In a recent podcast episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Anna Lang, a dynamic leader in the tech industry. Anna shared valuable insights about the challenges and opportunities in the Managed Service Provider (MSP) space, particularly when it comes to career growth, mentorship, and building a supportive community. From fostering meaningful vendor relationships to navigating career development as a woman in tech, here are five key takeaways from our conversation that can elevate MSPs.
1. Embrace Mentorship for Career Growth
Anna shared her experience with ConnectWise’s Women in Tech Mentorship Program, which pairs emerging leaders with experienced mentors. This initiative is designed to help women navigate their careers and grow in an industry that has traditionally been male-dominated. Anna’s pairing with Vicki Bruns has helped her understand the importance of being intentional about her career trajectory and reputation.
What MSPs Can Do: Embrace mentorship programs and seek guidance from seasoned professionals. Mentorship fosters growth, helps navigate career challenges, and builds confidence. For MSPs, having a strong network of advisors can be a crucial factor in business success.
2. Build Strong Vendor Relationships for Long-Term Success
Anna emphasized that successful MSPs see vendor relationships as partnerships rather than transactional engagements. She highlighted how valuable it is to foster open, ongoing communication with vendors, which enables MSPs to access top-tier resources and solutions that can enhance service offerings.
What MSPs Can Do: Strengthen your relationships with key vendors. View these connections as long-term partnerships and engage in regular communication. Sharing feedback and collaborating can help MSPs gain access to valuable tools and ensure they provide the best solutions to their clients.
3. Make Community Engagement a Priority
Anna passionately talked about the MSP community’s collaborative nature and how it plays a huge role in driving success. At ConnectWise, she sees a “go-giving” mentality, where MSPs, even competitors, help each other out, fostering a healthy ecosystem. Anna believes that connecting with others in the industry is not just about business but about creating a supportive environment where everyone thrives.
What MSPs Can Do: Engage actively within the MSP community. Attend events, participate in discussions, and collaborate with fellow MSPs. By doing so, you’ll gain insights into how others tackle similar challenges and discover new opportunities for growth.
4. Prioritize Personal Branding in the Industry
Anna stressed the importance of building a personal brand, especially as an emerging leader in the MSP space. She emphasized that MSPs need to focus on their reputation and how they present themselves both within their companies and in the wider industry. A strong personal brand can open doors to leadership roles, new partnerships, and greater industry recognition.
What MSPs Can Do: Invest time in developing a personal brand. Whether you’re an individual contributor or leading a team, establishing a solid reputation is key to long-term success. Show up consistently, engage with others, and be authentic in how you communicate your expertise.
5. Take Bold Steps and Be the Initiator
One of the most empowering insights Anna shared was the importance of taking initiative. At events, Anna encourages people to be the first to start conversations, especially with those who may be standing alone. As an MSP, stepping up to engage with new people not only builds relationships but strengthens the community as a whole.
What MSPs Can Do: Don’t wait for others to initiate conversations—be proactive. Whether you’re meeting clients, vendors, or peers, taking the first step will help you build stronger connections and enhance your network. This approach can create opportunities that would have otherwise been missed.
Anna Lang’s insights offer valuable lessons for MSPs looking to navigate the challenges of career growth, community engagement, and business development. By focusing on mentorship, building strong vendor relationships, engaging in the MSP community, developing a personal brand, and taking bold steps, MSPs can set themselves up for long-term success. These strategies not only help you grow but also contribute to the overall strength and success of the MSP ecosystem.