https://www.smbcommunitypodcast.com/2022/01/field-effect-on-changing-security-requirements-for-msps/ On today's show, Toby and Karl delve into the latest in cybersecurity and its changing environment.  Since our last conversation, activity in the cybersecurity space has changed drastically as the conflict in Ukraine continues to shake the globe.  Toby and Karl discuss how FieldEffect and other cybersecurity vendors are navigating the emerging threats and how their services are adapting to this everchanging platform.     Karl also had the chance to ask Toby about the White Paper, prepared by Aite Novarica. In the White Paper, Aite Novarica surveyed five, random partners of FieldEffect to learn about their experience so far with the company.  Toby summarizes for us the conclusion

Host Karl speaks with Frank Raimondi of IGI Cyberlabs.  Frank currently is the VP of Channel Development for IGI CyberLabs, a MSP focused tool that delivers complete visibility of your network, real-time discovery of devices, and prioritization of security gaps (vulnerabilities). Recent and past consulting clients include start-ups and established companies, including among others: Intel, ECS, CompTIA, ATTO Technology, Absolute Software, Higher Ground Gear, Chargifi, Kickpost, Vedamo, VidBid & MarketStar. Additionally, Frank was a national board member of the non-profit Community Health Charities (www.healthcharities.org), a guest lecturer at UC Davis, and provides additional marketing and business development support to other non-profits. He also participates as a Faculty member for CompTIA, presenting at industry conferences on their behalf, and most recently is a member of the Washington County (OR) Medical Reserve Corps, actively participating in the Covid-19 vaccine rollout. Resources and Links:  ht

Host Karl chats with Owen McGab Enaohwo. Owen McGab Enaohwo is the CEO and Co-founder of SweetProcess, an easy-to-use software that enables company executives and their employees to collaborate together to quickly document and/or improve their standard operating procedures, processes, and policies. On this episode, we discuss the following: - Tired of being the Bottleneck in your business? How to stop doing it all yourself - Growth strategies for small businessed - Simplifying your systems and processes - Why you need work instructions (and how to create them like a pro) - How SweetProcess helps businesses scale, organize workflow, increase productivity and cultivate a winning culture   Resources and Links:  https://www.sweetprocess.com/smbcp     Sponsor Memo: Small Biz Thoughts Technology Community  This podcast is sponsored by the Small Biz Thoughts Technology Community. Check us out at www.SmallBizThoughts.org. Forms, templates, and checklists are just the start. Our Community includes ALL of the best-sel

Host Karl chats with Marnie Stockman. Marnie Stockman, Ed.D. started her career in Customer Success with the toughest customers of all - high school math students. Her passion for education and using data and humor to help others grow and succeed took her from the classroom to Sr. Director of Customer Success of a leading Ed Tech company - and now to co-founder and CEO of Lifecycle Insights - a vCIO/Customer Success platform for MSPs.  With her default setting locked on "Smiles," she aims to create raving fans for Lifecycle Insights and help MSPs do the same for their customers. She strongly believes your clients success becomes your success. When she isn't Lifecycling, she can be found playing volleyball with her husband and two 20-something kids in Greensboro, MD. Resources and Links: https://lifecycleinsights.io https://lifecycleinsights.sucks https://www.amazon.com/Literally-Book-Customer-Success-MSPs/dp/1646492110 https://www.linkedin.com/in/marniestockman/ https://www.facebook.com/lifecycleinsightsmsp

Host James speaks with Jeff Nevins and Josh Wittman of Simeon Cloud. Jeff has worked in roles ranging from architecture and implementation of complex solutions to building and leading technology organizations. His experience leading teams in software development, cloud engineering, and IT architecture, combined with his passion for automation has led Jeff to found Simeon Cloud, the leading Microsoft 365 configuration management solution. Josh has always been driven by automation and champions the notion that every minute spent doing a repetitive task is a minute not spent growing your business. Josh currently serves as co-founder and chief operating officer of Simeon Cloud. Prior to launching Simeon, Josh worked at American Express, supporting the chief marketing officer with thought leadership and analysis of the company’s sponsorships and marketing investments. Josh began his career working in the capital markets. He received his Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics and Management from Cornell Universit

Host Amy speaks with Heather Johnson Heather Johnson, MBA, has her background in business consultation and senior leadership. She co-founded Gozynta in 2018 and became their Chief Operating Officer. Since her arrival, she has developed and executed a successful marketing plan; created a knowledge base; and built a support and sales department. Heather recently became the Vice President of the National Society of IT Service Providers and is their Committee Liason. Prior to coming to Gozynta, Heather was a co-organizer of the 2015 and 2016 President's Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge at the White House which had over 10,000 attendees. She worked with a remote team of organizers from the Department of State, Department of Education, and Georgetown University. As an extension of the President's Challenge, she organized and led a trip to Southeast Asia.  Heather was the Human Resource Director of a graduate school for five years where she organized a successful fundraising art and music festival.

Host Karl speaks with Gil Cargill of Cargill Consulting.  Today we discuss coaching and consulting in Sales Process Managment.  "The sales function of an IT company must provide predictable NEW revenue. The owner who masters sales management is the owner that will continue to flourish." - Gil Cargill  Resources and links: www.salesmanagementmastery.com     Sponsor Memo: AgileBlue AgileBlue is a 24/7 SOC, XDR and SOAR providing managed breach protection including monitoring, detection, and automated response to cloud, networks, and endpoints.    Helping MSPs build their cyber business while increasing gross margins, ARR and stickiness. AgileBlue’s partner program engages, enables, supports, and rewards your business growth with a white-labeled  security dashboard, pooled pricing, marketing collateral, and purpose-built sales content.   A 24/7 extension of your team, learn more at agileblue.com     :-)