---
title: "#83 – Getting Lost on the Way to Relevance | From the Trenches (Ray Stasieczko)"
description: Discover why MSPs must periodically reassess positioning and strategy to maintain relevance, avoid strategic drift, and ensure long-term success.
image: https://beringmckinley.com/hubfs/%2383%20%E2%80%93%20Getting%20Lost%20on%20the%20Way%20to%20Relevance%20%20From%20the%20Trenches%20(Ray)%20(2).png
---
[Skip to the main content.](https://beringmckinley.com/blog/83-getting-lost-on-the-way-to-relevance-from-the-trenches-ray-stasieczko#main-content)
[%20logo.png?width=588&height=164&name=BMK%20(just%20text)%20logo.png "Bering McKinley Logo")](https://beringmckinley.com)
[%20logo.png?width=1212&height=224&name=BMK%20(just%20text)%20logo.png "BMK (just text) logo")](https://beringmckinley.com)
- [What We Do](https://beringmckinley.com/vision)
- [BMK Vision](https://beringmckinley.com/vision)
- [BPA](https://beringmckinley.com/business-performance-assessment)
- [Master Project Plan](https://beringmckinley.com/master-project-plan)
- [Management Consulting](https://beringmckinley.com/management-consulting)
- [Sales Consulting](https://beringmckinley.com/sale-consulting)
- [Application Consulting](https://beringmckinley.com/application-consulting)
- [Finance Consulting](https://beringmckinley.com/finance-consulting)
- [Who We Work With](https://beringmckinley.com/who-we-work-with)
- [MSP / ITSP (1M or Less Revenue)](https://beringmckinley.com/msps-less-than-1m-revenue)
- [MSP / ITSP (1-3M Revenue)](https://beringmckinley.com/msps-1-to-3m-evenue)
- [MSP / ITSP (3-15M+ Revenue)](https://beringmckinley.com/msps-3-to-15m-plus-revenue)
- [Internal IT Departments](https://beringmckinley.com/it-department)
- [Brands We Work With](https://beringmckinley.com/brands-we-work-with)
- [ConnectWise](https://beringmckinley.com/brands-we-work-with)
- [Intuit / QuickBooks](https://beringmckinley.com/brands-we-work-with)
- [MSP Bots](https://beringmckinley.com/brands-we-work-with)
- [IT Glue](https://beringmckinley.com/brands-we-work-with)
- [Datto](https://beringmckinley.com/brands-we-work-with)
- [Lionguard](https://beringmckinley.com/brands-we-work-with)
- [SkyKick](https://beringmckinley.com/brands-we-work-with)
- [Lifecycle Insights](https://beringmckinley.com/brands-we-work-with)
- [Phin](https://beringmckinley.com/brands-we-work-with)
- [Alternative Payments](https://beringmckinley.com/brands-we-work-with)
- [Vendor? Work with us.](https://beringmckinley.com/brands-we-work-with)
- [About](https://beringmckinley.com/about)
- [Team](https://beringmckinley.com/team)
- [Careers](https://beringmckinley.com/careers)
- Other BMK Brands
- [BMK Community](https://bmkcommunity.com)
- [BMK Education](https://bmkcommunity.com/education-and-training/)
- [BMK Operations](https://www.bmkcommunity.com/msp-operations/)
- [Blog](https://beringmckinley.com/blog)
- [Contact](https://beringmckinley.com/contact)
- [Text us](SMS:212.300.3016)
Search
[](https://beringmckinley.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLK73m0PkOi9wyGd9ro%2FGOUeT6XLPjqVI%2FZdGH2Msf%2FJznzuhfApS8ma8VJaxpfconVCVf01mCSXZKrGqBAG1SUQKG%2FnxrpVJMh7vPAL6Er8NJUdXQMvqncWtg66TenIhuS2lh4M09OCSTzdQ1IRb6iqaXfnVL%2FvvjTqCgVThdCxDzDhzK6YwvdLbyFt8eu4&webInteractiveContentId=195731585557&portalId=2725629)
Toggle Menu
Search
Toggle Menu
[](https://beringmckinley.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLK73m0PkOi9wyGd9ro%2FGOUeT6XLPjqVI%2FZdGH2Msf%2FJznzuhfApS8ma8VJaxpfconVCVf01mCSXZKrGqBAG1SUQKG%2FnxrpVJMh7vPAL6Er8NJUdXQMvqncWtg66TenIhuS2lh4M09OCSTzdQ1IRb6iqaXfnVL%2FvvjTqCgVThdCxDzDhzK6YwvdLbyFt8eu4&webInteractiveContentId=195731585557&portalId=2725629)
- [What We Do](https://beringmckinley.com/vision)
- [BMK Vision](https://beringmckinley.com/vision)
- [BPA](https://beringmckinley.com/business-performance-assessment)
- [Master Project Plan](https://beringmckinley.com/master-project-plan)
- [Management Consulting](https://beringmckinley.com/management-consulting)
- [Sales Consulting](https://beringmckinley.com/sale-consulting)
- [Application Consulting](https://beringmckinley.com/application-consulting)
- [Finance Consulting](https://beringmckinley.com/finance-consulting)
- [Who We Work With](https://beringmckinley.com/who-we-work-with)
- [MSP / ITSP (1M or Less Revenue)](https://beringmckinley.com/msps-less-than-1m-revenue)
- [MSP / ITSP (1-3M Revenue)](https://beringmckinley.com/msps-1-to-3m-evenue)
- [MSP / ITSP (3-15M+ Revenue)](https://beringmckinley.com/msps-3-to-15m-plus-revenue)
- [Internal IT Departments](https://beringmckinley.com/it-department)
- [Brands We Work With](https://beringmckinley.com/brands-we-work-with)
- [ConnectWise](https://beringmckinley.com/brands-we-work-with)
- [Intuit / QuickBooks](https://beringmckinley.com/brands-we-work-with)
- [MSP Bots](https://beringmckinley.com/brands-we-work-with)
- [IT Glue](https://beringmckinley.com/brands-we-work-with)
- [Datto](https://beringmckinley.com/brands-we-work-with)
- [Lionguard](https://beringmckinley.com/brands-we-work-with)
- [SkyKick](https://beringmckinley.com/brands-we-work-with)
- [Lifecycle Insights](https://beringmckinley.com/brands-we-work-with)
- [Phin](https://beringmckinley.com/brands-we-work-with)
- [Alternative Payments](https://beringmckinley.com/brands-we-work-with)
- [Vendor? Work with us.](https://beringmckinley.com/brands-we-work-with)
- [About](https://beringmckinley.com/about)
- [Team](https://beringmckinley.com/team)
- [Careers](https://beringmckinley.com/careers)
- Other BMK Brands
- [BMK Community](https://bmkcommunity.com)
- [BMK Education](https://bmkcommunity.com/education-and-training/)
- [BMK Operations](https://www.bmkcommunity.com/msp-operations/)
- [Blog](https://beringmckinley.com/blog)
- [Contact](https://beringmckinley.com/contact)
- [Text us](SMS:212.300.3016)
- Example Link
- Example Link
- Example Link
[Facebook](https://beringmckinley.com/blog/83-getting-lost-on-the-way-to-relevance-from-the-trenches-ray-stasieczko#0) [Instagram](https://beringmckinley.com/blog/83-getting-lost-on-the-way-to-relevance-from-the-trenches-ray-stasieczko#0) [Linkedin](https://beringmckinley.com/blog/83-getting-lost-on-the-way-to-relevance-from-the-trenches-ray-stasieczko#0) [X](https://beringmckinley.com/blog/83-getting-lost-on-the-way-to-relevance-from-the-trenches-ray-stasieczko#0) [YouTube](https://beringmckinley.com/blog/83-getting-lost-on-the-way-to-relevance-from-the-trenches-ray-stasieczko#0) [Medium](https://beringmckinley.com/blog/83-getting-lost-on-the-way-to-relevance-from-the-trenches-ray-stasieczko#0)
2 min read
# #83 – Getting Lost on the Way to Relevance | From the Trenches (Ray Stasieczko)
[ Josh Peterson](https://beringmckinley.com/blog/author/josh-peterson) : Published February 11, 2026
[From the Trenches](https://beringmckinley.com/blog/tag/from-the-trenches)
%20(2).png?width=1280&height=720&name=%2383%20%E2%80%93%20Getting%20Lost%20on%20the%20Way%20to%20Relevance%20%20From%20the%20Trenches%20(Ray)%20(2).png)
Most MSPs don’t wake up irrelevant. They arrive there slowly—through well-intentioned execution layered on top of outdated assumptions. The danger isn’t stagnation; it’s momentum without reflection. When teams stay busy but stop re-evaluating who they serve, how they win, and why clients still choose them, relevance quietly decays. This episode examines why MSP leaders must periodically step out of delivery mode and re-anchor around positioning, judgment, and a shared operating system like [Vision](https://beringmckinley.com/vision) to prevent drift from becoming structural.
From the trenches, Ray Stasieczko reinforces a hard truth: relevance is not preserved by effort alone. It’s preserved by clarity. Without explicit decisions about market focus, client fit, and internal accountability, MSPs mistake activity for progress and resilience for strategy. The cost shows up later—as margin compression, talent fatigue, and a business that looks successful on the surface but struggles to compound enterprise value over time.
---
## Listen on Your Favorite Platform
- [](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bmk-vision-podcast/id1827082235)
- [](https://www.youtube.com/@beringmckinleyvision?sub_confirmation=1)
- [](https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL03jvZSuXCDFHzZFwDdTs1xP07b8AI_5P)
- [](https://open.spotify.com/show/6iYx2sDBy2YnN3V2YA9GyW)
- [](https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/33fb1a31-0a2b-4478-80b9-38fc3c552675/the-bmk-vision-podcast)
- [](https://www.podbean.com/pw/pbblog-k23bf-14140db?from=usersite)
- [](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-bmk-vision-podcast-259005021/)
- [](https://player.fm/series/the-bmk-vision-podcast)
- [](https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-bmk-vision-podcast-josh-peterson-7iS7AIHHUhL/)
- [](https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-bmk-vision-podcast-5871877)
- [](https://www.boomplaymusic.com/podcasts/136263)
---
## Relevance Doesn’t Disappear—It Erodes
Relevance loss rarely comes from a single bad decision. It emerges when leadership stops asking uncomfortable questions about fit, focus, and differentiation.
- Execution masks strategic decay when outcomes are no longer questioned.
- Legacy clients anchor firms to outdated positioning.
- Busy teams can still be misaligned teams.
## Momentum Without Judgment Is a Trap
Growth can be deceptive. MSPs can add revenue while simultaneously weakening their long-term posture.
- Revenue growth without margin discipline signals fragility.
- Service sprawl dilutes expertise and confidence.
- Leadership avoidance accelerates entropy.
## Why Leaders Avoid the Relevance Conversation
Admitting drift feels like admitting failure—but ignoring it is far more expensive. Relevance requires naming what no longer works.
## Relevance Is a System, Not a Feeling
Sustainable relevance is enforced through cadence, measurement, and shared language—not instinct. Operating systems make drift visible before it’s fatal.
## Frequently Asked Questions
### What does “getting lost on the way to relevance” mean for MSPs?
It describes a slow form of strategic drift where MSPs remain busy and profitable in the short term but lose clarity around positioning, ideal clients, and long-term differentiation. The business keeps moving, but no longer in a deliberate direction.
### How can an MSP tell if it’s losing relevance?
Common signals include margin compression despite revenue growth, increasing service complexity, difficulty explaining why clients choose them, leadership fatigue, and teams executing well without clear strategic alignment.
### Why doesn’t hard work prevent relevance loss?
Effort improves execution, not direction. Without periodic strategic judgment—about who to serve, what to say no to, and how to win—hard work can accelerate drift instead of correcting it.
### What role does leadership play in maintaining relevance?
Leadership is responsible for creating clarity and enforcing focus. When leaders avoid uncomfortable conversations about fit, accountability, or positioning, the organization defaults to inertia.
### How does an operating system like Vision help prevent drift?
A shared operating system makes assumptions explicit, ties roles to outcomes, and forces regular visibility into priorities. This prevents relevance from being based on intuition alone and turns it into something measurable and defensible.
## Episode Highlights
- Why MSPs stay busy long after relevance has faded
- The difference between resilience and avoidance
- How execution culture can suppress strategy
- When legacy success becomes a liability
- Why relevance must be designed, not assumed
## Want to Continue the Conversation?
If this episode surfaced uncomfortable questions about relevance, that’s the point. The earlier you confront drift, the cheaper it is to correct.
[Apply to be a Guest](https://beringmckinley.com/blog#speaker-form) [Learn More About Vision](https://beringmckinley.com/vision)
- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)
[%20(1).png)](https://beringmckinley.com/blog/32-from-the-trenches-backups-ransomware-service-that-answer-william-oppenheimer)
#### [#32 - From The Trenches - Backups, Ransomware & Service that Answer (William Oppenheimer)](https://beringmckinley.com/blog/32-from-the-trenches-backups-ransomware-service-that-answer-william-oppenheimer)
[ Josh Peterson](https://beringmckinley.com/blog/author/josh-peterson) : Nov 4, 2025, 1:00:00 PM
MSP backup success hinges on restore readiness, disciplined reporting, and robust support. Learn practical strategies to ensure reliable backups and...
[From the Trenches](https://beringmckinley.com/blog/tag/from-the-trenches)
[Read More](https://beringmckinley.com/blog/32-from-the-trenches-backups-ransomware-service-that-answer-william-oppenheimer)
[-1.png)](https://beringmckinley.com/blog/54-from-the-trenches-faith-stewardship-blue-ocean-vision-jason-robinson-integritech)
#### [#54 – From the Trenches: Faith, Stewardship & Blue Ocean Vision (Jason Robinson – IntegriTech)](https://beringmckinley.com/blog/54-from-the-trenches-faith-stewardship-blue-ocean-vision-jason-robinson-integritech)
[ Josh Peterson](https://beringmckinley.com/blog/author/josh-peterson) : Dec 16, 2025, 11:59:59 PM
Discover how Jason Robinson of Integritech uses faith, stewardship, and leadership to transform MSPs from reactive service providers to strategic...
[From the Trenches](https://beringmckinley.com/blog/tag/from-the-trenches)
[Read More](https://beringmckinley.com/blog/54-from-the-trenches-faith-stewardship-blue-ocean-vision-jason-robinson-integritech)
[.png)](https://beringmckinley.com/blog/78-from-the-trenches-the-rd-tax-credit-most-business-owners-miss-val-majewski-american-incentive-advisors)
#### [#78 – From the Trenches: The R&D Tax Credit Most Business Owners Miss (Val Majewski – American Incentive Advisors)](https://beringmckinley.com/blog/78-from-the-trenches-the-rd-tax-credit-most-business-owners-miss-val-majewski-american-incentive-advisors)
[ Josh Peterson](https://beringmckinley.com/blog/author/josh-peterson) : Jan 12, 2026, 12:00:00 AM
Discover how MSPs can leverage the often-overlooked R&D tax credit to fund operational growth and innovation, reframing it from a tax hack to a...
[From the Trenches](https://beringmckinley.com/blog/tag/from-the-trenches)
[Read More](https://beringmckinley.com/blog/78-from-the-trenches-the-rd-tax-credit-most-business-owners-miss-val-majewski-american-incentive-advisors)
Menu
Menu
- [What We Do](https://beringmckinley.com/vision)
- [Who We Work With](https://beringmckinley.com/who-we-work-with)
- [Brands We Work With](https://beringmckinley.com/brands-we-work-with)
- [About](https://beringmckinley.com/about)
- Blog
- [Contact](https://beringmckinley.com/contact)
More from BMK
More from BMK
[BMK Education](https://education.beringmckinley.com/)
[BMK Community](https://bmkcommunity.com/)
[BMK Ops](https://bmkoperations.com/)
Bering McKinley
Bering McKinley
650 Warrenville Road
Suite 100 #1007
Lisle, IL 60532
Phone: [212.300.3016](tel:212.300.3016)
[Text us: 212.300.3016](sms:212.300.3016)
Email: [info@beringmckinley.com](mailto:info@beringmckinley.com)
[Click here to schedule a meeting](https://app.hubspot.com/meetings/joshpeterson/introduction-to-bering-mckinley)
[%20logo.png)](https://beringmckinley.com)
- [Policies, Terms and Conditions](https://beringmckinley.com/policy)
© 2026 All rights reserved. Bering McKinley
[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/BeringMckinley)[X](https://twitter.com/beringmckinley)[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/beringmckinley/?hl=en)[Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/bering-mckinley)
```json
{
"@context" : "https://schema.org",
"@type" : "BlogPosting",
"author" : {
"@type" : "Person",
"name" : "Josh Peterson",
"url" : "https://beringmckinley.com/blog/author/josh-peterson"
},
"dateModified" : "2026-02-11T06:00:00.737Z",
"datePublished" : "2026-02-11T06:00:00.000Z",
"headline" : "#83 – Getting Lost on the Way to Relevance | From the Trenches (Ray Stasieczko)",
"image" : [ "https://beringmckinley.com/hubfs/%2383%20%E2%80%93%20Getting%20Lost%20on%20the%20Way%20to%20Relevance%20%20From%20the%20Trenches%20(Ray)%20(2).png" ],
"mainEntityOfPage" : {
"@id" : "https://beringmckinley.com/blog/83-getting-lost-on-the-way-to-relevance-from-the-trenches-ray-stasieczko",
"@type" : "WebPage"
},
"publisher" : {
"@type" : "Organization",
"logo" : {
"@type" : "ImageObject",
"url" : "https://beringmckinley.com/hubfs/BMK%20(just%20text)%20logo.png"
},
"name" : "Bering McKinley"
}
}
```
```json
{
"@context" : "https://schema.org",
"@type" : "BlogPosting",
"about" : [ {
"@type" : "Thing",
"name" : "MSP delegation strategies"
}, {
"@type" : "Thing",
"name" : "founder dependence solutions"
}, {
"@type" : "Thing",
"name" : "business scalability"
}, {
"@type" : "Thing",
"name" : "team ownership development"
} ],
"articleSection" : [ "Listen on Your Favorite Platform", "Founder Dependence Is Not a Work Ethic Problem", "Delegate Ownership, Not Tasks", "The “Why” Is Not Soft—It’s the Operating Constraint", "Stop Funding Shiny Objects With Invisible Margin", "Episode Highlights", "About the Guests", "About the Host", "Frequently Asked Questions", "Related Resources from Bering McKinley", "Want to Continue the Conversation?" ],
"author" : {
"@type" : "Person",
"name" : "Josh Peterson"
},
"dateModified" : "2026-02-02T06:00:00.295Z",
"datePublished" : "2026-02-02T06:00:00.000Z",
"description" : "Transform your MSP from founder-dependent to team-dependent for scalable growth through structured delegation.",
"headline" : "#81 – When Everything Depends on the Owner",
"image" : {
"@type" : "ImageObject",
"url" : "https://beringmckinley.com/hubfs/%2381%20%E2%80%93%20When%20Everything%20Depends%20on%20the%20Owner%20%20BMK%20Roundtable.png"
},
"inLanguage" : "en",
"isPartOf" : {
"@type" : "WebSite",
"name" : "Beringmckinley",
"url" : "https://beringmckinley.com"
},
"keywords" : [ "MSP delegation", "founder dependence", "team ownership", "business scalability", "delegation strategies", "MSP operations", "leadership systems", "execution discipline" ],
"mainEntityOfPage" : {
"@id" : "https://beringmckinley.com/blog/81-when-everything-depends-on-the-owner-bmk-roundtable",
"@type" : "WebPage"
},
"mentions" : [ {
"@type" : "Thing",
"name" : "Gary Boyle"
}, {
"@type" : "Thing",
"name" : "Ryan Alter"
}, {
"@type" : "Thing",
"name" : "MSP operations"
}, {
"@type" : "Thing",
"name" : "delegation frameworks"
} ],
"name" : "#81 – When Everything Depends on the Owner",
"potentialAction" : [ {
"@type" : "ReadAction",
"target" : "https://beringmckinley.com/blog/81-when-everything-depends-on-the-owner-bmk-roundtable"
} ],
"publisher" : {
"@type" : "Organization",
"logo" : {
"@type" : "ImageObject",
"url" : "https://beringmckinley.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BMK%20(just%20text)%20logo.png?width=588&height=164&name=BMK%20(just%20text)%20logo.png"
},
"name" : "Beringmckinley",
"url" : "https://beringmckinley.com"
},
"timeRequired" : "PT9M",
"url" : "https://beringmckinley.com/blog/81-when-everything-depends-on-the-owner-bmk-roundtable",
"video" : {
"@type" : "VideoObject",
"contentUrl" : "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCzDDsqeK0U",
"description" : "Discover how to transform your MSP from founder-dependent to team-dependent, ensuring scalable growth through structured delegation, clear outcomes, and disciplined execution.",
"embedUrl" : "https://www.youtube.com/embed/fCzDDsqeK0U",
"name" : "#81 – When Everything Depends on the Owner | BMK Roundtable",
"publisher" : {
"@type" : "Organization",
"name" : "Beringmckinley",
"url" : "https://beringmckinley.com"
},
"thumbnailUrl" : "https://img.youtube.com/vi/fCzDDsqeK0U/maxresdefault.jpg",
"uploadDate" : "2026-02-02"
},
"wordCount" : 1664
}
```
```json
{
"@context" : "https://schema.org",
"@type" : "VideoObject",
"about" : [ {
"@type" : "Thing",
"name" : "Delegate Ownership"
}, {
"@type" : "Thing",
"name" : "MSP Growth"
} ],
"contentUrl" : "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCzDDsqeK0U",
"description" : "Discover how to transform your MSP from founder-dependent to team-dependent, ensuring scalable growth through structured delegation.",
"embedUrl" : "https://www.youtube.com/embed/fCzDDsqeK0U",
"inLanguage" : "en",
"keywords" : [ "Delegate Ownership, Not Tasks", "Episode Highlights", "Frequently Asked Questions" ],
"mainEntityOfPage" : "https://beringmckinley.com/blog/81-when-everything-depends-on-the-owner-bmk-roundtable",
"mentions" : [ {
"@type" : "Thing",
"name" : "Team Dependence"
}, {
"@type" : "Thing",
"name" : "Structured Delegation"
} ],
"name" : "#81 – When Everything Depends on the Owner | BMK Roundtable",
"publisher" : {
"@type" : "Organization",
"logo" : {
"@type" : "ImageObject",
"url" : "https://beringmckinley.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BMK%20(just%20text)%20logo.png?width=588&height=164&name=BMK%20(just%20text)%20logo.png"
},
"name" : "Beringmckinley",
"url" : "https://beringmckinley.com"
},
"thumbnailUrl" : {
"@type" : "ImageObject",
"url" : "https://img.youtube.com/vi/fCzDDsqeK0U/maxresdefault.jpg"
},
"uploadDate" : "2026-02-02"
}
```
```json
{
"@context" : "https://schema.org",
"@type" : "BlogPosting",
"author" : [ {
"@type" : "Person",
"name" : "Josh Peterson",
"url" : "https://beringmckinley.com/blog/author/josh-peterson"
} ],
"dateModified" : "2026-02-11T06:00:00Z",
"datePublished" : "2026-02-11T06:00:00Z",
"description" : "Discover why MSPs must periodically reassess positioning and strategy to maintain relevance, avoid strategic drift, and ensure long-term success.",
"headline" : "#83 – Getting Lost on the Way to Relevance | From the Trenches (Ray Stasieczko)",
"image" : [ "https://2725629.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/2725629/%2383%20%E2%80%93%20Getting%20Lost%20on%20the%20Way%20to%20Relevance%20%20From%20the%20Trenches%20%28Ray%29%20%282%29.png" ],
"inLanguage" : "en",
"keywords" : "From the Trenches",
"mainEntityOfPage" : {
"@id" : "https://beringmckinley.com/blog/83-getting-lost-on-the-way-to-relevance-from-the-trenches-ray-stasieczko",
"@type" : "WebPage"
},
"publisher" : {
"@type" : "Organization",
"name" : "Bering McKinley"
}
}
```