Managed services have become a linchpin in the strategy of companies looking to harness technology for growth, efficiency, and innovation.
We delve into the transformative world of managed services and their role in business strategy.
The shift from in-house tech management to outsourcing to specialized tech companies represents a strategic reorientation for many businesses. This critical decision allows companies to focus on their core competencies, entrusting the technological complexities to expert service providers. Yet, challenges arise, especially for tech-centric businesses that prioritize maintaining control over their IT infrastructures.
We explore this delicate balance between managing in-house technology and reaping the benefits of outsourced services.
This blog post and accompanying podcast are tailored for business leaders contemplating the shift to managed services and MSPs aiming to align their services with client success. Stay tuned as we navigate the dynamic and evolving landscape of managed services and AI applications in business.
Episode # 122
What Listeners Will Learn:
In today's podcast, you'll gain insights into several key areas:
In this era where technology is not just an enabler but a driver of business innovation, Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands at the forefront of this transformation. AI is no longer a futuristic concept; it's a tangible, powerful tool reshaping how businesses operate and compete across various industries. Generative AI, a subset of AI, has started ruling the world in the last year, and every industry is being impacted.
AI's vast and varied capabilities, from streamlining operations and enhancing customer experiences to driving data-driven decision-making and innovation. Organizations will focus not just on the theoretical aspects of AI in business but, more importantly, on real-world applications and strategies proving successful. Whether you're a startup embracing AI for agility or an established corporation using AI to maintain a competitive edge, understanding how to integrate this technology into your business strategy effectively is critical. Incorporating AI into business is not just about adopting new technology but fundamentally rethinking how we approach problems, make decisions, and create value.
Real-world examples include:
This involves understanding the AI maturity curve, where businesses evolve from experimental AI projects to scaling AI across the organization.
An important facet is developing an AI-literate workforce and fostering a culture that embraces data-driven decision-making.
This comprehensive discussion aims to equip business leaders, strategists, and technologists with insights and actionable strategies to harness AI's power effectively and responsibly. As AI continues to evolve, staying ahead in this AI-driven business landscape requires not only technological advancements.
Episode # 121
An excellent quote from the guest speaker, 'Bitcoin introduced the blockchain to the world, and similar to this, ChatGPT has introduced machine learning to the world.'
What to Expect in Today's Discussion:
Today's topic is more than just talking about technology; it is a refreshing deviation from our usual tech-focused narratives.
We're exploring life beyond the screens and code, diving into themes of personal growth, emotional wellness, and life transitions.
Today, I have requested a special guest, a former corporate professional turned life coach, to join us to share invaluable wisdom on overcoming common fears, embracing self-care, and navigating the transformative journey of career shifts.
We will cover various topics, such as battling public speaking anxiety, seeking joy in one's daily routine, and considering a significant career change.
This discussion is tailored to provide you with meaningful, life-enhancing insights.
Episode # 120
What to Expect in Today’s Discussion:
Written books:
In today's digital age, every swipe, click, and search is monitored, analyzed, and even predicted by Artificial Intelligence (AI), although we are all going through the Generative AI era; in other words, the ChatGPT era. However, AI has been here for a long time, and one example is being used at the core for marketing products, including in social media channels. As the algorithms get more innovative, the digital footprints we leave are no longer mere footprints; they are profound insights into our psyche, preferences, and behaviors. All these footprints are being used and exploited to push us the products through ads that even we don't need to buy or don't have requirements at all.
Authenticity in marketing is becoming more crucial and at the heart of marketing tactics instead of just pushing the products through AI.
A few months ago, I received an email advertisement for a product I casually mentioned in a conversation. It wasn't a typed search or a clicked ad - it was just a conversation. Intrigued, I bought the product. But the more I thought about it and conversed with my wife, the more I realized that, although AI had successfully identified a potential need, it didn't understand me. There was a connection, but it lacked depth and authenticity.
Our interactions with AI-driven marketing can sometimes be conversations with someone who pretends to listen, only catching keywords and responding with automated efficiency. And while efficiency is commendable, genuine connections are formed through authenticity. This is where authentic marketing steps in. It's not about tricking the consumer or just meeting a sales quota; it's about resonating with them on a deeper, more meaningful level. It is everywhere and in every field, from selling software to selling a property to an online e-commerce store selling cosmetics.
Today's guest speaker, the CEO of Strategic eMarketing, will share tips to build brand authenticity in the age of AI and actionable tips to develop your brand even if you are working in an organization.
Episode # 119
What to Expect in Today’s Discussion:
Written books:
In today's rapidly-evolving tech landscape, the right technical decisions can make or break a business. Startups and established enterprises alike face unique challenges in technology, which is where technical advisors come in. These unsung heroes shape the world with every new idea, guiding organizations through the ever-changing tech world.
With so much pressure on CEOs and CTOs to innovate and stay updated, technical advisors equipped with a profound understanding of software engineering, cloud computing, and business acumen are indispensable. From building an MVP to launching a new product, technical advisors offer a unique perspective that can help businesses achieve their goals. They bring real-world experience to the table, having worked closely with startups and established businesses.
Their approach is pragmatic, focused on driving tangible results and actual business performance improvements. If you're looking to navigate technical challenges and stay ahead of the curve, a technical advisor can help.
Today, we'll be speaking with one such advisor, who has helped various startups and organizations achieve their goals
What You'll Gain from This Session
In the ever-evolving world of e-commerce and SaaS, sustainable growth remains the challenge for whoever is starting a new business or already establishing his business. How do we truly define the growth? What is required for the company? Is it just about numbers, or is there a deeper layer where creativity meets strategy, resonating with audiences like never before?
As businesses grapple with these questions, founders are still looking for ways to have a unique brand voice. If you are new to the industry and want to start with unique creative strategies, you must have a profound understanding of audience dynamics.
How to uncover the essence of proven methods and discover what makes businesses thrive in the competitive digital space. How Generative AI is impacting and helping to achieve and give you a head start for establishing a unique brand. Today's podcast session will uncover all these questions and help you have creative ways to use for the business.
What you'll learn from this podcast:
With the dawn of ChatGPT, to be more accurate, the Large Language Models (LLMs) have given a new way to interact with everything, from content to writing code to design/drawing a picture.
These models, sophisticated as they are, rely on one critical component: the prompt.
As AI technology matures, crafting the perfect prompt, termed "prompt engineering," has become a high-demand skill set.
This brings us to the new field of prompt engineering. How best will you pass the instructions to large language models? The best results you will get it.
The Evolution of Interaction:
With the ChatGPT, how we communicate with machines has taken a quantum leap. No longer are we confined to simple commands; now, we can engage in intricate, layered conversations. This transition isn't just about the models themselves but how we "talk" to them. The better the prompt instruction, the more refined and effective the output. Just as the pen is mightier than the sword, the prompt holds the power in the AI domain.
Today's guest speaker will reveal his findings and research how he is writing prompts not for him, but he has started sharing those prompts with the broader world and is stormed with the subscribers who began using his crafted prompts to solve his daily jobs.
Session # 116
What to Expect in Today's Discussion:
In an increasingly competitive and fast-paced world, the traditional trajectory of education followed by a lifetime of work is evolving, and it is getting more common to see many working professionals returning to universities.
Welcome to the era where working professionals are headed back to the classroom, juggling Excel sheets by day and academic journals by night. As the demand for upskilled employees and lifelong learning rises, we're witnessing a notable increase in adults pursuing degree programs while working full-time. So, why are adults flocking to universities and online platforms for higher education?
With advancements in technology and shifts in job requirements, it's no longer a "one-and-done" situation regarding education. Fields like data science, artificial intelligence, and project management are not limited to a few; now, all fields are mandated to update skill sets and in-depth knowledge, making it imperative for working professionals to up their educational game.
For some, it's about career advancement; for others, it's about pivoting to entirely new fields, like I am transitioning to the area of artificial intelligence. Yet, it's a mutual understanding that a higher degree could be the ticket to professional and personal growth.
I have recently completed my MSc in A.I. In session 106, 'The Journey of a Working Professional Pursuing a Degree in A.I., ' I shared my take on this subject.
Whether you're contemplating going back to school, already enrolled, or simply interested in personal development and technology's role, this episode has something for everyone. Guest speaker helps us explore these complex questions and offers concrete steps you can take right now to elevate your educational and professional journey.
In the evolving financial sector landscape, harnessing First-Party Data and leveraging AI for a competitive edge has become more than just a trend; it's a necessity, without any doubt. Every successful institution today stands on a bedrock of data-driven decisions and how quickly they are getting these decisions done is vital, how they are enabling the executives to make informed decisions.
All lies with how organizations can truly unlock the potential of their data that is their in different silos. How do first-party data, artificial intelligence, and personalized banking experiences tie into the bigger picture?
I recently got to speak with Rich Edwards, CEO of Mindspan Systems, to demystify these concepts. His insights, shaped by early experiences with platforms like IBM Watson and rooted in a deep understanding of data strategy, shine a spotlight on the path forward for financial institutions.
What You'll Learn in This Podcast:
In today's fast-paced digital age, bonding moments come in various forms - playing a new video game or watching the latest viral video. Yet, Sam Keller and his 12-year-old son, Kaz Keller, have taken this bonding to an entirely new level. They're navigating the rough waters of artificial intelligence, particularly with OpenAI's ChatGPT. But what's more fascinating is how this tech journey reshapes Kaz's young world, from bolstering his leadership skills to conquering the age-old fear of public speaking.
Every parent can relate this journey to their kids and how such activities can be treated as extracurricular activities that enable kids to learn in this high-paced world.
When we think of artificial intelligence or ChatGPT, we often picture seasoned tech enthusiasts or professionals behind keyboards. Rarely do we envision a vibrant 12-year-old eager to absorb and share this knowledge.
This Story, however, is that rare gem. A seasoned tech enthusiast has turned their shared interest into an enriching experience beyond the screen. It's about preparing for a tech-forward future while mastering life skills that stand the test of time. Their journey is a testament that technology, blended with passion and mentorship, can become a powerful tool for holistic growth.
Joseph is a CTO helping startups and other organizations design, develop, and launch innovative products and solutions.
The big question is, How do CTOs, CIOs, IT Managers, and IT Directors choose the right technology software, applications, and tools for their organizations?
Navigating the ever-evolving world of technology can be daunting, especially when someone is at the helm of a company's IT decisions. The landscape is riddled with established technology solutions, from packaged applications (ERPs) to SaaS, PaaS & IaaS vendors to Emerging technologies, each promising to be the game-changer and now with the Artificial Intelligence hype at the peak.
Being at the C-level is about more than just knowing tech stuff. It's about making sure that tech helps the business do well, and irrespective of the technology or who the vendor is providing, so many moving pieces need to be put in place.
Today we have a guest who is Chief Technology Officer (CTO), and he will take us on an exciting trip of starting with a simple idea, something you jot down quickly, and then you turn it into something tangible - Smart helmets. It must. be challenging as some people might doubt you, especially when they hear stories of other businesses that tried and didn't succeed.
Joseph is a CTO who is helping startups and other organizations design, develop, and launch innovative products and solutions.
Writing in the Age of AI has become crucial and a skill that requires a mindset to be grasped. Writing a book is a long-standing item on my to-do list, and today, I have got an exceptional expert on the show to learn from him about writing books and how to write books with the support of Artificial Intelligence.
I have been writing blogs for the last 12 years; I wrote my first blog in the year 2011, and interesting to see it was on 16th August 2021.
Without any doubt, writing a book offers a unique platform to share knowledge, experiences, and expertise.
It establishes one as an authority in a particular domain and allows one to reach and impact a larger audience.
For technical experts, writing books becomes even more crucial. It’s an avenue to translate complex technical jargon into consumable content.
In doing so, they bridge the gap between technological advancements and make it understandable for the wider community; it’s become like demystifying and democratizing knowledge.
However, writing a book is no mean feat. It demands time, patience, and a high level of commitment, which I am also struggling to overcome over the years.
Here’s where Artificial Intelligence comes into play.
Today, in our Podcast, we’re privileged to have a guest who embodies the confluence of traditional book-writing and modern AI tools. Having authored over 300 books, he not only understands the nuances of the writing process but has also harnessed the capabilities of AI to amplify his online business. His journey offers invaluable insights for anyone looking to venture into writing, especially in the technical domain.
Jonathan is an expert at using Artificial Intelligence tools to accelerate your online business.
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In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, the term “AI Frontier” is more than just a buzzword; it represents the uncharted territories of innovation and possibilities that AI promises. As organizations worldwide stand on the cusp of integrating AI into their core operations, the quest for knowledge on navigating this frontier becomes paramount not only for the organizations but for an individual how to navigate and start taking action to learn and grow.
Our guest today has ventured into this frontier and laid down markers, guiding others through his profound insights and groundbreaking work. As we dive deeper into today’s discussion, you will be privy to a firsthand account of the challenges and triumphs at the forefront of AI development. From understanding the nuances of AI integration to decoding its vast potential across sectors, our thought leader will shed light on the intricacies that organizations grapple with. How do businesses discern hype from genuine AI opportunities? What does it take to transform an AI concept into a tangible asset? These questions, and many more, will be unraveled as we journey through the AI frontier together, guided by the insights of a true industry pioneer.
A global thought leader who has been in AI for 15 years and has 4 patents in AI, he has served clients like Microsoft, IBM, Pearson Education, and more, producing $500 million in value for them.
Storytelling is crucial for both individuals and businesses worldwide. Regardless of your position, storytelling is fundamental to everything you do. In this session, we have the opportunity to learn from a true master in the field of storytelling. He is currently teaching media and has dedicated his entire career to producing media for television.
Storytelling has become an essential skill for professionals in the technology industry, whatever role you are playing, from CIOs, CTOs, Product managers, and Solution engineers to DBAs, Developers, and tech consultants. As technology continues to shape our world, the ability to communicate effectively through storytelling is becoming increasingly important and a cornerstone for success.
Few examples:
For CIOs/CTOs/IT Managers, storytelling can help align teams and stakeholders around a shared vision for their organization's future and how technology will support this vision to become a reality. Senior leaders need to create a compelling narrative around technology initiatives, and they can inspire and motivate their teams to achieve goals and drive innovation.
Product managers can use storytelling to build empathy with their users and create products that truly resonate with their needs. By understanding the user's journey and crafting a narrative around their pain points and aspirations, product managers can create products that solve real problems and deliver value to their users.
Tech Consultants can benefit from storytelling by using it to build trust and credibility with their customers. By sharing stories of successful projects and outcomes, consultants can showcase their expertise and build a rapport with their clients, ultimately leading to more successful engagements.
Storytelling has become a vital skill for professionals in the technology industry, enabling them to communicate effectively, build empathy, inspire innovation, and drive success, and today we will learn from the master of storytelling.
Lee Schneider is a novelist, podcaster, and the founder of Red Cup Agency. He teaches media at USC. He has produced podcasts for Nike, Glassdoor, Boston Consulting Group Digital Ventures, and HP. He also had different roles in production for DatelineNBC, CourtTV, History Channel, and TLC.
Understanding AI for business and how to develop AI strategy for your organization is vital for everyone. Navigating the complex world of AI for business can be a daunting task, and with so much hype, it is now a daunting task for everyone.
However, understanding the Artificial Intelligence potential and integrating it into your organization's strategy can unlock new opportunities for growth and efficiency. In this podcast, you will get some of the very simplified areas for you to help you how to develop an AI strategy for your business.
Before anything else, it's crucial to have a solid understanding of what AI is, its capabilities, and how it can be utilized in various industry contexts. AI isn't just a buzzword—it's a tool that can automate tasks, provide insights, and even help you make more informed business decisions. Then you need to focus on what you aim to achieve with AI. Whether it's improving customer service, increasing efficiency, or gaining a competitive edge, having clear objectives will guide your AI strategy rather than just going to adopt AI for the sake of AI.
Kavita has a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, with a specialization in NLP, Search Technologies, and Machine Learning, and she also wrote a book 'The business case for AI'.
Wondering if your business is ready for the AI revolution and if you are already aligned with AI strategy? You are not going to join the race of AI/ML just for the sake of AI/ML. These are the common questions that come to nowadays in everyone's mind that I need to get on the bus of AI/ML and my organization or the business should not be left behind. Whereas some fundamentals need to be looked into before embarking on this journey, and in this open talk with the guest, we tried to find out some of the questions and answers which can help you.
We need to start with the basics. First, ask yourself if your business goals are driven by data. Do you have a robust data infrastructure? Can you readily access and analyze relevant and high-quality data? Are you able to act on the insights this data provides? If you nodded along, you're already on the path to becoming AI-ready!
Now, let's talk about aligning AI and data analytics with your business goals. Maybe you want to drive up sales, streamline operations, or deliver a better customer experience. Your roadmap is data analytics - it will guide you on the best route to reach your destination. Always remember, AI isn't a magic wand but a handy tool in your toolbox. Used wisely, it can power up your business journey.
Frank will share his journey of moving from working full-time at Dell to starting his consulting firm, focusing on helping customers get results from the data. He addresses the most common misconceptions about AI and data analytics and how you handle them.
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In today's rapidly evolving corporate landscape, continual learning and upskilling have become crucial for career advancement. Various educational options are available to professionals, each offering unique benefits, from corporate organizations to opting for MOOCs or having formal degree programs. The debate between colleagues and friends often refers to two main paths: a formal degree versus hands-on experience. In this Podcast, I will cover higher degrees during a professional career and how I decided to go for it.
Finally, after a break of six months due to my university dissertation, I am back to writing blogs and podcasts.
Choosing Your Path:
The decision to pursue higher education can be complex, with common considerations such as MBA programs versus technical degrees. This dilemma often feels like a roller coaster ride, requiring much thought and time, and the same thing I was going through while contemplating this.
My journey toward earning an MSc in AI started in late 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. While working on several emerging technologies initiatives with many customers, I explored online courses on platforms like edx.org, coursera.org, and LinkedIn learning.
While these courses provided valuable information, I wanted to get deeper into the basics and build upon them. It depends on your personality and, historically, how you take up any new topic or subject to develop your knowledge of it.
After numerous discussions with friends, colleagues, and former managers, it became clear that my aspirations needed to align with what I was targeting or aiming for. I had to spend considerable time deciding whether to pursue an MBA or a tech-focused degree. I concluded that I envisioned a two-step progression: first, to follow the latest technical degree, which equips me with the latest tech, and then to supplement it with management courses.
The Decision to Pursue AI:
Given my involvement in numerous emerging tech projects, my interest naturally gravitated toward data science and AI degree programs. The question then became, where to enroll? Back in 2020, there were fewer options than there are today.
After extensive research, I decided not to go to US universities due to time zone differences and targeted UK universities. While the selection of universities was essential, and the considerations included the fee structure, overall university ranking, job placement record, course structure, and location.
The Online Learning Experience:
The pandemic has exponentially increased the demand for online courses and degrees. As an online student of an AI MSc program, I've been introduced to a new learning methodology that differs from traditional face-to-face instruction.
The primary challenge of online learning is maintaining self-discipline. With it, staying on track with the courses and completing them is challenging. Furthermore, studying in-depth and grasping the material beyond just checking off completion boxes is essential and needs to be paramount in the study approach.
Balancing Professional and Personal Life:
It's complicated, and the journey of juggling a professional career, pursuing a higher degree, and maintaining a personal life was no less than walking a tightrope. The constant switch between work, studies, and family responsibilities was often overwhelming, and there were countless moments when I felt like dropping out of the university program.
Despite the challenges, what kept me going was the unwavering support of my wife. Despite the up and downs, She often reminded me of why I started this journey in the first place and now need to keep an eye on it rather than focusing on something else.
In this ride, I've learned that pursuing a higher degree while working full-time and managing family responsibilities is incredibly challenging. However, with the right support system and a clear vision of the end goal, it is indeed possible.
And learning, growth, and career advancement reward the trip worthwhile.
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