Aligning IT

Follow Aligning IT
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Technology, and IT, have long been a necessary evil. Over the past five years technology has accelerated to the point where tech is now a driver, and critical to the success of the business. The Aligning IT podcast addresses the alignment of IT to busines

The IT Company


    • Dec 2, 2020 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 21m AVG DURATION
    • 35 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from Aligning IT with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Aligning IT

    Episode 35: Staying Ahead of the Curve- Are You Prepared for Crisis?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2020 9:02


    Rounding out our "Are You Prepared for Crisis?" series, Hank Brown joined Paul Sponcia to share his expertise on preparing for crisis by staying ahead of the curve.

    Episode 34: Normalcy Bias- Are You Prepared for Crisis?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2020 19:44


    In a four part series, Hank Brown joined Paul Sponcia in sharing his expertise in guiding you to ensure your basic needs are met in the midst of a crisis you don't expect. In the third episode he focuses in on normalcy bias.

    Episode 33: Risk Management- Are You Prepared For Crisis?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2020 16:06


    Hank Brown joined Paul Sponcia in sharing his expertise in guiding you to ensure your basic needs are met in the midst of a crisis you don't expect.

    Episode 32: Why Having an IT Provider and a Cyber Insurance Policy Go Hand in Hand

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2020 41:25


    The IT Company's Paul Sponcia joined cyber insurance expert Andy Huddleston for a live webinar to understand the need of both these elements.

    Episode 31: Are You Prepared for Crisis?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2020 23:39


    The IT Company's CEO, Paul Sponcia, joined Hank Brown in discussing ways to ensure you are prepared for crisis. Whether from a business perspective or in your personal life, understanding crisis and being prepared for how to handle it when it arises, is crucial.

    Episode 30: 3 Ways You Know It's Time to Outsource Your I.T.

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2020 10:01


    The IT Company's CEO, Paul Sponcia, shared the top 3 indicators that it is time to start outsourcing your business's I.T.

    Episode 29: Microsoft Teams- Using Group Chats

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2020 4:11


    The IT Company's Paul Sponcia and Cody Crowell are bringing you tips and insight on how to maximize the tools within Teams. Get the most out of the platform you are paying for by effectively using group chats.

    Episode 28: Microsoft Teams- Integrating Apps and Creating Tabs

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2020 5:05


    For those of you using Microsoft Teams, check out this short video as The IT Company's Paul Sponcia and Cody Crowell walk you through integrating applications and creating tabs within Microsoft Teams to maximize the platform's capabilities.

    Episode 27: Microsoft Teams- File Sharing

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2020 8:21


    Maximize using Microsoft Teams by effectively sharing files. Listen as The IT Company's Paul Sponcia and Cody Crowell share insight and tips on file sharing.

    Episode 26: Welcome to The IT Company, Andrea Pendleton!

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2020 4:19


    We are excited to introduce our Accounting Operations Administrator, Andrea Pendleton!

    Episode 25: Microsoft 365 Part 2: Getting the most out of what you already have and are paying for

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2020 54:16


    M365 (Formerly Office365) is a powerful platform that most businesses are now using for Email, and for enhanced collaboration with Microsoft Teams BUT....there is so much more. This time we will focus in on: - Video collaboration and meeting functionality - Integrating apps with Tabs to create a centralized hub within teams - How to setup, use and the power of External sharing - Some of the other M365 apps such as Planner, Stream, To-Do and others - Video collaboration and meeting functionality - Integrating apps with Tabs to create a centralized hub within teams - How to setup, use and the power of External sharing - Some of the other M365 apps such as Planner, Stream, To-Do and others

    Episode 24: Part 4 of the PPP Loan Webinars, Tracking and Managing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2020 41:50


    We have done 3 webinars already on this topic, so this is part 4 after the SBA has released a new set of PPP rules and new guidance on those rules. Specifically we address: 1. Changes post June 5th related to the maturity timeframe moving from 2 years for payback to 5 years 2. The change from 75% payroll use, to 60% payroll use 3. The extension from 8 weeks to 24 weeks for the payroll period 4. The changes for the timeframe to apply for forgiveness being extended to 12/31 As well as a myriad of other small details.

    Episode 23: Microsoft 365: Getting the most out of what you already have and are paying for

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2020 58:39


    Intro M365 Use, Configuration and SecurityPractical Use, Functionality, Tips and TricksTeams is the hub, so what is it?Functionality, Tips and TricksPinning Apps to the Teams WindowStatus and Status MessageCreating Chat Groups, Using Them, Tips and Pop Out OptionUsing a Team, Creating Channels and Priv Channels, Email Functionality, etcUsing your team to store, edit, share, comment and collaborate on filesSetting folders as "View" onlyFile version history and restore capabilitiesUsing OneDrive's Files to Go Sync Capabilities 

    Episode 22: Building Stronger Connections in the Midst of Social Distancing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2020 32:54


    Episode 21: How a Virtual World is Impacting the Real Estate Industry

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2020 21:18


    Episode 20: How COVID-19 Could Change Innovation, Collaboration and Entrepreneurship

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2020 37:24


    Episode 19: How Startups Can Build a Brand During a Pandemic

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2020 22:46


    Episode 18: How the SBA is Helping Small Businesses in a Time of Need

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2020 37:23


    The IT Company's Kenneth Herring joined Jutta Bangs, Director, Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at Roane State Community College, as she provided advice and tips on how small business owners can successfully reopen. Topics covered include: Continuing customer engagement, Ideas to improve your cash position and profitability, and Controlling your inventory.

    Episode 17: Opportunities & Challenges for Nonprofits Presented by COVID-19

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2020 34:17


    Episode 16: Selling in the Midst of a Social and Economic Crisis

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2020 45:58


    Episode 15: EDP Biotech- The Knoxville Based Company Providing COVID-19 Antibody Testing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2020 20:22


    Episode 14: Why Professional Training is Important in a Virtual Environment

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2020 24:25


    Episode 13: How the Recent Pandemic Could Change Our Home and Office Environments

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2020 38:47


    In this episode, Kenneth Herring hosts Cayce Smith (Cope Architecture), Sara Martin (Open Door Architecture) and Daryl Johnson (Johnson Architecture) discuss potential changes we may see in architecture and design, due to COVID-19. Areas such as office space layout, increases in handwashing and sanatazion stations, and fresh air flow are all covered. We also talk about changes other pandemics have already impacted our homes and offices.

    Episode 12: Part 3 of the PPP Loan Forgiveness Webinars, Tracking and Managing

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2020 56:06


    CEO Paul Sponcia will be hosting this follow-up webinar from last weeks update video with with our two two experts from law and accounting: - Chris Trump, a Shareholder and Attorney with Egerton, McAfee, Armistead and Davis, PC - Adam Slack. Partner and CEO of Two Roads Accounting This time we will cover the most recent guidance AND the recent PPP forgivness application that came out. Our experts will talk some more on how to interpret, track, address, etc.

    Episode 11: How a the sophisticated adversary leverages a crisis

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2020 10:23


    People are trying to take action via cyberspace with malevolent intent. the ones of greatest concern areNation statesHighly organized criminal organizationsThey will apply warfare techniques, such as attacking targets at their weakest points and timed for greatest advantageous to them and least to the target. Any time there is disruption of distraction, then the opportunist will use that to achieve their objectives.  

    Episode 10: Crisis Management and Crisis Planning, Plan Bravo with Hank Brown USMC LtCol (Ret)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2020 10:43


    Understanding the tensions that exist between various systems, such as the cyber security concepts around Confidentiality, Availability and Integrity. Emphasizing any of these requires de-emphasizing of the others. This creates risk, risk which needs to be identified, and then mitigated and bound where and when possible. Most modern things we enjoy are dependent on power, communications and water.These are all very fragile, and we are seeing this more right now during COVID-19We have taken these for granted that water, electricity and communications will just always flow because the more we try to gain efficiency the more fragile they becomeWe cannot do much about the risks, we can't change the risks of a foreign government attacking a utility for instance BUT you can prepare yourself for if that happens Create a buffer for your family, such as pre-purchasing a two week supply of your critical items to buy space and time to adjust to your new conditions and then not be desperateBuying things in advance that you will use, not things you don't needYou can think stay in front of the curve of disruption 

    Episode 9: Setting yourself up for success when working from home, Episode 4 with Kevin Waters

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2020 5:58


    Get the right people in the right seats on the bus (Jim Collins)Steady/Patient people, like it steady and don't move their cheese. When they blow it's epic. Tell them why you are changing their world. This makes work from home more stressful for folks in this category. Their productivity will increase when out of "high traffic" areas to home. Understand when to work from home, and who is best suited to work from homeThere are some people who just cannot do it - it's without structure, the 80% finishers can't do it without the team pressure and specific "wins" they will lose trackRequires understanding structure and expectations, give them good hard deadlines and last minute pressureHire them right, but ensure you are also inspiring them rightThis is a chance to learn from this, discipline your talents, manage yourself well as people are going to be looking at talent in this time. 

    Episode 8: Setting yourself up for success when working from home, Episode 3 with Kevin Waters

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2020 6:01


    Four forces that destroy culture and engagementTheir manager, people quit managers not their jobJob fit, just not the right fitThe team, not on the right team or a bad teamThe culture, a bad cultureRemote makes it even harder. Understanding people is a bigger deal the everExtroverts have to talk it outIntroverts need to think it outWhat does this mean?Send agendas to the introverts first, so they are ready and tell them what you need and want from them.Extroverts won't prepare, they will talk and disrupt. Be ready.

    Episode 7: Setting yourself up for success when working from home, Episode 2 with Kevin Waters

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2020 5:14


    Transitioning people to the "work from home"  requires managing the people, not the environment. You don't treat others the way you want to be treated, you treat people the way THEY want to be treated - the platinum rule. Lead the way they need and want to be ledKnow your people, so you know how to lead them so use tools to understand your peopleThere is value in all psychometrics, PI allows for a 5 minute test to get insights quicklyWithout a tool it's all guessing on the drives unless you are just intuitive by nature, which is rareGood tools have software which allows you to manage and understand your team more, and how to best motivate and interact with them

    Episode 6: Setting yourself up for success when working from home, Episode 1 with Kevin Waters

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2020 5:01


    Demarc a space, where will you work and make it sacred and setup for you to work effectivelyEnsure you have natural lighting, don't be in a caveUse technology to meet regularly with your team AND use videoDress up for work, dress professionally - it will make you more productively mentallyCreate to-do lists and block it on the calendar, start the day like your normally would and start on timeWork in blocks, and take physical AND mental breaksWatch the fridge, stay healthy!

    Episode 5: How work from home has created new security issues, and what to do about it with Karen Clark

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2020 8:09


    Aligning IT means creating greater outcomes for your business. The work from home movement is a threat to outcomes to many ways, but it doesn't have to be. We sat down with Karen Clark to discuss how the work from home movement has expanded the security "attack surface" and what businesses can do to start securing these new environments to ensure disruption doesn't affect alignment and better business outcomes.

    Episode 4: How does Microsoft Leverage M365 itself, with Kent Cunningham Microsoft Civilian Gov CTO

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2020 7:32


    Kent Cunningham, Microsoft Civilian Gov CTO, tell us how Microsoft "Eats its own dog food" and leverages it's own technology in M365 to run its business.

    Episode 2: Tracking and Managing Your PPP Loan, Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2020 18:33


    This is a follow-up web recording from our original webinar where we cover the latest guidance sent out on May 13th regarding the PPP loan forgiveness with Chris Trump

    Episode 3: Lessons from a Virtual Worker with Kent Cunningham, Microsoft Civilian Gov CTO

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2020 7:21


    Kent Cunningham, Microsoft Civilian Gov CTO spent some time with us discussing his experiences, and Microsoft's experiences, as a virtual worker for 15 + years.

    Episode 1: How to manage and track your PPP loan, Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2020 8:17


    Paul Sponcia brought together two experts, Adam Slack from Two Roads Accounting, and Chris Trump, Attorney with Egerton, McAfee, Armistead and Davis, to discuss the COVID-19 PPP loan, and specifically how to track, manage and what guidance exists on pay back.

    Claim Aligning IT

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel