The best teams don’t chase perfection—they reduce friction.

Ever been told you can’t improve a system because “the documentation isn’t up to date”?

In this episode, Elias Voelker sits down with Connor Clark-Lindh, VP of Consulting and Operations at OrionW, to unpack what really drives operational excellence—and what gets in the way.

Connor shares how over-documentation can become a blocker instead of a support system, especially as teams scale.

He also told me how lately he's seen teams push for new tools or AI solutions before clearly defining the problem—and how he avoids that by going back to basics: talking to people, shadowing their work, and solving real problems from the inside out.


This episode is packed with grounded insights for IT Operations, DevOps, and AI Ops leaders looking to build smarter, more sustainable systems.


You’ll learn:

1. Why documentation is critical for small teams—but can stall large ones
2. How to avoid solving the wrong problem with the right tool
3. Why replicability is more valuable than superstar performance
4. What to keep in mind before using AI to drive efficiency

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Get in touch with Connor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connorclarklindh/

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About the host Elias Voelker: Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.

Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email [email protected].

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Podcast Music:

Music by Ströme, used by permission
‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer
(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KG
https://stroeme.com/
https://compost-rec.com/

Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us!

Jordon Peeple is Head of IT Infrastructure Operations at Acrisure—the fast-growing fintech powerhouse you’ve probably used without even knowing it.

In this episode, Jordon shares how his team turned 5,000 ignored alerts into a focused, AI-ready monitoring system. He explains how they cut through the noise, rebuilt escalation chains, and shifting from reactive ops towards a proactive, business-aligned observability—supported by a complete IT org restructure.


You'll learn:

1. How to reorganize your ops team for scale and collaboration
2. Why reducing alerts boosts reliability and response time
3. What makes or breaks your escalation chain strategy
4. Why involving business owners early pays dividends in monitoring
5. What it takes to future-proof observability for hybrid infrastructure

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Get in touch with Jordon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordonpeeple/

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About the host Elias Voelker: Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.

Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email [email protected].

___________


Podcast Music:

Music by Ströme, used by permission
‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer
(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KG
https://stroeme.com/
https://compost-rec.com/

Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us! 

How do you ensure reliability across hybrid infrastructure when the cloud half isn’t fully in your control?

In this episode, host Elias Voelker talks with Divya Veerapandian, Senior Director for Infrastructure Reliability Engineering and Global Head of Infrastructure Network Services at Visa. From network automation and hybrid observability to AI-driven operations and inclusive engineering teams—Divya shares what it takes to deliver reliable infrastructure in one of the world’s most mission-critical environments.


You’ll learn:

1. The difference between SOPs and MOPs—and why both matter for automation
2. How to tackle observability across hybrid cloud and on-prem environments
3. Where AI fits (and fails) in reliability engineering today
4. Why end-to-end visibility is still an unsolved challenge
5. What it takes to build a more inclusive reliability engineering culture

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Get in touch with Divya on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/divya-veerapandian-89410525/

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About the host Elias Voelker: Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.

Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email [email protected].

___________


Podcast Music:

Music by Ströme, used by permission
‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer
(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KG
https://stroeme.com/
https://compost-rec.com/

Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us! 

For Lydia Nicola’s IT team, a security breach isn’t just a risk—it could mean life or death for the people they protect.

In this episode, Elias Voelker speaks with Lydia Nicola, Head of IT Operations at Amnesty International, about the unique challenges of running IT for a global nonprofit. Lydia shares how her team secures infrastructure in politically volatile regions, optimizes cloud costs, and combats shadow IT—all while defending against cyber threats from nation-states. She also reveals how “Infrastructure Days” drive efficiency, why documentation is a game-changer, and what IT leaders can do to build more diverse, resilient teams.


You'll learn:

1. How Amnesty navigates IT security threats from hostile state actors
2. The strategy behind “Infrastructure Days” and why they work
3. How to rein in shadow IT when vendors offer free software
4. The keys to optimizing cloud costs—without cutting corners
5. What IT leaders can do to attract and retain diverse talent

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Get in touch with Lydia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydiamn/

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About the host Elias Voelker: Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.

Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email [email protected].

___________


Podcast Music:

Music by Ströme, used by permission
‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer
(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KG
https://stroeme.com/
https://compost-rec.com/

Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us! 

How can you drive data center efficiency without compromising performance?

In this episode, host Elias Voelker sits down with Martin Casaulta, Chief Technologist at Hewlett Packard Enterprise Switzerland, and Martin Hirschvogel, Chief Product Officer at Checkmk. They discuss data center efficiency—from traditional metrics like PUE to the impact of AI workloads—and share strategies for optimizing IT operations. Martin Casaulta highlights the Swiss Data Center Efficiency Association’s work on decarbonization, while Martin Hirschvogel explains how IT monitoring helps identify and resolve inefficiencies.


You'll learn:

1. Why IT monitoring is essential for improving data center efficiency
2. The limitations of PUE and how PUE Plus is changing the game
3. How to manage the rising energy demands of AI workloads
4. Practical strategies to optimize underutilized resources
5. Why sustainability initiatives are as rewarding as they are necessary

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Get in touch with Martin Casaulta on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-casaulta-1b9bbb78/

Get in touch with Martin Hirschvogel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-hirschvogel-28034210/

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About the host Elias Voelker: Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.

Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email [email protected].

___________


Podcast Music:

Music by Ströme, used by permission
‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer
(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KG
https://stroeme.com/
https://compost-rec.com/

Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us! 

How do you hit 90% first-contact resolution—and keep it there?

In this episode, Elias speaks with Peg Kearney, Director of IT Operations at the University of Arizona College of Nursing, about how her helpdesk team maintains a 90% first-contact resolution rate by hiring top talent and providing them with the right tools and system access. Peg also highlights the importance of treating endpoints as critical infrastructure, managing IT in a HIPAA-compliant environment, and using VR labs to transform nursing education.


You'll learn:

1. Why endpoints post a major IT risk—and how to protect them
2. How to improve first-contact resolution at the helpdesk
3. The impact of remote tools on operational efficiency
4. Navigating HIPAA compliance during cloud migration
5. How VR labs are revolutionizing nursing education

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Get in touch with Peg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peg-kearney-574b831/

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About the host Elias Voelker: Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.

Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email [email protected].

___________


Podcast Music:

Music by Ströme, used by permission
‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer
(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KG
https://stroeme.com/
https://compost-rec.com/

Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us! 

A major cyberattack led Blue Water Shipping to completely transform its IT infrastructure—and now, they're stronger than ever.

In this episode, host Elias Voelker sits down with Thomas Klithav Hansen, Head of IT Operations at Blue Water Shipping, to discuss how the attack became the catalyst for a transformative IT journey.


You’ll learn:

1. The role of enterprise architecture in driving IT success
2. Why product-based IT organizations foster agility and clarity
3. How cost and value transparency empowers business decisions
4. The importance of aligning user experience with operational metrics

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Get in touch with Thomas Klithav Hansen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomaskh/

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Details about Blue Water Shipping:
Website: https://www.bws.net/
Industry: Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain and Storage
Company size: 1,001-5,000 employees
Founded: 1972

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About the host Elias Voelker: Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.

Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email [email protected].

___________


Podcast Music:

Music by Ströme, used by permission
‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer
(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KG
https://stroeme.com/
https://compost-rec.com/

Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us! 

Since 2019, Thomas Singbartl, Head of Global IT Operations at Internationale Hochschule (IU), has supported the university's astonishing growth journey from 35,000 to 130,000 students.

Join host Elias Voelker in this episode as Thomas shares how IT fueled IU’s exponential growth, why the term “digital transformation” no longer applies, and how Syntea, IU’s AI learning companion, is revolutionizing education. He also outlines his vision for AI in IT operations, from process optimization to empowering help desk teams with more meaningful work.


You'll learn:

1. Similarities and differences between IT in media and education
2. How IT enabled IU’s exponential growth during the COVID years
3. Why “digital transformation” is no longer a relevant term
4. The role of AI in modern education with IU’s Syntea
5. Thomas’ vision for AI’s future in IT operations

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Get in touch with Thomas Singbartl on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomassingbartl/

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Details about Internationale Hochschule:
Website: https://www.iu.de/
Industry: Higher Education
Company size: 1,001-5,000 employees
Headquarters: Erfurt, Thueringen
Founded: 1998

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About the host Elias Voelker: Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.

Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email [email protected].

___________


Podcast Music:

Music by Ströme, used by permission
‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer
(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KG
https://stroeme.com/
https://compost-rec.com/

Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us! 

What can we learn about resilience, scalability, and workforce development from the IT organization of the 6th-largest metro in the US?


In this episode, Tameka Neely-Dudley, Director of IT Infrastructure Operations and Service Delivery for the City of Atlanta, shares insights from her nearly 25-year career, beginning as an intern and growing into a key leader managing Atlanta's complex IT landscape. Tameka reveals how her early experience preparing for Y2K laid the groundwork for building resilient systems, scaling IT services for a booming metro area, and using internships to attract and develop diverse tech talent.


You'll learn:

1. How Y2K lessons shape today’s continuity planning
2. Strategies for scaling IT in a fast-growing metro
3. The power of internships in recruiting IT talent - in the public sector and beyond



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Get in touch with Tameka Neely-Dudley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tameka-neely-dudley-565018177/

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Details about the City of Atlanta:
Website: https://www.atlantaga.gov/
Industry: Government Administration
Company size: 8,000+ employees
Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Founded: 1847

___________


About the host Elias Voelker: Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.

Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email [email protected].

___________


Podcast Music:

Music by Ströme, used by permission
‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer
(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KG
https://stroeme.com/
https://compost-rec.com/

Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us!

Which KPIs really matter in IT Service Management?

In this episode, Elias sits down with Huseyin Uysal, Head of Global Service Desk at ISS, to uncover what separates successful IT service management from the rest.

With a wealth of experience managing global teams and optimizing IT processes, Huseyin reveals the metrics that really matter, how customer effort is often overlooked, and the strategies his team used to slash ticket resolution times in half despite a surge in ticket volumes.


You'll learn:

1. Which KPIs actually drive value in IT service management (and which don’t)
2. Why focusing on "customer effort" is crucial for IT support success
3. How to handle a threefold increase in ticket volume without losing control
4. The key lessons from bringing outsourced tasks back in-house
5. How empowering your team can drastically cut ticket resolution times

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Get in touch with Huseyin Uysal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/huysal89/

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Details about ISS:
Website: https://www.issworld.com/en
Industry: Facilities Services
Company size: 10,001+ employees
Headquarters: Copenhagen, Denmark

___________


About the host Elias Voelker:
Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.

Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email [email protected].

___________


Podcast Music:

Music by Ströme, used by permission
‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer
(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KG
https://stroeme.com/
https://compost-rec.com/

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Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us!