TubbTalk - The Podcast for IT Consultants Richard Tubb

In this episode, Richard Tubb speaks to Craig Sharp, the founder of UK based MSP Abussi, one of the longest-running managed service providers in the country.
Craig founded Abussi in 1995 as a database supplier, and the business has transitioned over the past 26 years from software into break/fix hardware. Today they offer managed services, which they've been rocking for more than 15 years.
Craig is something of a go giver and incredibly knowledgeable on customer success and managed services and is always willing to help a fellow MSP.
Richard asks Craig how he started the business and where he got the name from, before delving deeper into what makes Abussi unique, including Craig’s decision to keep the business small and how they work on relationships to retain clients long-term.
Craig explains the business benefits for visiting your clients in-person and why he focuses on systems and processes rather than tech tools, and why his passion for sharing knowledge ultimately helps his clients.
Richard asks Craig about the tools Abussi use to help their clients and the vendors they partner with, as well as why they recently changed some suppliers. They also discuss how the Abussi team stays up to date with the industry and what the future holds for the business.
Craig shares his advice on where IT and managed services is going as an industry, how to handle wrong-fit clients and the biggest mistakes Craig sees MSPs making today.
Richard also asks Craig to share who his mentors and influences are and what he does to relax, as well as what the MSP community means to him and why you shouldn’t be afraid of your competitors.
Mentioned in This Episode
Olympian and TV presenter: Kriss AkabusiDesign consultants: ScitechBook: Paul Jarvis: Company of One: Why Staying Small is the Next Big Thing for BusinessSatellite internet provider: StarlinkBook: Michael E Gerber: The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About ItBook: Douglas Adams: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the GalaxyData visualisation tool: Power BIBook: Bob Burg: The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business IdeaMSP peer group: The Tech TribeBook: Cal Newport: Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted WorldCollaboration tool: SharePointCloud storage: OneDriveCloud marketplace: a href="https://giacom.com/" rel="noopener...

In this episode, Richard speaks to Tom Welton, a Solutions Engineer at Pax8. Previously working in their Colorado office, he has been based in the UK since the company opened their first European location.
After getting special dispensation from the British government to move over in the middle of the covid pandemic, Tom has since helped Pax8 to establish several offices in the UK and the wider EMEA.
Speaking in person at Channel Live 2024 in Birmingham, Tom explains his background and experiences at Pax8 to Richard. He shares how he overcame his imposter syndrome and what a Solutions Engineer does.
Richard and Tom also discuss why they enjoy attending in-person channel events, how MSPs are using AI and why it’s important to be aware of data protection and security requirements when using publicly-available tools like ChatGPT.
Mentioned in This Episode
IT Industry Association: CompTIAAI tool: ChatGPTAI tool: Microsoft CoPilotCybersecurity accreditation: Cyber Essentials

In this episode, Richard Tubb speaks to Allen Edwards, an accomplished entrepreneur and speaker. He's the founder of Eureka Process and the co-owner of Gozynta.
Allen has also just published a book: “Process and the Other P Word (Which is also Process): the Power and Profitability of Process Within Your IT Business.”
Mentioned in This Episode
GozyntaAllen’s book: Process and the Other "P" Word (Which is Also Process): The Power and Profitability of Process in Your IT BusinessOperating system: Novell NetWareIT management tool: ConnectWisePodcast interview with Dan AdamsBusiness finance tool: QuickBooksIT business expert: Karl PalachukBook coach: Mike CapuzziBook: Michael Gerber: The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About ItBook: Robert Kiyosaki: Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!Richard’s book: The IT Owner's Survival GuideBook: James Clear:Atomic Habits: the life-changing million-copy #1 bestsellerCollaboration tool: TeamsCollaboration tool: SlackBook: Dr Atul Gawande: The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right. Atul GawandeDocumentation management tool: IT GlueCollaboration tool: ConfluenceCollaboration tool: SharePointBook: Karl Palachuk: Relax Focus Succeed - Revised EditionMeditation app: HeadspacePodcast interview with Karl PalachukMSP community: a href="https://www.comptia.org/" rel="noopener...

Time for another Team Tubb Travelogue!
Gudrun Lauret catches up with Richard Tubb, Stephen McCormick and Lenka Koppova who are in Birmingham for two events -- Channel Live, and UpLift Live 2024!
Grab a cup of your favourite tea or coffee, relax and join them for a fun conversation about the highlights from these two events.
There are shout-outs to old and new friends, a discussion on the impact of LinkedIn, and Stephen's voice almost gives out!
Plus... the Team Tubb Travelogue Quiz is back! Can Richard, Stephen and Lenka answer Gudrun's LinkedIn theme questions?
Did you know...
Channel Live positions itself as the networking hub for the ICT Channel and connects IT resellers, service providers, MSPs and Channel partners face-to-face with vendors, distributors and expert speakers from across the sector - all together, all for free.
Uplift Live is the UK’s first LinkedIn-focused conference at Millennium Point in Birmingham.
It is THE place to learn from and network with engaged users of the world’s number one business platform.
UpLift Live is the brainchild of LinkedIn expert, John Espirian (a former guest on TubbTalk!).
Were you at either Channel Live or Uplift Live too? Send us a voice recording with your highlights, and we will add your comments to our next Team Tubb Travelogue!

In this episode, Richard Tubb talks to Dean Watmough, an expert on MSP people. He’s the CEO and cofounder of Humnize, a UK based business that is focused on empowering MSPs to build, develop, and retain highly skilled teams.
He and Richard talk about how Humnize came about, how they help their MSP clients to leverage people power and how they find the right candidates for their MSP clients.
They chat specifically about recruitment: where MSPs go wrong with their approach to it, why traditional recruitment companies don’t work for MSPs and the aspects of recruitment that Humnize want to change.
Dean explains why his team work remotely and why it’s important to build connections in hybrid workforces. He also shares what he thinks modern HR looks like for MSPs, and why Humnize offer a free HR health check to all MSP clients.
They also discuss mental wellbeing in the workplace, Dean’s suggestions for improving mental health, and what the future holds for Humnize.
Mentioned in This Episode
HumnizeIndeedGlassdoorRichard Branson

In this bonus interview, Richard speaks to Mostyn Thomas, the Senior Director of Security at Pax8 and an expert in cybersecurity. The conversation was recorded live at the Cloud and Cybersecurity Expo in London in March 2024.
Mostyn is responsible for overseeing the company’s channel security operations, empowering Pax8 partners to reduce risk, improve efficiency, and ultimately grow their business.
Richard asks Mostyn to explain the surprising cybersecurity lesson from a deadly fire, which Mostyn referred to in his presentation at the Expo, and how attitudes towards cybersecurity are changing amongst SMB owners.
They talked about why education is key to making MSP clients cyber aware, Mostyn’s experiences of transitioning from MSP owner to vendor and what’s next for Pax8. Mostyn also gives his advice on dealing with objections from rural businesses.
Mentioned in This Episode
The Cloud and Cybersecurity ExpoRichard's first podcast interview with MostynThe Pax8 cybersecurity masterclass