In Stefanie Hammond's inaugural N-able blog post for 2023, she delved into the perennial struggle that many face when attempting to uphold their New Year's Resolutions. As statistics grimly reveal, by mid-February, these well-intentioned goals often fall by the wayside, becoming distant memories. She posited that a significant hurdle lies in the tendency to embark on numerous changes simultaneously, resulting in overwhelm and eventual abandonment. Instead of the customary approach of overhauling everything in January, she suggested a more sustainable method—dedicating each month to a specific resolution. By year-end, this incremental strategy could yield 10-12 ingrained business-building habits for a thriving MSP in 2024 and beyond.
Throughout the year, she explored these various topics:
Self-Education and Continuous Learning: Advocating for MSPs to carve out daily time for podcasts, books, and training resources, fostering inspiration and novel ideas for MSP management.
'Finding Love' – Leveraging Customer Relationships: Advising on harnessing customer loyalty to accumulate testimonials, references, and case studies—social proof essential for bolstering online presence and customer trust.
Exploring New Markets: Encouraging MSPs to remain vigilant for emerging market opportunities, particularly in the co-managed IT services space, where MSPs can address gaps in technical expertise for larger companies.
Business Goal Setting and Reviewing: Emphasizing the importance of setting benchmarks and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for real growth, with a teaser for an upcoming #HeadNerd Boot Camp in 2024 focusing on this critical business strategy.
Time Management Mastery: Urging MSPs to prioritize essential tasks, including sales, marketing, and automation, by mastering the art of time management to foster competitiveness.
Active Listening for Sales Success: Highlighting the significance of active listening in sales and providing simple techniques for enhancing sales success.
Embracing Innovation: Encouraging MSPs to step out of their comfort zones, as growth often stems from a willingness to explore new ideas and challenge existing paradigms, often facilitated through peer networks.
Cultivating a Culture of Gratitude: Recognizing the talent and tech shortage, and stressing the importance of creating a positive corporate culture to attract and retain valuable team members.
As 2023 draws to a close, it's an opportune moment to reflect on MSP achievements, evaluating growth and revenue targets. For those who successfully integrated the discussed growth habits, congratulations! Carry them into 2024 with continued focus. If progress fell short, fear not—embrace the new year as a fresh beginning with renewed opportunities. Revisit blog articles, identify achievable business-building habits, and remember, even a small step forward is progress—an essential item on every MSP's New Year's Resolutions list.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a safe, healthy, and productive 2024!