TubbTalk: The Podcast for Managed Service Providers

In this episode, Richard Tubb speaks to Polly Brennan, a renowned mental fitness coach. She supports organisations to bring themselves back to a healthier mindset, boosting resilience and wellbeing no matter what comes along. Polly explains what mental fitness is, her approach to it and her journey from the NHS to running her business. She and Richard discuss why we should all talk about mental health and normalise the challenges people have. Polly shares her thoughts on how MSP owners can bring the spirit of adventure into their workplace culture, why they need to give their team permission to make mistakes and how to build a connected team. Richard asks Polly for some practical advice on how to manage wellbeing, how to create a workplace culture where mental health is openly talked about and how leaders can not only support their employees but manage their own mental health. Polly explains why multitasking doesn’t work and why everyone needs a coach, even coaches. She also explains why simplicity and consistency are key for mental fitness and how we can all learn to be more resilient, as well as one daily habit to strengthen yours. Richard and Polly discuss why you should start and end your day with intention and some quick tricks to get out of work mode at the end of the day, as well as why breathwork and meditation are beneficial. Richard asks Polly about the biggest adventure of her career so far, her new membership and why she’s a Brené Brown coach. Polly talks about firewalking and glass walking and shares the books and people who’ve inspired her. Mentioned in This Episode * Polly’s website: Adventurous Coaching [https://www.adventurouscoaching.com/] * Koast Radio [https://koastradio.co.uk/] * Richard’s interview on Koast Radio [https://tubblog.co.uk/podcasts/business-wellbeing-growth/] * Richard's book: The IT Business Owner's Survival Guide [https://tubblog.co.uk/book/the-it-business-owners-survival-guide-how-to-save-time-avoid-stress-and-build-a-successful-it-business/] * Academic: Brené Brown [https://brenebrown.com/] * Personality profiling: i3 profiling [https://www.i3profiling.com/] * Team communication tool: Slack [https://slack.com/] * Slack polling tool: Geekbot [https://geekbot.com/] * Podcast interview with Kevin O' Laughlin  [https://tubblog.co.uk/podcasts/cybersecurity-ma-mission-nostra/]of Nostra IT [https://www.nostra.ie/] * Podcast interview with Dray Aga [https://tubblog.co.uk/podcasts/go-to-threat-ops-expert-msps/] of Huntress [https://tubblog.co.uk/vendor/huntress/] * Free download: five first steps for MSP owners noticing mental strain * Speaker and author: Karl Palachuk [https://karlpalachuk.com/] * Podcast interview with Nigel Moore [https://tubblog.co.uk/podcasts/msps-learn-leader-of-tech-tribe/] of The Tech Tribe [https://tubblog.co.uk/techtribe/] * Podcast interview with Dan Scott [https://tubblog.co.uk/podcasts/grow-business-msp-community/] of Evolve/IT Nation [https://itnation.connectwise.com/] * Polly’s online on demand mental fitness programme: Adventure Map [https://www.adventurouscoaching.com/adventuremap] * Polly's membership: The Adventure Club [https://www.adventurouscoaching.com/adventure-club] * Logi Firewalking [https://www.logi-firewalking.co.uk/ignite-your-potential-the-firewalking-experience/] * Performing circus: Let’s Circus [https://www.letscircus.com/] * Comedian: Cal Halbert [https://www.youtube.com/c/calhalbert] * Book: Bob Burg: The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea [https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003AYZBJI?tag=tubblog-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1] * Book: Bill Perkins: Die with Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life [https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0358567092?tag=tubblog-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1] * Book: Hugh van Cuylenburg: The Resilience Project: Finding Happiness Through Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness [https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B081K7ZYB4?tag=tubblog-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1] * Book: Belinda Kirk: Adventure Revolution: The life-changing power of choosing challenge [https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08YWH1J7Y?tag=tubblog-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1] * Book: Brené Brown: Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead [https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0241257409?tag=tubblog-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1] * Brené Brown leadership programme: Dare to Lead [https://brenebrown.com/train-to-become-a-dare-to-lead-facilitator/] * Connected Coaching Northeast [https://www.connectedcoachingne.com/]

In this episode of TubbTalk, Richard Tubb speaks to Kevin O'Loughlin, the founder of Irish MSP Nostra. He started it in 2006 with the aim of making a positive impact and demonstrating Ireland's potential for global success. From a starting pioneering cloud email adoption service in 2007, Nostra has grown to deliver €50,000,000 in annual revenue and is growing at 30% year on year through strategic acquisitions and organic growth. And it's on its journey to become a market leading, full-service IT managed service of either business. Kevin tells Richard why he founded Nostra, their approach to cybersecurity and the tech stack they use, as well as why cannibalising the services they offer has led to growth. Richard asks Kevin about the companies they partner with and why it’s important to nurture your vendor relationships. They also discuss why MSPs are so resistant to change in an industry where change happens constantly. Having gone through several mergers and acquisitions, Kevin explains Nostra’s approach to them and red flags to be aware of. He also shares his tips on choosing the right tools for your MSP without feeling overwhelmed. Finally, Richard asks Kevin how he became an Entrepreneur of the Year finalist and what that meant for him and Nostra. Kevin shares how he keeps going when things are hard, and reveals his biggest inspirations. Mentioned in This Episode * Nostra [https://www.nostra.ie/] * MSP community: IT Nation [https://itnation.connectwise.com/] * Cybersecurity and backup: Datto [https://www.datto.com/] * Cybersecurity software: Acronis [https://www.acronis.com/] * IT management software: Kaseya [https://www.kaseya.com/] * Cybersecurity partner: Huntress [https://tubblog.co.uk/vendor/huntress/] * Cybersecurity software: Webroot [https://www.webroot.com/] * SOC as a Service: Enhanced [https://enhanced.io/] (Formerly InSoc)  * MSP solutions: Barracuda [https://www.barracuda.com/] * PSA tool: Autotask [https://www.autotask.net/] * Network security: SonicWall [https://www.sonicwallonline.co.uk/] * Cloud marketplace: Pax8 [https://www.pax8.com/] * Book: Rhonda Byrne: The Secret [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Rhonda-Byrne/dp/1847370292/] * Investor: Ray Dalio  [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Dalio] * Author and speaker: Tony Robbins [https://www.tonyrobbins.com/] * Investor: Warren Buffett [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffett]

In this episode of TubbTalk, Richard Tubb is joined by Kennedy, the founder of Email Marketing Heroes and the host of the Email Marketing Show podcast. He’s a professional mind reader turned email marketing expert. He combines psychology, showmanship and strategy to provide his clients with seriously powerful marketing insights. Richard asks Kennedy what MSPs are missing out on by not having a proper email marketing strategy, and how getting it right means your clients know, like and trust you. Kennedy shares his advice on the importance of consistency, segmentation and how to get prospects onto your list, as well as why you can’t just rely on social media to grow your MSP. He also shares his approach to writing emails and how to get personality into your emails without losing credibility, as well as how to avoid your newsletters ending up in the spam or read later folders. Richard also asks Kennedy about his business, Email Marketing Heroes, the Email Marketing Show podcast, how he became a mind-reader and why he’s in performer mode so often, even when he’s off-stage. Kennedy explains how to measure the ROI of marketing and emails in your MSP business, a simple automation that even the smallest MSP should have in place, and one thing you think you want from email marketing that you actually don’t. Mentioned in This Episode * Kennedy's website [https://emailmarketingheroes.com/] * Book: Bob Burg: The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea [https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0141049553?tag=tubblog-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1] * Event (Newcastle upon Tyne): The Podcast Paddock [https://www.cluarantonn.com/ourevents/] * Download the free Fast and Forever Framework [http://www.emailmarketingheroes.com/tubb] * Sign up for Kennedy’s email newsletter [http://www.emailmarketingheroes.com/free]

Time for another Team Tubb Travelogue! This time, Lenka Koppova catches up withRichard Tubb and Pascal Fintoni, who are in Manchester for the SuperOps SuperSummit 2025. Grab a cup of your favourite tea or coffee, relax and join them for a fun conversation about the highlights from this big event. Pascal explains how the talks followed the journey a customer might take, from marketing through to sending a proposal, which was a really effective way to showcase how AI can help at each stage.  Richard highlighted a talk from the VP of Product, Damo Vasudevan, on using AI assisted dashboards and for automation to improve service delivery. They were also joined by special guest Kimmah Lewis, who explained how she and her team put the event together and how much work goes into planning the day. Also Mentioned in the Travelogue * The opening keynote from the CEO of SuperOps and closing remarks by the VP of Global Marketing * The benefits of a no-pitch event * How AI helps MSPs deliver better, faster and cheaper while maintaining quality * Where AI has been used badly * The importance of collaboration, supporting your community and the human touch * Expert panel sessions * Swag bags What is the TubbTalk Travelogue? These are ad-hoc, bonus episodes of our regular TubbTalk podcast, recorded live at an event. A member of TeamTubb calls Richard for an on-the-ground update on what they’ve learned and their highlights from the day. What to Know about the SuperOps SuperSummit SuperSummit is the flagship event from PSA-RMM experts SuperOps [https://tubblog.co.uk/vendor/superops/]. They host these virtually and in-person, and 2025 is the first time they held an event in Manchester. The free, one-day event is open to all managed service provider (MSP) owners and IT professionals, and provides plenty of networking opportunities, exhibitor stands and talks from industry legends. Lunch, refreshments and an after-party were also supplied! This year's focus was on AI and how to use it to grow and scale your MSP business. There were dos and don'ts, trends to be aware of and practical advice on how to get started with AI. And as it was strictly a no-pitch space, attendees got plenty of value without the waffle. Were you at the SuperOps SuperSummit too? Send us a voice recording with your highlights, and we will add your comments to our next Team Tubb Travelogue!

In this episode of TubbTalk, Richard speaks to Matt Middleton-Leal, Managing Director, EMEA North of Qualys, a pioneering and disruptive cloud-based IT, security and compliance solutions provider. Matt shares his journey in the MSP industry and what studying aeronautics taught him about risk management. He also explains who Qualys are and what they do, before digging into risk and risk management. He and Richard discuss what MSPs are missing when it comes to risk, and whether or not their clients fully understand its importance. From there, Matt explains why Qualys provide a Risk Operations Centre (ROC) solution and how that works. He shares how a ROC can be an opportunity for MSPs, but why they need a mindset shift first. Richard asks Matt why he thinks some businesses are investing in risk management, but why there’s reluctance from some clients. They also discuss governance, using ROC to reduce CISO burnout, and demonstrating how you’re helping clients with risk mitigation. Matt also shares what the experience of being a Qualys partner is like for an MSP. Finally, Richard asks Matt what he does outside of work and how he keeps his cybersecurity knowledge up to date, what’s next for Qualys and what Matt sees as the future of cybersecurity. Mentioned in This Episode * Qualys [https://www.qualys.com/] * Book: Richard Seiersen: How to Measure Anything in Cybersecurity Risk [https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1119892309?tag=tubblog-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1] * UK government agency: National Cyber Security Centre [https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/] * Certification: Cyber Essentials [https://iasme.co.uk/cyber-essentials/]