Command Control Power: Apple Tech Support & Business Talk

Jerry Zigmont
  • 4.7 (57)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Command Control Power: Apple Tech Support & Business Talk

Sam, Jerry, and Joe discuss their thoughts and draw from their combined experience of over 20 years in the Apple Consultants Network (ACN).

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Navigating IT's Past and Future with Tim Nyberg of The MacGuys+

    A Journey Through Mac Support with Tim Nyberg In this episode of Command Control Power, hosts welcome Tim Nyberg of The Mac Guys + as he shares his extensive journey in Mac support, starting back in the early 90s. Tim recounts his early fascination with technology, from overclocking a Commodore 64 to managing the first round of Macintosh computers at his college newspaper. He provides insights into the evolution of Mac operating systems and the challenges of adapting to new technologies over decades. Tim also discusses the benefits and intricacies of running a remote support business, the importance of client engagement, and efficient business operations. The conversation explores tools like Addigy, RepairShopper, and Watchman Monitoring, touching on security practices and the need for comprehensive and affordable security audits for clients. The episode offers valuable lessons on adapting to technological changes, maintaining client relationships, and optimizing remote IT support.   Introduction and Welcome   Tim's Early Tech Adventures College Days and Early Mac Experiences Evolution of Design Software SCSI Troubles and Early Mac Troubleshooting Transition to OS X Staying Current in Tech Remote Work and Tools   Client Engagement Strategies Streamlining Remote Work The Pros and Cons of Repair Shopper Exploring Alternatives to Repair Shopper The Value of Community in Tech Tools Balancing Business and Lifestyle   Security Audits and Tools Reflections on the Tech Industry Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

    57 min

  2. NOV 12

    Interview with Dr. Howard Oakley of The Eclectic Light Company

    Sam Valencia, Jerry Zigmont and Joe Saponare discuss working with Apple technology and clients. Drawn from their combined experience of over 20 years in the Apple Consultants Network, they discuss technical support issues both with the technology and working with clients.

    47 min

  3. NOV 5

    Optimizing MSP Operations with Tim Pearson of Creative Techs

    In this comprehensive episode of Command Control Power, hosts Joe, Jerry and Sam engage with Tim Pearson of Creative Techs, covering a wide spectrum of Managed Service Provider (MSP) operations and beyond. Key topics include the integration and optimization of MDM and RMM tools, the benefits of automation in ticketing and backup management, and the importance of tracking and reporting activities to showcase value to clients. The conversation also highlights the significance of community wisdom and peer-led problem-solving at ACEs events, the practical advantages of standardized tools and knowledge sharing, and the challenges faced in a fragmented MSP vendor landscape. Additionally, the episode touches on the complexities specific to Apple Consultants, such as managing community resources, negotiating vendor terms, and establishing industry pricing standards. A unique segment dives into the personal rituals and nostalgic value of music listening on vinyl records, sprinkling personal anecdotes and enduring record recommendations. This episode provides a well-rounded discussion blending technical insights with personal experiences, aiming to enhance MSP operations while celebrating the joys of music and community engagement.     00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:08 Catching Up and ACEs Conference 00:44 Tim's Background and Guitars 01:23 ACEs After Dark and Business Discussions 01:55 MDM and RMM Tricks 03:55 Integrations and Automation 10:05 Backup Solutions and Challenges 12:59 Community and Collaboration 18:05 Vendor Landscape and Tools 25:48 Community Contributions and Generosity 26:23 Challenges of Sharing Tools and Resources 28:16 Economic Impact and Business Models 30:19 Masterclass and Training Ideas 35:00 Collective Bargaining and Vendor Relations 39:56 Music and Nostalgia 47:18 Conclusion and Farewell

    52 min

  4. OCT 29

    Streamlining Business with Addigy: A Strategic Shift

    In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts discuss leveraging Addigy to replicate some features of Watchman Monitoring, particularly focusing on business efficiency. Jerry initiates the topic by sharing his experience of transitioning from Watchman to Addigy due to development and costs. He highlights the useful features of Addigy, such as disk space alerts, and its Zendesk integration, while also acknowledging the development effort required to fully replace Watchman's reporting and alerting capabilities. The conversation includes a brief discussion on alternative tools like Malwarebytes. Additionally, the hosts reflect on client management challenges, specifically in dealing with tech support scams and rogue banking interactions. They close with a note on experimenting with social media marketing for new client acquisition.   00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:05 Exploring Addigy and Watchman Monitoring 00:59 Jerry's Experience with Watchman Monitoring 02:15 Support Menu and Deployment 04:01 Evaluating Watchman Monitoring Features 04:29 Transitioning from Watchman to Addigy 04:50 Addigy Integration and Alternatives 11:59 PC Management Solutions 17:43 Reporting and Visualization Tools 30:31 Virtual Happy Hour Begins 30:42 Client's Printer Troubles 32:04 Remote Access Issues 32:56 Bank Troubles and Security Concerns 41:34 Keyboard and Mouse Mysteries 45:05 Marketing Experiment Results 49:28 Concluding Thoughts and Patreon Plug

    53 min

  5. OCT 22

    Navigating Business Management with Benjamin Morales of Cirrus Partners

    In this episode of Command Control Power, hosts dig into the business acumen of Benjamin Morales, owner of Cirrus Partners. Benjamin discusses his journey from being an educator in the Pacific Northwest to owning a small MSP company in Madison, Wisconsin. He elaborates on the challenges of managing a team, hiring and firing employees, and transitioning from Linux to macOS. The conversation covers the importance of company culture, and the balance between individual technical skills and management responsibilities. Additionally, Benjamin shares the lessons learned from losing a significant client due to a mismatch between an employee's personality and client expectations. Rounding out the discussion, Benjamin provides insights into his reading influences and the support mechanisms he relies on to lead effectively. Ben's Career Journey Transition to Ownership Challenges of Leadership Managing Employees and Client Relations Documenting and Delegating Employee Issues and Client Impact Transitioning Business and Client Relations Handling Employee Performance and Reputation Debating Hiring and Firing Strategies Navigating Pandemic Challenges Workplace Dynamics Effective Hiring Practices Managing Employee Relations and Termination Leveraging Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) Hiring Challenges and Solutions Balancing Internal Transitions and Client Support Reflecting on Leadership and Team Dynamics Concluding Thoughts and Book Recommendations

    54 min

  6. OCT 15

    Best Of CCP - Dante's Ring Of Sonos

    Sam Valencia, Jerry Zigmont and Joe Saponare discuss working with Apple technology and clients. Drawn from their combined experience of over 20 years in the Apple Consultants Network, they discuss technical support issues both with the technology and working with clients.

    48 min

  7. OCT 8

    Recovering Deleted Google Calendars and Client Network Saga: A Tech Support Adventure

    Thanks to our VIP Sponsors!     Recovering Deleted Google Calendars and Client Network Saga: A Tech Support Adventure   In this episode, the hosts discuss a series of challenging client issues, including how to recover a deleted Google Calendar, the complexities of managing network loops with Sonos devices, and the frustrations of dealing with unreliable electricians. They also explore advertising on Facebook and Instagram for tech support services, share the latest updates from Apple, and review the impact of recent podcasting trends. Tune in for insights on troubleshooting, client management, and the ever-evolving tech landscape. -One of Jerry’s clients finds out the hard way that you cannot restore a deleted Google calendar. -Joe has some follow up about his client with two UniFi mission critical switches. -He also mentions a helpful UniFi article about preventing network loops. -After many years and work with Sonos, Joe has some updated guidance on network recommendations. -Jerry has seen an uptick in business lately. He is also engaging in Facebook and Instagram advertising. -Joe is a fan of a podcast on NPR called The Brian Lehrer Show -And now for Jerry’s favorite part - Joe’s product announcements. -He does have some interesting thoughts on AirPods Pro hearing tests. THANK YOU TO OUR PATREON SPONSORS!

    55 min

  8. OCT 1

    A Beer Lover's Adventure and Tech Talk: Exploring European Brews and New Mac OS Updates

    In this episode, the hosts discuss various topics from a recent travel experience in the Netherlands and Belgium, highlighting amazing Trappist beers and unique beer brewing technologies. They also dive into the new features and implications of the latest Mac OS release, Sequoia, including the practical uses of Apple's new password app, send later in iOS messages, and the game-changing iPhone mirroring feature. Additionally, the episode features insights on managing client expectations with updates, blocking the latest OS to ensure stability, and a personal account of a sudden client shutdown. The show wraps up with tips on data recovery using Backblaze and a super-fast external drive.   00:00 Introduction and Recent Trip to the Netherlands and Belgium 00:28 Exploring Trappist Monasteries and Belgian Beers 01:57 Travel Experiences in Bruges, Belgium 03:09 Challenges of Bringing Beer Back Home 05:32 In-Flight Entertainment and Raw Dogging 07:53 Sequoia Release and Technical Discussions 13:17 Managing Software Updates and Client Experiences 26:38 Daily Driver Adventures 27:06 Apple's Seamless Integration 28:01 Send Later Feature in iOS 28:26 iPhone Mirroring and Instagram 29:30 Supporting Clients Efficiently 30:02 SMS Messages on Mac 31:31 New Passwords App 33:38 Screen Capture Limitations 36:06 Hiking Directions in Maps 39:07 Client Stories and Business Practices 42:35 Data Recovery and Backblaze https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09ZRWT134/ 50:15 Wrapping Up and Teasers

    55 min
See All (101)

4.7
out of 5
57 Ratings

About

Sam, Jerry, and Joe discuss their thoughts and draw from their combined experience of over 20 years in the Apple Consultants Network (ACN).

Information

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada