Tech Talks Daily

The travel industry is at a turning point. While demand for seamless, personalized experiences has never been higher, many airlines, hotels, and travel businesses are still operating on decades-old technology that hinders innovation. In this episode, I sit down with Somit Goyal, CEO of IBS Software, to explore how the industry can break free from legacy systems and embrace a digital-first future.

With a background that includes over a decade at Microsoft and now leading one of the biggest travel tech firms, Somit shares his perspective on why true transformation requires more than just new software—it demands a shift in mindset. Too often, businesses treat modernization as an IT project rather than a full-scale business transformation. He explains why travel companies need strategic partners, not just vendors, to guide them through complex transitions, help them make tough choices, and build future-ready technology solutions.

We discuss how airlines and hospitality brands can rethink their operations, from passenger experiences to loyalty programs, and how AI and data-driven personalization are shaping the future of travel. Somit also highlights why listening—rather than talking—is one of the most powerful tools leaders can use when engaging with customers and making key business decisions.

With IBS Software at the forefront of digital transformation in travel, this conversation sheds light on what’s next for the industry and how companies can stay competitive in an era of rapid technological change. How can travel brands overcome legacy tech obstacles? What role will AI play in the evolution of airline retailing and hotel management? And why is a strategic, long-term approach essential for success? Tune in to find out.

In today's episode of Tech Talks Daily, I enjoy a conversation with Lloyed Lobo, the visionary author behind "From Grassroots to Greatness." Lobo brings to the table a riveting narrative that challenges conventional wisdom on brand success in the digital age. He posits that in a marketplace saturated with fleeting innovations, the true differentiator for enduring brands lies not in their products but in their ability to foster genuine human connections through community.

Lobo's insights are not just theoretical musings but are deeply rooted in his extraordinary life journey. From spending his childhood in the slums of Mumbai to navigating the challenges of being a Gulf War refugee, Lloyed's experiences are a testament to the resilience and transformative power of community support. His unconventional path, from entering engineering without a high school diploma to cold calling as his first job, and eventually bootstrapping a tech company to significant revenue without any marketing spend, underscores the pivotal role that community engagement and support have played in his success.

Through a candid recount of his personal adversities, including a near-fatal bout with COVID and a struggle with depression and addiction, Lobo highlights how communities have been his lifeline, providing not just a safety net but a launching pad for rebirth and success. This episode delves into Lloyed's philosophy that every innovation, no matter how groundbreaking, is destined to become a commodity. The only sustainable competitive advantage, he argues, is the community—a sentiment echoed through his analysis of over a hundred brands and discussions with more than a thousand leaders.

Listeners are invited to explore the essence of Community-Led Growth, a concept that Lloyed champions as the cornerstone for creating brands that not only survive but thrive by turning customers into passionate evangelists. He shares how brands like Harley Davidson, Nike, Peloton, and CrossFit have cultivated fierce loyalty and a cult-like following, not through marketing budgets but through the power of community.

As we traverse Lloyed's four-step path to greatness, the conversation illuminates how the future of branding is shifting from what companies tell the world about themselves to what their communities say about them. It's a future where authentic human connections are the ultimate currency, and building a community ensures your brand never becomes a commodity.

Today, I am joined by Rob Hays, the CEO of Atom Computing, a company specializing in the creation of scalable, gate-based quantum computers. In an era where quantum computing is quickly evolving from theoretical research to practical application, Rob Hays comes forward with an impassioned perspective on why the United States needs to lead the global race in this pivotal technology.

As we unpack his views, you will discover a detailed roadmap that includes increased public funding, diversified investment strategies, and the essential role of government partnerships. Rob and I also tackle the increasingly important topic of talent acquisition and retention in the burgeoning field of quantum technologies. The conversation illuminates the U.S.'s struggles and opportunities as it attempts to maintain a competitive edge, particularly when pitted against international rivals in the technology sector.

However, this isn't merely about a race but the consequences of who crosses the finish line first. We will explore the monumental economic value and the array of industries that stand to benefit from large-scale quantum computing. Moreover, we will touch upon the implications of new rules under consideration by U.S. Treasury officials that could restrict the flow of investments and knowledge to foreign companies, particularly in China, which is making strides in semiconductors, AI, and quantum computing.

Join us as we engage in an incisive discussion that goes beyond the headlines to provide a nuanced understanding of the complexities, challenges, and vast opportunities in the world of quantum computing.

Is a combination of technology, data analytics, and the digital transformation responsible for changing the political landscape?

The United States has a new president in the form of Donald Trump. Over the years I have learned to avoid talking about either religion or politics in a large forum as it always ends badly.

But while many are still dealing with this turning point in American politics and his unorthodox run to office, what captured my attention from the outside looking in was how he leveraged technology along with political campaign software to fundraise efficiently, recruit volunteers, and inspire his userbase.

While Hillary Clinton’s lead in the August polls, Trump chose to start spending serious money on data analytics and a bigger digital campaign. His campaign also utilized tools not usually thought of to be software used by campaigns, from creating and hosting their website, to marketing to the right personas, and managing online content.

I don’t want to talk about state sponsored cyber attacks, stories around vote rigging, fake news or political opinions on either side of the fence. But I wanted to understand how both technology and software impacted the US election recently and how this will also affect the electoral process all over the world in this digital age.

I invited Michael Fauscette onto the show who is the chief research officer at peer-to-peer business review platform G2 Crowd. We discuss how a combination of technology, software and data analytics played a big role in Donald Trumps election success.

Nangians is a young Boston company that’s redefining how businesses measure online success. They help retail brands improve retargeting strategies on social media and other digital channels to track the impact advertising has on revenue. Right now, 90% of marketers are doing retargeting wrong, and it’s costing them billions. Led by serial Entrepreneur, Rick Calvillo, Nanigans is an advertising automation leader specializing in improving retargeting and ad spend allocation, regardless of the channel. After starting with as simply a Facebook Marketing Partner, Nanigans now works with major brands like Rue La La to help optimize their ad spend and bridge the gap between paid and unpaid social. While retargeting is nothing new, Nangians differentiates itself on how it measures success. Most marketers look at stats like CPC and last-touch clickthroughs and claim success for driving new customers. But, what about those users who would have bought anyway, even if they weren’t shown an ad? It doesn’t tell the full story. Instead, Nanigans’ platform is based on incremental revenue - the additional lift generated by advertising that would otherwise not have been captured without ad spend. This approach directly ties ad spend to revenue and has helped Rue La La see 6.5x higher return.

I invited Rick Calvillo Nanigans to learn more about the company’s journey, how its approach helps solve for many of the headaches marketers face, and how incrementality can help marketers take back control of their ad spend.