Humanize IT

287 - Handling Interruptions

28 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Interruptions are a way of life in engineering. However you also need to manage your time and projects. So how do you keep on track while managing tri...

286 - Proper Accountability

19 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Many leaders think accountability is all about having a stick to keep employees in line. However, accountability is more about measuring perceived va...

285 - Setting Business Pace

12 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

"If you always do what you have always done you will always get what you always have got" In the past few episodes we talked through QBRs a...

284 - A QBR's True Purpose (Part 4)

05 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Real world examples of what the results of a proper QBR are. In this episode Skip and Adam tell tales of how they were able to drive businesses forwar...

283 - QBR's True Purpose (Part 3)

29 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In part 3 of this series, we walk through a pragmatic approach to QBRs. What should we actually talk about during a QBR, specifically what topics and ...

282 - QBR's True Purpose (Part 2)

22 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In Part 2 Skip and Adam talk in depth about how you can tell if you are actively listening to your client. This is important because many people think...

281 - QBR's True Purpose (Part 1)

15 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If car salespeople treated their customers the way MSPs did...they would never sell anything. No moment in a MSP's cycle shows this problem more t...

280 - A Bad Plan is Better Than No Plan

08 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes we think if we just work hard good things will happed. However, if you do not put order into a system it will just become more disordered. T...

279 - Happy New Year 2024

01 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

2024 What is going to happen here? It is an election year, and we missed a recession, so what does this mean for consumer confidence? What about MSPs?...

278 - Merry Christmas 2023

25 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It is time for the holiday that marks the end of the year. So we keep this short and talk through the year. We salute those of you who have to work c...

277 - The Importance of Impatience

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Impatience: The anger you feel when the computer is being lazy. This makes you write programs that don't just react to your needs, but actually an...

276 - The Virtue of Hubris

11 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hubris: The quality that makes you write (and maintain) programs that other people won't want to say bad things about. This extends to so much of ...

275 - The Value of Laziness

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Laziness: The quality that makes you go to great effort to reduce overall energy expenditure. In this episode, Skip and Adam talk through the value ...

274 - Blind Spots and How to Find Them

01 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone has blind spots, do you know yours? How can you find out and what is the cost of having blind spots? In this episode seasoned veterans Adam a...

273 - Turkey Day 2023

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This coming week marks the beginning of the end of the year. Since it is a 2-day holiday it kills the week and bleeds into the Christmas season. So wh...

272 - The Importance of Culture

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Culture is often ignored when it comes to tech companies. What kind of culture are you creating? What kind of culture to you want to foster among your...

271 - Using SWOT for Risk Analysis

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mike Giovaninni and Adam Walter will be giving a talk at 4:00 Friday November 10th at IT Nation connect. This podcast is a preview of that talk and ho...

270 - How to Listen

30 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you been told you need to be a better listener? Well so have we, well 'We' actually means Adam. So, how do you listen better, what does i...

269 - The Chaos of October

23 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

October is an odd month, it seems so simple and easy, just one holiday at the end of the month. So why is it always so chaotic? In this episode, Skip ...

268 - The Price of Perfection

16 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever wonder if there is a cost to being perfect? In this episode, we talk about how to become better rather than perfect. How you can stall you...

267 - Dungeons, Dragons, Halos & Ninjas

09 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

At Build IT Live 2023, we met great people and had great conversations. We recorded this conversation with Jonathan Crowe about community building. C...

266 - Overcoming Analysis Paralysis

02 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Some MSPs call it firefighting mode, some just are feeling overwhelmed. Whatever you call it, you are overwhelmed by the amount of data and items comi...

265 - The Future of IT (ITBD Part 2)

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wonder what the future of MSPs look like? In this episode get practical advice as to what the next 5-10 years look like for IT Service Providers....

264 - How to Build IT (Part 1)

11 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How do you build a successful MSP? In this episode, Sunny Kaila and Bill Smelzer talk about the experience and give advice. What is important? What s...

263 - Business vs Engineering

04 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Engineers are nerds and business analysis are beer drinking flunkies right? Many people have this view of us vs them when it comes to engineering. He...

262 - Proper QBRs

28 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of our favorite topics revisited. In February we talked about putting the B back in QBR. This time we talk through HOW to accomplish a proper QBR ...

261 - Finding Clients

21 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We often get asked how to find clients as an MSP. In this episode, Skip and Adam talk through lessons learned on how to find clients that fit your cul...

260 - Toxic MSPs

14 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A certainty in life is that we can unknowingly be toxic while having great intentions. In the case of MSPs we can set up client relationships for fail...

259 - The Last Half of the Year

07 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We tend to push our to-do list off until later or sometime thinking we will get to it then. However, when it comes to annual planning the year is dece...

258 - Redefine Client Expectations

31 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Many MSPs are simply seen as a reseller of technology and a service/maintenance organization. You need to re-define how your clients see you so that t...

257 - Things We Used to Know

24 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As professionals, there are things you know in certain contexts. A desktop admin may be able to patch a cable in seconds from memory while a Server ad...

256 - Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing

17 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Too often we get lost in good intentions. We fail not because we are being lazy, rather that we are not focusing on the right areas. You can spend a h...

255 - Wrong Kind of Engineer

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As IT engineers we constantly have to step outside our box, whether it is trying to understand structural engineering while pulling wires or building ...

254 - MSP Personas: The CIO

03 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

CIOs can be a tricky position to define for MSPs as in some sense many MSP leaders have always been in a CIO role, however what that role meant has ch...

253 - CFO Persona

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we want to talk through what a CFO persona looks like within an organization. What do they care about...where are they at mentally? Spoiler...

252 - MSP Personas: The CISO

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Part 2 of our series on MSP personas. We have the CISO which is a role that intertwines everything, we break down this role and what it is as well as ...

251 - MSP Personas: The CEO

22 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the last episode we talked through how MSPs have so many personas and hats to wear. This week we break down the CEO role and how to focus. What som...

250 - MSP Personas

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

MSPs owners wear many hats, somedays you are a CFO making sure to collect payments and ensure bills are covered. Other days you are a CEO planning th...

249 - The Power of Simplification

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We often create a heap in front of us of work and say "I will just chip away at it". In reality, we just always have pressure on us to perfo...

248 - The Goal of Business

01 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

So many MSPs seem to think they know exactly what their client's goals are and what they need. This is a key indicator that they are on the left s...

247 - The Care and Feeding of Meat Computers (Part 2)

24 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Last episode we really boiled the conversation down to: The care and feeding of others and the care and feeding of ourselves. In this episode, Elizabe...

246 - Care and Feeding of Meat Computers (Part 1)

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We are great at updating computers and maintaining them. So you would think it would be easy enough to apply maintenance to ourselves. In this insight...

245 - Thought Leadership 2023

10 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Identifying Thought Leaders is hard. Sometimes it is easy to get swept up listening to a great speaker and confuse them for a thought leader. For refe...

244 - State of the Union 2023

27 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In 2021 we began the merger process between Virtual C, Manged Services Platform and the birth of HumanizeIT. How is that going? What are the ups and d...

243 - Automation is the Frenemy

20 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Automation can be your best friend and save you hundred of hours. It can also be your worst enemy when overused and customer service takes a turn for ...

242 - The Power of Validation

13 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It is great when you drink your own kool-aid and have a lot of confidence in your own ideas, however, it is also hazardous.  To honestly know if ...

241 - The Perspective of Success (Part 2)

06 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kyle Christensen and Adam Walter continue the conversation of "What does Success look like?"  In the first session we talked about the problem of...

240 - Perspective of Success (Part 1)

27 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How do you define success?  Do you know when you are moving towards your goal?  In this episode Adam and Kyle Christensen talk through how w...

239 - Putting the B back in QBR (Part 2)

20 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

So we talked in part 1 about how  QBRs are more like QTRs and all the things wrong with this.  In this episode we talk through how and why t...

238 - Putting the B back in QBR (Part 1)

13 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Many engineers don't understand how to talk business in QBRs.  So they fall back on the familiar and talk about technical things. However, QBRs a...

237 - Letting go of Expertise

06 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The knowledge you have today may not be useful tomorrow. It may become outdated or you might move to a new context or the tech you have might not be r...

236 - From Engineer to Leader

30 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are fewer professions where the Peter Principle is more prevalent than engineering.  Just because you are a great engineer does not mean yo...

235 - The Biggest Problem Facing MSPs Today

23 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What is the biggest issue facing MSPs today?  In this episode Skip and Adam rant about how MSPs are being brainwashed into solving the wrong prob...

134 - Treat People Like People (Part 2)

16 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the first episode (with that horrible audio in the middle) Bruce and Adam discussed the issue that we don't treat people like human beings anymore....

133 - Treat People Like People (Part 1)

09 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In business we tend to treat individuals like clients, opportunities, processes, everything except for people.  In this engaging hard hitting epi...

132 - Crystal Ball 2023

02 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What will 2023 bring?  Skip and Adam do their best to predict what to prepare for in 2023 with the upcoming recession.  What should you focu...

231 - 2022 Year in Review

19 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

2022 is coming to an end, so we are taking some time to recap the highlights of this awesome year, as well as touch on some of the things we will be w...

230 - All Work and No Play

12 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Work life balance is hard. In this episode we talk through the importance of finding some joy in life.

229 - Lessons Learned 2022

05 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Reviewing your lessons for the year is very important, this podcast walks you through the importance of discussing what went well, what could have bee...

228 - Happy Holidays

28 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It is the season!

227 - Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork

21 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It is almost cliche but IT departments exist in silos.  We see everyone not technical as outsiders. What if...we treated them like teammates with...

226 - IT Nation Roundtable Discussion

15 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Be a fly on the wall and join  Vonahi, AlertOps  as we discuss IT Nation 2022 highlights.  Also guest star appearances from Tom Lawrenc...

225 - The Value of Authenticity

07 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Following formulas is easy, however, there is no replacement for Genuine Authenticity when dealing with clients.  Listen to learn more!

224 - Compliance for Engineers: Part 2

31 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Last week we talked about what MSPs are doing wrong when it comes to compliance. Now, we are discussing the bountiful benefits that can come when comp...

223 - Compliance for Engineers: Part 1

24 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we’re talking about why engineers should care about compliance. To understand, it helps to really know what compliance is. Essentially, i...

222 - Why your clients avoid meetings Part 2

17 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

So now you know why your clients are avoiding meetings,  in this episode we walk you though how to get them to join!

221 - Why your clients avoid meetings Part 1

10 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A common complaint we hear from MSPs is "Clients don't attend meetings".  In reality...they are going to meetings, they are just avoiding yours. ...

220 - The Power of Physical Presence

03 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Communication is so much more than just words.  Sometimes we need to be physically present to be understood and make an honest connection.

The Ultimate MSP Podcast Crossover!

30 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It is finally here the Ultimate MSP Podcast Crossover! Listen in on an action-packed episode as skip and friends discuss an amazing series of topics!

219 - The Power of Collaboration

26 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Talking with people is very different than talking to them.  In this episode Skip and Adam talk through how collaboration is accomplished.

218 - Stop Wasting Words - Part 2

19 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing the epic conversation with Sean Mahr!

217 - Stop Wasting Words Part 1

12 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, author Sean Mahar joins us to discuss the concept of his book, Stop Wasting Words: Leading Through Conscious Communication. What does it me...

216 - Its The Little Things

05 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It is the little things that make all the difference to your clients.  Don't overlook what it is that your client finds meaningful.

215 - Automated Pentesting and Profit: Part 2

29 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Now that you know about pentests...how do we use them to drive profit?

214 - Automated Pentesting and Profit: Part 1

19 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Vulnerability assessments and pen testing are not what they once were. In fact, they have drastically changed within recent years to offer automated s...

213 - Rebranding Humanize IT

15 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Humanize IT - The new face of Managed Services Platform Human - it’s a small word that carries a lot of weight. It’s what we are and connects us t...

212 - Dimes Dollars and Profit

08 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

SOmetimes you are so busy trying to get dimes that you miss the dollars.  In this eposide Skip and Adam hit on the hard topic of profits and wher...

211 - Gap Analysis for Profit

01 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How can gap analysis result in higher profits for your MSP?  Stay tuned!

210 - Right Person Right Seat

25 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How do we get good hires?  What steps do you need to take to ensure you retain them.  In this episode Skip and Adam discuss the ever present...

209 - How to Get Out of Firefighting Mode

18 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this eposide Skip and Adam discuss how to get out of firefighting mode so you can be proactive about managing client projects!

208 - Why tech companies suck at risk analysis

11 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tech Companies focus on the wrong item for Risk Analysis,  why is this?  Today we deep dive on the 'why' of risk analysis and keep you from ...

207 - PitchIT Volume 2

04 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The conversation continues with Sean Lardo and Adam Walter regarding PitchIT and some of the tips we have on communicating with clients effectively!

206 - PitchIT Volume 1

27 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sean and Adam kick it off with PitchIT but eventually get on to the topic of how to build business and focus on what really matters.

205 - Evolution of Entertainment

20 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What does Entertainment have to do with running a business?  How can the progession of entertainment over the last 30 years help with your busine...

204 - Fix Your Webinars

13 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you tired of boring webinars? Well, we’ll help you keep people engaged.

203 - Opportunity Preparation and Failure

06 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Opportunities fall into place when you are prepped and in line with your company’s goals. In this episode, we discuss how to use preparation and fai...

202 - MSP Culture

30 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You might be wondering what the difference is between the culture of the corporate and MSP world. Well, today we’re talking about it!

201 - The Importance of Vacations

23 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

All humans have one thing in common: a need for rest and recuperation. Learn about the important balance between work and rest and how taking a break ...

200 - Why Are You in Tech?

16 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Wow, 100 episodes! What better way to celebrate than to chat about how we got into IT in the first place.

199 - Your Audio Sucks

09 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Testing, testing. One, two, three. Can you hear us clearly? Today, we’re tackling the topic of good and bad audio and how it can make all the differ...

198 - Are you a Bad MSP?

02 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You may not know how to test your performance as an MSP. We’ve got some metrics for you to see if you are doing well or need improvement.

197 - Sales vs Engineering

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We’re looking at the big question: which is more important, sales or engineering? Listen to us duke it out and determine the answer!

196 - 2022 Book Recommendations

18 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Want to know a great way to relax and become more creative? Read! That’s right, today we’re talking about the all-important topic of books. Let’...

195 - Value of Relationships

11 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Relationships are valuable for both MSPs and their clients. Learn how to deepen relationships, and how it will help your business grow.

194 - Tech and Teens

04 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve ever wondered what a teenager thinks about technology, you will not want to miss this! Hear from Lizzy Walter about her thoughts on all th...

193 Dumb Mistakes

28 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dumb mistakes happen to everyone. But, what is your response when dumb mistakes do happen? There is a way that these silly mistakes can make you bette...

192 - Operations vs Strategy

21 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When operations and strategy work together, it’s a beautiful thing! Learn about how important each of these aspects is in this week’s episode.

191 - Talk like a CEO

14 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Last week, our focus was talking like a CFO. This week, we’re tackling how to talk like a CEO! The CEO’s opinion is extremely important and follow...

190 - Talk like a CFO

07 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

CFOs may seem to only cause problems in purchasing, but if you learn to talk like them, they can become one of your greatest assets.

189 - Powerpoint Costs You Clients

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Boring reports and lectures will never land you more clients no matter how you dress them up.  You need engagement!