Episodios

  • Optimizing Business Valuations
    Sep 5 2025

    Overview:

    In this episode of the SMB Community Podcast, hosts James and Amy are back to discuss various strategies for making MSP companies more valuable before a sale, including eliminating red flags, organizing business documentation, and having a clear elevator pitch. They also talk about industry trends such as the growing demand for specialized services like cloud computing and cybersecurity, the resurgence of buyer interest in smaller companies, and the impact of AI on business valuations. The hosts review recent cybersecurity incidents affecting major companies and discuss the potential need for a dedicated cyber military force. Additionally, the podcast covers notable industry news including Google's legal battle over search data, Elon Musk's new project to rival Microsoft, and Tesla's strategic shift towards humanoid robots. The episode concludes with upcoming events and courses aimed at helping MSPs leverage AI for their businesses.

    ---

    Chapter Markers:

    00:00 Introduction and Hosts Welcome

    01:39 MSP Question of the Week: Increasing Company Value

    06:09 Trends in M&A for Small Businesses

    10:09 Recent Cybersecurity Incidents

    14:19 Google's Legal Win and AI Impact

    16:26 Elon Musk's New Ventures: Macro Hard and Tesla Robots

    20:32 Fall Plans and Upcoming AI Course

    ---

    New Book Release:

    I'm proud to announce the release of my new book, The Anthology of Cybersecurity Experts! This collection brings together 15 of the nation's top minds in cybersecurity, sharing real-world solutions to combat today's most pressing threats.

    Whether you're an MSP, IT leader, or simply passionate about protecting your data, this book is packed with expert advice to help you stay secure and ahead of the curve.

    Available now on Amazon!
    https://a.co/d/f2NKASI

    ---

    Sponsor Memo:

    Since 2006, Kernan Consulting has been through over 30 transactions in mergers & acquisitions - and just this past year, we have been involved in six (6).

    If you are interested in either buying, selling, or valuation information, please reach out.

    There is alot of activity and you can be a part of it.

    For more information, reach out at kernanconsulting.com

    Más Menos
    23 m
  • Embracing AI: Insights & Rollout Strategies
    Aug 28 2025

    Overview:

    In this episode of the SMB Community Podcast, hosts Amy and James discuss various topics including the shift in weather in the Midwest, the importance of developing an AI practice for Managed Service Providers (MSPs), and insights from top MSP executives about AI in the workforce. Amy highlights her AI course for MSPs, emphasizing the need for an AI acceptable use policy. The hosts also discuss the potential challenges and opportunities in AI investments, recent news about foldable phones from Apple, and the significance of the Windows 95 anniversary. Additionally, they mention the partnership between Ninja One and Halo, and James shares details about the upcoming Millionaire Mastermind event in September.

    ---

    Chapter Markers:

    00:00 Introduction and Greetings

    02:14 MSP Question of the Week: Starting an AI Practice

    06:22 AI in the Workforce: Insights from Executives

    12:00 Tech News: Apple and Microsoft Updates

    17:19 Ninja One and Halo Partnership

    19:05 Upcoming Events: Millionaire Mastermind

    21:27 Conclusion and Contact Information

    ---

    New Book Release:

    I'm proud to announce the release of my new book, The Anthology of Cybersecurity Experts! This collection brings together 15 of the nation's top minds in cybersecurity, sharing real-world solutions to combat today's most pressing threats.

    Whether you're an MSP, IT leader, or simply passionate about protecting your data, this book is packed with expert advice to help you stay secure and ahead of the curve.

    Available now on Amazon!
    https://a.co/d/f2NKASI

    ---

    Sponsor Memo:

    Since 2006, Kernan Consulting has been through over 30 transactions in mergers & acquisitions - and just this past year, we have been involved in six (6).

    If you are interested in either buying, selling, or valuation information, please reach out.

    There is alot of activity and you can be a part of it.

    For more information, reach out at kernanconsulting.com

    Más Menos
    22 m
  • Attracting Top-Tier Tech Talent
    Aug 21 2025

    Overview:

    In this episode of the SMB Community Podcast, hosts James and Amy discuss various topics including the challenges of hiring level 3 and level 4 IT professionals, the importance of certifications and ongoing education in the IT industry, and the current job hiring trends influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. They also touch upon an interesting study on the growth of millionaires globally and its implications. The hosts offer practical advice for SMBs on developing relationships with subcontractors and enhancing company culture to attract top talent.

    ---

    Chapter Markers:

    00:00 Introduction and Greetings

    02:08 MSP Question of the Week: Attracting Top-Level Technical Talent

    08:47 Discussion on Millionaires and Wealth Distribution

    15:24 The Importance of In-Person Job Interviews

    19:34 Value of Job Skill Certificates and Continuous Learning

    27:27 Conclusion

    ---

    New Book Release:

    I'm proud to announce the release of my new book, The Anthology of Cybersecurity Experts! This collection brings together 15 of the nation's top minds in cybersecurity, sharing real-world solutions to combat today's most pressing threats.

    Whether you're an MSP, IT leader, or simply passionate about protecting your data, this book is packed with expert advice to help you stay secure and ahead of the curve.

    Available now on Amazon!
    https://a.co/d/f2NKASI

    ---

    Sponsor Memo:

    Since 2006, Kernan Consulting has been through over 30 transactions in mergers & acquisitions - and just this past year, we have been involved in six (6).

    If you are interested in either buying, selling, or valuation information, please reach out.

    There is alot of activity and you can be a part of it.

    For more information, reach out at kernanconsulting.com

    Más Menos
    28 m
  • Dave Sobel Demonstrates Agentic AI at The Business of Tech
    Aug 18 2025

    In this episode, host Karl Palachuk caught up with Dave Sobel to talk about his "explainer video" on Artificial Intelligence. Dave is the host of the Business of Tech Podcast - https://businessof.tech.

    Recently, Dave posted a video describing all the ways he uses AI agents to collect articles, filter them, and give him enough information to put together a show. He also reveals all the tools he uses for database management, storage, and everything else.

    This is a great example of the kinds of things IT consultants need to be helping their clients with regarding AI!

    See Dave's video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXw2mrmW6lk.

    Subscribe to the SMB Community Podcast at https://smbcommunitypodcast.com.

    Feedback always welcome.

    Más Menos
    31 m
  • Navigating Price Increases
    Aug 14 2025

    Overview:

    In this episode of the SMB Community Podcast, hosts James and Amy discuss various topics relevant to the MSP community. They start with a casual chat about the weather and gardening before moving on to a listener's question regarding the best ways to communicate price increases to customers. The conversation shifts to security concerns, particularly focusing on vulnerabilities in printers and scan-to-email features, and the implications for MSPs. They also discuss recent developments in AI, including users' reactions to changes in Chat GPT and the security risks posed by new hacking techniques. The episode concludes with discussions about managing various devices on networks, upcoming events and courses, and the importance of continual learning and adaptability in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

    ---

    Chapter Markers:

    00:00 Introduction and Welcome

    00:23 Weather and Personal Updates

    02:44 Handling Price Increases

    11:03 AOL's Nostalgic Announcement

    12:25 ChatGPT and AI Developments

    17:07 Printer Security Concerns

    23:27 Upcoming Events and Courses

    27:22 Closing Remarks

    ---

    New Book Release:

    I'm proud to announce the release of my new book, The Anthology of Cybersecurity Experts! This collection brings together 15 of the nation's top minds in cybersecurity, sharing real-world solutions to combat today's most pressing threats.

    Whether you're an MSP, IT leader, or simply passionate about protecting your data, this book is packed with expert advice to help you stay secure and ahead of the curve.

    Available now on Amazon!
    https://a.co/d/f2NKASI

    ---

    Sponsor Memo:

    Since 2006, Kernan Consulting has been through over 30 transactions in mergers & acquisitions - and just this past year, we have been involved in six (6).

    If you are interested in either buying, selling, or valuation information, please reach out.

    There is alot of activity and you can be a part of it.

    For more information, reach out at kernanconsulting.com

    Más Menos
    28 m
  • Client Success Stories Leveraging Lansweeper
    Aug 11 2025

    Overview:

    In this episode of the SMB Community Podcast, our host James Kernan, along with guests Christina Klein from Land Sweeper and Martin from B2B Cyber Secure, discuss the importance of data, automation, and innovative tools in transforming the Managed Service Provider (MSP) landscape. Christina and Martin share their experiences and successes using Lansweeper to drive IT asset discovery, risk assessment, and cybersecurity compliance. They also explore how MSPs can leverage Lansweeper data to enhance service offerings and build trust with clients. The episode highlights future developments in AI and automation for Lansweeper and provides listeners with actionable steps to integrate these tools into their operations.

    ---

    Chapter Markers:

    00:00 Introduction to the SMB Community Podcast

    00:26 Meet the Guests: Christina Klein and Martin Dubreuil

    01:21 Martin's Success with Lansweeper

    03:12 Christina on Leveraging Lansweeper data

    09:18 The Role of Cybersecurity in MSP Operations

    13:53 Automation and Integration with Lansweeper

    23:40 Future of Lansweeper and AI Integration

    28:48 Conclusion and Signoff

    ---

    About Christina Klein:

    Christina Klein has worked in the tech industry for 27 years. Her current role is the VP of Global Managed Service Providers. Her career has spanned from global giants like Microsoft & AWS to scale-ups like Movere and Lansweeper. Passionate about building & communicating the value of technology solutions through partnerships, Ms. Klein is an award-winning public speaker, 2023 Channel Chief and 2023 Role Model of the Year finalist.

    About Martin Dubreuil:

    With over 20 years of experience in IT management and cybersecurity, Martin Dubreuil specializes in IT asset discovery, risk assessment, and managed security services. As Associate & Director of Advisory Services at B2B Cyber Secure, a strategic partner of Lansweeper, he helps organizations secure their IT environments, optimize asset management, and strengthen compliance.

    For the past 12 years, Martin has leveraged Lansweeper to provide comprehensive network visibility, vulnerability detection, and cybersecurity insights. His expertise enables businesses to identify risks, reduce attack surfaces, and implement proactive IT security strategies through managed services and automation.

    "Using Lansweeper, we uncover network vulnerabilities by identifying unmanaged assets, providing insights for improving both IT and OT environments."

    ---

    New Book Release:

    I'm proud to announce the release of my new book, The Anthology of Cybersecurity Experts! This collection brings together 15 of the nation's top minds in cybersecurity, sharing real-world solutions to combat today's most pressing threats.

    Whether you're an MSP, IT leader, or simply passionate about protecting your data, this book is packed with expert advice to help you stay secure and ahead of the curve.

    Available now on Amazon!
    https://a.co/d/f2NKASI

    ---

    Sponsor Memo:

    Since 2006, Kernan Consulting has been through over 30 transactions in mergers & acquisitions - and just this past year, we have been involved in six (6).

    If you are interested in either buying, selling, or valuation information, please reach out.

    There is alot of activity and you can be a part of it.

    For more information, reach out at kernanconsulting.com

    Más Menos
    31 m
  • Navigating Managed Service Contracts: What Is Best?
    Aug 7 2025

    Overview:

    Navigating IT Contracts, AI Trends, and Industry Events: A Recap In this episode of the SMB Community Podcast, hosts James and Amy discuss the importance of managed service contracts and how they impact the valuation and security of IT businesses. They cover recent industry events including ChannelCon in Nashville, applauding its organization and opportunities for networking with top vendors. Finally, they delve into the positive economic impact of AI on the IT sector, with insights on job security concerns and the future of various professions. Tune in for advice on leveraging opportunities in the ever-evolving IT landscape.

    ---

    Chapter Markers:

    00:00 Introduction and Welcome

    01:15 Vacation Highlights

    05:48 Question of the Week: Managed Service Contracts

    10:56 Channel Con Event Recap

    19:22 Positive Economic Trends and AI Impact

    27:24 Upcoming Events and Closing Remarks

    ---

    New Book Release:

    I'm proud to announce the release of my new book, The Anthology of Cybersecurity Experts! This collection brings together 15 of the nation's top minds in cybersecurity, sharing real-world solutions to combat today's most pressing threats.

    Whether you're an MSP, IT leader, or simply passionate about protecting your data, this book is packed with expert advice to help you stay secure and ahead of the curve.

    Available now on Amazon!
    https://a.co/d/f2NKASI

    ---

    Sponsor Memo:

    Since 2006, Kernan Consulting has been through over 30 transactions in mergers & acquisitions - and just this past year, we have been involved in six (6).

    If you are interested in either buying, selling, or valuation information, please reach out.

    There is alot of activity and you can be a part of it.

    For more information, reach out at kernanconsulting.com

    Más Menos
    29 m
  • Health in the Workplace: Interview with Ana Nikseresht
    Aug 4 2025

    Overview:

    In this episode of the SMB Community Podcast, host James Kernan interviews renowned wellbeing coach Ana Nikseresht. They discuss her journey from Iran to the U.S. and her evolution into a wellbeing coach. Ana shares her holistic approach to health, focusing on mental, emotional, and physical aspects. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, consistency, and compassionate accountability in achieving lasting results. Ana also discusses practical tools, like the Carb Manager app, to help clients track their progress. The episode underscores the transformation possible through dedicated coaching and intentional living.

    ---

    Chapter Markers:

    00:00 Introduction to the SMB Community Podcast

    01:02 Meet Ana Nikseresht: A Journey from Iran to the US

    02:14 Anna's Personal Health Struggles and Transformation

    05:02 The Honor Approach: Personalized Wellbeing Coaching

    11:27 Tools and Techniques for Lasting Health

    15:57 Success Stories and Client Experiences

    18:51 Conclusion and Contact Information

    ---

    About Ana Nikseresht:

    Connect with Ana at TheAnaApproach@gmail.com

    ---

    New Book Release:

    I'm proud to announce the release of my new book, The Anthology of Cybersecurity Experts! This collection brings together 15 of the nation's top minds in cybersecurity, sharing real-world solutions to combat today's most pressing threats.

    Whether you're an MSP, IT leader, or simply passionate about protecting your data, this book is packed with expert advice to help you stay secure and ahead of the curve.

    Available now on Amazon!
    https://a.co/d/f2NKASI

    ---

    Sponsor Memo:

    Since 2006, Kernan Consulting has been through over 30 transactions in mergers & acquisitions - and just this past year, we have been involved in six (6).

    If you are interested in either buying, selling, or valuation information, please reach out.

    There is alot of activity and you can be a part of it.

    For more information, reach out at kernanconsulting.com

    Más Menos
    21 m