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Smart Tech Spending

Smart Tech Spending

Jersey IT Group

Smart Tech Spending is a podcast designed to help growth-driven businesses and mission-driven nonprofits gauge the success of their technology investments and overcome the challenge of measuring their tech ROI. Hosted by managed IT services consultant, Nicole Lefsky of Jersey IT Group, each episode features an interview with an executive or thought leader discussing topics like: Are you spending too much or not enough when it comes to technology services? How to avoid unplanned tech expenses? What technology drives profitability? This show is ideal for business owners, managing partners, CFO's and office managers who oversee technology spending for their companies.

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Top 10 Smart Tech Spending Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Smart Tech Spending episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Smart Tech Spending for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Smart Tech Spending episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Smart Tech Spending - Technology Savings Most Businesses Overlook
play

08/13/24 • 5 min

In this episode of Smart Tech Spending, Nicole discusses how businesses can save money on hosted subscriptions and licenses. She explains that companies are paying for subscriptions they may no longer need, and highlights the cost-saving importance of regularly reviewing and auditing hosted subscription accounts and licenses.
Key Takeaways:
- How to save money on hosted subscriptions and software licenses to reduce technology costs
- Recommendations for maintaining and reviewing subscription accounts to in your company to prevent wasted resources
As always - no tech talk!
Contact Nicole: [email protected]
Connect with Nicole Lefsky: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolelefsky
Jersey IT Group’s Website: https://www.jerseyitgroup.com
Thanks so much for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate and review it on your favorite podcast player.
Don’t forget to subscribe to be updated when new episodes are available!

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Smart Tech Spending - Protecting Profits from Cyber Scams with Michelle Schaap
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03/12/24 • 34 min

In this episode of Smart Tech Spending, I’m joined by attorney Michelle Schaap of CSG Law who shares examples of how businesses can ward off financial and reputational damage resulting from popular email scams and discusses the legal obligations businesses and contractors have regarding the protection of information and breach notification.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- The real-life financial impact on two businesses after an employee fell for a common email scam
- How company policies and staff training can help prevent miswiring of funds and financial loss for small and medium businesses
- The importance of a Funds Transfer Policy
- Who is responsible if a contractor or vendor in a supply chain is part of a breach
- Breach notification requirements for businesses in New Jersey
Michelle Schaap’s Bio
Michelle Schaap is the founder of Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC's Privacy & Data Security Group. She regularly advises on cybersecurity preparedness, counsels when data security incidents arise and trains companies on best practices for security procedures addressing both their business operations and their customers’ concerns. Michelle is a subject matter resource on cybersecurity and privacy for the New Jersey Small Business Development Corporation. She is a sought-after speaker and has authored numerous articles to educate business owners on privacy and cybersecurity risks and obligations.
Resources
Connect with Nicole Lefsky: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolelefsky
Jersey IT Group's Website: http://www.jerseyitgroup.com
Connect with Michelle Schaap: [email protected]
Michelle Schaap’s Phone: 973-530-2026
Michelle Schaap’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleschaap
CSG Law’s Website: https://www.csglaw.com/
Mentioned in the Episode
NJCCIC (New Jersey Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Cell https://www.cyber.nj.gov/
NIST (National Institute for Standards and Technology) Small Business Cybersecurity Corner https://www.nist.gov/itl/smallbusinesscyber
SANS https://www.sans.org/
CIS (Center for Internet Security) Controls https://www.cisecurity.org/controls

Thanks so much for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate and review it on your favorite podcast player.
Don’t forget to subscribe to be updated when new episodes are available!

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In this episode of Smart Tech Spending, I’m joined by Adam Lefsky of Jersey IT Group to discuss the importance of having a failover Internet connection for businesses that rely on the Internet for business operations. Adam explains what failover Internet is and why it’s important to budget for it, especially for companies that have moved to the cloud or are using hosted applications.
Key Takeaways
-The financial impact of Internet downtime on productivity and revenue
-Budgeting for a failover Internet connection to ensure uninterrupted access to key applications and keeps business running smoothly
-The pros and cons of the limited options for high-speed Internet in New Jersey
Adam’s Bio
Adam Lefsky is the founder of Jersey IT Group, which provides outsourced IT services to small and mid-size businesses throughout New Jersey. With security top of mind, he oversees all aspects of technology management for Jersey IT Group’s clients from strategic planning and budgeting to implementation and ongoing support. With over 25 years of experience, he advises companies about their risk and how their technology decisions will impact their business’ bottom line.
Connect with Adam Lefsky: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlefsky
Connect with Nicole Lefsky: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolelefsky
Contact Adam: [email protected]
Contact Nicole: [email protected]
Jersey IT Group’s Website: https://www.jerseyitgroup.com
Thanks so much for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate and review it on your favorite podcast player.
Don’t forget to subscribe to be updated when new episodes are available!

Send us a text

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In this episode of Smart Tech Spending, I share 3 mistakes that businesses make when pricing out IT Services. I point out where companies can go wrong in their evaluation process which can cost them time and money.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- Why bigger isn't better when it comes to the number of IT service proposals obtained
- The best type of IT service agreement for small and mid-size businesses
- What type of IT services deliver the best ROI
Contact Nicole: [email protected]
Connect with Nicole Lefsky: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolelefsky
Jersey IT Group’s Website: https://www.jerseyitgroup.com
Thanks so much for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate and review it on your favorite podcast player.
Don’t forget to subscribe to be updated when new episodes are available!

Send us a text

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In this episode of Smart Tech Spending, I’m joined by fraud prevention and investigation expert Kellie Spawton who explains the bank's role when scammers steal from businesses and how companies can work to prevent it.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- Why an “It Won’t Happen to Me” mindset can lead to financial loss for a company
- How simply validating account change requests can stop businesses from losing money to hackers
- A real email scam that led to a $750,000 loss
- How quick reporting is essential when trying to recover money after a scam
- The importance of educating teams and ongoing security awareness training
About Kellie Spawton
Kellie has nearly 25 years of experience in banking operations and security. She holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational psychology and business administration and is a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Business and Wharton Leadership Program.
Resources
Connect with Kellie Spawton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellie-spawton-47563610/
FBI – Cyber Crime - https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/cyber
Connect with Nicole: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolelefsky
Contact Nicole: [email protected]
About Smart Tech Spending: https://www.jerseyitgroup.com/podcast
About Jersey IT Group : https://www.jerseyitgroup.com
Thanks so much for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate and review it on your favorite podcast player.
Don’t forget to subscribe to be updated when new episodes are available!

Send us a text

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In this episode of Smart Tech Spending, I address the common question, “How can we lower our company's tech costs?” I uncover expenses that are often overlooked when budgeting for technology projects and provide my recommendations for developing a plan that will help you gain better control of your company’s TRUE technology costs.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- The financial benefits of a technology plan and budget
- The importance of October 14, 2025 and planning ahead
- How to avoid workflow interruptions with computer upgrades
- 7 Cost-saving steps when planning and budgeting for a major computer upgrade
Resources
Contact Nicole: [email protected]
Connect with Nicole: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolelefsky
Jersey IT Group’s Website: https://www.jerseyitgroup.com
Thanks so much for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate and review it on your favorite podcast player.
Don’t forget to subscribe to be updated when new episodes are available!

Send us a text

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In this episode of Smart Tech Spending, I am joined by Brett Balsley, president of BCA Insurance Group who sheds light on the differences between a standalone cyber insurance policy and a business owner’s insurance policy with a rider of cyber coverage. He explains the benefits of having the right coverage and where businesses can go wrong.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- What size businesses should have cyber liability and data security insurance?
- Common types of cybercrime affecting businesses
- The impact of ransomware on cyber insurance claims
- A “real-life” example of a claim that was excluded from coverage
- The financial impact of a breach on a small or medium size business
- When should updates to a cyber liability insurance policy be made?
Brett Balsley’s Bio
Brett started his insurance career in 1991 in Atlantic County, NJ, providing homeowners and automobile insurance coverage, then quickly transitioned into providing commercial lines of insurance for clients. Within 10 years, he was providing commercial and personal lines of insurance for clients in the Tri-State Area, nationally and to international clients as well. BCA Insurance works with both national and regional insurance carriers.
Resources
Connect with Nicole Lefsky: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolelefsky
Jersey IT Group’s Website: https://www.jerseyitgroup.com
Connect with Brett Balsley: [email protected]
Brett Balsley’s Phone: 609-645-1700
Brett Balsley’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-balsley-91ba741
BCA Insurance Group’s Website: https://bca-insurance.com/
Thanks so much for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate and review it on your favorite podcast player.
Don’t forget to subscribe to be updated when new episodes are available!

Send us a text

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In this episode of Smart Tech Spending, we invited Adam Binder of Creative Click Media to discuss how companies should evaluate their existing websites and when it’s time to invest in a website revamp that will drive sales and improve customer experience.
What you’ll learn in this episode:

- Is social media a good alternative to having a website?
- Results to expect from investing in SEO and website content v. social media
- How to leverage a website to drive new business
- Examples of must-have website content
- Common website design mistakes that professional service companies make and how to avoid them
- How to repurpose website content for social media
Adam Binder’s Bio
Adam Binder started Creative Click Media, a full-service Internet marketing and SEO company in 2011 as a one-man operation and built it up to a double-digit, award-winning digital marketing firm. He’s a member of the Forbes Agency Council. Adam’s digital marketing recommendations and advice can be found on Forbes.com.
Resources:
Connect with Nicole Lefsky : https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolelefsky
Jersey IT Group's Website: https://www.jerseyitgroup.com
Connect with Adam Binder : [email protected]
Adam’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamnbinder
Creative Click Media’s Website: www.creativeclickmedia.com
Thanks so much for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate and review it on your favorite podcast player.
Don't forget to subscribe to be updated when new episodes are available!

Send us a text

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Smart Tech Spending - Smart Tech Spending with Nicole Lefsky
play

02/15/24 • 8 min

Welcome to the trailer episode of Smart Tech Spending!
This introductory episode features an interview with host, and managed IT services consultant, Nicole Lefsky of Jersey IT Group on the focus of the show.
Highlights of upcoming Smart Tech Spending episodes include:

  • How to measure the ROI of technology tools and services
  • How to avoid the all too common unplanned expenses
  • How to uncover hidden technology costs that are often overlooked

Thanks so much for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate and review it on your favorite podcast player.
Don't forget to subscribe to be updated when new episodes are available!
Connect with Nicole
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolelefsky

Send us a text

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Smart Tech Spending - How to Maintain Margins During a Software Outage
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08/06/24 • 9 min

In this episode of Smart Tech Spending, I discuss the financial impact of losing access to essential software programs, following the global IT outage brought on by CrowdStrike. By answering a few key questions I share, businesses will be in a better position to maintain margins if they lose access.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- How to measure the true cost of losing access to critical software programs for your company
- How long your organization can be "down" and its true impact on the bottom line
- Steps to minimize business interruption during an outage
As always - no tech talk!
Contact Nicole: [email protected]
Connect with Nicole Lefsky: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolelefsky
Jersey IT Group’s Website: https://www.jerseyitgroup.com
Thanks so much for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate and review it on your favorite podcast player.
Don’t forget to subscribe to be updated when new episodes are available!

Send us a text

bookmark
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share episode

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FAQ

How many episodes does Smart Tech Spending have?

Smart Tech Spending currently has 11 episodes available.

What topics does Smart Tech Spending cover?

The podcast is about Podcasts, Technology, Business and Cfo.

What is the most popular episode on Smart Tech Spending?

The episode title 'How to Keep Business Up When the Internet’s Down with Adam Lefsky' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Smart Tech Spending?

The average episode length on Smart Tech Spending is 18 minutes.

How often are episodes of Smart Tech Spending released?

Episodes of Smart Tech Spending are typically released every 7 days, 16 hours.

When was the first episode of Smart Tech Spending?

The first episode of Smart Tech Spending was released on Feb 15, 2024.

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