Twins Talk Tech Leadership

Episode 147: Meet Them Where They Are

Why is it so important to meet employees where they are—emotionally, professionally, and generationally? Deon MacMillan, Chief People Officer at Pax8, shares her approach to cultivating a dynamic, people-first culture amidst hypergrowth. Her leadership philosophy revolves around balancing high-tech innovation with high-touch human engagement.Highlights include:The need to honor each employee’s current journey, using thoughtful development strategies, AI fluency, and a deep understanding of multi-generational needs.“Meeting them where they are” drives tailored learning paths, stronger engagement, and authentic brand ambassadorship from within.Navigating the tension between scaling a global organization and preserving its unique culture. From one-on-one rituals to employee listening programs, she focuses on creating alignment between purpose and performance."Organizations that can balance hi tech and high touch will win".Connect with Deon on LinkedIn and visit Pax8.com to stay informed about the community.Timestamps:[06:51] Dispel the fear around AI[07:32] The 5 Generation Workforce[13:49] Developing talent around the globe[21:30] Leading Horizontally ~~~Website: appmeetup.com/twinstalktechleadership/Community: facebook.com/groups/salesmavericksPatreon: patreon.com/twinstalkitup

Episode 146: Goals Should Scare & Excite You

"Goals should scare and excite you." That’s the mindset Lane Brannan, EVP & GM Americas at Pax8, brings to leadership—and it's exactly what’s propelling Pax8 to become one of the most innovative cloud marketplaces in the channel.Lane dives into the company’s mission of helping MSPs grow smarter, become more efficient, and reduce risk—while reinforcing the importance of trust, enablement, and delivering real business outcomes.Key Highlights:Pax8 is transforming how MSPs scale and serve clients through education, innovation, and enablement.Vision must be clear from the top and reinforced at every level.Internal onboarding and leadership development are core to growth.Lane’s philosophy: align strategy to individual contribution with a closed-loop feedback system.Connect with Lane on LinkedIn and visit Pax8.com to stay informed about the community.Timestamps:[06:24] Evangelize the why[07:20] Internal enablement[13:26] Conference expectations[25:21] Friday Night Lights~~~Website: appmeetup.com/twinstalktechleadership/Community: facebook.com/groups/salesmavericksPatreon: patreon.com/twinstalkitup

Episode 145: Own the Success Journey

Success doesn’t happen by accident—it’s a journey we must own, and that begins with the right mindset. Ryan Walsh, Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Pax8 discusses the power of strategic leadership, embracing innovation, and the importance of cultivating community within the channel. From his rock-climbing analogy of navigating challenges to his passion for helping MSPs grow through “guided growth” and “amplifying uniqueness,” Ryan underscores the need for focused vision and teamwork.Highlights also include:A glimpse into the Voyager Alliance partner program.The expanding influence of AI, agents, and a shift to managed intelligence partners (MIPs).To be competitive means owning a niche, staying connected, and thinking collaboratively.Family and basketball as foundational to his leadership philosophy. His leadership philosophy, rooted in enabling others and fostering shared success, offers valuable lessons for anyone seeking to lead with purpose in a rapidly changing tech landscape. Follow Ryan on LinkedIn and visit Pax8.com to stay informed about the marketplace.Timestamps:[08:09] Father modeled passion[18:01] Voyager Alliance Growth Tracks[18:56] Owning your niche[23:03] Power of Team~~~Website: appmeetup.com/twinstalktechleadership/Community: facebook.com/groups/salesmavericksPatreon: patreon.com/twinstalkitup

Episode 144: Creating Heroes

This is another special edition. We’re on location at IT Nation Secure in Orlando, where cybersecurity leaders, channel experts, and solution innovators gathered to share ideas, build partnerships, and level up the industry—together. Not all heroes wear capes — some carry laptops and create solutions to help their MSPs and partners win.Dive into conversations with inspired leaders: Dexter Caffey, CEO of Smart Eye Technology,Jean Templin, Co-Founder and CEO of Nayak.aiJared Casner & Mike Zbarsky Co-Founders of Blacksmith Infosec.Highlights include:Participating in the PitchIT Accelerator Program.Multimodal biometric authentication.Inspiration behind names and branding.Necessity of Executive buy-in to impact and shape security culture.Another podcast program to follow.Resources:An e-book from Nayak.ai: The Rise of AI in Sales Enablement https://www.nayak.ai/company/download-the-e-bookA sample of the book, Forging Trust: https://blacksmithinfosec.com/forging-trust/Timestamps:[01:06] Smart Eye Technology[20:35] Nayak.ai[41:52] Blacksmith infosec~~~Website: appmeetup.com/twinstalktechleadership/Community: facebook.com/groups/salesmavericksPatreon: patreon.com/twinstalkitup

Episode 143: Winning as a Team

In this special edition, we’re on location at IT Nation Secure in Orlando, where cybersecurity leaders, channel experts, and solution innovators gathered to share ideas, build partnerships, and level up the industry—together. The one unifying theme: Winning as a Team. In a fast-evolving cybersecurity landscape, individual tools and talent aren’t enough. True resilience—and growth—come from collaboration, trust, and shared purpose.We bring you three dynamic conversations with 4 industry leaders who embody this spirit of partnership:Mike Estep, Chief Client Officer, Blackpoint Cyber. Rayanne Buchianico, Owner, ABC Solutions, LLC.Adam Anderson, CEO and Claudia Horbrook, Customer Success Associate, ThreatCaptain. Highlights include:Collaboration in cybersecurity: internal teams, external partners, and clients.AI integration and security positioning. Value of true partnerships and knowing your numbers. PitchIT Accelerator program.Power of storytelling, investment into people and culture. Resource: Ten Questions to Ask When Selecting an MDR Provider https://rb.gy/lxxqddWe’re grateful that they were able to join and share their unique perspectives on collaboration, innovation, and leadership during IT Nation Secure.Timestamps:[01:08] Blackpoint Cyber [28:23] ABC Solutions[45:23] ThreatCaptain~~~Website: appmeetup.com/twinstalktechleadership/Community: facebook.com/groups/salesmavericksPatreon: patreon.com/twinstalkitup

Episode 142: Leading Marketing with Clarity & Vision

Marketing and sales must operate in alignment to effectively execute an organization’s strategic plan and vision. When these work together: messaging is consistent and clear; customer insights are gained, fueling better campaigns and more effective sales approaches; sales close and growth is accelerated. Angus Robertson, Chief Marketing Officer at ConnectWise, joins us to discuss the evolving role of marketing leadership in today’s tech ecosystem. Angus brings a global lens to shaping partner success and telling compelling stories that drive business impact.Highlights include:ConnectWise’s proactive stance on AI, cybersecurity, community education and supporting MSP’s with their reach and impact. Why MSPs must define and align around their Ideal Customer Profile (ICP.)The power of sales and marketing alignment to scale impact.The core message of Angus’s book, Outcome Marketing: focusing on value and resultsKey statements from Angus: “Know your lane and then create a powerful story around it.”“You have to be convinced that you're right. You must have conviction.”“It’s the job of marketing to turn strategy into something that engages the market.”Follow Angus on LinkedIn, stay in touch with the community through connectwise.com and pick up his book, Outcome Marketing on Amazon. Timestamps:[15:31] Growing Internationally [18:05] understanding your Ideal Customer Profile [21:27] His Book: Outcome Marketing [26:27] Storytelling success ~~~Website: appmeetup.com/twinstalktechleadership/Community: facebook.com/groups/salesmavericksPatreon: patreon.com/twinstalkitup

Episode 141: Start and Keep Evolving

What does it mean to be a champion for MSPs in a world of evolving cyber threats and increasing complexity? In this episode, we dive into the mind of Tim Coach, Community and Channel Evangelist at Cynomi, who reminds us that it all starts with a plan—a plan that must continuously evolve to keep up with the shifting landscape of cybersecurity.Tim brings structure, vision, and purpose to the channel ecosystem. His leadership journey is fueled by a passion to empower MSPs and to demystify the critical role of vCISOs in managing risk, ensuring compliance, and driving strategic growth.Highlights include:A successful plan is a commitment to process, consistency and community.Do you understand your security posture?The shifting MSSP landscape and why certifications matter more than ever.How Cynomi helps MSPs move from reactive to proactive cybersecurity strategies.What it takes to confidently present at conferences.Whether you're an emerging MSP or a seasoned provider looking to strengthen your cybersecurity playbook, this conversation is packed with insight, leadership lessons, and practical guidance for navigating the next era of managed services.Follow Tim on LinkedIn and visit www.cynomi.com to learn more.Time Stamps:[11:06] Success and SOP [18:15] Managing the security journey[20:21] Factor certifications [24:18] Presenting and Public speaking[29:44] Approach to identify ideal clients~~~Website: appmeetup.com/twinstalktechleadership/Community: facebook.com/groups/salesmavericksPatreon: patreon.com/twinstalkitup

Episode 140: Power Up Your Partner Program

Looking for the key to a successful enterprise-level channel program? It starts with delivering a partner experience that builds trust, loyalty, and results.Paul Bird, VP of Sales at Magentrix, addresses what you should know if you are thinking about scaling your partner program and improving partner engagement. "PRM design is like a good joke. If you have to explain it, it's not very good."Highlights include:Paul's leadership journey and how Magentrix was "a match made in Heaven."Magentrix in the PRM (Partner Relationship Management) landscape, including its native integration with Salesforce.Practical advice for channel leaders, including to “get your data house in order.”The future of PRM — from AI and analytics to ecosystem-led growth. Follow Paul on LinkedIn and visit magentrix.com/ to explore a comprehensive Partner Experience solution designed to help you scale, engage more effectively, and accelerate revenue growth.Time Stamps:[00:02:52] Magentrix made sense[00:04:18] Why a PRM [00:15:06] Future of partner engagement [00:18:41] Advice for Channel Chiefs[00:23:11] Quickfire questions~~~Website: appmeetup.com/twinstalktechleadership/Community: facebook.com/groups/salesmavericksPatreon: patreon.com/twinstalkitup

Episode 139: Connecting and Empowering Through Communication

Effective communication is vital for connecting, empowering, and leading communities. Erika Irby, Director of Partner Marketing for the Americas at Microsoft is a purpose driven champion who speaks to the importance of internal communication, public speaking, and leadership awareness.Highlights include:A leadership style shaped by her early career in teaching, where she learned the value of adaptability and empathy.Keep the audience in mind when considering messaging.Bucket fillers and Erika's book entitled, Pieces of Me: A Poetry Collection. Be sure to find fulfillment in filling your own bucket.Microsoft and D&I, Erika co-leading a Women of GPS, a chapter of Microsoft ERG & giving 'your floor space to someone.'Sharing your voice about AI as 'that missing voice will impact future generations.'Be a leader who finds fulfillment by uplifting others. Tune in to hear Erika’s story and her advice for aspiring tech leaders, and pick up her book, Pieces of Me: A Poetry Collection.Time Stamps:[00:06:13] Critical skill of communication [00:19:12] Bucket fillers and writing a book[00:22:41] D&I [00:24:44] Speak up about AI & Copilot[00:32:02] Opportunities in IT~~~Website: appmeetup.com/twinstalktechleadership/Community: facebook.com/groups/salesmavericksPatreon: patreon.com/twinstalkitup

Episode 138: Partner-Centric Growth and Learning

In today’s interconnected world, organizations must embrace Partner-Centric Growth and Learning to effectively strengthen cybersecurity practices. Building resilient communities through education, collaboration, and shared experiences is key to navigating modern cyber threats. Jeremy Young, Community Growth Strategist at Huntress shares his passion for empowering organizations through engagement and education.Highlights include:Asking how you earn the MSP business and creating a win-win approach to the community.Huntress bringing in and retaining leaders who are trusted in the industryProviding coaching and Not for Resale (NFR) licenses for education and testing.Exciting growth potential with MicrosoftFollow Jeremy on LinkedIn and visit huntress.com and huntress.com/nfr to learn how you can prioritize cybersecurity awareness and community collaboration to build stronger, safer networks.Key Chapters:[00:12:05] The mission hasn't changed [00:18:08] Trusted partnerships create win-win [00:24:28] A key differentiator [00:31:14] Initiatives focused on [00:43:15] Date vendors who are into you[00:46:18] Quickfire questions ~~~Website: appmeetup.com/twinstalktechleadership/Community: facebook.com/groups/salesmavericksPatreon: patreon.com/twinstalkitup