In this episode, Richard Tubb is joined by MJ Shoer. MJ is the Chief Community Officer of the newly-formed GTIA, previously part of the non-profit CompTIA.
A former IT director and MSP owner, MJ did a spell of consulting before joining certification and community organisation CompTIA.
An Interview with MJ Shoer
How the CompTIA Acquisition Came About
MJ acknowledges that the acquisition has come as a surprise for a lot of people, not least because CompTIA is a nonprofit membership association. However, as he explains: “The association itself was not acquired, and it was hard to clearly communicate that at first.
“CompTIA has run for 42 years, and that became a brand. Part of it was a thriving training and certification business, and the revenue generated from that funded the nonprofit association’s work. So we’ve sold that part of the organisation, along with the brand.
“And in exchange for that, we received money to create an endowment, which will fund the operations of the association in perpetuity. The association is now the Global Technology Industry Association or GTIA for short. The other side is now a for-profit company – CompTIA Incorporated.
The Relationship Between CompTIA and GTIA
The decision for part of CompTIA to be acquired was agreed by all of the senior leadership team, and the division was amicable. However, they are now two completely separate organisations, with no formal or informal links. MJ adds:
“Traditionally, trade associations earn income one of two ways. Either they sell memberships or host events, or they offer professional training. Because CompTIA had built that so well, it was profitable. So the association has been paid for the commercial side of the business. GTIA is the community arm.
“The endowment we have will continue to grow, and it funds all of GTIA’s operations now and for the future. Part of that will be continuing our charitable giving, and we have plans to increase that. We won’t offer any kind of certification. “
The Response to the New GTIA Organisation
The feedback on the new organisation has been tremendous, says MJ, and better than anyone could have hoped for. “Being a member of the GTIA community isn’t just about what you’re getting out of it, it’s about being part of something bigger, that gives back.
“We can really do good, and I’ve always loved the fact that this industry is that we make an impact. The work of our members impacts the global economy. And that means that we can provide opportunities to others. People are enthusiastic about the charitable aims.”
MJ shares that the new branding and logo has received a lot of love, too. “They’re seeing us everywhere, and we’re already being recognised. And that’s what we want – to empower our members, they need to see us and know that we’re here for them. And to be there for each other, too.”
Why MSPs Should Join the Organisation and Attend Events
No matter where you are in the world, there’s a GTIA meeting for you. Some are virtual and others in-person, and they take place several times a month. If you’re an introvert, push yourself out of your comfort zone and book to attend something that looks interesting.
MJ says: “You never know who you’ll meet and how they can help you. Back when I ran my MSP, we were a small organisation in a small part of the world. On our own, we would never have been able to grow the way they did.
“But by being a CompTIA member, we had access to incredible resources, which helped us develop our skills and build our credibility. There are so many benefits to being a GTIA member. But I’d encourage you to go to a meeting, introduce yourself to one person you don’t know and see what comes from that.
“It might not happen straight away, but at some time it could lead to something significant. But you have to put yourself out there – don’t just wait for things to happen to you. And always look for ways to help others.”
The Future Plans for GTIA
There’s a balancing act, says MJ, between having a lot of members who are less engaged, or a smaller number of members who are highly engaged. “So, I’d love to solve for that and find a happy medium. But to continue to grow at the same time.
“We want to focus on things that matter the most to our members and will provide them with the most value. And to do that, we ask them what they want. We’re a member-led organisation and they’re what matters. We start local groups in regions where they ask us to be.
“But we don’t just set up a group. We have a manager hired and in place, so that we can build engagement quicker and better in each new community. And then we empower them to give back to the local area.
“Alongside that, we have spotlight awards, outstanding member recognition and so on. We champion those who are innovating, advancing women, showing expertise and prioritising DEI. We want to stay true to our core principles and those of our members.”
Industry Changes MSPs Should Pay Attention to
AI is one of the big trends in the MSP industry right now, says MJ. “But the challenge is to not get caught up in the hype cycle. Instead, focus on the actual practical applications of AI. At GTAI, we want to shine a light on practical solutions that members are already benefiting from.
“Because it’s not just about throwing AI at something. It’s about, asking the most important question – why? Why are getting involved in AI, how will it benefit your business and your customers? “We know that a similar thing has already happened with cybersecurity, and that continues to be important for MSPs.
“And finally, this is an aging industry. So it’s important to support and encourage the younger generation. We need to get them engaged and rising up into leadership positions. A key focus is having a robust talent pipeline to ensure the right people are in charge.”
How to Connect With MJ Shoer
- GTIA
- ******@**ia.org” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Email MJ
- Connect with MJ on LinkedIn
- Follow GTIA on LinkedIn
How to Connect With Me
- Subscribe to TubbTalk RSS feed
- Subscribe, rate, and review TubbTalk on iTunes
- Subscribe and rate TubbTalk on Spotify
- Follow TubbTalk on iHeartRadio
- Follow @tubblog on Twitter
Mentioned in This Interview
- CompTIA
- Podcast: Why CompTIA are the MSP Industry’s Best-Kept Secret
- Podcast: Best-Kept Secret to Global Leader: The Remarkable Evolution of CompTIA
- The GTIA online suggestion box
- GTIA Events
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Richard Tubb is one of the best-known experts within the global IT Managed Service Provider (MSP) community. He launched and sold his own MSP business before creating a leading MSP media and consultancy practice. Richard helps IT business owner’s take back control by freeing up their time and building a business that can run without them. He’s the author of the book “The IT Business Owner’s Survival Guide” and writer of the award-winning blog www.tubblog.co.uk
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