Business of Tech

Paul Ongioni, a seasoned tech professional, transitioned from software development to business ownership by launching the first Nerds to Go franchise in Chicago. With a focus on managed services and computer repair, Nerds to Go offers services to both residential and business clients. Paul's motivation stemmed from a desire to work for himself and leverage his 15 years of experience in health tech to provide specialized MSP services to healthcare organizations. He highlighted the importance of cybersecurity, noting the increasing threats faced by small businesses and the need for education and protection.

As a new franchise owner, Paul shared insights into the responsibilities and benefits of operating under the Nerds to Go brand. While maintaining independence in day-to-day operations and pricing, he highlighted the support and resources provided by the franchise network, including vendor relationships and expert advice. Paul emphasized the significance of cybersecurity as a growth opportunity in the MSP space, given the rising threats and the lack of adequate protection in many organizations. He also acknowledged the potential for AI but expressed uncertainty about its future role in managed services.

In his role as a franchise owner, Paul discussed the importance of offering comprehensive cybersecurity solutions to clients, including outsourced monitoring and enterprise-level protection. By educating organizations on the importance of cybersecurity and providing tailored solutions, Paul aims to help businesses safeguard against cyber threats. Looking ahead, Paul sees cybersecurity as a key focus for growth in the MSP industry, emphasizing the need for continuous protection and proactive measures to mitigate risks. As he navigates the evolving landscape of technology and security, Paul remains committed to delivering top-notch services under the Nerds to Go brand.

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Dave Sobel is joined by Rich Freeman from Channelholifc to discuss the latest trends in the tech industry. The episode delves into the fluctuating premiums of cyber insurance policies, with a decline in premiums attributed to various factors such as favorable underwriting results and increased caution in risk selection. The conversation also explores the evolving landscape of self-service platforms in the MSP industry, with a focus on Pax8's new marketplace and the concept of self-serve storefront functionality.

 Rich Freeman shares insights from his recent conversations with industry experts, highlighting the spectrum of approaches towards AI and automation among MSP platform companies. From Atera's aggressive push towards automated ticket resolution to Kaseya and N-Able's more deliberate and cautious strategies, the discussion sheds light on the varying approaches to incorporating AI into managed services. The episode also touches on the importance of data management and the value of being strategic and deliberate in leveraging data to drive business outcomes. 

Additionally, the episode previews an interview with Yusuf Khan, the head of data science at Constellation, where the focus is on the surge in research and funding directed towards utilizing data effectively. Khan emphasizes the importance of being smart with data, understanding its value, and contextualizing it to specific industries to enhance decision-making and drive better outcomes. 

The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to share the show with others and support the content through Patreon, highlighting the impact of additional listeners in sustaining the delivery of valuable content in the tech industry.

Introducing Forrester's list of the top 10 emerging technologies for 2024. These technologies include generative AI, IoT security, and quantum security, emphasizing the need to align security strategies with business challenges for collaboration and recognition of the value of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) at the highest levels.

The episode also delves into the challenges faced by CISOs, with 92% experiencing tensions with their CEO and other executives. Despite 59% of CISOs considering themselves as business enablers, there is a disconnect in recognizing the CISO's role in driving innovation. The discussion underscores the importance of integrating security considerations into early business planning and innovation processes to ensure successful outcomes and economic efficiency.

Furthermore, the episode explores the significance of Single Sign-On (SSO) for small businesses in enhancing security and streamlining login processes. Recommendations from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) include providing flexible seat thresholds, tailored solutions, and improved support materials to facilitate SSO implementation. The episode also touches on the impact of cyber insurance on improving defenses and the growing importance of cloud security measures.

Lastly, the episode delves into the evolving role of AI in various industries, such as property management and copywriting. While AI chatbots offer efficiency gains, concerns about job displacement, bias, and the quality of interactions arise. The discussion emphasizes the need for strategic approaches that balance automation with human oversight to leverage the benefits of AI while addressing its limitations. Overall, the episode provides insights on the evolving landscape of technology, security, and AI integration in businesses.

Three things to know today

Consulting firms like Boston Consulting Group and IBM are thriving due to the high demand for generative AI expertise. These firms are experiencing growth in sales and hiring as businesses seek guidance on implementing generative AI technologies. The episode also discussed how AI is impacting freelancers, with some benefiting in fields like data science while others face job security risks in tasks that can be automated. The potential risks of hollowing out the workforce with generative AI automation were also emphasized.

Secondly, the episode delved into the Windows on ARM experience, noting improvements in app compatibility but challenges in gaming and device issues. The discussion highlighted the importance of real-world performance for businesses, especially in SMBs, and the promising future for Windows on ARM with more ARM64 native apps expected. The rapid pace of improvement in app compatibility was seen as a positive sign for the platform's adoption.

The episode then shifted focus to the IT Leadership Diversity Report, revealing persistent gender and racial gaps in IT leadership roles. The data showed a lack of diversity, with a high percentage of white and male IT leaders. Despite some small improvements in representation, there was a call for companies to foster inclusive and equitable workspaces that reflect diverse communities. The importance of diversity and inclusion in driving business success was emphasized.

Lastly, the episode discussed public support for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in companies, contrasting with the political backlash and scaling back of such programs. While support for specific initiatives like internships for underrepresented groups was high, financial incentives for achieving diversity goals were unpopular. The episode underscored the need for companies to embed diversity and inclusion into their core values and practices, focusing on results rather than high-profile branding.

Three things to know today

In this podcast episode, Dave Sobel discusses three key topics related to AI adoption and technology trends in the business world. The episode begins by highlighting the increasing embrace of AI by small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), with 94% of SMBs planning to incorporate AI into their operations in the current year. Additionally, NTT Data's Infrastructure Lifecycle Management Report reveals that 80% of global organizations view outdated technology as a hindrance to innovation, emphasizing the importance of consistent technology infrastructure management.

The episode delves into the challenges faced by organizations in maintaining their technology infrastructure, with a focus on project management, workflow automation, system integrations, and talent acquisition. Despite these challenges, a study by Jitterbit shows that office workers have a positive outlook on working with AI, viewing it as an opportunity for new skills and professional growth. The report indicates that 85% of office workers expect AI to enhance their roles and professional skills, dispelling fears of AI replacing human efforts.

Furthermore, the episode discusses the barriers to wider adoption of AI tools by U.S. companies, such as uncertainty about their value and a lack of internal expertise. It emphasizes the need for CEOs to take ownership of AI implementation and understand its potential contributions to revenue and productivity. The podcast also highlights recent developments by tech giants like HPE, Apple, and Microsoft in the AI space, including the launch of new AI channel programs, core machine learning models, and vision foundation models.

Lastly, the episode touches upon the Electronic Privacy Information Center's AI Legislation Scorecard, which evaluates the strength of state and federal AI legislation in promoting responsible AI use. The scorecard emphasizes the importance of strong privacy laws and enforcement mechanisms to mitigate AI risks. It suggests that organizations can use the scorecard to assess their AI practices and policies, aligning them with responsible AI standards. Overall, the episode underscores the significance of AI adoption, technology infrastructure management, and regulatory compliance in shaping the future of business technology

Three things to know today