Tubbservatory Round-Up – Tools and Resources for Your MSP
This month, we explore open-source intelligence, essential podcasts, AI advancements, cybersecurity, must-read books for MSPs, impactful video testimonials, Operating Systems, QBRs, and the latest on Ransomware.
Tubbservatory: The August 2024 Round-Up Video
Tubbservatory Round-Up #32: August – Week 1
#1 Osint in the Hands of Hackers (Full Ep) | Security Swarm Podcast
Open-source intelligence. What is it and how do threat actors use it to launch effective attacks?
Well, that’s the subject that is covered in this episode of the Security Swarm Podcast, as host Andy Syrewicze (Andy Sih-REW-its) speaks to Romain Basset, the Director of Technology Strategy at Hornetsecurity.
Open-source intelligence (or OSINT) refers to publicly available information that threat actors can easily gather to launch targeted attacks. This includes social media profiles, online forums, data breach databases, and more.
This is a powerful video podcast from Andy and Romain, and well worth MSPs checking out.
#2 For the Health of I.T.
A podcast that caught my attention was For the Health of I.T. by Diana Giles.
The mantra of the show is “We serve better when we are better” and Giles speaks to guests about issues that are important to the physical, emotional and work health of people in the Information Technology industry.
#3 MSP Service Manager Cohort
Here’s a series of free, public livestreams dedicated to the unsung heroes of MSPs: Service Managers.
Kyle Christensen, Co-Founder of Empath, and MSP expert Todd Kane have joined forces to cover a wide range of topics aimed at fostering growth and success in the service management field.
Taking place each month, these sessions should be valuable to all MSP Service Managers.
#4 Learning, Sharing & Giving Back
A book I’ve had recommended to me is Mindset by Carol Dweck.
Our success is not shaped only by our talents or natural ability, but by our mindset. Personally or professionally, we have the power to make change happen, shares Dweck in this book.
Thanks to MSP Call Answering solution AnswerConnect for the recommendation, which is part of their regular Learning, Sharing and Giving Back programme.
#5 Must Attend Event for the IT Channel
The Managed Service Summit London takes place on September 11th 2024.
Celebrating its 14th year, you can expect industry insights, breakout sessions and networking at this year’s event, and registration is now open.
Tubbservatory Round-Up #32: August – Week 2
#1 Tradecraft Tuesday
Get Shady and Think Like a Hacker!
If you’re not checking out Tradecraft Tuesday from cybersecurity experts Huntress, then you’re missing a trick.
Led by Huntress founders and members of the Huntress threat hunting team, these sessions pull back the curtain to teach you how hackers hack—and what you can do to stop them.
Free for everyone to attend, these monthly sessions come highly recommended.
#2 Understanding AI with Kelwin Fernandes (Part 1)
Everybody is talking about AI, but do you truly understand how it works and what the impact will be on your MSP clients?
In this video series, Robert Baugh of Keepabl speaks to Kelwin Fernandes, CEO of NILG.AI in a digestible and insightful interview series that puts AI in the business context.
#3 Why MSPs Should Be Creating Video Testimonials Over Case Studies
MSPs should be creating video testimonials over case studies, writes Nate Freedman in this article for SmarterMSP.
Case studies are not super effective for MSPs, says Freedman, but video testimonials are.
This article lays out everything you need for a good video testimonial, and is well worth reading.
#4 Portugal Boasts a Vibrant, Growing Channel Community
Portugal boasts a vibrant, growing channel community, reports Larry Walsh and Maddie Frank of Channelnomics in their latest video.
Portugal is a small market, even by European standards. Yet it has a vibrant community of more than 6,000 resellers and service providers that is growing rapidly through their support of mostly small and mid sized businesses.
#5 UptimeLIVE: Innovation, Reliability and Scalability for MSPs
It’s shaping up to change the way MSP events are seen — Uptime Live takes place in London on September 17th 2024.
With 10+ industry speakers over 15+ value-based sessions, you can gain insights from top professionals actively engaged in the MSP industry and enjoy a strategy-packed agenda with no sales pitches, just real value.
This event promises to be something special — a creative and enriching environment for MSP growth.
Highly recommended. I hope to see you there!
Tubbservatory Round-Up #32: August – Week 3
#1 The Magazine for MSPs Everywhere
We kick off this week with news that the second edition of the Bugle MSP Magazine from SuperOps has been released, featuring Natalia Scheidegger, CEO of MSP 3rd Mill, with her gritty story of entrepreneurship.
Also featured in the Bugle are Vera Tucci and her accidental MSP love story, Nancy Henriquez on how being brave can make all the difference, and our very own Stephen McCormick on Essential Tips for Better Customer Service.
The MSP Bugle is available now as a free download.
#2 Every MSP Wants to Know What Others Charge
Now, every MSP wants to know what their competitors charge and now you can with free sales data from 1000+ MSPs worldwide.
Colin Knox and the team at Gradient have put together the MSP Pricing Benchmark Assessment,
The tool is being made available for free to MSPs thanks to sponsors such as Auvik, Barracuda MSP, Huntress, Liongard and others.
#3 The Century’s 30 Greatest Vendor Leaders
Who are the Century’s 30 Greatest Vendor Leaders? Well, that’s the question Doug Woodburn of IT Oxygen set out to answer in this huge poll voted on by industry experts in the channel.
From Steve Jobs to Sheryl Sandberg, you may be surprised at some of the names in the list!
#4 FBI Warns Consumers Not to Use Public Phone Charging Stations
A word of caution as the FBI warns consumers not to use public smartphone charging stations.
Public USB stations like the kind found at airports are being used by bad actors to spread malware and monitoring software, according to a tweet last week from the FBI’s Denver branch, reported by CNN.
This is a story well worth MSPs sharing with their clients.
#5 ScaleCon 2024
The wait is over! The Tech Tribe’s first conference is taking place between October 2nd-4th in Las Vegas, Nevada!
ScaleCon24 is a marketing, sales and growth conference for MSPs put together by the illustrious leader of the Tech Tribe, Nigel Moore, and MSP Camp.
Tickets are now available, and Tubbservatory listeners can enjoy a $50 discount using the code PARTNER50.
Tubbservatory Round-Up #32: August – Week 4
#1 Everything Else Just Became Absolute
We kick off this week with news that Pax8 have launched their new Pax8 Marketplace, featuring an opportunity explorer.
The Opportunity Explorer uses Artificial Intelligence to help MSPs identify what’s missing from their stack, and how to help your clients’ businesses become CIS Control compliant.
The Marketplace also provides MSPs with sales enablement material and educational resources to help you sell solutions.
I predict marketplaces will become an integral part of Managed Services in the years to come, so I’d encourage you to check out the Pax8 Marketplace now to steal a march on your competitors.
#2 IT Nation Wise Up
A video podcast that caught my attention is IT Nation Wise Up, hosted by Matt Topper and Vicky Bruns of ConnectWise.
Each episode features insights from industry experts and your peers sharing candid stories, practical strategies and lessons.
#3 12 Must-Read Books Every MSP Should Own
If you want to get ahead with your MSP business, you need to learn from the best, so here are 12 Must-Read Books Every MSP Should Own.
The team at Guardz has compiled the list, featuring authors such as Jennifer Bleam, Karl Palachuk, Mike Michalowicz, Mark Copeman, Nigel Moore and myself.
I highly rate these books, so check them out.
#4 Are You “Playing to Win?”
Are you playing to win?
In business you’re facing competition constantly and so you need to have worked out what your competitive advantage is if you’ve any chance of continuing in business long term.
AI expert Richard Nicholas has put together a tool that can create a SWOT analysis for your MSP business, to determine the competitive advantage your business has.
The best part? Nicholas has made the tool freely available!
#5 Most Popular Computer Operating Systems 1985 – 2024
Here’s a fun look at the Most Popular Computer Operating Systems by market share between 1985-2024.
I’m old enough to have used everything from AmigaOS to OS2, but what’s your favourite operating system? Let us know in the comments below.
Tubbservatory Round-Up #32: August – Week 5
#1 MSP QBRs: A Handy Checklist to Do Better Business Reviews
Quarterly Business Reviews are something every MSP business knows they should do, but how effective are they really?
Team Tubb’s Gudrun Lauret has put together a handy checklist for MSPs to do effective QBRs — and the checklist is now freely available!
#2 Ransomware Attacks Survey: 2024 Edition
Ransomware has become a huge issue for Managed Service Providers — but just how big is the problem?
Well, Hornetsecurity are asking MSPs to share their experiences in a Ransomware Attack Survey.
The survey takes around 5 minutes, the results will be shared with the community, and all participants have an opportunity to win a Flipper Zero multi-tool device!
#3 No Leads From Your MSP Site? Try This Hack
If you’re getting no leads from your MSP website, then try this hack, courtesy of Junaid Khalid of The Efficient Entrepreneur website.
Junaid proposes using Artificial Intelligence tool Claude AI to help create valuable content.
#4 Recommended Books for MSPs
And talking of sales, a book I was honoured to contribute the foreword to and highly recommend is Sell More, Do Less: An MSP & IT Specialist’s Guide to Better Sales Calls by MSP sales expert, Danny Boyle.
Whether you’re a seasoned IT professional or just starting out, Sell More, Do Less will help you take your sales game to the next level.
#5 Kaseya+DattoConnect Local“The IT Evolution World Tour”
Milton Keynes will host the Kaseya+Datto Connect Local “IT Evolution World Tour” on Sept 12th 2024 at the world famous Red Bull Racing Technology Campus!
Attendees can talk Managed Services, and get an opportunity to see Red Bull Racing’s home – where you can feel the passion that has stirred the Red Bull team on to greatness in the world of Formula 1!
Registration is now open with strictly limited places available.
Links to the Resources Mentioned in this Round-Up
From Week 1
- Osint in the Hands of Hackers (Full Ep) | Security Swarm Podcast
- For the Health of I.T.
- MSP Service Manager Cohort
- Learning, Sharing & Giving Back
- Must Attend Event for the IT Channel
Mentioned in Week 2
- Tradecraft Tuesday
- Understanding AI with Kelwin Fernandes (Part 1)
- Why MSPs Should Be Creating Video Testimonials Over Case Studies
- Portugal Boasts a Vibrant, Growing Channel Community
- UptimeLIVE: Innovation, Reliability and Scalability for MSPs
Week 3
- The Magazine for MSPs Everywhere
- Every MSP Wants to Know What Others Charge
- The Century’s 30 Greatest Vendor Leaders
- FBI Warns Consumers Not to Use Public Phone Charging Stations
- ScaleCon 2024
Week 4
- Everything Else Just Became Absolute
- IT Nation Wise Up
- 12 Must-Read Books Every MSP Should Own
- Are You “Playing to Win?”
- Most Popular Computer Operating Systems 1985 – 2024
And Week 5
- MSP QBRs: A Handy Checklist to Do Better Business Reviews
- Ransomware Attacks Survey: 2024 Edition
- No Leads From Your MSP Site? Try This Hack
- Recommended Books for MSPs
- Kaseya+DattoConnect Local”The IT Evolution World Tour”
How You Can Help
As we conclude Tubbservatory Round-Up #32, let’s gear up for September!
Have something fantastic to share? Whether it’s a useful tool, an excellent article, or an intriguing tip, drop it in the comments below. Let’s keep the knowledge flowing—your contributions are invaluable!
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I'm a small business owner, technical writer and blogger, with 15 years experience in corporate IT. I frequently attend MSP peer groups and create content relevant to IT service providers and business owners.
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