ChannelPro 5 Minute Roundup

Erick and Rich share thoughts on the latest ChannelPro State of the Channel survey, suggestions on leveraging ChatGPT to boost productivity and strengthen client relationships, and some very special news about the future of this podcast. 2023 State of the Channel: Full Speed Ahead on Opportunities To keep up with Rich and Erick in the future, visit: RichFreeman.net ErickSimpson.com

Erick and Rich discuss why news from Nerdio and Microsoft made this a big week in cloud management, why it's never too soon to get rid of a toxic employee, and why getting a victory tattoo of your favorite team BEFORE the big game can be a bad idea. Articles referenced in this episode: Nerdio Adding Endpoint and Application Management Through Intune to Manager for MSP Solution The Microsoft Intune Suite fuels cyber safety and IT efficiency Newcastle fan left red-faced after premature tattoo 

Erick and Rich discuss two profitable opportunities many channel pros are missing out on, why upgrading the swag you give employees can deliver big ROI, and an IT company in India that's pushing its staff—hard—to work less versus more. Articles referenced in this episode: IBM Security X-Force Threat Intelligence Index 2023(link is external) Addigy Releases 2023 State of Apple Device Management Industry Report for MSPs Please go home! Indian firm deploys software for work-life balance

Erick and Rich discuss how to spot and avoid burnout, why managing expectations is the key to eliminating costly surprises during customer onboarding, and a pesky woodpecker who deposited 700 lbs. of acorns inside a California homeowner's walls. Articles referenced in this episode: Avoiding Burnout Woodpeckers stash 700 pounds of acorns in wall of California home

Erick and Rich discuss why ConnectWise's new ChatGPT-based automation technology is important, the right and wrong ways to think about MSP valuations, and a 6-year-old who ordered $1,000 of food on Grubhub from his dad's phone. Articles referenced in this episode: ConnectWise Adds ChatGPT-Based Scripting to RMM Solutions Michigan man says son, 6, ordered $1K in food from Grubhub)

Erick and Rich explain why Kaseya's new partner program offers encouraging news for Datto partners, why pumping up your LinkedIn profile will help you win business, and why six doctors in Australia ate Lego heads for science. Articles referenced in this episode: Kaseya Expands Unified Partner Program for Datto and Kaseya MSPs How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile For Sales [Visual Template](link is external) How to Craft the Perfect LinkedIn Profile: A Comprehensive Guide [Infographic](link is external) 6 doctors swallowed Lego heads for science. Here's what came out

Erick and Rich discuss the good news for MSPs and their clients in Datto's new security research, list three questions every channel pro should ask their employees soon, and marvel at the pet fish who made a Pokemon purchase with their owner's credit card. Articles referenced in this episode: Datto SMB Cybersecurity for MSPs Report Pet fish spend cash and expose Nintendo Switch owner's credit card during Pokemon live stream

Erick and Rich discuss why Pia's AI-powered help desk automation solution is a sign of the times, why letting techs work remotely has advantages worth considering, and why the only defense against AI-based facial recognition tech might be AI-designed clothing. Articles referenced in this episode: Pia Officially Launches Service Desk Automation Solution Fed up with facial recognition cameras monitoring your every move? Italian fashion may have the answer

Erick and Rich discuss analyst data underscoring why channel pros must be customer experience masters, discourage MSPs from giving assessments away for free, and describe a rare instance in which a river of melted butter wasn't a good thing. Articles referenced in this episode: Top SMB technology trends in 2023 River of melted butter blocks Wisconsin waterway after fire at dairy plant

Back in action for 2023, Erick and Rich discuss what hardware trends from CES mean for the SMB channel, the importance of diversifying your lead generation activities, and a coder who turned to Office Space for criminal inspiration instead of laughs. Articles referenced in this episode: Lenovo Stresses Flexible Use Modes in Latest Laptops HP's 2023 CES Product Wave Targets Hybrid Workers ‘Office Space' movie inspired employee to steal $302,278, police say

Erick and Rich make a prediction for cyber insurance in 2023 (and no, it's not just higher prices), urge you to make hanging out with smart people a new year's resolution, and invent a new measure for global well-being: the Erick Simpson Santa Scale. Articles referenced in this episode: Inflation has reached the North Pole as a Santa shortage looms

Erick and Rich discuss why CompTIA's new Cybersecurity Trustmark fills a need in the channel, why you should consider giving your website a makeover, and why the police shouldn't need to explain that driving with both windshields covered in snow is illegal. Articles referenced in this episode: CompTIA Introduces Cybersecurity Trustmark Driver gets $553 ticket for driving with snow on windshield

Erick and Rich discuss what SkyKick's new security product says about the evolution of cloud computing, how to raise prices on legacy clients paying outdated rates, and evidence from Tinder that voting regularly is more than just a civic responsibility. Articles referenced in this episode: SkyKick Calls Security Management the Next Dimension of Cloud Management Truing Up Pricing For Legacy Clients(link is external) Not voting in this past election might have cost you a potential match, according to new data from Tinder

With Thanksgiving approaching, Erick and Rich share a few things they're thankful for this year and a few lesser known facts about the day AFTER Thanksgiving, Black Friday.

Erick and Rich draw on research from Axcient to explore the costly effects of supporting multiple BDR solutions, discuss why now's the time to refresh your marketing materials, and tell the strange tale of a man who misplaced an ear bud for five years…in his ear. Articles referenced in this episode: Axcient Releases Research Revealing Strong Backup and Disaster Recovery Market for MSPs Who Switch to More Efficient Systems(link is external) Axcient Unveils Linux Backup Enhancement to x360Recover Earbud piece was stuck in British man's ear for five years

Together at the 2022 Acronis #CyberFit Summit in Miami with a hurricane possibly approaching, Erick and Rich discuss Acronis's new EDR and PSA solutions, simple social media success tips, and a new bottled eggnog inspired by frozen toaster waffles. Articles referenced in this episode: Acronis Unveils EDR Addition to Cyber Protect Cloud Suite Acronis Introduces Services Automation and Enhanced RMM Solutions Eggo Waffles Puts Its Spin on Egg Nog

Live from the final ChannelPro SMB Forum of the year, Erick and Rich discuss Cisco's increased interest in SMBs, how to use the end of 2022 to prepare yourself for a big 2023, and a six-foot tall loaf of bread named Pan Solo. Articles referenced in this episode: Cisco Underscores Commitment to SMB Market at 2022 Partner Summit Meet 'Pan Solo': A California bakery's 6-foot replica of the 'Star Wars' hero made of bread

Erick and Rich discuss the mix of bullishness and wariness about market conditions at D&H's recent THREAD event, why uncertain times are the perfect moment to drop your worst clients, and a real live case of snake(s) on a plane! Articles referenced in this episode: Undeterred by Recession Fears, D&H Is Rolling Out New Partner Resources Garter snake causes stir aboard United Airlines jet in New Jersey

Erick and Rich drill into Auvik's acquisition of Saaslio and Boardgent, why your RMM solution is one of your most important security tools, and the building suspense over the approaching selection of the next USA Mullet Champion. Articles referenced in this episode: Auvik Buys Saaslio and Boardgent America's next top mullet will soon be crowned

Erick and Rich discuss N-able's “manage everything” approach to the rise of cloud computing, the increasingly expansive security stack at Microsoft, and a shameful example of exaggerating how much fish you caught. Articles referenced in this episode: N-able Previews Cloud Infrastructure Management Solution N-able Execs to MSPs: Manage and Secure Everything Pair accused of cheating in big Lake Erie walleye tourney

Erick and Rich discuss why data from CompTIA shows it's time to talk strategy with your clients, why spending money on new employees can get you higher profits faster, and why the record for highest-altitude soccer game ever played is likely to stand for a while. Articles referenced in this episode: SMBs return to strategic mindset, plan tech investments to support innovation and recruitment, new CompTIA study reveals(link is external) Tech Buying Trends: SMBs Pinpoint Technology in Return to Strategy(link is external) Teen puts 22 socks on one foot in 30 seconds for Guinness record(link is external) Zero gravity soccer game breaks world record at 20,230 feet

Erick and Rich sum up the action and mood at Datto's first partner event since being acquired by Kaseya, urge you to charge for assessments instead of give them away, and marvel at the record-setting 1,109 pint Negroni recently poured in Bangkok. Articles referenced in this episode: Optimism and Wariness Among Datto Partners as DattoCon 2022 Concludes Thai hotel sets Guinness world record with largest Negroni cocktail

Erick and Rich discuss a forthcoming alerts management solution from Gradient MSP, why every MSP should build an organizational accountability chart, and a 38-year-old man in Japan paid $71 a booking to do nothing in particular. Articles referenced in this episode: Gradient Readies Alerts Management Solution Dream job: the Japanese man who gets paid to do nothing

Erick and Rich discuss the strategic significance of ConnectWise getting into payments processing, the importance of factoring truly complete service delivery costs into your rates, and a Florida alligator rudely evicted from what was supposed to be its home. Articles referenced in this episode: ConnectWise Buys Accounting Integration and Payments Processing Vendor Wise-Sync Alligator visits Florida elementary school, ‘home of the Gators'

Erick and Rich take a look at the surprisingly resilient M&A landscape for MSPs, discuss strategies for insulating yourself from supply chain woes, and marvel at the record-setting 69 fast food restaurants recently visited in 24 hours by two chefs in New York. Articles referenced in this episode: Abe Garver's blog post: Can MSP deals stand up to higher interest rates?(link is external) TikTok chefs visit 69 fast food restaurants in 24 hours for world record

Erick and Rich chew over N-able's jump into cloud management, why having good data in tightly integrated business apps is the only way to make confident decisions about your company, and a wedding-saving emergency intervention by a Boston cop. Articles referenced in this episode: N-able Introduces First Cloud Management Solution  Boston police save the day by ferrying stranded groom to wedding in harbor

Erick and Rich discuss Kaseya's revised auto-renewal policy, how to keep new managed service clients happy during onboarding, and an interesting job listing for anyone who likes the sound of sleeping for a living. Articles referenced in this episode: Kaseya, Responding to Partner Complaints, Changes Auto-Renewal Terms Casper is hiring professional nappers with 'exceptional sleeping ability'

Audio-only for the first time ever due to technical issues, Erick and Rich still manage to get in a conversation about CompTIA's ongoing work to close the skills gap by helping young people launch IT careers as well as some essential guidelines for optimizing your PSA. Articles referenced in this episode: Newest Cecilia Galvin Scholarship Winner Combines Passion for Tech with Commitment to Diversity CompTIA Spark helps young people unlock their potential and imagine new possibilities through technology

Erick and Rich discuss favorite insights from Service Leadership's new industry profitability report, what makes for a good—and bad—statement of work, and how a 13-year-old on her way to medical school next year makes us all look like slackers. Articles referenced in this episode: 5 Insights from Service Leadership's 2022 Industry Profitability Report This 13-year-old is headed to medical school a year after graduating high school

Erick and Rich discuss Microsoft's cautious messaging during its Inspire partner conference, how to prevent your best techs from leaving for another employer, and the dubious opportunity now available in Cincinnati to smell a corpse flower in full bloom. Articles referenced in this episode: Incoming Channel Chief Says “There's Never Been a Better Time To Be a Microsoft Partner” Stinky bloom approaching for Ohio zoo's corpse flower

Erick and Rich discuss N-able's new solution bundle for emerging MSPs, the awesome employee training tool you already have but don't use (hint: it's LinkedIn), and a guy who loves pizza SO much he nearly climbed into an oven to get some. Articles referenced in this episode: N-able Launches Solution Bundle for Growing MSPs  Police: Man cut loose after crawling down pizza oven vent(link is external)

Happy (belated) 4th! Erick and Rich mark the occasion by discussing why N-able bought a cloud management vendor, why now's a good time to focus on the bottom line as well as revenue, and why there's something fishy about a 95-0 soccer score. Articles referenced in this episode: N-able Buys Cloud Management Vendor Spinpanel Sierra Leone FA probes ‘impractical' scorelines of 95-0 and 91-1

Erick and Rich discuss HPE's new as-a-service partner program, the many ways to motivate client and employee behavior, and the world's first, and we hope only, zero-star hotel. Articles referenced in this episode: HPE Unveils New Partner Program for As-a-Service Solution Providers Swiss 'zero star hotel' offers sleepless nights to ponder world's crises(link is external)

Join Erick and Rich as they discuss the potentially game-changing RMM system Kaseya has coming, how to handle a sales prospect who says “we've got a guy,” and just how big the biggest freshwater fish ever caught turns out to be. Articles referenced in this episode: Kaseya Rolls Out AI-Powered Recommendation Engine and Previews Next RMM Release at Connect IT Conference Mekong villagers land heaviest ever freshwater fish

Erick and Rich discuss Cisco's big MSP recruiting drive, why you should have an offboarding process for clients that's as good as your onboarding process, and whether or not being removed from a vat of chocolate you're swimming in is really being “rescued”. Articles referenced in this episode: Cisco's MSP Investments Are Big and Getting Bigger Two rescued from chocolate vat at Mars Inc candy factory

Erick and Rich discuss the growing trend of alliances between IT management vendors and cyber insurance companies, how soon is too soon to fire a problem employee, and whether or not naming your baby after Ikea products is a good idea. Articles referenced in this episode: New Tools from ConnectWise Aim to Simplify Cyber Insurance Application Process Augmentt Offers Cyber Insurance Discounts to Cloud Management Partners Ikea Norway offers help with baby names after COVID-19 boom

Are cloud vendors who sell direct a threat to channel pros? Ingram Micro doesn't think so, and neither do Erick and Rich, who also discuss the possibility that M&A valuations for MSPs have peaked and that Elvis-themed Las Vegas wedding chapels are doomed. Articles referenced in this episode: Ingram Micro Confident It Can Beat Its Largest Competitor—Cloud Vendors Who Sell Direct Company to Las Vegas chapels: No more Elvis-themed weddings

Rich is on vacation, but he and Erick still have a pre-recorded episode for you about strategies for getting peak value from vendor relationships and a strange but true story about their recent travels.

Side by side once more, Erick and Rich discuss Ingram Micro's new “digital twin,” how and why to get MDF, and a brilliant invention from Johns Hopkins University that prevents burritos from unrolling. Articles referenced in this episode: Ingram Micro Launches “Digital Experience” Partner Platform Johns Hopkins students invent edible 'Tastee Tape' to keep burritos together

While partners at this week's TD SYNNEX conference discuss booming IT market conditions, Erick and Rich discuss how to prepare for the inevitable slowdown to come, along with recent evidence that artificial intelligence isn't all that intelligent yet. Articles referenced in this episode: Four Facts of Life for the Channel Today, According to TD SYNNEX Partners How Smart is AI After All These Years?

Erick and Rich discuss the potential merits of buying remote access software from a security vendor, why expressing gratitude to employees and customers is a win-win, and the many, many holidays besides Star Wars Day celebrated this week. Articles referenced in this episode: Keeper Security Launches Remote Access Solution International Harry Potter Day marks Battle of Hogwarts date(link is external) National Two Different Colored Shoes Day celebrates diversity and uniqueness

Erick and Rich discuss a managed SD-WAN solution that MSPs and managed service newcomers should look into, explore how and why to raise your rates due to inflation, and pity the fool who now holds the world record for balancing a chainsaw on your chin. Articles referenced in this episode: Fortinet, Ingram Micro, and Masergy Collaborate on Managed SD-WAN Solution  Idaho man balances chainsaw on his chin for 37 minutes, 56 seconds

Erick and Rich discuss how small MSPs can generate big financial results, explain why you need to know your company's market value even if you're not ready to sell it, and marvel at the Dubliner who lodged 34 complaints about airport noise a day for a year. Articles referenced in this episode: Small Teams, Big Results  Dublin Airport received 12,272 noise complaints from one person in 2021

Erick and Rich share hot takes on Kaseya's earth-shaking acquisition of Datto, discuss the smart way to deal with FUD when change comes to the vendor landscape, and greet some unexpected visitors, live and on the air! Articles referenced in this episode: Kaseya Acquiring Datto for $6.2 Billion  ChannelPro Exclusive: Kaseya Addresses Datto Acquisition

Erick and Rich ask why channel pros aren't talking about blockchain more, urge you to stop giving away services out of the kindness of your heart, and marvel at the people in Dallas who scanned a random QR code in the sky recently and got Rickrolled.  Articles referenced in this episode: Drones create giant QR code to 'Rickroll' the city of Dallas

Erick and Rich explore Cytracom's bold move into secure networking, explain why watching Google for local ransomware stories can help MSPs land new business, and question why anyone would want to take their house plants with them on vacation. Articles referenced in this episode: Cytracom Unveils Secure Network Connectivity Solution for MSPs Kentucky hotel invites guests to bring their houseplants for the stay

Erick and Rich urge you to get in on compliance services even if you're a regulatory newbie, explain why dumping low margin services regularly is a good idea, and make plans to place an order for Iron Mike Tyson's ear-shaped cannabis edible. Articles referenced in this episode: Compliance Is for Everyone Mike Tyson is Selling Bitten Ear-Shaped Edibles

Erick and Rich dive into the upbeat numbers in this year's ChannelPro State of the Channel report, explain why ticket escalation rate is a KPI, and ponder why anyone would think sneaking reptiles across the border in your pockets is a good plan. Articles referenced in this episode: 2022 State of the Channel: Happy Days Are Here Again Border authorities find 52 reptiles hidden in man's clothing

Erick and Rich tally up the reasons why direct-to-cloud BDR is on the rise, discuss a new and better way to sell BDR, and agree that the man who discovered a pearl worth thousands of dollars in his clam dinner is the good news story we need right now. Articles referenced in this episode: Axcient Adds Backup Verification to Direct-to-Cloud BDR Solution  New Jersey man finds large pearl in his clam at popular restaurant

Erick and Rich discuss the big integration news from Nerdio, explain why ensuring you have the service capacity you need to keep up with growth in advance is a wise idea, and celebrate the GOAT goat who assisted sheriff's deputies in Virginia on an arrest. Articles referenced in this episode: Nerdio's Number One Competitor is…You Virginia sheriff's office praises goat for assistance in chasing suspect

Erick and Rich size up the strategic alliance between Nodeware and SOCSoter, explain why leading with security is a winning sales strategy these days, and suggest the perfect gift for next year's Valentine's Day: cologne that smells like French fries. Articles referenced in this episode: IGI CyberLabs Integrates Nodeware Vulnerability Management System with SOCSoter Platform The French fry lover in your life may go head over peels for this perfume