Twins Talk Tech Leadership

Episode 107: Focus on Partner Success

A good onboarding experience with new partners is crucial as it sets the tone for the entire relationship; and, helps to build trust and loyalty, while increasing the likelihood of a long-term retention. This could translate into producing advocates and evangelists of the community. AJ Adade, VP Onboarding & Consulting, ConnectWise, shares some thoughts on how focusing on the success of the partner can translate into success of the organization. Highlights include:Family background and how the military has helped to shape his leadership.Leadership foundation and why ConnectWise.Onboarding mindset and journey into the ecosystem.How success is measured; it's about the partner's success.The impact of testimonials and community.Be clear with your growth destination by starting "with the end in mind."Follow AJ on LinkedIn and keep up with the IT Nation community by visiting connectwise.com

Episode 106: Shape the Future Together

The balance between technological advancements and preserving meaningful client relationships is vital to the overall success of any technology service provider. To ensure continued growth, there should also be a commitment to partner feedback.We sat down with Jeff Bishop, Chief Product Officer at ConnectWise, during the IT Nation Connect Conference to explore the transformative impact of AI and automation on Managed Service Providers (MSPs).Highlights include:How ConnectWise is integrating AI into its solutions, enhancing service delivery, and addressing cybersecurity challenges while maintaining a strong emphasis on the human element in technology.Touching on the Asio platform's strengths, such as its adaptive UX and modular design, as key innovations supporting MSPs.His insights on leadership, emphasizing long-term vision and empowering teams.Brainstorming and the 5 Whys methodology.Jeff's Conference experience.Follow Jeff on LinkedIn and visit connectwise.com to learn more about the ASIO platform, including the ability to watch a live demo.

Episode 105: The Power of Community

Instead of randomly building your network, what if we could create communities that helped everyone involved achieve their goals together? These intentional relationships can help accelerate growth and success through a common commitment to learning, encouragement and accountability. Pete Sorensen, Vice President Strategic Initiatives at ConnectWise joins us to help kick off IT Channel Summit and IT Nation Connect with some thoughts about the power of community. Highlights include:The IT Nation Mission for the community is "Wise Together, Rise Together".A focus to provide resources and support for the vendors in the community.The peer group story often goes from, 'misery loves company' to 'I can learn and not make mistakes myself,' and then to 'benchmarking' and success. Viewing mentorship as a gift.Pete’s love for the Iowa State football program.Leadership lessons learned from the farm and his familyFollow Pete on LinkedIn and visit ConnectWise.com to learn more about the IT Nation community.

Episode 104: The Beauty of Partnerships

Being able to identify and collaborate with the right partnerships can enhance your presence and your joint mission of increasing revenue, driving growth and for delivering value more effectively. Strategic partnering is about synergy as they can be a powerful tool for growth, innovation, and competitiveness.Purav Shah, Principal Sales Lead at AWS shares his thoughts about what it takes to build successful partnerships. Highlights include:3 Partnership types, from those who help access technology and expertise; those who help expand reach and expertise; and those who help increase sales and profit.Keys to successful partnerships include being customer centric, being aligned on shared objectives and finding a champion.You have to ask, 'what makes our relationship compelling and different?'Leading with empathy fosters trust, loyalty, increases productivity and well-being.In developing leaders, you have to lead with empathy and foster a 'high performing and inclusive environment'.How AI and technology will impact how leaders perform.Importance of mentorship and ensuring that underrepresented communities get access.Follow Purav on LinkedIn to learn more about his passion for developing and strengthening both partnerships and leaders

Episode 103: Relationships are Key to Growth

Why do relationships matter, and why are they essential for long-term success and growth? Trust is the foundation of healthy, thriving relationships, acting as the key currency that strengthens connections. Now may be an ideal time to conduct a "temperature check" with your current customers and strategic partners to assess and deepen these bonds.Chris Black, Chief Revenue Officer at Jolera, shares about the importance of cultivating existing relationships and leveraging strategic alliances for incredible growth and success.Highlights include:Jolera’s approach to building globally and the strength of their partnership with Lenovo; their depth of expertise and engagement.Finding talent all over the world.It’s about quality over quantity. Focusing on activity based selling and the power of understanding.Insight into his soon to be released book, which features his sales strategies and methodology for training; including MIA, which stands for Measurement, Inspection and Accountability.Are Conferences worth it? Follow Chris on LinkedIn and visit jolera.com to learn more about their MSP, their global reach and their partnership with Lenovo.

Episode 102: Deliver Responsible AI

As workflows become more automated and the use of cloud and communication platforms becomes more commonplace, organizations are understandably more concerned about their digital security postures. Prioritizing protection and delivering responsible AI are expected.Doug Fisher, Senior Vice President and Chief Security and AI Officer with Lenovo shares thoughts on Lenovo’s responsible AI governance initiative as well as guiding successful teams. Highlights include:Lenovo Pantheon platform.Military background and training as core to providing teams with structure, clarity of expectation and permission to lead.Teamwork and responsibility to deliver secure, ethical and reliable products.Joining the Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative (JCDC).Partnership with Formula One as they are all about performance.Lenovo Tech World 2024 Conference.His commitment to Oregon State University.Follow Doug on LinkedIn and visit lenovo.com

Episode 101: Magic Agents to the Rescue

“Death to the Ticket!” This is the war cry from an organization shaking up the MSP community. When you increase the ability to service the needs of your clients, you increase profit margins while reducing both costs and stress.Matt Linn, Cofounder and COO of Thread shares an exciting update to support IT solution providers.Highlights include:When you think service delivery, think integrated chat with Thread.AI Powered automation to remove the administrative burden.Life after becoming the 2023 PitchIT Accelerator Winner.The dynamics of what makes his partnership work with Co-Founder Mark Alayev.Essential that you maximize your 'time and attention', your opportunity to shine. Core Values of Radical, Intentional, Customer Craziness aka Customer Centricity.Magic Agents; an agent dynamic reasoning platform.Follow Matt on LinkedIn and visit getthread.com/ to request a free demo and to learn more about ‘Magic Agents.’

Episode 100: Help Secure Their World

For Managed Service Providers, sustainable growth is not just about increasing revenue; it’s about building a forward managed IT services model that adapts to their customers’ requirements while operating efficiently and increasing profits. There is an expectation of growth with a keen eye on managing costs. A strategy that many MSPs are implementing is that of aligning with industry partners who can help with sustainability and support best-of-class solutions. Kris Shoemaker, Head of Channel Sales, and Alexandra Kehayas, Head of Marketing at Cavelo share how their proactive all-in-one attack surface management solution is supporting those stated goals, including the opportunity for net new revenue streams. Cavelo's vision is to help MSPs gain greater visibility and insight 'into the world of their customers.'Highlights include:Create net new forms of revenue for your MSP.Elements of their platform to help offset current tool sets, lessen administration overhead and create net new revenue around data discovery and identity access management.Their Cavelo Connect Community.Resources including their ‘How to Conduct a PII Data Audit’ and 'The Definitive Guide to Attack Surface Management.'Their involvement as a PitchIT Accelerator Cohort. Alexandra's creativity and her Cavelo rap as well as Chris providings a Cavelo pitch.What's on the horizon for Cavelo.Follow Kris and Alexandra on LinkedIn and visit cavelo.com/ to learn more about their solutions and community.

Episode 99: Leverage AI to streamline content creation

AI is revolutionizing how businesses reach their target audience. Additionally, new opportunities are unlocked to better understand and expand engagement with your consumers. Being able to connect at this level could mean an increase in referrals as well as customer retention.Jessica Koehn, Social Media Manager at ConnectWiseshares how AI can be used to optimize content and brand messaging, while improving employee involvement. This is a special episode as we enter IT Nation Connect 24; a premier MSP event in Orlando, Florida. Highlights include:You build your brand when you "share something memorable."Can use AI as a brainstorming partner, to reproduce and repurpose content.IT Nation Connect Conference will feature incredible speakers and events, including a keynote by Tony Hawk & an appearance by Stone Temple Pilots. Employee Advocacy Program; need to make it easy to share content.Design of marketing campaigns to reflect the different generations; how to best connect with the attendees.How Jessica stays grounded, including the importance of time management.Follow Jessica on LinkedIn and visit connectwise.com/theitnation to learn more about the community. If you are in Orlando, Florida for IT Nation Connect, stop by Podcast Alley aka Media Row to see your favorite twins. Social Media Strategy for MSPs: https://tinyurl.com/yhbmds2wPrompt Engineering Guide: https://tinyurl.com/3t8n537j

Episode 98: Succeed with a Personal Touch

It costs much less to keep an existing client than to pursue a new one. This is why the personal touch has become increasingly vital to the overall success of any organization. A personal touch helps your customers feel valued and can be foundational for creating both loyalty and advocates.Dan Gilligan, President of IntegraMSP provides insight into why personal consideration is vital in an ever increasing impersonal world. This conversation is so refreshing, authentic and layered with tips on how to cultivate success with a personal touch. Highlights include:What led to the formation of IntegraMSP.Understanding your ICP.How Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) can become a game changer.Building a depth of trust that listens and welcomes solutions.Benefits of joining a peer group.Significance of "Walking your own dog."Personal touch with your clients with no hidden agendaFollow Dan on LinkedIn and visit integramsp.com/ to schedule a free consultation.