How a Cybersecurity Tabletop Exercise Can Grow Your MSP Security Practice | Pax8 - Academy Live Podcast Episode 56

What if you could uncover gaps in a client's incident response plan before a real cyberattack puts it to the test, while also creating a valuable new security service for your MSP? In this episode of Academy Live, we're breaking down how a cybersecurity tabletop exercise can be such a powerful addition to an MSP's security practice. 🔑 Key Topics Covered ✅ What a cybersecurity tabletop exercise actually is ✅ How to design realistic incident-response scenarios ✅ The roles of facilitators, note takers, participants, and stakeholders ✅ How "injects" keep exercises realistic and challenge assumptions ✅ Why tabletop exercises can involve far more than security and IT teams ✅ Common barriers MSPs face when launching a tabletop service ✅ Turning TTXs into a client-facing cybersecurity offering ✅ How tabletop exercises can strengthen client relationships and open conversations around additional security services ✅ Why the After-Action Report (AAR) may be the most important deliverable ✅ Turning lessons learned into owners, deadlines, recommendations, and measurable improvements ❗Don't wait for a real incident to discover that nobody knows what happens next. 🛡️ Ready to run your own tabletop exercise? Learn how to plan, facilitate, and deliver tabletop exercises that strengthen cybersecurity readiness while creating additional value for your clients. 👉 Sign up for Tabletop Exercises for MSPs: https://academy.pax8.com/learn/courses/6908/tabletop-exercises-for-msps-amer 📋 Turn Lessons Learned Into Action Doing the exercise is great. Doing something with what you learned is what makes it valuable. The Academy's On-Demand MicroLearning resource can help you make After-Action Reports part of your routine as a tool for reflection and improvement, not finger-pointing. 👉 Access the After-Action Report Template MicroLearning: https://academy.pax8.com/learn/courses/7053/microlearning-after-action-report-template 👍 Like and 🔔 Subscribe for more Academy Live episodes.   ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS Rex Frank | Vice President of Academy | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/rexfrank/ Chris Kaiser | Director of Peer Initiatives | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckaisercsquared/ Amanda Glidden | Director of Academy Content | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandafglidden/   ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ CONNECT WITH THE GUEST  Rich Richardson | Senior Executive Coach | Pax8 www.linkedin.com/in/rich-richardson- ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ LINKS ☁ Sign Up for Beyond EMEA 2026 ☁  Join us October 18-20, 2026  https://www.pax8beyond.com/  ☁ Become a Partner with Pax8 Academy ☁ https://signup.pax8.com/?lang=EN_U ☁ Learn More About Pax8 ☁ Why Pax8? - http://pax8.io/H1MI50NFhHl Explore our cloud marketplace - http://pax8.io/Ix0450NFhI9 ☁ Subscribe To Our Channel ☁ Never miss an episode of Academy Live - http://pax8.io/5yxJ50JJ3Z3 ☁ Follow Us ☁ LinkedIn - http://pax8.io/1jFu50JJ423 Twitter - http://pax8.io/AAth50JJ42u Facebook - http://pax8.io/A4gR50JJ43f ☁ Shop Pax8 Club ☁ See our collection of softwear - http://pax8.io/5xUR50NFhJb 

Cybersecurity threats may be evolving, but the truth is surprisingly simple: Many organizations are still getting compromised because they haven't mastered the basics. In this special Cybersecurity Awareness Month episode of Academy Live, we're joined by Dom Kirby, Senior Director of Professional Services at Pax8, to separate cybersecurity facts from cybersecurity fear. Together, we discuss what is actually changing in the security landscape, what hasn't changed at all, and why foundational security controls continue to outperform the latest buzzwords and marketing hype. 🔑 Key Topics Covered ✅ Why cybersecurity fundamentals still matter more than ever ✅ MFA, identity protection, and common security gaps organizations still overlook ✅ The rise of Shadow AI and how leaders should respond ✅ Why banning AI isn't a strategy ✅ How to have productive conversations about AI usage with employees ✅ The difference between legitimate security solutions and industry "snake oil" ✅ When and how organizations should review their security stack ✅ Avoiding constant tool churn while still evolving your security posture ✅ Building AI readiness through practical controls and governance 🔗 Check out the Pax8 Security Guided Growth Course to master the basics today: https://www.pax8.com/en-us/academy/guided-growth/#3resource  👍 Like and 🔔 Subscribe for more Academy Live episodes focused on helping leaders, teams, and MSPs grow through change. ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS Rex Frank | Vice President of Academy | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/rexfrank/ Chris Kaiser | Director of Peer Initiatives | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckaisercsquared/ Amanda Glidden | Director of Academy Content | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandafglidden/   ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ CONNECT WITH THE GUEST  Dominic Kirby | SSCP | Sr. Director of Professional Services | Pax8 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dominickirby YouTube: www.youtube.com/DomKirby   Website: www.domkirby.com   ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ LINKS ☁ Sign Up for Beyond EMEA 2026 ☁  Join us October 18-20, 2026  https://www.pax8beyond.com/  ☁ Become a Partner with Pax8 Academy ☁ https://signup.pax8.com/?lang=EN_U ☁ Learn More About Pax8 ☁ Why Pax8? - http://pax8.io/H1MI50NFhHl Explore our cloud marketplace - http://pax8.io/Ix0450NFhI9 ☁ Subscribe To Our Channel ☁ Never miss an episode of Academy Live - http://pax8.io/5yxJ50JJ3Z3 ☁ Follow Us ☁ LinkedIn - http://pax8.io/1jFu50JJ423 Twitter - http://pax8.io/AAth50JJ42u Facebook - http://pax8.io/A4gR50JJ43f ☁ Shop Pax8 Club ☁ See our collection of softwear - http://pax8.io/5xUR50NFhJb 

In a world of remote work, AI, automation, and digital collaboration, is bringing people together in person still worth it? In this episode of Academy Live, we're joined by Ike Hill, owner of Nocwing and longtime friend of Academy, for a conversation about leadership, community, mentorship, and why face-to-face connection still matters. As organizations become increasingly distributed, leaders are often challenged to maintain culture, create alignment, and build meaningful relationships across teams. But there are some experiences that simply can't be replicated through a screen. 🔑 Key Topics Covered ✅ The value of shared experiences and accidental inspiration moments ✅ Why leaders need perspective beyond their own organizations ✅ The power of Peer Groups, mentorship, and accountability ✅ How community helps leaders navigate difficult decisions ✅ The role vulnerability plays in leadership growth ✅ Why ownership can be lonely and how peer relationships help ✅ Building trust, culture, and connection in hybrid and remote environments ✅ The importance of sharing context so teams understand the "why" behind decisions ✅ How Academy resources, Peer Groups, and leadership development programs support long-term growth 👍 Like and 🔔 Subscribe for more Academy Live episodes focused on helping leaders, teams, and MSPs grow through change. ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS Rex Frank | Vice President of Academy | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/rexfrank/ Chris Kaiser | Director of Peer Initiatives | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckaisercsquared/ Amanda Glidden | Director of Academy Content | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandafglidden/   ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ CONNECT WITH THE GUEST  Ike Hill | President | Nocwing https://www.linkedin.com/in/ike-hill-21647550 ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ LINKS ☁ Sign Up for Beyond EMEA 2026 ☁  Join us October 18-20, 2026  https://www.pax8beyond.com/  ☁ Become a Partner with Pax8 Academy ☁ https://signup.pax8.com/?lang=EN_U ☁ Learn More About Pax8 ☁ Why Pax8? - http://pax8.io/H1MI50NFhHl Explore our cloud marketplace - http://pax8.io/Ix0450NFhI9 ☁ Subscribe To Our Channel ☁ Never miss an episode of Academy Live - http://pax8.io/5yxJ50JJ3Z3 ☁ Follow Us ☁ LinkedIn - http://pax8.io/1jFu50JJ423 Twitter - http://pax8.io/AAth50JJ42u Facebook - http://pax8.io/A4gR50JJ43f ☁ Shop Pax8 Club ☁ See our collection of softwear - http://pax8.io/5xUR50NFhJb 

Everywhere you look, people are talking about change. AI is evolving rapidly. New tools are arriving every week. Business models are shifting. Customer expectations are changing. And yet... Some of the most important principles for building successful businesses remain exactly the same.  In this episode of Academy Live, Amanda Glidden, Chris Kaiser, and Rex Frank take a step back from the constant buzz around emerging technology and explore what leaders should focus on when everything seems to be changing at once.  🔑 Key Topics Covered ✅ What is actually changing in today's technology landscape ✅ The difference between active versus passive responses to change ✅ Why relationships still matter more than ever ✅ The leadership challenges that remain constant despite technological disruption ✅ Building trust during periods of uncertainty ✅ Supporting employees through rapid change ✅ Healthy caution versus fear-driven paralysis ✅ The role leaders play in building resilience ✅ Why personal communication still matters in an automated world ✅ Becoming "Customer Zero" and leading technology adoption from the front ✅ How Peer Groups help leaders learn and adapt faster  Practical next steps leaders can take today: 🔗 The 5 Phases: How to Plan & Implement Change in Your Business Course: https://academy.pax8.com/learn/courses/6095/the-5-phases-how-to-plan-implement-change-in-your-business  🔗 How to Ace Your Internal Comms & Increase Retention, Change Adoption and Efficiency Course: https://academy.pax8.com/learn/courses/6373/how-to-ace-your-internal-comms-increase-retention-change-adoption-and-efficiency  🔗 MIP Program: https://app.pax8.com/catalog/agent-store 👍 Like and 🔔 Subscribe for more Academy Live episodes focused on helping leaders, teams, and MSPs grow through change. ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS Rex Frank | Vice President of Academy | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/rexfrank/ Chris Kaiser | Director of Peer Initiatives | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckaisercsquared/ Amanda Glidden | Director of Academy Content | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandafglidden/ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ LINKS ☁ Sign Up for Beyond EMEA 2026 ☁  Join us October 18-20, 2026  https://www.pax8beyond.com/  ☁ Become a Partner with Pax8 Academy ☁ https://signup.pax8.com/?lang=EN_U ☁ Learn More About Pax8 ☁ Why Pax8? - http://pax8.io/H1MI50NFhHl Explore our cloud marketplace - http://pax8.io/Ix0450NFhI9 ☁ Subscribe To Our Channel ☁ Never miss an episode of Academy Live - http://pax8.io/5yxJ50JJ3Z3 ☁ Follow Us ☁ LinkedIn - http://pax8.io/1jFu50JJ423 Twitter - http://pax8.io/AAth50JJ42u Facebook - http://pax8.io/A4gR50JJ43f ☁ Shop Pax8 Club ☁ See our collection of softwear - http://pax8.io/5xUR50NFhJb 

In this episode of Academy Live, we're joined by Sara Ehrich, Manager of Academy Instructor-Led Training, to explore an uncomfortable truth about leadership: AI doesn't fix poor leadership. It exposes it. AI has made knowledge more accessible than ever, but access to information isn't the same thing as good judgment. Leaders no longer create value simply by being the person with all the answers. Instead, the organizations that thrive will be led by people who develop judgment, build confidence, and create teams capable of making great decisions without constant oversight. 🔑 Key Topics Covered ✅ Why access to information doesn't equal good decision making ✅ The difference between being the best decision maker and having the most context ✅ How leaders unintentionally create dependency cultures ✅ Why AI amplifies judgment instead of replacing it ✅ Three ways leaders develop stronger decision makers: Visibility, Clarity, and Experience ✅ How reflection accelerates growth and leadership development ✅ Coaching instead of rescuing: helping people own outcomes ✅ How emerging leaders can practice leadership before they have the title ✅ Building teams that solve problems instead of escalating everything upward We'll also discuss how Academy's Instructor-Led Training leadership pathways help professionals grow from first-time leaders to leaders of leaders, creating stronger teams, healthier cultures, and organizations capable of scaling effectively. 🔗 Learn more about the Instructor-Led Leadership Learning Navigator: https://academy.pax8.com/share/asset/view/5590  🔗 Take the next step with the BXT Framework: https://academy.pax8.com/learn/courses/7472/microlearning-bxt-framework-deciding-what-deserves-your-attention-first/  💡 One of the biggest shifts in leadership today is moving from being the person with all the answers to becoming the person who develops others to find them. Great leaders create visibility, provide clarity, and intentionally create opportunities for growth. Whether you're an owner, manager, team lead, or aspiring leader, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership in a world where AI can provide answers but people still need judgment. 👍 Like and 🔔 Subscribe to stay up to date on the latest episodes of Academy Live.   ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS Rex Frank | Vice President of Academy | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/rexfrank/ Chris Kaiser | Director of Peer Initiatives | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckaisercsquared/ Amanda Glidden | Director of Academy Content | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandafglidden/   ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ CONNECT WITH THE GUEST Sara Ehrich | Manager of Academy Instructor-Led Training | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/saraehrich/  ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ LINKS Pax8 Academy Homepage https://tinyurl.com/y4m8d3cd Become a Partner with Pax8 Academy https://signup.pax8.com/?lang=EN_US ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ☁ Pax8 Beyond 2026 ☁ Learn more about our partner event: https://www.pax8beyond.com/ ☁ Learn More About Pax8 ☁ Why Pax8? - http://pax8.io/H1MI50NFhHl Explore our cloud marketplace - http://pax8.io/Ix0450NFhI9 ☁ Subscribe To Our Channel ☁ Never miss an episode of Academy Live - http://pax8.io/5yxJ50JJ3Z3 ☁ Follow Us ☁ LinkedIn - http://pax8.io/1jFu50JJ423 Twitter - http://pax8.io/AAth50JJ42u Facebook - http://pax8.io/A4gR50JJ43f ☁ Shop Pax8 Club ☁ See our collection of softwear - http://pax8.io/5xUR50NFhJb 

Are MSPs hiring less because of AI? In this episode of Academy Live, Adam Hannemann and Peter Kujawa join us to unpack one of the biggest trends emerging across the managed services industry: MSPs are slowing hiring while increasing investments in AI and automation tools. And the data suggests it's driving meaningful gains in efficiency and profitability.   🔑 Key Topics Covered ✅ The latest MSP hiring and staffing trends ✅ Why AI and automation investments are accelerating across the channel ✅ How top-performing MSPs are improving efficiency and profitability ✅ Why these trends apply regardless of company size or location ✅ The relationship between tools, staffing costs, and service gross margin ✅ The new Automation Index and what it measures ✅ Common myths MSPs have about benchmarking and performance data ✅ How peer groups help MSPs learn, grow, and improve faster ✅ Why AI adoption doesn't have to mean adding more headcount Whether you're a business owner, service leader, or growth-focused MSP executive, this episode offers valuable insights into where the industry is headed and what the data says about staying competitive. 👍 Like and 🔔 Subscribe for more Academy Live episodes designed to help MSPs grow smarter, scale faster, and improve profitability.   ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS Rex Frank | Vice President of Academy | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/rexfrank/ Chris Kaiser | Director of Peer Initiatives | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckaisercsquared/ Amanda Glidden | Director of Academy Content | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandafglidden/   ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ CONNECT WITH THE GUESTS Peter Kujawa | EVP | ConnectWise https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterkujawa Adam Hannemann | Manager of Academy Peer Groups | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahannemann ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ LINKS Pax8 Academy Homepage https://tinyurl.com/y4m8d3cd Become a Partner with Pax8 Academy https://signup.pax8.com/?lang=EN_US ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ☁ Pax8 Beyond 2026 ☁ Learn more about our partner event: https://www.pax8beyond.com/ ☁ Learn More About Pax8 ☁ Why Pax8? - http://pax8.io/H1MI50NFhHl Explore our cloud marketplace - http://pax8.io/Ix0450NFhI9 ☁ Subscribe To Our Channel ☁ Never miss an episode of Academy Live - http://pax8.io/5yxJ50JJ3Z3 ☁ Follow Us ☁ LinkedIn - http://pax8.io/1jFu50JJ423 Twitter - http://pax8.io/AAth50JJ42u Facebook - http://pax8.io/A4gR50JJ43f ☁ Shop Pax8 Club ☁ See our collection of softwear - http://pax8.io/5xUR50NFhJb 

AI is changing how businesses operate and Managed Service Providers have a choice: lead the transformation or watch someone else do it. In this episode of Academy Live, we're joined by David Schafran, VP of Partner Enablement at Pax8, to unpack the newly available Managed Intelligence Provider (MIP) Program and explain how MSPs can begin their journey into managed intelligence services. 🔑 Key Topics Covered ✅ What the MIP Program is and who it's designed for ✅ How AI maturity assessments help identify your organization's starting point ✅ Understanding the Broker vs. Builder approach to managed intelligence ✅ Why managed intelligence is an evolution of great consulting and not a replacement for MSP services ✅ The six MIP plays: Discover, Sell, Buy, Build, Implement, and Manage ✅ How MSPs can monetize AI and automation opportunities ✅ The role of QBRs and business conversations in uncovering intelligence opportunities ✅ How the Agent Store, enablement resources, and user communities support growth Whether you're a technical leader, business owner, salesperson, or strategist, this episode will help you understand how to begin incorporating managed intelligence into your business and where to find the resources to get started. 🔗 Check Out our QBR Course: Driving Success Together: The Vital Role of Quarterly Business Reviews: https://academy.pax8.com/learn/courses/5451/driving-success-together-the-vital-role-of-quarterly-business-reviews 🔗 Check out the Pax8 Agent store: https://app.pax8.com/catalog/agent-store 🔗 Discover how digital labor is reshaping SMB growth and redefining the role of IT providers: https://www.pax8.com/reports 📌 Learn more about Academy here: https://pax8.com/academy 👍 Like and 🔔 Subscribe to stay up to date on our latest episodes. New episodes drop every other Tuesday at 1 PM MT.   ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS Rex Frank | Vice President of Academy | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/rexfrank/ Chris Kaiser | Director of Peer Initiatives | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckaisercsquared/ Amanda Glidden | Director of Academy Content | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandafglidden/   ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ CONNECT WITH THE GUEST   David Schafran | VP of Partner Enablement | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidschafran ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ LINKS Pax8 Academy Homepage https://tinyurl.com/y4m8d3cd Become a Partner with Pax8 Academy https://signup.pax8.com/?lang=EN_US ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ☁ Pax8 Beyond 2026 ☁ Learn more about our partner event: https://www.pax8beyond.com/ ☁ Learn More About Pax8 ☁ Why Pax8? - http://pax8.io/H1MI50NFhHl Explore our cloud marketplace - http://pax8.io/Ix0450NFhI9 ☁ Subscribe To Our Channel ☁ Never miss an episode of Academy Live - http://pax8.io/5yxJ50JJ3Z3 ☁ Follow Us ☁ LinkedIn - http://pax8.io/1jFu50JJ423 Twitter - http://pax8.io/AAth50JJ42u Facebook - http://pax8.io/A4gR50JJ43f ☁ Shop Pax8 Club ☁ See our collection of softwear - http://pax8.io/5xUR50NFhJb 

Did You Miss Pax8 Beyond 2026? We’ve Got You Covered! In this episode of Academy Live, we’re recapping Pax8 Beyond 2026 through the lens of what Academy does best… turning insight into execution. Beyond delivers world-class keynotes and community moments, as well as Academy breakout sessions that are helping MSPs clarify value, scale faster, and operate smarter. And in this episode we will highlight it all! 🔑 Key Topics Covered: ✅ A recap of the Beyond 2026 experience and why education is at the center of it ✅ Highlights from the Academy Session “Where’s the Value?” with Dave Wiseman ✅ Highlights from the Academy Session “From 3x to 10x” with Brian Davies ✅ The frameworks and mindset shifts driving real MSP transformation ✅ How Academy sessions go beyond ideas into practical, repeatable execution   In this episode, we’ve pulled together the key moments, sessions, and insights so you don’t miss a thing. But if you want the full experience, be sure to check out the complete Beyond Live coverage on our Pax8 YouTube channel:   🔗 Pax8 Beyond 2026 Live Keynote - June 8th, 2026: https://youtube.com/live/WDN0fPCFbIQ  🔗 Pax8 Beyond 2026 Live Keynote - June 9th, 2026: https://youtube.com/live/h4SoBJG9Gis    🌍 Or register for an upcoming Pax8 Beyond event: 🇩🇰 Copenhagen (EMEA 2026) 🇦🇺 Sydney (APAC 2027) 🇺🇸 San Diego (Flagship 2027) Register here: http://pax8beyond.com/    👍 Like and 🔔 Subscribe for more Academy insights and partner growth strategies.   ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS Rex Frank | Vice President of Academy | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/rexfrank/ Chris Kaiser | Director of Peer Initiatives | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckaisercsquared/ Amanda Glidden | Director of Academy Content | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandafglidden/ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ LINKS Pax8 Academy Homepage https://tinyurl.com/y4m8d3cd Become a Partner with Pax8 Academy https://signup.pax8.com/?lang=EN_US ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ☁ Pax8 Beyond 2026 ☁ Learn more about our partner event: https://www.pax8beyond.com/ ☁ Learn More About Pax8 ☁ Why Pax8? - http://pax8.io/H1MI50NFhHl Explore our cloud marketplace - http://pax8.io/Ix0450NFhI9 ☁ Subscribe To Our Channel ☁ Never miss an episode of Academy Live - http://pax8.io/5yxJ50JJ3Z3 ☁ Follow Us ☁ LinkedIn - http://pax8.io/1jFu50JJ423 Twitter - http://pax8.io/AAth50JJ42u Facebook - http://pax8.io/A4gR50JJ43f ☁ Shop Pax8 Club ☁ See our collection of softwear - http://pax8.io/5xUR50NFhJb 

In this episode of Academy Live, we’re helping you build your Pax8 Beyond 2026 session plan… because with 24 Academy sessions on the agenda, you want a strategy, not guesswork. Beyond is built around Community, Education and Innovation, and today we’re zeroing in on Education to show you how to pick sessions based on the industry trends you care about most: MIP, scalability, strategic leadership, modern sales and more. We’ll also show how to use the agenda and planning tools (filters by date, category and tags) to build a schedule aligned to your goals — plus we’ll spotlight a few standout sessions and a Pre-Beyond workshop so you can lock in real takeaways before the main event begins. 🔑 Key Topics Covered: ✅ How to choose Academy sessions by trend (AI + automation, MIP, sales, scale) ✅ A few featured sessions + speakers we’re excited about ✅ Why Beyond is the event partners point to when they want real educational content ✅ The “Academy Secret Menu” (👀 if you’ve got FOMO, you’ll want to come find us)   🎟️ Build your plan + browse the agenda here: https://www.pax8beyond.com/pax8beyond-agenda/   🔗 Learn more / register: pax8beyond.com 👍 Like and 🔔 Subscribe to stay up to date on our latest episodes. New episodes drop every other Tuesday at 1 PM MT.   ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS Rex Frank | Vice President of Academy | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/rexfrank/ Chris Kaiser | Director of Peer Initiatives | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckaisercsquared/ Amanda Glidden | Director of Academy Content | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandafglidden/ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ LINKS Pax8 Academy Homepage https://tinyurl.com/y4m8d3cd Become a Partner with Pax8 Academy https://signup.pax8.com/?lang=EN_US ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ☁ Pax8 Beyond 2026 ☁ Learn more about our partner event: https://www.pax8beyond.com/ ☁ Learn More About Pax8 ☁ Why Pax8? - http://pax8.io/H1MI50NFhHl Explore our cloud marketplace - http://pax8.io/Ix0450NFhI9 ☁ Subscribe To Our Channel ☁ Never miss an episode of Academy Live - http://pax8.io/5yxJ50JJ3Z3 ☁ Follow Us ☁ LinkedIn - http://pax8.io/1jFu50JJ423 Twitter - http://pax8.io/AAth50JJ42u Facebook - http://pax8.io/A4gR50JJ43f ☁ Shop Pax8 Club ☁ See our collection of softwear - http://pax8.io/5xUR50NFhJb 

In this episode of Academy Live, we explore one of the most important frameworks for understanding where AI is headed: the Gartner Hype Cycle and why it matters for MSPs, business leaders, and anyone preparing for what’s next. As Pax8 looks ahead, there’s a clear focus on the future of digital labor powered by agentic AI. But preparing for the next technology curve doesn’t mean abandoning the business you’re running today. In this conversation, we unpack the concept of curve jumping, the S-curve framework, and what it takes to evolve while continuing to grow in the current cloud era. 🔑 Key Topics Covered: ✅ What the Gartner Hype Cycle is and why it matters ✅ How technologies move from hype to real business value ✅ Where LLMs and AI agents currently sit on the AI adoption curve ✅ The difference between the Hype Cycle and the S-Curve ✅ What “curve jumping” means for MSPs and business leaders ✅ How Pax8 is preparing for the future of digital labor ✅ Why businesses must evolve without disrupting current revenue streams ✅ Celebrating Pax8’s Docebo Inspire Award for Best Customer Education Program Plus, we close out the episode with a special guest appearance from Olivia Reid to celebrate exciting news from the 2026 Docebo Inspire Learning Awards, where Pax8 was recognized with the Best Customer Education Program award. This episode topic isn’t about chasing hype. It’s about understanding timing, preparing for technology shifts, and building the foundation for what comes next. 🔗Gartner Hype Cycle Article: https://www.pragmaticcoders.com/blog/gartner-ai-hype-cycle 👍 Like and 🔔 Subscribe to stay up to date on our latest episodes. New episodes drop every other Tuesday at 1 PM MT.   ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS Rex Frank | Vice President of Academy | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/rexfrank/ Chris Kaiser | Director of Peer Initiatives | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckaisercsquared/ Amanda Glidden | Director of Academy Content | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandafglidden/ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ CONNECT WITH THE GUEST Olivia Reid | Manager of Learning Technology, Partner Experience| Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-reid-a8a69669 ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ LINKS Pax8 Academy Homepage https://tinyurl.com/y4m8d3cd Become a Partner with Pax8 Academy https://signup.pax8.com/?lang=EN_US ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ☁ Pax8 Beyond 2026 ☁ Learn more about our partner event: https://www.pax8beyond.com/ ☁ Learn More About Pax8 ☁ Why Pax8? - http://pax8.io/H1MI50NFhHl Explore our cloud marketplace - http://pax8.io/Ix0450NFhI9 ☁ Subscribe To Our Channel ☁ Never miss an episode of Academy Live - http://pax8.io/5yxJ50JJ3Z3 ☁ Follow Us ☁ LinkedIn - http://pax8.io/1jFu50JJ423 Twitter - http://pax8.io/AAth50JJ42u Facebook - http://pax8.io/A4gR50JJ43f ☁ Shop Pax8 Club ☁ See our collection of softwear - http://pax8.io/5xUR50NFhJb