CompTIA Volley

Carolyn and Seth talk about the changes HR teams will need to make as their organizations pursue skills-based career development. Similar to technology investments, skills-based methodology investments have been growing in recent years, and companies will start asking about the returns on these investments. HR teams need to align systems and processes to a skills-based approach, not just for hiring but also for internal development. Some of the key challenges ahead include building out skills taxonomies, ensuring consistency across departments, and providing transparency to employees.

Carolyn and Seth talk about the tech skills landscape as businesses head into another year of digital transformation. Although AI is casting questions around the quantity and quality of skills an organization will need in the future, the current state of skill demand remains very healthy. Hiring was somewhat choppy in 2024, but trend lines for most job roles were net positive. Companies are looking for skills in all areas of technology, and they continue to debate the best approach between finding perfect candidates and building internal talent.

Carolyn and Seth talk through the issues surrounding standardization or regulation of the MSP industry. Unlike many other professional service sector, ranging from electricians to accountants to lawyers, managed services providers have no formal structure in place to validate their ability to manage networks or secure data. There are many complicating factors, including the focus on the individual workers vs. the broader organization and the appropriate body that might oversee such activity. However, cybersecurity is looming as a possible concern that will push this ongoing debate to some type of resolution.

Carolyn and Seth share some news about the new entities of CompTIA Inc. and Global Technology Industry Association, then they dive into the challenges surrounding AI adoption. From CompTIA's IT Industry Outlook, companies are expected to encounter more hurdles in 2025 as they implement AI. These include cybersecurity, finding proper use cases, and the cost of infrastructure, but the most significant challenge will likely be around reimagining workflow with AI capability.

Carolyn and Seth take a look back at 2024's biggest tech stories. From the ongoing hype around AI to the Crowdstrike incident, technology professionals have dealt with growing complexity, which opens more opportunities for strategic work. On the channel side, the regulatory environment following the U.S. elections and the repercussions of M&A activity create new concerns for service providers, especially smaller firms. As we turn the corner into 2025, there will undoubtedly be new issues that drive more opportunity across the tech landscape.

Carolyn and Seth continue their overview of CompTIA's IT Industry Outlook 2025 report by lookin at the big issues facing IT channel firms in the new year. Channel firms feel very positive about their prospects, driven largely by the expectation that they will reach new customer segments. This expansion will require more growth in areas that have been priorities in the past, such as marketing and internal efficiency. While customer relations and business processes will tend to be focal points, channel firms also need to invest in the same technical training as every other industry in order to remain competitive.IT Industry Outlook 2025: https://www.comptia.org/content/research/it-industry-trends-analysis

Carolyn and Seth give a preview of CompTIA's upcoming IT Industry Outlook report, focusing on the prospects for IT pros. Most IT pros are optimistic about the future of their career, driven by a high demand for technical skills, opportunities for flexibility, and the chance to build things that benefit business and society. However, the environment around IT work may be challenging in some ways, as companies adda a degree of caution to their spending plans and look for more justification for technology investment.

Carolyn and Seth welcome Ryan Sutton, Executive Director of Technology for Robert Half, to discuss findings from Robert Half's 2025 Technology Salaries and Hiring Trends guide. The group discusses the importance of teamwork skills alongside technical skills, the variables that influence salary decisions, and the challenges involved with deciding employee location.Robert Half 2025 Technology Salaries and Hiring Trends: https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide/technology

Carolyn and Seth welcome back Randy Gross, CompTIA's Chief Information Security Officer, for their annual holiday episode. The group talks about one thing in tech that is scary (the disruption AI may cause to entry-level jobs and small businesses), one thing they are thankful for (the appetite for technology that constantly drives innovation), and one thing on their wish list (for AI to improve in usability and reliability).

Carolyn and Seth welcome Brad Powell, cofounder of ThreatCaptain, to talk about the cybersecurity skills needed in the market. CompTIA's State of Cybersecurity 2025 report suggested that companies are struggling to fully understand the details of skill gaps, and many cybersecurity professionals need to build a blend of technical and business skills in order to help establish best practices and then help drive ongoing operations.

Carolyn and Seth walk through the highlights of CompTIA's new State of Cybersecurity 2025 report. This annual study explores attitudes, strategies, and tactics around cybersecurity. This year's report uses the enterprise architecture model to lay out an organizational approach, starting with establishing priority at the business level, then moving through workflow considerations that include risk management and AI integration. At a more tactical level, companies then have to work through a process for data management and the details of securing all assets.State of Cybersecurity 2025: https://www.comptia.org/content/research/cybersecurity-trends-research

Carolyn and Seth talk with Suzanne Ricci, Chief Success Officer at Computer Coach, about the value of joining communities for IT professionals. In addition to her role at Computer Coach, Suzanne leads several meetups in the Tampa area as well as the online community Tech Success Network. Suzanne gives some ideas for finding a community for the first time, tips for the best ways to engage with an online community, and the benefits that communities bring IT pros as they start or build their careers.

Carolyn and Seth take a look at the biggest tech issues that will face government officials with the U.S. election coming up in November. Ai has dominated regulation discussion, but business owners should be sure to pay attention to the full range of regulations that require compliance. Antitrust is making more and more headlines, and there are major challenges in determining anti-competitive behavior. Infrastructure bills have begun expanding the country's digital footprint, but overhauling established systems isn't easy and new technology brings new cybersecurity threats. Through all these issues, there are questions of how to operate and cooperate internationally.

Carolyn and Seth take a listen to some audio captured during CompTIA's interview at RSA with Jason Bentley, director of security operations at UST HealthProof. Jason shared his perspective on the value of certifications in building and developing a technical team. Carolyn and Seth share their thoughts around the issues of certifications as one piece of the recruitment puzzle, the use of training/certifications to invest in long-term career growth, and the different formats of training that appeal to either individuals or managers.

Carolyn and Seth talk about CompTIA's recent data looking at technology trends across verticals. While many of the differences between industries are subtle, the motivations behind tech adoption and skill building can drive decisions. Across verticals, some of the common themes are balancing strategy and tactics with technology, a high level of interest in AI/automation, and building broad foundational skills before focusing on advanced specializations.

Carolyn and Seth talk about the latest approaches companies are taking around developing the skills of their workforce. Over 60% of companies claim to be using a well-defined skills framework, but that may be more of an aspirational statement as they also report challenges around defining skills and building a consistent methodology. Adding to the challenge, any skills framework needs to account for technical depth, technical breadth, and durable skills. There is likely quite a bit of work still to do in building an organization-wide process around using skills and work tasks to effectively hire and advance careers.

Carolyn and Seth talk about CompTIA's recent data around pathways for technology professionals. First, they look at the three buckets of skills that are needed--technical knowledge, the ability to apply that knowledge to solve problems, and durable skills like communications and teamwork. As companies drop requirements around college degrees, candidates still need to find a way to build all three skills. Then the two discuss the complexity of technology jobs. This complexity is a driver for high salaries, and it also appears to be the aspect of the job that is the most appealing for people as they pursue career changes.

Carolyn and Seth celebrate eight years of podcasting together by exploring what business leadership might look like eight years into the future. CompTIA President and CEO Todd Thibodeaux joins this episode to discuss the evolving role of technology in business operations, the complexities of employee dynamics, and the impact of social responsibility and philanthropy on modern organizations.

Carolyn and Seth use some recent CompTIA research data to dig into the true meaning of digital transformation. The label doesn't apply very well to individual projects, but the two discuss the importance of having a long-term strategy, the shift from tactical to strategic IT, and the critical skills needed to navigate this complex landscape.

Carolyn and Seth talk about CompTIA's latest Workforce and Learning Trends research report with Hannah Johnson, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Marketing Development at CompTIA. The group talks about the shift towards a skills-based approach in hiring, the importance of digital literacy and fluency, and how the HR tech stack is growing more complex and AI-enabled.Workforce and Learning Trends 2024: https://www.comptia.org/content/research/workforce-and-learning-trends-2024

Carolyn and Seth dive into the contrasting worlds of Enterprise and Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs). They explore the nuances of career paths, training opportunities, and purchasing behaviors across these distinct business environments. The differences between the two types of organizations highlight potential skill needs for both IT professionals, business leaders, and third party firms.

Carolyn and Seth talk with Haley Glover about CompTIA's new research on the State of the Tech Workforce. Haley is the senior director of Upskill America, an initiative of the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program, and she discusses the spread of tech careers far beyond the tech industry, the opportunities and challenges involved with remote work, and the wide array of tech skills that employers are looking for.State of the Tech Workforce 2024: https://www.comptia.org/content/research/state-of-the-tech-workforce

Carolyn and Seth give their impressions on the hottest topic in technology—AI. Using new research on business viewpoints and adoption, the discussion touches on the changing definition of AI and the way that organizations are likely to implement AI as part of broader solutions. Then the two talk about the challenges companies face as they accelerate their adoption and the skill gaps that need to be closed for the workforce of the future.

Carolyn and Seth talk with Bob Coppedge from Simplex IT as they continue the discussion around CompTIA's State of the Channel research study. In this episode, the group talks about the need for channel firms to assess and improve their basic business acumen. While most of the focus in channel business development is placed on vendor/distributor relationships and technology portfolio management, there is a growing demand for improved skills around topics such as finances and HR as the industry matures and grows.

Carolyn and Seth review CompTIA's latest State of the Channel research. This annual study looks at the dynamic ecosystem of the IT channel, where the changes have repercussions for both technology firms and technology professionals. Looking at this year's study, the discussion touches on the way that tech complexity is driving optimism in the tech industry and the downstream effects of building business models around services rather than products.State of the Channel 2024 (requires CompTIA member login): https://connect.comptia.org/content/2024-state-of-the-channel

Carolyn and Seth welcome back Amy Carrado, CompTIA's senior director of workforce and internal research, to talk about the latest trends among job seekers. CompTIA's latest research continues a multi-year study on attitudes and challenges of people looking for a new career. The group talks about changing perceptions of the job market, the different motivations based on industry, and the future of AI in the job hunt.Job Seeker Trends research report: https://www.comptia.org/content/research/job-seeker-trends/

Carolyn and Seth talk about the challenges facing organizations as they deal with changing generational dynamics in the workforce. Most of the attention in recent years has been on the behaviors and preferences of younger workers as they enter the workforce, but there is an equally significant shift taking place with older workers. As people are living longer and changing their expectations around aging, they are also changing their expectations around later stages of a career. Organizations need to consider how to manage and leverage these workers and their experience, and they should also consider how to think about this cohort in their customer base.

Carolyn and Seth welcome Brad Chamberlain, who teaches technology courses at Maricopa High school in Arizona and oversees a student-led business called 24PinTech. Brad discusses the current challenges and opportunities in preparing students for success in technology careers and every other career which requires some tech fluency. Building a foundation of knowledge around technology systems and cybersecurity is critical, and certifications are a must-have for students who want to pursue a career in a technology field.24PinTech website

Carolyn and Seth welcome Joe Dery from Western Governors University to talk about the evolution and importance of data management and analytics. The group talks about the changes that have taken place over the years in how companies handle data, the most important actions to take for a modern data approach, and the need to have foundational data principles before pushing forward with an AI strategy.

Carolyn and Seth talk about the business climate in 2024. Major trends like AI and cybersecurity governance will transform the landscape, but organizations will be operating inside a new environment as they make decisions on these initiatives. The possible soft landing for the economy, the complexity of digital transformation, and the challenge of building digital skills are all factors that will weigh on 2024 strategies.

Carolyn and Seth take a look at the year's biggest technology stories, with many of those being among the biggest overall headlines in 2023. AI dominated technology discussions, but how is it actually changing business? Social media came under the spotlight for many reasons, and the future of the sector may be in question. After the year started with layoffs from large technology firms, technology jobs across the economy continued on a strong growth path. Other topics that get a quick look include the post-pandemic work environment, the constant drumbeat of cybersecurity incidents, and the growing focus on building and distributing technology components.

Carolyn and Seth give a preview of CompTIA's upcoming IT Industry Outlook 2024 research report. After starting with an overview of the positive sentiments shared by IT pros and IT channel firms, the discussion turns to two of the major areas covered by trends in the report. AI continues to be the biggest topic in technology, and while the hype may fade to some degree in 2024, AI will continue to drive changes to workflow. From a cybersecurity perspective, governance will get more attention as operations around cybersecurity and data management require a more rigorous approach, and the need to build skills will become more critical, especially for channel firms who may need to take a more strategic approach with their clients.

Carolyn and Seth talk with James Stanger, CompTIA's Chief Technology Evangelist, about the steps companies are taking to make IT a strategic imperative. The shift from tactical IT to strategic IT has been taking place for some time now, and there are two main issues businesses have been running into. First is Shadow IT, where business units procure their own technology. Second is Cowboy IT, where IT departments have to skip steps and incur technical debt as they scramble to meet objectives. To mitigate these issues, companies should focus on strong two-way communication, skills-based career development, and best practices for governance.

Carolyn and Seth welcome back Randy Gross, CompTIA's CISO, to take a tech-flavored tour of the upcoming holidays. The group chats about the frightening possibilities of cyberattacks on mobile devices, as that platform appears to have reached a tipping point in terms of cybercrime. Then they shift gears, highlighting AI as something to be thankful for. Even with many questions left to answer, AI is poised to be a revolution in work, opening new opportunities for IT pros and IT industry firms. Finally, they cover an item on the wish list: major progress in skills-based workforce development. While skills-based hiring has a strong foothold among major enterprises, there is more work to be done in driving adoption among SMBs and extending the practice to career development.

Carolyn and Seth welcome Chris Cochran, Cofounder of Hacker Valley Media and Advisory CISO at Huntress, to discuss some real-world cybersecurity issues. The group talks about the biggest challenges in cybersecurity, especially for small businesses trying to change their mindset. They also touch on the demand for cybersecurity skills and the implications of AI for cybersecurity strategies.

Carolyn and Seth review the highlights from CompTIA's State of Cybersecurity 2024 research report. As companies are taking a more strategic view of technology, they are also taking a more strategic view of cybersecurity. This means adopting a risk management approach to define cybersecurity initiatives and building cybersecurity processes that drive decisions throughout the organization. At a tactical level, there is a greater focus than ever before on skills, and firms are building their talent pipeline with early-career professionals. Of course, AI is the main topic at the product level. The cybersecurity toolbox continues to have a wide array of choices for managing different aspects of cybersecurity, and AI is poised to impact all of them as it drives a higher degree of automation.State of Cybersecurity 2024: https://www.comptia.org/content/research/cybersecurity-trends-research

Carolyn and Seth talk with Teresa Sears, CompTIA's VP of Product Management, about the upcoming Xpert Series certifications. Companies of all sizes and industries are increasing their demand for technical expertise, including the highest level of specialists. These experts in infrastructure, data and cybersecurity create long-term strategic plans that align with business objectives and oversee implementation. The group talks about the typical progression of technology careers and the skills that can be validated with certifications.Learn more: https://www.comptia.org/certifications/xpert-series

Carolyn and Seth talk about key items that should be considered by anyone thinking about starting up a tech services business. The environment has changed dramatically over the past 20 years, and alongside the specific technology services to be offered, there are four critical components to getting started in the tech space. Business functions such as finance, HR and legal must be integrated into planning beyond the bare minimum requirements. Marketing strategy will help establish an identity and build a plan for reaching customers across multiple channels. Alliances throughout the technology ecosystem will help offerings be more robust. And cybersecurity is a topic that every firm must be fluent in whether they are offering cybersecurity services or something different.

Carolyn and Seth step into the time machine to explore a nearly-forgotten buzzword: SoCloMo. The concept--combining Social, Cloud, and Mobile--may not have lasted long, but it represented a possible inflection point for IT. Many believed that these three trends would usher in an era of consumerization of IT, where line-of-business employees would be driving technology procurement and utility. That hasn't quite happened. While technology discussions today are much more collaborative, IT is still in the driver's seat when it comes to produces a secure enterprise architecture. Each of the three trends individually has had some degree of impact, though often not in the way people were predicting ten years ago.

Carolyn and Seth welcome Jabu Dayton, Principal of Jabu HR and CompTIA board member, to discuss the issues managed service providers are facing as they try to cultivate a strong workforce. Jabu describes how many MSP issues are similar to general SMB issues, where some type of formal HR function is increasingly necessary to handle the changing needs of the workforce. As employee expectations are changing, especially in an era of remote and hybrid work, it is critical for organizations to practice transparency around career pathways while finding new ways to invest in recruiting and retention.

Carolyn and Seth talk about the rise in interest around outcome-based pricing as companies come to grips with the new realities of technology budgets. As firms move further away from a tactical cost center mindset around technology, they are finding their investments growing and exploring shifts away from traditional models of subscriptions or costs per user. End user firms are pushing vendors and technology providers to consider outcome-based pricing, but there are serious complications around defining the exact contribution of technology to business outcomes and the liability of third parties dependent on end user behavior.

Carolyn and Seth welcome Marisol Angelini to the podcast to discuss digital transformation. Marisol is a former executive of Coca Cola who now advises boards of various companies, and she suggests that digital transformation is really business transformation, since the technology is changing the way businesses operates. She shares how digital initiatives thrive best with the support of upper management to learn from new activity, and the group talks through four components of digital transformation: cloud-based infrastructure, software-defined processes, data-driven decisions, and cybersecurity-aware operations.

Carolyn and Seth talk about the changes taking place in IT channel M&A activity. As the channel has grown, there are fewer purchases of micro-sized MSPs and more mega mergers. At the same time, the IT ecosystem has expanded to include a wider variety of business models, and there may be larger firms trying to diversify their portfolio by making strategic acquisitions. A standard MSP on the smaller side may not have the same exit opportunities that existed 10 years ago, but a strong grasp of financials and a balanced plan with several options can help business owners achieve personal goals around selling.

Carolyn and Seth welcome MJ Shoer, CompTIA's Chief Community Officer, to give a preview of this year's ChannelCon event. Held jointly with CompTIA's Partner Summit, the two events bring together all of CompTIA's audiences to discuss the latest trends in technology and workforce development. The theme for this year's ChannelCon is Build the Impossible, and attendees will have the chance to network and have business conversations considering topics such as AI and cybersecurity. ChannelCon and Partner Summit will be held August 1-3 at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.www.channelcon.comhttps://connect.comptia.org/partnersummit/

Carolyn and Seth welcome Ken Sardoni, CompTIA's Senior Vice President of Learning Programs, to talk about the field of data. Companies have had digital data for a long time, but for most of that time only the largest companies had any sort of formal management. Recently, companies of all sizes are using cloud tools and new data structures to more effectively manage and analyze their data for competitive advantage. The group talks about the different data career options on two different pathways: manage and interpret.

Carolyn and Seth take a look at the supply and demand of tech workforce skills, using data from two of CompTIA's recent studies, State of the Tech Workforce and Workforce & Learning Trends. From the demand side, tech jobs are expected to continue outpacing the general growth of the labor market in the U.S., with data and cybersecurity leading the way. From the supply side, T-shaped skills are becoming increasingly important to employers, meaning that job seekers will need to concentrate on both technical depth in specialized areas along with technical breadth and durable skills.State of the Tech Workforce: https://www.cyberstates.org/Workforce & Learning Trends: https://www.comptia.org/content/research/workforce-and-learning-trends-2023/

Carolyn and Seth do a deep dive on the upcoming State of the Channel report from CompTIA research. While the overall technology ecosystem is growing and adding new firms with new services, there is still a segment of businesses performing traditional channel activities. These companies are still seeing strong profits, though part of that comes from cost-cutting measures taken over the past year. Both traditional firms and evolving organizations are focused more than ever before on customer experience, which could include education on technology trends for customers curious about new opportunities. Look for the full State of the Channel report on comptia.org in early May.The Career Spotlight segment features Eduardo, a cybersecurity professional who highlights the high salary potential of technology careers.

Carolyn and Seth start a two-part series giving a preview of the upcoming State of the Channel report. In this episode, they welcome John Harden, senior product manager for SaaS at Auvik. John talks about the changing ecosystem of vendors and competitors in the IT channel, driven by the explosion of choice and the shift away from infrastructure and toward business solutions. Both customer experience and partner experience are becoming critical for solution providers as the focus of IT moves further away from a product-centric mindset.In Career Spotlight, Ryan Anastasia talks about the need for technical specialists to also focus on business implications.

Carolyn and Seth talk with CompTIA Chief Innovation Officer Nate Garner about the latest trends in software development. There are far more companies performing software development than there were in the days of packaged software, and there are many challenges in building a efficient software practice. As businesses work on assembling the right skills and changing organizational behavior, they can leverage software for improved automation and customization.The Career Spotlight segment focuses on Daniel, who is starting a tech career as an IT support specialist. Increasingly, IT support is becoming an entry point on a pathway to software development or DevOps.

Carolyn and Seth give a recap of CompTIA's Communities and Councils Forum that took place in Chicago this week. The event provided networking opportunities for CompTIA's members and also re-introduced the Cybersecurity Trustmark along with recognizing some of CompTIA's most engaged members with Spotlight Awards. The content at the event was driven by research, and Carolyn and Seth go through the four areas they outlined in CCF's kickoff session: channel, cybersecurity, workforce, and digital transformation.

Carolyn and Seth talk about AI with Mechie Nkengala, CEO and Chief Data Scientist at Data Products LLC and Vice Chair of CompTIA's AI Advisory Council. The group starts with some thoughts on the hype surrounding ChatGPT and other large language model tools, then dives into a broader discussion about AI. The best way to think about AI is as an enabling technology that can drive strategic goals, and it's important to recognize that good AI output means good data input. As for the lie, the headlines around AI wiping out all the jobs aren't in line with historical trends around technology innovation. There will be disruption, but AI is more likely to create jobs that use new skills to do new things.The Career Spotlight segment features Joseph Marchis, who found a career in technology after struggling with a traditional education pathway.