Uncle Marv's IT Business Podcast

Importance of Effective Communication in Business

Listen in as we unravel the complex layers of communication and conflict resolution that IT professionals often grapple with when they step away from their machines and into leadership roles. We touch on a variety of challenges that tech experts face, from enhancing their leadership abilities to managing the return of cloud-based workloads to on-premises solutions, offering insights that aim to refine your leadership skills in an ever-evolving business landscape.

Karen and I shed light on the critical nature of respecting personal time within professional settings and how assertiveness in communication can uphold that respect. We dissect the concept of shared responsibility in both workplace relationships and personal interactions, underlining the 50/50 approach to conflict resolution. We dive further into the intricacies of training and onboarding, stressing the dual responsibilities leaders and employees share in fostering a productive and engaged learning environment.

Karen highlights the impact of communication on business relationships, emphasizing the need for tech professionals to enhance their communication skills to foster positive interactions with clients and colleagues.

The Importance of Proactive Leadership

Our conversation takes you through the importance of assertive leadership, proactive strategies to create a thriving workplace culture, and the essential tools to prepare for successful negotiations and challenging dialogues. The conversation also touches on the common challenges leaders face, like time constraints and lack of knowledge, which can lead to a reactive rather than proactive approach to management.

We explore simple, free strategies to improve workplace communication, emphasizing the importance of ceasing gossip to build trust among team members. Karen recommends using breathing exercises, like box breathing, to maintain composure during challenging moments, whether it's presenting at a meeting or navigating conflict resolution.

Despite encountering some audio glitches, the conversation provides valuable takeaways for IT professionals. We explore the complexities of communication in professional environments, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities for individuals looking to elevate their leadership and communication competencies in the IT sector.

Links from the show:

Cairn (Human Made Rock Stack): http://tinyurl.com/37zr7yn2

Why Companies are Leaving the Cloud: http://tinyurl.com/yc2yt5nz

ConnectWise Revolutionizes the Future with Robotic Process Automation (RPA): http://tinyurl.com/59bc2uhh

Applications Open for ConnectWise PitchIT Program: http://tinyurl.com/4uyzxy4h

Florida Man Arrested at WaWa over Handicap Spot: http://tinyurl.com/5fe99wu8

Website: https://karenknab.com/

=== Show Information

• Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/
• Host: Marvin Bee
• Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ
• Become a monthly supporter: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

Uncle Marv shares his recent experience migrating mailboxes and data files to SharePoint Online and Microsoft 365 for a referral client. The project, involving 14 mailboxes for 10 users, presented challenges such as limited access to the previous hosting environment and mailboxes exceeding size limits. Marv highlights how PowerShell became essential for overcoming these obstacles, performing tasks more efficiently than the Microsoft 365 portal would allow. He emphasizes that while the portal is task-oriented, PowerShell’s object-oriented nature provides greater flexibility and speed, especially when dealing with multiple mailboxes or complex configurations.

Marv provides practical advice for those new to using PowerShell with Exchange Online, including running PowerShell as an administrator, using a dedicated admin account with multi-factor authentication, and keeping the Exchange Online management module updated. He also shares specific scripts he used during the migration, such as those for gathering mailbox information, enabling auto-expanding archives, and removing "prohibit send receive" statuses. Marv encourages listeners to download the scripts he used, test them out, and provide feedback for improvement.

Why Listen:

This episode provides valuable insights into how PowerShell can streamline Microsoft 365 migrations and other IT tasks. Whether you're new to PowerShell or looking to expand your scripting skills, you'll gain practical knowledge and actionable tips to improve your efficiency and effectiveness.

What You'll Learn:

• Why PowerShell is often better and faster than the Microsoft 365 portal for certain tasks.
• Best practices for connecting to Exchange Online using PowerShell.
• How to use PowerShell scripts to gather mailbox information and manage mailbox settings.
• How to enable auto-expanding archives and resolve mailbox quota issues using PowerShell.
• The importance of embracing PowerShell as a valuable tool in the modern IT landscape.

Actionable Tips:

• Always run PowerShell as an administrator for necessary permissions
• Use a dedicated admin account with multi-factor authentication for enhanced security
• Regularly update the Exchange Online management module
• Start with basic PowerShell scripts and gradually expand your knowledge

Links:

• Download my PDF of PowerShell Scripts: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/downloads/365-exchange-powershell/

=== SPONSORS

• Premier Partner: NetAlly

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• Item Title: Upbeat & Fun Sports Rock Logo
• Item URL: https://elements.envato.com/upbeat-fun-sports-rock-logo-CSR3UET
• Item ID: CSR3UET
• Author Username: AlexanderRufire
• Licensee: Marvin Bee
• Registered Project Name: IT Business Podcast
• License Date: January 1st, 2024
• Item License Code: 7X9F52DNML

=== Show Information

• Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/
• Host: Marvin Bee
• Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ
• Become a monthly supporter: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

Why Listen?

This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the innovative mindset driving ThreatLocker's success. You'll gain insights into the latest advancements in Zero Trust security, understand how to leverage data for better decision-making, and learn how ThreatLocker caters to both MSPs and enterprise clients. Plus, you'll hear an entertaining story about an Iron Man suit and a charity auction!

ThreatLocker Insights

Danny highlights Insights as a personal project, emphasizing its ability to improve all of ThreatLocker's products by providing visibility into false positives, inefficient ring-fencing policies, and early detection of updates.

MSP vs. Enterprise Focus

The discussion explores ThreatLocker's approach to serving both MSPs and enterprise clients, acknowledging the different integration needs while emphasizing that the fundamental security principles remain the same.

The Zero Trust Journey

Danny reflects on his early days in IT and how his desire to make things better led him to the Zero Trust world, driven by a passion for continuous learning and a vision for world-changing impact.

Companies, Products, and Books Mentioned

• ThreatLocker: https://www.threatlocker.com/
• Kaseya: https://www.kaseya.com/
• ConnectWise: https://www.connectwise.com/
• NinjaOne: https://www.ninjaone.com/
• Splunk: https://www.splunk.com/
• ServiceNow: https://www.servicenow.com/

=== SPONSORS

• Premier Partner, NetAlly: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/netally/
• Internet Provider, Rythmz: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/rythmz
• Production Gear Partner, Liongard: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/liongard
• Digital Partner, Designer Ready: http://itbusinesspodcast.com/designerready
• Travel Partner, TheatLocker: https://www.threatlocker.com/

=== MUSIC LICENSE CERTIFICATE

• Item Title: Upbeat & Fun Sports Rock Logo
• Item URL: https://elements.envato.com/upbeat-fun-sports-rock-logo-CSR3UET
• Item ID: CSR3UET
• Author Username: AlexanderRufire
• Licensee: Marvin Bee
• Registered Project Name: IT Business Podcast
• License Date: January 1st, 2024
• Item License Code: 7X9F52DNML

=== Show Information

• Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/
• Host: Marvin Bee
• Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ
• Become a monthly supporter: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

Uncle Marv kicks off this episode with Melissa Hockenberry. Melissa recounts her early days at Autotask, how she transitioned from retail and non-profit roles into the tech industry, and her passion for customer success. They explore Melissa's transition into consulting, driven by a desire to help MSPs improve their customer relationships and business processes.

Melissa shares her insights on how MSPs can enhance customer experience by focusing on empathy and clear communication. She challenges the common practice of discounting block hours and emphasizes the importance of understanding customer profitability. They explore the significance of building trust and ease in customer interactions.

The conversation also touches on the importance of employee motivation and creating a consistent customer journey. Melissa emphasizes the need for MSPs to define their identity and vision to drive strategic decision-making and achieve sustainable growth.

From Retail to Tech: Melissa shares her journey from JCPenney and the United Way to becoming a product support specialist at Autotask, highlighting the unexpected turns and valuable lessons learned along the way. Her story emphasizes the importance of being open to new opportunities and leveraging diverse experiences.

The Customer Empathy Gap: Melissa discusses the lack of empathy she often sees among MSPs and stresses the importance of understanding the customer's perspective. She advocates for putting on "customer goggles" to better anticipate customer needs and improve communication.

Profitability and Pricing Strategies: Melissa challenges the conventional wisdom of discounting block hours and urges MSPs to focus on profitability. She emphasizes the importance of aligning pricing strategies with business goals and rewarding desired customer behaviors.

Building Relationships for Retention: Melissa emphasizes that strong customer relationships drive customer retention and, ultimately, revenue growth. This approach is presented as a more sustainable alternative to constantly chasing new customers.

Why Listen?

This episode provides valuable insights for MSPs looking to improve customer retention, increase profitability, and build a sustainable business. Melissa's unique background and practical advice offer a fresh perspective on the challenges and opportunities in the IT industry.

Companies, Tools, Books & Websites Mentioned

• Kaseya:https://www.kaseya.com/
• JCPenney:https://www.jcpenney.com/
• United Way: https://www.unitedway.org/
• First Things First Training and Consulting: https://ftftac.com/
• First Thing First, by Consumed by Fire: https://tinyurl.com/3xk3p7zr
• Forbes:https://www.forbes.com/

=== SPONSORS

• Premier Partner: NetAlly
• Internet Provider: Rythmz
• Digital Partner: Designer Ready

=== MUSIC LICENSE CERTIFICATE

• Item Title: Upbeat & Fun Sports Rock Logo
• Item URL: https://elements.envato.com/upbeat-fun-sports-rock-logo-CSR3UET
• Item ID: CSR3UET
• Author Username: AlexanderRufire
• Licensee: Marvin Bee
• Registered Project Name: IT Business Podcast
• License Date: January 1st, 2024
• Item License Code: 7X9F52DNML

=== Show Information

• Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/
• Host: Marvin Bee
• Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ
• Become a monthly supporter: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

Why Listen?

This episode offers a unique perspective on Mac security within a business context. Slava’s insights into nation-state attacks, combined with practical advice on hardening your systems, make this a must-listen for any IT professional or business owner concerned about cybersecurity. Learn about the latest ThreatLocker features for Mac OS and how to implement a zero-trust security model to protect your organization from evolving threats.

Main Highlights

In this episode, Uncle Marv chats with Slava Konstantinov from ThreatLocker about the world of Mac security in the enterprise environment. Slava shares his journey from a Windows-centric background to becoming ThreatLocker’s Mac OS guru, highlighting the unique challenges and security considerations of the Apple ecosystem.

Mac Security in the Enterprise

Slava explains the differences in security approaches between Mac and Windows, particularly around permissions and user access. He highlights how tools like MDM can help manage these permissions in enterprise environments and make the user experience more seamless.

Slava's Journey into Cybersecurity

Slava recounts his early experiences dealing with Windows malware and adware, which ultimately led him to embrace the Mac platform. He discusses his transition into cybersecurity and his current role at ThreatLocker, focusing on Mac OS development and security solutions.

Nation-State Cybersecurity Threats

Slava shares insights into the growing threat of nation-state actors targeting businesses and critical infrastructure. He discusses how these sophisticated attackers use zero-day vulnerabilities to infiltrate systems and remain undetected, emphasizing the need for robust security measures.

ThreatLocker Product Updates for Mac

Slava discusses the latest ThreatLocker product updates and their availability for Mac OS, including web control, user store, and patch management. He highlights the company's commitment to providing comprehensive security solutions across both Windows and Mac platforms.

Applying the Advice

Listeners can immediately apply Slava's advice by reviewing their current security settings on both Windows and Mac devices. Businesses should consider implementing a zero-trust security model and providing cybersecurity training for employees. Additionally, exploring tools like ThreatLocker can provide an extra layer of protection against sophisticated threats.

=== SPONSORS

• Premier Partner, NetAlly: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/netally/
• Internet Provider, Rythmz: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/rythmz
• Production Gear Partner, Liongard: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/liongard
• Digital Partner, Designer Ready: http://itbusinesspodcast.com/designerready
• Travel Partner, TheatLocker: https://www.threatlocker.com/

=== MUSIC LICENSE CERTIFICATE

• Item Title: Upbeat & Fun Sports Rock Logo
• Item URL: https://elements.envato.com/upbeat-fun-sports-rock-logo-CSR3UET
• Item ID: CSR3UET
• Author Username: AlexanderRufire
• Licensee: Marvin Bee
• Registered Project Name: IT Business Podcast
• License Date: January 1st, 2024
• Item License Code: 7X9F52DNML

=== Show Information

• Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/
• Host: Marvin Bee
• Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ
• Become a monthly supporter: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast