Tubbservatory Round-Up – Tools and Resources for Your MSP
Each week Richard throws a spotlight on five resources Managed Service Providers (MSPs) that business owners should take note of in the IT industry. The Tubbservatory is a weekly video broadcast featuring useful articles, podcasts, and events that bring value to IT business owners. 
Tubbservatory Round-Up #7 – July 2022 is a collection of all of the Tubbservatory broadcasts made in July. It’s edited together for you to watch at your convenience. The items are summarised below, with links to the resources mentioned in the video.
This month’s topics include Cybersecurity, Sales and Marketing, Mental Health, and Outsourcing.
Tubbservatory Round-Up #7 July 2022 Video
Tubbservatory Round-Up #7: July – Week 1
#1 Why You Need a PSA Purpose-Built for MSPs
We all know that a good ticketing system is great for keeping on top of your client’s service requests.
So in this article by SuperOps’ Akshaya Devi, she explains that a purpose-built Public Service Automation tool (PSA) can help your MSP business track much more, including:
- Service billing
- Integrations
- Revenue metrics
Essentially, a well-configured PSA should be helping you manage your MSP clients, as well as your business’s profitability.
#2 Could Managed Kubernetes be an Opportunity to Grow Your MSP Business?
This is the question that James Steel of Linode asks in his latest video, which he recorded at Kubecon in May.
In an interview he recorded with colleague Billy Thompson, the pair break down how quickly their LKE containers are to set up and roll out.
This allows your MSP to provide stable platforms for your clients’ applications, without having to manage too much in the background.
#3 Microsoft Fixes Zero-Day Follina Flaw in the Latest Patch
The Follina exploit has finally been patched in June’s Microsoft Cumulative Update, reports Carly Page at Techcrunch, which also covered another 54 vulnerabilities.
The exploit executes PowerShell commands to a remote URL by way of the Microsoft Diagnostic Tool (MSDT) when opening or previewing malicious Office documents – even if macros are disabled.
So if you haven’t done so already, you should see about installing that update as soon as possible.
#4 Paul Green’s MSP Marketing Podcast – How to Overcome Common Sales Objections
A recent episode of Paul Green‘s MSP Marketing Podcast was focused completely on sales. Paul explained how to overcome the common sales objections that MSPs face in closing sales leads.
He explains that it’s much more important to be passionate than structured when it comes to sales, and that a perfect pitch will come with practice.
#5 Microsoft Retires Internet Explorer After 27 Years
The browser that came with the Windows 95 operating system is finally hanging up its spurs, making Internet Explorer 11 its last incarnation.
Once the browser that cornered 95% of the market in the early 2000s, it fell behind its competitors Chrome and Firefox, which were much faster and seemingly less vulnerable to attacks.
However, should you still need it, Microsoft Edge, the default Windows browser since Windows 10, retains an inbuilt “IE mode” for developers and for those seeking to access legacy applications.
Tubbservatory Round-Up #7: July – Week 2
#1 Microsoft Blocking July 11th Legacy CSP Renewals Postponed Indefinitely
Microsoft has announced they’re extending auto-renewals of legacy CSP subscriptions until further notice.
Previously, it was planned that legacy commercial seat-based subscriptions would no longer be auto-renewed from the 11th of July 2022.
Though the plan is still to migrate partners to the NCE subscription platform, they will support auto-renewals for now to give partners more time to plan their migrations to suit them better.
#2 Your First Steps to Closing the Cybersecurity Talent Gap
One of the hot topics of conversations recently is around recruitment and retaining talent.
As an industry we are well aware of the significant increase in cyberattacks. However at the same time, there is a significant shortage of qualified IT talent to protect companies from these attacks.
According to the 2021 (ISC)² Cybersecurity Workforce Study quoted in this article by Acronis: “As of June, 2022, over 400,000 cybersecurity professionals are needed in the North American region”.
Acronis shares some of the reasons behind IT talent shortages and suggestions on how as employers, you can close the gap and alleviate the talent shortage.
#3 5 Ways to Keep Your Culture When Working From Anywhere
Whilst working from anywhere has many advantages for both businesses and employees, not being onsite with your whole team can have its challenges too.
How do you maintain your company culture and keep your people engaged, both with each other and the work?
Liongard shares several ways they have kept their team engaged and continue to build on their winning culture in this article for Channel E2E.
#4 Tech’s Ongoing Mental Health Crisis
The pandemic shone a light on the impact long hours and high pressure can have on the mental health of technology workers, with two out of five considering themselves at high risk of burnout, and 42% of them thinking about quitting their job in the next six months as a result.
Cath Everett of ComputerWeekly looks into Tech’s ongoing mental health crisis, and shares how two tech employers are putting mental health and wellness front and centre in how they treat their staff.
Further information can be found in Yerbo‘s State of Burnout in Tech 2022 Report
The report explains that long hours and insufficient recovery time can lead to:
- Exhaustion
- Inefficiency
- Cynicism
- Emotional detachment
#5 Channel Futures 501 and Nextgen101 Award Winners Announced
In business, celebrating wins, no matter how big or small, can have a huge impact on team morale, motivation and mental health.
Awards can also help you stand out from the competition, alongside your marketing. With that said, Channel Futures have recently announced the winners of their 501 and NextGen101 Awards.
Congratulations to all of the winners! Check out the full list of winners and if you didn’t enter these awards or any others this year…why not add it to your goals for 2023!
Tubbservatory Round-Up #7: July – Week 3
#1 10 Hacks to Improve Your Revenue as a Technology Partner
Are you a nimble MSP looking for ideas to take your business to the next level?
Well in this blog from Zomentum, they explore 10 hacks essential to improving your revenue as a technology partner.
Amongst them are:
- Ttracking partner revenue
- Investing in marketing and lead-generation
- Increasing efficiency savings in your own business, and
- Adding a high-demand solution such as cybersecurity to your MSP offering
There are some great ideas here for anyone looking to develop their business and maximise their revenue.
#2 It’s a Numbers Game Podcast with Daniel Welling and Adam Morris – Ep4 – Insure Your Profits
The It’s a Numbers Game Podcast by Daniel Welling and Adam Morris is a great listen for finance-conscious MSPs.
In the most recent episode, they’re joined by Insurance Expert Trevor Cornbill to discuss Tech Insurance.
“It’s about the mitigation of losses,” Trevor explains, and what measures you have in place, “in the event of an event.” It’s definitely food for thought in case the worst should happen to you or your clients.
#3 Ministers and MPs Outline Vision for Digital Economy
Ministers and MPs met with Tech Industry representatives from Zoom, Cisco, Infosys and others to discuss the government’s digital strategy worth £150bn.
The objective of this strategy is to bring government tech and digital policies together under a unified roadmap to ensure future economic growth.
Digital minister Chris Philp said the digital strategy is critical to the economic future of the UK and can help deal with a range of economic issues – from wage stagnation and flatlining productivity, to inflation.
#4 What Should Be Included in a Security Bundle for Your Customers
Do you include a security bundle with your MSP offering?
In this article from Atera, Adi Pick covers the pros and cons of security bundles and describes how you can explain the value these provide to your clients.
It covers security features such as:
- Endpoint detection and response
- Email security
- Backups, and
- Security awareness training for staff
She suggests a tiered approach might work for those clients unable to see the value of a more sophisticated protection bundle at first glance.
#5 Indonesia’s New “Digital Nomad Visa” Will Let You Live In Bali Tax-Free for up to Five Years
Have you ever consider moving to an exotic country and adopt a work-from-anywhere method of working?
Well, very soon you’ll be able to live on the Indonesian island of Bali as a digital nomad, tax free for up to 5 years.
The rise of digital nomads, or ‘techpats’, has come about in-part to the COVID 19 pandemic, and the trend has risen rapidly in the last two years.
Indonesia is just one of over 40 countries worldwide who are open to a work-from-anywhere workforce. Do you have members of your workforce who are allowed to work from anywhere?
Tubbservatory Round-Up #7: July – Week 4
#1 Pax8’s One-Stop Shop for Microsoft Inspire Insights
The Microsoft Inspire 2022 event, which took place on the 19th and 20th June, was aimed at partners looking to improve the scalability of their services over the coming year.
Pax8 have done a round-up of the coverage and content for MSPs to catch up on in case they missed it.
Coverage includes a summary video of each day, as well as a quick read of the highlights.
It’s worth a read to see what Microsoft’s priorities are for the coming fiscal year.
#2 Technical Expertise is the Top Investment Priority for the Channel, Sage Study Finds
Payroll technology specialists Sage conducted a survey of 1,000 US and UK IT resellers. The findings revealed that:
- Just over 50% of respondents were struggling to hire skilled management
- Around 40% were finding it difficult to recruit skilled entry level staff
In terms of skillsets, the most desired are:
Cloud computing and cybersecurity at 39% each, and coding at 35%
#3 5 Tips for Marketing New and Leading-Edge Technologies
New and emerging technologies can be difficult areas to market, as business owners often fail to see the value of them in the short-term.
In this blog for CompTIA, Khali Henderson explains that the key to engagement is clever marketing.
The marketing tips she recommends include:
- Demonstrating return on investment (ROI)
- Avoiding jargon/tech speak
- Focusing on the business outcomes
#4 Conversational Managed Security Services for MSPs Ebook
Barracuda MSP presents another Ebook from Nick Cavalancia and the Conservational Geek team.
This time the subject is Managed Security Services for MSPs.
The Ebook covers:
- The opportunities for MSPs in security
- How to move your business towards providing Security-as-a-Service
- Options for partnering with vendors or MSSPs
#5 US Cyber Agency CISA to Open London Office
Alex Scroxton of Computer Weekly reports the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has announced the opening of an attaché office in London, the first of its kind outside of the United States.
CISA Director Jen Easterly said, “To help build resilience against threats domestically, we must think globally. Digital threat actors don’t operate neatly within borders.”
Tubbservatory Round-Up #7: July – Week 5
#1 Evolved Radio with Todd Kane – Managing Mental Health
Managing mental health is something we all need to be better at, for ourselves and for our colleagues.
This recent podcast by MSP expert Todd Kane and Eric Rieger, CEO of Webit, share the challenges they faced during the pandemic.
There are also some great management practices shared here.
My favourite? Reducing zoom fatigue by turning off the self-view option.
#2 Microsoft Launches Digital Contact Centre Platform
Microsoft has taken a bold step into the CRM market, reports Bobby Hellard of IT Pro, with the release of its new Digital Contact Centre Platform.
Launched at Inspire this month, the platform combines audio, video and chat services from a range of products, such as:
- Dynamics365
- Microsoft Teams
- Microsoft Azure
- Nuance AI
Best-in-class AI capabilities will power the self-service automation experience, conversational interactions and even fraud prevention, says Microsoft’s VP of Business Applications and Plaftorm, Charles Lamanna.
#3 8 Data Protection Best Practices for MSPs Serving SMBs
“SMBs typically have less sophisticated data protection solutions at their disposal”, argues Neil Jones – Egnyte’s Director of Cybersecurity Evangelism.
In this article for ChannelE2E, he offers eight best practices to adopt to protect your clients’ data.
Including:
- Reducing content sprawl
- Restricting file sharing in content collaboration services
- Implementing multi-factor authentication
#4 Uptime Solutions: Addressing the Myths of Outsourcing
Following the pandemic, companies escalating their digital transformation strategies are requiring more services from their IT providers.
As an MSP, how can you take advantage of this growth opportunity and meet the demand?
Well, one option is for you to outsource some of your services.
If you’re apprehensive about outsourcing parts of your business, this guide from Uptime Solutions breaks down some of the common myths around outsourcing for you.
It’s well worth a read if you want to pick up new business quickly without sacrificing quality or control.
#5 Giacom’s ‘Day in the Clouds’ Events – Showing Children the Exciting World of Tech
In partnership with Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University, Giacom invited local children from Biggin Primary School to visit their offices to learn about a wide range of careers in IT.
They also engaged in activities including learning about software development, designing a logo and conducting mock interviews.
Campaign Manager, Sophie Lockwood said; “It’s so important to support our local community and give something back. I’d love to think we’ve planted a seed that could eventually lead to children coming back in future years to work for Giacom.”
Links to the Resources Mentioned in this Round-Up
From Week 1
- Why You Need a PSA Purpose-Built For Your MSP
- Could Managed Kubernetes be an Opportunity to Grow Your MSP Business?
- Microsoft Fixes Zero-Day Follina Flaw in Latest Patch
- Paul Green’s MSP Marketing Podcast: How To Overcome Common Sales Objections
- Microsoft Retires Internet Explorer After 27 Years
Mentioned in Week 2
- Microsoft Blocking July 11th Legacy CSP Renewals Postponed Indefinitely
- Your First Steps to Closing the Cybersecurity Talent Gap
- 5 Ways to Keep Your Culture When Working From Anywhere
- Tech’s Ongoing Mental Health Crisis
- Channel Futures 501 and Nextgen101 Award Winners Announced
Week 3
- 10 Hacks to Improve Your Revenue as a Technology Partner
- It’s a Numbers Game Podcast with Daniel Welling and Adam Morris – Ep4 – Insure Your Profits
- Ministers and MPs Outline Vision for Digital Economy
- What Should Be Included in a Security Bundle for Your Customers
- Indonesia’s New ‘Digital Nomad Visa’ Which Will Let You Live in Bali Tax-Free for up to 5 Years
Week 4
- Pax8’s One-Stop Shop for Microsoft Inspire Insights
- Technical Expertise is the Top Investment Priority for the Channel, Sage Study Finds
- 5 Tips for Marketing New and Leading-Edge Technologies
- Conversational Managed Security Services for MSPs Ebook
- US Cyber Agency CISA to Open London Office
And Week 5
- Evolved Radio with Todd Kane – Managing Mental Health
- Microsoft Launches Digital Contact Centre Platform
- 8 Data Protection Best Practices for MSPs Serving SMBs
- Uptime Solutions: Addressing the Myths of Outsourcing
- Giacom’s ‘Day in the Clouds’ Events Showing Children the Exciting World of Tech
How You Can Help
So, that’s all from the Tubbservatory Round-Up #7 – June 2022!
Have you recently discovered a useful tool or resource that Richard might be interested in?
Then please let us know in the comments.
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I'm the MSP Community Manager for Tubblog. 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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