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    The Five Employee Rules You Can't Forget - No matter what

    en-usDecember 15, 2022

    About this Episode

    Karl Palachuk has a major announcement . . . followed by a discussion of The Five Employee Rules You Can't Forget - No matter how difficult the job market is right now.

    Karl has been procuding materials for IT consultants who are tackling the challenges of hiring in as we roll the calendar over to 2023. He recently posted a recorded webinar at https://www.mspwebinar.com on Hiring and Keeping Great Employees in 2023 - https://mspwebinar.com/finding-and-keeping-great-employees/.

    In this podcast, Karl outlines five extremely important things you need to remember, even in a difficult job market. 

    Karl is one of the SMB Community Podcast hosts. He has written more than twenty books, and runs the Small Biz Thoughts Technology Community as well as IT Service Provider University.

    Karl has built and sold two managed service businesses. He has been a professional consultant for more than three decades, and he has been an active community builder in the SMB IT market for more than fifteen year. He's also the founder of the National Society of IT Service Providers and is currently their Executive Director.

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    Recent Episodes from SMB Community Podcast

    Christophe Reglate of SXIPHER

    Competing As A Small MSP

    Competing As A Small MSP

    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/

    Identifying Worthwhile Opportunities

    Identifying Worthwhile Opportunities

    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

    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/

     

    Val King of Whitehat Technologies

    Val King of Whitehat Technologies

    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.linkedin.com/in/valking/

    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/

    Work Culture and Business Acquisition

    Work Culture and Business Acquisition

    1.) MSP Question of The Week

    How important is work culture as it relates to acquisition or merger?

    and

    Why everything boils down to customer experience...

    See:  https://www.channele2e.com/native/customer-experience-is-everything

    2.) Five minutes with a Smart Person -  Val King of Whitehat Technologies

    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.linkedin.com/in/valking/

     

    ---

    Our upcoming events:

    AUSTIN TX – MASTERMIND LIVE (March 28-29th)

    http://bit.ly/kernanmastermind

    https://kernanconsulting-mastermind.mykajabi.com/mastermind-event

    Use “EARLYBIRD” as the coupon code to save $200!

    Irvine CA – SMB Techfest (Feb 8th-9th)

    Make sure you catch Amy at SMB Techfest!

    https://www.smbtechfest.com/events.asp

     

    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/

    How Do MSPs Deal with Stress?

    How Do MSPs Deal with Stress?
    1.) MSP Question of The Week
     
    How do busy MSP business owners deal with stress?
     
    Host Amy and Host James discuss their strategies. 
     
    ---
     
    2.) Five Minutes with A Smart Person -  Eric Anthony 
     
    Host James sits down with Channel Vet, podcaster, and Director of Community at EGNYTE Eric Anthony.
     
    Learn more about Eric:
     
     
    ---
     
    3.) Notes on The News  
     
    "Microsoft set for AI-powered revenue surge as stock pulls ahead...
     
    Microsoft is expected to report a 15.8% jump in quarterly revenue, its best growth in nearly two years, as rising adoption of its products infused with generative AI fuels demand for its cloud services."
     
     
    Microsoft's (MSFT.O), opens new tab Teams services were restored on Saturday after a disruption blocked access to the messaging platform.
     
    Several users had flagged issues with the messaging platform on Friday. Complaints peaked in the afternoon with more than 14,000 incidents, according to outage tracking website Downdetector.com. All incidents appeared to be resolved on Saturday.
     
    ---
     

    What is The Best Business Structure For MSPs?

    What is The Best Business Structure For MSPs?
    Host Amy and Host James catch up and catch a tan. 
     
    1.) MSP Question of The Week
     
    What is the best business structure for new MSPs?
     
     
    ---
     
    2.) More Tech Layoffs?
     
    EY Announces Layoffs in Response to Economic Struggles
     
     
    "Less than a week after Broadcom finalized its $61 billion acquisition of VMware, layoffs began. This is a familiar pattern for the company, which followed a similar playbook with its acquisition of CA Technologies in 2018. Overall, it's estimated Broadcom will cut about 2,000 employees post-acquisition.
     
    Google, Amazon, Snap, Splunk, LinkedIn, Cisco, MariaDB and SecureWorks all recently announced layoffs. Other mass layoffs recently included Intel, Wish and LinkedIn in the San Francisco Bay area.
    At the beginning of September, Rapid7 announced a restructuring plan following disappointing second-quarter results, resulting in the layoffs of about 18% of the company’s workforce.
    Similarly, AppSec firm Snyk laid off 128 people in April. Cloud security vendor Zscaler announced layoffs after what it called a rough fiscal second quarter. Software tools giant Atlassian laid off 5% of its workforce as it “shifted priorities.” 
     
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    Yearly Business Goals and Objectives

    Yearly Business Goals and Objectives

    *Due to a small error, we are re-releasing this episode that was originally set for January 19th, 2024. Thanks for understanding. :-)

    1.)  Should you update your GOALS and OBJECTIVES every year? 

    The short answer? Yes. 

    Email James (james@kernanconsulting.com) for his one page business plan exercise.

    --- 


    3.) Notes on The News 

    Is Connectwise a sinking ship?

    https://www.msptechnews.com/business-news/is-connectwise-a-sinking-ship/

    The best click-bait of the year....so far!

    And MAJOR CONSUMERS SEVER RELATIONS WITH HACKED BRANDS?

    Ransomware attacks in 2023 surged by 95% year-over-year, with 1,278 victims identified on leak sites - already surpassing both 2021 and 2022 totals...

    https://www.msptoday.com/topics/msp-today/articles/458119-majority-consumers-sever-ties-with-hacked-brands.htm


    2.) Five Minutes with a Smart Person: Erick Simpson 


    Erick Simpson is an MSP Business and Channel Growth Expert, MSP Influencer and MSP Thought Leader

    A pioneer and leader in the managed services industry, Erick Simpson built and sold one of the very first MSPs in the industry and grew and coached a channel of 30,000 IT Solution Providers through their MSP transformation with his MSP Mastered® Methodology for managed services business performance improvement.

    Erick is an MSP business & channel growth expert, influencer, thought leader, speaker and author with 4 best-selling books and 50 white papers to his credit, and his strategies and programs help MSPs overcome business challenges to realize consistent, profitable managed services recurring revenue growth. His M&A expertise has helped dozens of MSPs sell their businesses at the highest valuation or expand through acquisition.

    He delivers strategic MSP market analysis services and builds and improves channel programs for IT vendors and distributors, and helps recruit and enable their channel partners through his thought leadership podcasts, webinars, workshops and event keynotes and breakouts.

    Erick’s industry recognition includes Channel Futures’ 7 Thought Leaders Defining the MSP Market, Jay McBain’s 100 Most Visible Channel Leaders, 2 Time ChannelPro 20/20 Visionaries, 2 Time MSP Mentor 250 and SMB Nation’s SMB 150 award recipient.

    Check out Erick's new community: 

    https://mspmastered.com/

    https://ericksimpson.com/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericksimpson/

     

    Check out Amy's Intune class:

    https://www.thirdtier.net/2023/11/29/learning-intune-a-six-month-course/

     

    Our upcoming events:

    AUSTIN TX – MASTERMIND LIVE (March 28-29th)

    http://bit.ly/kernanmastermind

    https://kernanconsulting-mastermind.mykajabi.com/mastermind-event

    Use “EARLYBIRD” as the coupon code to save $200!

    Irvine CA - SMB Techfest (Feb 8th-9th)

    Make sure you catch Amy at SMB Techfest!

    https://www.smbtechfest.com/events.asp

     


    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/

     

     

     

    Jerry Koutavas of ASCII

    Jerry Koutavas of ASCII

    Host Karl sits down with friend, Jerry Koutavas.

    As President of The ASCII Group, Jerry Koutavas is responsible for creating resources and services aimed at helping IT and managed service providers better manage their time and their bottom line.  Koutavas oversees the creation, implementation, and adoption of benefits at The ASCII Group which services over 1,400 MSPs in North America. A widely-recognized figure in the IT industry, Jerry has more than 25 years of experience in the Channel.

     

    Check out more: 

    https://events.ascii.com/

     

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    Our upcoming events:

    Jan 16-18th in Honolulu HI – MSSP Sales/Marketing workshop
     
    Contact James for a $500 discount code!
     

    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/

    Big Tech Layoffs Coming

    Big Tech Layoffs Coming
    1.) MSP Question of the week:  Will the US economy adversely affect my business? 
           
    In summation, it will...if YOU let it. And what does tabasco hot sauce have to do with you?
     
    ---
      
    2.) Notes on the News
     
    Tech lay offs yet again! Google, Amazon and Snap are among latest to announce major layoffs.
     
     
    3.) Cool Tech Gifts
     
    Our experts way in. :-)
     
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