MSP business owners typically possess a passion for technology and a strong IT background. It’s because of this tech expertise that they’ve chosen to become an IT service provider, after all. But knowing the tech inside and out is only half the battle. Growing a successful business demands a well-rounded skill set which many leaders only later realize they need to develop.

From the struggles of growing a sales and marketing engine to the complexities of financial management and business development, MSP owners are initiated into a new set of challenges. As they strive to scale operations to meet growing demands, the pressures of maintaining service quality amidst expansion can exacerbate these challenges. And one of the most important pieces of success, building a strong company culture, is also one of the most overlooked, to the detriment of the business.

Mastering these nuances of business management is non-negotiable if you’re looking to achieve sustainable growth and long-term profitability. But as any business owner knows, an entreprenuer’s plate is full of the day-to-day demands of running a company. Learning is often done by trial and error, which can suck time and resources you can’t afford to lose. There’s precious little time for searching for useful, reliable training and advice to aid in growing these important skills.

Mike Estep, VP of Communities at Blackpoint, understands the challenges MSP owners are up against. Originally an engineer, Estep became an MSP owner and built a thriving business over 30 years. He also co-founded Blue Alliance, an MSP investment group now supporting over 37,000 users in 43 states.

“In my decades running an MSP, I made a lot of mistakes,” Estep says. “With those mistakes came lessons I was able to apply to my business and the MSPs we acquired. Once I knew the secret sauce to MSP success, scaling the business came naturally.”

Estep is now using his experience to help other IT service providers as he heads up the relaunch of Blackpoint University, the learning platform released last year dedicated to MSP success. The new Blackpoint University will serve as the go-to playbook for MSPs looking to not only provide top-tier tech, but also run business operations at an elite level, focusing on simple, accessible tips to help MSPs grow their business and maintain a competitive edge.

For business owners who have no time to lose, that’s great news. Blackpoint University removes the friction of research and evaluation and brings industry expertise direct to MSPs, on-demand at no cost. Courses will be led by experts from all avenues of business, including MSP owners, investment leaders, c-suite executives, and more. Learners will receive proven, actionable tactics they can immediately apply in their business.

The first of the new course offerings will focus on developing a winning company culture, a key component of scaling the business. Many companies take time to develop robust mission, vision and values statements, but without backing those up in the day-to-day culture, they become mere words on paper. Fostering a feeling of community and belonging internally leads to a positive employee experience and improved talent retention, which radiates externally to result in happy clients and customer referrals.

The relaunch of Blackpoint University will also feature a basic finance course, going back to the fundamentals to help participants understand the terminology, technology, and processes needed to manage and scale MSP financial operations. Finance is often a stumbling block to tech-minded MSP leaders, but with the right knowledge, it can be turned from an operational burden into a competitive edge.

Owning an MSP business is not for the faint of heart. Competition may be fierce, but the MSP market is yours for the taking with the right tools in your pocket. Access these tools via the go-to education platform for MSPs looking to grow, thrive, and outpace the competition at all levels—enroll in Blackpoint University.