The Smart IT Podcast

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/

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

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

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: 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/

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/

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

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/

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/

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