In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Ben DeBow who is a trailblazer in technology efficiency and sustainability. Ben is at the forefront of helping businesses optimize their tech investments while balancing environmental impacts. His book, End of Abundance in Tech (Forbes Books, 2023), challenges conventional IT practices and advocates for a more sustainable, efficient approach to technology.

Ben is a serial entrepreneur, author, and advocate for leveraging technology efficiently and sustainably. Through his companies, Fortified Data and Fortified, he helps organizations streamline data management and tech investments. Ben also hosts the Tech Evaluation podcast, where he discusses pressing tech challenges with industry leaders. With dual degrees in Information Systems and Accounting from the University of Cincinnati, Ben bridges the gap between finance and technology, offering unique insights into how organizations can thrive in the digital age.

In this episode, you will discover:

• How technology spending has shifted from 2-3% of revenue to a major line item in company budgets.
• The concept of “tech debt” and how it silently eats into company resources.
• Why understanding the true cost of digital services is critical for CFOs.
• The environmental impact of AI and cloud computing, and how efficiency can mitigate it.
• Practical strategies for aligning IT and finance teams for better ROI on tech investments.

Ben’s knowledge highlights the importance of adopting an efficiency mindset, not just to control budgets, but to create sustainable, long-term value. By aligning IT strategies with business goals and fostering better communication between finance and tech teams, organizations can optimize their technology investments without compromising growth or sustainability.

Follow Ben:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bendebow/

Website - https://bendebow.com/

Company - https://fortified.com/

End of Abundance in Tech - https://a.co/d/iu0FqG0

Join hosts Glenn and Paul as they unravel the complexities of AI in finance:

Follow Glenn:

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

Follow Paul:

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

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:

[01:53] Ben DeBow’s background

[04:44] The Rising Cost of Technology

[07:12] Inefficiencies in IT Systems

[11:43] Subscription Creep & SaaS Spending

[14:12] Aligning Tech with Business Value

[19:11] Environmental Impact of Technology

[28:08] Fortified Data & SaaS Solutions

[30:07] Future Trends in Tech Efficiency

[34:51] Fun Questions for Ben

[39:30] Conclusion and Final thoughts