In this episode of From the Trenches on the BMK Vision Podcast, Josh Peterson sits down with Steve Brickner, Founder/CEO of Kraken Technology Solutions, for a grounded conversation about where MSPs are headed next—and why the market is rewarding leadership more than ticket throughput.
Steve shares his path from construction into IT, why early-stage MSPs need the ability to pivot quickly, and how “fractional technology leadership” is becoming the new wedge for trust, retention, and higher-value client relationships.
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🎙 What We Cover in This Episode
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Reframing MSP value: from tickets to technology leadership
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Fractional leadership and the consultative MSP model
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Why cybersecurity became table-stakes—and what comes after
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IT as a growth driver (not just a cost center)
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Translating security and tech decisions into CFO-ready ROI language
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Relationship-first prospecting: community, chambers, and content
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Webinars vs podcasts in 2026: attention, intent, and repurposing
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Podcast production stack ideas (Riverside + automated switching)
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👤 Guest Links
Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevebrickner981ba9242
Company Website: https://krakentechnology.io/
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https://beringmckinley.com/vision
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