Smb Community Podcast By Karl W. Palachuk

Host James sits down with Louis Erickson and Sam Blowes of Bit-Wizards for an exclusive interview.  Louis Erickson is the co-founder and COO, and Sam Blowes is the Director of Solution Consulting at Bit-Wizards–an award winning IT services provider based in Florida. Louis is a serial entrepreneur that has built and grown several technology companies and departments, starting with Bit-Wizards’ Custom Software Engineering department. From there, Louis fostered the Bit-Wizards’ Digital Marketing department, the Bit-Wizards' Managed IT Services department, and finally, co-parenting communication service, TalkingParents. Sam Blowes is the Director of Solution Consulting at Bit-Wizards. He helps clients integrate their businesses into Microsoft’s Cloud based project management system and central hub. He works in the IT department internally, providing support and SharePoint integration for his co-workers. He’s a technology enthusiast in many areas, and is a creative problem solver. Check them out: https://bitw

1.) Notes On The News  Cybersecurity, AI, and now...M&A? We discuss our opinion on the next new hot topic of the techworld.  Also, Microsoft now backpedaling due to backlash on RECALL. Finally, Ken Patterson leaves PAX8 and now is heading to TODYL. --- 2.) The MSP Question of The Day  How do you track vendor subscriptions?  --- Our upcoming events and more: MASTERMIND LIVE – Tampa, FL – June 27-28th http://bit.ly/kernanmastermind Use “EARLYBIRD” as the coupon code to save $200! Check out Amy’s weekly newsletter!  Sign up now: https://mailchi.mp/thirdtier/small-business-tech-news Kernan Consulting “Weekly Tips”!  Sign up now: https://kernanconsulting.com/  Our Social Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-kernan-varcoach/ https://www.facebook.com/james.kernan https://www.facebook.com/karlpalachuk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlpalachuk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/amybabinchak/ https://www.facebook.com/amy.babinchak/ https://thirdtier.net https://www.youtube.com/@ThirdTierIT  

Host Karl attended the ChannelPro Live event in Columbus, Ohio. He interviewed two folks who are doing some cool things.  Wayne Small from Australia is retooling himself and his business to take a new approach to the Virtual CISO Role. Rather than just take a few vendor-focus courses, or training based on a standardized checklist, Wayne is working through a master's degree program in security that focuses on security at the highest and most technical level. We discuss the details. Mark Moreno has a very interesting (and rare) niche. He focuses on companies who are solidly in the 25-100 desktop range but have massive revenue and enterprise-level budgets. This niche brings some unusual problems dues to the larger nature of the projects. But money is not one of the issues! Mark talks about how he got started. Interestingly, he still only does work with people who signed managed service agreements with these folks. Mark is also working with Harry Brelsford on the MSP Rescue shows. Stay tuned to https://msprescue.

1.) MSP Question of The Week Employee Compenstion--How much is too much or too little? --- 2.) Notes on The News  Amy blog article – Financial Crimes Enforcement Network article Linkedin: https://nsitsp.org/news/financial-crimes-enforcement-network/ --- 3. Strategies for Local Businesses in Local Market  Tip and tricks for Local Businesses looking to network in their local market.  We also talk the pros and cons of radio, billboards, and even local team sponsors.  — Our upcoming events and more: MASTERMIND LIVE – Tampa, FL – June 27-28th http://bit.ly/kernanmastermind Use “EARLYBIRD” as the coupon code to save $200! Check out Amy’s weekly newsletter!  Sign up now: https://mailchi.mp/thirdtier/small-business-tech-news Kernan Consulting “Weekly Tips”!  Sign up now: https://kernanconsulting.com/  Our Social Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-kernan-varcoach/ https://www.facebook.com/james.kernan https://www.facebook.com/karlpalachuk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlpalachuk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy

1.) MSP Question of The Week How do you hold employees accountable for subpar performance? --- 2.) James at SMB Techfest James kicked off the first session on the main stage by sharing how EOS can help your business scale. --- 3.) Notes on The News  Solar Flares / Auroras – will it cause disruptions to communications? Cyberattack force major US health care network to divert ambulances from hospitals: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/05/10/tech/cyberattack-ascension-ambulances-hospitals/index.html --- Our upcoming events and more: MASTERMIND LIVE – Tampa, FL – June 27-28th http://bit.ly/kernanmastermind Use “EARLYBIRD” as the coupon code to save $200! Check out Amy’s weekly newsletter!  Sign up now: https://mailchi.mp/thirdtier/small-business-tech-news Kernan Consulting “Weekly Tips”!  Sign up now: https://kernanconsulting.com/  Our Social Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-kernan-varcoach/ https://www.facebook.com/james.kernan https://www.facebook.com/karlpalachuk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlpalachuk/

1.) The MSP Question of The Week How do you buy another MSP with no money down? --- 2.) Notes on The News Kaseya 365 subscription debuts at $3.99! https://www.channele2e.com/news/kaseya-365-subscription-debuts-at-3-99 Major Leadership Changes at PAX8, CEO steps aside... Pax8 has named Scott Chasin as CEO, effective immediately, replacing founder John Street in the role, the company announced. Finally, AI Fighter jets successfully tested and Twitter/X announces news feed based on trending topics. ---- Our upcoming events and more: MASTERMIND LIVE – Tampa, FL – June 27-28th http://bit.ly/kernanmastermind Use “EARLYBIRD” as the coupon code to save $200! Check out Amy’s weekly newsletter!  Sign up now: https://mailchi.mp/thirdtier/small-business-tech-news Kernan Consulting “Weekly Tips”!  Sign up now: https://kernanconsulting.com/  Our Social Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-kernan-varcoach/ https://www.facebook.com/james.kernan https://www.facebook.com/karlpalachuk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlpalac

Host Karl Palachuk interviews Wes Hutcherson and Stuart Ashenbrenner from Huntress on the challenges and (and victories) of securing macOS endpoints.  As you know, MacOS represents a growing percentage of the business device operating system market, outperforming both Linux and ChromeOS. Since this is going to be a growing portion of the endpoints you support, it's good to know how you're doing to do that. And with so many "home" and personal devices now being used for company purposes, quick response is important as well. The panel addresses the challenges of the MacOS users - including their persistent reluctance to believe that their devices need protection at all! There is a false sense of security around MacOS, driven by old-school understandings of Mac security and the realities of well-funded adversaries on the dark web. MacOS malware now accounts for 6.2% of all endpoint OS malware. Half of all MacOS users have been affected by malware, hacking, or scams. You can expect that to grow as well. ----- Tha

1.) MSP Question of the Week Should you ban Non-compete Agreements?  --- 2.) Notes on The News  Big Tech firms lost its dream status due to layoffs and instability: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/28/how-working-for-big-tech-lost-dream-job-status.html --- 3.) Five Minutes with A Smart Person - Bit-Wizards Louis Erickson is the co-founder and COO, and Sam Blowes is the Director of Solution Consulting at Bit-Wizards--an award winning IT services provider based in Florida. We discuss the importance of forming strong relationships with your clients as an MSP. Check them out: https://bitwizards.com/ ---- Our upcoming events and more: Register for James’s class at ITSPU! 5W22 – MSP Professional Sales is live. Enroll today: https://www.itspu.com/all-classes/classes/msp-professional-sales-program/ MASTERMIND LIVE – Tampa, FL – Junr 27-28th http://bit.ly/kernanmastermind Use “EARLYBIRD” as the coupon code to save $200! Catch James at the SMBTechfest! SMBTechfest – Irvince, CA – May 9-10th https://www.smbtechfest.com/in

1.) MSP Question of The Week Which do you prefer: iPhone or Android? Is there a clear winner?  --- 2.) Notes on The News     What are the current TOP Password Managers? https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-password-managers,review-3785.html "Big Tech" censoring content...and other clickbait-y titles.  https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/09/tech/meta-social-media-nightcap/index.html There are only two weeks left to submit your application for Channel Futures MSP501:   https://www.channelfutures.com/about-msp-501 Host Amy weighs in how it helps market your company. --- Our upcoming events and more: Register for James’s class at ITSPU! 5W22 – MSP Professional Sales is live. Enroll today: https://www.itspu.com/all-classes/classes/msp-professional-sales-program/ MASTERMIND LIVE – Tampa, FL – April 27-28th http://bit.ly/kernanmastermind Use “EARLYBIRD” as the coupon code to save $200! Catch James at the SMBTechfest! SMBTechfest – Irvince, CA – May 9-10th https://www.smbtechfest.com/index.asp Check out Amy’s weekly news

1.) The MSP Question of The Week  Should you charge for onsite travel?  And what's best--Price per seat or per device?   --- 2.) Notes on The News  The FBI is warning consumers against using public phone charging stations in order to avoid exposing their devices to malicious software... ...Apple loses top phonemaker spot to Samsung as iPhone shipments drop! "Apple's smartphone shipments dropped about 10% in the first quarter of 2024, hurt by intensifying competition by Android smartphone makers aiming for the top spot, data from research firm IDC showed on Sunday." --- Our upcoming events and more: Register for James’s class at ITSPU! 5W22 – MSP Professional Sales starts April 23rd. Sign up now: https://www.itspu.com/all-classes/classes/msp-professional-sales-program/ MASTERMIND LIVE – Tampa, FL – April 27-28th http://bit.ly/kernanmastermind Use “EARLYBIRD” as the coupon code to save $200! Catch James at the SMBTechfest! SMBTechfest – Irvince, CA – May 9-10th https://www.smbtechfest.com/index.asp Check out A

Host Karl caught up with Dima Kumets, Principal Product Manager at Huntress Labs focused on their Security Awareness Training product. It was an entertaining interview! This interview focuses on the Security Awareness Training product, which features a truly engaging way for end users to learn about phishing attacks and other threats that arrive through email. Karl and Dima introduce you do the archvillain Didi and her role in educating clients - without irritating or alienating them! About Dima Kumets: Prior to joining Huntress, Dima was the product lead on OpenDNS (acquired by Cisco and now Cisco Umbrella.) He leverages his 20+ years of experience in technology to help partners grow their security practices and better protect the small and medium size businesses we all rely on. Partners can learn more at https://huntress.com/karl to sign up for a free trial. And, MSPs can sign up for the "Neighborhood watch" program that gives you free internal use licenses for all products. Thanks to Huntress for sponsorin

1.) MSP Question of The Week Is there an opportunity there for MSPs to resell consulting service around copilot? --- 2.) Notes on The News  Windows features disappearing in 2024: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2285358/10-windows-features-disappear-soon-2024.html Google looking to purchase Hubspot: https://www.crn.com/news/cloud/google-parent-alphabet-eyes-hubspot-acquisition-report United States Cyberforce: https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2024/03/25/united-states-cyber-force/ ...and more!    --- Our upcoming events and more: Register for James’s upcoming class at ITSPU! 5W22 – MSP Professional Sales starts April 23rd. Sign up now: https://www.itspu.com/all-classes/classes/msp-professional-sales-program/ MASTERMIND LIVE – Tampa, FL – April 27-28th http://bit.ly/kernanmastermind  Use “EARLYBIRD” as the coupon code to save $200! Catch James at the SMBTechfest! SMBTechfest - Irvince, CA - May 9-10th   https://www.smbtechfest.com/index.asp Check out Amy's weekly newsletter!  Sign up now : https://mailchi.mp/thirdti

1.) MSP Question of The Week Is it worth the time to track MDF/Rebates from your vendors partners if you are a small MSP? --- 2.) Notes on The News  April fool’s joke? Gmail announced 20 years ago today:  https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/20-years-ago-people-thought-googles-gmail-launch-was-an-april-fools-day-joke Microsoft copilot released today: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/copilot-for-microsoft-365/microsoft-365-copilot-ga-announcement/m-p/3934648 https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/30/tech/att-data-leak/index.html --- 3.) Five Minutes with A Smart Person - Tim Fitzpatrick of Rialto Marketing Check out the preview for our full interview with Tim Fitzpatrick of Rialto Marketing   www.RialtoMarketing.com www.revenueroadblockscorecard.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/timpfitzpatrick --- Our upcoming events and more: Register for James's upcoming class at ITSPU! 5W22 - MSP Professional Sales starts April 23rd. Sign up now: https://www.itspu.com/all-classes/classes/msp-professional-sales-program/ MASTERMI

Host Amy and James are back!  1.) MSP Question of The Week: Should you force remote workers back in to the office? And do workers prefer weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly payment? --- 3.) Notes on The News  N-able 2024 MSP Challenges and Opps – CEO article: https://www.channele2e.com/perspective/n-able-ceo-pagliuca-2024-msp-challenges-opportunities How the top MSP business owners are using AI in their business: https://www.crn.com/news/managed-services/2024/10-msp-execs-on-how-they-re-using-ai-tools-in-2024 What AI we've been using: https://www.perplexity.ai/ --- 2.) Five Minutes with A Smart Person - Fernando Leon  Host James sit down with smart person Fernando Leon, Vice President of Sales/Marketing of Single Point of Contact. They discuss White Label IT Service platform that helps MSP's scale.   Contact:   sales@singlepointoc.com   www.singlepointoc.com    --- Our upcoming events: AUSTIN TX – MASTERMIND LIVE (March 28-29th) http://bit.ly/kernanmastermind Use “EARLYBIRD” as the coupon code to save $200! htt

We follow Karl Palachuk as he makes his way through Channel Partners Expo 2024!    Thank you to our guests (in order): Dave Seibert of SMBTechFest  https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveseibert99 https://www.smbtechfest.com/index.asp   Michelle Ragusa McBain of Sonicwall  https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleragusamcbain https://www.sonicwall.com/leadership/michelle-ragusa-mcbain/   Mikey Pruitt of DNSFilter https://www.linkedin.com/in/roadtociso https://www.dnsfilter.com/   Kathleen Martin of  Advancing Leadership Network (ALN)  https://www.linkedin.com/company/advancing-leadership-network/   --- Our upcoming events: AUSTIN TX – MASTERMIND LIVE (March 28-29th) http://bit.ly/kernanmastermind https://kernanconsulting-mastermind.mykajabi.com/mastermind-event Our Social Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-kernan-varcoach/ https://www.facebook.com/james.kernan https://www.facebook.com/karlpalachuk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlpalachuk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/amybabinchak/ https://www.facebook.com/amy.babi

Karl interviewed Stephen Thomas from Asigra. Thomas oversees global revenue and shapes the sales and customer success strategy. He is an accomplished executive With over 25 years of experience in building and guiding sales and customer success teams within the rapidly expanding sectors of Enterprise SaaS. With over 25 years of experience in building and guiding sales and customer success teams within the rapidly expanding sectors of Enterprise SaaS (Cybersecurity and Data Protection), Stephen Thomas is an accomplished executive. Prior to taking on his current role at Asigra, where he oversees global revenue and shapes the sales and customer success strategy, he was the Chief Revenue Officer at RiskOptics (formerly Reciprocity). Stephen's leadership experience extends to companies like Arcserve, Armor, Cyberbit, and Symantec.  A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, he has further honed his skills as a Certified LEANSTACK Coach, CIPP, and CISSP. Asigra is launching a new SaaS management tool in April,

Host James sits down with Christophe Reglate of SXIPHER. Look out for the PROMO for 20% off in the month of March! https://www.sxipher.ai/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophe-reglat-7360b0141/ Call: (386) 479-4074 Email: sales@sxipher.ai — Our upcoming events: AUSTIN TX – MASTERMIND LIVE (March 28-29th) http://bit.ly/kernanmastermind https://kernanconsulting-mastermind.mykajabi.com/mastermind-event Our Social Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-kernan-varcoach/ https://www.facebook.com/james.kernan https://www.facebook.com/karlpalachuk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlpalachuk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/amybabinchak/ https://www.facebook.com/amy.babinchak/

Yes, another opener about the weather. ;)    1.)  The MSP Question of The Week How can small MSPs compete with larger firms in the same market? https://www.msptoday.com/topics/msp-today/articles/458682-msps-must-focus-strengths-not-be-afraid-partner.htm --- 2.) Notes on The News  The AT&T outage  results in $5 credit to all affected users. ...And the Media Industry suffers in the face of social media newsbreaks.  --- Our upcoming events: AUSTIN TX – MASTERMIND LIVE (March 28-29th) http://bit.ly/kernanmastermind https://kernanconsulting-mastermind.mykajabi.com/mastermind-event Our Social Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-kernan-varcoach/ https://www.facebook.com/james.kernan https://www.facebook.com/karlpalachuk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlpalachuk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/amybabinchak/ https://www.facebook.com/amy.babinchak/

We are back after the long weekend with great hair... 1.) MSP Question of the week:  How do you qualify an opportunity so you don’t waste your time? Check out Amy's whitepaper:  https://www.thirdtier.net/product/whitepaper-how-to-build-a-valuable-local-linkedin-network/ --- 2.) Notes on the News and Our Favorite Social Media Apple Vision Pro is out:  1st new product in 7 yrs – VR headset $3499 https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/02/tech/apple-vision-pro-what-you-need-to-know/index.html Markets are way up except for Snapchat – down 30% reported a 248m loss in their most recent qtr announcement. AND We dive into our favorite social media for business use and why... --- 3.)  Five Minutes with A Smart Person – Christophe Reglat of SXIPHER A preview of James's interview with Christophe Reglat of SXIPHER on Penetretation Testing with AI. https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophe-reglat-7360b0141/ https://www.sxipher.com/ --- Our upcoming events: AUSTIN TX – MASTERMIND LIVE (March 28-29th) http://bit.ly/kernanmastermind ht

Host James sits down with Val King. Val is the CEO of Whitehat Virtual Technologies and responsible for day-to-day-operations, as well as leading the company’s product development and technology strategy. Val has 20 years of experience in technology, compliance, and security in regulated industries, particularly in financial services and healthcare. Currently Val serves in a dual role as CIO for a regional healthcare system. “The last 18 inches between the screen and the end-user is the Point of Execution, where end user experience matters, where technology either improves productivity, and thus the business, or hinders it. “Every business needs IT. Every business buys IT, but not every business is able to confidently cross that divide from IT being just a cost of doing business to a tool delivering outcomes that makes business measurably better.” Val is focused on making this a core competency of Whitehat Virtual Technologies, benefiting every customer we serve. https://www.whitehatvirtual.com/ https://www.l