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Welcome to the latest episode of Sunny’s Silver Linings! In this session, we have the privilege of hosting three accomplished entrepreneurs, Brent Whitfield, Greg Browning, and Kevin Cook. These business veterans share their invaluable insights and experiences, offering guidance to new Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and entrepreneurs.
Joining Peer Groups for Growth
The conversation kicks off with Kevin advocating for the transformative power of peer groups. He reflects on his early days when he operated without such a network and how joining one drastically improved his leadership and business acumen. Kevin emphasizes that there’s no one-size-fits-all peer group, but the key is to get involved in one to foster personal and professional growth.
Greg shares his similar experience, stressing that joining a peer group led to significant improvements in his own company, SinglePoint Global. He underlines the importance of looking beyond competitors and embracing the opportunity to learn and grow together with fellow entrepreneurs.
Brent, from New Charter, adds his voice to the importance of peer groups, emphasizing that it’s vital to focus on people and leadership. He urges entrepreneurs to let their future leaders make mistakes and grow, emphasizing the importance of developing a culture that fosters opportunities for growth.
Learning from Growth Mistakes
The entrepreneurs candidly discuss their biggest growth mistakes. Kevin underscores the significance of maintaining a consistent deal flow to mitigate credit issues and cover other operational problems. Having a steady stream of business can prevent major issues from affecting your bottom line.
Greg emphasizes the importance of making tough decisions when it comes to personnel. Sometimes, individuals who’ve been with your business for a long time might not adapt to the evolving landscape and can hold back the organization. Letting go of people who no longer contribute to the company’s success is challenging but necessary for growth.
Brent highlights the need to focus on leadership and people management. As businesses grow, fostering a culture that empowers and trusts employees to excel in their roles becomes crucial.
Building a Strong Culture
The conversation then shifts to the significance of company culture. Greg advises recognizing and promoting employees who go above and beyond in the company. Acknowledgment and recognition motivate employees to work harder and feel valued.
Brent discusses the importance of allowing leaders to make mistakes and grow. This approach creates a safe space for personal and organizational development, fostering a culture of opportunity for employees.
Kevin highlights the necessity of maintaining discipline, especially when selecting clients. Ensuring that clients align with your business model and price points from the start can save time and resources in the long run.
Navigating Future Challenges
The podcast concludes with a fireside chat about the biggest dangers and opportunities in the next five years. Kevin stresses the growing importance of addressing security concerns with clients. Security should be at the forefront of conversations, as it’s no longer an option but a necessity.
Brent talks about the need for MSPs to take care of their own security infrastructure and toolsets. Being proactive in securing their own businesses allows them to better serve their clients.
Greg reiterates the importance of recognizing potential inflection points and the necessity of continuously evolving to meet changing market demands.
In this enlightening episode of Sunny’s Silver Linings, experienced entrepreneurs share their knowledge, offering valuable lessons and insights for both new and seasoned business owners. It’s a podcast that will inspire, inform, and help you navigate the ever-evolving world of entrepreneurship.
Watch: From Mistakes to Milestones: Mastering the Entrepreneurial Journey
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About Sunny’s Silver Linings Podcast
“Sunny’s Silver Linings” is a top MSP channel podcast hosted by the CEO of IT By Design, Sunny Kaila. Sunny and his guests cover a wide range of MSP- and talent-based topics, including leadership, corporate culture, MSP services, cybersecurity, customer service, talent growth and retention, and strategies to achieve success in the channel. Listen now to take your business to the next level!
You can check out all our episodes here. You can also listen to “Sunny’s Silver Linings” podcast episodes on all the top streaming platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, etc.
About IT By Design
With more than two decades of experience as a technology services provider—first as an MSP, and then for MSPs—IT By Design (ITBD) helps clients navigate the volatile technical landscape. As the authority on MSP-trained technical talent, it understands the challenges its customers face when recruiting team members. ITBD addresses those issues through many solutions: dedicated staffing, 24x7x365 NOC services, helpdesk solutions, RMM virtual admin, vCIO consulting, security, employee and client engagement software, and professional services. ITBD is headquartered in New Jersey and has facilities in India and the Philippines.