The IT Experts Podcast

In this episode of The IT Experts Podcast, I sit down with Mit Patel, Darren Strong, and Paul Green for a powerful panel discussion focused on one of the biggest challenges MSP owners face, how to stop working in your MSP and start building a business that works for you. 

  

This is a topic I see come up time and time again. Many MSP owners start from a technical background, and before they know it, they are deep in the day to day, solving problems, firefighting, and carrying the weight of the business on their shoulders. If you want to stop working in your MSP, there has to be a conscious shift in how you think, plan, and lead. 

  

Mit kicks things off by sharing something I see all the time. Most MSPs are not spending enough time planning, or they do not know where to start. The truth is, it does not need to be complicated. You need clarity on where you are now and where you want to get to in the next twelve months. From there, it is about breaking that down into simple, consistent actions that move you forward. 

  

Darren builds on this and brings it back to consistency. Without a clear plan, you end up making decisions based on how you feel in the moment. One day you move in one direction, the next day it changes. Over time, that creates confusion across your team and slows everything down. If you want to stop working in your MSP, your plan needs to guide your decisions and shape the behaviour of your business. 

  

Paul then brings in a perspective that I know will resonate with many of you. Too many MSPs are running on hope. Hoping they will find time for marketing. Hoping nothing disrupts the day. Hoping things will improve. That can go on for years. The shift happens when you decide to take control and build something with purpose. If you truly want to stop working in your MSP, you need to carve out time every day to focus on growth and the future of the business. 

  

We also spend time talking about leadership, because this is where things really start to change. I have seen it in my own journey and with the MSPs we support. When your team understands the vision and knows what matters most, everything starts to move faster. Mit shares how aligning the team around clear quarterly priorities creates momentum and builds a culture where people feel part of the success. This is essential if you want to stop working in your MSP and create something that grows beyond you. 

  

Another important part of the conversation is around speed and structure. In the early days, you can change direction quickly. As your business grows, that becomes harder. Paul explains the importance of staying flexible while putting the right systems in place. You need structure to scale, while still keeping enough agility to respond to change. That balance is key if you want to stop working in your MSP and keep moving forward. 

  

Darren then brings it back to operational maturity, and this is where many MSPs hit a wall. You can only rely on hard work for so long. Long hours and constant pressure lead to fatigue, and eventually something has to change. This is often the moment when you realise that what got you here will not get you there. To stop working in your MSP, you need systems, measurement, and accountability that support consistent performance. 

  

We also explore what is happening in the world of marketing and AI. There is a lot of noise right now, and it is easy to get distracted. Paul makes it clear that while AI is a powerful tool, it does not replace clear thinking. The fundamentals still matter. You need to understand your ideal client, communicate clearly, and build trust. When your marketing works properly, it creates a steady flow of opportunities, which is a huge step towards being able to stop working in your MSP. 

  

We finish the episode with some simple actions that you can take straight away. Paul talks about finding time every day to work on your business. Mit suggests blocking out dedicated time each week for planning. Darren reinforces the importance of accountability and making sure you follow through on what you commit to. 

  

When you bring all of this together, planning, leadership, consistency, and accountability, you create a business that no longer relies on you being involved in everything. That is the goal. To stop working in your MSP is about building something with clarity and structure, where the business continues to grow, whether you are there or not.  

Connect with Mit Patel on LinkedIn HERE and discover more about Assurix HERE. 

Connect with Darren Strong HERE. You can also visit his website HERE  and stream the Scale Up podcast HERE. 

Connect with Paul Green on LinkedIn HERE. You can also explore his website HERE and tune into his MSP Marketing Podcast HERE. 

 

Make sure to check out our Ultimate MSP Growth Guide, a free guide that walks you through a proven process to take your MSP from stuck to scalable, without working even more hours. It's 44 pages rammed with advice, insights and inspiration to help you decide what support is available to you now if you want to grow and scale your business. Click HERE to get your copy. 
 

Connect on LinkedIn HERE with Ian and also with Stuart by clicking this LINK
 
And when you're ready to take the next step in growing your MSP, come and take the Scale with Confidence MSP Mastery Quiz. In just three minutes, you'll get a 360-degree scan of your MSP and identify the one or two tactics that could help you find more time, engage & align your people and generate more leads. 
 
If you're serious about growth and want to explore what this could look like for your MSP, you can book a Right Fit Clarity Call with us HERE. 
 

OR  

To join our amazing Facebook Group of over 400 MSPs where we are helping you Scale Up with Confidence, then click HERE 

Until next time, look after yourself and I'll catch up with you soon!

In this episode of The IT Experts Podcast, I want to share something that I know many MSPs have either overlooked or been unsure about, and that is R&D tax relief for MSPs, and how it could potentially put thousands back into your business when approached in the right way. 

  

I am joined by Jack Davies, who has been working closely with our community for several years now, helping MSPs understand how R&D tax relief for MSPs actually works in practice. I will be honest, when I first came across this, I was sceptical. Like many of you, I wanted to be sure this was credible, compliant, and something that genuinely added value to a well-run MSP. What I have seen since then, through the results of our clients and the conversations we have had, is that when it is done properly, it can be a powerful opportunity. 

  

We start by getting clear on what R&D tax relief for MSPs really is. It is not a quick win or a shortcut. It is a structured incentive designed to reward businesses that are solving technical challenges and pushing things forward. When you look at it through that lens, it starts to make a lot more sense for MSPs, because that is exactly what many of you are doing every single day. 

  

As we go deeper into the conversation, it becomes clear that a lot of MSPs are already carrying out qualifying work without realising it. Whether it is system integrations, cloud migrations, automation, cyber security projects, or bringing AI into client environments, these are not always straightforward. They involve testing, iteration, and problem solving. This is where R&D tax relief for MSPs starts to become highly relevant, because it focuses on the effort involved in overcoming technical challenges. 

  

One of the most important parts of this conversation is understanding what does not qualify. Straightforward, plug and play work is not what we are talking about here. This is about those moments where your team has to think differently, where there is no obvious answer, and where you are working through uncertainty to find the right solution. Getting clear on this gives you the confidence to approach R&D tax relief for MSPs in a way that protects your reputation and keeps everything above board. 

  

Something that I found particularly interesting, and I know many of you will as well, is the areas that often get overlooked. Internal projects, ongoing improvements, and even the costs around software and subcontractors can all form part of the bigger picture. Many MSPs focus purely on client work, yet a lot of innovation is happening behind the scenes. When you start to recognise that, the opportunity around R&D tax relief for MSPs becomes much broader. 

  

We also spend time talking about how this works in practice. It is not about pointing at one project and saying that is the number. It is about looking across your year, understanding where time and effort has gone into solving technical challenges, and building a fair and reasonable view of that work. This is where having good structure in your business really helps, from tracking projects through to keeping your financials organised.

 
There have also been some changes to the scheme over the past couple of years, and I wanted to make sure we addressed that clearly. The key takeaway is that the fundamentals of R&D tax relief for MSPs have not been reduced. If anything, they have become more structured. The updates are there to improve the process, create consistency, and make sure everything is handled properly. For you as an MSP owner, that means more clarity and a more stable framework to work within. 

 

We also talk openly about best practice and what to watch out for. There are still people in the market making bold claims and overpromising. My advice is simple, protect your reputation. Work with people who understand both R&D and the MSP space, who can explain the process clearly, and who are focused on doing things the right way. 

  

By the end of this episode, my goal is that you feel more confident about R&D tax relief for MSPs, what it is, what it is not, and whether it is something worth exploring further in your business. This is about making informed decisions, staying in control, and recognising the value of the work you are already doing.  

 

Connect with Jack Davies through his LinkedIn by clicking HERE. 

 

Make sure to check out our Ultimate MSP Growth Guide, a free guide that walks you through a proven process to take your MSP from stuck to scalable, without working even more hours. It's 44 pages rammed with advice, insights and inspiration to help you decide what support is available to you now if you want to grow and scale your business. Click HERE to get your copy. 
 

Connect on LinkedIn HERE with Ian and also with Stuart by clicking this LINK 

 
And when you're ready to take the next step in growing your MSP, come and take the Scale with Confidence MSP Mastery Quiz. In just three minutes, you'll get a 360-degree scan of your MSP and identify the one or two tactics that could help you find more time, engage & align your people and generate more leads. 

 
If you're serious about growth and want to explore what this could look like for your MSP, you can book a Right Fit Clarity Call with us HERE. 

OR  

To join our amazing Facebook Group of over 400 MSPs where we are helping you Scale Up with Confidence, then click HERE 

 
Until next time, look after yourself and I'll catch up with you soon!

In this episode of The IT Experts Podcast, we explore what it really takes to build a high performing team inside your MSP, and why so many leaders feel stuck when trying to get there. I am joined by an expert power panel featuring Zoe Chatley, Phylip Morgan, and Julie Hutchison, bringing together real world experience from leadership, recruitment, and growth to give you practical insight into how to move from confusion to clarity when building your team. 

  

The conversation opens with a simple yet powerful truth. Every business is moving from one place to another. The challenge is that many MSP owners have not clearly defined where they are heading. As Phylip Morgan explains, leadership is about moving from here to there, and without that clarity, building a high performing team becomes difficult because no one truly knows what success looks like. Vision is not a corporate exercise. It is a practical tool that gives your team direction, confidence, and purpose. 

  

Julie Hutchison brings this to life by highlighting that most leaders do have a vision, although it is often blurred. Many MSP owners stay on the hamster wheel of doing, without stopping to think about what they really want. Creating a high performing team starts with stepping back and defining a clear, specific outcome that your team can align with and work towards together. 

  

Once that clarity is in place, everything begins to shift. A high performing team is not built through pressure or control. It is built through alignment. When your team understands where the business is going, they can make better decisions, take ownership, and move forward with confidence. This is where leadership becomes less about doing everything and more about guiding others to succeed. 

  

A key theme throughout this episode is accountability. Julie Hutchison explains that accountability is not about pressure. It is about creating an environment where people know what is expected and feel supported to deliver it. A high performing team thrives when individuals are clear on their role, understand what good looks like, and have the confidence to take action within clear guide rails. 

  

Phylip Morgan reinforces this by sharing the importance of clarity in expectations. When people know what is expected of them, have the right tools, and are given the opportunity to do what they do best, performance improves naturally. A high performing team is built on this foundation of clarity, communication, and trust. 

  

Zoe Chatley adds a critical perspective from recruitment and team building. Many MSPs hire out of urgency rather than strategy, which makes it harder to build a high performing team. When you are clear on your vision, you can attract people who believe in what you are building. This creates stronger alignment, better retention, and a team that grows with your business over time. 

  

The panel also highlights the importance of learning through experience. Building a high performing team is not about getting everything right the first time. It is about making informed decisions, learning from mistakes, and refining your approach as your business grows. With the right leadership mindset, these lessons become the foundation for long term success. 

  

What stands out in this episode is how simple the fundamentals really are. Building a high performing team is not about complex frameworks. It is about clarity, consistency, and leadership that creates trust. When you combine these elements, you create a business where people want to contribute, grow, and succeed together. 

  

If you are looking to build a high performing team in your MSP, this episode will help you focus on what truly matters. Start by getting clear on your direction, create the right environment for your people, and lead with intention. The results will follow. 

 

Connect with Zoe Chatley through her LinkedIn by clicking HERE. 

Connect with Phylip Morgan through his LinkedIn by clicking HERE.    

 

Make sure to check out our Ultimate MSP Growth Guide, a free guide that walks you through a proven process to take your MSP from stuck to scalable, without working even more hours. It's 44 pages rammed with advice, insights and inspiration to help you decide what support is available to you now if you want to grow and scale your business. Click HERE to get your copy. 

Connect on LinkedIn HERE with Ian and also with Stuart by clicking this LINK 

And when you're ready to take the next step in growing your MSP, come and take the Scale with Confidence MSP Mastery Quiz. In just three minutes, you'll get a 360-degree scan of your MSP and identify the one or two tactics that could help you find more time, engage & align your people and generate more leads. 

OR  

To join our amazing Facebook Group of over 400 MSPs where we are helping you Scale Up with Confidence, then click HERE 

Until next time, look after yourself and I'll catch up with you soon!

In this episode of The IT Experts Podcast, we sit down with Mit Patel to explore what it truly takes to stand out in a crowded MSP marketplace. This is a grounded and practical conversation that cuts through noise and focuses on what actually drives growth, profitability, and long-term success. Mit Patel brings nearly 25 years of experience in the MSP space, having scaled his own business to 8 million in revenue with strong margins, and now supporting the industry in a new way. 
 

Early in the conversation, Mit Patel shares his journey from building an MSP from the ground up through to exit. What becomes clear is that growth is never accidental. Each stage brings a new level of challenge, and success comes from recognising what needs to change as you move forward. From the early milestone of reaching one million in revenue, where investing in sales becomes essential, through to the shift towards structured leadership at scale, Mit Patel highlights the importance of evolving your thinking as your business grows. 

 

One of the key themes Mit Patel emphasises is the role of leadership and structure. As MSPs grow beyond the early stages, the lack of clear roles and accountability often creates bottlenecks. Many owners find themselves involved in everything, which limits their ability to think strategically. Mit Patel explains how building a leadership team and creating consistent rhythms allows you to step back, focus on planning, and unlock the next phase of growth. This shift from being busy in the business to working on the business is where real transformation begins. 

 

The conversation also explores one of the most common challenges MSPs face, which is people. Mit Patel speaks openly about the impact of tolerating underperformance and how this shapes the culture of a business. When standards are not upheld, it sends a message across the organisation. Strong MSPs are built by having the right people in the right roles, with clear expectations and accountability. Mit Patel reinforces the idea that hiring should focus on who someone is, not only what they know. Skills can be developed, yet mindset, communication, and drive are far more difficult to change.
 

As the discussion moves towards market positioning, Mit Patel addresses the growing issue of sameness across the MSP space. Many providers sound identical to potential clients, leading to decisions being based on price rather than value. This creates a race to the bottom, which is difficult to escape. Mit Patel explains that true differentiation comes from doing things differently and being able to clearly demonstrate that difference. Without this, even the best MSPs struggle to communicate their value effectively. 

  

A powerful part of the episode focuses on trust. Mit Patel highlights that many business owners do not fully understand what their IT provider is doing for them. This creates uncertainty and risk. By improving transparency and providing clear evidence of performance, MSPs can build stronger relationships and position themselves as trusted partners rather than interchangeable suppliers. This shift in perception is critical for long term success. 

 

The role of AI is also discussed as an emerging opportunity. Mit Patel shares that MSPs who can apply AI in a meaningful way to solve real business problems will create a strong competitive advantage. The key is not the technology itself, yet how it is used to deliver outcomes that matter to clients. This again links back to understanding the client's business and communicating in a way that resonates beyond technical language. 

 

Towards the end of the episode, Mit Patel offers practical advice for MSP owners who want to grow. Investing in marketing is highlighted as a key driver of future success, along with the importance of continuous personal development. Growth starts with the owner, and those who commit to learning, improving, and adapting will always create stronger businesses over time. 

 

This episode with Mit Patel is a clear reminder that standing out in the MSP market is not about doing more of the same. It is about clarity, leadership, structure, and the courage to raise your standards. When you focus on these areas, growth becomes more predictable, your team becomes more aligned, and your clients gain confidence in the value you deliver. 

  

If you are looking to build a stronger, more resilient MSP, this conversation will give you the direction and confidence to take the next step.  

Make sure to check out our Ultimate MSP Growth Guide, a free guide that walks you through a proven process to take your MSP from stuck to scalable, without working even more hours. It's 44 pages rammed with advice, insights and inspiration to help you decide what support is available to you now if you want to grow and scale your business. Click HERE to get your copy. 

Connect on LinkedIn HERE with Ian and also with Stuart by clicking this LINK 

And when you're ready to take the next step in growing your MSP, come and take the Scale with Confidence MSP Mastery Quiz. In just three minutes, you'll get a 360-degree scan of your MSP and identify the one or two tactics that could help you find more time, engage & align your people and generate more leads. 

OR  

To join our amazing Facebook Group of over 400 MSPs where we are helping you Scale Up with Confidence, then click HERE 

Until next time, look after yourself and I'll catch up with you soon!

In this episode of The IT Experts Podcast, I talk about what really happens when good teams go wrong and how MSP leaders can rebuild trust, communication, and performance before small issues turn into major challenges. I see this time and time again when working with MSP owners. You invest in great people, you build what feels like a strong team, and then something shifts. Progress slows, frustrations grow, and you start to wonder what has changed. This episode is designed to help you recognise those moments and take practical action. 

  

I am joined by leadership coach Julie Hutchison, who works closely with MSP owners to strengthen their leadership capability and help their teams perform at a higher level. Together we explore why technical ability is rarely the real reason when good teams go wrong. More often it is about how people communicate, how leaders set expectations, and how comfortable teams feel about speaking openly. Many of the warning signs are subtle at first. Meetings feel heavier, decisions take longer, and accountability becomes inconsistent. Over time, these patterns begin to affect momentum and confidence across the business. 

  

Julie explains that trust sits at the heart of every high performing team. When trust is missing, people hold back. They may agree with plans in the room, yet struggle to follow through once they leave. This is not usually about capability. It is about clarity and psychological safety. When good teams go wrong, leaders often notice an increase in conflict, misunderstandings, or even staff turnover. These signals can feel frustrating, especially when you know you have talented individuals who genuinely care about the success of the business. 

  

One of the most powerful ideas we discuss is the importance of balancing empathy with direct challenge. Julie introduces the concept of radical candour, which encourages leaders to show genuine care for their people while also addressing difficult topics honestly. I know from my own experience that many MSP owners avoid these conversations because they do not want to upset anyone. Yet when good teams go wrong, avoiding the issue rarely helps. Clear, respectful communication builds stronger relationships and helps teams stay aligned around shared goals. 

  

We also talk about the role of self-awareness. Running an MSP comes with pressure and responsibility, and it can be tempting to look for quick operational fixes when performance dips. However, meaningful change often begins with the leader taking a step back and reflecting on their own behaviour and communication style. When good teams go wrong, modelling openness and vulnerability can create a positive ripple effect. It encourages others to be honest, take ownership, and recommit to working together. 

  

Another important point is that successful teams are not built on everyone being the same. Different strengths and perspectives bring balance and innovation. The key is helping people understand each other and learn how to work through disagreement in a healthy way. When teams develop this understanding, they become more resilient and more focused on achieving results together. 

  

As we wrap up the conversation, Julie and I emphasise that rebuilding trust takes intention and consistency. Leaders need to create space for honest dialogue, reinforce accountability, and help teams reconnect with their purpose. When good teams go wrong, there is always an opportunity to rebuild stronger foundations. MSP owners who take this approach often see renewed energy, better collaboration, and greater confidence as they continue to grow their business.  

Make sure to check out our Ultimate MSP Growth Guide, a free guide that walks you through a proven process to take your MSP from stuck to scalable, without working even more hours. It's 44 pages rammed with advice, insights and inspiration to help you decide what support is available to you now if you want to grow and scale your business. Click HERE to get your copy. 

 

Connect on LinkedIn HERE with Ian and also with Stuart by clicking this LINK
 
And when you're ready to take the next step in growing your MSP, come and take the Scale with Confidence MSP Mastery Quiz. In just three minutes, you'll get a 360-degree scan of your MSP and identify the one or two tactics that could help you find more time, engage & align your people and generate more leads. 

OR  

To join our amazing Facebook Group of over 400 MSPs where we are helping you Scale Up with Confidence, then click HERE 

Until next time, look after yourself and I'll catch up with you soon!