Taylor Business Group BigBIG 2023 Conference Recap
Taylor Business Group is a coaching group specifically for Managed Service Providers that really help us from an executive management standpoint. For those of you who have been keeping track of what Simplex-IT is doing, we've had some very good changes including creating the COO position from the Tech Director spot with Patty being moved up and Kurt, Adam, and Jeff being moved to director spots. So, one of the things I wanted to do is to check out some of the executive coaching options that are out there in the industry, and Taylor Business Group has one of the better reputations.
Day One
Cyber QP and some other vendors sponsored an airboat trip through the Everglades, which I did not choose to do even though I was a huge airboat fan of TV back in the early 60s, but Huntress had a fishing trip expedition for about 20 or so people, which I took part in and realized once again, I am not a fisherman in any way shape or form.
But it was so good to have a conversation with folks. George and the folks over at BVoIP sponsored a dinner and drinks boat thing. So, it sounds like just all sorts of goofing off, but there was a lot of networking, a lot of interaction, and a lot of good conversations with other MSP's. We talked about things like what's working for you, what are the challenges, and what are the opportunities. Getting the chance to just have one-on-one casual conversations with others in the business. Boy if you could put that in a bottle that'd be great.
Day Two
First of all, they had a great keynote from John Hillen who wrote “What happens now? Reinvent yourself as a leader before your business outruns you.”
He was talking about the development and metamorphosis of the leadership team as organizations grow and mature and have to find new roles for themselves and redefine it. About how often we do that for the company, but we don't do that for ourselves.
I often use the whiteboard story to talk about how to get me out of certain day to day operational things but John as a tank commander in the Army out does me on that. And he has a story that involves tanks and duct tape.
There were also some conversations from the financial standpoint. Looking at both the sales process and some of the cost analysis and the like of what we do and how we do it.
I also had some conversations with some vendors, specifically Bigger Brains. I don't know why more people don't offer training for their end clients. It is ridiculously cheap and easy from an operational standpoint, but also increases the ease with which our clients communicate with us what their needs are and make sure we take care of their needs.
So, taking a look at that, looking at some automation on the dispatching side and also some other resources.
And then finally I had a really good conversation with some folks who are developing content for Managed Service Providers on the marketing side of the They Ask You Answer, which we've been doing for well over a year.
And then finally had several great conversations with other Managed Service Providers about what's working from our standpoint, what's working from their standpoint on such things as hiring, retention, and advancing education for technicians and of course Co-managed IT.
So all in all, a very, very busy day, very useful day.