Nothing Happens by Itself
Copyright © 2021 Karl W. Palachuk
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"The future is already here, it's just not widely distributed." - William Gibson
My favorite quote for the last few years is this bit of wisdom. It applies to all the "emerging" technologies.
Sometimes, we forget that we are often ahead of the rest of society. As technologists, we naturally see things that non-techies do not.
After Jeff Ponts reported to our Community on his experience with a VR-enabled conference, I did some exploring. I did a little research and I decided it was time to jump in. Stay tuned for a video on this.
Last week I ordered VR headsets for my staff and myself. We should all have them by tomorrow. Now we have to figure out how to start creating VR opportunities. If you have a VR headset and are interested in a meeting to discuss opportunities, send me an email.
Here are some non-game things I am looking forward to checking out:
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- VR conference/meeting
- Google Earth VR
- National Geographic
- Plays/shows/interactive dramas
- Travel apps
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- Guided meditations
- Facebook Spaces/Oculus Rooms
- Real 3d movies
- . . . things I haven't heard of yet
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I look forward to your comments and feedback. If you have a favorite VR experience that we should all check out, please let me know!
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CompTIA CCF Update
CompTIA's annual Communities and Councils forum was last week. It was much better than last year. Not to be too critical, but last year's event was "suddenly" virtual due to the Covid shutdown.
CompTIA has learned a lot in the last year (as I hope we all have). The most important change is that this year's event was much more interactive. One of the deadliest things to happen in the last year is recorded sessions presented as "meetings."
Anyway, if you haven't checked out CompTIA recently, head over to https://connect.comptia.org. And, if you want, get involved! All panels were recorded. |
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Calendar Updates!
James Kernan sent me updates for his live events in June, September, and December. This is his "Millionaire Mastermind" event.
Also, the Channel Strong roadshow continues this week.
Robin Robins' Big Seminar is scheduled for May.
IT Nation Secure will be live in June.
I saw the notice in CEPro magazine that CEDIA Expo is scheduled to be live in September. Registration opens June 9th.
See calendar below.
As the world opens up, please send me events/links for in-person events you hear about! And thank you to everyone who has sent me updates.
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Special invitation from my friend James Kernan:
Millionaire Mastermind Event
Attention Growth-Minded Business Owners
This business conference is two days of powerful information, instruction, and action to show you how to THRIVE in this economy.
These interactive workshops will get you working ON your business and not IN it!
Get the answers you need to grow your business – guaranteed.
Join us for our action-packed virtual event on March 25 & 26.
First come, first serve! Since this is a virtual event, there will be limited registrations available.
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One of my favorite classes (to teach) starts tomorrow. If you haven't take the Managing Your Service Board class, please check it out. I think you'll find that the checklists and exercises in this class will dramatically improve your business.
And if you HAVE taken it, remember that you can re-take the class at no additional charge. Ping Kara or me if you need assistance. Start here: www.greatlittleseminar.com.
I think that's all the news for now.
Stay well, and have a great week.
-- Karl W. Palachuk
:-)
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Starts Tomorrow!
Managing Your Service Board
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Starts March 23rd
Sign up Today
Managing Your Service Board – Setup, Core SOPs, and Daily Procedures
Course 5W10
Taught By: Karl W. Palachuk
This course covers the most important pieces of making your PSA (Professional Services Administration) service board work effectively. Your PSA is the brain center of your entire operation.
Most Managed Service Providers don't use their PSA systems efficiently. In fact, most of them only use 10-20% of the capabilities of their PSA. This costs you money because you have the tool to run everything in your business more effectively. But if you don't put the right information into the tool, then you can't get the reports you need to improve your business.
This course covers the daily operation of a managed service business - or any IT shop with a service board and one or more technicians who execute the service. It assumes you have a service board or PSA (Professional Services Administration) and a service manager.
Whether you sell “break fix” or flat fee services, a service board will take your company to the next level – if you use it right. In addition to covering setup and core standard operating procedures, we'll get into the "nitty gritty" of running a service board and managing the service department.
Which PSA?
This course is not PSA-specific. I used ConnectWise for four years in my business. Then I switched to Autotask and used that for five years. Eventually, I move to SolarWinds and used that for more than five years.
On top of all that, I've worked closely with coaching client who have used all of these products. This course is intended to apply to all PSAs. I will point out areas where differences are most obvious.
You will learn
- How tickets should flow into, through, and off of the service board
- How to set up the core components of a service board
- Priorities
- Statuses
- Workflows
- Time Estimates
- The most important processes and procedures for making the board work effectively once it's set up
- Introducing new processes to you employees
- Getting clients to understand the new processes
- Time tracking the right way
- The most important reports you need to run
- Every Day, Every Week, Every Month
- When it's time for client renewals
- Avoiding the biggest pitfalls with service board management
- Building an Action Plan that works
Additional Topics Listed here:
Delivered by Karl W. Palachuk, blogger and author of the very popular "SOP Friday" posts at https://blog.smallbizthoughts.com.
Includes five weeks of webinars with related handouts, assignments, and "office hours" with the instructor. All classes are recorded for download.
This course is intended for business owners and managers. It is particularly useful for the Service Manager or Operations Manager.
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Weekly Agenda
Week One
- Core Components
- Building Blocks of a Great Service Board
- Documentation
Week Two
- Core Processes and Procedures for Success
- Time Tracking the Right Way
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Week Three
- Implementation and Daily Processes
Week Four
- A Day In the Life of the Service Desk
- Policies that Drive Profitability
Week Five
- Build and Maintain a Well-Oiled Machine
- Getting the Details Right
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Only $299 per student
Includes five weeks of webinars with related handouts, assignments, and "office hours" with the instructor. All classes are recorded for download.
This course is intended for business owners and managers. It is particularly useful for the Service Manager or Operations Manager.
A Few Details . . .
- Each course will be five one-hour Zoom webinars
- There will be handouts and "homework" assignments
- Class webinars will be recorded and made available to paid attendees only.
- All calls start at 9:00 AM Pacific Time
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All the Resources That Are Fit to Print |
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Recent Blog Posts, Podcasts, and Videos |
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Small Biz Thoughts Blog:
Relax Focus Succeed:
SMB Community Podcast - New episodes drop every Thursday
The Killing IT Podcast - New episodes drop every Tuesday
The Cheeky Sales Coach Podcast / Video - New episodes drop every Wednesday
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SOP: Financial Goals - Getting Started |
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Selected Recent Videos and Webinars:
Note: We started auto-posting the podcasts to YouTube. Those are not listed here as YouTube Videos since they're listed under the podcasts above.
A quick guide to my Playlists:
- Total: More than 700 videos on the Small Biz Thoughts channel
- 275+ SOP videos
Plus . . .
- Training, Courses, Seminars on Managed Services
- Product Reviews
- and more
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Small Biz Thoughts Community News
SmallBizThoughts.org
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Ecommerce Program: Something to Show |
Kara said in last week's all-member meeting that she is eager to show our demo site for ecommerce. We might be able to spend some time on that Thursday the 25th at our regular weekly meeting.
Note also that I have comments on the recent Datto Commerce announcements. See member forums.
Remember - Live Community meetings every Thursday. Join us. The links are right at the top of your Dashboard.
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Reminder: Here are our upcoming Thursday meetings.
- March 25th - Regular Thursday meeting
- April 1st - SBT Roundtable with Dave Sobel
- April 8th - Regular Thursday meeting
- April 15th - Third-Thursday all-member meeting
- April 22nd - Regular Thursday meeting
- April 19th - Regular Thursday meeting
If you're a member, join us.
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Dave Sobel to Join the SBT Roundtable - April 1st
Long-time community leader Dave Sobel joins us for the April SBT Roundtable. Members will find the link in your Dashboard.
Dave is a former MSP and has worked with a few vendors. Currently, he runs the MSP Radio network, producing the Business of Tech podcast and videos.
And, of course, Dave is a co-host on the Killing IT podcast.
For many years, Dave has been a community builder and a pioneer in the SMB IT consulting community.
Members, plan to join us!
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In case you haven't see it yet, please check out the March News Video. This video is open to everyone, not just Community members.
Also note: Beginning Friday, March 26th, we are posting the Monthly Newsletter and video on the Final Friday of each month!
If you need something, please post a question in a forum or email Kara (your Community Manager) or me.
:-)
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I drive by this sign often
For about two years now, someone has had the job of cleaning up the graffiti while someone else is adamant that No Parking really needs to altered to No Barking.
I am not the culprit. But it seems to me that whoever it is will never stop until they get rid of the dog. I don't think the fixer actually realizes that.
:-)
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What's Here?
This calendar lists two kinds of things: LIVE in-person events from any organization that focuses on the SMB consulting community; and MY events, whether live, webinar, etc.
If you have live events on your calendar that may be useful to others in the SMB Community, please let us know. We'd be happy to list them.
Of course: Everything here is subject to change based on Covid. Click the links for the latest details. Please send updates so we can post them.
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March
Channel Strong Tour
March 22
Tampa, FL
Channel Strong Tour
March 23
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Channel Strong Tour
March 24
Orlando, FL
Channel Strong Tour
March 25
Jacksonville, FL
Channel Strong Tour
March 26
Atlanta, GA
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April
If you know of in-person events we should list, please let us know.
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May
ChannelPro SMB Forum - Hybrid Event
May 6, 2021
Chicago, Il
SMB Roadshow - Vancouver
May 11th
Tentative . . . but count on it!
Join me Live!
Robin Robins Big Seminar 2021
May 11 - May 14
Orlando, FL
SMB Roadshow - Toronto
May 13th
Tentative . . . but count on it!
Join me Live!
SMB Roadshow - Montreal
May 18th
Tentative . . . but count on it!
Join me Live!
ASCII Success Summit
May 19 & 20
Bethesda, MD
SMB Roadshow - Providence, RI
May 20th
Tentative . . . but count on it!
More info: https://www.smbroadshow.com
Join me Live!
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June
ChannelPro SMB Forum - Hybrid Event
June 9, 2021
Houston, Tx
ASCII Success Summit
June 16 & 17
Cincinnati, OH
IT Nation Secure
June 21-23
Orlando, FL
James Kernan's Millionaire Mastermind Event
Omaha, NE
June 24-25th
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July
ChannelPro SMB Forum - Hybrid Event
July 8, 2021
Raleigh, NC
ASCII Success Summit
July 21 & 22
Chicago, IL
Black Hat USA
July 31-August 5
Las Vegas, NV
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August
SMB Roadshow - Manchester, UK
August 10th
Tentative . . . but count on it!
More info: https://www.smbroadshow.com
Join me Live!
SMB Roadshow - Cardiff, UK
August 12th
Tentative . . . but count on it!
More info: https://www.smbroadshow.com
Join me Live!
SMB Roadshow - London, UK
August 17th
Tentative . . . but count on it!
More info: https://www.smbroadshow.com
Join me Live!
ASCII Success Summit
August 18 & 19
Raleigh, NC
SMB Roadshow - Amsterdam, NE
August 19th
Tentative . . . but count on it!
More info: https://www.smbroadshow.com
Join me Live!
SMB Roadshow - Berlin, Germany
August 21st
Tentative . . . but count on it!
More info: https://www.smbroadshow.com
Join me Live!
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September
CEDIA Expo
Sept 1-3
Indianapolis, IN
ChannelPro SMB Forum - Hybrid Event
Sept 2, 2021
Boston, MA
ITBOG (Business Owners Group) Cruise Conference
Sept. 3-6
Departs Miami
ASCII Success Summit
September 22 & 23
NY / NJ area
James Kernan's Millionaire Mastermind Event
San Diego, CA
Sept 23-24th
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October
ChannelPro SMB Forum - Hybrid Event
Oct 6, 2021
Atlanta, GA
DattoCon 2021
Oct 11-13
Seattle, WA (I think)
SMB IT Professionals National Conference - Australia
Oct 15-16
Surfer's Paradise
Join me Live. I'm going to do my best to be there!
ASCII Success Summit
October 27 & 28
Orlando, FL
I'm hoping there's a trip to the Gold Coast in my future. Stay tuned.
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November
ASCII Success Summit
November 3 & 4
Houston, TX
ChannelPro SMB Forum - Hybrid Event
Nov 16, 2021
Los Angeles, CA
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December
ASCII Success Summit
Orange County, CA - December 8 & 9
James Kernan's Millionaire Mastermind Event
Dallas, TX
Dec 9-10th
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If you know of in-person events we should list, please let us know.
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Note: If you know of any in-person event for SMB Consultants, please send info to karlp@greatlittlebook.com. |
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Small Biz Thoughts is a subsidiary of Great Little Book Publishing Co., Inc. |
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