In this episode of the How to MSP podcast, host Andrew Moore sits down with Jason Knight, one of the founding partners of Scaled and a veteran MSP coach. Jason pulls back the curtain on why traditional "outsourcing" often fails and how a staff augmentation model—specifically utilizing high-tier talent from South Africa—can solve the dual challenges of operational capacity and rising labor costs in the US.

If you’ve been hesitant about offshore resources due to quality or cultural concerns, this conversation is a must-watch. Jason explains why culture, English proficiency, and "problem-solving initiative" are the true keys to integrating remote L2 and L3 technicians into your service desk.

Key Topics Covered:

Staff Augmentation vs. Outsourcing: Why dedicated resources beat "call center rollover" models every time.

The South African Advantage: How cultural alignment and language make South Africa a prime hub for MSP escalation tiers.

Managing Remote Teams: Why the "video always on" rule and "daily huddles" are non-negotiable for success.

The Financials: The reality of 60-70% cost savings and how to handle international employment laws legally.

"Visible Work": Why your remote team must prioritize the client-facing tasks that prevent you from getting fired.

Join the Armie! Get all the latest happening on MSP training, educational content, best practices and more.

Head to Ridgeview Advisors to learn more about our training programs, class-based accountability groups and online learning systems.

You can subscribe on Youtube and watch FULL episodes. Subscribe today on the 'How To MSP' Youtube Channel

How to MSP is brough to you by Ridgeview Advisors and Andrew Moore.

Are you burning precious management calories on hiring, only to find candidates that don't fit your MSP's culture or pace?

In this episode we talk with James Bier (Co-Founder of VAR Staffing) about recruitment, retention, and building processes to help scale your MSP. James explains the critical difference between "active" and "passive" candidates , why generic job postings often fail , and how to apply the Moneyball philosophy to find undervalued talent that drives growth.In this episode, we cover:

• Active vs. Passive Candidates: Why the best talent isn't replying to your LinkedIn ads
• Vetting Tactics: How to use scenario-based testing to spot "paper tigers" who can't actually troubleshoot
• Hiring Hacks: Why you should look for community college grads, collegiate athletes, military veterans, and Eagle Scouts
• The "Moneyball" Strategy: How to identify one-or-two tool players who can still score runs for your business
• Gen Z & Remote Work: Navigating the new demands for 100% remote roles

Join the Armie! Get all the latest happening on MSP training, educational content, best practices and more.

Head to Ridgeview Advisors to learn more about our training programs, class-based accountability groups and online learning systems.

You can subscribe on Youtube and watch FULL episodes. Subscribe today on the 'How To MSP' Youtube Channel

How to MSP is brough to you by Ridgeview Advisors and Andrew Moore.

Summary

Explore the challenges and successes of building remote teams in MSP, the importance of accountability, and the use of KPIs to measure performance with Jon Katz & Andrew Moore. The discussion also touches on client interactions, meeting structures, and the scaling of teams through a pod system. They discuss the evolution of remote work in the IT industry, particularly focusing on how Katz's company transitioned from a traditional office setup to a remote work model. Katz shares insights on hiring practices and the significance of maintaining effective communication within remote teams.

Jon explains the "Rule of 8" for management, how to handle the specific challenges of remote accountability, and why generalists fail as you scale.

In this episode, we cover:
* The "Pod" Model: Why you need 1 Team Lead for every 4-6 engineers
* Remote Hiring: Why it’s easier to hire Level 2/3 techs remotely than Level 1 support
* Accountability: Using "Agile" huddles to replace office oversight
* The "Mute Button" Story: A hilarious lesson on why you never trust the mute button on a client call

Join the Armie! Get all the latest happening on MSP training, educational content, best practices and more.

Head to Ridgeview Advisors to learn more about our training programs, class-based accountability groups and online learning systems.

You can subscribe on Youtube and watch FULL episodes. Subscribe today on the 'How To MSP' Youtube Channel

How to MSP is brough to you by Ridgeview Advisors and Andrew Moore.