585: Interview With Ben Greiner founder of Forget Computers, Apple champion and growth advisor at Addigy

Join us as we welcome back Ben Greiner, founder of Forget Computers and Apple champion and growth advisor at Addigy. In this engaging discussion, Ben reflects on his over 20-year journey in the Apple MSP world, the evolving landscape of IT management, and his role at Addigy. Ben shares insights on the integration of Apple-focused services into larger Windows-managed environments, the importance of compliance, and how Apple's advanced tools are setting new standards in the industry. This episode is filled with invaluable tips for MSPs looking to expand their Apple service offerings and successfully navigate the merger and acquisition landscape.

The hosts reflect on the 10 years in between Ben’s appearances.

Ross Matsuda, another CCP guest, also worked for Forget Computers.

Early on, Ben created Robot Cloud. This has since morphed into Vision Bot at Ntiva.

Ben talks about adapting to client needs.

Ben advises to look at the management tools that only focus on Apple products like Jamf, Kandji, and Addigy.

We get into how Ben switched from Jamf to Addigy.

Switching MDMs was harder than switching communication tools.

Most small MSPs are under one million in revenue a year.

Ben talks about how the 10,000 Small Business program by Goldman Sachs helped his business grow.

Forget Computers was acquired by Ntiva. Ben takes us down that road.

Apple vs Windows Support - it is difficult for Windows MSPs to make the shift to support the Apple platform.

Standardizing Apple Device Management

Proactive vs Reactive Device Enrollment

Ben works with existing customers to help them grow with Addigy.

Ben brings up the shift to Declarative Device Management

Compliance Standards and Challenges - is Windows really better built for business than Apple? Or has that paradigm shifted?

Jerry wants to know more about the 1Password acquisition on Kolide.

What is the future of Device Management and Security?

You can find Ben Greiner on LinkedIn.

Patreon Show -570: Client Management, Time Tracking, and Avoiding Tech Pitfalls

In this patron-only episode of Command Control Power, the hosts discuss various behind-the-scenes aspects of managing an IT consulting business. They express gratitude to their supporters and announce new merchandise. The episode dives into challenges related to client management, including dealing with difficult points of contact and navigating tech pitfalls. The team shares experiences about their approaches to billing, recording time, and handling client demands versus actual business needs. The episode also touches on the potential usefulness of AI and time-tracking tools to improve productivity and transparency in their workflows.

Best Of CCP - 168: Interview With Guillaume Gète - Consultant & DiskMaker X Developer

432: Skin In The Game - Part 1 with Tim Nyberg of The MacGuys+

Topics:

-Tim Nyberg joins us as a guest co-host

-Half of Tim’s small business clients have either gone away or gone out of business.

-Tim had to adjust his business to being a “one man show” again.

-The stress of letting people go is tough for any business owner.

-Joe’s latest newsletter impresses Jerry.

-The frequency of newsletters and their purpose is debated and discussed.

-Infusionsoft is Tim’s CRM. He uses RepairShopr as well.

-Another consideration is the ratio of educational vs marketing newsletters.

-Naturally, the conversation begins to shift to sole proprietors vs a small business with employees.

-What questions are you trying to answer in your business model?

-Joe talks about how he used to carry RAM in his bag when he visited clients.

-The Personal Support Plan by Watchman Monitoring was the spark for some consultancies using the MSP model.

-As we discuss the age old question of charging for Watchman Monitoring, Jerry has gone the route of moving clients to a larger package to include Addigy MDM as well. 

333: Justin Esgar of ACEs Conference 2020 & Virtua Computers

This week we welcome Justin Esgar of Virtua Consulting Group & Virtua Computers

-ACEs Conference just completed its 5th year!

-2019 introduced a new format of less speakers and more round table discussions

-ACEs 2020 has been announced!  May 19-20 in Atlanta, GA

-Code CCP at www.acesconf.com will get you 10% off ticket prices

-Justin talks about his support team including his wife, employees, and board of directors.

-Coopetition, a term that Kim Mannit coined, is a big part of the discussion in how the Apple consultants community operates

-Justin recently rebranded his business, Virtua Computers, to Virtua Consulting Group.  This change incorporates his different businesses into one umbrella.

-A new product from Virtua is Your Computer Inventory, where you can share specific computer inventory information with your clients: www.yourcomputerinventory.com

-Justin talks about learning from his app, SignMyPad, where he sold it at a price in the App Store but didn’t have a subscription model that became popular years later.

Thank you to our Patreon sponsors!

297: Interview with Justin Esgar of ACEs Conference 2019 & Virtua Computers

Topics:

-It's almost the time of year again for the ACEs Conference.  This week Justin Esgar joins Joe, Jerry, & Sam to talk about ACEs 2019 - to be held June 4-6 in Kansas City, MO (NOT to be confused with Kansas City, KS) 

-Work/life balance was a theme of ACEs 2018 that Joe really loved.  Both Joe & Sam attended the morning yoga session on day 1.

-Justin's wife as well as his Board of Directors have been key to making ACEs successful: Alan Hancock, Adam Engst, Andy Espo, Will O'Neal

-After feedback from previous years, Justin and his team have implemented a new theme where participants will be able to meet in small groups and get feedback and help from their peers.

-The Keynote this year is Sgt Major Fenton Reese

-Brian Best is back for year 5.  Will he be presenting in a tuxedo?

-Justin's own company, Virtua Computers, was changed dramatically from the conference and his yearly revenue reflected this.

-One piece of advice is to research and go all in on the tools you will need for your clients. Whether it's Addigy for RMM (Remote Monitoring & Management), Zendesk for ticketing, JumpCloud for SSO (Single Sign On) or Apple Business Manager.

-Automating and perfecting your processes is not only going to make your clients successful, but it will set your staff up for success as well.

-Justin shares some of how he bills his monthly services 

-Virtua also does Dark Web scanning for his clients.  He uses ID Agent for that service

-Keeping an ongoing relationship with the client is an important factor that makes those money conversations that much easier

-Justin quizzes the group with a typical interview question