šŸ”’ Patreon Special

IT Pros: exclusive shows await you on Patreon, focusing on the more challenging aspects of running your practice and working with clients and employees.


571: The ACEs 2024 Debrief We Never Knew We Needed

In this episode of Command Control Power, host Joe and co-hosts Sam and Jerry debrief the ACEs Conference 2024. The episode also touches on the various technologies and vendor booths that fascinated the hosts, including LionGuard and Halo PSA, as well as the different people they met and reconnected with. Sam's presentation on his MSP journey is highlighted alongside humorous moments and key takeaways. A special thanks to Justin Esgar for organizing a successful conference!

Topics:

Adam Engst delivered a thought provoking presentation about AI.

A great list of patrons, friends, and fellow consultants were at the conference this year.

We reflect on the overall conference experience and the parts we loved the most.

Smaller conferences offer a more intimate experience.

Sam had the opportunity to present at ACES this year and he discusses how we are always learning.

He opened the kimono so to speak to get into his billing practices over the years.

ā€œDonā€™t negotiate against yourselfā€ - Joe Saponare

Brian Lattanzio and Omar Elshamy came to represent Apple, as well as offer a custom training.

Jerry will be at the next one, as long as itā€™s ā€œeast of the Mississippiā€.

Patreon Show -570: Client Management, Time Tracking, and Avoiding Tech Pitfalls

In this patron-only episode of Command Control Power, the hosts discuss various behind-the-scenes aspects of managing an IT consulting business. They express gratitude to their supporters and announce new merchandise. The episode dives into challenges related to client management, including dealing with difficult points of contact and navigating tech pitfalls. The team shares experiences about their approaches to billing, recording time, and handling client demands versus actual business needs. The episode also touches on the potential usefulness of AI and time-tracking tools to improve productivity and transparency in their workflows.

569: Tech Fails and Tail Wags: Command Control Power Gets Personal

Thanks to our VIP Sponsors!

Topics:

Day in the Life: We talk busy schedules and naps on trains.

Joe talks about his concert adventures and the power of naps.

One of Joeā€™s client has an issue with the mail preview pane.

Sam is a glutton for punishment by continuing to use Apple Mail and Calendar for Exchange.

The ongoing debate (or is it?): PCs are for Business, Mac computers for home?

Navigating Calendly's features and scheduling challenges.

Vendor Venting: A deep dive into Adobe's licensing woes.

27:39 A Personal Touch: From Breakfast in Queens to Veterinary Ventures

Working with both Google and Microsoft.

A Shoutout to our newest VIP Supporters - Cirrus Partners!

Check out the merch shop!

Evaluating the Key Smart Card.

Jerry recommends an Amazon Prime show called Clarksonā€™s Farm.

Thank you to our Patreon sponsors!

Patreon Show - 568 The Price is Byte: Charging Clients for Tech Headaches

Tech Troubles, Backup Strategies, and Client Dilemmas: A Peer Discussion

In a patron-only episode of Command Control Power, the hosts discuss various tech topics, starting with a story about replacing an iMac glass panel and the complications that arose during the repair process, highlighting the importance of backup strategies and preparing for unexpected problems. They also delve into difficulties with email migrations and the nuances of charging clients for such work, sharing anecdotes and strategies to handle scope creep and pricing models. Furthermore, the discussion covers the reliability of backup internet connections through devices like the UniFi LTE Pro and modems, detailing personal experiences with these technologies. Lastly, they touch on challenges with Apple's Time Machine backups on Synology NAS devices, emphasizing the importance of secure and efficient backup systems.