Unlocking Growth: The Power of Peer Groups for MSPs

In this blog I want to delve into how and why Peer Groups offer a game-changing opportunity for business growth. Peer Groups serve as invaluable platforms where MSPs can come together to share insights and learn from each other’s experiences—good and bad—to enhance operational efficiency, and foster collaborative growth strategies.

Understanding Peer Groups

Let’s start at the very beginning… Peer Groups are more than just gatherings; they’re dynamic forums where MSPs come together to exchange ideas, share experiences, and collectively grow their operational maturity. These groups offer a supportive environment where like-minded professionals, who are not competitors, discuss various aspects of their businesses, from service delivery and pricing strategies to marketing techniques and operational efficiency.

The Benefits for MSPs of being in a Peer Group

Participating in peer groups can have a profound impact on your MSP’s business development, regardless of its size. Through open discussions and shared insights, MSPs can gain valuable perspectives that can drive innovation and problem-solving. Whether you’re a small startup MSP or a well-established business, peer groups provide a platform to learn from others’ successes and challenges, ultimately helping you refine your strategies and achieve your business goals.

Overcoming Initial Hesitations

Some MSPs might be hesitant to join peer groups due to concerns about revealing sensitive business information. However, it’s crucial to understand that peer groups operate on a foundation of trust and collaboration. Everyone involved is committed to mutual growth and support, ensuring a safe space for sharing both successes and challenges.

The impact of peer groups extends beyond theoretical discussions. Real MSPs have experienced transformative changes in their businesses through peer group participation. From streamlining operations to redefining growth strategies, the collective wisdom and camaraderie fostered within peer groups have proven invaluable time and time again.

Getting Involved: N‑able’s Peer Groups

We’ve been developing our own Peer groups as part of our Business Transformation Program. These are carefully curated so that each MSP is with others of a similar size and  maturity level. We essentially offer two types of peer groups: onsite and online. Onsite peer groups are ideal for medium to large MSPs, where members meet onsite once a quarter for two days and once a month online for 90 minutes. Alternatively, online peer groups meet monthly for 90 minutes, focusing on growth-minded and efficiency topics.

Our role is to help facilitate the groups coming together and, where appropriate, bring in other people from outside the group to present and share insights. Of course, we’re aware there may be discussions where the groups themselves want to open up a bit more, perhaps to discuss finances, and they don’t necessarily want us to be there, and we’re happy to step out of those conversations. As a matter of fact, we make a point of it so that everybody’s comfortable sharing those details without the vendor being present.

If you think joining a Peer Group could help you grow your business to the next level just reach out to N‑able through your growth strategist, account manager, or partner success manager. Alternatively, you can directly connect with me, Chris Massey, and I’ll guide you through the process.

Final Thoughts

Peer Groups offer a unique opportunity for MSPs to thrive in the ever-evolving IT industry landscape. By leveraging the power of collaboration and shared learning, you can unlock new possibilities for your business growth. So, don’t hesitate to reach out and get involved in N‑able’s peer group program today. Your journey to operational excellence and business success awaits!

Until next time, keep innovating and growing!

Chris Massey is Senior Partner Growth Manager at N‑able

Watch Chris talking to Pete Roythorne in detail about peer groups here: