This week, I got to chat with Jeffery Sagraves to hear about his unique journey, transforming a small three-person shop into a thriving MSP of 30 individuals. Jeff started his career as a consultant, and when he faced a fork in the road, he decided to buy a business. It just so happened to find this one for sale: “I was looking at bagel places, pizza shops.” With his business expertise and managed services background, this was the perfect fit and a strategic move into the tech world. Under his leadership, Blue Line Technologies has earned accolades such as Inc5000, MSP 501 and Best Places to Work by Charlotte Business Journal.
Cultivating a Unique Workplace Culture
Blue Line Technologies has been recognized as the Best Place to Work by Charlotte Business Journal for 4 years in a row. Jeff attributes this success to the company's unique culture, near-zero turnover in a decade, and valuing the 30 individuals the same way as he did when they were a team of three. Zero turnover in this talent market is certainly impressive. Jeff, despite not being an IT specialist, actively removes barriers, ensuring so his team can focus on their work.
Discussing the hybrid work model, Jeff emphasized the necessity of on-site work for certain tasks. His team knows there will be time in the office, on-site, and at home. Despite having three locations and two offices, Blue Line fosters a sense of engagement through employee recognition programs and a commitment to staying connected, even if miles apart. Blue Line Technologies actively participates in community initiatives, supporting local schools and shelters. This Thanksgiving, they organized the Turkey Trot, with staff and clients contributing to donations for the Union County shelter.
Hiring the Right People
Drawing inspiration from Malcolm Blink, Jeff outlined their hiring process, emphasizing the importance of his first conversation with a candidate. A quick phone call within five minutes assesses the candidate's potential, followed by a gut feeling evaluation during a conversation. Only then do candidates move forward to their interview process. The CEO taking the time to do this also can show the candidates what their business is all about.
Client-Centric Approach and Industry Diversification
In our conversation, Jeff highlighted Blue Line Technologies' commitment to serving small businesses across different industries. Some of his clients come in at the 20-40 employee range that can benefit from vital IT support that bridges the gap between self-reliance and the need for a full-time IT staff. Regardless of the industry, the emphasis remains on ensuring seamless operations, from infrastructure to cybersecurity, allowing clients to concentrate on their core activities. Jeff stressed that, across the board, people simply want reliable IT to perform their jobs.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
In an industry that’s rapidly evolving, Jeff shared that the company's VP of Cybersecurity pursuing a doctorate keeps them at the forefront of cyber threats, allowing them to proactively shape their strategies and respond effectively to emerging challenges. Continuously learning is encouraged and the only way to stay at the top of the game in this market and see the direction things are going. Jeff emphasized the need to adapt to evolving threats, acknowledging the substantial investments made by entities like China in attempting to breach systems.
What Drives Blue Line Technologies
Driven by his experience in big five consulting firms like Accenture and IBM, Jeff aims to provide small businesses with the same level of professional consulting. Blue Line Technologies strives to offer unparalleled protection and support to their clients, regardless of size, ensuring that even the smallest businesses have access to top-tier cybersecurity services.
Thank you, Jeff Sagraves, for taking the time to share about Blue Line Technologies and some of the factors that have contributed to success. Their commitment to clients, dedication to staying ahead in technology, fostering a healthy work-life balance, and active community engagement make Blue Line Technologies a standout player in the competitive world of managed services.
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