Heads In The Cloud

In our inaugural episode, we chat with President and Principal Analyst at COMMfusion LLC, Blair Pleasant. We discuss user adoption in the rapidly expanding UC space. Blair shares her six-step strategy for engaging customers before a new service rolls out, and how to achieve the best ROI.

In this episode, we chat with VTech’s Director of Sales Service Providers North America, Matt Hickey. We debate whether the deskphone is truly “dead” as sales remain steady and smartphone integration continues to grow. Matt shares how companies like VTech innovate in the device market while addressing mobility.

In this episode, we chat with VP of Digital Transformation at Frost & Sullivan, Elka Popova. We discuss changes in the UCaaS space including the Mitel/ShoreTel merger and hypotheses for future M&As. Elka shares her insights regarding churn in the partner community, embedded communications, and the factors driving these industry changes.

In this episode, we chat with leading UC analyst and strategic consultant, Sheila McGee-Smith. Having covered the industry since 1990, Sheila provides storied insight into how contact centers address digital transformation. She describes the importance of tracking the customer journey, and how a younger demographic has changed that path with new technology. We share great examples of companies using artificial intelligence to better serve the consumer. Graham also gives a sneak peek into Star2Star’s new contact center experience.

In this episode, we chat with Shawn Puddester, VP of Global Service Providers at Polycom. Star2Star has a long-standing relationship with Polycom and Shawn going back to our founding in 2006. Since then, the market has seen many shifts and game-changing developments. Shawn shares his experience with Polycom and how they have handled these developments in terms of innovation and staying competitive in an increasingly commoditized marketplace. Among our discussion points: Shawn's marketplace analysis of the communications space, tips for staying ahead of the competition curve, and Area 51...

In this episode, we chat with Evan Kirstel, renowned social media influencer and 5th most influential B2B marketer in the US. Evan shares his expertise in digital communications to shed light on some of the most forward-thinking trends in UC. We discuss the fortunes and futures of today's groundbreaking UC developments, including voice-first, mobile-first, cloud-first, and omnichannel technologies that are reshaping how we communicate. And if we're lucky, these industry changes will fulfill the dreams of our youth. Post-script: we also discuss everything pumpkin spice.

In this episode, we talk shop with one of our very own--a first for the Heads In The Cloud podcast. As our first ever in-studio guest, John Roth, VP of Established Channel Sales at Star2Star, discusses what we do and how we do it. John's career has focused exclusively on the channel, from selling door-to-door in the 80s to when he first heard about our one-of-a-kind Hybrid Architecture in 2009. Industry developments and the exciting dynamics of a 100% Channel Partner sales model await in this installment!

In this episode, we interview one of our very first customers, Marsha Friedman from Event Management Services (EMSI), the guaranteed media firm. Marsha's relationship with Star2Star goes back to September of 2007, when she first met our Chief Knowledge Officer, Graham Potter. She describes her experience with Star2Star since day one and why she has stayed our customer for the last 10 years. Our hosts also get the inside scoop on what it takes to get noticed by the media, how the Heads In The Cloud podcast can "celebritize" itself, and the professional profile of EMSI's furry Chief Security Officer.

In this episode, we discuss the latest advancement in wireless technology, 5G, with Gregory H. Collins, Founder & Principal Analyst at Exact Ventures. Exact Ventures is an independent market intelligence firm who focuses on developments in technologies such as telecom, wireless, and networking. In our discussion, we touch on the advantages of 5G, how it will roll out, and what that means for current networks and the future of wireless technologies. But the real question we want answered: will 5G finally improve airplane wi-fi? Gregory has all these answers and more. Plus, we also discuss Session Border Control (SBC) and how it relates to our new platform, Hybrid Connect. Episode 9 of Heads In The Cloud has much to offer!

In this episode, we switch bodies to greet HITC's first international guest--but only one part of that is true. Our guest, Tsahi Levent-Levi, calls in from Israel to discuss his passion, Web Real-Time Communications (WebRTC). Tsahi is an Independent Analyst and Consultant for WebRTC with over 15 years of experience in the telecommunications space. He discusses the advantages of WebRTC and how it accomplishes so much with all the things it doesn't have. Tune in to hear about how WebRTC touches every aspect of the communications space and what new and exciting developments to expect in the near future!

In this episode, we speak with Steve Shenbaum, Founder and President of Game On Nation, an interpersonal communications and leadership training firm. Game On has worked with small-to-large companies including big names like Honda, Gatorade, NASCAR, the NY Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, LA Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, NFLPA, ACC, and SEC teams, among many others. Steve's name may also sound familiar to you because he acted in several well known films including Space Jam, American Pie 2, Big Fat Liar, and EDtv. Steve's passion these days, however, is helping people create connections and communicate on a more personal level in the digital age. He discusses some of his tips and training exercises for helping others discover common ground in order to connect more authentically

In this episode, we interview Doug Green, Publisher at Telecom Reseller. As a leading news service since 1989 with over 40,000 readers, Telecom Reseller continues to connect key players with the latest updates and trends in the industry. The team reports on unified communications (UC), cloud, and collaboration technologies. Doug shares in-the-know insights about the most-read stories, market changes, and how hardware companies are adapting to increasing rates of cloud adoption. Tune in to hear The Pomeranian Analogy for these UC trends. BONUS: We also travel through time in this episode.

Happy New Year, friends of the pod! For our first podcast of 2018, we speak with Joseph Williams, an analyst and consultant in the UC industry. With specialties in the channel and UCaaS, Joseph provides us with his take on the top trends from 2017 and what to look forward to this year.

Get to know Star2Star's new CEO, Alan Foy, as we host him on our breaking news episode of Heads In The Cloud. We recently merged with Blueface, a pan-European UCaaS company, which Alan also directed as CEO. Hear how this all came about from Alan himself, where the new Star2Star/Blueface Group is headed, and some other details about our new Group CEO in our new segment, Rapid Fire With Graham Potter. We discuss what his favorite drink is, music taste, and more!

In this episode, we travel to a galaxy far, far away to interview Paul Hoffman, President of SouthTech IT, a long-term Star2Star partner. Paul takes us back through SouthTech's founding, originally started within a CPA firm, and tells us how a few SouthTech employees eventually branched out to become an IT company. We also discuss the trends Paul currently sees in the industry, his customers' #1 concern for communications, and how SouthTech is really more of a "people business" than an "IT business". Tune in to hear more from Paul plus a bonus debate about Sarasota's local brewery scene and Star Wars sound effects (no spoilers).

In this episode, David and Graham talk shop with Chris O'Brien, Head of Sales, and Phil Keenan, President at MicroCorp. As a business with 30 years in the communications space, MicroCorp has seen everything from the days of selling long distance to the value-added recurring revenue services of today that are better known as VoIP and UCaaS. Chris and Phil discuss the world of Master Agents, what SD-WAN means to their business, and what they are looking forward to in 2018 as the field continues to evolve.

In this episode, David is joined by special guest host, Frederick Philip von Weiss, Executive Producer of Heads In The Cloud and Creative Director at Star2Star. David and Frederick interview David Mario Smith, Founder and Principal Analyst at InFlow Analysis. They discuss David's illustrious career as an analyst in the communications space. From starting at Gartner right out of school to founding his own company in response the digital disruption. David has seen the ins and outs of the industry from a perspective trained to look ahead. He provides his take on Net Neutrality and some of the trends piquing his interest right now including chatbots, machine learning, and the conversational enterprise. Tune in to this episode to hear about the adventures of David, David, and Frederick, and learn more about UC from an expert industry insider. Bonus content: Frederick's other podcast, Thunder Nerds, and the story of Biscuit the Dog, David Mario Smith's family pooch.

In this episode, David and Graham invite Hal Logan, Star2Star's very own Director of Professional Services. They discuss Hal's career and experience in the world of professional services and security where he directs the engineering team responsible for custom development projects. Hal describes his career from beginning as a paratrooper in the Army to working in municipal government and then joining Star2Star. Tune in to this episode to hear about how Hal started in security, his take on the current trends in the industry, and how Blockchain works from a security standpoint. Bonus content: This episode comes to you live from outer space (courtesy of the Gen X-1 stylophone) and evolves into an entirely different podcast, touching on topics including the Oxford comma, how to train for jumping out of planes, and Hal's Yorkshire Terrier, Jocko.

In this episode, David and Graham interview C.H. Tong, President of VTech Telecommunications. Star2Star and VTech have been providing high-quality communications solutions and products together since 2016. C.H. discusses his role as President of the Telecom division and how VTech made their breakthrough into the SIP market, eventually leading to the Star2Star/VTech relationship. David, Graham, and C.H. also discuss the future of the desk phone, what the “cool” trends will be, and C.H.’s perspective on industry drivers in telecom. Also in this episode, you’ll hear about C.H.’s school adventures at King's College, London University, the running culture at VTech, the struggles of humidity, and much more.

In this episode, sponsored by VTech, David and Graham talk with Tracy Venters, Chief Strategist for Town Crier Consulting. Tracy's firm specializes in helping high-tech companies grow their brands and their revenue. She and Graham recount how they first met at Enterprise Connect for a meeting, followed by a discussion of Tracy's background in software engineering, marketing, and communications which culminate in her role at Town Crier Consulting. Also in this episode, you'll get exclusive hints about new products and events from Star2Star, hear about the technology trends on Tracy's radar, and the pet situation in her skyrise residence. Hint: this family member isn't fuzzy and also isn't afraid of heights.

In this episode, sponsored by VTech, DJ Potter brings in the beat and David gets to the meat of their interview with J.R. Simmons, President and Principal Consultant for COMgroup, Inc. COMgroup is the largest and most influential independent telecommunications consulting firm in the Pacific Northwest. With over 33 years of experience as an independent consultant, J.R. has expertise in a range of areas including telecommunications planning, design, analysis, and implementation, data networking design, and much more. He discusses his experience, love for consulting, and some of the industry's burning questions such as how to identify decision makers and how to keep up with the increased rate of change. You'll also hear about his current projects, involvement with BC Strategies, and his role as an expert witness on the stand.

In this episode, David and Graham welcome expert analyst and possible X-Men, Joel Wecksell from The Skills Connection. Joel is the Founder of The Skills Connection, an industry advisory company that specializes in helping technology businesses prepare for and build relationships with analyst firms such as Gartner and Forrester. Joel and his expert team help companies communicate their strategic vision and demonstrate credibility in the marketplace using their extensive prior experiences as senior Gartner analysts. Joel discusses his 35 years of experience in the technology realm, from programming and selling mainframes to working at Xerox and then Gartner for 18 years of his career. He provides front-row insights into the innermost workings of being an analyst--from both sides of the desk. Tune in to learn everything you ever wanted to know about the secret life of analysts, and hear the surprising shared experience Joel has with one of the Heads In The Cloud hosts!

In this episode, we talk tech with one of the leading experts in Advanced, Disruptive, and Emerging technologies and a veteran of 30 years in the tech industry. Jonathan Yarmis, also known as "Dr. Disruptive", is one of the earliest adopters of PC, internet, social networking, and a myriad of other groundbreaking innovations. Jonathan was one of the first Gartner analysts to help grow the company and has worked as an end-user for Deloitte, communications professional for Waggener Edstrom and Hill & Knowlton, and today provides analyst insights with The Skills Connection. He shares many exciting stories from his career on the cutting-edge, including infamous interviews with Tom Brokaw, Bill Gates, and James Barksdale, playing chess with Howard Stern, and how he got the nickname "Dr. Disruptive".

In this episode David and Graham interview Chuck Lear, Founder and Managing Partner of Lear360. They discuss workplace productivity collaboration, the current rundown on IT Enterprises, and their experiences with international travel. With 30 years of experience in the IT Strategy and Organizational Change field, Chuck shares valuable insights on company consolidations in the marketplace, Google's expansion into their version of Slack, and other up-and-coming technology applications. Stay tuned to hear about Chuck's pets, labradors Coco and Bella, his interesting background in the film industry, and which Italian cars Graham is considering to rent for his upcoming trip. Also, as a fun bonus, make sure to listen in for exclusive audio of David's attempts at different accents!

In this episode, David Portnowitz & Graham Potter are joined by Agustin Argelich, live from Barcelona. Agustin is the Founder, President, and Principal Consultant at Argelich Network, an independent telecom consultant company that helps enterprises and government agencies use IT tools and networks to improve their business, create welfare, and improve societies. Agustin is also a Board Member and Chairman of The Society of Communications Technology Consultants International, Inc. and an associate professor at Universitat de Lleida. Agustin discusses the differences between business operations in the U.S. and Europe in digital transformation and cloud adoption. Agustin notes the importance of project management and leadership in business, topics which his book: "Analyze, Act, Advance", written from his 30 years of experience working and leading projects in the industry, tackles. Join us in this podcast to hear Agustin's opinion on the future of the telecom industry, travel, wine, and what it's like to live in Barcelona. Make sure to listen in to hear about Agustin's children, hear David speak a little Spanish, and to figure out how exactly David and Graham plan to get an autograph from Agustin on a digital copy of his book.

David Portnowitz and Graham Potter are joined, in-studio, by Colin Johnston, industry expert and Executive Vice President of Strategic Channels at Star2Star. Colin details the history of his telecom experience from his start with voice systems, to owning his own interconnect company, and working a variety of sales channels at Star2Star. We keep an eye on the second half of the year in the UC space; discussing SD-WAN, security, predicting what we should expect from future mergers in the industry, and explaining why and how businesses can differentiate themselves in the marketplace. Tune in to hear Colin share his opinions on the successes of Star2Star's business model and what it uniquely provides to its customers. From David's discovery of the what the Starfish desk phone actually looks like, the latest on Colin's golf game, insider info from David on which Florida restaurant offers the biggest selection of wine in the world (next to that of the Vatican and the Queen's collection), to Colin's pets, and more, there's a lot you won't want to miss in this episode of Heads in the Cloud!

David Portnowitz and Graham Potter interview Graham’s next door neighbor, celebrity chef Christopher Covelli. Chris specializes in Classic French, Italian, and Spanish cuisine and is currently the senior chef instructor at Toscana Saporita Cooking School in Lucca, Italy, where he has been teaching for 18 years. Join us as we discuss communication and sales within the restaurant business, get insider details about Chris’ new restaurant, Sage, that will be opening in downtown Sarasota in the next few months, and learn why Chris decided to become a chef. Chris also reveals his favorite food cities, shares his experience on the Food Network show Beat Bobby Flay, and explains the difficulty in cooking and being a TV host. Stay tuned for a fun discussion on the comeback of a certain wine and to find out which instruments Chris, Graham, and Graham’s family play.

David Portnowitz and Graham Potter are joined by Harvard and Oxford grad, Jonathan Edwards, live from the suburbs of London. Jonathan, a Healthcare IT expert, spent 14 years at Gartner as a Research VP on the healthcare team. He is a highly experienced advisor with expertise in building a global research practice serving technology vendors and users. Currently, he is the Senior Analyst at the Skills Connection and Managing Director of his independent consulting firm that provides advice to IT vendors and service providers. In this episode, we discuss the challenges in the evolving healthcare IT space and the business value in embracing new technology. Listen in to hear us discuss additional topics including: the downfall in the hype of new technologies, the origins of the fax machine, moving to the cloud, which languages Jonathan has studied, and more.

In this episode, David and Graham are joined by special guest and Heads In The Cloud fan, Michael Cromwell, Founder and CEO of EagleTEQ Solutions, a technology business advisory firm. With over 27 years of experience in the field, Michael spent most of his career leading sales and marketing teams, and now channels that experience into advising growing companies on how they can increase their sales, create standout marketing campaigns, and maximize their growth potential. Michael shares his knowledge on all things cloud and tech, hitting on the challenges of running a cloud business, digital transformation, and why CIOs have become one of the most important executive leaders in the last five years. Tune in to hear his expert insight on why businesses must create their cloud strategy now and all of the new technology you need to thrive. This episode also features a few fun animal cameos, from screaming goats to Michael's Instagram pets.

In this episode David and Graham interview Partners, Kevin Emahiser and Jeff Donatini from Propel-U-4-Ward. As Star2Star's #1 Partners in lead generation and most active users on the Partner Marketing Hub, Kevin and Jeff have many insights to share about how to successfully identify, attract, and convert customers. They discuss how they met over 20 years ago and started their successful business, the evolution of "Hybrid" architecture, and how Star2Star's unique solutions help them convert customers who are wary of VoIP. This episode also includes shoutouts to several Star2Star employees and a discussion about the importance of the Provider/Partner relationship. Tune in to hear even more fun topics ranging from Honeybaked Ham to old school switchboards and the truly unique pet living at Jeff Donatini's.

In this episode, David and Graham are joined by Jeff Burchett, Vice President of Sales and Co-Founder at Bigleaf Networks. Jeff has spent his entire career in the Telecom industry, and started Bigleaf with Founder and CEO Joel Mulkey in 2012. Bigleaf offers cloud-first SD-WAN technology services that help customers to optimize their network usage. Jeff, David, and Graham deep-dive into the business of Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN), Bigleaf's origin story, and the start of Star2Star and Bigleaf's relationship. Jeff discusses how the technology really works, the best way to sell SD-WAN, and why UCaaS and SD-WAN are truly a match made in the cloud. Tune in to this episode to also hear about Jeff's first adventure on SilverStar--Star2Star's private jet--, Graham's instagram doppelganger, Jeff's pets, and more!

In this episode, David and Graham chat with Dave Michels, independent industry analyst and consultant focusing on IP PBX UC strategies and solutions as well as an avid blogger on telecom and related topics on his site: www.TalkingPointz.com. Dave identifies himself as a "Communication Protagonist" and describes how he has always had an interest in the communications world, from the early days of PBX to the transitions to UCaaS and beyond. He takes David and Graham on his journey throughout his career and discusses how his blog has been a place for him to share direct opinions about the world of communications. Some of his talking points include remote work, today's collaboration experience, and security and privacy with AI devices in the home. Tune in to hear about Dave's take on these topics as well as his advice for how to transition to working from home!

In this episode, David and guest co-host John Roth chat with Dave Gilbert, lifelong entrepreneur and currently a communications Sage with Refire Advisors. Dave began his career journey as Founder and CEO of SimpleSignal, an innovative UCaaS startup that played a pivotal role in making Voice over IP an industry standard in communications. He describes his experience with SimpleSignal and how growing the company helped shape the rest of his career. After several years of incredible growth and development, Dave realized that the time had come to sell his startup; through this experience, he realized his passion for coaching executives and their teams on how to achieve success in their respective fields. Tune in to hear more about Dave's adventures in the communications space, his thoughts on why a work culture of embracing weirdness is an advantage, his extensive hat collection, and more!

In this episode, David is joined once again by John Roth as co-host to interview Kevin Cox, President of GulfTech IT. Kevin's relationship with Star2Star began in 2013 when he was hired as an account manager. He discusses his hiring experience and how he and fellow Star2Star employee, Brian Kummer, later started their own company, GulfTech IT. As you will hear, starting and running your own business requires many steps and components which Kevin had to learn through his transition from Star2Star employee to Star2Star Partner. He talks about the dynamics of running a business, GulfTech IT's milestones so far, and how he leverages Star2Star's Partner Marketing Hub, Co-op program, and other marketing tools. Tune in to hear more about GulfTech IT, their 2019 outlook, and how they adapt to the changing needs of their customers. Bonus content: Find out what color Kevin would be and John Roth reveals one of his bucket list items which involves an 8-hour adventure expedition!

In this episode, David and John interview Michelle Accardi, President and Chief Revenue Officer at Star2Star Communications. Michelle covers a little bit of everything, from the holidays and plans for 2019 to her dynamic career, travel, pets, and food. From living and working in NYC as an aspiring actress to starting a job in sales and working her way up to management roles in various tech companies, you'll learn a little bit more about our President and how her path led to Star2Star. You'll also learn more about Michelle's passion for helping Partners succeed, her thoughts on true engagement, and why 2019 is going to be a record year for Star2Star. Tune in to hear about the new Sales Excellence Program, coming soon, reflections on 2018, Michelle's favorite sandwich, and how she ended up with four dogs!

In this episode, David is joined once again by John Roth to interview Chief Strategy Officer, Laz Gonzalez, from Zift Solutions. Zift Solutions is a channel management solution provider, offering the tools for marketing, sales, and operations success. As Chief Strategy Officer, Laz works with clients to help them drive adoption and shares best practices for creating a stronger channel management strategy. Prior to joining Zift Solutions, Laz was an analyst in the B2B channel marketplace and held other channel-focused roles. He discusses Zift Solution's journey to becoming the leading channel management solution provider and the best practices of success in channel marketing, sales, and more, including his 6:3:1 ratio for managing Partner relationships. Tune in to learn more about Zift Solutions, the marketing elements that successful Partners embrace, and what Laz's favorite sandwich is! You'll also hear about how his Maltese Mix rescue pooch likes to root for the home team and what Cuban dishes he recommends.

In our first episode of 2019, we reveal our new Heads In The Cloud logo as John Roth joins the team as a permanent host along with David and Graham! Join us in welcoming John Roth to the show's hosts. David and John welcome Brendan Kamm, Co-Founder & CEO of Thnks, to the podcast to discuss his company's innovative solution to building business with gratitude. Thnks is a corporate gifting platform that allows business contacts to send each other various gifts with just an email. Once a gift is sent, Thnks takes care of the rest so that colleagues can focus on their relationship rather than logistics. Brendan describes the philosophy behind Thnks and why it's so important in a digital world. He also describes the range of gifts available including cups of coffee, Uber rides, and song downloads, and some of his favorites including a full-size kayak and Weber grill. Brendan, David, and John share stories about how the ease of sending a gift to prospects, customers, and business colleagues can make a dramatic difference. Tune in to hear their stories (and more fun items available on Thnks), how Thnks got started in the midst of New York City, and exciting new features coming to the platform. Bonus: this podcast includes Breaking News from Thnks and farm animals!

In this episode, David and John interview Bill Stinnett, President and Founder of Sales Excellence, his corporate training and consulting organization. Bill has been in sales for almost 30 years; the last 17 of them have been dedicated to helping companies around the world improve their sales tactics and achieve their goals. Bill describes how he started his business and a few tips and tricks he shares with his clients, including sage advice from his father to "think like a fish". David and John also discuss Star2Star's relationship with Sales Excellence and how they are investing in their sales team and Partners using Bill's training tools. Tune in to hear more about how companies are embracing training, Bill's best practices for connecting with customers, John's Burger and Toothpick analogy, and more.

In this episode, The Cloud welcomes back Graham Potter to the podcast! Graham has returned from his travels to Kilimanjaro (and some fun facts to share). He and David also interview Zeus Kerravala, Founder and Principal Analyst at ZK Research. Zeus was the Senior Vice President and Chief Research Officer at the Yankee Group for eleven years before leaving the company to become an independent research analyst. As the principal analyst of his firm, Zeus discusses what he has learned about research, including what prompts market transitions and his thoughts on how an analyst should evolve with the trends. He reveals some of the Cloud's greatest advantages as a technology, compared to traditional on-premises solutions. Tune in to hear more about innovations like seamless streaming across multiple devices, AI capabilities, real-time translations, and more, as well as his analysis of IoT and securing cloud networks, the SD-WAN revolution, and the catchphrase he wants to go viral.

In this episode, David and John reveal the details on Star2Star's upcoming event at Channel Partners in Las Vegas. They also interview Art Wittmann, SVP of Content for Informa's US Technology brands. Art shares his journey of working as Channel Partners SVP and Manager during the transition to Informa's Knowledge and Networking Group, along with his experience in rebuilding Channel Partners into a thriving brand with a bright future. He discusses trends on Channel Partner's growth over the years, announces upcoming events including news on their first show in London, and reveals the keynote speaker for the next Channel Partners event in Las Vegas. Tune in and learn about which technology topics will keep you one step ahead, the importance of UX, and what dinosaur is John's favorite.

In this episode, David and Graham welcome Gary Audin, President of Delphi, Inc. With a background including over 40 years of computer, communications, and security experience, Gary humbly defines himself as a Technologist. He produces webcasts, podcasts, EDUcasts, and whitepapers for hundreds of vendors and service providers, along with being a prolific speaker at hundreds of conferences and user groups. Gary touches on a variety of topics including everything from Security's growing importance, SIP Trunking's most common issues during installations, 5G predictions, and his border collie Keyboard's special talents. Listen in and also hear David's unusual animal encounter story and how it relates to repurposing old sheets/pillows for a good cause.

In this episode, John and David speak with Technology Evangelist Brian Franzo. Brian is a millennial keynote speaker, specializing in marketing through social media within the B2B space. He shares his career journey that began with 9 years working for the Department of Defense in the cyber security sector. After being named the fastest individual to become Sr. VP, Brian made a drastic career change which led to his current passion of teaching businesses to stand out from the noise and engage with customers in the digital space. It was this passion that led him to form the company iSocialFanz, a company focused on launching digital and influencer strategies for brands, including Dell, EMC, Adobe, IBM, UFC, Applebees, and SAP. Listen in and learn all about topics covering creating your digital handshake, staying top-of-mind with your customers, utilizing and embracing change, building a trustworthy brand, and much more!

In this episode, John and David speak with Michael Sterl, CEO of Carve Digital which is a marketing firm focused on the tech industry. Michael is also a Board Member of Telecom For Change, an organization that raises resources and revenue for underfunded charities, and is the Cofounder of Cloud Optik, a growing business dedicated to providing tools to offer a world-class set of data and analytics capabilities. Amid this packed discussion, discover what led Michael to specialize in working with cloud and telecom service providers, agents, and partners to tackle marketing efforts and enable their sales operations.

In this episode, David and John speak with David Lewis, the Founder and CEO of DemandGen International Inc., a marketing agency that specializes in digital marketing. In addition to being the CEO of DemandGen, he is the author of Manufacturing Demand - the #1 book on modern lead management. In this podcast, hear how David Lewis got his start in marketing automation and marketing and sales technology. You'll learn why a company should invest in marketing automation, the importance of utilizing microsites, and their use in attracting customers. David Lewis also discusses what DemandGen does for its customers, lead scoring, what his book, Manufacturing Demand, is about, and his favorite sandwich.

In this episode, David and John speak with Heather Margolis, the founder of Channel Maven Consulting based in Boulder, Colorado. This firm focuses specifically on providing marketing services and support to IT channel organizations of all sizes. Heather shares how she got into the industry and how Channel Maven Consulting helps its customers succeed through one-on-one assistance with content creation, social selling, demand generation, online branding and more. Hear about the importance of utilizing LinkedIn to create relationships with prospects, and even gain some tips to help achieve visibility online. On top of an in-depth conversation about how you can appeal to specific verticals and customer niches, join in for some fun debate on the Game of Thrones finale and hot dogs!

In this episode, David and John speak with Tim Basa, president of Telegration Inc. Tim shares how this Master Agency uniquely aligns itself to deliver an inspiring atmosphere that supports its agents' business objectives. Tim also sheds light on the recipe he uses to identify fitting agents, as well as the secret sauce he uses to keep them motivated. Discover the Master Agency world, hear about some great technology showcases coming up, and even get a quick ear-full of David's best attempt at covering Tubthumping by Chumbawamba.

In this episode, David and John interview one of Star2Star's top 5 partners, Micah Bevitz, CEO of iTelecom. iTelecom specializes in cloud/IT services, phone systems, and voice/data options. Micah shares the story of how his company partnered with Star2Star nearly 10 years ago and grew to reach its position as The Elite Service Provider they are today. Micah reflects on the telecom industry changes that highlight the importance of early adoption in the technology space. Join in to get Micah's insight on how the market is reacting to DaaS technology and how to identify a fitting opportunity for DaaS or SD-WAN. You'll also be in for a sweet surprise on making homemade ice cream, plus a continuation of David and John's hot dog debate!

In this episode, David and John are joined by James Patrignelli, the Director of Northeast Sales, at Liquid Technology, Inc. James shares how Liquid Technology helps other companies get the most out of their old IT equipment in a manner that satisfies environmental responsibility and even could help to foot the bill on implementing a new replacement solution that fits their needs. He also covers the topics of cloud migration, how data security is handled in the ITAD process, and how IoT is growing more need and attention around the technology liquidation sector. If you aren't getting a return on your investment for replacing your old hardware, listen in and find out what you're missing out on!

In this episode, David and John are rejoined by Zeus Kerravala of ZK Research. Listen in on an analyst's intel on today's and tomorrow's tech, and be ready to embrace your inner Trekkie (Star Trek fan) as you learn how the famous Star Trek series inspired modern technology! The trio discusses the development of advanced inventions such as drones, telepresence, 3-D printing, and others that were first seen in Star Trek back in 1979. Get ready to wrap your head around the idea that "Things are only impossible until they're not" and contemplate with the group how something like teleportation might not be "highly illogical"! Join Zeus, David, and John to learn about speech interface, crypto-currency, and more!

In this episode, Graham and David talk all things data security with Vincent Oh, Director of Product Management at Telesign. Learn all about two-factor authentication and how it is essential for today's business as fraudulent activity continues to grow. Find out what data is collected and analyzed to improve security measures, what businesses are utilizing two-factor identification, and contemplate whether you've already happened upon Telesign's security measures! You'll also embark on a journey learning Telesign's growth history, valuable mergers, and methods of driving business. Take a guess of what type of pup Vincent owns as you listen to the end for some fun with ducks, dogs, and sandwiches!

In this episode, Graham and David speak with special guest and former Star2Star employee Jackson Haskins, Business Development Consultant with SouthTech. Learn about SouthTech's business structure, successes, values, and how they differentiate their practices to create a meaningful relationship with their customers. Get a glimpse of the connection between the supplier, the managed service provider, and the customer, plus discover the importance of treating these connections as partnerships and not one-off transactions. Join this conversation that highlights successful partnership factors, the topic of security growth and its drivers, how to limit robo calls, and nostalgic memories of Star2Star's early days.

In this episode, David and John are joined by Matt Rosenthal, CEO of Mindcore Group; Mindcore is a tech services firm for businesses of all sizes that solves IT problems. Matt shares his strategy for giving his customers an extra dose of value through incorporating something he calls "operations as a service", and tells us why this method truly gives him a foot up. More of Matt's outline for success includes the importance of hiring the right people and instilling the right process, gaining high visibility online with captivating content, and offering services that no other provider could easily replace. The conversation also covers the biggest IT challenges faced by business owners, Matt's tips on how to overcome them, and a pop-quiz on planets.

In this episode, David and John are joined by Jeffrey Pearl, CEO Managing Partner at OTG Consulting for an intriguing talk focused on the effects of the RingCentral-Avaya merger. Settle in for some insight on Jeffrey's background as a pioneer in the hosted VoIP space, what OTG is all about, top customer concerns with cloud migration, and then get the scoop on the reactions of partners and customers since the RingCentral/Avaya merger. Find out what questions have been raised, who the real winners are since the merger, and what is needed to take advantage of the disarray. End with some inspiration for travel, what pie causes vegans to cheat their diet, and Jeffrey's road trip playlist.

In this episode David Portnowitz and Graham Potter interview celebrity Chef Christopher Covelli for a second round (with a few rounds of world-class cuisine tastings). While your taste buds tingle, feast on some industry knowledge behind what goes into operating a restaurant, designing a top-notch menu, and upholding customer service that is as fine as the food! You’ll also get to hear about each of the chefs at Sage restaurant’s background in cooking, and how they came to cook under head chef Christopher Covelli.

In this episode, David and John speak with long-standing Star2Star partner, Rick Tamberrino of Logic Found. In addition to learning a little about Rick, his business, and his relation with Star2Star, learn about which verticals are hot, some tips for selling Desktop as a Service, and who should and should not follow an MSP model. Stay to the end for vacation destinations, wine, and cocktails!

In this episode, David and John speak with Jay McBain, Principal Analyst at Forrester Research, Inc. As an individual in high demand for more than 50 keynote presentations, Jay's insights and words of advice are not to be missed! Get Jay's expert analysis on the pulse of the industry, learn how smart businesses are structuring their companies to grow upward with the market, and get answers on the most popular questions being asked by technology professionals. Prepare for an inspiring side-topic covering world travel as you learn how Jay visited 15 countries in a 21-day trip, along with his wife and 2 daughters!

In this episode, David and John speak with Matt Stevens, CEO of AppNeta. Discover how AppNeta helps some of the largest cloud providers perfect network performance in the areas of delivery, usage, and experience. Keep an ear open to learn how AppNeta's services differ from SDWAN, what classic mistakes companies make when setting up new wireless networks, and what technology Matt expects to see phasing out in the next few years.

In this episode, David and John speak with two of BetterWorld's leaders, John Jordan, General Manager, and Matthew Bauer, Co-founder and Director. Learn how the practice of giving back inspired this company to become the successful and purpose-driven full-service IT organization that it is today. The conversation covers what "The Power Of One" means to BetterWorld, how they manage a world-wide customer base and tap into new verticals, and what today's most common customer needs are for IT services. End the show with a few questions that will have you craving a vacation!

In this episode, David hosts with Frederick Weiss, in a special appearance to speak with Gordon Smith, President and CEO of Sagent. Discover how Sagent helps customers optimize their investments on hardware with a focus on transparency for the client's best interest. You'll learn how Sagent is able to remotely test every repair, save customers $3 on every $1 spent, and stop e-waste. Grab a coffee and enjoy the group's chat on the need for 5G speed, and a tongue twister challenge on fish sticks.

In this episode, David and John speak with Dave Sobel, show host of "Business Of Tech" and long time expert in the field. Starting his career with a computer science degree, Dave shares his journey from working in businesses throughout their lifecycle to launching his very own successful company to be sold. Join the conversation as the team delves into topics of Big Tech's reputation with consumers, why Amish companies are crushing business success metrics, and how COVID19 is affecting the technology industry and its customers. You'll also discover a valuable tool to help build desired values and ethics into your business core, what prized possessions Dave collects, and the favorite video games of the group!

In this episode, David and John speak with Theresa Caragol, CEO of AchieveUnite Inc., a consulting and education company. Theresa shares how she works with vendors, distributors, and at times, directly with partners to enable their business for success in the channel. Learn about topics such as building trust with partners and customers, delivering engaging content, providing resources that partners actually want, and how to build-up a better co-selling environment. You will also discover key findings in Theresa's research project with CompTIA, the forecast for growth of the channel, and hear Theresa's one recommended sandwich to order to-go during lockdown!

In this episode, David and John catch up with Melissa Asevado, CEO of Preferred Voice Data Networks, a Star2Star top ten partner. The team is also joined by Joel Greer who supports Melissa's region in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Melissa shares her roots in the industry and tells the story of the many changes in telecom over the years and how she's adapted her business. Learn her success strategy, what challenges she predicts for the industry, how she's dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, and what the LSU Tiger's scores have to do with sales.

In this episode, David and John speak with Gregg Paulk, Chief Information Officer at Anderson Center For Autism. Gregg shares his story on becoming involved with Anderson Center For Autism, and why Star2Star stood out and proved to be the optimal solution for the business. Learn how Gregg's passionate organization educates and nurtures autistic children and adults to help them reach their fullest development and integrate back into communities. Discover the technology that has helped Anderson Center For Autism continue operations during the coronavirus, Gregg's favorite restaurant for a takeout meal, and what new technologies are catching Gregg's interest for further empowering Anderson Center's facilities and staff.

In this episode, David and John speak with Frank Visgatis, President & Chief Operating Officer at CustomerCentric Systems LLC. Frank takes you along on his journey of how he started out in his career in the technology sector, and was pulled into sales where he found great success and a passion that eventually bloomed into the company he helped establish today. Join the talk to dissect the classic sales approach and view what's stuck and what's been perfected. You'll hear a few stories of how big name companies learned to differentiate their sales strategies, have a few laughs on the old days of sales, and learn the knack to the customer centric selling approach.

In this episode, David and John speak with Bryan Buck and Griffin Dunn of Burwood Group, a Star2Star partner and managed service provider for unified communications, security, and networking solutions. Bryan, Practice Director, and Griffin, Senior Consultant, each share their background and what a day in the life at Burwood Group is like. In their stories, hear some sales advice on how to handle some of the common objections from companies who are hesitant to change their infrastructure or management of IT. You'll also hear about the company's dedication to post-sale training, support, and continued guidance. Plus, listen to hear some of the hurdles customers are anticipating as they prepare to transition back to the office after the disruption from Coronavirus. Show Links: Website: http://www.burwood.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/burwood-group/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BurwoodGroup Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/burwoodgroup/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/burwoodgroup/ LinkedIn (Bryan Buck): https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanbuck/ LinkedIn (Griffin Dunn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffin-dunn-b0929945/

In this episode, David and John chat once again with Evan Kirstel, Social Media Digital Influencer in the B2B enterprise space. As we continue to cope with the disruption of the Coronavirus, listen in on the pulse of the cyber world. Gain insight into the digital realm from someone who spends 12+ hours a day engaging on social media. You'll discover Evan's take on virtual events, distance learning, and hobbies that don't require venturing into crowded public places. Stay tuned till the end for a little road trip inspiration as we crave New England seafood together from our couches!Show LinksEvan's Website: http://www.evankirstel.com/Evan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evankirstel/Evan's Twitter: https://twitter.com/evankirstelPast Episode: https://headsinthecloud.simplecast.com/episodes/006-keep-true-to-the-dreams-of-your-youth

In this episode, David and John welcome back Micah Bevitz, CEO and Founder of iTelecom for his second podcast appearance. Micah shares some exciting news from iTelecom: the launch of the new iAgent program and platform! Micah shares his experience curating the ideal MSP Master Agency program, and the pain points for agents that he's identified and alleviated that make iTelecom stand out from many of the large Master Agents' programs. Listen to learn about the iAgent app, how iTelecom helps businesses save money to afford the tech they need, the good and the bad amidst the Coronavirus pandemic, and how to make your own hot chocolate ice cream from scratch -no churn needed!Show Links:Micah’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micahbevitz/iTelecom’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/itelecom---an-elite-solutions-provider/iTelecom’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iTelecomUSiTelecom’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/_itelecomiTelecom’s Website: https://www.itelecom.com/Telecom Reseller Article on the iAgent app: https://telecomreseller.com/2020/08/04/itelecom-launches-iagent-a-first-of-its-kind-mobile-app/Video about the iAgent app: https://youtu.be/ZOwagIq0gXELast show with Micah: http://www.headsinthecloudpod.com/tech-trends-tricks-w-micah-bevitz

A leadership discussion about managing through our new normal moderated by Michelle Ragusa-McBain interviewing CEO of JS Group, Janet Schijns, and President and Chief Revenue Officer of Star2Star, Michelle Accardi, to discuss:The journey to the top as two powerful women and leaders in techOvercoming challenges of COVID-19 and being successful in our new normalOpportunities in UCaaS, remote technology, and the future of remote work Links:Michelle Ragusa-McBain https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleragusamcbain/Janet Schijns https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetschijns/Michelle Accardi https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleaccardi/ 

In this episode, David and John are joined by Dave Michels, communications protagonist, for the second time. The conversation kicks off on the topic of enterprise communications needs and how the UCaaS industry will have to adjust itself to meet them. This packed episode also explores Dave’s expert take on Microsoft’s stance in the UCaaS industry, the continual rise of security’s importance and why it is accelerating, disruption from the Coronavirus, and what it takes to go “off the grid” today. Stick around to hear what Dave has in the works on Talking Headz and his upcoming publications, and what he could not be without if he were stranded on a remote island!Show Link:Dave on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davemichels/Dave on Twitter: https://twitter.com/davemichelsWebsite: https://talkingpointz.com/

In this episode, David and John catch up with Star2Star’s own Kevin McGrath, Regional Account Director. Travel back with us to the early days, way before Coronavirus, for some fun memories of when John and Kevin traveled together for sales trips and learn how Kevin has evolved his sales process over his many years of experience. Kevin shares a few examples of his technique in building relationships for large healthcare businesses as well as smaller, less complex opportunities, and gives his advice and insights for effective and efficient sales. Don’t miss catching the big indicators for “when to walk away” in sales, or how many meetings add up to TOO many meetings in a world that is limited to mainly virtual meetings.Show Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinmcgrath2009/Website: https://www.Star2Star.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/star2star-communications-llcTwitter: https://twitter.com/Star2StarFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Star2StarCommunications

In this episode, David and John chat with Nick Lippis, co-founder of ONUG, the Open Networking User Group. Discover the founding story of how this influential group came to be, and hear many of the tech topics being talked about as cloud transformation pushes its way across the market. During the discussion, you'll also hear what valuable information real companies share during ONUG conferences for an unbiased look at how different verticals are tackling cloud governance and other enterprise business needs. Listen through and hear what exciting events are on the rise for ONUG, and hear what cars have John's and Nick's hearts.Show Links:LinkedIn (Nick): https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicklippis/Twitter (Nick): https://twitter.com/NickLippisWebsite (ONUG): https://www.onug.net/LinkedIn (ONUG): https://www.linkedin.com/company/onug/Twitter (ONUG): https://twitter.com/ONUG_Facebook (ONUG): https://www.facebook.com/ONUGCommunity/  

In this episode, David and John chat with the whole RE-INVIG posse! This show welcomes the most guests hosted to date by starring Ryan Ybarra, RE-INVIG's founder,  Anil Sohani, Sr. Channel Account Executive, Craig Sweasy, Vice President of Sales, and Dan Ziegler, Enterprise Account Manager. During this friendly conversation with this technology consultant and Star2Star partner's team, you'll pick up cloud transformation insights and opportunities for the Legal, Insurance, Education, and Healthcare industries. See how remote work is working out for these verticals and learn what technology is paving the way for current and future success!Show LinksWebsite (RE-INVIG): https://re-invig.com/LinkedIn (RE-INVIG): https://www.linkedin.com/company/re-invig/Twitter (RE-INVIG): https://twitter.com/RE_INVIGFacebook (RE-INVIG): https://www.facebook.com/re.invig/LinkedIn (Ryan's): https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanybarra/Twitter (Ryan's): https://twitter.com/RyanYbarraLinkedIn (Anil's): https://www.linkedin.com/in/aniljsohani/Twitter (Anil's): https://twitter.com/TheAnilSohaniLinkedIn (Dan's): https://www.linkedin.com/in/danziegler1/LinkedIn (Craig's): https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-sweasy-a485b49b/ 

In this episode, David and John interview Janet Schijns, CEO of JS Group, a Top 10 Women in Tech honoree, and 2019 Channel Influencer of the Year, to learn what it takes to grow sales through social media channels in 2020. Analyze how the digital landscape has skyrocketed, hear the best practices for connecting with prospects and sharing content on social media, discover your Social Selling Index score, and harness some new skills and resources to boost your online presence! Hangout to the end for some fun celebrating Mandalorian Day and Janet's birthday.Show LinksLinkedIn (JS Group): https://www.linkedin.com/company/jsgnow/Twitter (JS Group): https://twitter.com/JSGNOWFacebook (JS Group): https://www.facebook.com/jsgnowWebsite (JS Group): https://www.jsgnow.com/LinkedIn (Janet): https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetschijns/Facebook (Janet): https://www.facebook.com/janet.schijnsTwitter (Janet): https://twitter.com/channelsmartLinkedin Social Selling Index score: https://www.linkedin.com/sales/ssi

In this episode, David and John are joined once more by Heads In The Cloud's own Graham Potter as they congratulate him on his retirement. Listen in to hear Graham's full story of what brought him to Star2Star and his array of expertise. You'll also be taken on a tour of voice communications' journey and see how much has changed over time, as well as rapidly over 2020 alone. Ponder with us over which form of communication is most critical (voice, text, or visual) and decide which you'd want if you could just have one!Show LinksLinkedIn (Graham): https://www.linkedin.com/in/graham-potter-058464/Twitter (Graham): https://twitter.com/grahampotterukWebsite: https://www.star2star.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/star2star-communications-llcTwitter: https://twitter.com/Star2StarFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Star2StarCommunicationsAbout System Y: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_YAbout Monarch Call Connect System:  https://sites.google.com/site/monarchcallconnectsystem/monarch-120-a-new-digital-pabxAbout PABX switching systems:  https://www.britishtelephones.com/ericsson/plesseycdss1.htm

In this episode, David and John welcome back Zeus Kerravala, Founder and Principal Analyst at ZK Research, for the third time by popular demand! Listen as Zeus provides information on the industry's most buzz-worthy topics, get answers to questions about workforce management, find out some of UCaaS's major players' growth strategies, and catch up on the current disruptors in the industry! Join us and challenge the statements that are popping up in the news and hear Zeus's expert take on it all!Show LinksLinkedIn (Zeus): https://www.linkedin.com/in/zkerravala/Twitter (Zeus): https://twitter.com/zkerravalaWebsite: https://zkresearch.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zkresearch/

In this episode, David and John speak with Dan Ziegler, Transformation Advisor and founder of The Daniel Ziegler.co, an organization specializing in Unified-Communications-as-a-Culture. During their discussion, Dan covers how he approaches team integration within businesses, how the COVID-19 virus and security issues share a common denominator, and how the culture and approach to adopting a cloud strategy is highly important for boosting performance, profitability, and productivity! Join us and hear a little about Daniel's free 1-hour course "Everyone Communicates But Few Connect" for the perfect encore! Show Links:Website: https://www.danielziegler.co/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/daniel-ziegler-co/Daniel’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danziegler1/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielziegler.coFree 1 hour virtual course on Everyone Communicates, Few Connect https://danielzieglerco.leadingthebest.com/CL0002

In this episode, David and Frederick get to chat with Shahar Milman, VP Business Development at Galooli Group, a leading innovator of remote management Industrial IoT solutions. From exciting tales of real-life burglaries to managing and monitoring solar energy for maximum efficiency, Shahar Milman shares various issues that the Galooli Groups' solutions have solved. Discover how remote monitoring helps companies use data to make the best decisions and even improve their carbon footprint.Show LinksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahar-milman-974a5718/Website: http://www.galooli.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/galooli/Twitter: https://twitter.com/galooligroupFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/GalooliGroup 

In this episode, David and John speak with Steve Womer, VP of Customer and Solutions Engineering at Interface Systems, a 13-year Star2Star partner. Steve shares stories learned through 26 years in business with roots in security integration that blossomed into a full-scale solution. Explore various use cases from retail, food services, and more industries as they've adapted to the COVID-19 landscape and learn how consumer behaviors are shaping the way businesses are communicating.Show Links:LinkedIn (Steve): https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenmichael-99/Website: https://interfacesystems.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/interfacesystems/Twitter: https://twitter.com/interface_sysFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InterfaceSystems/ 

In this episode, we introduce the first show in a special series featuring Star2Star's President and CRO Michelle Accardi, focusing on women in technology.  Michelle interviews Pattie Grimm, the President, and CEO of Advantage Training for an in-depth discussion about imposter syndrome. Pattie shares what imposter syndrome is, how to identify it, and how to overcome this unconscious bias that has been found to affect high-performers, especially women. Show Links:$10 Copy of Pattie's book Quiet Women Never Changed History! http://womenkickingglass.com/bookTwitter: https://twitter.com/pattie_grimmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattie-grimm/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/womenkickingglass2/Advantage Training website: https://advantage-training.com/

In this episode, Star2Star's President and CRO Michelle Accardi, discusses why mentorship matters with Joanne Moretti, CMO & Board member of DecisionLink and Founder & CEO of JCurve Digital. Joanne shares her story of discovering the value of mentorship, as well as outlines what you should look for in a mentor and how companies can foster an environment that encourages mentorship. Learn how forming your own "board of directors" council can help grow your career!Episode Links:LinkedIn (Joanne): https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannemoretti/Twitter (Joanne): https://twitter.com/JoannMorettiWebsite (JCurve Digital): https://jcurvedigital.com/LinkedIn (JCurve Digital): https://www.linkedin.com/company/jcurve-digital/Facebook (JCurve Digital): https://www.facebook.com/jcurvedigital/LinkedIn (DecisionLink): https://www.linkedin.com/company/decisionlink/Facebook (DecisionLink): https://www.facebook.com/DecisionLink/Twitter (DecisionLink): https://twitter.com/decisionlinkWebsite (DecisionLink): https://www.decisionlink.com/ 

In this episode, Star2Star's CRO and President, Michelle Accardi, continues the discussion about the importance of mentorship as she interviews her own mentor, George Fischer, who has helped her grow since her early days at CA Technologies. George Fischer, former President of Global Enterprise at Verizon, shares just how deeply beneficial mentorships can be for everyone in building high-performance teams, creating confidence, and especially in helping more women gain leading roles. Learn how George got started in role modeling and coaching, his views on the importance of men and women learning from each other, and the value of honest group feedback.Episode links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgejfischer/Twitter: https://twitter.com/candidGJFMichelle's Book -  Significant Women: Leaders Reveal What Matters Most https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0927YG1FHLinkedIn (Michelle): https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleaccardi/Twitter (Michelle): https://twitter.com/1marketingmaven 

In this episode, Frederick and John welcome back Pattie Grimm, owner, president, and CEO of Advantage Training. Dive into the 4 R's of leadership, explore diversity, and discover how the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns have updated leadership styles throughout the world. Along the way, you'll also get some tips to combat remote work fatigue, learn some pointers for ensuring inclusivity, and you'll hear the announcement of Pattie's upcoming book title and focus!Episode LinksAdvantage Training website: https://advantage-training.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/pattie_grimmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattie-grimm/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/womenkickingglass2/$10 Copy of Pattie's book Quiet Women Never Changed History!: http://womenkickingglass.com/book

In this episode, Michelle Accardi speaks with Michelle Ragusa-McBain, Global Lead and Channel Evangelist for MSP and XaaS at Cisco. At the time of this recording, she was the VP of Global Channel and Digital Strategy at JS Group. With shared parallels in career paths, passions, parenthood, and (possibly) both measuring up to just under 5 feet tall, Michelle and Michelle share the truths they've uncovered amidst their busy lives. As they make time to lead companies and devote time to families, uncover how women in the technology industry manage so-called “work-life balance” and what this balance looks like today.Episode Links:JS Group Website: https://www.jsgnow.com/JS Group Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jsgnow/JS Group LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jsgnow/JS Group Twitter: https://twitter.com/JSGNOWMichelle Ragusa-McBain LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleragusamcbain/Michelle Ragusa-McBain Twitter: https://twitter.com/MichelleRagusaMichelle Accardi's Book -  Significant Women: Leaders Reveal What Matters Most https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0927YG1FHLinkedIn (Michelle Accardi): https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleaccardi/Twitter (Michelle Accardi): https://twitter.com/1marketingmaven 

In this episode, Michelle Accardi interviews Meredith Caram, the Chief Revenue Officer of the JS Group, and explores the topic of women moving up the career ladder and what it takes for them to get to the top. With less than a quarter of women holding senior roles in the C-suite, Michelle and Meredith share wisdom to help encourage and enable more women to dodge stereotypes, grow skills, make professional relationships, and champion the executive office! Episode Links:Meredith LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithcaram/Meredith Twitter: https://twitter.com/ignitecaramMichelle LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleaccardi/Michelle's Book -  Significant Women: Leaders Reveal What Matters Most https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0927YG1FHMichelle Twitter: https://twitter.com/1marketingmaven JS Group Website: https://www.jsgnow.com/JS Group Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jsgnow/JS Group LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jsgnow/JS Group Twitter: https://twitter.com/JSGNOW

In this episode, Star2Star's CRO and President, Michelle Accardi, interviews Nancy Ridge, Founder & President of Ridge Innovative. Listen to this enlightening episode and discover how these impressive women combat imposter syndrome in their own lives and hear their tips to overcome it. You'll learn the causes and effects of Imposter Syndrome as well as find out how to use criticism to make you better, not to hold you back. Lean in and continue exploring the discussion about how Imposter Syndrome is disproportionately affecting more high performers, especially women.Show LinksNancy Ridge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-ridge-085988a/Nancy Ridge on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nancy_ridgeRidge Innovative: https://ridgeinnovative.com/Ridge Innovative on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ridgeinnovative/"Mindset" by Dr. Carol Dweck https://ridgeinnovative.com/reece-akhtar-phd-deeper-signals-building-self-awareness-with-ai-season-1-ep8/Michelle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleaccardi/Michelle on Twitter: https://twitter.com/1marketingmaven

In this episode, Star2Star's CRO and President, Michelle Accardi, speaks with Janet Schijns, CEO of the JS Group to discuss why one in four women are debating leaving the workforce, especially in the midst of the Coronavirus. You'll hear a few of Janet's marvelous suggestions for how to combat the burnout that results from a woman's challenge to balance a career, family, and more. From money managing strategies to tips and tricks for career plans, Michelle and Janet cover a wide range of helpful topics. If you've been having problems with the myth of work-life balance, or even if you're wondering how to succeed, listen in as these two impressive women offer help!Episode LinksJanet Schijns on Twitter: https://twitter.com/channelsmartJanet Schijns on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetschijnsJS Group Website: https://www.jsgnow.com/JS Group Twitter: https://twitter.com/JSGNOWMichelle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleaccardi/Michelle on Twitter: https://twitter.com/1marketingmavenMckinsey Study Mentioned: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/women-in-the-workplaceTechs World Half Twitter: https://twitter.com/techworldshalfTechs World Half Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/526726030820867/

Michelle Accardi, Star2Star's CRO and President, speaks with serial entrepreneur Galina Datskovsky, an internationally respected privacy, compliance, and security expert who is currently a member of the Vaporstream, Inc. board of directors. Michelle and Galina discuss the benefits of mentors in the workplace, the importance of women in STEM, and the advantages & disadvantages of AI. Listen in as Galina shares her inspiring story of how her role models have helped her throughout her life and how each has influenced her and helped her become the professional that she is today. Episode Link:Galina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/galina-datskovsky-72953a12/Galina on Twitter: https://twitter.com/datgaVaporstream, Inc. on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vaporstream-inc-/Vaporstream, Inc. on Twitter: https://twitter.com/VaporstreamVaporstream, Inc. on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vaporstream/Michelle Accardi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleaccardi/Michelle Accardi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/1marketingmaven"The Social Dilemma" on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81254224Executive Women's Forum: https://www.ewf-usa.com/Executive Women's Forum on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EWFUSAExecutive Women's Forum on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EWFUSA 

In this episode, David and John speak with John Grange, Co-Founder, and CTO at OpsCompass, a cloud security, and management company providing improved visibility, security, cost management, and compliance for the multi-cloud world. John shares his expertise as the group discusses the evolving challenges of the cyber security space, Cloud Security Posture Management, the complexities of cloud infrastructure management, and Nebraska's Omaha Steaks & football.Episode LinksJohn Grange LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-grange-190ba652John Grange Twitter: https://twitter.com/JMGrangeOpsCompass Website: https://opscompass.com/OpsCompass LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/opscompass/OpsCompass Twitter: https://twitter.com/OpsCompassOpsCompass Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OpsCompass 

In this episode, Frederick, and John speak with Paul R. Ruppert, the founder, and CEO of Global Point View Ltd, a strategy consultancy focused on market entry, revenue growth, corporate alignment, and more. Paul shares his expertise in developing and growing tech companies, his insights into the increase of CPaaS popularity, and much more! Learn about modern & past communications preferences, sales development tactics in tech, apps offering alternatives to traditional voice communication, and even hear what it's like working a role as a Whitehouse advisor!Show Links:Website www.GlobalPointView.comPaul's Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulruppertintl/  Paul's Twitter: https://twitter.com/paulrruppertPaul's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paul.ruppert888Book by Daniel H. Pink: https://www.amazon.com/To-Sell-Is-Human-Daniel-H-Pink-audiobook/dp/B00AE9V9MA/

In this episode, Frederick, and John speak with Michael Morey, president, and CEO at BlueBird Network. Gain some history about the dawn of the internet and telecom through Michael's accounts of his 38 years in the industry, beginning with his background at AT&T. The group also discusses what makes BlueBird special, the issues raised in underserved areas during the COVID-19 pandemic, and what our future communications networks will look like in a fully connected world! Episode LinkMichael's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcmorey/BlueBird Website: https://bluebirdnetwork.com/BlueBird Network LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bluebird-network/BlueBird Network Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bluebird_NetBlueBird Network Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluebirdnetworkLLC/StarLink Low Flying Satellite Internet: https://www.starlink.com/ 

In this episode, David and John talk with Michelle Hyde, founder, and president of The Hyde Group. Michelle uses her extensive experience in voice and data communications to help her clients adapt and unify their communications efforts. Michelle also sits on the board of Cloud Girls, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating members about the technology and dynamics of the cloud ecosystem.Episode Links:Michelle Hyde on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellehyde/HYDE GROUP: https://hydegrouponline.com/HYDE GROUP on Twitter: https://twitter.com/hydenw