Finding Value in Technology Advisors, with Becca Black
12/19/23 • 30 min
On this episode of the IT Matters Podcast, Keith Hawkey and Becca Black discuss the nuances of Technology Advisory. Becca reflects on her journey into the IT world, the significance of authentic relationships, and the importance of effective communication. Tune in for a candid discussion on building connections and achieving success in the IT realm.
Conversation Highlights:
[00:35] Introducing our guest, Becca Black
[02:07] Becca's path to the tech world
[05:55] Transitioning to Opkalla
[08:54] Differences between Technology Advisors and Sales Reps
[12:27] A Day-in-the-Life of a TA
[14:08] Solving problems with our customers
[17:48] Building positive relationships
[21:50] Understanding buying timelines
[25:45] Implementation of solutions
[27:44] Becca's message to IT leaders
Notable Quotes:
"As technology advisors, we try to focus on seeing the world through the end users eyes and understanding the problem from their scope because we are not focused on a particular technology necessarily." Keith Hawkey [11:34]
"It's just incredible how an organization has a heartbeat in the way it operates." Becca Black [27:11]
Connect With Becca Black
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beccaarobertson/
The IT Matters Podcast is about IT matters and matters pertaining to IT.
On this episode of the IT Matters Podcast, Keith Hawkey and Becca Black discuss the nuances of Technology Advisory. Becca reflects on her journey into the IT world, the significance of authentic relationships, and the importance of effective communication. Tune in for a candid discussion on building connections and achieving success in the IT realm.
Conversation Highlights:
[00:35] Introducing our guest, Becca Black
[02:07] Becca's path to the tech world
[05:55] Transitioning to Opkalla
[08:54] Differences between Technology Advisors and Sales Reps
[12:27] A Day-in-the-Life of a TA
[14:08] Solving problems with our customers
[17:48] Building positive relationships
[21:50] Understanding buying timelines
[25:45] Implementation of solutions
[27:44] Becca's message to IT leaders
Notable Quotes:
"As technology advisors, we try to focus on seeing the world through the end users eyes and understanding the problem from their scope because we are not focused on a particular technology necessarily." Keith Hawkey [11:34]
"It's just incredible how an organization has a heartbeat in the way it operates." Becca Black [27:11]
Connect With Becca Black
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beccaarobertson/
The IT Matters Podcast is about IT matters and matters pertaining to IT.
Previous Episode
Practical AI Application, with Denver Hunter
Denver Hunter serves as the Director of Information Technology at PenServ Plan Services, a full-service, third-party administrator offering retirement plan recordkeeping and administration services. In addition to his role leading their IT team, he shares perspectives on technology trends, writing for the Forbes Technology Council. Today we discuss practical applications of AI to automate tasks for the technology leader and the possibilities for help desks. We also dive into why hyperconverged technology makes sense in a cloud-centric world.
Conversation Highlights:
[02:14] Introducing our guest, Denver Hunter
[04:45] AI and banking
[09:32] Safe AI usage
[12:04] Introducing Microsoft Copilot
[15:36] Leveraging AI features
[21:49] Hunter's Forbes article
[22:55] Wins with hyperconverged technology
[29:49] Measuring project ROI
[32:10] Hunter's message to the world
Notable Quotes:
"My mindset with AI is that this hype is gonna cool a little bit and there's still going to be some amazing things to come out of it." Denver Hunter [8:14]
"The grass is greener on the other side, but the water bill is higher." Denver Hunter [33:33]
Connect With Denver Hunter
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-anderson-74894a5a/
Hunter's Small Town Blog: https://smalltownco.com/
The IT Matters Podcast is about IT matters and matters pertaining to IT.
Next Episode
How To Not Make IT Audits a Nightmare, with Matt Huffman
Matt Huffman serves as the Information Technology Manager for Reinders, Inc, one of the Midwest’s largest full-service distributors of products to the commercial green industry. Matt has both administrated cybersecurity audits during his tenure at Wipfli and navigated them on the customer side. Through the years of seeing both ends, he developed a simple methodology to successfully save time and pass audits when they come around. Today we discuss those tips and tricks to help the IT leader manage what is traditionally a painful process.
Conversation Highlights:
[01:47] Introducing our guest, Matt Huffman
[04:11] How Matt came about his role
[08:38] What makes a good auditor
[11:28] Audit organization strategy
[13:38] Changes within audit processes across decades
[15:14] Challenges in preparing for audits
[23:49] Writing policies with ChatGPT
[30:39] IT career paths for students
[37:10] Matt's thoughts surrounding future tech
[39:55] Matt's message to IT leaders
Notable Quotes:
"You shouldn't have to prepare if you're organized." Aaron Bock [11:25]
"Know your value. No one's gonna do it for you." Matt Huffman [40:35]
Connect With Matt Huffman
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-huffman-47baba18/
The IT Matters Podcast is about IT matters and matters pertaining to IT. It is produced by Opkalla, a technology advisory firm that helps their clients navigate the confusion in the technology marketplace and choose the solution that is right for their business.
IT Matters | Tech Solutions and Strategies for Every Industry - Finding Value in Technology Advisors, with Becca Black
Transcript
Welcome to the IT Matters Podcast, where we explore why IT matters and matters pertaining to IT.
Keith HawkeyWelcome to the IT Matters Podcast and I'd like to invite you to our first live recording that is in person. It's the first time we've done an in person podcast. So I'm really excited. Again, your host, Keith Hawkey, and I'm here with the astute and fabulous Becca Black.
Becca BlackIf you like this episode you’ll love
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