SMB Nation | SMB IT Professionals
The Place to Start-up and Start Over!
Here are a couple high-level thoughts from last week's IT Nation hosted by ConnectWise in Orlando. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again - it’s the Rose Bowl of events in our space and ya’ gotta go at least once.
Here are some pillars!
To be or not to be an employee or entrepreneur? Admittedly these are goofy times out there in the macro economy!
Employment
First - a fresh look at those seeking a J O B. Ya’ gotta do what ya gotta do. There was a fantastic LinkedIn news piece late last week called “The Great Freeze” and is that basis for my post up here. Basically the goofy employment market is like an unkind Goldilocks. Employers don’t want to hire but they don’t want to fire. Existing employees are “frozen” and hangin’ in there. This analysis is close to the mark.
Second - does posting an “Open To Work” logo on your LinkedIn profile hurt or help.
It’s here again. The End-Of-Life (EOL) for a Microsoft desktop operating system. Been there done that, eh? Who can forget the security risk hype of Windows XP in April 2014? Now, Windows 10 is EOL after a ten year life and the messaging is no more security updates (without a support fee).
A couple of community and SMB ecosystem thoughts.
Migrations lag. If anything was learned from the Windows XP EOL era,
Albert Lotito, based in Pennsylvania, works for Global Tech Solutions, an MSP with around 1,000 clients. As a Service Delivery Manager, he oversees dispatch, training, quality assurance, and analytics, including the implementation of new products like Thread. Albert prefers smaller conferences for better networking. His company is shifting focus from the nursing home industry to commercial clients like manufacturing and finance, leveraging AI to streamline processes and improve customer service. Despite concerns about losing personal touch, Albert emphasizes that their business is fundamentally about customer service, using AI to enhance efficiency and maintain strong client relationships.
Fall musings here. Penny production is ceasing and it raises the couple questions.
1. Do channel partners (MSPs, VARs, resellers care?
2. And do the clients of these channel partners care?
Jim Roddy, President & CEO for the Retail Solution Provider Association (RSPA) weighed in. “Our VAR and ISV members are mostly focused on electronic payments because solution providers receive a slice of that revenue.”
Coinstar - a recent article on the demise of the penny extensively quoted the CEO of Coinstar.
Greeting SMB Nation members!
A short and simple request. Can you take 1-min to complete our 2026 MSP Forecast Survey. The deadline is Saturday, October 18th and we will publish the results.
The link is: https://logictreeit.page.link/SgA4vJ7QP1zHVVKq7
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Harry Brelsford interviews Chris Orris at Channel Con 2025 in Nashville, discussing his background in Saudi Arabia, Virginia Tech, and the retail industry. Chris, who lives in Williamsburg, Virginia, founded "The Burnouts," a brand aimed at redefining the term "burnout" to help employees and businesses improve company culture. He emphasizes the importance of intentional social media presence and employer support for employee passions. Harry shares his own experience with burnout and his involvement in multiple ventures. Both express interest in meeting again at IT Nation.