#31 - From the Trenches - The CIO Mindset - MSPs, Luck & Learning (Bob Coppedge)

In this From the Trenches episode, Bob Coppedge, Founder & CEO of Simplex-IT, joins Josh Peterson to unpack more than 18 years in managed services and four decades in IT. Bob shares how he moved from CIO and independent consultant to launching an MSP in 2007—right as the managed services model was maturing and the broader economy was shifting. That timing, combined with a CIO’s “business first, technology second” lens, led Simplex-IT to focus on improving client outcomes instead of simply fixing tickets or competing on price.

Bob and Josh explore why MSP success often looks more like poker than chess—where probability, luck, and incomplete information always factor into outcomes—and how that mindset encourages humility, better decisions, and continuous learning. They dig into recurring technology waves (from big data and security to today’s AI), Simplex-IT’s “model year” approach for helping clients absorb continual change, and a “they ask, you answer” content strategy built around approachable YouTube videos. For MSPs who want to get out of commodity mode and build a repeatable operating system for goals, financials, and execution, this conversation pairs naturally with resources like the BMK Vision program, which helps leaders apply the same kind of disciplined, forward-looking thinking inside their own businesses.

For MSPs navigating small-business growth and innovation, explore these related articles: proven recurring revenue sales strategies for managed service providers, bmk vision: real impact, real growth, and why the bmk vision program works for growing msps.

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Episode Highlights

• 00:09:00 – Bob’s transition from CIO and independent consultant to founding Simplex-IT in 2007 during a pivotal shift in the MSP business model.
• 00:17:00 – Reframing business and MSP success as a poker game, where probability, luck, and incomplete information are always in play.
• 00:25:00 – A grounded discussion on AI’s impact on IT and marketing, highlighting both resistance and opportunities within MSP organizations.
• 00:29:30 – How Simplex-IT’s “model year” program helps clients anticipate ongoing technology upgrades instead of reacting to sudden changes.
• 00:32:00 – Leveraging a “they ask, you answer” YouTube content strategy to educate clients and prospects with honest, approachable video.
• 00:45:00 – Practical advice on using AI-generated scripts and simple cut edits to lower the barrier to consistent video creation.
• 00:53:00 – How Bob’s improv comedy background helps him overcome public speaking anxiety and create more engaging on-camera content.

About the Guest

Bob Coppedge is the Founder & CEO of Simplex-IT, an Ohio-based managed and co-managed IT services provider he launched in 2007. With more than 40 years of experience across roles including developer, network engineer, IT director, CIO, consultant, and MSP leader, Bob is known for “translating IT to biz and back” and helping small and mid-sized organizations use technology to drive measurable business outcomes instead of just keeping the lights on.

In addition to leading Simplex-IT, Bob is an author, speaker, and educator in the MSP community, sharing practical frameworks for co-managed IT, operational maturity, and making complex technology understandable for both executives and technical teams. He regularly appears on stages, in webinars, and through Simplex-IT’s video library to help organizations navigate security, cloud, AI, and the evolving role of IT in the business.

🌐 Visit Simplex-IT →
🌐 Connect with Bob on LinkedIn →

About the Host

Josh Peterson is the CEO of Bering McKinley and host of the BMK Vision Podcast. Through the From the Trenches series, Josh highlights MSP leaders who redefine growth through creativity, resilience, and genuine client connection.

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