Join Chris Tate in this insightful episode of Tate Talks as he sits down with the remarkable Tracy Pound, a true pioneer in the tech industry. With an impressive 40-year career spanning from the dawn of PC computing in 1984 to today's AI-driven landscape, Tracy shares her unique journey, from programming on 4.77 MHz processors to founding her successful consulting business, Maximity Limited.

This episode delves into:

• Early Tech Days: Hear what it was like to be a woman in tech when the industry was brand new, and how early experiences with limited hardware shaped a fundamental understanding of computing.

• The Evolution of MSPs: Tracy and Chris discuss the shift from "full service" VARs of the past to the specialised MSPs of today, and what the future holds for managed service providers.

• The Impact of AI on the Workforce: A thought-provoking discussion on how AI might reshape entry-level jobs and the challenges of developing higher-level talent without traditional foundational roles.

• Building a Business: Tracy recounts the early days of starting Maximity, the steep learning curve of sales, and the transition from a lifestyle business to a thriving enterprise.

• The GTIA Journey: Discover Tracy's incredible rise within the CompTIA community, culminating in her pivotal role in the formation and leadership of the new global trade association, GTIA. Learn about the importance of community, collaboration, and why GTIA is set to empower the tech industry for years to come.

• Beyond the Office: Get a glimpse into Tracy's life outside of tech, from her passion for reading and wild swimming to her love for fast cars!

Learn more about Tracy on LinkedIn here

Maximity Website

GTIA Website

Music - https://www.purple-planet.com

In this energised and insightful episode, Chris Tate sits down with Scott Riley, founder of Cloud Nexus and co-creator of the fast-growing SaaS tool Inside Agent. From their shared beginnings at GCI to Scott’s leap into consultancy, and now SaaS, this episode is packed with stories, wisdom, and valuable advice for anyone in the MSP space.

Scott shares how Cloud Nexus grew from a consultancy focused on Microsoft 365 and Azure into a trusted delivery partner for MSPs—and how years of helping MSPs led to the creation of Inside Agent, a multi-tenant 365 security platform purpose-built for MSPs.

They also talk about data centre fires, Red Nose Day panic rooms, poker-based video games, power-washing Wallace & Gromit’s house (yes, really), and the importance of video content, white space analysis, and peer groups for MSP growth.

Topics covered:

• Why Scott pivoted from MSP-style consultancy to SaaS
• How Inside Agent was built and validated in less than a year
• Video marketing and building trust at scale
• Handling burnout, scaling small teams, and apprentice success stories
• Tips for white space analysis and sustainable business growth
• Stories from Comic Relief tech chaos and GCI acquisitions

Books and Podcasts Mentioned:

• The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber
• The Go-Giver by Bob Burg
• $100M Offers and $100M Leads by Alex Hormozi
• Paul Green’s MSP Marketing Podcast (implied through Paul Green reference)
• Bearded 365 Guy – YouTube reviews by Jonathan Edwards

About Scott

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ ⁠⁠and check out Cloud Nexus and Inside Agent

Music - https://www.purple-planet.com

How do you build a cybersecurity offering that actually works—and gets clients to pay for it?

On this episode of Tate Talks, I sit down with Kristian Wright, a Channel veteran with a fascinating journey from graphic design to running MSPs and now leading Enhanced IO, a cybersecurity company for MSPs.

We discuss:
✅ Why layering security is essential (and how to package it for clients)
✅ How MSPs can navigate the increasingly complex vendor landscape
✅ What to do when clients refuse to invest in security (and how to protect yourself)
✅ Kristian’s career journey—including his unexpected link to royalty!

If you’re an MSP looking to improve your cybersecurity strategy, pricing, and sales approach, this episode is a must-listen.

Connect with Kristian on LinkedIn ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ ⁠⁠and check out the Enhanced IO website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music - https://www.purple-planet.com