Table of contents
Episode Summary
In this episode of Syncronized, host Brandon Garcin sits down with Charles Bender, CEO of Attentus, to explore the evolving world of IT services. Charles shares how Attentus has built a customer-first approach, ensuring businesses get the right technology without the headaches.
They discuss the biggest IT challenges companies face today—from cybersecurity threats to inefficient systems—and how proactive support can make all the difference. Charles explains why businesses need more than just an IT provider; they need a partner who understands their goals and scales with them.
Brandon and Charles also dive into the future of managed IT services, automation, and the role of human expertise in a fast-changing landscape. Whether you’re leading an IT team or looking for better tech solutions, this conversation offers practical insights into building a smarter, more resilient business.
Guest-at-a-Glance
💡 Name: Charles Bender
💡What he does: CEO
💡Company: Attentus
💡Noteworthy: Experienced IT leader focused on customer-centric managed services.
💡 Where to find them: LinkedIn
Key Insights
Building IT Services Around Customer Needs
Charles Bender explains why IT providers must go beyond technical expertise to truly understand their clients’ businesses. He highlights how Attentus takes a customer-first approach, tailoring technology solutions to business goals rather than forcing one-size-fits-all solutions. Bender emphasizes that IT should be proactive, not reactive—anticipating issues before they become major disruptions. He also shares how trust and long-term relationships are critical in the managed services space, helping businesses stay ahead in an ever-changing tech landscape.
The Biggest IT Challenges Businesses Face Today
From cybersecurity threats to outdated infrastructure, Charles Bender breaks down the most pressing IT issues companies encounter. He discusses how businesses often underestimate the complexity of IT management, leading to inefficiencies and security risks. Bender shares insights on how companies can shift from a break-fix mindset to a proactive IT strategy, leveraging automation and expert support to improve performance and security.
The Future of Managed IT Services
As technology evolves, so do the demands on IT service providers. Charles Bender explores trends shaping the industry, including automation, cloud migration, and AI-driven security. He explains how businesses can future-proof their IT operations by embracing these advancements while maintaining human expertise where it matters most. By staying ahead of the curve, IT providers can offer more strategic value and help businesses scale effectively.
Listener Takeaways
Navigating IT Budget Constraints
Charles Bender discusses the financial challenges that businesses face when investing in IT infrastructure. He explains how companies often hesitate to allocate sufficient budgets for technology upgrades, which can lead to security vulnerabilities and operational inefficiencies. He highlights the importance of prioritizing IT spending to align with long-term business goals rather than just short-term fixes.
“Many businesses treat IT as an afterthought—something they only worry about when something breaks. The reality is, investing in the right infrastructure upfront saves time, money, and countless headaches down the road. It’s about thinking ahead, not reacting after the fact.”
The Role of IT in Business Continuity
Bender explains how IT plays a crucial role in ensuring business continuity, especially during unexpected disruptions. He discusses real-world examples of companies that suffered from IT failures due to poor planning and lack of redundancy. He also shares best practices for companies to build resilience, including cloud solutions and proactive monitoring.
“If your systems go down for a day, what happens to your business? For some, it’s an inconvenience. For others, it’s catastrophic. That’s why IT continuity isn’t optional—it’s a core business requirement.”
Bridging the Gap Between IT and Business Leaders
A common challenge in IT services is the disconnect between technical teams and business leadership. Bender talks about how IT professionals need to translate technical challenges into business impact to gain executive buy-in. He shares strategies for IT teams to communicate more effectively with stakeholders and align their work with company objectives.
“The best IT leaders don’t just understand technology—they understand business. They can explain how an IT decision impacts revenue, customer satisfaction, or risk management. That’s how you get real engagement from leadership.”
Cybersecurity Threats on the Rise
With cyberattacks becoming more frequent and sophisticated, Bender explains how businesses need to rethink their approach to security. He outlines the biggest threats companies face today, from phishing scams to ransomware attacks. He also discusses practical steps businesses can take to improve their security posture, such as employee training and multi-factor authentication.
“Hackers aren’t just going after big corporations anymore. Small and mid-sized businesses are prime targets because they often lack strong defenses. Security isn’t just an IT problem—it’s a business problem that requires leadership attention.”
Syncronized is the MSP podcast that drives MSP growth, from startup to scale-up. In each episode, we dive into the topics that matter most to IT providers, such as automation, AI, service delivery and profitability. Join us as we engage with experts and gain hands-on insights and practical advice you can directly apply to propel your business forward.
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