Gaining the Technology Leadership Edge, Episode #117
The Leadership Mistakes That Nearly Killed This MSP Company
Show Notes
About the Guest(s):
Jeff Borello is the CEO of Andromeda Technology Solutions, a distinguished managed service provider that has grown from three founders to employing a team of 50 people. Under Jeff’s leadership, the company has flourished, landing a spot on the MSP 501 list and gaining recognition as one of the best places to work. Jeff, along with his co-founders, started Andromeda over 30 years ago with a vision to focus on exceptional customer service and commitment to scaling a successful IT company. His ethos revolves around dedication, long-term vision, and fostering a supportive company culture.
Episode Summary:
In this episode of “Gaining the Technology Leadership Edge,” host Mike sits down with Jeff Borello, CEO of Andromeda Technology Solutions, to explore the journey of growing a startup into a formidable IT service organization. The discussion kicks off with a throwback to the humble beginnings of Andromeda, with Mike and Jeff reminiscing about long nights, the early entrepreneurial spirit, and the unyielding determination that drove their growth. With over 30 years in the industry, Jeff shares transformational insights into what it takes to build a company that not only scales successfully but earns the trust and loyalty of its workforce and clients.
As they dive deeper into the episode, Jeff unveils the strategic shifts that helped Andromeda evolve from a small IT shop to a leader in the managed services sector. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on customer satisfaction, commitment to company culture, and the role of leadership in sustaining long-term success. With contributions to the manufacturing sector and an unwavering focus on best practices, Andromeda’s blueprint for success offers compelling lessons for emerging tech leaders. Mike and Jeff also share anecdotes and lessons learned, underscoring the necessity of adaptability and maintaining foundational principles in the ever-evolving tech landscape.
Key Takeaways:
- Building a successful company requires a long-term vision without shortcuts, emphasizing dedication and quality customer service.
- Transitioning to a managed services model early was pivotal for Andromeda, highlighting the importance of adaptability in business.
- Company culture is integral; investing in it can result in high employee retention and create an enviable work environment.
- Decisions in business should focus on flexibility, allowing shifts when things are not unfolding as expected, akin to Bezos’s approach.
- Finding and maintaining the right work-life balance remains a challenge, but loving what you do can blur the lines between work and play.
Notable Quotes:
- “What does it take to build a company from three founders to a 50 person team, generate millions in revenue and land on the MSP 501 list?” – Jeff Borello
- “We’ve never wavered from our initial plan, which was to just take really good care of the customers.” – Jeff Borello
- “If we’re going to work this hard, we should do something for ourselves.” – Jeff Borello
- “There’s no such thing as a four-hour work week that turns into an easy money maker.” – Jeff Borello
- “It’s a long-term game… you gotta be in it for the long haul.” – Jeff Borello
Resources:
- Andromeda Technology Solutions
- Jeff Borello on LinkedIn
Tune into this engaging episode to learn how Andromeda Technology Solutions became a trailblazer in the tech industry under Jeff Borello’s stewardship. It’s a must-listen for tech leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs seeking inspiration and actionable insights. Stay tuned for future episodes of “Gaining the Technology Leadership Edge” for more enlightening discussions.
Watch Episode #117 on YouTube
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Episode Details
Building a Thriving MSP: Insights from Jeff Borello of Andromeda Technology Solutions
Key Takeaways:
- Emphasizing customer care and business transparency can fuel long-term growth and retention.
- Transitioning from a startup mentality to a structured organization requires intentional focus on leadership and culture.
- Navigating industry shifts, like moving from break-fix to managed services, demands adaptability and foresight.
Crafting a Customer-Centric Growth Strategy
The story of Andromeda Technology Solutions, as narrated by Jeff Borello, is a testament to the enduring power of customer-centric business practices. From a humble beginning with three founders working out of a bedroom to achieving recognition on the MSP501 list, the journey of Andromeda underscores the importance of taking “really good care of the customers.” Jeff highlights that even in today’s rapidly changing business landscape, this approach is often overlooked. “Just take really good care of the customers. It’s a lost art,” he emphasizes, noting that this customer-first mentality was foundational to their growth and longevity.
The broader implications are clear: an unwavering commitment to customer care can distinguish a company in the competitive managed services landscape. As businesses evolve, sustaining such a philosophy requires consistent alignment with client needs and a willingness to adapt and refine services. For Andromeda, this meant maintaining a personal touch even as the business scaled. Jeff’s recounting of their journey reflects how businesses can achieve sustainable growth by fostering genuine client relationships based on trust and satisfaction.
Transitioning from Startup to Sustainable Enterprise
In the early days of Andromeda, a startup mindset fueled their operations, with the founders and initial team often embodying the hustle and all-hands-on-deck mentality. Jeff recalls that even as they grew to a 10-person team, they maintained this approach. However, as the company matured, there was a necessary shift toward a more organized structure: “As we started growing a little bit more and we got kind of out of that startup phase, I started paying a lot more attention to things around leadership and culture.”
This shift highlights the critical transition phase many burgeoning companies face. Developing a structured organization requires intentional efforts to cultivate leadership skills and build a cohesive company culture. Jeff mentions the concerted efforts Andromeda invested in refining their benefits, packages, and internal culture, leading to a seven-year average employee tenure and multiple recognitions as a best place to work. This underscores the idea that a strong organizational culture, built with employee input and tailored incentives, can be vital in transforming a company from startup to a sustainable enterprise.
Navigating Industry Shifts and Innovations
The managed services landscape is dynamic, requiring companies to adapt quickly to technological and industry changes. Andromeda’s transition from a break-fix model to a managed services model exemplifies this adaptability. Jeff recounts how engaging with Enable early on in their journey sparked their shift to a managed services model, a move that was both strategic and somewhat serendipitous. “There was something about it that resonated with us… We wanted to get on board early, and we haven’t looked back.”
This strategic shift illustrates the necessity for businesses to embrace new models and technologies to stay ahead. The transition to managed services allowed Andromeda to establish a recurring revenue model, essential for financial stability and growth. The broader lesson for industry players is clear: staying ahead in the rapidly evolving tech world requires a willingness to explore uncharted territories and seize emerging opportunities, even when the path is not fully visible.
Ultimately, Jeff’s insights shed light on the core ingredients for building a robust and thriving company in the tech space. From unwavering customer focus and cultural investments to embracing industry changes, each facet plays a pivotal role in crafting enduring success. Each of these strategies converges to create a blueprint for others in the managed services industry looking to replicate similar feats of longevity and growth.
Contact Information for Jeff Borello
| Timestamp | Summary |
|---|---|
| 0:00 | Building Andromeda: From Startup Struggles to Industry Success |
| 6:44 | Building Culture and Leadership in a Growing Startup |
| 15:03 | Navigating Business Challenges and Leadership Dynamics |
| 20:16 | IT Emergencies Caused by Unexpected Network Disruptions |
| 22:30 | The Importance of Communication in Problem Solving |
| 24:52 | Navigating Business Challenges and Embracing Transparency in Leadership |