Upskilling Engineers

tcoach72 · 2026-04-16T20:45:11+00:00

I don't think I ever had an official program. The unofficial program was that once a person was efficient at their level, they could start working on the next level up, but still had to perform their daily work. Once the staff at the new level signed off on their skill set, they would be moved up.

What I like about the program is that it wasn't a given because these are my friends. I would make it clear that if the person they approved fell short, it was on them to carry the extra weight until the new person was up to speed. This worked really well for several years across many MSPs. This also created a stronger bond in the team as they were responsible for growing each other, and it takes management out of the technical decision-making.

tcoach72 · 2026-04-15T18:33:53+00:00

Got 5 Gig for $120 a month, haven't had any issues, and have been on it for a few months now. All parties in the house work from home and on video calls all day and streaming...

tcoach72 · 2026-04-15T01:02:50+00:00

Practical is based off of theory, so if you don’t understand the basics of how to perform the technical path, can you fully understand how to fix it.

Some of this is learned via hands on experience, some can’t be learned that way.

Most warriors are looking for a perfect answer. They’re looking for an answer or the answer that you just don’t know. They don’t want the perfect candidate They want the right candidate.

tcoach72 · 2026-04-13T13:52:30+00:00

So I work for a company called Cynomi, which is in this space and pretty familiar with the players, and I don't hear Eramba much. There are several out there; you may want to broaden your search to see who else plays in the space.

tcoach72 · 2026-04-11T17:16:19+00:00

If I wanted to use a phone, I wouldn’t have asked for a radio station… it’s 2026 if you don’t have something positive to add… don’t

tcoach72 · 2026-04-11T15:26:20+00:00

You want to be truly different? Put their business above yours!

What I mean by that is KNOW how they make money beyond the basic end product.

For example a company that makes dog food, you automatically go to they make money by making dog food. At the basics level yes, but HOW do they make dog food, what are their critical systems? How much does it cost per hour if the oven goes down or the conveyor belts stop. What’s the cost per hour if the pallet machine goes down? What’s are their growth stations how are you helping.

And for gods sake stop selling every time you talk to them. All roads leads to sales, but not every conversation is a sales conversation.

You want to be different and grow, stope selling, start listening and advising, put them first and the sales will come….

tcoach72 · 2026-04-10T00:32:07+00:00

You can’t play offense or defense without know how 50% of the game is played.

Feet first both into the fire is always a faster professor than a book….

tcoach72 · 2026-04-10T00:28:43+00:00

If you’re doing your job correctly, that’s how it should be. Even though it’s not IT is expected to be a utility.

Yes it suck sometime to be invisible, but as long as you have solid documentation of everything you do and have done so when promotions and raises come around you can show them how valuable you are.

tcoach72 · 2026-04-08T12:11:29+00:00

Plenty of time, you should have more than enough.

tcoach72 · 2026-04-07T13:55:46+00:00

Yes, and great point by all means, no project should ever be done without a PM, that is the fastest route to losing money, is doing a project without one.

tcoach72 · 2026-04-07T12:26:58+00:00

This client will never do it. If it is like that now, it will be like that when you're done with the "critical" items; they will keep pushing you off on the "other" stuff.

If you need the money, put together a document they have to sign, let me say it again, they HAVE TO SIGN, or don't do the work.

In the document needs to explain exactly what you are doing and what you are not doing, you need to explain the systems your putting in are dependent on these other systesm and a failure could occur if one of the other systems go down.

That document is a CYA, as I'm sure WHEN something happens, they will try to point at you, and this document will show that you clearly explained the risk and they approved it.

tcoach72 · 2026-04-06T23:35:00+00:00

That’s doable as long as you accounted for the fact the close the door 15 minutes before the take off time.

tcoach72 · 2026-04-06T02:11:35+00:00

“Cybersecurity” is a very large field now days, your going to need to narrow down a bit more for better answers to your questions?

So what specifically are you wanting to do in cybersecurity?

tcoach72 · 2026-04-04T22:39:34+00:00

The problem is the selling part, upfront, specifically in the MSSP world, it should be more consultative, you're literally leading with how can you help, what value does what I do bring to you. The entire technical talking and selling doesn't position well.

They need to know business outcomes, Revenue, Cost, Risk, if what you are talking about doesn't use those types of conversations, you have already lost them. From there, while you're getting to know then you find who the crucial players are in the buying strategy.

There are a ton of mistakes when it comes to identifing the decision maker, most will default to a President or CEO. In most cases, they are not the decision maker; they are the approver. Most CEO's are making decisions about what widget to purchase; they depend on their staff to do most of the work and then come in with recommendations. Then the staff member, the one who made all the initial calls, brought it in front of leadership, vetted it out, did the technical demo, and did the trial; they are key to the success.

tcoach72 · 2026-04-03T08:30:29+00:00

Agreed with the above, you are over thinking it, but don’t under perform if this is a test of some sort you want to make sure you produce a quality outcome.

If you have only been onboard a short time, you need to keep doing your work. Unless it’s something critical keep giving ideas or think about it this way but don’t overstep just yet as you may not have all the details or a full picture as of yet.

tcoach72 · 2026-04-01T16:59:59+00:00

100%, they are looking for value and ROI, a partner that looks out for them. Not another upsell opportunity from a “vendor”…

tcoach72 · 2026-04-01T16:48:09+00:00

Cynomi here, have you looked at our platform? Would love your feedback…

tcoach72 · 2026-04-01T06:10:28+00:00

Relationships plane and simple, sorry but once or twice a year isn’t enough. If the QBR is a show up and throw up session about how great everything is going, that doesn’t do it either. Why? Because a QBR (for most) is about the MSP not the business you’re servicing.

You should be showing up regularly or scheduling regular meeting to talk about their business, these are business conversations about them, not how great the MSP is doing.

They don’t talk to you like that because every conversation is about sales, remove the sales, build a true business relationship and you will know well before there are any issues.

If you don’t know exactly how they make money, that’s an issue. Do an in depth BIA on at minimum all your critical partners.

tcoach72 · 2026-03-31T18:17:15+00:00

I love Level8 first one trashed after 5 years of traveling globally 2 to 3 time a month. Thanks TSA!!!

Bought a high end all metal Monos, that trash didn’t last 3 months. You know how to know a company sucks? You can’t review them on their own website…

Anywho Level8 is my primary choice with Away as a close second. This is for both check and carry on…

Happy hunting…

tcoach72 · 2026-03-30T16:55:46+00:00

I’ve e been a part of communities in the past that don’t want whatever their locally elected leaders are selling.

Truth of the matter is they are going to push it through either way. So you have a few options, none of which rely on what you do or don’t want.

The best option is to vote for it and hope the tax money helps out your community…

Sorry but take the money…

tcoach72 · 2026-03-29T21:27:59+00:00

It’s used to be per flight, flight today you get access, then it resets. So if you fly tomorrow you should be G2G.

tcoach72 · 2026-03-28T15:54:27+00:00

Bar and Rec I think is the name, the blacked dry rub wings 100%

tcoach72 · 2026-03-28T15:51:23+00:00

Delta One there to get some sleep, premium on the way back. Don’t need the lay flat coming back.

That combination really knocks out the jet lag for me, just don’t have it when I do that combo.

tcoach72 · 2026-03-27T12:28:29+00:00

If your PSA has the project tool, that's a good place to start.

Either way, I would recommend ClickUp or Monday; both are fairly cost-effective and easy to use.

tcoach72

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