2019 MSP 501: Calling All MSPs!
Ever wondered how you rank against your peers? Well, now you have the perfect opportunity to find out as Channel Futures presents the annual MSP 501 ranking list.
The MSP 501 list recognizes Managed Service Providers (MSPs) from all around the globe among the world’s top 501 MSPs, so if you haven’t already entered, here’s what you need to know (and fast) while entries are still open:
More Than Just a Ranking…
For twelve consecutive years, Channel Futures has hosted the annual MSP 501 as a celebration of the world’s top MSPs. What first began as simple report derived from a selection of channel partners, has since evolved to demonstrate exactly how these MSPs earned their ranking.
Have You Applied Yet?
Just in case you haven’t, it’s not too late! While the process is far from quick and easy, you still have time to submit your online application here – entries close on Friday, 31 May at 11:59pm ET.
Channel Futures strive to make this process easier than before, so if you need help or have any questions regarding the Channel Futures 2019 MSP 501 List questionnaire – visit here for further information.
What’s in It for You?
Other than the glory, you’ll also receive a marketing package (to share with the world), an official award and special recognition at the annual gala awards (details below), VIP entry to the Channel Partners Evolution and of course, awesome media coverage across Channel Futures’ sites.
The Annual Gala Awards
Winners are to be announced at the MSP 501 Awards as part of the Channel Partners Evolution Conference, held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, 10 September 2019 from 5:30pm – 9:00pm. Join The 20 team there!
To find out more about the MSP 501 List, please visit here.
Tell us a little about your MSP…
Managed IT Systems is located in Athens, GA, and our field engineers cover about a 100 mile radius from there. We have been providing top-notch IT support services since 2005.
How long have you been a member of The 20?
Managed IT Systems has been a member of The 20 for just under 2 years.
Why did your MSP originally look to partner with The 20?
We initially partnered with The 20 because of the potential to grow our MID model and be able to offer more features, products, and services than we could alone.
Tell us about the biggest change in your business since joining The 20.
We have increased our annual revenue by over 35% in only one year. This was possible due to added benefits, especially the help desk. Our prospects see us as a much more complete, larger organization, which means we are able to be more competitive when bidding for services.
What do you like most about being a member of The 20?
The openness of communication between formerly-competing companies is astounding. On any given day, you can count multiple on-going conversations between companies from across the country that are geared toward helping solve a problem, offer a solution, or providing hands-on assistance.
What do you think is the most important quality necessary for success?
Perseverance. You have to be willing to put forth the same effort day in and day out, regardless of the outcome.
What are your biggest business challenges?
Getting more leads in the door has to be the number 1 challenge for us. Outside of that, struggling with client education – whether it is differentiating our services, explaining why we recommend a specific solution or service, or why they need to change their password regularly – is a challenge that we face each and every day.
What are your areas of focus for 2019?
Managed IT Systems is going to continue to focus on selling our MID service, but we are also going to push harder on managed security solutions as well as improve our cloud-focused offerings.
What advice would you share with an MSP looking to scale their business?
Take the leap and commit to becoming an Elite member so that you can take advantage of the help desk. The amount of time your company will gain back will allow you to focus more on new growth, better reporting, and perfecting your services.
What book are you currently reading?
‘How to Secure Office 365’ by Matt Katzer
Favorite blogs / podcasts
Linus Tech Tips – YouTube, MSP Insights
by Camden Rendon
Coming into The 20 as the new in-house Talent Acquisition Manager was a big career move for me. I knew I was walking into a company with no formal recruiting department – meaning that I would be building it from the ground up, picking and choosing the best MSP recruiting strategies to bring over. I was hired with the intention of doubling our company in size by the end of the year, while also bringing in strategies revolved around smart hiring and employee retention. With the right people in the right seats, the sky is the limit.
Following are some of the MSP recruiting strategies I recommend for recruiting and retaining top talent:
Smart Hiring
Inbound Recruiting
A lot of corporate recruiters will take a reactive approach to candidates, only reaching out to ones that apply directly with their company. Effective MSP recruiting strategies are more proactive and develop an active pipeline of candidates ready to go. This has helped cut down on time to fill for both our growth and backfill roles. Not only does this help keep a healthy pipeline of open candidates, but it gives me the ability to speak to the people that I think might be the best fit for the roles I’m filling. By utilizing passive candidate sourcing, The 20 has gone from 2-3 hires per month to about 8-10. The initial outreach helps us get in people that we know we want in the seat, as opposed to filling it with just anybody that can do the job.
Three A’s Approach
Ability, aptitude, and attitude are the three A’s to consider when hiring, according to Michael Skok. When I’m interviewing a candidate, I really dig into these three things. My favorite thing to learn about a candidate is their story. I like to know what adversities and challenges they’ve had to face and how they’ve overcome them. Their personal accomplishments. Their goals. I like to know the things that have shaped that person into who they are, because you can learn so much about their likes, dislikes, work ethic, and what makes them tick. A good recruiter should be able to easily read people, which can very quickly distinguish a good hire from a bad hire.
Employee Retention
Programs
One of the biggest projects I immediately suggested was an Employee Referral Bonus Program, where employees get paid if they refer a friend to work with us that gets hired. Employee referrals are proven to reduce the turnover rate (46%, as opposed to 33% from career sites), while also improving the quality of hire. It’s no secret that people are who they surround themselves with, so it’s the perfect opportunity to get like-minded people in the door. We have been able to implement that and have hired 5 referrals (and counting) this year alone!
I also proposed implementing an onboarding process for new hires. Employee onboarding plays a huge role in MSP recruiting strategies and specifically, retention – 69% of employees are more likely to stay with a company for three years if they experienced great onboarding, and 50% report new-hire productivity, making for a longer-lasting and better all-around hire.
Culture
The best and easiest way to keep employees is hiring good CULTURE fits. The heart of your company is your employee base. When you hire the right people, and all those people are sitting in the right seats within the company, you’ve got your strongest defense mechanism. Employees want to work where they are happy. Now more than ever, people are realizing that more of their day is spent at work than at home. With that, they want to feel like their purpose is fulfilled and they are appreciated. The 20 is huge on making sure people feel welcomed and appreciated – free snacks, nerf gun fights, a casual environment, lots of laughs, and an open-door policy help to keep our employees happy.
Want to join our awesome team? The 20 is hiring! Check out our open positions here.
Top photo: The 20’s new Q1 hires.
Tell us a little about your MSP…
I started Tech Junkies in January of 2007 in Hays, KS (I’ll wait for you to Google Maps that). I was working full time for a local ISP and fixing computers on the side. I started making more money from my side gig than my full-time job, so I decided to venture out on my own. I used my older brother’s four wheeler as collateral, got a loan for $8,100, signed a lease on a retail space, quit my job, cashed out what little I had in my company retirement, then went home and told my wife what I had done (I strongly recommend you put that last item first)! She was a bit shocked, but supportive. We were doing retail computer repair initially, but quickly started to transition into managed services for local businesses. Seeing need in our area for both residential and business IT solutions, we continue to offer both, utilizing a MSP service model.
How long have you been a member of The 20?
I was in The 20 before it was really ‘The 20.’ I was on the first call with Tim that started to form the concept of The 20. Since that time, I have been all in with The 20 model. I have seen it grow from just a concept to what it has become today. I guess I’d be considered the OG of The 20.
Why did your MSP originally look to partner with The 20?
After hearing the concept, I was on board right away. My goal with Tech Junkies was to scale on a massive level. I saw partnering with Tim and The 20 as my best option to do so.
Tell us about the biggest change in your business since joining The 20.
Starting day 1 we could handle almost any client that walked in the door. Coming back from the first meeting in Dallas I closed my biggest deal up to that point. Before The 20 I would have been gun shy to take on such a large client. However, with The 20 on my side it was an easy process to onboard and support.
What do you like most about being a member of The 20?
The community. We have all become such a tight community between the partners, The 20 Leadership, and even The 20 staff. I have forged business relationships and friendships that will last a lifetime.
What do you think is the most important quality necessary for success?
The ability to execute. I think some people just lack the ability to execute on ideas. Talk it great but it’s the walk that will make you money.
What are your biggest business challenges?
Lead generation. I don’t think I’ll ever be happy with the leads we are getting, I’ll always want more.
What are your areas of focus for 2019?
We are focusing on adding a comprehensive Cybersecurity Solution for all of our current clients and prospects. We handle managed IT services one way… the right way. We now offer a layered approached to cybersecurity defense based on the relationships that we have built through The 20.
What advice would you share with an MSP looking to scale their business?
Join The 20! Don’t re-invent the wheel. Let The 20 bring their expertise to the table on the operations and service delivery. You as a business owner should be focusing on marketing and sales.
What book are you currently reading?
Scaling Up byVern Harnish (I’m always re-reading / listening to it).
Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss.
Favorite blogs / podcasts
GaryVee – I usually have GaryVee or some other audio playing in the background all day.
Tell us a little about your MSP…
Southern Data Solutions, located in Atlanta, Georgia, was founded in 2005 with the purpose of providing excellent customer service. With a stellar team dedicated to the success of that vision, we have grown our business and looking to expand. Our services and products are now solidified and moving forward is much easier with special thanks to The 20. I have a saying that, “No one drives a Ferrari, until we can all drive a Ferrari,” meaning that the company’s success will be shared among all of the people that contribute to the success of Southern Data Solutions.
How long have you been a member of The 20?
Southern Data Solutions became a partner to The 20 in February of 2017.
Why did your MSP originally look to partner with The 20?
Southern Data Solutions was coming out of a failed relationship with Continuum and was seeking out a new partnership for help desk and NOC services. We continue to be pleasantly surprised by the entire offering from The 20 and signing up was a no brainer.
Tell us about the biggest change in your business since joining The 20.
The 20 partnership has helped Southern Data Solutions align our business so that we can focus on bigger-picture growth. Simplified, it means that The 20 staff take care of our existing client’s support needs while we can focus on the relationships of existing and new.
What do you like most about being a member of The 20?
Being around Tim Conkle… LOL! Seriously, it is a breath of fresh air knowing that new products and partnerships are being brought to the group — and the information sharing is the best!
What do you think is the most important quality necessary for success?
I have always been a driven person and the key to success is finding ways to gain back as much of our most precious and valuable asset — TIME! Being proactive with our clients — and having good clients — allows the men and women I work alongside of to be able to spend more quality time with their family and friends.
What are your biggest business challenges?
Our challenges have consisted of bringing in new business on a consistent basis, as well as keeping the clients utilizing our established processes instead of latching on to one person in our organization. Engaging Google AdWords has significantly increased our inbound leads. As for keeping the client on track with our processes (calling the help desk and not the last engineer who helped them), we continually stand united in delivering the message of calling the help desk is faster than putting you, the client, in the queue of one person who has other tasks and tickets ahead of you.
What are your areas of focus for 2019?
Southern Data Solutions is focused on growth through new business, which will either be through new sales hires and/or acquisition.
What advice would you share with an MSP looking to scale their business?
Select a focus or goal and stick with it. Manage your time wisely and make sure your team is doing the same! Communication is key with both your employees and clients. Show appreciation to both your employees and clients. In this day and age you can find new clients, but a good employee is hard to find or replace, so always have their back!
What book are you currently reading?
I read the Bible daily and that is all I need.
Favorite blogs / podcasts
The YouVersion Bible app has great reading!
Tell us a little about your MSP…
Cirrus Technologies is located just north of Dayton, OH, and service the greater Dayton region, Cincinnati, and Columbus. We support clients and technology in 16 states and 2 countries. We were founded in 2015.
How long have you been a member of The 20?
We’ve been a member of The 20 from day 1 of our business.
Why did your MSP originally look to partner with The 20?
I wanted the ability to scale and grow quickly, and this meant having the team and resources of The 20 behind me vs. going alone as a “one-man-band.”
Tell us about the biggest change in your business since joining The 20…
We’ve had triple digit growth, and achieved an annual revenue that puts us at the top 4% of the industry!
What do you like most about being a member of The 20?
The community, collaboration and sharing of best practices and collective knowledge.
What do you think is the most important quality necessary for success?
Tenacity. The going will get tough, but it’s those who persevere and don’t give up who succeed.
What are your biggest business challenges?
Continuing to build reliable lead generation oil wells to grow at the same pace we have been.
What are your areas of focus for 2019?
Sales operations and marketing.
What advice would you share with an MSP looking to scale their business?
2 things:
1. Find someone else successful and model their success; it’s foolish to try and re-invent the wheel.
2. This is a very unforgiving business to those who try to go it alone. Join a community and peer groups; join The 20 – you cannot be successful living on your own island!
What book are you currently reading?
Traction by Gino Wickman, Blue Ocean Strategy by Chan Kim, High Probability Selling by Jacques Werth, and Clockwork: Design Your Business to Run Itself by Mike Michalowicz are all on my short term reading list.
Favorite blogs / podcasts?
EntreLeadership, Lead to Win by Michael Hyatt, and The Brendan Show by Brendan Burchard.
Probably not. At least, if you’re anything like me — and I really hope you’re not – then your passwords are probably not up to snuff. But hopefully this will at least get you to reconsider your current situation.
We all love to have easily-remembered passwords, because, well, they’re easy to remember. But you aren’t doing yourself any favors by opening yourself up to get hacked.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has recently issued new guidelines regarding secure passwords, and I think it’s incredibly important to read their suggestions.
Ok, but wait — who is NIST?
NIST is a non-regulatory federal agency whose purpose is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology, in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life.
And by the way, these guidelines are generally considered a reasonable standard not only in the U.S., but also around the globe, but you don’t have to follow them to a T. Following these standards, however, are likely to give you solid protection, should you ever be accused of not following good security practices.
So, what is so remarkable about these new password guidelines and how will they impact you and other users? The new framework is certainly controversial among many security professionals. Almost all security practitioners are going to find stuff they agree and disagree with in the guidelines. But here we go…
Remove periodic password change requirements
This is one that legions of corporate employees, forced to create a new password every month, will surely be happy about. There have been multiple studies that have shown the requirement of frequent password changes to be counterproductive to good password security; but the industry has doggedly held on to the practice. This will remain controversial for some time, I am sure.
Drop the algorithmic complexity song and dance
No more arbitrary password complexity requirements, needing mixtures of upper case letters, symbols and numbers. Like frequent password changes, some claim these password policies can result in worse passwords.
Here is a completely new one… require screening of new passwords against lists of commonly used or compromised passwords
One of the best ways to ratchet up the strength of your users’ passwords is to screen them against lists of dictionary passwords and known compromised passwords.
Please contact us for any questions you may have on password screening! We’re happy to help and point you toward software that can make this process simpler.
We hope this all helps! I know at the very least it should get you thinking about doing more to protect yourself in the password arena. I know it helped me, and got me thinking smarter.
