SMB Nation | SMB IT Professionals
The Place to Start-up and Start Over!
Always a crowd pleaser – evening activities at technology events in the Small and Medium Business (SMB) Managed Services Provider (MSP) ecosystem. That’s what occurred at the recent Thread AI Service Unleased Live ’26 conference in Seattle. I’d chalk it up to once a geek, always a geek. Here is a recap of my conversation with Griffin Steinman, Senior Customer Success Manager at Thread.
Let’s first paint the picture.
Caught a few mins with Mark Alayev, Chief of Magic and Co-Founder of Thread at its recent Fall conference in Seattle at the Museum of Pop (MoPop) next to the Space Needle at the Seattle Center. Much more on the vent later but, hurry, let’s get goin’ as this New Yorkers takes steps two at a time. So hang on fast.
Let’s set the table: from his keynote the prior evening, my brain was frickin full.
Let’s set the table. We both go back to the good old days. We’ve known each other 15+ years (it goes quick youngins) starting with the Windows Small Business Server era (SBS). Dale got involved with Voice over Internet Protocol ( VoIP) in early 2010. ”The business of being a Managed Services Provider (MSP) in the Small and Medium Business (SMB) space changes constantly so its good to be an entrepreneur.” Cooper shared.
Two thangs to kick off PC Matic’s MSP Coming Out Party 2.0 at the recent GTIA ChannelCon event in San Diego! You could say the heart grows fonder in an absence. Or your absence at MSP event is more conspicuous than your presence. Both statements are not un-true as PC Matic took a half step back to reboot is MSP Channel Partner strategy in order to leap frog two steps ahead.
Project management is an evergreen in any industry and Managed Services Providers are no different. Wim Kerkhoff, the CEO of Top>Left, recently talked his MSP project management solution that I can honestly say has been brought to market but Wim and his team (MSPs). And these fellas are Canadians so you know they are COOL! Homebase is outside Vancouver BC in Chilliwack.
We talk about how he got into tech as a young kid at 13yo.
Finding your “WHY” in Business: Microsoft Elevate
At yesterday’s IAMCP (International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners) quarterly lunch (at Microsoft Austin), the Microsoft Elevate program was presented by Justin Sheedy. The net-net is that Microsoft Elevate “...is a global initiative by Microsoft designed to expand access to artificial intelligence (AI) skills, tools, and digital inclusion for the workforce, educators, and nonprofits.” There are several Managed Services Providers (MSPs) in our space that serve nonprofits and do the right thang and make an honest profit.
Two notable shifts at GTIA since its split from CompTIA 1+ years ago and the arrival of Dan Wensley as CEO were: (1) Attract more MSPs and Channel Partners into its membership and attract younger entrants into the SMB channel. It’s a work in progress but I witnessed both motions in play at the recent ChannelCon event in San Diego. I submit Exhibit A as evidence Amelia Chen, Vendor Therapist, Senteon. It was the first trade show for this Silicon Valley smartie and her strategy was to work the floor meeting MSPs when not performing her booth duties.