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IT Mastermind Talks

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by IT Mastermind Talks

24 episodes

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Podcast Overview

Welcome to IT Mastermind Talks, your access to insights and experiences from thought leaders in the IT services industry and those that support the industry. Hosted by Ian Markram of Loading Growth. Our podcast features not only the seasoned professionals, charting their start-to-exit journey, but also the key contributors who help ensure their success. We delve into diverse challenges encountered within the IT Services realm, encompassing both professional hurdles and personal obstacles. Join us, be part of our growing community, and engage in the conversation. Hosted by Ian Markram!

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7/16/2024

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Recent Episodes

February 3, 2026

Scaling IT Services: The Productization Strategy That Works

How do you transition from an elite-level banking role to building a thriving global IT consultancy? In this episode of IT Mastermind Talks, host Ian Markram a seasoned IT services coach who built and sold his own consultancy to NTT Data after a career at Deloitte UK and Axon UK sits down with Amendra Pratap, CEO of Octane Solutions. Amendra shares his journey from growing up in Fiji to becoming the "employee number one" for TM1 at Macquarie Group, where he scaled their platform to over 780 global users. Now, as an IBM Gold Partner, Octane Solutions combines deep IBM Planning Analytics expertise with a flexible, cost-effective hybrid delivery model. Amendra reveals how they bridge the gap between Financial Consulting and Cloud Application Development using their unique Octane Blue productized service model. ⏰ TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) – Introduction & Guest Welcome (01:56) – Background: Growing up in Fiji and moving to Australia (04:55) – Early career as an accountant during the Sydney Olympics (07:05) – Falling in love with TM1 and Excel integration (09:48) – Joining Macquarie Group as "Employee Number One" for TM1 (11:35) – Scaling to 780+ global users and leading a global team (13:47) – Identifying the market gap and founding Octane Solutions (15:38) – Devise products and fractional charging models (16:37) – Landing the first major client: Pitching to Optus (19:38) – Productizing IT: The birth of the "Octane Blue" model (22:19) – Creating a frictionless experience for global clients (24:25) – Reducing support tickets through user training (25:50) – Why consultants come first and customers come second (28:18) – Industry insights: Banking, retail, and tech forecasting (1:05:19) – Closing advice: The importance of the ability to sell Key takeaways from this episode:<ul><li>The Power of Productization: How Octane Solutions removed client friction by turning complex IT Consulting into "Octane Blue," a fixed-price, 40-hour transparent service package.</li><li>Hybrid Service Excellence: Navigating SaaS Development and Cloud Management through a frictionless approach that eliminates long-term contracts.</li><li>Consultant-First Culture: Why prioritizing consultant happiness over simple support tickets leads to higher value FP&A and AI solutions.</li></ul> Join my the Everest Tribe: <a href="https://go.loadinggrowth.com/ian?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExT1c5eml1OXRIYTNWblhuV3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5RemQwIVW_wsxjdYxoMrXVAjPK1Flsz_8tN9WLFDwmqzXpvsoVJebJqktrmw_aem_cgNxAkp6bl1wHihzdLum5Q" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://go.loadinggrowth.com/ian</a> 🎬 Watch the full episode: 👉 <a href="https://youtu.be/kaoD1gmFgnM" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://youtu.be/kaoD1gmFgnM</a>🚀 Apply to join IT Mastermind Talks: 👉 <a href="https://itmastermindtalks.com/podcast" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://itmastermindtalks.com/podcast</a> 🔗 Connect with IanWebsite | <a href="https://ianmarkram.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://ianmarkram.com/</a> Website | <a href="https://www.itmastermindtalks.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.itmastermindtalks.com</a> Twitter | <a href="https://twitter.com/IanMarkram" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://twitter.com/IanMarkram</a> Facebook | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ianmarkram2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.facebook.com/ianmarkram2</a> LinkedIn | <a href="https://linkedin.com/in/coach-it-services" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://linkedin.com/in/coach-it-services</a> ITVA | <a href="https://theitva.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://theitva.com</a> IMA | <a href="https://itmarketingautomation.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://itmarketingautomation.com</a> 🔗 Connect with LoadingGrowthInstagram | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/loadinggrowth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.instagram.com/loadinggrowth/</a> Twitter | <a href="https://x.com/growthloading" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://x.com/growthloading</a> Facebook | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/loadgrowth" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.facebook.com/loadgrowth</a> LinkedIn | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/loadinggrowth" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.linkedin.com/company/loadinggrowth</a> Website | <a href="https://loadinggrowth.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://loadinggrowth.com</a> TikTok | <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@loading.growth?_t=ZS-8yzlPKITdvc&_r=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.tiktok.com/@loading.growth?_t=ZS-8yzlPKITdvc&_r=1</a>🔗 Connect with IT Mastermind TalksFacebook | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ITMastermindTalks?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.facebook.com/ITMastermindTalks</a> Website | <a href="https://itmastermindtalks.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://itmastermindtalks.com</a> LinkedIn | <a href="https://linkedin.com/company/it-mastermind-talks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://linkedin.com/company/it-mastermind-talks</a> YouTube | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ITMastermindTalks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.youtube.com/@ITMastermindTalks</a> 🔗 Connect with Amendra PratapLinkedIn | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/amendrapratap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.linkedin.com/in/amendrapratap/</a> LinkedIn | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/octane-software-solutions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.linkedin.com/company/octane-software-solutions/</a> Facebook | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OctaneSolutions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.facebook.com/OctaneSolutions/</a> Youtube | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@octanesoftwaresolutions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.youtube.com/@octanesoftwaresolutions</a> #ITMastermindTalks #LoadingGrowth #IanMarkram #ITConsulting #BusinessGrowth #FinancialConsulting #CloudDevelopment #SaaS #IBMPlanningAnalytics #TM1 #OctaneSolutions

January 19, 2026

Is the MSP Industry Dying? Scaling a Cyber-Focused IT Firm

Traditional MSP models are shrinking—are you ready to pivot? In this episode of IT Mastermind Talks, host Ian Markram—a seasoned IT services coach with experience at Deloitte and NTT Data—sits down with Billy, the founder of Kavira IT, to discuss the urgent shift toward cybersecurity business growth and compliance frameworks. Billy shares a raw and incredible journey from running massive nightclubs in Canada to surviving a life-altering brain injury and eventually disrupting the Australian IT landscape. We dive deep into why help desk "ticket counting" is a race to the bottom and how Kavira IT leverages SOC 2, ISO 27001, and governance to deliver high-margin value. Key Lessons:<ul><li>The "Vibe Coding" Trap: Why AI-generated apps lack critical security controls and change management, putting your data at risk.</li><li>Team Culture 2.0: How hiring "blue-collar ethics" and supporting "expert dads" creates a more resilient, high-talent workforce than traditional consultancy models.</li><li>Education as Sales: Exploring Billy’s "Almost IT Heroes" community designed to help executives avoid expensive, biased IT decisions.</li></ul> 🚀 Apply to join IT Mastermind Talks: 👉 <a href="https://itmastermindtalks.com/podcast" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://itmastermindtalks.com/podcast</a> 🔗 Connect with IanWebsite | <a href="https://ianmarkram.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://ianmarkram.com/</a> Website | <a href="https://www.itmastermindtalks.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.itmastermindtalks.com</a> Twitter | <a href="https://twitter.com/IanMarkram" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://twitter.com/IanMarkram</a> Facebook | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ianmarkram2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.facebook.com/ianmarkram2</a> LinkedIn | <a href="https://linkedin.com/in/coach-it-services" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://linkedin.com/in/coach-it-services</a> ITVA | <a href="https://theitva.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://theitva.com</a> IMA | <a href="https://itmarketingautomation.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://itmarketingautomation.com</a> 🔗 Connect with LoadingGrowthInstagram | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/loadinggrowth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.instagram.com/loadinggrowth/</a> Twitter | <a href="https://x.com/growthloading" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://x.com/growthloading</a> Facebook | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/loadgrowth" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.facebook.com/loadgrowth</a> LinkedIn | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/loadinggrowth" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.linkedin.com/company/loadinggrowth</a> Website | <a href="https://loadinggrowth.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://loadinggrowth.com</a> TikTok | <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@loading.growth?_t=ZS-8yzlPKITdvc&_r=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.tiktok.com/@loading.growth?_t=ZS-8yzlPKITdvc&_r=1</a> 🔗 Connect with IT Mastermind TalksFacebook | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ITMastermindTalks?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.facebook.com/ITMastermindTalks</a> Website | <a href="https://itmastermindtalks.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://itmastermindtalks.com</a> LinkedIn | <a href="https://linkedin.com/company/it-mastermind-talks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://linkedin.com/company/it-mastermind-talks</a> YouTube | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ITMastermindTalks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.youtube.com/@ITMastermindTalks</a> 🔗 Connect with Billy HoskingLinkedIn | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/billy-hosking/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.linkedin.com/in/billy-hosking/</a> LinkedIn | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/kavira/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.linkedin.com/company/kavira/</a> Website | <a href="https://kavira.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://kavira.com.au/</a> ⏰ TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Introduction to Kavira IT and "The Boring Things"(01:20) Ian's overview of Vibe Coding and SOC 2 themes(02:01) Billy’s background: High school and being a "walking contradiction"(02:42) Doing the 20s in reverse: Travel, oil rigs, and running nightclubs(03:07) The turning point: Brain injury and starting the IT journey(04:49) Career shift: From hospitality management to IT recruitment(06:15) The accidental MSP: Getting into the industry with zero tech experience(06:45) Why hospitality professionals make the best sales leaders(08:18) Lessons from managing a $20M nightclub in Canada(10:34) Learning the ropes: High-pressure IT recruitment and B2B sales(11:57) Why relationships beat technical skills in the MSP market(13:37) Moving beyond the "ticket count": The challenge of traditional MSP models(14:33) Leveraging Cyber Governance: ISO 27001, SOC 2, and high-margin services(15:45) "No tolerance for bullshit": The motivation behind starting Kavira IT(18:11) The future of MSPs: Why they are going the way of the printing industry(19:25) Team Culture: Hiring blue-collar ethics and "expert dads"(22:15) Deep dive into Vibe Coding: The risks of AI-generated software(24:29) Security warnings: Why AI platforms lack change management(26:32) Solidifying your product: Moving from MVP to a saleable business(28:32) Almost IT Heroes: Building a community to help executives buy IT services #ITMastermindTalks #LoadingGrowth #IanMarkram #KaviraIT #CyberSecurity #MSP #VibeCoding #BusinessGrowth #ITFounders #TeamCulture

January 6, 2026

No Exit Plan? What Most IT Founders Miss

What does it really take to build, scale, and exit an IT services business across multiple continents?In this episode of IT Mastermind Talks, host Ian Markram, founder of LoadingGrowth and former Deloitte UK and Axon UK consultant, sits down with W Daniel Cox III, a seasoned IT and data entrepreneur with a journey that spans farming, professional sports, enterprise data, and multiple successful exits.Daniel shares how early lessons in grit, accountability, and problem solving shaped his leadership style, and how those principles helped him scale data and IT consulting firms to hundreds of consultants across ANZ, Europe, and Asia. They dive into real world lessons on IT business growth, leadership, team culture, and navigating pivots as technology markets evolve.You will also hear behind the scenes insights into mergers and acquisitions, building trusted leadership teams, and what founders must know before exiting an IT services business.If you are an IT consultant, founder, or services leader looking to scale with clarity and resilience, this episode delivers practical, experience driven guidance. 👉 Subscribe for more real stories from IT leaders and entrepreneurs. 🔗 Connect with IanWebsite | <a href="https://ianmarkram.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://ianmarkram.com/</a> Website | <a href="https://www.itmastermindtalks.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.itmastermindtalks.com</a> Twitter | <a href="https://twitter.com/IanMarkram" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://twitter.com/IanMarkram</a> Facebook | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ianmarkram2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.facebook.com/ianmarkram2</a> LinkedIn | <a href="https://linkedin.com/in/coach-it-services" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://linkedin.com/in/coach-it-services</a> ITVA | <a href="https://theitva.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://theitva.com</a> IMA | <a href="https://itmarketingautomation.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://itmarketingautomation.com</a>🔗 Connect with LoadingGrowthInstagram | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/loadinggrowth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.instagram.com/loadinggrowth/</a> Twitter | <a href="https://x.com/growthloading" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://x.com/growthloading</a> Facebook | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/loadgrowth" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.facebook.com/loadgrowth</a> LinkedIn | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/loadinggrowth" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.linkedin.com/company/loadinggrowth</a> Website | <a href="https://loadinggrowth.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://loadinggrowth.com</a> TikTok | <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@loading.growth?_t=ZS-8yzlPKITdvc&_r=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.tiktok.com/@loading.growth?_t=ZS-8yzlPKITdvc&_r=1</a>🔗 Connect with IT Mastermind TalksFacebook | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ITMastermindTalks?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.facebook.com/ITMastermindTalks</a> Website | <a href="https://itmastermindtalks.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://itmastermindtalks.com</a> LinkedIn | <a href="https://linkedin.com/company/it-mastermind-talks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://linkedin.com/company/it-mastermind-talks</a> YouTube | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ITMastermindTalks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.youtube.com/@ITMastermindTalks</a>🔗 Connect with W Daniel Cox IIILinkedIn | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-parrot-pty-ltd/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-parrot-pty-ltd/</a> LinkedIn | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/wdanielcoxiii/?originalSubdomain=au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.linkedin.com/in/wdanielcoxiii/?originalSubdomain=au</a> Website | <a href="https://wdanielcoxiii.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://wdanielcoxiii.com/</a> Website | <a href="https://www.greenparrot.io/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.greenparrot.io/</a> YouTube | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@WDanielCoxIII" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.youtube.com/@WDanielCoxIII</a> ⏰Timestamps:(01:59) Daniel’s early life growing up on a farm (03:29) Entrepreneurial lessons from childhood (04:56) Mindset shift focusing on pathways not obstacles (06:58) University, baseball career, and career pivot (08:30) First fraud investigation and auditing career (09:30) Managing hydroelectric dams and early data systems (12:31) KPIs, data accountability, and environmental impact (14:33) Moving from finance into data and analytics (15:58) Joining Cognos and scaling consulting delivery (19:34) Move to Australia and major mining project delivery (23:42) Starting first consulting business in Australia (26:49) Pivoting services as BI became commoditized (28:19) Scaling Ascension and enterprise government work (29:57) Recognition by Gartner and global growth (32:37) Exiting the business and lessons learned (33:50) Leadership philosophy and building trusted teams (36:49) Expanding teams across ANZ and Southeast Asia (37:52) Post exit recovery and personal reset (39:52) Origins of Green Parrot (44:53) Sustainability, data transparency, and consumer trust (49:00) SaaS model and platform architecture (56:28) Funding strategy and Malta expansion (59:51) Growth plans and market rollout (01:02:38) Fintech venture and property lending platform (01:06:32) AI agency and roll up strategy (01:10:28) Final leadership advice and closing thoughts #ITMastermindTalks #LoadingGrowth #IanMarkram #ITConsulting #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurJourney #ITLeadership#ITServiceCompany

24 total episodes available

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Frequently asked questions

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What is IT Mastermind Talks?: Welcome to IT Mastermind Talks, your access to insights and experiences from thought leaders in the IT services industry and those that support the industry. Hosted by Ian Markram of Loading Growth.

Our podcast features not only the seasoned professionals, charting their start-to-exit journey, but also the key contributors who help ensure their success. We delve into diverse challenges encountered within the IT Services realm, encompassing both professional hurdles and personal obstacles.

Join us, be part of our growing community, and engage in the conversation. Hosted by Ian Markram!
How often does this podcast release new episodes?: This podcast updates weekly.
Where can I listen to this podcast?: This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Does this podcast accept guests?: Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

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