TubbTalk - The Podcast for IT Consultants

In this episode,

Time for another Team Tubb Travelogue! In this instalment, Lenka Koppova catches up with Richard Tubb, Stephen McCormick and a few special guests who are currently in London at the SuperOps SuperSummit Beer & Banter afterparty after a busy week. Grab a cup of your favourite tea or coffee or even something stronger, relax and join them for a fun conversation about the highlights from these amazing events. Plus... the Team Tubb Travelogue Quiz is back! Can Richard and Stephen answer Lenka's tricky questions? Did you know… ExCeL London opened in November 2000, in an area of huge regeneration in London’s historic Royal Docks and the first ever event held there was the London International Boat Show?! Do you think that Richard and Stephen knew this fact after spending 2 full days in this venue? But most importantly’ you’ll learn more about the MSP show and the SuperOps SuperSummit. MSP Show: A Thriving Hub for Managed Service Providers The first MSP Show, co-located with the established SITS Service Desk Show, was a smashing success. It offered a vibrant atmosphere where MSPs connected, learned, and shared best practices. Attendees benefited from insightful talks by industry leaders, gained practical knowledge from educational sessions, and built valuable connections with fellow MSPs. We’ll definitely be back next year! SuperOps SuperSummit: Powering Up Your MSP Business with Insights and Community The SuperOps SuperSummit offered a unique experience for Managed Service Providers. Unlike traditional industry events, the SuperSummit prioritises knowledge-sharing and building a strong MSP community. Attendees were able to gain valuable insights from successful MSP leaders through panels like "Super MSPs of Europe." The focus goes beyond theory, encouraging attendees to implement the learned strategies for real-world results. This collaborative environment fosters peer-to-peer learning and allows attendees to learn from each other's experiences. If you're looking for an event that empowers your MSP business with actionable knowledge and a supportive network, the SuperOps SuperSummit is the perfect fit. It was a busy, but exciting couple of days for Richard and Stephen. The MSP show took place at the Excel Centre, London on the 17th and 18th April 2024 and the SuperOps SuperSimmut was hosted at The View, Lincoln’s Inn Fields in London - which also serves as the headquarters for The Royal College of Surgeons of England. Were you at any of these events too? Send us a voice recording with your highlights, and we will add your comments to our next Team Tubb Travelogue!

In this episode, Richard Tubb speaks to Craig Sharp, the founder of UK based MSP Abussi, one of the longest-running managed service providers in the country. Craig founded Abussi in 1995 as a database supplier, and the business has transitioned over the past 26 years from software into break/fix hardware. Today they offer managed services, which they've been rocking for more than 15 years. Craig is something of a go giver and incredibly knowledgeable on customer success and managed services and is always willing to help a fellow MSP. Richard asks Craig how he started the business and where he got the name from, before delving deeper into what makes Abussi unique, including Craig’s decision to keep the business small and how they work on relationships to retain clients long-term. Craig explains the business benefits for visiting your clients in-person and why he focuses on systems and processes rather than tech tools, and why his passion for sharing knowledge ultimately helps his clients. Richard asks Craig about the tools Abussi use to help their clients and the vendors they partner with, as well as why they recently changed some suppliers. They also discuss how the Abussi team stays up to date with the industry and what the future holds for the business. Craig shares his advice on where IT and managed services is going as an industry, how to handle wrong-fit clients and the biggest mistakes Craig sees MSPs making today. Richard also asks Craig to share who his mentors and influences are and what he does to relax, as well as what the MSP community means to him and why you shouldn’t be afraid of your competitors. Mentioned in This Episode Kriss AkabusiScitechCompany of One: Why Staying Small is the Next Big Thing for BusinessStarlinkThe E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About ItThe Hitchhiker's Guide to the GalaxyPower BIThe Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business IdeaThe Tech TribeDeep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted WorldSharePointOneDrive

In this episode, Richard speaks to Tom Welton, a Solutions Engineer at Pax8. Previously working in their Colorado office, he has been based in the UK since the company opened their first European location. After getting special dispensation from the British government to move over in the middle of the covid pandemic, Tom has since helped Pax8 to establish several offices in the UK and the wider EMEA. Speaking in person at Channel Live 2024 in Birmingham, Tom explains his background and experiences at Pax8 to Richard. He shares how he overcame his imposter syndrome and what a Solutions Engineer does. Richard and Tom also discuss why they enjoy attending in-person channel events, how MSPs are using AI and why it’s important to be aware of data protection and security requirements when using publicly-available tools like ChatGPT. Mentioned in This Episode CompTIAChatGPTMicrosoft CoPilotCyber Essentials

In this episode, Richard Tubb speaks to Allen Edwards, an accomplished entrepreneur and speaker. He's the founder of Eureka Process and the co-owner of Gozynta. Allen has also just published a book: “Process and the Other P Word (Which is also Process): the Power and Profitability of Process Within Your IT Business.” Mentioned in This Episode GozyntaProcess and the Other "P" Word (Which is Also Process): The Power and Profitability of Process in Your IT BusinessNovell NetWareConnectWiseinterview with Dan AdamsQuickBooksKarl PalachukMike CapuzziThe E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About ItRich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!The IT Owner's Survival GuideAtomic Habits: the life-changing million-copy #1 bestsellerTeamsSlackThe Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right. Atul GawandeIT GlueConfluenceSharePointRelax Focus Succeed - Revised EditionHeadspaceinterview with Karl Palachuk

Time for another Team Tubb Travelogue! Gudrun Lauret catches up with Richard Tubb, Stephen McCormick and Lenka Koppova who are in Birmingham for two events -- Channel Live, and UpLift Live 2024! Grab a cup of your favourite tea or coffee, relax and join them for a fun conversation about the highlights from these two events. There are shout-outs to old and new friends, a discussion on the impact of LinkedIn, and Stephen's voice almost gives out! Plus... the Team Tubb Travelogue Quiz is back! Can Richard, Stephen and Lenka answer Gudrun's LinkedIn theme questions? Did you know... Channel Live positions itself as the networking hub for the ICT Channel and connects IT resellers, service providers, MSPs and Channel partners face-to-face with vendors, distributors and expert speakers from across the sector - all together, all for free. Uplift Live is the UK’s first LinkedIn-focused conference at Millennium Point in Birmingham. It is THE place to learn from and network with engaged users of the world’s number one business platform. UpLift Live is the brainchild of LinkedIn expert, John Espirian (a former guest on TubbTalk!). Were you at either Channel Live or Uplift Live too? Send us a voice recording with your highlights, and we will add your comments to our next Team Tubb Travelogue!

In this episode, Richard Tubb talks to Dean Watmough, an expert on MSP people. He’s the CEO and cofounder of Humnize, a UK based business that is focused on empowering MSPs to build, develop, and retain highly skilled teams. He and Richard talk about how Humnize came about, how they help their MSP clients to leverage people power and how they find the right candidates for their MSP clients. They chat specifically about recruitment: where MSPs go wrong with their approach to it, why traditional recruitment companies don’t work for MSPs and the aspects of recruitment that Humnize want to change. Dean explains why his team work remotely and why it’s important to build connections in hybrid workforces. He also shares what he thinks modern HR looks like for MSPs, and why Humnize offer a free HR health check to all MSP clients. They also discuss mental wellbeing in the workplace, Dean’s suggestions for improving mental health, and what the future holds for Humnize. Mentioned in This Episode HumnizeIndeedGlassdoorRichard Branson

In this bonus interview, Richard speaks to Mostyn Thomas, the Senior Director of Security at Pax8 and an expert in cybersecurity. The conversation was recorded live at the Cloud and Cybersecurity Expo in London in March 2024. Mostyn is responsible for overseeing the company’s channel security operations, empowering Pax8 partners to reduce risk, improve efficiency, and ultimately grow their business. Richard asks Mostyn to explain the surprising cybersecurity lesson from a deadly fire, which Mostyn referred to in his presentation at the Expo, and how attitudes towards cybersecurity are changing amongst SMB owners. They talked about why education is key to making MSP clients cyber aware, Mostyn’s experiences of transitioning from MSP owner to vendor and what’s next for Pax8. Mostyn also gives his advice on dealing with objections from rural businesses. Mentioned in This Episode The Cloud andCybersecurity ExpoRichard's first podcast interview with MostynThe Pax8 cybersecurity masterclass

Time for another Team Tubb Travelogue! Lenka Koppova catches up with Richard Tubb, Stephen McCormick and special guest Tom Welton of Pax8, who are in London for the huge Cloud & Cybersecurity Expo 2024! Grab a cup of your favourite tea or coffee, relax and join them for a fun conversation about the highlights from this big event. There are shout-outs to old and new friends, a story about smoke jumpers, and a chat about the impact of Artificial Intelligence on cybersecurity and our lives as a whole. Plus... the Team Tubb Travelogue Quiz is back! Can Richard, Stephen and Tom answer Lenka's cybersecurity themed questions? Did you know... The Cloud & Cybersecurity Expo is part of the Tech Show London. Tech Show London is an award-winning event featuring an unparalleled line-up of world-renowned speakers and exhibitors. They come together to present the most cutting-edge cloud technologies and high-quality services, setting the stage for innovative digital transformation strategies. Tech Show London events include Cloud Expo Europe, DevOps Live, Big Data & AI World, and Data Centre World. This year both events took place at the Excel Centre, London on the 6th and 7th March 2024. Were you at the Cloud & Cybersecurity Expo events too? Send us a voice recording with your highlights, and we will add your comments to our next Team Tubb Travelogue!

In this episode, Richard Tubb speaks to Nancy Henriquez, Head of Community at SuperOps. They offer an AI-powered PSA-RMM solution for MSPs of all sizes. Nancy tells Richard how she went from MSP owner to community leader. Nancy tells Richard why she changed career, what SuperOps do and why they’re playing down the AI aspect of their offerings. Plus, she picks her favourite of the latest tools that SuperOps are developing. She describes a typical day as Head of Community and why MSP communities are so important. Richard and Nancy then talk more specifically about women in tech: what they can contribute to the industry and how their role might evolve. Richard asks Nancy what the biggest barriers are that women experience in the tech sector and how leaders can better support women in the industry, and highlights some organisations who are already working to bring about change Nancy’s advice to any young women who want to get into IT and practical steps that companies and individuals can take to create a more welcoming and a more inclusive environment specifically for women in tech. Mentioned in This Episode Richard's previous interview with NancyBob Burg: The Go-GiverCompTIAThe Tech TribeNerdy Girl SuccessChannel FuturesWomen in TechKris BlackmonMarissa MaldonadoJustine AndersonMichelle AccardiMichelle Ragusa-McBainDawn SizerRebecca WoodsNicole JamesWomen in Tech ebook

In this episode, Richard Tubb speaks to Michael Lawson, who has over 15 years of experience in working with MSPs. A seasoned startup founder, he’s recently built an exciting new platform for MSPs. Movebot is designed to make data migration easier, particularly at scale. Michael tells Richard how he came up with the idea for Movebot, the tools it integrates with and the tech requirements for MSPs to run it effectively for themselves and their clients. Richard asks Michael to explain the types of data Movebot migrates and how to use it for data merges, as well as giving some examples of how real-life MSP use the tool in their businesses. Michael also talks through how Movebot transfers live data and how Movebot helps its global MSP clients to stay data compliant and up to date with legislation changes in their home countries. Richard asks Michael what Movebot’s tech support and outsourcing offerings look like, the pricing structure, and his plans for Couchdrop and Movebot in 2024 and beyond. Mentioned in This Episode CouchdropDropboxApache IgniteSharePointOffice 365WorkspaceHuddleBIM 360S3WasabiBackblazeGDPRHIPAACCPAKeepablSlackIT NationDiscordDiscord channel

In this episode, Richard Tubb speaks to Dan Adams. Dan is the chairman of New England Network Solutions, a Massachusetts-based MSP, and he's also the founder of Up-skill, a media and e-learning service for IT professionals. Dan is also the author of "The Tech Nerd's Guide to Career Success: Seven Proven Lessons to Unlock Your Growth in an IT Services Company". He explains why he was inspired to write a book and who it's for. Dan shares the story of his career in the IT space and how he set up and grew his MSP, as well as what inspired him to write his new book, who it’s aimed at and how it can help engineers as well as business owners. Richard and Dan discuss the disconnects between the roles an MSP owner has, how engineers think versus how MSPs think and Dan’s four success quadrants for MSP owners. They also talk about the lessons in the book around measuring competence and success, how MSP owners can encourage their engineers to learn from the book’s advice, and how it can be beneficial to those in both nimble and larger-sized MSPs. Dan also shares who his mentors are, what the MSP community means to him both professionally and personally, and the book he’s gifted most often to employees and colleagues. Mentioned in This Episode UnixWindows for WorkgroupsWindows NTNovell NetWareAppleTalkARCNETcc:MailWordPerfectLotus123HTG EvolveWhy are You Building an MSP Business, Really?The Tech Nerd's Guide to Career Success. Seven Proven Lessons to Unlock Your Growth in an IT Services CompanyBob Burg: The Go GiverBrian O'ConnellService LeadershipHow to Grow Your Business in an MSP Community Like IT NationSnap Tech ITThe Tech Tribe

In a unique bonus episode of TubbTalk, Richard Tubb discusses why he wants to do an audio version of his popular MSP Insights newsletter. Richard explains that many MSPs prefer to listen rather than read. If you're busy or commuting, it's easier to have audio on in the background. Plus, Richard hopes that this will help him reach a bigger audience, who may not know about him already. And as recording audio content is time-consuming and draining for him, Richard prefers to write an update instead, as he explains in this episode. Except it's not Richard speaking at all. What you'll hear is a synthesised version of his voice, created with an AI tool called Descript. What do you think? Revolutionary or world-destroying? Would you use it in your own business? Would you enjoy listening to a recording knowing it wasn't really the person you follow? Mentioned in This Episode Video and audio editing and AI Tool: Descript

In this episode, Richard Tubb speaks to Nigel Moore, the illustrious founder of The Tech Tribe. It’s community for forward-thinking MSPs looking to network, collaborate and learn from their peers. Its members have access to marketing, training, expert panel discussions and more. This is a bumper episode, so get a flask of tea, a packet of biscuits and settle in to learn from Nigel and Richard! Nigel explains how The Tech Tribe came about, why people join and why it attracts industry experts. He also shares his advice on running a successful MSP without working long hours, how to grow a strong team culture and how they deal with disagreements in The Tech Tribe community forums. Nigel talks openly about how he overcame addiction to grow a successful business and how this led to meditation and journalling practices. He shares his tips on how to tackle difficult conversations and why he thinks AI might help us better understand ourselves. Richard asks Nigel why he invests in businesses, and not necessarily those in the IT industry, his current favourite apps and a fact about himself that always surprises people when they learn it. Finally, they discuss who Nigel’s mentors and inspirations are on his life and work, which book Nigel has gifted more than any other, and why he doesn’t like receiving presents himself. Mentioned in This Episode previous appearanceKarl PalachukCompTIAConnectWise EvolveTruPeerASCIIGrowablySMBiTPaul GreenAndrew MoonJennifer BleamPete MathesonPaul LloydJamie WarnerInvarosoftList of MSP peer groupsJames SchramkoWork Less, Make More: The Counter-Intuitive Approach to Building a Profitable Business, and a Life You Actually Love

This episode was originally recorded live as a chat between Richard Tubb, Dray Agha and Joe Burns on the topic of cybersecurity. Dray is UK Manager for Threat Operations for Huntress, a managed cybersecurity platform. Joe is the owner of Reformed IT, an MSP based in the East Midlands. He’s also a Huntress customer, using their outsourced NOC services. They both generously gave up their time for this TubbTalk Live show. Richard asked Joe to explain why he chose to partner with Huntress rather than doing his own cybersecurity and the experience of integrating Huntress tools into his tech stack. Richard also asks Dray about Huntress: how they find the right employees and their approach to 24/7 cybersecurity support. Richard asks Joe how to assess cybersecurity systems and Dray how Huntress support their clients to do cybersecurity better. He also asks Joe to explain session hijacking and Dray about the importance of conditional access policies. Finally, he asks them both for their thoughts on government involvement in regulating MSP cybersecurity. Mentioned in This Episode Tech TribeRed Team and Blue TeamCertified Ethical HackerCIS ControlsHuntress Neighbourhood WatchManaged Services SummitSBCS NorthwestKarl PalachukMicrosoft 365 Business PremiumCyber EssentialsCyber Essentials+CompTIA TrustmarkCISAISO 27001Curricula

This is another Team Tubb Travelogue! Steve McCormick catches up with Richard Tubb and Pascal Fintoni who are in London for two different yet complementary international events: the B2B Marketing Expo and the Call & Contact Centre Expo. Grab a cup of your favourite tea or coffee, relax and join them for a fun conversation about the tech highlights from each expo. There are shout-outs to old and new friends and a chat about the impact of AI on all our marketing and customer service practices. Plus lessons about preparing for trade shows, and... the Team Tubb Travelogue Quiz is back! Richard and Pascal share their reactions and new findings from the two international events, the inevitable travel mishaps, food reviews and together they tackle one important question: Is knickerbocker glory better than sticky toffee pudding? Did you know... The B2B Marketing Expo showcases cutting-edge developments in marketing and features high-quality exhibitors and interactive sessions, making it a must-attend event for marketing professionals seeking the latest trends and innovations in the industry. The Call & Contact Centre Expo has become Europe's major event showcasing the latest technologies and strategies for customer engagement, and inviting organisations to transform their Help Desk experience through engaging conversations and reimagining processes. This year both events took place at the Excel Centre, London on the 29th and 30th of November 2023. Were you at the 'B2B Marketing Expo' or 'Call & Contact Centre Expo' events too? Send us a voice recording with your highlights and we will add your comments to our next Team Tubb Travelogue.

In this episode, Richard Tubb talks to Phylip Morgan, the Chief Revenue Officer at Pax8. A cloud marketplace, they believe that the distribution market and the whole channel is fragmented, and somebody needs to unite and bring it together. Phylip shares his journey in the IT space, what drew him to Pax8 and how the industry has changed since he started, as well as one thing that’s stayed the same, and what’s coming next for Pax8. Phylip explains to Richard why he thinks that data is like oil and why data sharing doesn’t affect your competitive advantage, and they also discuss what AI means for the MSP sector. Richard also asks Phylip to explain more about Pax8: their approach to community and their workplace culture, the Pax8 Beyond conference and the future of live events. Phylip also talks about his life outside of work – being a father, grandfather and church pastor. Mentioned in This Episode Pax8Pax8 BeyondThe Tech TribeCompTIABob Burg: The Go-GiverPatrick LencioniYouTubePeter DruckerThe Culture Creation CanvasChat GPTCoPilotBing Chat Enterprise Interview with James Marshall at Microsoft IgniteWirehiveDavid Allen: Getting Things DoneSBSC Northwest Group Robert GibbonsBill HybelsCalon ChurchKen BlanchardGlobal Leadership Summit

We managed to track down Richard Tubb and Steve McCormick during a recent trip to the North West of England. It was a busy couple of days; they attended the MSP Summit Manchester 2023 and then they fought their way through heavy traffic for the SBSC North West evening event, where we finally caught up with them. This is a fun discussion with the usual mix of event recap, travel woes, impromptu practical advice and culinary delights! And well-deserved shout-outs to great individuals including: Phyl Morgan from Pax 8, Kate Wood from Women In Tech North, Robert Gibbons from Cara Technologies and SBSC North West, Sam Sheridan from Sheridan Computers. And let's not forget Richard's newfound friend... the legend that is Kevin Keegan! Did you know... The Managed Services Summit Manchester is a major event in the IT industry featuring impactful presentations by industry leaders, networking opportunities, and a platform for critical business discussions. The SBSC North West is an independent forum for Microsoft Small Business Specialists, fostering collaboration among members to share best practices and insights within the Microsoft Small Business community. Were you at the 'MSP Summit Manchester' or 'SBSC North West' events too? Send us a voice recording with your highlights and we will add your comments to our next Team Tubb Travelogue.

In this special bonus episode, Richard shares his best MSP business advice. This show was recorded as a live AMA (ask me anything) with members of the SuperOps community.

In this episode, Richard speaks to Darren Strong. Darren is the Managing Director of Focus Technology Solutions, a managed service provider based in the North of England. Plus, he’s also built and managed multiple MSPs and founded Scalable MSP. They consult, configure and implement established MSP best practices to help managed service provider businesses accelerate their profit. Darren tells Richard why he joined the ConnectWise IT Evolve community and the catalyst for starting his MSP. He explains the types of MSPs they work with and the services they provide. They also dig into growth, with Richard asking how Scalable helps MSPs benchmark their progress and what Darren considers to be the main issues MSPs face when they grow. Darren also speaks honestly about why he doesn’t think there’s a conflict of interest working with an MSP coach who also owns a managed services business, how he juggles the two roles and his advice to grow and scale. Mentioned in This Episode ConnectWiseConnectWise IT Nation EvolveBob Burg: The Go-GiverHow to Grow Your Business in an MSP Community Like IT NationThe Tech TribeAutoTaskSuperOpsHaloSteve RiatMit PatelRaja PagadalaAlex Hormosi: $100m LeadsAlex Hormosi: $100m Offers