In this episode of MSP Business School, host Brian Doyle engages in a compelling conversation with Chris Johnson from GTIA about the upcoming Channel Con event and the importance of the GTIA Cybersecurity Trust Mark. Doyle shares his excitement about Channel Con being an excellent opportunity to network with vendors, customers, and partners in an educational and social environment. The discussion shifts focus to the GTIA Cybersecurity Trust Mark, where Chris elaborates on its significance in helping MSPs evidence their cybersecurity posture.

The episode dives into the nuanced aspects of compliance, governance, and cybersecurity maturity. With an emphasis on understanding frameworks like the Trust Mark, both Brian and Chris highlight how they offer a structured way for MSPs to demonstrate their cybersecurity resilience and improve their internal processes. They discuss the real-world implications of policies, evidence collection, and the importance of embracing governance for long-term business viability. The episode serves as a wealth of insights into strategic business practices that bolster security and trust.

• GTIA Cybersecurity Trust Mark: An initiative aimed at enhancing MSPs’ cybersecurity resilience through compliance and governance best practices.

• Channel Con Event: An upcoming conference facilitating networking and education among MSPs and their partners, held in Nashville.

• Importance of Governance: Governance must align with leadership and strategy to ensure effective cybersecurity implementation.

• Assessment Process: Understanding and preparing for cybersecurity assessments is crucial for MSPs to effectively demonstrate their security posture.

• Industry Collaboration: The Channel Con event exemplifies the collaborative spirit of MSPs and vendors working together towards industry betterment.

Show Website: https://mspbusinessschool.com/

Host Brian Doyle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briandoylevciotoolbox/

Sponsor vCIOToolbox: https://vciotoolbox.com

Guest Name: Chris Johnson LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjohnson1337msp/

Company: GTIA Website https://gtia.org/

In this enlightening episode, Brian Doyle delves into the often-misunderstood world of strategic planning in customer success. While many in the industry are just starting to embrace strategy as a novel concept, Brian brings clarity and depth to the conversation by distinguishing between tactical and strategic initiatives. A frequent fixture on LinkedIn, Brian uses his platform to express his views on thriving as a service provider and how to leap from mere problem-solvers to proactive business partners.

Focusing on building joint strategic plans with customers, Brian underlines the importance of understanding client goals and challenges to foster trust and collaboration. The episode highlights the nuances of technology roadmaps, warning against the oversimplification of categorizing them as strategic plans. Instead, it critiques this oversimplification as a failure to advance business outcomes. Detailed discussions cover how service providers can become indispensable by connecting technology services with client business goals, outlining the necessity of evolving as management consultants to enhance client relationships and secure long-term partnerships.

• Differentiating strategic initiatives from tactical tasks is crucial for service providers aiming to align closer with customer goals.

• Building joint strategic plans with customers helps establish a productive and transparent partnership, allowing for better alignment on shared goals.

• Understanding and utilizing current technologies can create low-cost, high-impact improvements in client operations, fostering trust.

• Reinforcing strategies with clear, cause-and-effect scenarios increases the perceived value and importance of proposed solutions.

• Ensuring customers are positioned as the hero in their stories, with service providers acting as expert guides, strengthens long-term relationships.

Show Website: https://mspbusinessschool.com/

Host Brian Doyle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briandoylevciotoolbox/

Sponsor vCIOToolbox: https://vciotoolbox.com

In this engaging session, Brian Doyle delves into the art of conducting effective Technology Business Reviews (TBRs) for MSPs. With insights drawn from his years of experience, Brian highlights the top five mistakes to avoid in TBR delivery, ensuring that these interactions build stronger client relationships and drive business value. Through this coaching session, Brian equips IT professionals with actionable strategies to improve their client communication and presentation techniques. Brian outlines the critical importance of assembling the right stakeholder mix in TBR meetings, emphasizing roles such as financial executives and line-of-business managers. He cautions against common pitfalls like inconsistent data presentation and overly technical jargon that can derail the effectiveness of these sessions. By articulating clear business-to-technology alignments, Brian underscores how MSPs can transform TBRs into strategic planning opportunities that resonate with clients' business drivers and objectives. The session is not just about troubleshooting; it's about paving a path for effective engagement with key decision-makers and enhancing the consultative value offered to clients. These insights are vital for any MSP looking to solidify their position as a trusted advisor in the eyes of their clients.

Key Takeaways

• Stakeholder Engagement: Successfully conducting TBRs requires engaging the right mix of stakeholders, including C-level executives and line-of-business managers, to ensure comprehensive strategic alignment.
• Meeting Management: Establish clear agendas and maintain focus, preventing clients from derailing meetings with unrelated issues, thus preserving the session's strategic objectives.
• Consistency and Clarity: Deliver consistent, non-technical data across meetings to help clients track progress and understand the strategic value being delivered.
• Business-Technology Alignment: Clearly communicate how technology initiatives align with business goals, offering clients a straightforward view of potential ROI and strategic benefits.
• Leveraging Relationships: Cultivate relationships with decision-makers by positioning yourself as a partner in achieving their strategic priorities.

Show Website: https://mspbusinessschool.com/

Host Brian Doyle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briandoylevciotoolbox/

Sponsor vCIOToolbox: https://vciotoolbox.com