『SMB Community Podcast: Business Advice for Small MSP Owners』のカバーアート

SMB Community Podcast: Business Advice for Small MSP Owners

SMB Community Podcast: Business Advice for Small MSP Owners

著者： Dave Sobel Amy Babinchak Small Biz Thoughts James Kernan
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概要
 Running a small MSP means being the CEO, the sales team, the HR department, and the escalation tech — usually in the same afternoon. The SMB Community Podcast is where MSP owners get straight answers on the business side of running an MSP. Every week, Amy Babinchak, and James Kernan — MSP owners and advisors from the Small Biz Thoughts community — take on the questions small MSP owners actually ask: How should I price? When do I hire? Should I give a proposal at the first meeting? What is my MSP worth? No vendor pitches and no theory — practical advice from people who have run, grown, and sold IT businesses. What this MSP podcast covers: • MSP sales and client growth — the MSP sales process, proposals, price objections, referrals, local marketing, and choosing a CRM • MSP pricing and agreements — MSP pricing models, single plan vs. tiers, price increases, managed service contracts, margins, and cash flow • Leading an MSP team — MSP hiring, tech compensation and commissions, accountability, culture, and EOS for small MSPs • MSP operations — processes, KPIs, documentation, your MSP stack, and the Microsoft Partner Program • Selling your MSP — MSP valuation, exit planning, private equity, and building a business that runs without you • AI for small MSPs — selling AI services, AI governance for clients, shadow IT, and what AI does to per-seat pricing Questions we answer: • How should a small MSP price its services — one plan or several? • When can an MSP owner afford the next hire, and how should you pay techs? • How do you raise prices without losing clients? • What makes an MSP worth more when it's time to sell? • How can a small MSP make money from AI? Whether you're starting an MSP, running a two-person shop, or building toward an exit, this is the show for the MSP owner-operator. The SMB Community Podcast is part of Small Biz Thoughts and produced by MSP Radio. More resources for MSP owners at smallbizthoughts.com.MSP Radio マネジメント マネジメント・リーダーシップ リーダーシップ 経済学
エピソード
  • Should Small MSPs Join the Better Business Bureau?

    Should Small MSPs Join the Better Business Bureau?
    2026/11/12
    The discussion centered on the continued relevance and risks of affiliating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for MSPs and IT service providers. The consensus was that the BBB is viewed as outdated, with panelists sharing concerns about aggressive sales tactics and an apparent lack of practical business value, especially in the era of easily accessible and transparent online reviews. Several anecdotes highlighted negative experiences, including persistent telemarketing and questionable review practices, raising issues of reputational risk and accountability for firms considering BBB accreditation.Supporting these viewpoints, the conversation drew attention to alternative forms of validation and customer feedback. Online platforms such as Google Reviews were emphasized as more effective and visible mechanisms for building trust and public reputation. The panel argued that online reviews often appear more prominently in search results and provide direct, unfiltered customer feedback, underscoring the decreased utility of the BBB’s paid accreditation framework. The practical tradeoff between paying for BBB membership versus investing effort in genuine client testimonials was a recurring theme.Adjacent topics included evolving vendor landscapes, with a particular focus on changes in PSA market share: Ninja surpassed ConnectWise with over 20%, just edging out both ConnectWise and Kaseya, according to recent data. The episode also covered operational and market updates from multiple sectors, such as UPS implementing a 5.9% shipping rate increase and Tesla’s Cybertruck being labeled as a commercial disappointment based on sales numbers substantially below targets. Additionally, recent IT events like IT Nation 2026 were critiqued for leaning more toward entertainment than actionable content, while M&A activity was contextualized by the relative scarcity of MSPs with revenues above $2 million.For decision-makers within MSPs and IT organizations, the central takeaways emphasize careful evaluation of external affiliations in terms of cost, visibility, and control over reputation. Embracing transparent, client-driven feedback channels over legacy badges or paid associations may offer greater long-term value and mitigate potential risk. Market developments in tools and vendor relationships require regular reassessment, while operational costs and growth strategies—whether in shipping logistics, event investments, or acquisitions—should be aligned with demonstrable benefits and a clear understanding of organizational capacity.MSP Industry Updates: Market Shifts and Business OpportunitiesShow Rundown & BanterBBB membership, PSA/RMM market changes, UPS rate hikes, Tesla, IT Nation, and buying a $2M MSP.Question of the Week: Should I Join the BBB?MSP Business Owners Facebook group members overwhelmingly say no. Is membership worth it?Topic: NinjaOne Leads the PSA/RMM MarketNinjaOne edges ahead of ConnectWise, followed by Kaseya and HaloPSA.https://lnkd.in/p/gcFgXaZuTopic: Apple Cuts Employee AI BudgetsApple's new CEO reportedly tightens AI spending as the company moves toward leaner operations.https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/apple-trims-staff-ai-budgets-as-new-ceo-targets-leaner-ops-7752164/Topic: IT Nation 2026 HighlightsKey takeaways include predictive IT, AI, IT Nation Secure integration, and customer retention strategies.Topic: UPS Announces a 5.9% Rate IncreaseUPS plans a rate increase effective December 21, just before the holiday season.Tales from the Field: Buying a $2 Million MSPA buyer is interested in acquiring a $2 million MSP in the Midwest. What does the deal involve?Wrap & Upcoming EventsMSP Mastermind Roadshow, December 3–4, 2026, in Tampa, Florida.https://kernanconsulting-mastermind.mykajabi.com/mastermind-event About the SMB Community Podcast: Weekly business advice for small MSP owners from Amy Babinchak and James Kernan of the Small Biz Thoughts community — MSP sales, MSP pricing and agreements, hiring and leading an MSP team, MSP operations, selling your MSP, and AI for small MSPs. Produced by MSP Radio. More for MSP owners at smallbizthoughts.com.SMB Community Podcast is supported by our partners:OvekaSupporting the IT services community through insights, analysis, and transparency. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    24 分
  • Should Small MSPs Build a Budget or Just Wing It for 2027?

    Should Small MSPs Build a Budget or Just Wing It for 2027?
    2026/11/05

    The conversation focused on emerging vulnerabilities and operational challenges tied to artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity, with the Binance hack—resulting in a reported $6.4 billion loss—presented as the episode’s most consequential event. Binance leadership stated that users would not incur losses, as the company intends to recover the stolen funds from its own reserves. This incident draws attention to the scale of risk even large organizations face and underscores new attack vectors enabled by AI-powered threat actors.

    A key theme that emerged was the evolving nature of attacks due to AI’s capacity to chain vulnerabilities together in innovative ways, outpacing human defenders. The discussion explored how these developments can render traditional patching strategies insufficient, especially for small and midsize businesses (SMBs) that lack the financial resilience of enterprises such as Binance. Small businesses, according to the discussion, are now viable mass targets because AI can automate exploitation processes, allowing attackers to monetize each breach efficiently.

    Several points were raised, including the strategic shift by platforms like Reddit to restrict open content access in response to both search market changes and AI-driven data aggregation, as well as the first instance of an employee in the United States—citing humanism as a recognized religion—receiving a religious exemption from mandatory AI use at work. Additionally, the conversation highlighted Anthropic’s $100 million investment to train 10,000 engineers at select Fortune 100 companies, a development that may influence competitive landscapes for MSPs and IT service providers.

    The discussion emphasized the need for MSPs and IT service providers to formalize budgeting and planning for 2027, invest in structured AI training for staff, and address evolving risks, particularly those introduced by custom AI tools and emerging social engineering vectors. Establishing clear policies, conducting risk assessments, and mandating continuous skills development were identified as necessary steps for organizations seeking to maintain operational resilience and reduce harm in an increasingly complex digital environment.

    Preparing for 2027: AI, Security, and the MSP Landscape

    1. Show Rundown & Banter
      • Preparing for 2027: business planning, AI, and cybersecurity.
    2. Question of the Week: What Should I Be Doing to Prepare for 2027?
      • Set goals, create a budget, and start planning for the year ahead.
    3. Topic: Reddit Goes Into Self-Preservation Mode
      • Reddit introduces login requirements and optional Incognito mode as it responds to declining search revenue and AI's use of its content. What does this mean for the open internet?
    4. Topic: Binance Suffers a Record-Breaking Breach
      • A reported $6.4 billion loss raises serious questions about crypto security and whether AI-powered vulnerability discovery could make future attacks more dangerous.

    5. Topic: Religious Exemption From AI Use at Work

      • A University of Kentucky professor receives an exemption from workplace AI use based on Humanist beliefs and the importance of human presence and personal responsibility.

      https://oeo.uky.edu/

    6. Topic: Anthropic Invests $100 Million in AI Training
      • Anthropic plans to train 10,000 engineers at Fortune 100 companies to help them identify and develop AI opportunities. How can MSPs keep up?
    7. Tales from the Field: A Hack Attempted Through ChatGPT
      • A malicious custom GPT displayed a fake OpenAI security warning and verification link. What happened, and how can organizations protect themselves?

    About the SMB Community Podcast: Weekly business advice for small MSP owners from Amy Babinchak and James Kernan of the Small Biz Thoughts community — MSP sales, MSP pricing and agreements, hiring and leading an MSP team, MSP operations, selling your MSP, and AI for small MSPs. Produced by MSP Radio. More for MSP owners at smallbizthoughts.com.

    SMB Community Podcast is supported by our partners:

    Oveka

    Supporting the IT services community through insights, analysis, and transparency.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    23 分
  • Should MSP Agreements Stop Ex-Employees From Taking Clients?

    Should MSP Agreements Stop Ex-Employees From Taking Clients?
    2026/10/29
    Employee departures and the risk of client solicitation by ex-staff emerged as the episode’s principal issue. Multiple instances were described where former employees attempted to take clients with them, resulting in legal disputes and operational stress for MSPs. To mitigate this risk, contractual safeguards such as non-disclosure and non-solicitation clauses in employment agreements were identified as standard practices. The discussion emphasized the limitations of these measures, especially in right-to-work states like California and Michigan, where prohibiting employees from earning a living is not permitted, but protecting trade secrets and customer relationships remains crucial.Further supporting commentary outlined approaches to both prevention and response. Hiring staff aligned with core business values was highlighted as a first line of defense, acknowledging that even well-selected employees may at times violate trust. Emphasis was also placed on maintaining strong client relationships, as clients themselves may resist overtures from ex-employees and alert the business to solicitation attempts. The balance between proactive oversight and acceptance of limited risk was positioned as a key operational consideration, with practical actions centered on the clarity of employment agreements and ongoing relationship management.Additional segments addressed opportunities for increasing monthly recurring revenue (MRR) and the growing prominence of AI and related security and governance issues. Strategies for broadening MRR included packaging not only core IT support but also ancillary services such as printer management, mobile device support, and surveillance system maintenance. The conversation also covered the rising importance of including AI usage clauses in NDAs, particularly for M&A transactions where confidential business data might be shared with AI platforms. Concerns were raised about the exposure of proprietary information if uploaded to external AI providers and the need for specific contractual language to address this risk.For MSPs, the key takeaways center on operational risk containment, the necessity for disciplined employment and client contracts, and governance practices attuned to both human resource management and technology adoption. Service providers are urged to strengthen their policies and agreements to protect confidential information and client relationships, remain vigilant regarding the transfer or misuse of business data—especially in digital and AI-driven environments—and consider the broader implications of their vendor and partnership decisions during organizational transitions or M&A activity.Protecting Your MSP from Ex-Employees and Growing MRRShow Rundown & Banter: Protecting clients and employees from poaching, growing MRR, AI security concerns, and AI in M&A.Question of the Week: Have Ex-Employees Ever Stolen Clients or Staff?Use non-solicitation agreements, employee contracts, and signed handbook acknowledgments to protect your business.Topic: Growing MRR Beyond Core ServicesExplore VOICE, CYBER, MDM, and BACKUP. Reinvent Telecom is one voice partner to consider.Something New: Mac Introduces TouchscreenApple explores touchscreen functionality. Is it useful, or is it a feature other platforms have had for years?Topic: AI Security and ConsciousnessDiscuss concerns around Claude, AI consciousness, and Anthropic’s conversations with religious leaders.https://youtu.be/TBLHdXABwAg?si=upyYBVLm7Set5YXeTopic: AI Clauses in M&A NDAsA seller’s NDA prohibits uploading confidential financial documents to free AI chatbots that may train on user inputs.Tales from the Field: Selling Your MSP to an Inexperienced VC GroupWhat can go wrong when selling to investors without MSP experience?Wrap & Upcoming EventsMastermind LIVE Tampa, December 3–4, 2026.https://kernanconsulting-mastermind.mykajabi.com/mastermind-event About the SMB Community Podcast: Weekly business advice for small MSP owners from Amy Babinchak and James Kernan of the Small Biz Thoughts community — MSP sales, MSP pricing and agreements, hiring and leading an MSP team, MSP operations, selling your MSP, and AI for small MSPs. Produced by MSP Radio. More for MSP owners at smallbizthoughts.com.SMB Community Podcast is supported by our partners:OvekaSupporting the IT services community through insights, analysis, and transparency. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    24 分
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