Technology Archives - Page 2 of 19

Mitigating Cyber Liability and Technology Risk, with Craig Sekowski and Ralph Pasquariello, The Tech Collective

April 15, 2024 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Mitigating Cyber Liability and Technology Risk, with Craig Sekowski and Ralph Pasquariello, The Tech Collective

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Mitigating Cyber Liability and Technology Risk, with Craig Sekowski and Ralph Pasquariello, The Tech Collective (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 763)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Craig Sekowski and Ralph Pasquariello of The Tech Collective, a technology risk management and cyber liability consulting firm. Craig, Ralph, and the rest of their colleagues at The Tech Collective leverage over 85 years of combined experience to provide technology-based solutions for solving business problems, focusing on IT security, cyber liability, and breach coaching, among others. The company serves small to large businesses, focusing particularly on those making over $50 million in revenue, across various sectors, including healthcare, legal, and manufacturing. Craig and Ralph discuss the widespread issue of companies being underinsured for cyber liability and how their unique approach, including a four-step process and use of advanced analytics, helps right-size cyber insurance coverages for businesses. They underscore the critical importance of having adequate cybersecurity measures and insurance in place to mitigate risks and ensure business continuity in the event of a cyber event.

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is recorded and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Craig Sekowski, Senior Managing Partner, The Tech Collective

Craig Sekowski is a seasoned executive with 25+ years’ experience in IT and FinTech. He leads The Tech Collective, acting as their CEO, optimizing technology and security for major clients.

Craig’s strategic collaboration with corporate CIOs drives innovation, product delivery, and key partnerships with companies like, Enlace Health, Fiserv, Truist, Ethos Labs, TIAA, Home Depot, AT&T, Carrier and British Telecom.

Craig’s results-driven approach makes him a respected leader in IT innovation and strategy.

Ralph Pasquariello, Senior Partner, Cyber Liability Specialist, The Tech Collective

For the past 14 years, Ralph Pasquariello has been moderating and speaking at dozens of conferences and panels on Cyber Liability & Data Breach Risk Management. He has hosted educational seminars on Cyber exposure for professional associations of all industries, including Operational Technology and Intellectual Technology. Ralph’s Cyber Liability expertise has qualified him to present at over 100 events.

Ralph works with the FBI, GBI, and US Secret Service on the Atlanta Cyber Fraud Task Force. He is former Executive Committee Chairman for the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Tech400 Board, Cyber Symposium and an advisor to the Georgia Tech Research Institute.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to North Fulton Business Radio
01:23 Meet the Tech Collective: Innovators in Technology Solutions
01:35 Exploring the Services and Expertise of the Tech Collective
02:57 The Critical Importance of Cybersecurity and Insurance
05:53 Deep Dive into Cyber Liability and Insurance Insights
11:17 The Tech Collective’s Approach to Cyber Risk Management
25:23 Success Stories and the Impact of Proper Cyber Insurance
30:07 How to Connect with the Tech Collective
30:49 Closing Remarks and Additional Resources

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 750 shows and having featured over 1,200 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!

The show welcomes a wide variety of business, non-profit, and community leaders to get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, their community, and their profession. There’s no discrimination based on company size, and there’s never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates business by sharing positive business stories that traditional media ignore. Some media leans left. Some media leans right. We lean business.

John Ray, Business RadioX - North Fulton, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors — **John Ray, Business RadioX – North Fulton, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors**

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is recorded and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, and many others.

The studio address is 275 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.

John Ray also operates his own business advisory practice. John’s services include advising solopreneurs and small professional services firms on their value, their positioning and business development, and their pricing. His clients are professionals who are selling their expertise, such as consultants, coaches, attorneys, CPAs, accountants and bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.

John is the national bestselling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, with over $13 billion in assets and more than 190 banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of their banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Leveraging Technology Strategically, with James Brighton, TMG

March 22, 2024 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Leveraging Technology Strategically, with James Brighton, TMG

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Leveraging Technology Strategically, with James Brighton, TMG (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 754)

James Brighton with TMG joined host John Ray on this episode of North Fulton Business Radio to discuss critical aspects of technology management and optimization in business. James offered insights on assisting businesses in optimizing their IT spending and making strategic technology purchases, especially in the wake of tightened budgets post-COVID-19. James shared how vendors manipulate the technology purchasing process to their advantage and how TMG approaches this by being customer-centric and agnostic to solutions. James highlights major technology themes like cybersecurity, detailing the magnitude of the threat and the common pitfalls companies face, such as unpreparedness and ego. He also touches upon the challenges of cyber insurance policies becoming more restrictive and expensive due to the rising prevalence of cybercrime. The episode wraps up with James expressing skepticism about the widespread applicability of AI for businesses outside the Fortune 50, due to resource constraints.

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is recorded and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

James Brighton, Technology Solutions Advisor, TMG

James Brighton is a Technology Solutions Advisor with TMG, formerly The McCracken Group.

TMG serves as a technology acquisition partner for their clients by engaging with and helping organizations and IT leaders understand all the disruptive technologies that exist today. TMG challenges the status quo of “traditional” VAR’s, ISV’s, and technology resellers. As an organization, they continually train and search for what is trending, where the markets are going, and what types of technologies are emerging—from cloud to cybersecurity to next-gen connectivity like SD-WAN.

The laser-focused role that TMG fills with their clients is to enable better technology purchasing decisions using proprietary tools, impartial and neutral research, and client consultations coupled with TMG’s comprehensive engineering experience. The client experience is continued from the purchasing decision through their complete care, starting with contract negotiation, solution implementation, and total life-cycle management with project management and full in-house Tier 1 support included. TMG’s clients look to them to bring clarity and understanding through their exhaustive analysis, purchase guidance, and vendor management to offer business solutions.

Topics Discussed in this Interview

00:00 Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
01:24 Introducing James Brighton from TMG
01:31 Optimizing IT Spend and Strategic Technology Purchasing
02:24 James Brighton’s Unexpected Journey into Tech
04:55 The Importance of Being Customer-Centric in Tech Consulting
06:43 Navigating the Complex World of Technology Purchasing
13:43 The Alarming Reality of Cybersecurity Threats
18:37 The Growing Challenge of Cyber Insurance and Compliance
21:50 AI in Business: Hype vs. Reality
24:58 Who Benefits from TMG’s Services?
28:32 How to Connect with James Brighton and TMG
29:17 Closing Thoughts

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

The studio address is 275 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.

John is the bestselling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

Fielding Alderman with PDI and Don Ansley with ACG Solutions

January 25, 2024 by Mike

Gwinnett Business Radio

Fielding Alderman with PDI and Don Ansley with ACG Solutions

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Fielding Alderman/PDI Kitchen, Bath, and Lighting

Plumbing Distributors, Inc., more commonly known as PDI, was founded in 1973 in Lawrenceville, Ga. The family-owned business was born out of a passion for identifying and fulfilling the needs of customers while exemplifying first-class service. Now in its 50th year of serving customers, PDI is recognized as an industry leader in wholesale distribution and as a vibrant kitchen, bath, and lighting retailer. Today, the independently owned company operates 26 locations across Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee, including the first two Kohler Signature Showrooms in the Southeast region.

PDI comprises more than 400 employees and continues to flourish through a combination of successful partnerships, acquisitions, and a commitment to its core values of: accountability, commitment, flexibility, integrity, loyalty, and teamwork. Visit relyonpdi.com to shop all of your kitchen, bath, and lighting needs. Not sure if they carry the appliance brand you’re looking for? Give them a call at (800) 262-9231 or visit their website for their full line card. Follow PDI on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn for the latest news and updates.

Don Ansley/ACG Solutions

ACG Solutions offers cutting-edge IT managed services, providing clients with comprehensive and tailored solutions to meet their technology needs. Specializing in the installation and maintenance of security cameras and access control systems. ACG ensures the safety and security of our client’s premises.

ACG has also established itself as a leader in data cabling and network design. Offering advanced infrastructure that supports seamless connectivity and efficient data transfer. In the realm of telecommunications , ACG delivers state-of-the-art business telephone systems, meeting the communication demands of modern enterprises.

Gwinnett Business Radio is presented by

Digital Accessibility and Inclusion Making the Web a Better Place for All E21

January 22, 2024 by Karen

Changing the Perception of Blindness

Digital Accessibility and Inclusion Making the Web a Better Place for All E21

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Digital Accessibility and Inclusion Making the Web a Better Place for All E21

In this episode of Changing the Perception of Blindness, host David Steinmetz explores digital accessibility with experts Kai Wong from Teladoc Health and Phil Yatvin from Level Access. They discuss the pivotal role of allies in fostering inclusivity for people who are blind, sharing personal motivations rooted in experiences of exclusion. Kai, a senior manager of digital accessibility, emphasizes inclusivity at Teladoc Health, while Phil, a strategic partnerships executive, advocates for accessible employment opportunities.

The conversation highlights the symbiotic relationship between accessibility and usability, underscoring the need for positive user experiences. The guests also address challenges posed by overlays, emphasize the importance of genuine efforts in design, and explore standards, enforcement, and proactive strategies for digital accessibility, reflecting their commitment to positive change in this realm.

Listen now to gain valuable insights and be part of the journey toward a more inclusive digital landscape.

Teladoc Health was founded on a simple, yet revolutionary idea: that everyone should have access to the best healthcare, anywhere in the world on their terms. Today, they are delivering on our mission by providing whole-person virtual care that includes primary care, mental health, chronic condition management and more.

Kai Wong (she/her/they/them), Senior Manager of Digital Accessibility at Teladoc Health, is passionate about making the digital world accessible for people with disabilities.

Kai strongly believes in the transformative power of accessible technology for better health outcomes. Kai was a 2021 DC FemTech Award Recipient, has a US patent pending related to accessibility technology, and holds certifications related to health education and quality assurance.

At Teladoc Health, a global leader in virtual health and whole person care, Kai actively champions digital accessibility by baking it into the software development lifecycle and partnering with cross functional leaders to make it a priority.

Additionally, Kai founded Accessibility Champions for Change and serves as the first Digital Accessibility Partner on the THRIVE BRG’s leadership team.

Kai is known for their unique ability to make complex topics like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) engaging and enjoyable to learn about, especially for quality engineers, product managers, and web/mobile app developers.

Connect with Kai on LinkedIn.

The Level Access digital accessibility solution combines the most robust platform and deepest bench of accessibility expertise to help organizations create accessible and legally compliant websites, mobile apps, software, and other technology. They have supported the accessibility initiatives of thousands of organizations, from Fortune 500 enterprises to public sector and government agencies, educational institutions, and private sector businesses of all sizes.

Level Access is proud of their diverse team of engineers, programmers, and consultants, many of whom have disabilities themselves. These lived experiences help them identify accessibility needs and issues, and more effectively create and test digital experiences to ensure maximum usability for all.

In addition, dozens of their Accessibility Services colleagues have worked as either staff members or contractors for the Section 508 compliance teams in U.S. Federal Government agencies.

With experiences in consulting, special education, and developing non-profit social enterprises businesses that focus on employment of professionals with disabilities, Phil has a deep understanding of the apex of business and disability inclusion.

Phil Yatvin excels at helping organizations understand the never-ending benefits of creating inclusive experiences for all. He breaks down flawed mindsets organizations have about employees and customers with disabilities so that they can improve business outcomes while also becoming more inclusive.

Whether the goal is to improve employee morale and productivity, grow market reach, or mitigate legal risk, Phil connects the dots for business leaders and empowers them to create sustainable digital inclusion strategies.

Now part of the Strategic Partnerships team at Level Access, he works with organizations and agencies that create digital experiences including websites, mobile apps, software, and other content, to ensure the assets they create for clients is inclusive to all.

Connect with Phil on LinkedIn.

About Your Host

As the manager of Community and Public Relations, David Steinmetz uses his expertise, education, and personal experiences to “change the perception of blindness.”

Diagnosed with RP, a blinding retinal disease, at the age of 19, David uses his personal story to drive change that leads to improved employment outcomes and community integration for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Mr. Steinmetz graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Economics. Additionally, Steinmetz has continued his education by graduating from the Business Management Training (BMT) program provided by Darden Graduate School of Business, University of Virginia.

In 2008, David was the national recipient of the National Industries for the Blind Milton J. Samuelson Career Achievement award. This prestigious award recognized Mr. Steinmetz for his career achievements and community service work.

David Steinmetz is a member of the Governors’ Council on Blindness & Visual Impairments, is a Board Member at the Arizona Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired (ACBVI) and serves his community through the Chandler Lions Club.

Connect with David on LinkedIn and Instagram.

About the Show

Changing the Perception of Blindness; One Conversation at a Time is dedicated to breaking down barriers, de-mystifying blindness and promoting real world solutions that empower people who are blind to live a full and inclusive life.

Host, David Steinmetz connects with organizations, industry professionals and thought leaders who are working to bridge the gap that creates a world accessible for all.

About Arizona Industries for the Blind

Arizona Industries for the Blind is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating employment opportunities for people who are blind. It’s employees, more than half of whom are blind, deliver a variety of products and services, including a full-service Warehousing and Distribution Center, confidential Digital Data Scan (DDS) services for private businesses and government and the operation of Base Supply Centers located at each of Arizona’s three military bases under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Labor’s AbilityOne program.

Follow AIFB on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Episode 3: Scott Waid, Senior Vice President of Technology Services with the Atlanta Braves

January 16, 2024 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

Episode 3: Scott Waid, Senior Vice President of Technology Services with the Atlanta Braves

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On this month’s episode of Unscripted Leadership, Comcast Business VP Heather Orrico is joined by Scott Waid, Senior Vice President of Technology Services with the Atlanta Braves, to discuss how the Major League Baseball team uses technology to drive innovation and offer fans an unforgettable experience at Truist Park.

Scott Waid/Atlanta Braves

Scott Waid has served as the Senior Vice President of Technology Services for the Atlanta Braves since November 2020.

He has over 30 years of experience with Atlanta-based companies including his role as a Senior Vice President at Equifax. Prior to Equifax, he held marketing, operations, technology and corporate strategy and planning positions at AT&T/BellSouth.

After earning a degree in electrical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, Waid earned an MBA in finance from Georgia State University. He has also completed a strategic thinking and management program at Wharton School of Business, an executive management development program from Turknett Leadership Group, and an advanced technology program from Carnegie Mellon University.

About Comcast Business

Comcast Business offers Ethernet, Internet, Wi-Fi, Voice, TV and Managed Enterprise Solutions to help organizations of all sizes transform their business.

Powered by an advanced network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is one of the largest contributors to the growth of Comcast Cable. Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and has emerged as a force in the Enterprise market, and has been recognized over the last two years by leading industry associations as one of the fastest growing providers of Ethernet services.

For more information, call 866-429-3085. Follow on Twitter @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social.

Unscripted Leadership is presented by

Episode 1: Kim Rometo, Senior VP/Chief Innovation and Technology Officer with Atlanta Hawks

October 16, 2023 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

Episode 1: Kim Rometo, Senior VP/Chief Innovation and Technology Officer with Atlanta Hawks

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Comcast Business has announced the launch of its new podcast, Unscripted Leadership, in partnership with Business RadioX. For the inaugural episode, Comcast Business VP Heather Orrico hosted Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena’s SVP and Chief Innovation and Technology Officer Kim Rometo, to discuss her journey with the Hawks, her role as a female executive, and upcoming technology trends including how the NBA team is bringing future-forward technology to drive growth in sports.

Kim Rometo/Atlanta Hawks

Kim Rometo is the Senior Vice President and Chief Innovation and Technology Officer for the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena. Kim oversees the technology department of both the Hawks and State Farm Arena with a focus on its staff, technology infrastructure and information systems. In addition, she focuses on helping the organization identify and execute impactful technology category partnerships and bolster the organization’s industry-leading sustainability efforts.

Kim came to the Hawks after completing three seasons with the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium as Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer, where she was responsible for managing and directing the technology initiatives and strategic direction of information technology. During her first season with the Dolphins, she led data center modernization and cyber security hardening efforts in preparation for hosting Super Bowl LIV, for which she was nominated as a 2020 South Florida Business Journal 40 Under 40 Honoree. In her second season, she helped open the Baptist Health Training Complex and played a role in conducting innovation efforts during COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. In her third season, Kim led the technology efforts for the inaugural Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, which earned her the SouthFloridaCIO 2022 CIO of the Year® Enterprise ORBIE® Award.

About Comcast Business

Comcast Business offers Ethernet, Internet, Wi-Fi, Voice, TV and Managed Enterprise Solutions to help organizations of all sizes transform their business. Powered by an advanced network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is one of the largest contributors to the growth of Comcast Cable. Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and has emerged as a force in the Enterprise market, and has been recognized over the last two years by leading industry associations as one of the fastest growing providers of Ethernet services. For more information, call 866-429-3085. Follow on Twitter @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social.

Unscripted Leadership is presented by

Amanda Pearch chats with Asif Jessani of CCS Atlanta Marketing Technology and Cameron Marmolejo of Imagination Construction & Outdoor

June 27, 2023 by Amanda Pearch

Forsyth Business Radio

Amanda Pearch chats with Asif Jessani of CCS Atlanta Marketing Technology and Cameron Marmolejo of Imagination Construction & Outdoor

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Asif Jessani of CCS Atlanta Marketing & Technology and

Cameron Marmolejo of Imagination Construction & Imagination Outdoor

Asif Jessani Partner at CCS Atlanta Marketing & Technology

With a passion for marketing, technology, and operational effectiveness, CCS is committed to positively impacting their clients and communities. Striving to provide clients with the best and most flexible consulting services and most competitive hardware, software, and cloud-based tools. Their goal is to enhance your organization’s internal and external processes while keeping the organization’s culture in mind. CCS utilizes a multi-level approach to review a company’s communication and technology processes which includes discovery, execution, and evaluation.

Cameron Marmolejo Owner & President of Imagination Construction &

Imagination Outdoor

The team at Imagination Construction LLC aim to make your design ideas a reality! Imagination really is the first step. With nearly two decades of commercial and residential construction experience, the team will implement your precise vision or collaborate with you to create something new. Imagination uses cutting edge technology to draft, design, construct.

Imagination Outdoor (a division of Imagination Construction) is a professional tree service and landscaping company located in Cumming, Georgia, serving the northeast Atlanta area. Their mission is to create beautiful outdoor spaces that exceed our clients’ expectations. We accomplish this by using high-quality machinery and materials, and by relying on the expertise of our experienced and certified professionals. Imagination is Veteran owned and operated, fully licensed and insured.

Connect with us on Social Media @forsythbrx

Listen to shows 24/7 on businessradiox.com/forsyth-studio and SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your #audio shows to “Forsyth Business Radio” to enjoy past and future episodes.

SPECIAL THANKS to our #ForsythBRX Studio Print Partner:

Podcasts by Amanda Pearch

Jason Etheridge, Logic Speak

January 23, 2023 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Jason Etheridge, Logic Speak

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Jason Etheridge, Logic Speak (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 602)

Jason Etheridge, Founder and President of Logic Speak, joined host John Ray on this episode of North Fulton Business Radio. He discussed how small businesses typically approach IT strategy and planning, how Logic Speak creates a comprehensive IT strategic plan for clients, how small businesses can stay up to date with the latest technologies and trends, and much more.

North Fulton Business Radio is produced and broadcast by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Logic Speak

For more than 15 years, Logic Speak’s promise to business professionals like you has been to take the stress out of your technology.

Companies of all sizes have IT issues. Whether you need an overall IT plan, better technical support or maybe just updated hardware/software, we are here to help you navigate the complexities of IT. It’s always been their goal to serve as your guide in making sense of all the options to establish the best work environment for your business. They specialize in translating technology into business sense. From the board room to the server room, Logic Speak offers you peace of mind so that you can focus on what you do best.

The key to accomplishing your mission is staying focused on what you do best and delegating the rest. When compared with internal resources, leveraging a managed services provider offers profound cost savings. They get that you want the technology to just work at a reasonable price. Once Logic Speak is engaged, they have the ability to streamline and enhance your company’s technological capabilities while simultaneously cutting costs and reducing the amount of time, stress, and headache you spend in maintaining your company’s networking and telecommunications requirements.

Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook

Jason Etheridge, Founder and President, Logic Speak

Jason Etheridge is the Founder and President of Logic Speak, a managed service provider that offers IT support, security, and infrastructure maintenance to clients in the metro-Atlanta area.

He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology and has over 20 years of experience in the field. Prior to founding Logic Speak, Jason worked as a Technology Consultant for Hewlett-Packard and served as the Director of Information Technology at Extreme Logic, where he received the Extreme Logic Excellence through Results award for his work with Ernst Young.

He has also consulted for small businesses in the Atlanta area and has implemented systems to streamline corporate processes and reduce overall IT costs. Jason serves on the advisory board of Datto and IT Glue. He is also a member of an MSP-Ignite peer group and facilitates another peer group for smaller MSPs.

Jason lives in Johns Creek, GA with his wife Jennifer, two boys Jameson and Jackson, and Harbins, their labradoodle. He is a conflicted 7 – 2 on the Enneagram, was recently voted life of the party by his co-workers, and loves riding his Harley when he is not changing diapers, coaching baseball, or thinking about technology.

Questions and Topics in this Interview

How do small businesses typically approach IT strategy and planning?
Can you walk us through creating a comprehensive IT strategy for a small business?
How can small businesses stay up to date with the latest technologies and trends in the IT industry?
How can small businesses prepare for unexpected IT issues like data breaches or natural disasters?
What two or three things can you suggest that business owners should consider if they aren’t already?

North Fulton Business Radio is hosted by John Ray and broadcast and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, TuneIn, and others.

Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown to become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions with over $13 billion in assets and more than 190 banking, lending, wealth management and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of their banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Since 2000, Office Angels® has been restoring joy to the life of small business owners, enabling them to focus on what they do best. At the same time, we honor and support at-home experts who wish to continue working on an as-needed basis. Not a temp firm or a placement service, Office Angels matches a business owner’s support needs with Angels who have the talent and experience necessary to handle work that is essential to creating and maintaining a successful small business. Need help with administrative tasks, bookkeeping, marketing, presentations, workshops, speaking engagements, and more? Visit us at https://officeangels.us/.

The Key to Improving Tech Outcomes: Project Management E33

December 20, 2022 by Karen

The-Key-to-Improving-Tech-Outcomes-Project-Management-feature

AZ TechCast

The Key to Improving Tech Outcomes: Project Management E33

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The Key to Improving Tech Outcomes: Project Management E33

From managing budgets to meeting deliverables in a timely manner, project managers play a critical role in helping organizations improve outcomes and maintain successful partnerships. So, how can tech companies leverage project management to reimagine how they produce deliverables for their clients?

The December 2022 episode of the Arizona Technology Council’s AZTechCast podcast featured experts including Mary Kirk, principal consultant and lead DEI at Allata; J.T. Moomau, vice president, solutions delivery at Per Scholas; and Joe Pusz, president, The PMO Squad. These leaders joined Karen Nowicki, president and owner of Phoenix Business RadioX, and Steve Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, in discussing how technology companies can utilize project management to better deliver strategic initiatives.

Throughout this hour-long episode, the panel of three experts discussed how they would define project management, how it works at their individual organizations, and the tips they have for technology companies that are hoping to revamp how they manage their projects. Time and time again, each speaker hit on the critical importance of great communication, clear goal setting, keeping the company’s “why” in mind and executing deliverables with excellence.

Per Scholas has been advancing economic mobility and increasing opportunity for more than 25 years. Through rigorous training, professional development, and robust employer connections, the national nonprofit prepares individuals traditionally underrepresented in technology for high-growth careers in the industry. Per Scholas partners with leading employers to build more diverse talent pools, directly connecting graduates to new career opportunities with more than 850 employer partners, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups. With campuses in 20 cities, Per Scholas has trained more than 17,000 individuals in tech skills, building bridges to careers in technology.

Per Scholas Phoenix launched in 2021, with its first cohort of Java Developers graduating in August. In 2022, Per Scholas Phoenix is on track to train 180 diverse technologists in the skills they need to succeed in a variety of tech roles including IT Support, AWS re/Start, Full Stack Java Development, and End User Desktop Support. Per Scholas Phoenix learners have a 100 percent certification rate in industry recognized credentials, and to date, 95 percent of graduates have gone on to full-time employment.

To learn more, visit PerScholas.org and follow them on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

J.T. Moomau joined Per Scholas as Vice President of Solutions Delivery in August 2022. He is a highly Certified Project Management and Business Operations Leader, with more than a decade of experience in the technology industry.

J.T. is proactive, solutions-oriented, and skilled in leading complex initiatives in process improvement and change management to completion in a highly technical environment. He is diligent and data-driven with a demonstrated ability to optimize efficiency and improve service delivery through transformational operations leadership in alignment with organizational objectives. Collaborative and consultative with a growth mindset, J.T. is adept at inspiring confidence and building consensus among high-impact teams.

An active and engaged member of the community, J.T. is passionate about advancing the principles of effective project management and leadership as a University Professor, Project Management Trainer, and sought-after speaker. He is a professor at Fresno Pacific University, teaching courses in Business, Change Management, and Project Management.

J.T. holds his PMP certification and earned a Masters of Science in Management and Leadership from Western Governors University.

Connect with J.T. on LinkedIn.

Allata (pronounced a-ley-ta) is a strategy, architecture and enterprise-level application development company focused on helping clients enhance or scale business opportunities, create efficiencies and automate processes through custom technologies.

We are building a different kind of firm – focused on doing exciting, transformational work for great clients and bringing caring and dedicated people to make our clients goals a reality. Our vision is to build an energized group of talented professionals that can stand strong on their own but work better as a networked team.

We enable business agility at the intersection of people, process, and technology. We provide solutions and expert services to assist businesses to become more nimble, transformative, and disruptive in their respective industries. We define vision, strategy, and value creation models for shaping strategic product designs, managing, and transforming enterprise delivery.

Just as strongly as we care about our clients, we feel that it is important to give back to the community and non-profits that we are passionate about. Every month, Allata donates 2% of our net income to a charitable cause our team believes in.

We live by our mantra:
Family comes first, clients are king, we take great care of our people.

Mary Kirk, a Principal based in Dallas/Fort Worth, contributes to Allata’s strategy practice and co-leads Diversity and Belonging.

As a resourceful and energetic Program Manager, she has a long track record of ensuring projects are delivered at the highest quality, within budget parameters, and effectively managing resources to quickly adapt to fluctuating environments. She is a strong communicator and influencer that strives to provide top-class services by focusing on business process efficiencies while leading projects, teams, and customers with the highest ethical standards.

Mary has expertly led medium to large-scale marketing, commercial, industrial, and technology projects across a wide array of industries including semiconductor, supply chain, automotive, banking, airlines, home warranty, non-profit, and waste management.

In her free time, Mary enjoys listening to music/podcasts, traveling, volunteering, Pickleball, and spending time with her family and friends. Mary has successfully raised two young men; who are now forging their own paths. Mary is a graduate of St. Edwards University with a degree in Business Administration.

Connect with Mary on LinkedIn and follow Allata on Facebook.

The PMO Squad is a full-service Project Management Consulting firm located in Phoenix, AZ. They have been serving clients for a decade deploying the best team in the industry to deliver Agile, Hybrid and Traditional Project Management solutions and resources to clients across the United States.

They serve multiple industries and support clients of all sizes from the local start-up to global Fortune 200 conglomerates. All companies have projects but few companies deliver projects successfully. Their Services include both PMO Consulting and Project Management Consulting, providing Direct Placement and Contract Project Management and Agile Resources, as well as Project Management, PMO and Agile training. Inherit within each of these services is our belief in People over Process and Outcomes over Audits. For us, everything starts with Purpose.

The PMO Squad believes in supporting our Project Management profession, Local Communities, Veterans and those in need. They were winners of the 2022 Small Business Awards, micro category, from the Phoenix Business Journal. They also earned the Platinum Medallion from the US Department of Labor HIRE Vets Program for their work hiring and retaining veterans. They are only 1 of 7 companies to earn this designation in the state of Arizona.

Joe Pusz, PMO Joe is an internationally recognized leader in the Project Management and PMO community. He is a frequent Keynote Speaker, Author, Project Management Innovator and was named the 2022 PMO Influencer of the Year, Americas by the PMO Global Alliance. Joe speaks on topics of Leadership, PMOs, Purpose Driven Mindset, the Project Management Journey, and a variety of other trending Project Management topics.

He is the Founder and President of THE PMO SQUAD, a Phoenix-based PMO and Project Management Consulting firm serving clients across the United States. The PMO Squad was named Winner 2022 Small Business Awards by the Phoenix Business Journal.

Joe is the host of the Project Management Office Hours Radio Show and Podcast providing Project Management Leaders a voice within our community. Now in the 5th season, the show has over 40 million plays and downloads featuring guests from around the world.

Joe is also Co-Founder of VPMMA, the Veteran Project Manager Mentor Alliance which is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization assisting Veterans seeking to transition into civilian Project Management careers. He is the Founder of The PMO Leader global community. The community is the only global e-commerce community for PMO Leaders and teams to share content, gain knowledge, and exchange experiences.

Joe supports our industry having served as a Judge for the Global PMO Awards, participates with the PMI Executive Roundtable on PMOs, and is a long-time member of the Project Management Institute. He has been a PMI Volunteer, Sponsor, and Mentor.

Follow The PMO Squad on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About AZ TechCast

AZ TechCast is dedicated to covering innovation and technology in Arizona and beyond.

Through the art of connected conversation, AZ TechCast’s guests will share their expertise, success stories, news and analysis about the region’s leading startups, companies and emerging technologies, as well as the latest industry trends and critical issues propelling the state’s growing technology ecosystem.

About Your Hosts

Steve Zylstra serves as president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, a role he assumed in 2007. He is responsible for strategy, operations, finance and policy development. Zylstra is a vocal spokesman for the value technology can provide in raising social and economic standards in Arizona.

Zylstra serves on numerous councils, committees and boards, was named “Leader of the Year, Technology,” by the Arizona Capitol Times, and “Most Admired Leader” by the Phoenix Business Journal. In addition, he was awarded an honorary doctorate of science in technology from the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, Ariz.

Zylstra earned a bachelor’s degree in automotive engineering technology from Western Michigan University.

Karen Nowicki is a successful author, speaker and the creator of Deep Impact Leadership™ and SoulMarks Coaching™. She is a two-time recipient of the prestigious national Choice Award® for her book and personal development retreat. Karen was crowned the first-ever “Mompreneur of the Year” Award in 2010 for the southwestern states. She was recognized for her leadership, business acumen, and work-life balance.

Karen has been an expert guest on regional TV and radio shows, including Fox Phoenix Morning Show, Sonoran Living, Good Morning Arizona, The Chat Room, and Mid-Day Arizona. She has been a regular contributor to many print and online magazines – publishing articles and blogs for business and education.

In addition to working with private coaching clients, Karen is also the Owner & President of Phoenix Business RadioX. The Business RadioX Network amplifies the voice of business – serving the Fortune 500,000, not just the Fortune 500. Phoenix Business RadioX helps local businesses and professional associations get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, profession, and community.

Of all the experiences Karen has had the privilege of participating in over her vast career, she shares that Phoenix Business RadioX is a pinnacle adventure!

Connect with Karen on LinkedIn and follow Phoenix Business RadioX on Facebook and Instagram.

Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Bianca Buliga is a trilingual first-generation American of Romanian ethnicity. A marketing professional with experience in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, Bianca currently works as Director, Marketing & Communications for the Arizona Technology Council.

Previously, Bianca worked as Marketing Communications Lead at Proctorio, a learning integrity platform that offers remote proctoring software ensuring exam integrity for learners around the world.

Bianca also worked as Senior Marketing Manager at SEED SPOT, a social impact incubator that educates, accelerates, and invests in impact-driven entrepreneurs creating market-based solutions to social problems. In January of 2020, Bianca was selected as an awardee of the Mandela Washington Reciprocal Exchange Program and traveled to the African island of Mauritius to run entrepreneurship programming for 15 impact-driven ecopreneurs on behalf of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Bianca has also completed comprehensive consulting projects for IBM, ESAN Business School, and the Peruvian government, and interned at the Arizona House of Representatives and U.S. Embassy in Bucharest, Romania.

Bianca earned her Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from Northern Arizona University in 2014 and her Master’s degree in Global Affairs and Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in 2017. She is an avid reader, yogi, and world traveler always planning her next trip.

Connect with Bianca on LinkedIn.

About Our Sponsor

The Arizona Technology Council, Arizona’s only statewide organization serving the technology sector, fosters a climate of innovation to enhance technology in Arizona.

A trusted resource in strengthening Arizona’s technology industry, the Council proactively eliminates impediments that companies face, accelerates the entrepreneurial mindset in the state’s expanding innovation ecosystem, and works to create a destination for companies to be, thrive and stay.

Follow Arizona Technology Council on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.