Ten Thousand Feet, the Vervint Podcast

In this episode of With Gratitude, hosts Stephanie Hogen (Chief Consulting Officer, Vervint, part of Koniag Tech) and Allen Debes (CEO, Koniag Capital) are joined by Mark Orttung, CEO of Projectworks, a platform that runs professional services firms from proposals to payments and now serves more than 750 companies. Mark has moved back and forth between building software and running services businesses, and he brings both perspectives to a conversation about what AI should actually change inside a consulting firm.

The discussion centers on three ideas. First, that growth is the hidden solution to problems that don't look like growth problems. Mark walks through the twenty small mechanics that work automatically while a firm is growing and break simultaneously when it flattens, including the annual raise that quietly becomes unaffordable the moment you stop hiring a new college class, plus the counterintuitive decision to hire three expensive senior client partners at the bottom of a decline rather than run layoffs. Second, Stephanie's "inside cats and outside cats" framing, which gives the episode its title. House cats do internal admin, outside cats create client value, and the strategic goal of agents is to shrink the inside work so complexity and expertise move outside the firm's four walls. Third, Mark's answer to an audience question about AI hollowing out junior roles: the "AI reality check" role, where juniors shift from weeks of assembling research to verifying that AI output actually holds up, citations included.

Along the way: why most software in his category solves "the less important half" of the problem by selling efficiency instead of growth; the week-long manual resource-planning exercise that was stale seven days later; Projectworks' aggregate data across 700 plus customers showing that firms planning resourcing two or more months ahead see just under 25% higher year-over-year revenue growth, 9% higher revenue per employee, and about 8% higher utilization; the MCP release that lets Claude, ChatGPT, or Gemini draft a consultant's timesheet from calendars and meeting notes; the systems of record versus systems of action debate and why Mark doesn't believe in the "SaaSpocalypse"; the contract review Claude skill that scores MSA terms red, yellow, or green against a firm's target positions on limitation of liability, indemnification, and termination rights; and the reminder that recovered hours should go toward learning, ideally alongside customers. Mark's closing line: gratitude becomes lasting when people have the freedom to do the work they enjoy most. Everything else is "the laundry of the job."

What happens when technology is designed not to replace human relationships, but to strengthen them?

In this episode of With Gratitude, Stephanie Hogen sits down with Karen Borchert, founder and CEO of Alpaca, to discuss how thoughtful listening can transform workplace culture. Drawing from her experience supporting educators across the country, Karen shares why small moments of recognition create outsized impact, how positivity spreads through teams, and what leaders can learn from the simple act of asking, “How are you doing?”

The conversation also explores the evolving role of AI in human-centered organizations. Rather than replacing relationships, Karen argues that technology is most valuable when it helps people discover opportunities for connection, appreciation, and support that might otherwise go unnoticed. Along the way, she offers practical advice for leaders in any industry on building stronger feedback loops, responding quickly to employee needs, and creating cultures where people feel genuinely seen and heard.

In this first episode of With Gratitude, Stephanie Hogen and Allen Debes explore a surprising shift in how we experience technology, starting with the moment AI becomes something we instinctively thank. From there, the conversation expands into how AI is changing the structure of work, compressing timeframes and reshaping client expectations, while opening the door to more thoughtful, human-centered experiences if used intentionally. They unpack the tension between acceleration and over-reliance, introducing the risk of “cognitive surrender” alongside the opportunity to use AI as a true thinking partner rather than a replacement for judgment.

At its core, the episode introduces a new aim for technology and services: designing for lasting gratitude, not just short-term satisfaction. The discussion highlights the importance of preserving human ownership, emotional intelligence, and accountability in an AI-driven world, arguing that the real value lies in a disciplined human–AI partnership where technology handles the heavy lifting and humans bring meaning, context, and connection.

When RTC Industries decided to finally upgrade their Infor LN ERP system after 17 years on the same version, the stakes were high and the history was complicated. A previous attempt had stalled, leaving the organization with lingering doubts about whether a project like this could actually succeed. In this episode of 10,000 Feet, host Jessica Boucher sits down with Bill Mickow, VP of IT at RTC Industries, and Ben McClure, Project Manager at Vervint, to talk about what it genuinely takes to see a complex, high-stakes implementation through to a successful go-live.

What set this project apart was not the technology itself, but the nature of the partnership between RTC and Vervint. With no one on the business side fully dedicated to the project, Vervint did not simply advise from the sidelines. They embedded alongside the RTC team, bridging the gap between deep system expertise and the operational realities of the business. That meant helping navigate scope decisions, building confidence in new processes, and always presenting a united front to the broader organization, so the business never had to absorb the friction of internal disagreements.

The results spoke for themselves. After multiple full dry-run cycles, disciplined checklist management, and relentless collaboration between both teams, go-live day arrived with a war room that was, by Bill's own account, remarkably quiet. Post-launch, the organization responded not with exhaustion but with energy, a growing backlog of new capabilities they were finally ready to pursue. As both guests reflect on the project, their shared takeaway is clear: ERP upgrades do not have to be painful, but getting them right requires choosing a partner who is as invested in your long-term success as you are.

In this episode of 10,000 Feet, Mollie Hill and Robin Kleinjans‑McKee take listeners inside Vervint’s internship program—an experience designed not just to shape future consultants but to uplift teams, clients, and the wider community. They explore how the program’s combination of real client work, intentional mentorship, hands‑on learning, and community involvement creates impact that echoes far beyond a single summer.

• The Heart Behind the Program
Mollie and Robin break down why intern season is one of Vervint’s favorite times of the year, sharing how the program advances both Vervint’s mission and the growth of young professionals. They discuss the company’s commitment to developing local talent and strengthening community ties.

• Mentorship & Leadership Development
Listeners get an inside look at Vervint’s mentor‑manager model, which provides interns with daily support while also developing leadership skills in current employees. It’s a win‑win: interns build confidence, and mentors grow as leaders.

• Training That Builds Real‑World Skills
From consulting fundamentals and business 101 to agile workflows, human‑centered design, and even AI in business—executives and consultants guide interns through meaningful learning sessions. StrengthsFinder workshops help interns understand how they naturally show up on teams.

• Real Client Work, Real Impact
The interns aren’t getting coffee—they’re contributing to real client projects that make a difference. Mollie and Robin share stories of how interns’ fresh perspectives spark new ideas and innovation within the teams they join.

• Community, Culture & Connection
The program extends beyond project work. Game lunches, group check‑ins, the Hello West Michigan Intern Connect conference, and volunteering days all help interns build meaningful relationships and become part of Vervint’s culture.

• The Final Presentations & What Comes Next
The episode highlights the powerful moment when interns present their summer work to the entire company—and the pride that comes with seeing their growth. Mollie and Robin also touch on the various post‑internship paths, from joining Vervint full time to receiving support as they pursue other opportunities.

• Why It Matters
Across the episode, one theme stands out: investing in people leads to growth for everyone—interns, employees, clients, and the communities Vervint serves. The program doesn't just prepare future consultants; it strengthens Vervint’s culture year after year.

In this episode of 10,000 Feet, Nate Sherman and Matt Glenn dive into the recent wave of major cloud outages impacting AWS, Azure, and Cloudflare, exploring what went wrong and why these failures are so disruptive. They discuss the growing risks of globally applied changes, the importance of error budgets, and strategies for building resilience in modern infrastructure. The conversation also covers best practices in site reliability engineering, monitoring, and alerting, as well as the role of AI and automation in change management. Packed with insights for architects, SREs, and IT leaders, this episode offers practical guidance on balancing speed, reliability, and risk in today’s cloud-driven world.

In this episode of 10,000 Feet, we sit down with Azure experts Dan Haussler and Peter Rhodes to tackle one of the biggest challenges in cloud computing: managing costs. They share practical strategies and insider tips to help businesses avoid overspending, from setting up smart budgets to leveraging Azure’s built-in tools and cost-saving programs. Whether you’re new to Azure or managing a complex environment, this conversation is packed with actionable advice and real-world examples that can save you thousands.

• Why cost optimization matters and how it fits into Microsoft’s Well-Architected Framework.
• Strategic foundations: Writing down a plan, setting cadence, and using tagging for accountability.
• Azure tools you should know: Cost Analysis, Advisor, and Workbooks for quick wins.
• Common pitfalls: Orphaned resources, unmanaged disks, and legacy SKUs.
• Budgeting basics: How to set alerts and guardrails to prevent surprise bills.
• Reserved Instances vs. Savings Plans: Key differences, pros/cons, and flexibility options.
• Right-sizing workloads: Avoiding over-allocation after lift-and-shift migrations.
• Cadence is king: Why regular reviews save money and prevent underutilization.
• CSP advantages: Discounts, advocacy, and faster support for your cloud environment.

Get to know Chuck Tsocanos, President and Chief Consulting Officer at Vervint, as he sits down with Ethan Wyant to discuss his career journey and Vervint’s future. Chuck shares insights on leadership, company transformation, and the impact of AI on the tech industry.

Topics covered in this episode:

• Chuck’s background, career path, and move to Vervint
• Lessons learned from consulting and IBM
• Vervint’s ongoing transformation and company culture
• The role of AI and innovation in shaping business strategy
• Leadership philosophy and building trust within teams
• Recent challenges and how the team overcame them
• Advice for newcomers in consulting and tech
• Reflections on personal values, growth, and work-life balance

Tune in for practical advice, leadership insights, and a look at how Vervint is embracing change and technology!

In this episode of 10,000 Feet, host Richelle Lentz is joined by Rick Krause from Vervint and Daniel Gross from AWS to explore the evolving landscape of connected products and IoT platforms. Together, they unpack the journey from early, DIY-style IoT implementations to today’s scalable, secure, and cloud-native solutions powered by AWS. The conversation dives deep into the triggers that signal it’s time to migrate—like cost inefficiencies, security vulnerabilities, and limited access to data—and outlines practical strategies for replatforming, including phased rollouts, OTA updates, chaos testing, and blue/green deployments.

Listeners will also hear about modernization as a stepping stone for organizations not yet ready for full migration, with tips on optimizing device messaging, leveraging edge processing, and enhancing user experience. Real-world anecdotes, like hacked crosswalks and connected coffee makers, bring the discussion to life while emphasizing the importance of security, interoperability, and customer value. Whether you're managing a growing IoT fleet or just beginning to rethink your platform strategy, this episode offers actionable insights to help future-proof your connected product ecosystem.

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of generative AI, exploring its hype, history, and real-world implications. Guests, Abby Breyer, Director of Experience Delivery, and Brian Partin, Enterprise Director, discuss how AI isn't as new as the recent media frenzy suggests—it’s been evolving for thousands of years. They dissect the excitement surrounding AI, asking the pivotal question: what problem is AI looking to solve? Join us as we examine how AI, when applied thoughtfully, can be a powerful ally in solving complex human challenges when we keep people at the heart of the solution.

Tune in now to hear their insightful and comical conversation.