The Smart IT Podcast

The Journey from Copywriting to Strategic Narrative

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Shawn Rolph, founder of Copycat, to the show to talk about creativity, resilience, and adaptation in the face of technological disruption. How does one bounce back from the AI rush when it disrupts your business model? and then turn around the innovate on other ways to provide value to the market and harness that same tech to support the new approach.

We explored his company's journey from copywriting to strategic narrative.

Shawn shared his journey with music began after a childhood injury that shattered his elbow. Playing guitar became a form of physical therapy that later influenced his creativity and problem-solving as an entrepreneur. Music, he explained, had always been central to how he and his business partner brainstormed ideas and tackled challenges.

He described founding Copycat in 2017 as a small copywriting venture that scaled into a full-service agency supporting large firms with writing talent and creative content. However, the introduction of ChatGPT in late 2022 fundamentally disrupted the business. Within three months of the announcement, Copycat lost half its runway as clients shifted to experimenting with AI-generated content. Shawn reflected that AI’s first major use case was communication, and that businesses quickly began reassessing the value of human-created writing.

Rather than resist the change, Copycat pivoted. Shawn saw that AI would flood every marketing channel with content, amplifying noise and sameness. This insight led to the creation of Copycat’s Strategic Narrative Framework, a storytelling-driven approach that helps brands rediscover authentic voice, alignment, and differentiation. Drawing inspiration from Hollywood writing rooms and world-building, Shawn’s team began facilitating in-person workshops to help companies clarify their villains, heroes, and worldviews.

Our conversation explored the “premium on slow” emerging in an AI-accelerated world, highlighting how genuine creativity, intentional storytelling, and human interaction would soon become more valuable than speed. Shawn emphasized that true innovation required reflection, alignment, and collaboration, not just automation. Copycat eventually used AI not to replace creativity but to amplify decision-making, automate workflows, and create space for deep narrative work, while maintaining a strict boundary against using AI for generative writing.

Shawn concluded that storytelling could be taught through frameworks and that today’s founders must become both builders and storytellers. Copycat now operates both as a narrative agency and as a storytelling-as-a-service platform, helping founders and teams align around a unified message that connects authentically with customers.

We closed the episode by highlighting Shawn’s ability to transform disruption into opportunity, reminding listeners that when challenges strike, creativity, collaboration, and purpose are the keys to building what’s next.

#smartit #story #copy #narrative #ai

Show notes:

🔹Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/QP-7QTlu96Q

🔹Shawn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-rolph/

🔹Copycat: https://www.copycat.ink

🔹The Smart IT Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast

🔹Captivate Website for all episodes: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

Smart IT | Leadership

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Melissa Marks to the show to explore what leadership really means in today’s workplace. From employee engagement and culture to navigating layoffs, leading through adversity, and integrating AI responsibly, Melissa shared practical wisdom and human-centered strategies for building stronger organizations.

🔷 Smart IT - Leadership

The conversation explored the idea that leadership is not about titles but about daily actions; whether parenting, caring for others, or stepping up in teams. Melissa described how remote work and Zoom created more equality by giving everyone a “front row seat,” allowing quieter voices to be heard. She stressed that leaders should foster unconditional love at work, supporting team members when they make mistakes rather than punishing them, because punitive cultures stifle growth and loyalty.

We also discussed culture during adversity, such as economic downturns or layoffs. There is much that can be improved upon when it comes to the tendency of companies to abruptly reduce staff without transparency, leading to erosion of trust for those left behind. Melissa advocated for humane practices, early communication, and involving employees in problem-solving. She suggested that restructures often overlooked employee skills and innovative ideas that could save costs without losing talent.

The conversation then shifted to AI in the workplace. Melissa, with her engineering and physics background, viewed AI as an exciting enhancement tool but not a replacement for human judgment, morality, or creativity. She noted that while AI could accelerate brainstorming and writing, it lacked the human accountability and ethical discernment needed in critical decisions. We both agreed that leaders must integrate AI thoughtfully, maintaining responsibility for outcomes rather than offloading it to technology.

We closed with Melissa introducing her collaborative project, The ABCs of Leadership, a workbook guiding leaders through 26 behaviors to build high-performance, people-centered cultures.

Leadership opportunities exist for everyone, regardless of title, and everyone is encouraged to embrace everyday chances to lead with vision and humanity.

🔑 Key Takeaways

✅ Why leadership is not about titles; it’s about daily actions, responsibility, and influence.

✅ How to align people with purpose, transforming disengaged employees into engaged contributors.

✅ The importance of unconditional love at work; supporting mistakes as learning opportunities rather than punishing them.

✅ Why culture and transparency matter most during adversity and layoffs, and how humane communication sustains trust.

✅ How to embrace AI as an enhancement tool while keeping humans accountable for ethics, creativity, and decision-making.

✅ Many disengaged employees are “persuadable” if leaders intentionally connect them to the organization's vision.

Melissa also shared insights from her upcoming book, The ABCs of Leadership, a workbook designed to help teams build 10/10 cultures where people feel seen, valued, and empowered; with cultures of engagement, accountability, and results.

#SmartIT #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #AI #EmployeeEngagement

Show notes:

🔹Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/ER8D8MBnr8Y

🔹Melissa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-j-marks/

🔹Team Excellence: https://tinapauluskrause.com/teamexcellence/

🔹The Smart IT Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast

🔹Captivate Website for all episodes: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

Smart IT Workspace Construct - Sellers Perspective

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Keenan Coke to the show, where we explored the role of Business Development Representatives (BDRs) in modern sales and how they set the tone for customer relationships.

🔷 Smart IT Workspace Construct - Sellers Perspective (BDR View)

Keenan revealed why the BDR position is about more than just cold calls. It’s about starting conversations, building trust, and connecting prospects with the right experts. BDRs bridge the gap between sales, support, and product teams, ensuring customer needs are heard and acted on.

He described how BDRs built trust by creating warm introductions, ensuring prospects spoke with decision-makers, and filtering out poor fits. We talked about the importance of human connection in sales, noting that even in an AI-driven era, customers still preferred personal conversations over bots.

He cautioned that communication breakdowns between teams could cost deals, while proactive outreach, follow-ups, and partnerships kept customers engaged. Emotional connection and consistent customer experience build long-term commitment.

Keenan argued that loyalty depended on continuous engagement, fast responsiveness, and taking customer feedback seriously.

Finally, he reflected on his own path into BDR work, explaining that he chose it deliberately to sharpen his communication skills. Anyone interested in sales did not need a degree or certification, just the ability and desire to communicate effectively, qualify prospects honestly, and help customers solve real problems.

🔑 Key Takeaways

🔹 How proper qualification and disqualification saves time and strengthens the pipeline

🔹 The importance of cross-team communication to prevent customer frustration

🔹 The role of early adopters and brand loyalty in long-term success

🔹 Why human connection still outperforms AI bots in building trust

🔹 Why strong communication skills matter more than degrees or certifications in sales

If you’re in sales, product, or customer success; or just curious about how businesses grow through people-first connections, this episode is for you.

💡 “The BDR role is about setting the tone for a lasting relationship.”

#SmartIT #sales #BDR

Show notes:

🔹Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/i3rF3aTs7AA

🔹Keenan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keenan-coke/

🔹The Smart IT Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast

🔹Captivate Website for all episodes: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

Innerhive Demo - From Frustration to Action: Putting Tech to Work to Help People

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0500

From Frustration to Action: Putting Tech to Work to Help People - Innerhive Demo

On this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Crystal Gallo back to the show to walk me through the Innerhive solution.

This is the full demo. https://lnkd.in/grVz8kk5

🔷 From Frustration to Action: Putting Tech to Work to Help People

#SmartIT #innerhive #caregiving

Production: Brilliant Beam Media

Show notes:

🔹Link to this episode: https://lnkd.in/grVz8kk5

🔹Crystal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-gallo/

🔹Innerhive Website: https://www.innerhive.com/

🔹Innerhive LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innerhive/

🔹Try out Innerhive today. Use Promo Code for 3 months of premium access: BuildYourHive

🔹The Smart IT Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast

🔹Captivate Website for all episodes: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

From Frustration to Action: Putting Tech to Work to Help People

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Crystal Gallo to the show.

She is the founder of Innerhive, whose mission is to end caregiver burnout. The solution was born from her personal experience navigating the overwhelming and emotional journey of caring for loved ones with medical issues.

🔷 From Frustration to Action: Putting Tech to Work to Help People

We discussed the challenges faced by caregivers. Many people don’t even recognize themselves as caregivers, despite the fact they are taking on emotional, logistical, medical, and financial responsibilities. Crystal emphasized that caregiving is often invisible and stigmatized, especially in workplace settings. She talked about the need for collaboration, community engagement, and the emotional aspects of caregiving.

She walked through the everyday chaos of trying to coordinate care, manage medical information, and communicate with family members. Crystal explained how Innerhive was designed to serve as a second brain for caregivers, using smart technology to:

🔹 Record and transcribe medical visits

🔹 Extract action items and follow-ups

🔹 Organize information across appointments, medications, and providers

🔹 Centralize community of support

She highlighted how technology could be leveraged to make information digestible, shareable, and emotionally supportive, rather than overwhelming.

We discussed the massive scale of the caregiving problem, with millions entering caregiver roles due to aging populations.

Crystal called for a cultural and systemic shift, much like society previously embraced childcare support for working parents, to now include elder care.

Innerhive has turned the painful experience of some many caregivers into a meaningful solution to support real people's needs.

🔑 Key Takeaways

🔹Real-world problems inspire innovative solutions

🔹Caregivers face significant challenges and burnout

🔹Communication and collaboration is key in caregiving situations

🔹The healthcare system has systemic issues that need addressing

🔹Building a supportive community is essential for caregivers

🔹Emotional support is crucial for caregivers' well-being

🔹Innerhive aims to simplify caregiving through providing a second brain

#SmartIT #innerhive #caregiving #technology #healthcare #communitysupport #innovation #caregiverchallenges #emotionalsupport #Innerhive #peoplecentricity #peoplecentricinnovation

Production | Brilliant Beam Media, Syya Yasotornrat

Show notes:

🔹Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/MIRgxdO4IvM

🔹Crystal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-gallo/

🔹Innerhive Website: https://www.innerhive.com/

🔹Innerhive LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innerhive/

🔹Try out Innerhive today. Use Promo Code for 3 months of premium access: BuildYourHive

🔹The Smart IT Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast

🔹Captivate Website for all episodes: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

The Future of IT Operating Models

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Jared Webb to the show for an discussion on the future of IT operating models. We reflected on how different companies, even those of similar size and industry, approached IT strategy in unique ways, shaped by leadership style, risk appetite, and business goals.

We explored how many IT teams had shifted from building large in-house teams to adopting more agile, partner-driven models as technology cycles accelerated. Jared emphasized that IT leaders needed to first understand the business, balance risk, and work closely with stakeholders to identify efficiencies and create value.

We discussed the importance of trust between IT and business leaders, noting that far too many organizations struggled because executives made technology decisions without IT’s full input. IT should proactively bring forward improvement ideas, using clear storytelling to secure buy-in. He highlighted how strategic thinking was often undermined by the expectation for IT leaders to remain deeply tactical.

The conversation also explored vendor management and the critical role of value-added resellers and partners. Jared stressed the need for diligence, warning that outsourcing without oversight could lead to poor service. He described how trusted sales relationships often outweighed technology features in purchasing decisions.

We turned to development strategies, weighing in-house versus outsourced approaches. Jared noted that advances in AI had made small, skilled teams far more capable, shifting the balance toward building internally where possible. Still, he cautioned that businesses often undervalued experienced IT staff, leading to risks from “brain drain” and over-reliance on junior talent or quick fixes.

Finally, we examined broader cultural challenges: short-termism in business, the risk of ignoring institutional knowledge, and the need for IT to demonstrate value in long-term competitiveness. We agreed that trust, communication, and relationship-building were the cornerstones of effective IT leadership. IT leaders must pair technical expertise with strong human skills, preparing for a future where they may oversee both people and automated systems.

A much needed conversations in these uncertain times for everyone to review their operating model and adapt it as needed to maintain pace with their organizations growing needs.

Production: Brilliant Beam Media | Syya Yasotornrat

#SmartIT #IT #technology #operatingmodel #businessstrategy #vendorrelationships #riskmanagement #leadership

Show notes:

Link to episode: https://youtu.be/9uO8ceIWeOo

🔹Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/9uO8ceIWeOo

🔹Jared on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredlwebb/

🔹The Smart IT Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast

🔹Captivate Website for all episodes: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

Workspace Construct Discussion | Improving the Buyer/Seller Experience

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Lindsey Morrison, MBA and Katherine R. Dollar to the show to unpack the changing dynamics of the buyer–seller experience for IT. The discussion highlighted how traditional marketing tactics had left buyers fatigued and often defensive in follow up situations.

🔷 Workspace Construct Discussion | Improving the Buyer/Seller Experience

The real foundation of success lay in relationships and trust. On the seller's side, marketing and sales too often failed to collaborate closely enough. The discussion stressed the need for better alignment, data-driven prospect targeting, and geographical and persona nuance in campaigns.

The conversation explored creative ways companies had captured attention and emphasized that differentiation mattered more than ever in crowded markets. The guests warned that slashed marketing budgets and turnover in sales reps often broke trust with customers, making consistency and sales enablement essential.

My guests also noted a shift in marketing. While thought leadership would always be vital, the next frontier combined education with entertainment, appealing to younger, tech-native buyers. From puppies at booths to race car events to immersive experiences that educate, marketing teams need to continue to explore ways to connect with prospects.

The episode closed with the reminder that integrity and creativity never go out of style, and lasting business growth depended on building genuine, long-term relationships.

🔑 Key Takeaways

🔹 Traditional tactics have left many buyers fatigued.

🔹 Success started with relationships and trust.

🔹 Sales and marketing alignment was critical, especially when using data and geographic and persona nuance.

🔹 Creative engagement worked, with fresh and entertaining approaches.

🔹 The future of marketing mixed education with entertainment to reach tech-native buyers.

🔹 On the seller's side, a growing trend for smaller companies to leverage fractional CMOs/CROs expertise to address limited budgets.

🔹 Integrity, creativity, and long-term relationships remained the winning formula for sellers.

#SmartIT #Marketing #Sales #WorkspaceConstruct

Production: Brilliant Beam Media | Syya Yasotornrat

Show notes:

🔹Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/Nd70D7XDTbQ

🔹Lindsey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lbutcher/

🔹Katherine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinedollar/

🔹The Smart IT Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast

🔹Captivate Website for all episodes: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

Improving our Risk Management Programs with Quantification

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Mike Woodward to the show to discuss the growing pressures on IT leaders to manage complex cyber risks with limited budgets and resources. They are facing more threats, false positives, vendor noise, and budget constraints.

We explored how Cyber Risk Quantification (CRQ) can shift cybersecurity conversations from vague threat warnings to clear, dollar-based business cases, helping organizations prioritize investments, compete for funding, and align with enterprise risk management. Our discussion covered practical ways to validate CRQ tools, avoid overreacting to improbable "maximum loss" scenarios, maintain accurate asset inventories, get a handle on shadow IT, and address legacy system vulnerabilities.

Mike emphasized that effective risk management often comes from strategic thinking and process improvements, not just buying new tools.

IT leaders who quantify, prioritize, and align risk with business goals earn greater trust and deliver stronger outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

🔹 Cyber Risk Quantification (CRQ) – Can transform the way technology leaders secure resources, prioritize investments, and align with business goals. Turns vague threats into measurable financial exposure and ROI cases.

🔹 Cost to Value – Cybersecurity is often seen as a cost center. CRQ reframes security investments in terms of measurable risk reduction and ROI.

🔹 Prioritize Strategically – Focus on high-probability, high-impact risks, not rare “maximum loss” scenarios.

🔹 Tool Validation – Test CRQ tools with known scenarios for credible results.

🔹 Process Before Purchase – Often, policy changes and operational improvements deliver more impact than the latest “shiny” tool.

🔹 Know Your Environment – Accurate, up-to-date asset inventories are critical; adversaries should never know your infrastructure better than you do. In addition, accurate inventories help address shadow IT and legacy system risks.

🔹 Boardroom Alignment – Speak the language of dollars and risk trade-offs to secure funding. CRQ aligns cybersecurity with enterprise risk management, enabling better budget justification and smarter trade-offs.

🔹 Strategic Leadership – Shift from reactive technical fixes to proactive, enterprise-level risk management.

Production: Brilliant Beam Media | Syya Yasotornrat

#SmartIT #CyberSecurity #RiskManagement #CISO #ITLeadership #RiskQuantification

Show notes:

Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/WN534OAdvms
Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikewoodward/
The Smart IT Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast
Captivate Website for all episodes: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

The World of Remote Work

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Christopher Reed, Field CTO for the Americas at Omnissa, to the show. We explored the evolving landscape of remote work in 2025 and beyond. We delved into the challenges and opportunities of “Anywhere, Anytime” computing, where IT must secure and support productivity across diverse environments. We discussed the critical need for flexible, secure, and AI-driven IT architectures that accommodate remote work, improve digital experience, and manage third-party access, all while reducing user friction and scaling governance. The episode blended visionary thinking with practical advice for IT leaders navigating the complex demands of modern end-user computing.

The Future of Remote Work Isn’t Remote Anymore. It’s Everywhere! We unpacked what it really takes to support a workforce that works from anywhere, anytime, on any device. Hint: It’s not just about VPNs and Zoom calls anymore. Remote work is here to stay, with a large percentage of employment roles offering remote flexibility.

🔑 Key Takeaways

Strategic Role of IT: CIOs must tie remote work, digital experience, and scalable AI architecture into the business strategy. This is not a niche function but core to competitive advantage.
From Help Desk to Experience Desk: Support must evolve into proactive, AI-enabled digital experience management that anticipates and resolves issues like poor Wi-Fi or app slowdowns before users complain.
Composable IT: Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and contextual app delivery allow IT to offer tailored user experiences based on location, device, and task.
Governance at Scale: Managing access for contractors and third parties requires clear “start of authority,” identity federation, and API governance. IT must define and enforce secure pathways into systems.
User Friction and Productivity: IT should strive to reduce unnecessary user friction while increasing security, ideally using biometric, passwordless, or certificate-based methods.
Context-Aware Delivery: Applications should be delivered based on contextual signals (who, where, what device, bandwidth, etc.) rather than user decision-making.
Next-Gen Interfaces & Autonomy: Wearables, spatial computing, and voice interfaces will expand the ways users interact with IT systems. The future is autonomous, context-aware, and scalable.
Architecting for Scale: The real Achilles heel for IT is data architecture. Traditional systems can’t scale to support billions of signals from millions of endpoints. IT needs to address this challenge.
Security in a Remote World: IT must secure unmanaged devices and unsecured networks (e.g., home, coffee shop), shifting from legacy conditional access. Get ready for continuous authentication and agentic AI.

#SmartIT #DigitalWorkplace #RemoteWork #EndUserComputing #AIOps #Cybersecurity #ITLeadership #DigitalExperience #VDI #WorkFromAnywhere

Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/bvErLcXPHOQ

Production: @Brilliant Beam Media @Syya Yasotornrat

Show notes:

Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/bvErLcXPHOQ
Christopher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherreed2/
Omnissa: https://www.omnissa.com/

The Future of Software Development

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0500

On this episode of the Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Eknauth Persaud from Ayoka Systems to the show to chat about the future of software development. We explored the evolving landscape of software development, the impact and role of AI, and the human experience of using technology.

Eknauth shared a forward-looking perspective on how technology should enhance human relationships and user experiences. We discussed developers shifting roles, and the need to reimagine both technology and human roles to deliver better, more meaningful outcomes. We talked about the difference between automation for cost savings versus innovation for growth. We explored real world examples from healthcare and retail.

Eknauth explained the DCM model (Discern, Construct, Manage) as a foundational framework for building more intentional, human-centered solutions. It is a timeless framework that can be used in help building useful technology solutions, emphasizing that the declining cost of software development can help bring the focus back to discerning user intent.

🔑 Key Takeaways

- DCM Model: The Discern → Construct → Manage cycle. With AI and automation lowering development costs, discernment (intent and purpose) becomes even more critical.

- DCM model:

→ Discern the intent

→ Construct with purpose

→ Manage for lasting value

- Commander's Intent: Originating from military strategy, this concept stresses the importance of understanding the higher purpose behind initiatives to avoid misalignment in outcomes. Technologist can leverage this in their efforts to maintain alignment with their organizations.

- Human-Centered Technology:

- The best tech enhances human relationships.

- Tech shouldn't create friction; it should make experiences (like dining, shopping, healthcare) smoother and more personal. Tech as a tool to reduce friction, not add to it.

- Businesses should reimagine job roles (e.g., cashiers as experience enhancers).

- AI's Role:

- It's not a replacement but an augmentation tool.

- Helps surface better questions, not just provide answers.

- Useful for complex tasks like analyzing contracts or medical trends, with human judgment for effectiveness.

- Reimagining the Developer Role:

- Future developers must be curious, business-savvy, and human-focused.

- How developers must shift toward systems thinking and business empathy

- Coding becomes a tool for prototyping and understanding user needs.

- Entry-level roles may diminish, but demand for sophisticated, systems-thinking developers will grow.

- A/B Testing Human Experience vs. Tech Efficiency:

- Organizations should experiment with AI-first models vs. human-centric models to find optimal balance.

- Physical presence, like receptionists and frontline workers, may still be preferred in certain industries.

- Rethinking Maintenance as Management:

- Focus not just on keeping systems running, but on continuously adding value and improving user experience.

#smartIT #AI #SoftwareDevelopment #HumanCenteredDesign #Leadership #Innovation #ITStrategy #DigitalTransformation

Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/jhq6OOkajZs

Production: @Brilliant Beam Media @Syya Yasotornrat

Show notes:

- Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/jhq6OOkajZs

- Eknauth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eknauth/

- Ayoka Systems: https://ayokasystems.com/

- Get out of Jail Software (Rent My Software): https://rentmysoftware.com/

- The Mouse Software: https://themousesoftware.com/use-cases/

Harnessing the Power of Your Human Talent

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0500

On this episode of the Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Kat Rector to the show to chat about harnessing the power of your human talent. We explored the evolving landscape of IT leadership, data strategy, and workforce development. We reflected on the growing importance of real-time data, AI as a force multiplier, and the need for cultural transformation within organizations to adapt to rapid technological change.

We discussed the importance for IT teams to help drive innovation in today’s fast moving landscape, highlighting IT as a business enabler. IT leaders must enable business innovation while maintaining security and governance. Leveraging AI, automation, and vendor ecosystems resources are key to coping with limited resources and constrained budgets.

Key Takeaways

Talent Shortages: Hiring unicorns is expensive and unrealistic. Upskilling is key approach to leveraging the talent you already have in-house. Grow your talent from within and invest in transferable skills. Leaders should focus on internal development, succession planning, and recognizing transferable skills. In addition, It is helpful to view and leverage AI as helpful interns. AI can accelerate productivity with human oversight.
Leverage your Vendor and Ecosystem for additional support: Organizations often underutilize their technology partners. In addition, regular audits and proactive collaboration can uncover hidden tools and resources already in-house. Vendors can sometimes be your hidden ally. Your technology partners can do more than just sell you technology. Use them strategically.
Heading off CISO Burnout in your organization: CISOs face high pressure and short tenures. Security should be treated as a horizontal function, not buried under IT. Clear expectations, strong governance, and board-level engagement are essential. CISOs need air cover from the business. Organizations need to treat security as a horizontal function as opposed to a checkbox.
Improving the Hiring Process: We need more job interview realism from both sides. Both candidates and companies must be brutally honest about culture, capabilities, and expectations. Candidates need to network, research, and ask pointed questions to avoid mismatches. Outdated Applicant Tracking System (ATS) tools, poor job descriptions, and ghosting are still prevalent. Human-centered hiring, portfolios, and better use of social media platforms can improve outcomes. Cultural fit is as important as technical skills in hiring.
The Value of Data: Data is now a critical business asset. It is used to personalize experiences, optimize decisions, and generate new revenue. Real-time access and data driven insights are now longer luxuries, but rather expectations. Companies that use data efficiently will have a competitive advantage.
Privacy versus Ease of Use & Personalization: Consumers enjoy personalized experiences, but must balance that with data privacy concerns. Education and responsibility are needed t overcome fear.

#smartIT #Leadership #ITStrategy #TechCareers #DataDriven #WorkforceDevelopment #HumanCenteredLeadership

Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/X1ssSZRpPN0

Production: Brilliant Beam Media | Syya Yasotornrat

Show Notes:

Kat on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kat-rector/
Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/X1ssSZRpPN0
The Smart IT Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast
Captivate Website for all episodes: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

The Smart IT: Buyer-Seller Workspace Construct Interview, Part 2 of 2

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I continued my conversation with Diana Polansky, from the world of marketing working with innovators and their startups, to interview me about the The Smart IT: Buyer-Seller Workspace Construct.

This is Part 2 of 2 of our episode. Our discussion continued our deep dive into the evolving intersection of technology, marketing, sales, and technology seller's growth.

We explored the complexity of navigating the modern technology marketplace, particularly for startups balancing scaling challenges with maintaining product quality and trust. We discussed the process of aligning a company’s vision with the right technology, a task that requires both strategic clarity and operational readiness.

We discussed the role of content in sales and how effective storytelling, education, and clear communication can build trust and move prospects through a complex security buying journey. Diana emphasized the shift toward buyer enablement, where both buyers and sellers play increasingly dynamic roles in solution evaluation and decision-making.

The episode also addressed the organizational pain points of sellers: bridging internal silos, managing value expectations, and creating systems that support sustainable growth instead of chasing rapid, unsustainable scalability. This includes realistic approaches to market fit, understanding addressable markets, and managing the gap between market projections and operational realities.

The conversation highlighted the importance of rethinking the sales processes, building maturity and readiness for adopting new technologies, and improving customer experience through intentional design and trust-building.

#smartIT #sales #B2B #startups #salesstrategy #gotomarket #customerexperience #buyerenablement #businessinnovation

Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/m9f_g0r-AEQ

Show Notes:

- Diana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianamikaelapolansky/

- Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/m9f_g0r-AEQ

- The Smart IT Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast

- Captivate Website for all episodes: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

The Smart IT: Buyer-Seller Workspace Construct Interview, Part 1 of 2

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I invited Diana Polansky, from the world of marketing working with innovators and their startups, to interview me about the The Smart IT: Buyer-Seller Workspace Construct. This will be Part 1 of 2 of the episode. Our discussion offered a deep dive into the evolving intersection of technology, marketing, sales, and technology seller's growth.

#smartIT #sales #B2B #startups #salesstrategy #gotomarket #customerexperience #buyerenablement #businessinnovation

Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/HsCUwneMs_s

Show Notes:

Diana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianamikaelapolansky/
Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/HsCUwneMs_s
The Smart IT Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast
Captivate Website for all episodes: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

The Smart IT Workspace Construct: Market -- Sellers and their Perspectives on Market Dynamics

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0500

How Top IT Sellers Build Trust, Solve Real Problems, and Stay Top of Mind

In this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I sat down with Nick Kaderli to dive into the human side of tech sales, chatting about what happens behind the scenes, why timing and empathy matter, and how great reps don’t just close deals but rather build long-term relationships.

🔑 Key Takeaways

▪️ Partnership matters: Junior sellers can fast-track success by humbly learning from seasoned Pre-Sales Technical resources and making life easier for them.

▪️ Transparency wins: IT buyers want honest conversations, not pressure. Sellers should focus on understanding needs, not just pushing products.

▪️ Respect timelines: A “call me in 6 months” doesn’t mean “never.” Respect builds trust and trust builds business.

▪️ Intent data equals opportunity: If a buyer revisits your webinar or whitepaper, it's a chance to re-engage, if lead with with value.

▪️ Supply chain risk is real: Modern cyber threats often come from third parties. Organizations must move from static vendor risk assessments to continuous, intelligent monitoring.

▪️ ROI gets attention: If your solution can prove real time or cost savings, especially for vendor risk, executives will listen.

This episode is a must-listen for IT leaders and market sales professionals alike. It’s a reminder that behind every deal is a real conversation, a real problem, and a real person trying to make their company better.

#smartit #cybersecurity #techsales #ITleadership #ROI #TrustBasedSelling

Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/fa2UsqgirBs

Show Notes:

- Nick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-kaderli-a60574326/

- Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/fa2UsqgirBs

- The Smart IT Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast

- Captivate Website for all episodes: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

Smart IT Workspace Construct: Market: Improving the Buyer-Seller Experience

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Paula Rosecky and Katherine R. Dollar to the show to chat about the complexities of the buyer-seller relationship in the technology marketplace.

This is another in a series for the "Smart IT Workspace Construct: Market" for improving the Buyer-Seller Experience.

We explored the importance of understanding buyer needs, the role of storytelling in sales, and how to stand out in a competitive market. As IT leaders are under immense pressure to find, evaluate, procure, and implement new technology for their organizations, it has never been more important to optimize the buying process.

The discussion emphasized the need for empathy, education, and collaboration from sellers to create a successful sales experience for buyers.

One of the key takeaways was the importance of seeing the sales process through the eyes of the buyer. Sales professionals must build authentic relationships, understand client pain points, and ask the right questions to uncover deeper needs. By developing emotional intelligence and engaging in meaningful conversations, sellers can position themselves as trusted advisors rather than transactional vendors.

The conversation also highlighted the power of storytelling in sales. Narratives help humanize complex solutions and make them more relatable to buyers. Coupled with education, on both sides of the relationship, this approach helps clarify the value proposition and supports better decision-making. Transparency in pricing and value communication is also essential for building trust and credibility in a competitive market.

Ultimately, sales today is not just about selling products or services, it's about fostering trust, empathy, and collaboration to meet real needs and create lasting value.

Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/THkErqddimc

#smartIT #sales #buyer-seller #market #valueproposition #storytelling #customerjourney #salesprocess

Production: Brilliant Beam Media, Syya Yasotornrat

Show Notes

- Paula on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-rosecky/

- Katherine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinedollar/

- Link to this episode: Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/THkErqddimc

- The Smart IT Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast

- Captivate Website for all episodes: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

Applying IRMBOK to Risk Management

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 10:30:00 -0500

In this episode of The Smart IT podcast, I welcomed Jeff Lowder, a seasoned risk professional and author of the upcoming Information Risk Management Body of Knowledge (IRMBOK), to the show. The conversation centered on how risk management professionals must evolve beyond traditional roles to become strategic partners in decision-making. Modern IT demands a deeper understanding of business objectives, as technology is not just about infrastructure—it’s about enabling organizations to thrive while managing risk effectively.

Jeff reviewed IRMBOK, a comprehensive guide for information risk management, covering both process frameworks and practical techniques. It covers a lot of intuitive and useful tools that risk practitioners can utilize in their work.

A major theme of the episode is the inadequacy of conventional risk methods—such as high/medium/low risk matrices—and the push toward quantitative approaches.

Many cybersecurity professionals are trained to focus only on downside risk, but real-world decision-making involves balancing both risks and opportunities. This broader perspective, which Jeff calls "decision management," leads to better alignment with how executives and boards think and make choices.

He emphasized the need for upskilling in quantitative risk analysis, stating that most of the required math is basic and accessible. He advocated for a more rigorous, business-aligned, and outcome-focused approach to IT and cybersecurity risk management, underlining that better decisions—not just compliance—should be the end goal.

“Risk management is about helping the business make better decisions—not just saying no.” - Jeff Lowder

Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/SRrvluPLuls

#SmartIT #IRMBOK #RiskManagment #CRQ #DecisionManagement #DecisionScience #CyberRisk #SiRA #SiRACon #SiRAcon25

Production: Brilliant Beam Media Syya Yasotornrat

Show Notes

Jeff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlowder/
Society of Information Risk Analysts (SiRA): https://www.societyinforisk.org/
SiRAcon'25: https://www.societyinforisk.org/SiRAcon
SiRAcon'25 Registration: https://web.cvent.com/event/aea3fabb-28f2-48e0-99b7-9eab5e226ee4/websitePage:a14c3e74-c745-4825-b56e-fca5f73d25a6
Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/SRrvluPLuls
The Smart IT Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast
Captivate Website for all episodes: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

Humanity and Purpose: Sharing your Gifts with the World

Tue, 20 May 2025 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode of The Smart IT podcast, I welcomed Victor L. Malloy to the show. We discussed the evolving role of IT professionals, the importance of purpose, and navigating a successful career in technology. We explored the generational shift between “digital immigrants” who grew up with early computing (like punch cards and DOS) and “digital natives” born into today’s AI-driven world. He emphasized the importance of bridging that gap through mentorship, experience sharing, and a shared commitment to learning.

Vic offered practical guidance for young IT professionals, encouraging them to go beyond technical certifications and develop real-world skills, business literacy, and human-centered capabilities like communication and leadership. He warned against becoming a “paper tiger”—someone with credentials but no practical application—and urged newcomers to embrace frustration as a natural part of growth.

IT isn’t just about solving technical issues; it's about understanding the business, aligning technology with strategic goals, and creating real value.

A key highlight of the episode is the PIVOT framework: Pause, Imagination, Vision, Organized Plan, and Take Charge. This personal growth model encourages intentionality, clarity, and action in both career and life. Vic also challenged listeners to reflect on five life-defining questions from Dr. Myles Munroe: Why am I here? Who am I? Where am I from? Where am I going? What can I do? These questions form the foundation of finding purpose and meaning, especially in fast-moving, high-pressure IT environments.

Vic closed with a powerful reminder that your gift is unique—and it’s your responsibility to develop and share it, not take it to the grave. With CHOOSE LIFE (Love, Integrity, Family, Education), he tied technical growth to deeper personal values.

Vic brought a blend of hard-earned wisdom, career advice, and life philosophy for anyone who wants to thrive in IT while staying true to themselves.

💬 “Frustration is the weight that builds your technical muscle. Embrace it.”

— Vic Malloy

Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/tTwuipZT-rk

#SmartIT #TechLeadership #ITCareers #PIVOT #CareerGrowth #DigitalTransformation

Production: Brilliant Beam Media with Syya Yasotornrat

Show Notes:

Vic on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victor-l-malloy-c-76b791158/
Dr. Myles Munroe [Munroe Global]: https://www.youtube.com/@MunroeGlobal
Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/tTwuipZT-rk
The Smart IT Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast
Captivate Website for all episodes: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

Technically Validating the Efficacy of our Security Programs

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the The Smart IT podcast, I welcomed Derek Krein, to the show. We discussed cybersecurity and the challenges organizations face in protecting themselves from threats. The conversation explored the importance of validating the effectiveness of cybersecurity investments. The focus shifted to evaluating security controls, with an emphasis on technical assessments using various tools to gain an attacker's perspective. We talked about how to help answer our organization's question of "are we we getting a good return on our security investments?"

The discussion touched on the significance of understanding threat actor tactics and behaviors, particularly interactive, hands-on attacks and the use of information stealers and administrative utilities for lateral movement and data exfiltration. The conversation concluded with a focus on proactively staying informed about threat trends and behavioral patterns to prioritize cybersecurity efforts and effectively defend against evolving cyber threats.

Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/NQBtBvKu9oQ

#cybersecurity #ciso #riskmanagement #threatintelligence #vulnerabilitymanagement #bas #smartit

Podcast Production: Brilliant Beam Media Syya Yasotornrat

Show Notes:

Derek on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-krein-casp/
Derek's website/blog/newsletter (31337 InfoSec): https://31337infosec.com/
Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/NQBtBvKu9oQ
The Smart IT Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast
Captivate Website for all episodes: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

The Increasing Complexity and Risk in our IT Ecosystem

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0500

add-in notes

Ways IT Professionals can Express their Voice

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the The Smart IT podcast, I welcomed Syya Yasotornrat, Sarah Welch, and Elizabeth Goins, on a panel discussion of "Ways IT Professionals can Express their Voice". In this episode, we set out to help out IT here in a little different way today. We want IT to express themselves, to express their voice to their internal teams, and to the rest of the world.

So a lot of time, technical folks might have a little trouble getting out there in front, but one of things we talk about with Smart IT is the ability to lead and communicate well. This could be when you trying to get your idea across to your team, are looking at your career path, you want to get promoted in the future, or you want to go out and start your own business. A lot of times you need more advanced communication skills. You need to be able to lead a conversation, take data & facts, formulate your perspective, and present it to a wide variety of audiences.

So if we're looking out there, all the million of techies out there and they're thinking, you know what? I'm not being heard inside my company or my manager doesn't see me. My colleagues don't know what I do or all the cool things I do. So they may not know exactly how to go about actually presenting themselves in a way they are heard. This episode is for you.

In this day and age, we've got a lot of cool and interesting new ways to do that, including:

- Starting your own podcast to chat with many people on topics of interest to you.

- The ability to express yourself either technically or creatively (maybe even fictional) by writing your own book.

- And then obviously the ability to create your own ideas and then get up in front of an audience to share your insights.

In this episode, we have all those areas covered with these three innovators and founders. So I'm excited for this conversation as we explored different ways for IT professionals to express themselves and communicate effectively. We covered topics such as presenting ideas, writing books, and starting a podcast. The guests provided insights on how to tailor messages to different audiences, break through the noise, and make a lasting impression. Overall, the conversation emphasized the power of presenting your ideas, knowing your audience, and embracing your unique voice.

Takeaways:

- There are various ways to express yourself in the IT field, speaking up in meetings, writing a book, or starting a podcast.

- The importance of practice, feedback, and continuous improvement in becoming better communicators.

- Step out of your comfort zones and find unique ways to express their thoughts and ideas.

- The importance of authenticity and effective communication in various professional settings.

- Tailor your message to your audience's needs and pain points to make it relevant and interesting.

- Practice and iterate on your presentations to improve your communication skills.

- Don't be afraid to do something different and be memorable in your presentations.

- Get out of your own head and overcome the fear of being judged by others.

- Break through the noise by adding humor, anecdotes, or unexpected elements to your presentations.

- There is no one-size-fits-all approach to communication and expressing yourself. Find what works for you. Authenticity is key in effective communication, whether it's presenting corporate messaging or hosting a podcast.

- Engaging presentations involve storytelling, knowing your audience, and incorporating elements that make you stand out.

- Investing in personal development and continuously improving yourself is crucial for professional growth.

- What's your why? What's your passion? What is that fire in your belly? Like, why are you doing this?

Keywords:

#podcast #book #writing #presentation #leadership #communications #speaking #publicspeaking #ideas #authenticity #passion #personaldevelopment #engagingpresentations #uniquevoice #smartit

Resource Links:

- Syya on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/syyayasotornrat/

- Brilliant Beam Media on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brilliant-beam-media

- Brilliant Beam Media Website: https://www.brilliantbeammedia.com/

- Sarah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahmwelch/

- Inkdrop Lit Website: https://www.inkdroplit.com/

- Elizabeth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-goins-phd-b4748016/

- Pineapple Strategies on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/goins-executive-communication/

- Pineapple Strategies Website: https://pineapplestrategies.com/

- Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/VxWNtAEvoc0

- The Smart IT Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast

- Captivate Website for all episodes: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

Deciphering Intentions with The Smart IT Podcast Workspace Construct

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the The Smart IT podcast, I welcomed Katherine R. Dollar back to the show. The conversation explored the Smart IT Workspace Construct and its application in facilitating conversations about IT and technology across different audiences. We discussed Katherine's book "Deciphering Intentions" and its role in helping CMOs and VP of Sales to improve their buyers experience in navigating the crowded technology marketplace. The use of both to support a robust set of conversations on the top issues for IT and the use of technology for users is discussed. The conversation emphasized the importance of storytelling and context in effective communication and marketing to improve on both the seller and buyer experience.

Key Takeaways:

The Smart IT Workspace Construct is a way to take technical and non-technical people inside of IT and make the conversation more accessible to different audiences.
The book "Deciphering Intentions" provides an engaging and entertaining way to discuss complex topics like cybersecurity and technology.
Effective marketing involves using storytelling and context to put technology and services in real-life scenarios.
CMOs and VP of Sales can benefit from creative and innovative approaches to marketing that capture the attention of potential customers.
CIOs and CISOs can benefit from an improved seller-buyer experience.

#decipheringintentions #cmo #cio #ciso #vpofsales #storytelling #context #marketing #technology #smartit

Show Notes:

Katherine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinedollar/
Moxie Blue Media: https://moxiebluemedia.com/
Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/tebFlepQUSc
Link to Deciphering Intentions book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/5Gqf7jL
The Smart IT Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast
Captivate Website for all episodes: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

Exploring Organizational Change Management

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Summary:

On this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Hattie Horn, to the show. We discussed the why, what, and how of managing change in organizations. The topic was Organizational Change Management (OCM), a discipline that helps organizations navigate and implement changes effectively. It involves activities and processes that focus on people, communication, and behavior.

The challenges are real for organizations dealing with change. It is crucial for organizations to consider how change will be handled when implementing new systems, processes, or technologies to ensure successful adoption and minimize disruption.

OCM helps organizations align their vision, communicate the why behind the change, and involve stakeholders in the process. It also emphasizes the importance of feedback loops and capturing end-user experiences to make continuous improvements.

The conversation covered various topics related to effective processes, investing in tools and resources, decision making, transparency, accountability, and communication. The main theme was the importance of collaboration and alignment in achieving organizational goals. The conversation emphasized the need for effective processes and the right people to contribute to a company's bottom line.

Decision making, transparency, and accountability are discussed as essential elements in avoiding failure and achieving success. The conversation concludes with a focus on clear and concise communication to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Key Takeaways:

Change is not just about tools, it's also about behavior.
It is important to think ahead and plan for change.
OCM is a discipline and a series of activities that help organizations improve. It is a discipline that helps organizations navigate and implement changes effectively. It involves activities and processes that focus on people, communication, and behavior.
OCM helps organizations align their vision, communicate the why behind the change, and involve stakeholders in the process.
Feedback loops and capturing end-user experiences are essential for making continuous improvements. Investing in effective processes and the right people contributes to a company's bottom line. Make use of both quantitative and qualitative data.
Clear and concise communication is key to ensuring everyone is on the same page.
Collaborative leadership means you're working together and you're on the same page and you're working collectively to a single goal.

Hashtags:

#organizationalchangemanagement #OCM #processes #people, #communication #behavior #vision #stakeholders #feedbackloops #enduserexperiences #decisionmaking #transparency #accountability #collaboration #alignment #organizationalgoals

Show Notes:

Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/X2I6v548eVI

Hattie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hattiehorn/

The Business Communicators: https://thebusinesscommunicators.com/

Hattie at The Business Communicators: https://thebusinesscommunicators.com/about/

Prosci: https://www.prosci.com/

ADKAR: https://www.prosci.com/resources/webinars/introduction-to-adkar-30-minutes

OCM: https://www.prosci.com/blog/what-we-mean-by-organizational-change-management

Leadership, Facilitation, and UX Skills in Action

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Ashley Morgan to the show. We discussed the importance of design and the experience of the end user. We kicked off the episode reflecting on our recent facilitation certification program with Voltage Control and the process of creating a portfolio to showcase our facilitation skills. We discussed the role of facilitation in leadership and the need for self-awareness and curiosity in order to be an effective leader. We chatted about the importance of user experience in product and service success.

We also discussed the importance of continuous learning and how curiosity and openness can foster innovation within organizations. Ashley talked about the different mentalities between larger companies and startups when it comes to taking risks and exploring new ideas. Overall, the need for collaboration, communication, and a user-centric approach in organizations is important.

Key Takeaways:

Everyone has the potential to be a leader, regardless of their title or role.
Openness and curiosity can foster innovation within organizations.
Leaning into strengths and supporting each other's weaknesses can create a positive team culture.
Larger companies tend to focus on the financial bottom line and are more risk-averse, while startups have a mentality of having nothing to lose and everything to gain.
User experience (UX) is crucial in creating a successful product or service, as a poor user experience can lead to frustration and loss of customers.
UX professionals have the ability to see the entire system and identify areas where silos and inefficiencies exist, allowing them to recommend changes that improve the user experience.
It is important for organizations to prioritize and allocate resources to address user pain points and improve the overall user experience.
Collaboration and communication between different teams, including UX, product, engineering, and leadership, are essential for successful implementation of changes and improvements.
Feedback and iteration are key in the design process, allowing for continuous improvement and addressing user needs and preferences.
Breaking down internal silos for a seamless user experience.
The power of feedback and iteration in the design process.

#ux #design #designthinking #facilitation #userexperience #leadership #curiosity #continuouslearning #innovation #designthinking #startups #exploration #iteration #collaboration #communication #user-centric approach

Show Notes:

Ashley Morgan on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ash-morgan/
Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/Ny9NAPNAJNg
The Smart IT Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast
Captivate Website for all episodes: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/
Book that Ashley mentioned it episode: "Standing in the Fire: Leading High-Heat Meetings with Clarity, Calm, and Courage", by Larry Dressler: https://a.co/d/0iOKUSK6

Leveraging Improv to take Technology Sales to the Next Level

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Tess Hermes and Lauren Guilbeaux, founders of yes&sell, to the show. Their company provides Improv-based sales training. We tackled the frustration buyers often experience when salespeople fail to actively listen and adapt their approach based on the their feedback. They discussed the importance of human connection and improvisation skills when engaging with technical buyers like CIOs, CTOs, and other IT professionals. They shared their experiences and insights on using Improv techniques to help salespeople build better rapport, actively listen, adapt to the conversation flow, and connect on a deeper level with prospects. They emphasized the value of being present, validating the buyer's perspective, and collaborating rather than rigidly following a script.

The discussion highlighted the need for sales training that goes beyond product knowledge and process, focusing on developing the "sales craft" of authentic human connection. They explained how Improv techniques can help salespeople be more present, adaptable, and collaborative in conversations, fostering better human connection.

Improv training can help develop the often-overlooked "connection" aspect, enabling salespeople to be more emotionally intelligent and present in conversations. They highlighted the benefits of Improv in building confidence, emotional intelligence, and the ability to navigate complex conversations.

Takeaways:

▪ Consider providing Improv training for salespeople to improve their ability to connect authentically with technical buyers.

▪ Evaluate current sales training programs to ensure they cover not just product knowledge and process, but also the "craft" of human connection and emotional intelligence.

▪ Encourage salespeople to practice active listening, adaptability, and collaboration during conversations with prospects, rather than rigidly following a script.

▪ Promote a culture of curiosity, presence, and validation within the sales organization, fostering an environment where salespeople can build genuine connections with buyers.

Brilliant Beam Media Syya Yasotornrat

#sales #improv #salestraining #adaptiveselling #humanconnection #emotionalintelligence #authenticconnection #communicationskills

Show Notes:

Tess Hermes on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tess-hermes-86997169/
Lauren Guilbeaux on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenguilbeaux/
yesandsell Website: https://www.yesandsell.com/
yes&sell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/yes-sell/
Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/4JEjU5Pe4Ms
The Smart IT Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast
Captivate Website for all episodes: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

SMART IT Workspace Construct

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Smart IT: An Approach to Getting the Important Things Done.

Announcing the SMART IT Workspace Construct! A Workspace Construct to facilitate Exploration & Collaboration across a wide & diverse IT and business audience.

Explore your IT through the lens of Hathagan, Inc.

- Business Model Innovation

- Enterprise Architecture

- IT Operating Model

- Cyber Risk Management

- Enterprise Risk Management

- Building the next generation

Connecting the C-Suite end-to-end on it organization's mission, objectives, and strategy

- CIO

- CISO

- CRO

- VP, Innovations

- CMO

- VP, Sales

Deciphering Intentions, the engaging and thrilling book Deciphering Intentions, is being leveraged as an entry point into this collaborative space were everyone can join in.

- Pick up your copy (https://a.co/d/5Gqf7jL) today.

Smart IT is an approach to getting important things done in the IT industry. It involves transforming the way we think, disrupting the status quo, and reducing risk. The exiting Smart IT Podcast and the forthcoming book aim to capture the concepts and perspectives of Smart IT.

This Workspace Construct is structured around the fictional company Hathagan, Inc. and explores topics such as business models, enterprise architecture, IT operating models, cybersecurity, and enterprise risk management. It also delves into the relationship between those in the C-Suite. We will be exploring IT and its interaction with the business marketplace and innovation.

Discussion Areas of this Construct

- Business Model Canvas

- Business Marketplace

- Technology Ecosystem

- Consumer (buyer)

- Producer (seller)

- Innovation Culture

- GTM Strategy

- Buying Experience

Expressing ideas, thoughts, and perspectives via:

- The Smart IT Model

- The Smart IT Podcast

- The Smart IT Book

Come join the conversation!

Show Notes:

Strategyzer: https://www.linkedin.com/company/strategyzer | https://www.strategyzer.com/

Deciphering Intentions: https://a.co/d/5Gqf7jL

Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/0Zk6GQ088T8

The Smart IT Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast

Captivate Website for all episodes: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

Maturing your Asset Management Program

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0500

In this week's episode of the @the smart it podcast, I welcomed Robert Hart and Pam Cheesman from Device42 to the show. We discussed the importance of asset management for IT. We highlighted the persistent challenge of manual processes and basic tools used by many organizations to track their technology assets. The conversation revolved around the need for good asset management, the common challenges faced by organizations, and the benefits of implementing a CMDB (Configuration Management Database).

My guests emphasized the importance of asset management for decision support, cost reduction, risk mitigation, and compliance. They also discuss the need to understand the dependencies and business impact of assets, including software and devices controlling critical workflows. The conversation focused on the importance of asset management and the challenges organizations face in discovering and managing their assets.

They emphasized the need for a comprehensive CMDB and the role it plays in disaster recovery, business continuity, and decision support. The conversation also highlighted the impact of downtime and the increasing dependence on technology in various industries. The episode concluded by discussing the significance of helping clients understand the value and ROI of implementing a robust asset management program.

Key Takeaways:

- Asset management is a persistent challenge for organizations, with many still relying on manual processes and basic tools.

- A good asset management system, with a robust and complete CMDB, is essential for decision support, cost reduction, risk mitigation, and compliance.

- Understanding the dependencies and business impact of assets, including software and devices controlling critical workflows, is crucial.

- Asset management should be a priority for CIOs and IT leaders, as it provides a competitive advantage, helps avoid security breaches, and enables agility and adaptation.

- Centralizing asset management capabilities and implementing role-based access control can improve efficiency and reduce friction between different IT teams.

- Asset management is crucial for organizations to understand and manage their assets, whether in on-premises, in the cloud, or in OT environments.

- Downtime can have significant financial and reputational impacts, highlighting the importance of asset management.

- The increasing dependence on technology in various industries necessitates a focus on asset management.

- Helping clients understand the value and ROI of implementing asset management solutions is crucial.

#assetmanagement #IT #digitaltransformation #CMDB, #decisionsupport #costreduction #riskmitigation #businessimpact #visibility #disasterrecovery #businesscontinuity #downtime #technologydependence

Show Notes:

-Robert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-hart-1119953/

-Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pam-cheesman/

-Device42: https://www.device42.com/

-Device42 Podcast: https://www.device42.com/podcast/

-Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/JjdClAcED4Q

-The Smart IT Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast

-Captivate Website for all episodes: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

AI: Full Speed Ahead with Guardrails

Tue, 21 May 2024 00:00:00 -0500

In this week's episode of @the smart it podcast, I chatted with Randy Lariar at Optiv Security on "AI: Full Speed Ahead with Guardrails". We explored a wide range of topics related to Artificial Intelligence (AI).

We discussed the potential and challenges of AI technology in the enterprise. Key topics included the impact of AI on jobs and workforce, use cases for AI in automating tasks, risks of AI like hallucination and data leaks, the need for governance and ethical frameworks around AI adoption, and the role of security teams in enabling safe AI deployments. Randy shared insights on approaching AI initiatives, building AI skillsets, and framing business cases for AI investments. We also discussed strategies for communicating the value of AI initiatives to leadership and securing funding for AI-related projects. There are many things organizations can undertake to realize the benefits of AI, including:

- Establish an AI governance framework tailored to the organization's specific needs, incorporating relevant regulatory and legal obligations, as well as industry-specific guidelines and best practices.

- Conduct an inventory of existing AI systems and use cases within the organization to assess risks and identify areas for improvement or additional controls.

- Develop a pattern-based approval process for AI initiatives, starting with low-risk use cases and gradually expanding to more complex scenarios as the organization builds expertise and maturity.

- Implement monitoring and oversight mechanisms to ensure AI systems are functioning as intended, producing accurate and unbiased results, and adhering to ethical and security standards.

- Foster collaboration between IT, security, data science, legal, and other relevant teams to ensure a holistic approach to AI adoption and risk management.

- Explore opportunities to leverage AI for automating tedious tasks, improving efficiency, and enabling employees to focus on higher-value work.

- Upskill and reskill employees to work effectively with AI systems, providing training on prompt engineering, model interpretation, and other relevant skills.

- Communicate the value of AI initiatives to leadership and stakeholders by focusing on measurable outcomes, return on investment, and alignment with business objectives.

- Leverage AI initiatives to secure funding for other IT and security initiatives that have been on the backlog, such as asset management, data classification, and network visibility.

Show Notes:

-Randy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lariar/

-Link to this episode: https://youtu.be/N1pVQhsjQ2E

-Randy's Newsletter on LinkedIn (BD&A - Thinks and Links) | Big Data & Analytics - Thinks and Links | News and insights at the intersection of cybersecurity, data, and AI: Randy's blog: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/bd-a-thinks-and-links-7045352334108839936/

-Data Science to Surface Transformative Insights, Better data insights arise from better questions: https://www.optiv.com/services/transformation-services/big-data-analytics-ai

-US Executive Order | Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/10/30/executive-order-on-the-safe-secure-and-trustworthy-development-and-use-of-artificial-intelligence/

-The EU Artificial Intelligence Act: https://artificialintelligenceact.eu/

-NIST AI Risk Management: https://www.nist.gov/itl/ai-risk-management-framework

-MITRE Atlas: https://atlas.mitre.org/

-The Smart IT Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast

-Captivate Website for all episodes: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

#ai #llm #machinelearning

Exploring Privacy Challenges

Tue, 07 May 2024 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode, I chatted with Harvey Nusz on "Exploring Privacy Challenges" on this week's episode of The Smart IT Podcast. We explored a wide range of topics related to data privacy. This included personal data collection, data brokers, privacy laws and regulations, and the responsibility of organizations to protect consumer data.

Harvey discussed real-life examples of privacy issues and experiences, highlighting issues such as identity theft, data misuse, and the challenges of maintaining privacy in the digital age. He emphasized the importance of data governance, classification, and implementing proper controls to safeguard personal information. Other areas discussed included:

Data collection and sharing practices:

The widespread practice of data collection and sharing by companies and data brokers. It highlights how personal data, including conversations, browsing history, and online activities, are collected and monetized with and without the knowledge or consent of individuals. We discussed the concerns over the lack of transparency and control individuals have over their personal data.

Privacy laws and regulations:

The various privacy laws and regulations, such as GDPR, CCPA, and the upcoming Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA). He emphasized the importance of these regulations in protecting consumer privacy rights and the challenges organizations face in achieving compliance. He also touched on the potential for a federal privacy law in the United States.

Organizational responsibility and data governance:

The responsibility of leaders to respect to rights of its customers. Harvey stressed the responsibility of organizations to respect consumer privacy and implement proper data governance practices. This includes discovering and classifying data, mapping controls, and adhering to privacy principles such as collecting only necessary data and protecting it accordingly. The importance of leadership commitment and investment in appropriate tools and software for data governance is highlighted.

Emerging technologies and future challenges:

The implications of emerging technologies like voice assistants, AI, and deepfakes on privacy. We discussed the concerns over the constant recording and transmission of conversations and personal data, as well as the potential for misuse through deepfake technology. The need for continued vigilance and proactive measures to address these evolving challenges.

Overall, the discussion aimed to raise awareness about data privacy and encourage organizations to be more responsible custodians of consumer data.

Hashtags: #smartit #privacy #dataprivacy #governance #gdpr #ccpa #tdpsa

Brilliant Beam Media Syya Yasotornrat

Show Notes:

Harvey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harvey-nusz-crisc-cgeit-cisa-670a15/

The Smart IT Podcast YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast

Captivate Website for all episodes

https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

Enterprise Architecture in Action

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0500

On this episode of the The Smart IT Podcast, I chatted with Christal Russ, of ERP International, on her extensive experience in Enterprise Architecture (EA) across various government agencies. Those included the likes of the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Crystal shared insights from her 23-year career, highlighting practical approaches, best practices, and the importance of understanding business context for effective architecture.

Key topics discussed included:

- The role of EA in supporting critical systems

- Cost savings through EA

- Building successful EA programs

- Tool selection processes

- Data visualization

- Leveraging AI/machine learning

- Mentoring the next generation of EA professionals

We talked about the fascinating world of EA front the practical perspective, including EA's role in helping identify and standardize requirements like infrastructure, data standards, and interoperability across systems. EA guides and constrain system implementation to ensure compliance with organizational requirements and industry standards.

EA's has a role in helping to either control or help contain cost overall as it can be used for portfolio management, identifying redundancies or cheaper solutions. It allows organizations to reuse existing systems or capabilities instead of building new ones, promoting cost savings. EA programs should focus on use cases for the architecture, addressing specific business problems. EA can help be agile in reacting to external changes, such as mapping new or proposed laws, policies, and regulations to internal processes, enabling impact assessments when changes occur.

In closing, if there's somebody else in an adjacent field who's thinking EA sound like an interesting career. While certification programs provide academic knowledge, practical experience is crucial. Crystal emphasizes the importance of mentorship programs, continuous learning, and understanding the business context to be an effective EA professional.

Insights from the field:

- Invest in mentoring and educating younger EA professionals and new architects

- Leverage AI and machine learning for automation where possible

- Build strong relationships with tool vendors to influence roadmaps and get enhancements

- Ensure tools and processes are compliant with various standards

- Emphasize understanding business context for better architecture decisions

- Explore process simulation and business process re-engineering best practices

- Continue innovating and sharing lessons learned within the EA community

#smartit #ea #enterprisearchitecture #lean #businessprocessreengineering #prototyping #designsprint

Resource Links

Christal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christallambert/
The Smart IT Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast
Captivate Website for all episodes: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/
ERP International: https://erpinternational.com/
Sparx Systems: https://sparxsystems.com/
Mural: https://mural.co/

Its All About the People

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Summary:

In this episode of the Smart IT Podcast, Diane discusses the importance of the people aspect of IT and the need for continuous learning in the field. She emphasizes the need for IT professionals to be intentional with their learning and to stay updated on new technologies and industry trends. Diane also highlights the role of IT leaders in supporting and developing their teams, as well as facilitating discussions and decision-making. She encourages IT professionals to engage with frontline users and understand their needs. Lastly, Diane advises individuals to prepare for future roles by identifying their skill gaps and taking steps to fill them.

Discussion Topics:

Introduction
Starting with the People Aspect of IT
The Importance of Continuous Learning
Being Intentional with Learning
Preparing for the Future
Supporting and Developing IT Talent
Navigating the Flood of New Technologies
Facilitating Discussions and Decision-Making
Engaging with Frontline Users
Preparing for Future Roles
Wrap Up

Takeaways:

Continuous learning is crucial for IT professionals to stay updated on new technologies and industry trends.
IT leaders should support and develop their teams by providing opportunities for learning and growth.
Engaging with frontline users and understanding their needs is essential for successful IT implementations.
IT professionals should be intentional with their learning and identify skill gaps to prepare for future roles.

Hashtags: #smartit #people #talent #learning #continuouslearning

Show Notes

Diane on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianekenyon/

The Smart IT Podcast YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast

Captivate Website for all episodes:

https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

Resource Links:

Austin Women in Technology: https://awtaustin.org/

Austin Technology Council: https://www.austintechnologycouncil.org/

Austin Forum on Technology & Society: https://www.austinforum.org/

Agile Austin: https://www.agileaustin.org/

Innotech Austin: https://www.innotechaustin.com/

Austin Society of Information Management: https://www.austinsim.org/home

Discovering, Validating, and Experimenting for the Biggest Business Impact

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Summary

In this episode, Monique and I discussed various topics related to user experience (UX) and working in large teams. She emphasized the importance of active listening, empathy, and debriefing to improve collaboration and problem-solving. Monique highlights the value of UX in understanding user needs and aligning them with business outcomes. We also explored the future of UX and the role of AI in enhancing user experiences. Overall, the conversation provides insights into effective UX practices and the evolving landscape of technology and design. She discussed the process of training GPTs and using them to analyze data. She emphasized the importance of putting in the hours to train the models and finding out what works well for specific workflows. Monique suggests training GPTs to think like experts in a particular field by digesting their work and focusing on their key insights. She also explains how to upload data files and analyze them to meet specific goals. Additionally, Monique highlights the benefits of building a stable chat that can be easily modified for different analyses. She gave examples of ways she is using GenAI in her work. She concludes by encouraging listeners to start small, familiarize themselves with GPTs, and gradually scale up their usage.

Takeaways

Active listening and empathy are crucial skills for effective collaboration and problem-solving.
UX plays a vital role in understanding user needs and aligning them with business outcomes.
Debriefing after meetings and projects helps identify areas for improvement and fosters continuous learning.
The future of UX involves leveraging AI technologies to enhance user experiences and automate laborious workflows. Train GPTs by putting in the hours and finding out what works well for specific workflows.
Train GPTs to think like experts by digesting their work and focusing on their key insights.
Upload data files and analyze them to meet specific goals.
Build a stable chat that can be easily modified for different analyses.
Start small, familiarize yourself with GPTs, and gradually scale up their usage.

Hashtags: #smartit #AI UXI #gpt

Show Notes:

Monique Escamilla on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniqueescamilla/

How Technology Helps Improve Student Learning Outcomes

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the Smart IT Podcast, William interviews Scott Lipton, an education consultant, about the intersection of IT and education. They discuss Scott's background in education and the changes that have occurred in the field over the past two decades. They also explore the use of technology in the classroom and the potential for data to improve learning outcomes. Scott highlights the challenges and opportunities for CIOs in education and emphasizes the importance of interconnectivity and accessibility of data. They conclude by discussing the role of market forces and policy in driving change in education.

Takeaways

-Technology has significantly changed education over the past two decades, with the increased use of data and classroom technologies.

-The effective use of data can improve learning outcomes by enabling teachers to make informed decisions in real-time.

-Challenges in utilizing data effectively include data silos, lack of interconnectivity, and the need for user-friendly tools.

-CIOs in education have the opportunity to lead the way in implementing interconnectivity and leveraging data to improve student outcomes.

-Market forces and policy play a crucial role in driving change in education, and funding and policy decisions should prioritize the use of technology and data.

Show Notes Resources:

Ed Fi Alliance

https://www.ed-fi.org/

Texas Education Exchange

https://txedexchange.net/

Project Unicorn

https://www.projectunicorn.org/

Michigan DataHub

https://www.midatahub.org/

Wisconsin WISEdata

https://dpi.wi.gov/wisedata

Hashtags: #eduction #technology #learning

Scott Lipton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-lipton/

William D. Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cciewill/

Smart IT info: https://www.williamreed.info

Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast

Podcast Homepage: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

Technology on the Front Lines of the Business

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500

On this weeks episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Harsha Bellur, CIO at James Avery, to the show. Harsha is a technology executive with brand and function leadership to inform and influence business strategies, adept at driving a customer-focused culture and inspiring digital innovation. He is effective at the intersection of technology and business with a focus on developing flexible, scalable solutions to solve business challenges and opportunities, while managing costs and risk.

We started the show by hearing from Harsha his origin story to becoming a CIO. Then we explored the CIO's role at the intersection between business and technology, including:

-His approach to teaming, the importance of building a team that gets everyone on the same page, having new teammates that fill gaps in his strengths/weaknesses, and viewing others as his advisors.

-Orchestrate team work with the right people in the right roles, helping everyone understand the big picture of IT's value. Everything that IT does has to support the overall business and customer experience.

-It's important to give individual contributors the space to have their voices and ideas heard. Empower them to do what is good for the organization without undue bureaucracy.

-Viewpoint of business and customer is one of full integration. Early on, used to be about IT + business alignment, now in age of digital economy, its more about technology integration + enablement of the business. It's about technology-enabled growth.

-He talks more about the business and customers than he does about technology. How they can leverage technology to generate value in the business. Have to intimately understand business process. Role of CIO is a business strategists that is highly competent in the technology. Actually applies to all roles in IT. Know how your contribution is effecting the overall business.

-Want to democratize idea of innovation as part of natural state of the technology function. not a separate function. Everyone needs to wear innovators hat.

-Need to be able to decipher hype from what's new. Leadership role to help organization take a position to clarify their point of view on new technology. Need to facilitate that conversation.

Wrapping up, we talked about what aspiring CIOs can learn from his experience. First, you have to be curious, always asking questions before coming up with answers. Asking, what are we trying to solve? Coming up with a solution to a true understanding of a business problem instead of responding to a request. Second, continually expand your horizon of responsibilities into adjacent functions or fields. Broaden your sense of what is available. And thirdly, continually build and develop relationships with individuals and teams. Relationships are key to helping others, learning, negotiations, the prioritization of work, and addressing competing demands. Be a person others want to come to engage.

#cio #career #leadership #innovation #cybersecurity #business #teamwork

Show Notes Resources:

Harsha Bellur on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harshabellur/

"The CIO as a Chief “Investment” Officer", written by Harsha Bellur: https://nationalcioreview.com/articles-insights/leadership/the-cio-as-a-chief-investment-officer/

"Customer Experience and the Role of the CIO", written by Harsha Bellur: https://nationalcioreview.com/articles-insights/leadership/customer-experience-and-the-role-of-the-cio/

James Avery: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jamesavery/

William D. Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cciewill/

Smart IT info: https://www.williamreed.info

Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast

Podcast Homepage: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

Thinking about how we Think about Cyber Security - Part 2

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500

On this weeks episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed back Prachee Kale, Co-Founder of Think.Design.Cyber., to the show. This was a great follow-on to Part 1 session. We continued our discussion on thinking and cyber security, including:

How to structure our teams to work in the most optimal ways, looking to striking the right balance. This is a skillset that IT professionals don't necessarily learn.
Security professionals need to leave "no" behind, rather provide prudent guardrails and help for the business to move forward. It is a shift from naysayers to asking "how can we do this". Be the accelerant instead of the brakes. How do we make make it safe and secure. Have that customer mindset, both internal and paying customers.
Complex Adaptive Systems. Way to apply problem solving approaches to cybersecurity. Problem solving through lens of systems thinking, with principles such as reinforcing loops. Lot of similar problems and approaches. Understand the system dynamics in play in your field. Liken to other industries that have solved some of these issues. Import some of their approaches and see what works in your environment.
Helping the introverts. You become what you think you are. Does not mean you are not intelligent or don't have ideas. We assign characteristics that are not useful, such as "I have nothing to say". Can start to believe you have nothing to say, have no ideas, or have nothing to contribute to the group. This can lead to a negative feedback loop. You can make an impact without changing yourself. You have the power to change the dynamics of our interactions. How to lead, harness other introverts.
Getting past the blame game. Having perspective of the other side. Have perspective and empathy. Ask how do we simplify how we do things? How are we doing for the well being of our team?
Look at big picture; beyond controls frameworks. Can you outthink your adversaries?
Controls Chain of Fitness. Filtering process analyzing efficacy of controls, which ones are actually helping to defend, along with their costs. Looking at automated controls. Mind blowing moments are possible when you are more intentional in your thinking about how you approach your work

Wrapping up, we talked about the concept of returning money to the business. CISOs may have opportunities to return money out of their budget back to the business to invest in growth. This is opposed to a department siphoning money from the business, security teams can now be seen as business enabler, having a P&L impact. This is a mindset change! And not because you are cutting what is needed, but you are making your program investments and resources more efficient. Opportunities to save money. Let's do more design and systems thinking.

Hashtags

#thinking #designthinking #industrialdesignthinking #systemsthinking #innovation #cybersecurity

Brilliant Beam Media Syya Yasotornrat

Show Notes Resources

Prachee Kale on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pracheekale/

Think.Design.Cyber on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/think-design-cyber/

Think.Design.Cyber website: https://www.thinkdesigncyber.com/

William D. Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cciewill/

Smart IT info: https://www.williamreed.info

Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast

Podcast Homepage: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

Thinking about how we Think about Cyber Security - Part 1

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500

On this weeks episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Prachee Kale, Co-Founder of Think.Design.Cyber., to the show. Prachee is a business and strategy galvanizer that excels in building cultures developing and executing strategy to accelerate organizational growth. Her career has focused on bridging gaps between the business bottom line, technology, and people to solve complex problems. As an outcome driven leader, strategist, and gifted communicator, she helps stakeholders realize their visions, navigate complex challenges and material change, develop critical partnerships, and create impact. Prachee took up the challenge of helping organization figure out where the cyber security money went and how secure they are. We discussed two great topics: thinking and cyber security, including:

- Addressing the fundamentals of people, process, and technology.

- Learning how do you tell the story of what a cyber program is doing and how to strategize and prioritize your efforts and investments.

- How to you frame the problem, clarify definitions, and establish what you are trying to accomplish. Realizing that framing is preceded by thinking.

- Security is not 2D problem, rather integrated complexity that is multi-problem. We are not dealing with a technology problem, but rather a people challenge.

- How do you see the problem of cyber security if you remove compliance requirements; how does your thinking work then?

- An insightful exercise, If you could start from scratch with an empty canvas, what are the possibilities beyond what we are doing and believe we have to do.

- Looking at security from a systems engineering approach. Modeling based on a system, one that is complex and adaptive.

- Challenges of line of defenses and its inhibiting collaboration. It is useful to bring methods from other disciplines into cyber.

- People are setup to fail, as you have to work a certain way, we were told so, people scared to break out if, limits how people work differently.

- The limitations of looking at symptoms instead of root cause. We have lots of self-infliction that result in breaches.

- End user blaming, at some point, someone will click on the link, acknowledge and design for it in your security program and defenses. Question: what if people could click on links all day long, we are able to handle that.

- Design principles, what are we solving for? We have to connect to agenda of the business.

- Cyber security is a function, not a profit generating arm of the company. You need to put on the business hat and support business to drive forward. We must remember that cyber budget takes away from other departments. What about sales and marketing?

- AI is going to take on some of the drudger and repetitive tasks to free up humans to do more human like job, to actually think, to problem solve. AI is complementary to humans.

- Systems thinking and systems science rules apply.

- Industrial strength design thinking.

Wrapping up, we need big picture problem solving, with the famous example of faster horses not being our best future answer. Design thinking is more than just for customer and UX, but also for human and technology interactions, it is a way we open up peoples mind. People feel trapped because they have no other choice, or stuck with choice they can't change. Our job is to create this awareness and right conditions, as we have been conditioned to think a certain direction. It is not right or wrong, we ask if I can add other things that help me solve this problem from a different perspective, so we can look for different solution. Thinking beyond what doesn't exist today.

Such much more to chat about. There has to be a part 2, people and coaching aspects, helping the introverts, empower others to come up with new solutions, etc. Stay tuned for more from Prachee. For now, enjoy part 1.

#thinking #designthinking #industrialdesignthinking #systemsthinking #innovation #cybersecurity

Show Notes Resources:

Prachee Kale on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pracheekale/

Think.Design.Cyber on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/think-design-cyber/

Think.Design.Cyber website: https://www.thinkdesigncyber.com/

William D. Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cciewill/

Smart IT info: https://www.williamreed.info

Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast

Podcast Homepage: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

Exploring New Digital Capabilities for the Business

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Nick Maravich, an Innovation Consultant, to the show. We talked about how to approach and explore new technology capabilities for businesses. We discussed the culture and leadership needed to allow organizations to play in the "sandbox of possibilities", experimenting with what A.I. can bring to the table. We discussed several insightful areas, including:

What's the big thing about AI and the line between hype and the real deal. The various opinions on AI based off your role/perspective.
Looking at businesses value streams, how your company makes money, what problems do you have that you want to resolve, and explore if AI an improve it. Don't just slap tech on as a fix.
"AI is a way to improve anything". For example with data exploration, how you did it in the past and see if you can find new insights; or for new markets, run smart experiments to see if that market is real or does that it align with your pain/change thresholds from your current value streams.
When interacting with the business: give me your problems, let me make sure I understand them, then go and find if I can deliver on something relevant to them. What do you not have appetite for? What are the upper bounds of where you want to try?
Direct communication seems best when the spend is high and the risk is high. In in other times, often had to soften the message.
The "Phoenix Project" from Gene Kim is a must read for those in IT.
Be aware of the power of leadership and culture to kill the enthusiasm for emerging capabilities that you want to explore.
Organizations have to unlock their problem solvers. You want a culture of your teams waking up in the morning to solve problems. Need personal connections for all sides. All sides want to want to solve the problem. Will fail if you don't have people working together.
Have to be cognizant of the limitations of just presenting "the data". Some people can be imitated by a data scientist presenting numbers to them that seem overwhelming. Challenges of just using a "number" that is often requested instead of the variance to represent the uncertainty.
AI is a fun sandbox to experiment, a beacon for people to get unstuck. It can be thought of a soft form of corporate politics.
With AI, you are always on the look out the garbage and false or misleading outputs.
Decades ago, optimization was all about maximizing the good and minimizing the bad through linear programming.
Democratization of uses of AI. Comparison Googles Search. A 15-year use case through Search for how generative AI has been adopted by some many, the door has been busted wide open.
AI is another layer on top. For example, with some data and a little programming, you can add another layer of AI generating multiple personas (e.g., CIO, CISO, QA Analyst , Marketing analyst) to explore same scenario or use cases to see if one should explore the following potential new market. That is here today. There is also agent to agent interface on AI models. And you have use cases leveraging model models concurrently. AIs talking to AIs based on specific business use cases.
You need a team to stay on top of all the AI has to offer.

Wrapping up, there are intelligent ways to experiment with AI without exposing your own data. Find the curious people in your organization and make it fun. It will generate lots of idea while safely exploring the possibilities of AI. With a little creative you can't lose by getting a team together who knows how to navigate the AI space. Organizations have to understand separation boundary between their business model and technology. IT. AI is a mirror to our society. In the beginning, during, and end, humans are always responsible for the outcomes of it actions.

#innovation #ai #experimentation

Show Notes Resources

Nick Maravich on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nmaravich/

William D. Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cciewill/

Smart IT info: https://www.williamreed.info

Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast

Podcast Homepage: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

Preparing the Next Generation of IT Professionals

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Terry Kim, CEO and Founder of NexGenT, to the show. We talked about a path forward to both those looking to get into IT for the first time and those looking to move up in their existing tech careers. We discussed about the the opportunities out there, from working with a wide array of companies to one day opening up their on IT consulting firms. We discussed several insightful areas, including:

-There is a better way to break into IT.

-There are ways to work your way up the opportunity ladder.

-The value of real world hands on experience is moving up in your career, taking on more complex roles, and increasing one's salary.

-The birth of "Zero to Engineer", including the story of training young adults how to build mission critical networks to support soldiers on the battlefield.

-The high cost of college and the challenges of "paper" certification. How the lack of hands-on experience shows up in the interviews process.

-At NextGenT, students can learn networking, DevOps/Cloud, Big Data/ML, product UI, blockchain (2024). There are opportunities for making money and taking on less student loan debt. Training times of 4-months versus 4-years.

-Problems with certification and cheating on exams. Not what CIOS are looking for (they want hands on experience). People need need practical hands on training and real world experience. His programs includes capstone projects. Program based on job readiness framework, tested and validated in the military.

-Network engineering is feeder to cyber security. Beside software engineer there are other areas in tech lots of opportunities. For example, there are hundreds of thousands of cyber jobs in US.

-Opportunities for people to work directly for companies (small and large like Fortune 500), consulting firms, technology manufacturers, service providers, governments, manufacturers, technology providers/resellers, and Cloud providers.

-Networking is the plumbing on the Internet, providing the backbone for billions of devices on the network. The networking engineering role is evolving and being enhanced. Networking Infrastructure is continually being updated and improved.

There are incredible opportunities to make 6-figures without being a doctor or lawyer. A true American dream. We have to rethink the idea of needing a 4-year degree. IT is about skill stacking. There is a path to finding work you love to do, with less student loan debt, in a shorter period of time. This is an exciting time to explore a career in IT. This is an exciting time to move up the ladder. There are ways to get unstuck. Take you career to next level by upskilling into new areas like DevOps/Cloud and AI, moving into management or a architect role, or transitioning in consulting.

#networking #certification #skills #training #networkengineering #cloud #devops #ai #machinelearning #it #technology #career #smartit

Brilliant Beam Media Syya Yasotornrat

Show Notes Resources

Terry Kim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/projectkim/

Project Kim: https://www.projectkim.com/

Terry on X (formerly known as Twitter): https://twitter.com/projectkim

NGT Academy: https://ngt.academy/

NGT Blog: https://nexgent.com/blog

Zero to Engineer: https://zerotoengineer.com/

Zero to Engineer - Book

Free copy of Terry's new book: zerotoengineer.com/book

Hardcover: https://www.amazon.com/Zero-Engineer-American-Financial-Technologies/dp/B0CKGS8BWY/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1699287687&sr=8-1

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Zero-Engineer-American-Financial-Technologies/dp/B0CJL3GH9C/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1699287687&sr=8-1

Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Zero-Engineer-American-Financial-Technologies-ebook/dp/B0CJX3X3MN/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1699287687&sr=8-1

The Role of Enterprise Architecture

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 12:00:00 -0500

On this episode of @The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed @Ramsay Millar, an expert in Enterprise Architecture (EA), to the show. Ramsay Millar is a global expert in the arena of digital transformations involving the collaboration of many business leaders, enterprise architects, business analysts, projects managers, solution architects, and software engineers since 1997. During his corporate career he performed in nearly every role in IT from Help Desk assistant, programmer, business analyst, project manager, computer operation manager, IT Director and CIO. In 2001 he founded his company INTEGRATE IT Inc. where he provides practice leadership in knowledge transfer, productivity tools, and providing consulting services to stand up the Enterprise Architecture capability for medium to very large-scale enterprises.

His insights discussed here are gathered from his extensive experience since entering the IT industry in 1980. Ramsay has delivered over 1,100 business and technology project assignments and mentored over 4,000 business architects, business analysts, enterprise architects, agile project managers, solution architects, and software engineers since 2001.

The many IT professionals who have worked with Ramsay appreciate his common sense, wide ranging industry skills, and experience. Our discussion talked about all things Enterprise Architecture (EA) and its critical role to the success of business transformation. We discussed several insightful areas, including:

Enterprise Architecture is vital to business transformation.
"You find what you love to do and you will never work again".
Don't be a late to the show and be ready to ride the wave. R&D experience is important and play with new tech and tools in sandboxes.
IT is a tough business to be in, you can never really catch up, and you don't always get credit for what goes right. It is a field that requires you to keep re-learning. If you like the challenge of continuing to learn, then IT is for you.
Architecture is everywhere. The human body has a architecture. Things you don't see that make our systems work. Architecture is nothing more than change, how to get where you want to go from where you currently are. We are still a young industry.
Chatted about Artificial Intelligence (AI). How AI will help EA. We will have lots of AI, i.e. Medial AI, personal AI, millions of AI.
AI is immature right now, models have not been trained well yet, and there is lot of bad data feeding systems.
AI can help us with the drudgery. Finding areas where you won't hire a human for, AI can help.
The question of the quality of data because a lot of it is bad. Maybe AI systems will produce bad results because of it.
A future where machines will fight other machines.
Talked about the history of business and technology transformation, fire, and the wheel!
Rapid rate of growth, however, humans have not evolved as fast as technology. We are animals that don't actually live in the digital world.
Digital transformation have been going for a long time. People underestimate amount of new ways of thinking required for all this change.
Transformation is just change. Real change is new functionality.
EA is a team sport, with tech as secondary. EA doesn't have not power, barely have influence, and often business takes the credit.
Lots of architecture is brittle. Lot of opportunity to clean up our environments and save money.
Cheaper and more efficient to do the right job behind the scenes.
Architect work horizontally, vertically, and in time dimensions.
Design Process. Design questions and considerations in building anything. EA behind the design.
How do you get into design without building it? Modeling everything to help experts how to design things.
Investment in EA is not that great and there are great benefits. Culture is the resistance to change.
Need for more Solution Architects to coordinate efforts with the business and experts.
The role of Project Managers (PM) and how they interact with EAs and Solution Architects (SA). EAs have to point out the risks to the business. EAs, PMs, and Business Analysts (BA) need to work together. Business-driven approach. Silos are contrary to architecture. These teams need to be aligned. Architecture works horizontally. The world is a horizontal world. Be sure to invite governance, risk, and compliance to the party.
We are at high risk when we don't work together. Also risk in not doing anything could lead to market disruption.

We wrapped up by discussing what Ramsay with the need for IT professionals to develop more people skills, such as communication and the need for the right attitude and aptitude to like to be humiliated over and over again. Business stay ahead by having EAs forward looking. It is cost efficient to invest in EA to avoid waste later. Good news is that more people in business understand tech. the power is not the name of the game, but the ability to bring people together and proving what is possible. CIO should be finding new insights for competitive advantage. Need more Solution Architects.

Hashtags

#enterprisearchitecture #ea #transformation #design

Brilliant Beam Media Syya Yasotornrat

Show Notes

Ramsay Millar on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramsay-millar-616b915/

INTEGRATE IT website

https://www.in2grateit.com/

Business Architecture Guild (BIZBOK)

https://www.businessarchitectureguild.org/

International Institute of Business Analysts (IIBA)

https://iiba.org/

The Open Group (TOGAF)

https://www.opengroup.org/

PMI Disciplined Agile

https://www.pmi.org/disciplined-agile/

International Association of all IT Architects (IASA)

https://iasaglobal.org/

The Object Management Group (OMG)

https://www.omg.org/

William D. Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cciewill/

Smart IT info: https://www.williamreed.info

Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast

Podcast Homepage: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

Confronting Burnout on the Frontlines of Cyber Defense

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Daniel Waters, a Cyber Risk Advisor, to the show. We talked about professionals on the frontlines of cyber defense and the role of strategy. Cyber threats are at the forefront of news for business leaders. They have more expectations of their security teams to keep pace with the evolving threat landscape. That has led to a lot of pressures to stop the adversaries from breaching and disrupting the business. This has at times led to burn out for those on the frontlines. Our discussion talked about the need for the right business context and strategy to settle in for the long haul. We discussed several insightful areas, including:

The perpetuity of cyber threats.
Organizations are led by people, not robots.
The challenges of prioritization.
Need for balance as resources are finite and some amount of risk will always be present.
Opportunities that complexity of our systems has provided for the adversaries.
Strategic importance for understanding your risk environment so you can scale as need to manage.
Importance of talent retention as the fatigue of ongoing battle is exhaustive.
Leaders setting the right tone for their teams.
Cold War analogy for the infinite nature of cyber risk.
Psychology, brain chemistry from OHSA, # of mistakes/hr, more pressure --more mistakes/decreased performance, effects of time pressure.
A solution? Maybe, at end of the day, too much solo duty (isolationist), need more team synergy, team of teams.
With the loss of cohesion, operational friction, isolations, human factors, and culture to take into consideration, we need a specific approach to how we manage our time.
Approaching solving any problem, must ask right question, importance of listening to understand problem.
How does strategy help with all this.
Drive scale with strategy. Driving tribal knowledge across your teams, keep up with pace of changes in threat environment and the business .
Ability to focus on the fundamentals, there are lot of voices from many external voices.
Fundaments security of vulnerability, configuration, asset management, identity & privilege, manage good hygiene, Cloud control surface.
We need to simplify the complex.
OSI model reference in another context.
Need to have continuous monitoring and capability.
Background on Risk Management, with the perspective of managing risk not stopping all attacks.
The need to understand what is likely to happen, where should we focus.
Risk management allows the business to be informed.
Defense in Depth is part of strategy (we will not be able to stop everything with every control).
With resiliency, we can contain and control and continue the business.
Not realistic to have no incidents.
Analyzing threat landscape, capabilities, objectives.
More and more adversaries leveraging robots/tech (vulnerability identification).
Key themes for top attacks, focus on those stages of kill chain.
Deception technologies, more forward looking approaches, forward-leading capabilities.
Common misconfigurations that are exploited, you can avoid adversaries radars by making it more difficult (they need to invest more effort on their side).
Acknowledge that we are doing ok enough to force adversaries to adjust their TTPs. We can effect their effort level.
In this fields, have curiosity, a passion, complementary skillsets around you.
Importance of Computer Science fundamentals.
Newcomers in cyber need to know the technological fundamentals. Technology 101. Computer architecture.
Need fundamentals in how businesses work.
Fundamentals of how applications works. i.e. programming languages, expression of logical concepts, expressed different.

We wrapped up by discussing what Daniel would tell his younger self. The benefits of listening to what is be said and having clarity of mind to improve your ability to solve problems. It's ok to get a ladder to go over a brick wall to achieve your goals. Be patient and ask good questions. Work is not everything and find a good mentor. Remember to take care of your work colleagues. Everyone has something going on, so be emphatic. Bring human empathy to your work. And we have to find ways to thrive in high stress environments.

Hashtags

#cybersecurity #strategy #burnout

Show Notes

Daniel Waters on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-w-a34204ba/

William D. Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cciewill/

Smart IT info: https://www.williamreed.info

Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast

Podcast Homepage: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

Workable Risk Management at scale with ERM

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Carol Williams, CEO @ Strategic Decision Solutions, to the show. We talked about Enterprise Risk Management, aka ERM, and its role within the business. We explored the nature of its value to decision makers. For IT, understanding the risk associated with the business use of technology is important to set the right context for all the work we do.

We discussed several insightful areas, including:

ERM as its objective of an embedded business function
"ERM on a budget"
Thinking of the fundamental of asking the tough questions of new initiatives
The different types of risk domains
The challenges of risk accountability
Providing decision support
Who actually owns business risk (guess: it not ERM)
The benefits of ERM providing a framework for handling different types of risk
Knowing what you are not good at and offloading that to a third party
Third-party risk management
Differences between supply chain and vendor management
Limitations of risk transference
Cost tradeoffs
Moving beyond spreadsheets for managing risk
Finding the right software for adapting to what your ERM program needs

Risk embedded in strategy and strategy embedded into risk management is critical to understand. It is all about helping the management of risk and providing input to all the decisions that a business has to make. We all must lead and be wiling to talk with business leaders on matters of risk concerns. There are many opportunities for getting on a path to a role in the larger ERM program.

Hashtags

#enterpriseriskmanagement #erm #risk #riskmanagement #smartit

Show Notes Resources

Carol Williams on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-williams-erm/

Strategic Decision Solutions: https://strategicdecisionsolutions.com

Carol's Blog: https://strategicdecisionsolutions.com/blog/

William D. Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cciewill/

Smart IT info: https://www.williamreed.info

Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast

Podcast Homepage: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

The Evolution of the CISO Role

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 12:15:00 -0500

On this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Dan Holden, VP, Cyber Security from BigCommerce. For IT, the focus on defending its organization from cyber risks is led by the security team. When an organization is fortunate to have that team led by a CISO, focus can be directed to managing cyber risk that frees the rest of IT to focus on keeping the lights on and help their businesses innovate. We talked about the evolution of the role of the CISO, including what he has seen over the last three decades in this industry. We discussed several insightful areas, starting with Dan’s origin story in cyber security to the responsibilities of the tech industry to all of our security efforts. Interesting topics like data privacy, who should pay for logging, espionage, and the inevitable wave of new regulations were also covered.

Do the Work in Your Meetings

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Douglas Ferguson, President @ Voltage Control, to the show. We talked about facilitation. What it is and why it’s important, along with some of the techniques and tools that can be used by leaders of meetings to drive better team outcomes. Improving our ability to facilitate team collaborations and meetings effectively is critical to IT’s ability to thrive. To get things done, you must have great working dynamics in and among teams. For IT, getting everyone bought in to the mission and initiatives with active participation is critical to excelling at helping businesses innovate. We discussed several insightful areas, including:

-Facilitation, a way to make work “easier”. Viewing “soft skills” as “people skills”.

-There is no straight path into facilitation as a practice. Often used in design sprints. Use these skills to show up for real leadership and solve real problems.

-Tackling the misnomer of the perceived ease of getting people to do what you want. Shouldn't it be easy to get people to do what they do? You don't get people to do anything. Rather, you can set the conditions for it to happen. You can set the initial conditions to get good results.

-Providing clarity and a safe environment for people to fail.

-The example of a marker for a whiteboard as a symbolic way of sharing power. It invites others to participate in the discussion.

-You must define objectives for the meeting. Too often, people misunderstand the intentions of the meeting. Clarify beforehand and reinforce during the meeting its purpose. For example, will there be a decision that will be made here.

-For the engagement challenge, look at the expectations not being set.

-You need to intentionally design the meeting to be engaging. The experience of the meeting can be more important than the agenda itself.

-Tooling for capturing ideas - “If you didn't write it down, it didn't happen". Stacking effect of "stuff" can be disjointed. If you visualize + capture, you build structure. When you can see, clarity starts to emerge. Capturing in real time as you go becomes a reminder not to forget something shared. Opportunity for your ideas to be explored.

-Always communicate upfront, how decision is going to be made, the need for advice, idea sharing; let everyone know upfront whatever you're thinking.

-Group decision making doesn't happen enough. Delegation superpower when whole group decides. “Authorship" is "ownership", they are in driving seat for dealing with a problem/opportunity, more likely to support decision even if not your choice. Can find wrong choice faster. Stop selling stuff, but rather invite them in.

-Ways to get team unlocked: dot voting, majority, supermajority, gradient voting. Helps get out blame game. Benefit of how decisions are made.

-Is there a wave of transformation? Not just yet. Potential budding. Microsoft has a Chief of Facilitation. More companies will bring in facilitation roles. For cross-team leadership, such as project manager, program leader, design/product lead, or technology leaders.

-These people's skills really matter! Facilitation skills have power. How are you showing up for people?

-Change how you show up for meetings. Have more empathy for those running meetings. You can influence by asking clarifying questions to help everyone better align. What are we trying to get out of this meeting? What’s a good outcome? You can help people be better facilitators as a participant.

-The importance of doing the work in the meeting. Born out of idea of rapid prototyping of design community. Mockups, prototypes, iterating on these. Reduce batch size and cycle time decreases. Helps answer questions. Metaphor of house. What can we bring to the meeting too? For example, presentation, open PowerPoint, and make changes in real time, mapping our arc of stories, divide and conquer, to asynchronous work. Multi-threading work in shared collaboration tools.

Not enough teams doing intentional facilitation. Try to avoid screen share. Everyone gets their hands dirty. It's a beautiful thing when everyone is quiet and working together in a meeting. Create this condition. We have an opportunity to intentionally structure our meetings to get more active participation and get more ideas explored.

Show Notes

Douglas Ferguson on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglasferguson/

Voltage Control

https://voltagecontrol.com/

Facilitation Lab

https://voltagecontrol.com/facilitation-lab/

Hashtags

#facilitation #meetings #leadership

The Smart IT Framework Overview

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 12:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I did an overview of the Smart IT Framework. Smart IT is an approach to getting the important things done by transforming the way traditional IT thinks, works, and leads. It supports the disruption of the status quo, simplifies the complex, and mitigates risk. This is the next generation of information technology.

This approach models a different way of thinking by framing principles on how we work. It is much more than a play on the mnemonic of SMART goals. It goes beyond a sense of natural intelligence or being good in school. It’s a way of thinking and working that is open to everyone in IT.

This Smart approach to IT is a construct for the profession of information technology. It frames the conceptual aspects of thinking about one’s role in the larger organization and the nature of the work itself. It illuminates the larger forces shaping the drivers of the challenges we face and the creation of new opportunities. This is a guide to inspiring the change that is needed in our professional world.

Smart IT is a way of working and being. It is about being conscious of our environments, new enablers, and opportunities to help our organizations.

IT teams can leverage this framework to see useful information other people can’t see or don’t notice. They then draw accurate, useful conclusions from that information. These teams design useful goals that take advantage of the information. Finally, they create an efficient and effective plan of action to attain these goals.

Smart IT is resilient, agile, and thoughtful. Smart IT can be viewed from the perspective of four dimensions: purpose, development, intentionality, and realization.

Show Links

William D. Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cciewill/

Smart IT info: https://www.williamreed.info

Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesmartitpodcast

Podcast Homepage: https://the-smart-it-podcast.captivate.fm/

#smartit #leadership #innovation

Using Story to Cut Through the Noise

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Katherine R. Dollar, Lead Storyteller and Content Strategist @ Moxie Blue Media, to the show.

We talked about improving communicating with others by using stories. Effectively communicating across different teams is a vital skill in today’s fast-paced and highly connected groups of teams. To get things done, you must develop greater relationships with other internal and external teammates. That requires being good at getting our ideas, thoughts, and insights across to other people in a way that they understand your meaning or intent. For IT, we have been known to communicate in such technical manners that normal users at times don’t understand us. We discussed several insightful areas, including:

The power of a story is the ability to let one explore and relate to other people' lives and conditions that are not our own.
From the standpoint of vendors and solution providers, stories have the power to help companies to better position the value prop of their technology solutions to IT teams.
It is important to understand the mindset of your audience and what they care about to better align how to convey your message.
Katherine offered us the approach of defining a goal, a problem, and a plan of action to use in our communications patterns.
The ability to craft stories is a powerful skill we should all strive to gain and improve upon in our careers.
Better communication has the power to decrease the time to value for our organizations by getting things done faster.
In addition to story, we can make use of analogy and metaphors to get your messages across. It allows us to make our ideas relatable using something the audience already knows.

We have an opportunity to practice with family members at home to get better at the critical skill of effectively communication ideas that are technical.

LINKS:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinedollar/

Moxie Blue Media: https://moxiebluemedia.com/

Not So Science Fiction: https://notsosciencefiction.com/

#story #storytellying #communication

The Opportunity to Intentionally Design our Everyday Conversations

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Daniel Stillman, Founding Conversation Designer @ The Conversation Factory, to the show to have a chat about conversations.

Conversations are that fundamental thing all of us do every day. For IT and what it must do to deliver for its organizations, being heard and understood is especially important. His vantage point as a designer of communication was invaluable to provide insights into the everyday challenges that workers have in getting their intended messages across to each other. Considering the criticality of increased collaboration to get things done, this is a problem that needs a fresh approach to address. We discussed several insightful areas, including:

Daniels origin story of getting into this field. The wonders of even the concept of designing a conversation, from his start with interaction design with machines, experience designer, and designing services.
Every conversation has a purpose. The cost of bad conversation can lead to bad meetings. There is a financial cost to business of “crappy” meetings.
All conversations are designed, some intentional and some ad-hoc. It is beneficial to do this design on purpose.
The talk-thinking gap, where we can think faster than we talk. Humans can think at 4,000 words a minute, but only speak at 125 words a minute. You could not say everything you wanted to say. As a result, there is the need to intentionally design for this reality.
Question if organizations are being set up to maintain the status quo. The reality is that misunderstanding is the default. We need to find a better container for better conversations.
Some techniques to address challenges are the use of a talking stick, rounds, or passing the “stick” in interactions such as retrospectives. Also, could use the approach of thinking alone before thinking together, giving everyone the time they need to collect their thoughts. This will help protect the introverts from extroverts, and extroverts from themselves.
The concepts of golden listening triangle and triple loop learning.
Leaders must create the conditions for innovation. For example, writing down what I meant has a better chance of being understood.
As long as leaders believe they are the smartest one in the room, they will keep the status quo. To address the challenge of getting the whole room involved, there are options like having silents, meetings having written conversations, or making use of “placemats” to ensure everyone is producing.
Inertia with trying new approaches to better communications. There is tension between command and control and emergent methods. Requires advanced skills to push ahead and create openness.

Parting thoughts on a great business case for improving communications to improve meetings to improve collaboration to improve innovation.

LINKS:

Daniel’s book, Good Talk: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bx1sW7YTNz20Ws2gMEjBeHuefuVDuT6CftV0oJ9RtsE/edit?usp=sharing

Daniel’s Podcast: https://theconversationfactory.com/listen

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2IPdj1X6J8BrYzNunCAvQv?si=cpb8bjTUQeeGSjSUItw4ow&dl_branch=1&nd=1

Book landing page: https://theconversationfactory.com/good-talk

Personal Site: https://www.danielstillman.com/

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielstillman/

Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dastillman

#communication #meetings #leadership #facilitation

The Design of the User Experience

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Evelina Deleanu, Head of Experience @ ChaiOne, to the show. We talked about design, end users, and experience.

In IT, we often talk about the back end of the digital infrastructure that powers business services. It is important as well to take a step back and think about the experience of the people using our systems. We need to answer the question of what users are trying to accomplish in their daily tasks as they interact with technology. Design is more than aesthetics; it is the actual experience. We discussed user experience (UX) and the entire experience with a product or service. For example, buying an Apple product, from unwrapping device, to setting it for use. Experience encompasses the entire lifecycle of interacting with the product or service. We discussed several insightful areas, including:

When companies do not invest in experience, you have user complaints. Many digital transformation initiatives fail because they do not consider the user enough.
Viewing the human experience holistically interacting with technology systems. The importance of designing the experience of technology for users.
A good experience working with a system is the result of thoughtful design. There needs to be a purposeful understanding of what users are trying to accomplish and design the technology systems to meet those needs as efficiently as possible.
Many users resist digital transformation initiatives and new solutions. The importance of focusing on being user centric to meet their actual work needs. If not done well, we risk lower user adoption rates and technology investments may not pay off for our businesses.
Part of the design process is collecting end user data using methods such as interviews, observation, and time motion studies.

We closed out by discussing career pathing for those looking to get into design.

LINKS:

LinkedIn - Evelina Deleanu

ADP List: https://app.adplist.org/login

Coursera: https://www.coursera.org/

Interaction Design Foundation: https://www.interaction-design.org/

LinkedIn - ChaiOne

#design #humancentereddesign #ux #experience

The Evolution of Modern Infrastructure

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Chris Norris, Chief Technologist Cloud & Datacenter @ Computacenter, to the show to have a chat about modern infrastructure.

Chris has seen a lot over the years in technology. His vantage point as a thought leader who spends time analyzing the trends in the industry was invaluable for our conversations. The evolution from organizations having their own datacenters to the widespread adoption of Cloud (and hybrid models) has changed how IT operates. From the increased flexibility and capability that the Cloud provides, it has also come with some challenges that must be understood. We discussed several insightful areas, including:

Busting the myth of Cloud as easy or cheaper. Multi-cloud brings in more complexity. Increased need for Enterprise Architecture and workload design. System thinking to understand all this complexity.
Organizational shift of how IT teams work. Distinct tools across cloud environment. Data protection strategies for how data is stored in various places. Need mature communication styles among teams.
Shared responsibilities. You cannot hand off liabilities to someone else. Companies are still responsible for the protection and confidentiality of its data.
The use of automation to pull human errors out of your systems. The benefits of building some code and automating. Want to avoid application drift by managing with automation.
Platform Ops, embedding into other dev and ops teams to ease communication challenges and understand how they are integrating with the business.
Changes in IT organizational structure. Changes in inter team communications pattern
Before automating, must get everyone on the same page for process, including approval processes, change control, monitoring solutions.
Business imperatives to move fast to react to market/competitive forces, line of business see new tech and want to leverage it for themselves.
Somebody must translate how new initiatives map to technology.
Financial analyst role to understand and drive down Cloud costs. The dichotomy of agility/speed along with not blowing up the budget. Need to understand cost models to determine which one is optimal. Runaway tech costs could throw off TCO and ROI.
There are no IT projects, they are all business projects.
Security implications of how new systems are designed and implemented. Is the new system more exploitable than it was before? Could we blow the budget by making it safer?
IT has moved passed managing infrastructure to managing service availability.
The app is king, the business does not care about the underlying infrastructure.
CIO’s role has changed. Some have developer background. Must look at operating models, financial models, and infrastructure; and see how they all come into play. The CIO’s job is much tougher today.

We wrapped up chatting about how much more there is for IT professionals to learn.

LinkedIn Page: Chris Norris

#cloud #enterprisearchitecture #platformops

IT as Problem Solvers

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Gerald Caponera, GM Risk Products at ThreatConnect, to the show where we chatted about the value of IT to the business by pivoting to the challenges IT faces in communicating what it does it as opposed to its intrinsic value. That value is all work enabling innovative technology to work in a way that powers digital transformation. How that rapid rate of change in the business environment is driven by IT’s ability to introduce new capabilities. It is not just business that is innovative; IT is as well. We discussed several insightful areas, including:

There is a dichotomy at play: as it gets easier for the business to use tech, IT does an excellent job of masking the backend complexity.
How risk compounded in one area of the business can impact risk in another area.
Exploring the types of tradeoffs organizations must make between business timelines and security considerations.
Using common risk language communicated across various teams to help support strategic and operational decisions for deploying new capabilities into the field.
Decision tradeoffs between time to value and security, speed versus cost, quality versus cost. New and improved skill of balancing cost, schedule, and capabilities. Quality takes time, otherwise you can introduce new risks.
Need traceability for our decisions that can be defended. Must communicate this in a way that everyone understands. Making smart decisions faster with better collaboration. Managing risk better to feed in decision making process.
IT moves so fast, cyber must continue to adapt and security professionals must become risk practitioners. Money is an effective way to standardize the language of impact and tradeoffs as better linkage to the business.

Parting thoughts on future professional skill development is too always keep learning. So many options to learn and improve soft skills like communication, teaming, and collaboration. Always be learning something new.

Learn More Information:

LinkedIn: Gerald Caponera

#crq #cyberriskquantification #unittesting #scrum #leadership #communication #team #teambuilding

The CIO as Leader and Business Partner

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Smart IT Podcast, I welcomed Timothy Laudell Jackson, CIO @ Diamond Offshore, to the show to have a chat about what IT has been through over the last two decades and what professionals can do to be prepared for the next decade. His vantage point as a CIO was invaluable in this discussion. We talked about IT and its continued adaptation to changes in the business. He works for a company in the Oil & Gas industry and gave us insights into its business priorities and the nature of investments in IT; the effects on his team because of the challenges of economic downturns and the pandemic; and the big focus on efficiency as a driver for many of IT’s initiatives. One of those initiatives led to capturing and extracting more value from their data to help support the business with predictive analytics for their physical equipment.

We discussed several insightful areas, including:

The other professional skills that are needed beyond technical acumen to be successful in supporting our organizations, communicating what is technically possible and the challenges of turning on new functionality quickly.
The strategy of leveraging Cloud and Managed Services to extend internal IT capabilities, transferring risk, and delivering new capabilities to the business faster.
Improving decision making support through strategy and education to optimize how technology can be used to improve process or maximize profit.
Upskilling professional skills to stay relevant when technology changes is vital. Improving your understanding of user needs through process understanding and feedback elicitation.
Focusing on the design of systems to improve the experience of ends users interacting with the technology.
Improving teamwork, both internally and externally.
Understanding team dynamics and inspiring action, ensuring the business goals are understood by everyone.
Importance of understanding business functions, the why and how your organization makes money and competes in the marketplace.

Parting thoughts on the opportunities for IT professionals to prepare for what is next.

For More Information:

LinkedIn: Timothy Laudell Jackson

NPower | NPower creates pathways to economic prosperity by launching digital careers for military veterans and young adults from underserved communities.

NPower: https://www.npower.org/

Genesys Works: https://genesysworks.org/houston/

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