696 Rob Rae on the Future of MSPs: Community, Marketplaces, and Growth

Rob Rae, known as the "godfather of the channel," shares insights from his extensive experience in the MSP industry. He discusses the significance of building relationships and fostering community within the IT sector, emphasizing how these factors contribute to long-term business success. Rae reflects on his early experiences with ASCII events and how they shaped his understanding of the MSP community. The conversation explores the changing nature of technology consumption, influenced by the pandemic and the preferences of younger generations. Rae highlights the shift towards marketplace models and the importance of adapting to new buying behaviors. He also touches on Pax8's recent and upcoming events, including Beyond 2023 in Denver and the upcoming Beyond Berlin, showcasing the company's growth and international expansion. Key Takeaways: Community building is crucial in the MSP industryThe pandemic and younger generations are driving changes in technology consumptionMarketplaces are becoming increasingly important in the IT sectorFace-to-face relationships still hold value in the MSP worldThe lifetime value of contracts through MSPs is significantly higher than direct vendor salesThe MSP industry is experiencing substantial growth, with predictions of billion-dollar MSPs in the near futureBalancing professionalism with approachability is important in business interactionsInternational expansion is a key focus for major players in the MSP spaceLinks:ASCII Edge - The MSP Conference: https://events.ascii.com/Pax8: https://www.pax8.com/en-us/ === Connect with Uncle Marv🌐 Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/🎙 Host: Marvin Bee🛒 Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store (gear & tools I recommend): https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ☕ Support the show: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcastIf you found value in this episode, share it with another MSP, IT provider, or tech entrepreneur. Your support helps keep practical, no-nonsense IT business conversations coming every week.