Podcasts about smbs

What do you want from your author career? What would fulfill you? Today's top story is Miserable Marketing. Question of the week is What do you want from your author career? What would fulfill you? Join the Sell More Books Show Afterparty group on Facebook and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.

Mini - Episode - 6 min.   Timidity is one of the worst sins. No one will follow you or believe you in. Make a bold bet now.   SMBs are the biggest target for cyber attacks. Protect your business with Inzo Technologies. Check out....www.inzotechnologies.com, I-N-Z-O, or email Nick directly at nick@inzotechnologies.com.   Get expert M&A guidance, valuations, and fractional executive support from Amplēo.Learn more at www.ampleo.com/lets-buy-a-business-podcast/.   Buying or selling? Business Valuation help? - Lean on Peak Business Valuation and their expertise now.  https://hubs.li/Q03zlvqH0   Join the next How to Buy a Business Cohort - Dec 2025 https://www.letsbuyabusiness.com/   Sourcing List:https://www.letsbuyabusiness.com/source

Send us a textThe enterprise software landscape continues its rapid AI-driven transformation, as vendors double down on automation, intelligence, and ecosystem connectivity. NT Logistics and Qued deepened their partnership to enhance logistics optimization, while Priority Software unveiled aiERP, embedding AI directly into core ERP workflows. Progress Software introduced AI-powered tools to accelerate developer productivity, and Sage rolled out AI Supply Chain Intelligence for SMBs alongside a new Copilot for Sage X3, reinforcing its mid-market dominance. On the content and marketing front, Storyblok launched two key integrations, AdDaptive Intelligence expanded its AI advertising platform, and Contentstack introduced its Data and Insights Solution. Meanwhile, Workday's new AI Agent Partner Network and Gateway underscores a growing focus on interoperable AI ecosystems, complemented by CallMiner's acquisition of VOCALLS, signaling continued consolidation across AI-native enterprise platforms.In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry analysts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to analyze current enterprise software stories. We covered many grounds including the direction and roadmaps of each enterprise software vendors. Finally, we analyzed future trends and how they might shape the enterprise software industry.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textThe CRM requirements of nonprofits are uniquely mission-driven, extending well beyond conventional sales and customer engagement functions. Unlike commercial enterprises, these organizations must manage complex relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders—including donors, volunteers, members, partners, and beneficiaries—each with distinct interaction and reporting needs. Core capabilities such as donation lifecycle management, pledge tracking, campaign segmentation, and impact measurement are essential to sustaining transparency and trust. Nonprofits also rely heavily on integrations with fund accounting systems and marketing automation tools to maximize limited resources while maintaining accountability to donors and regulators. Given their dependence on public and grant funding, robust data governance and auditability are non-negotiable. A CRM that aligns with the nonprofit operational and compliance model is not just a tool for engagement—it's the backbone for mission execution, resource optimization, and long-term sustainability.In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 Non-Profit CRMs in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these Non-Profit CRMs. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each CRM system.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

From Adobe Max 2025 in Los Angeles, Corey and Grant sit down with Ely Greenfield, Adobe's Chief Technology Officer, to explore the philosophy behind Adobe's practical AI strategy. Discover why the crowd went wild over AI renaming layers, how Adobe thinks about "additive not subtractive" AI, and where creative tools are heading next. Ely shares Adobe's vision for making AI a creative partner that enhances rather than replaces human artistry, and explains why the best AI features are often the most boring ones.Topics covered include: the Photoshop AI Assistant, Harmonize for instant compositing, auto-masking in Premiere Pro, the Express conversational workflow, and Adobe's unique approach to balancing automation with creative control.Read our Adobe Max coverage:• Adobe Reinvents Creative Suite with AI• Day 2 Keynote Recap• NVIDIA's Beyond-GPUs StrategyThis episode was made possible by our sponsor, Clutch: https://clutch.co/resources/how-smbs-see-ai-crawlers?source=theneuron&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=newsletter_10-14-2025Related resources:• Adobe Max 2025 announcements: https://www.theneuron.ai/explainer-articles/adobe-goes-all-in-on-ai-max-2025-unleashes-creative-ai-arsenal-across-every-tool• Day 2 Keynote and Sneaks recap: https://www.theneuron.ai/explainer-articles/adobe-max-day-2-the-storyteller-is-still-king-but-ai-is-their-new-superpower• Check out Adobe Firefly: https://firefly.adobe.com/• Project Graph demo: https://www.youtube.com/live/wQza2t9Qs64?t=10409sMake sure to check out Clutch's new report on AI crawling for SMBS! https://clutch.co/resources/how-smbs-see-ai-crawlers?source=theneuron&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=newsletter_10-14-2025Subscribe to The Neuron newsletter for daily AI news: https://theneuron.aiOriginal article: https://www.theneuron.ai/explainer-articles/adobe-goes-all-in-on-ai-max-2025-unleashes-creative-ai-arsenal-across-every-tool

Building on last week's episode on AI and Operating Systems in SMBs, Dave West and PST Yuval Yeret dive into the challenges of scaling small and medium-sized businesses.Dave shares lessons from growing an organization from a small team to over 100 people—navigating silos, new stakeholders, and keeping teams outcome-focused. Yuval highlights common scaling pitfalls and explores frameworks like EOS, Scaling Up, and D4X, emphasizing vision, strategic goals, and evidence-based management.Learn how to maintain agility at scale, build cross-functional teams, and create an operating system that drives sustainable growth.Resource - Mastering Organizational Traction Trail Map

Episode 471 features Alyona Mysko, Founder & CEO of Fuel Finance.Chapters:00:00 — Introduction01:23 — How Alyona Met Alina Vandenberghe (Eastern Europe Bond)03:59 — From Math Geek to Finance: Teachers, Simpsons, Degrees07:02 — Big Four to Fractional CFO ➜ Founding Fuel Finance08:44 — Opportunity Cost & Learning to Say No12:28 — Biggest Risks—Startup, Product, Move to the U.S.16:48 — What Founders Miss at the Start: Talk Money on Day One23:42 — Profit 101: Your First Financial Plan & Realistic Forecasting40:06 — Product-Market Fit Signals & Narrowing Your ICP44:25 — Action Challenge: Set Your “Life Number” + Monthly P&L HourFind Alyona Online:Website: ⁠https://fuelfinance.me/⁠Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyona-mysko/⁠X: ⁠https://x.com/alonamysko⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/alyona_mysko/⁠About Alyona:Alyona Mysko is the CEO and Co-Founder of Fuelfinance, an AI-powered financial planning and analysis platform built for SMBs. Before starting Fuel, she spent 10+ years as a CFO helping founders handle messy spreadsheets and build forecasts. Now she's scaling that superpower with AI, giving founders real-time visibility into their numbers and faster decisions without hiring a full finance team.

Send us a textThe enterprise technology landscape continues to accelerate toward AI-driven transformation and vertical specialization, with a surge of strategic partnerships, product launches, and acquisitions reshaping the ecosystem. TELUS Digital's acquisition of Gerent strengthens its Salesforce consulting depth, while AppDirect's purchase of Broker Online Exchange marks an ambitious expansion into energy procurement—blurring the lines between technology marketplace and industry operations. Appian's Connected Claims 2.0 redefines insurance process automation through AI, and Celonis' partnership with Peech introduces a groundbreaking solution aimed at reducing retail perishables loss using real-time intelligence. Meanwhile, HCLTech and UiPath's collaboration focuses on scaling agentic automation across global enterprises, underscoring how automation is evolving into an enterprise-wide capability. On the innovation front, LuminX's $5.5 million seed funding highlights growing investor confidence in emerging AI players, and Priority Software's launch of aiERP reflects the movement toward embedded intelligence at the ERP layer. Complementing this, Progress Software's AI-powered developer tools and Sage's AI Supply Chain Intelligence for SMBs show that across functions—from supply chain to software development—AI is becoming the defining force driving efficiency, adaptability, and competitive advantage.In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry analysts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to analyze current enterprise software stories. We covered many grounds including the direction and roadmaps of each enterprise software vendors. Finally, we analyzed future trends and how they might shape the enterprise software industry.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Seller Financing All Cash Using a Loan **Most use a combination of all 3.   Join the How to Buy a Business Cohort - Nov 2025 https://www.letsbuyabusiness.com/ SMBs are the biggest target for cyber attacks. Protect your business with Inzo Technologies.   Check out....www.inzotechnologies.com, I-N-Z-O, or email Nick directly at nick@inzotechnologies.com.   Get expert M&A guidance, valuations, and fractional executive support from Amplēo. Learn more at www.ampleo.com/lets-buy-a-business-podcast/.   Buying or selling? Business Valuation help? - Lean on Peak Business Valuation and their expertise now. https://hubs.li/Q03zlvqH0   Sourcing List:https://www.letsbuyabusiness.com/source

Send us a textThe CRM needs of large enterprises are shaped by scale, complexity, and stringent governance demands that go far beyond what smaller organizations require. These businesses operate across multiple geographies, currencies, and regulatory environments, making territory management, multi-level forecasting, and compliance core to their CRM strategy. Unlike smaller firms that prioritize ease of use, large enterprises demand robust systems capable of managing global data consolidation, advanced security, and enterprise-grade scalability. Their CRMs must seamlessly integrate with ERP, CPQ, marketing, and analytics ecosystems while maintaining strict data sovereignty and access control standards. With decision-making dispersed across regions and divisions, AI-driven insights, predictive forecasting, and centralized reporting become essential. Ultimately, for large enterprises, a CRM is not just a sales tool—it's a governance and intelligence engine powering global alignment, operational efficiency, and strategic execution.In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 Large Company CRMs in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these Large Company CRMs. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each CRM system.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

This Week: Farrah Bostic, Saul Colt and Colby Vogt join Bob to discuss WPP's AI initiative for SMBs, whether "slop" is part of the plan, OpenAI's Atlas browser, why consumers still prefer short videos, plus this week's #FairFailFoul.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by SK. You're listening to AI for SMBs, a dedicated series showcasing the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence for Canadian startups and small businesses. Today, we explore how AI can empower teams, enhance efficiency, and drive business growth while remaining human-centered.Joining us is Christopher June, Founder & CEO of IntelliSync Solutions, an AI-native business consultancy based in Chatham. Chris leverages two decades of leadership experience in financial services to help entrepreneurs integrate AI responsibly, build AI-native cultures, and unlock the strategic potential of automation for small businesses.Key Highlights:1. AI Training & Risk Management: Chris explains how responsible AI adoption starts with training, governance, and clear data protection policies.2. AI for Human Efficiency: AI enhances productivity without replacing humans, freeing teams to focus on innovation and customer relationships.3. AI-Native Business Culture: Embedding AI into company culture promotes inclusion, equitable workplaces, and data-driven decision-making.4. Empowering Entrepreneurs: Chris shares his career pivot from financial services to small business advocacy, demonstrating AI's role as an equalizer.5. Innovation & Future Vision: IntelliSync's GPT Builder and Business One platform aim to make AI accessible, human, and transformative for Canadian businesses.Special Thanks to Our Partners:RBC: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/business/accounts/beyond-banking/index.htmlUPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWAGoogle: https://www.google.ca/A1 Global College: https://a1globalcollege.ca/ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspxFor more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age!Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by SK. You're listening to AI for SMBs, a series dedicated to spotlighting the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence for Canadian startups and small businesses. Today, we explore how custom software and AI solutions drive growth, efficiency, and enterprise value.Joining us is Cory Silva, Co-Founder & Chief Revenue Officer at Sixth Summit, an AI-first software development agency and studio. Cory is also an angel investor, podcast host, and content creator, helping businesses move faster, operate leaner, and capture more value through proprietary technology.Key Highlights:1. AI & Custom Software for Growth: Cory explains how AI and tailored software help SMEs modernize systems, automate workflows, and drive long-term value.2. Entrepreneurial Journey: From corporate career to tech entrepreneur, Cory shares the lessons learned while entering an unfamiliar industry.3. Family & Leadership: How becoming a husband and father shaped his approach to creating both professional and personal value.4. Sixth Summit Difference: Building fast, low-risk prototypes and proprietary solutions like ShipAngular and Clerify to accelerate growth.5. Community & AI Trends: Cory shares insights on content creation, community-building, and the future of AI in business.Special Thanks to Our Partners:RBC: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/business/accounts/beyond-banking/index.htmlUPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWAGoogle: https://www.google.ca/A1 Global College: https://a1globalcollege.ca/ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspxFor more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age!Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

The podcast episode explores three significant shifts impacting the managed service provider (MSP) and technology landscape. The first topic centers on the ongoing debate regarding artificial intelligence (AI) and its role in empowering non-skilled workers versus enhancing the capabilities of skilled professionals. The discussion highlights the current state of AI adoption in organizations, emphasizing that while skilled workers are leveraging AI to augment their expertise, many smaller MSPs are still in the experimental phase, using AI for basic tasks rather than integrating it into their core operations.The second major theme is the emergence of the security-first MSP model, where cybersecurity is not merely an add-on service but a fundamental aspect of the business. Research indicates that a significant portion of MSPs still view cybersecurity as a secondary function, with only a small percentage considering it a core part of their offerings. This raises concerns about the preparedness of MSPs to meet the growing cybersecurity demands of their clients, especially as regulations and compliance requirements become more stringent.The final discussion point addresses the readiness of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) for AI-powered cyber attacks. The experts note that many SMBs are ill-prepared for the evolving threat landscape, often relying on outdated strategies that may no longer be effective. The conversation underscores the necessity for MSPs to not only enhance their cybersecurity offerings but also to educate their clients about the importance of integrating cybersecurity into their overall business strategy.Throughout the episode, the hosts emphasize the need for MSPs to adopt a more proactive approach to cybersecurity and AI integration. They argue that as the technology landscape continues to evolve, MSPs must refine their business models and operational processes to remain competitive. The discussion concludes with a call for MSPs to embrace their role as trusted advisors, guiding their clients through the complexities of cybersecurity and AI, and ensuring that they are equipped to navigate the challenges of the modern digital environment.

Programmatic Advertising for Small Business: How to Target Smarter and Get Better Results (with Dan Kraus) Think advanced digital ads are just for big brands with big budgets? Think again. In this episode, the Marketing Guides for Small Business welcome programmatic advertising pro Dan Kraus, Managing Director at Shift Advertising, to bust the myths holding SMBs back from smarter, more precise, and more profitable digital ads.

SMBs don't have access to the same level of sophisticated lending options as consumers.There is one fundamental problem that prevents this class of product from pushing forward: lenders juggle multiple data vendors, wrestle with disconnected point solutions, and these tools lack the ability to paint a full picture of the SMB customer and their needs. The result is an ecosystem where a majority of time is spent on solving operational blockades rather than building solutions that cater to the whole lending lifecycle of a SMB customer. “We need something that covers everything. There can't just be a bunch of point solutions," says Jon Fry, founder and CEO of Lendflow. Lendflow has tackled this challenge by building a unified embedded lending infrastructure that works with over 200 companies to streamline three critical pillars in the lending lifecycle: distribution, decisioning, and workflow automation. The firm is not a lender today, nor are they interested in becoming an embedded lender in the future; instead it has positioned itself as the technology backbone that enables existing lenders to become embedded lenders themselves. Lendflow's approach is paying off for clients like BHG Financial, which uses the firm's entire platform suite and has seen dramatic improvements in operational efficiency and approval rates through the partnership. Listen to this podcast to learn how Lendflow is helping lenders break out of the fragmentation quagmire and access a full agentic AI toolbox that helps re-engage borrowers, as well as improve efficiencies for internal processes.

With 15+ years leading Talent Acquisition teams in global companies like Accenture, Boehringer Ingelheim, PedidosYa and DeliveryHero, Leandro Cartelli decided to bring that expertise to new, growing businesses, so he launched Lana Talent!Leandro is passionate about helping businesses grow and succeed, and he believes it is key to find amazing talent that not only performs well but is also a perfect cultural fit. Today, his focus is on supporting small and medium-sized businesses, especially those that don't always have access to the same talent strategies as large corporations. Through Lana Talent, Leandro helps them tap into incredible talent across Latin America, his home region and one he's deeply committed to, offering not just world-class expertise, but also a smart, cost-effective way to scale.Contact Details:Email: leandro.cartelli@lanatalent.com Company: Lana TalentWebsite: https://lanatalent.com/ Social Media: LinkedIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/leancartelli/ Remember to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss "Information That You Can Use." Share Just Minding My Business with your family, friends, and colleagues. Engage with us by leaving a review or comment on my Google Business Page. https://g.page/r/CVKSq-IsFaY9EBM/review Your support keeps this podcast going and growing.Visit Just Minding My Business Media™ LLC at https://jmmbmediallc.com/ to learn how we can help you get more visibility on your products and services. #TalentAcquisition #RecruitmentExpert #BusinessGrowth #SMBs #HiringSolutions #LanaTalent #LatinAmericaTalent #CulturalFit #ScalingBusiness #GlobalHiring

Overview:  In this episode of the SMB Community Podcast, James Kernan interviews Kevin Schmidt from Coalition. They discuss the importance of cybersecurity and cyber risk management, focusing on Coalition's comprehensive approach that integrates cyber insurance with cybersecurity solutions. Kevin highlights the unique aspects of Coalition's services, which include active insurance and real-time risk assessments. He explains how their platform helps service providers discuss cybersecurity as a business risk, emphasizing the financial impact of cyber incidents on SMBs. Kevin also outlines their strategic partner program and upcoming events. Listeners are encouraged to contact Kevin for more information about Coalition's offerings and how they can collaborate.  --- Chapter Markers: 00:00 Introduction to the SMB Community Podcast 01:06 Kevin Schmidt's Background and Career Journey 02:12 Overview of Coalition Security's Services 05:40 Deep Dive into Coalition's Cyber Risk Management Platform 11:17 Engaging with Coalition: How MSPs Can Benefit 16:18 Why Choose Coalition? 19:06 Upcoming Events and Future Plans for Coalition 20:14 How to Get in Touch with Coalition 21:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts --- New Book Release: I'm proud to announce the release of my new book, The Anthology of Cybersecurity Experts! This collection brings together 15 of the nation's top minds in cybersecurity, sharing real-world solutions to combat today's most pressing threats. Whether you're an MSP, IT leader, or simply passionate about protecting your data, this book is packed with expert advice to help you stay secure and ahead of the curve. Available now on Amazon! https://a.co/d/f2NKASI --- Sponsor Memo: Since 2006, Kernan Consulting has been through over 30 transactions in mergers & acquisitions - and just this past year, we have been involved in six (6). If you are interested in either buying, selling, or valuation information, please reach out. There is alot of activity and you can be a part of it. For more information, reach out at kernanconsulting.com

“Roughly 80% of unidentified calls go unanswered. The voice channel won't recover until people trust who's calling.” — Alex Algard, Founder & CEO, Hiya Alex Algard joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to unpack why consumers are ignoring voice calls and how Hiya—in partnership with mobile operators and handset makers—aims to modernize caller identity, block abuse, and reconnect businesses with customers. The problem Hiya's annual research shows unidentified calls are largely ignored (≈80% unanswered). With nuisance and fraud rampant, voicemail is turning into the new spam folder, undermining contact centers and legitimate outbound teams. Who Hiya is Seattle-based Hiya powers call protection and identity services with a global footprint of 500M+ users, working with AT&T (US), Samsung (global), Rogers/Bell (Canada), BT (UK), Vodafone, Telefónica, Telenor, and others. Two flagship services Hiya Protect: Network-integrated analytics (privacy-respecting metadata only) assess ~30B calls/month to label or block spam/fraud in real time—often before the phone rings. Hiya Connect: Elevates legitimate outbound calling with branded caller ID (business name, logo, call reason), materially raising answer rates for B2C outreach (banks, airlines, healthcare, pharmacies, field services). New: Caller Reputation (transparency for enterprises) For the first time, businesses can see and track their caller reputation and get prescriptive guidance to improve it (e.g., call patterns, answer durations, hygiene). This addresses the “black box” confusion when calls are mislabeled across carriers/analytics vendors. It's designed for enterprises, MSPs, channels, and SMBs—with direct engagement via Hiya or through operator partners. AI has been in Hiya's DNA Hiya has applied ML since 2016 and now leverages advanced AI to improve detection and identity, helping operators keep networks clean while avoiding false positives on wanted calls. Hiya AI Phone (assistant/screener) A carrier-offerable AI agent that answers, screens, and routes inbound calls in real time—ideal for consumers and SMBs (e.g., trades & field services that can't staff a live receptionist yet rely on timely calls). Why it matters for readers Contact centers & outbound teams: Recover answer rates, reduce voicemail waste, and maintain brand trust. Enterprises/MSPs/Channels/Regional telcos: Offer branded calling, protect subscribers, and monitor/improve caller reputation across portfolios. SMBs: Use AI screening to capture opportunities without missing critical calls. Learn more about Hiya Protect, Hiya Connect, Caller Reputation, and Hiya AI Phone at hiya.com.

Send us a textThe enterprise software ecosystem is undergoing another wave of AI-driven transformation, with vendors and service providers racing to redefine customer intelligence and automation capabilities. Gainsight's debut of Atlas, a suite of AI agents, and Similarweb's launch of its own AI agent collection both signal a shift toward modular, intelligent ecosystems that automate customer insights and engagement. Complementing this, Snowplow introduced Snowplow Signals—a real-time customer intelligence infrastructure designed to power next-generation, AI-enhanced products. On the acquisition front, Invoca's purchase of Symbl.ai strengthens its conversational analytics capabilities, while Salesforce's planned acquisition of Informatica underscores its commitment to deepening data integration and intelligence at scale. Meanwhile, TELUS Digital's acquisition of Gerent, a Salesforce-focused consultancy, highlights how implementation partners are becoming increasingly strategic in this evolving, AI-first landscape where intelligence infrastructure is the new competitive battleground.In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry analysts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to analyze current enterprise software stories. We covered many grounds including the direction and roadmaps of each enterprise software vendors. Finally, we analyzed future trends and how they might shape the enterprise software industry.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are significantly increasing their spending on cybersecurity solutions, with managed detection and response (MDR) and network detection and response (NDR) expected to grow by 107% and 118%, respectively. However, despite this financial commitment, a recent study reveals that 83% of SMBs do not conduct formal security awareness training, and nearly half lack established incident response protocols. This operational gap is concerning, as the average financial loss from a security incident for these businesses is estimated at $1.6 million. The study emphasizes that technology alone cannot address the underlying issues of process and expertise that leave many businesses vulnerable.Microsoft's sixth annual digital defense report highlights a troubling trend where over half of cyberattacks are now financially motivated, with ransomware and extortion being primary drivers. Critical public services, such as hospitals and local governments, are particularly at risk due to limited cybersecurity budgets and inadequate incident response capabilities. Nation-state actors are also evolving their tactics, with countries like China and North Korea increasing their cyber espionage efforts. Microsoft stresses the importance of organizations staying informed about threats and collaborating with industry peers to enhance their defenses.For managed service providers (MSPs), this situation presents a unique opportunity. Clients are investing in cybersecurity tools but require assistance in operationalizing these tools into effective security measures. MSPs can help by building processes, training personnel, and conducting tabletop exercises to ensure that businesses are not just purchasing products but are genuinely prepared for potential threats. The podcast emphasizes that cybersecurity is not merely about acquiring tools; it is fundamentally about preparedness and having a well-executed plan tailored to the business's needs.Additionally, the episode discusses recent product updates from various vendors, including Nerdio, SureWeb, and Veeam, which are introducing new AI tools and partner updates to enhance MSP operations. The importance of human capital in maintaining complex systems is also highlighted, particularly in light of Amazon's recent AWS outage, which was exacerbated by significant layoffs leading to a loss of institutional knowledge. The podcast concludes with a call for MSPs to audit their technology stacks and focus on the impact of workflows rather than just features, ensuring that they are prepared for any chaos that may arise. Four things to know today00:00 The Cybersecurity Paradox: SMBs Spend More Than Ever, But Stay Just as Vulnerable04:21 ConnectWise's Critical Automate Flaws Highlight the Growing Risk of On-Prem RMMs06:11 From Layoffs to Latency: Amazon's DNS Outage Reveals the True Cost of Lost Expertise09:06 AI, Compliance, and Cloud PCs: Vendors Race to Redefine MSP Efficiency Ahead of Microsoft's 2025 Shift This is the Business of Tech.    Supported by:  https://try.auvik.com/dave-switchhttps://cometbackup.com/?utm_source=mspradio&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=sponsorship

In this episode of Next in Media, Mike Shields speaks with Peter Hamilton, Head of Ad Innovation at Roku, about the rapid evolution of connected TV (CTV) advertising and how Roku is bridging the gap between big-brand budgets and small-business accessibility.Peter shares what's really happening behind the scenes as digital-first advertisers and DTC brands move into television, the challenges of onboarding thousands of SMBs, and how Roku's self-serve ad tools and shoppable innovations are reshaping the CTV landscape. He also explains Roku's partnership with Amazon, the growth of shoppable TV, and why “press OK to text” could redefine viewer engagement.With clarity and insider perspective, Peter outlines what's next for CTV—from AI-driven creative experimentation to real-time data loops that empower advertisers of all sizes. Key Highlights

Send us a textThe mid-market CRM buyer occupies a distinct and often underestimated space between simplicity and scale. Unlike startups that seek rapid deployment or small businesses focused on cost efficiency, mid-sized organizations require systems that can support growing operational complexity without the burden of enterprise-grade bureaucracy. Their CRM priorities revolve around robust workflow automation, stronger data security, and cross-departmental collaboration across sales, marketing, service, and operations. With multiple product lines or regional divisions, they need a platform that offers deeper analytics, moderate ERP or CPQ integration, and flexible reporting capabilities for managerial insight and planning. Yet, they're not contending with the global consolidation, multi-currency, or data sovereignty challenges faced by large enterprises. Instead, their goal is to scale efficiently—to deploy a CRM that's powerful enough to grow with the business but still agile enough to adapt quickly to evolving market and organizational dynamics.In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 Mid-Sized CRMs in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these Mid-Sized CRMs. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each CRM system.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

In this episode of On the Delo, David DeLorenzo welcomes investor and operator Stephen Cole back for a no-BS, practical conversation on Bitcoin for real businesses—especially restaurants. They hit family buy-in, what “21M cap” actually means, instant vs. final settlement, and how owners can allocate a small, repeatable % of revenue into BTC without wrecking their books.Stephen also breaks down why fractions (0.01 BTC) aren't “small,” how AI will demand internet-native money, and what his company Castle is building so small and medium sized businesses can automate buys and plug into tools they already use (Stripe, PayPal, Square, Clover, Shopify, QuickBooks). They cover tax basics (buy/hold vs. sell), loans against BTC, and why “high-yield” dollar accounts rarely beat inflation in the real world.Chapter Guide (Timestamps):(00:13 – 01:02) Cold open & why Stephen's back on the show (01:58 – 03:29) Getting spouse buy-in; teaching money to kids (04:22 – 06:20) Money 101 & the Lynn Alden primer to understand fiat (06:27 – 08:19) From Silicon Valley engineer to Bitcoin (since 2013) (08:55 – 12:33) Scarcity (21M / ~19M mined), settlement vs. instant layers (13:44 – 17:51) Unit-bias myth; why AI will use internet-native money (18:24 – 23:23) Corporate treasuries → Castle for SMBs; set-and-forget allocations (23:37 – 24:25) Taxes: buy/hold ≠ taxable; borrowing against BTC (responsibly)(25:27 – 30:22) Restaurants: accept vs. hold; accounting realities today (31:14 – 36:19) Inflation math for owners; “high yield” vs. real purchasing power (37:04 – 38:34) DCA mindset & the early “faucet” story (39:01 – 40:52) Mortgages, lenders, and regulators starting to acknowledge BTC (40:53 – 43:18) “No second best”: BTC vs. altcoins; how to reach Stephen (47:14 – 50:26) Rapid-fire and close

Discover how AI is revolutionizing risk management and transforming SMB financing in this insightful episode of the Risk Management Show. Host Boris Agronovich, founder and CEO of the Global Risk Community, sits down with Sal Rehmetullah, co-founder and CEO of Worth AI, to discuss critical strategies and innovations reshaping the financial infrastructure for small businesses. Sal shares his remarkable journey, from scaling Stax Payments into a minority-led unicorn to launching Worth AI, an AI-powered platform that simplifies compliance, onboarding, and underwriting for SMBs. Learn how AI is driving faster, more inclusive financial decisions while addressing key challenges like cybersecurity, transparency, and education for small business owners. We explored pressing topics, including the risks SMBs face in traditional financial systems, the opportunities AI creates in risk management, and how Worth AI is pioneering a seamless, consumer-like experience for enterprises and their customers. Sal also shares invaluable lessons from his entrepreneurial success and envisions a future where small businesses can thrive with a globally accepted credit score. If you want to be our guest or suggest someone for the show, send your email to info@globalriskconsult.com with the subject line "Guest Proposal."

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued an emergency directive for federal agencies to update their F5 products following a significant breach where hackers accessed source code and undisclosed vulnerabilities. This incident, discovered in August, poses a serious risk to federal networks, as the threat actor could exploit these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access and exfiltrate sensitive data. Agencies are required to apply the latest updates by October 22nd and report their F5 deployments by October 29th, highlighting the urgency of addressing these security concerns.In a related development, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is encouraging federal agencies to take calculated risks with artificial intelligence (AI) under new federal guidance. Martin Stanley, an AI and cybersecurity researcher, emphasized the importance of risk management in AI deployment, particularly in comparison to more established sectors like financial services. As agencies adapt to this guidance, they must identify high-impact AI applications that require thorough risk management to ensure both innovation and safety.A report from Cork Protection underscores the need for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to adopt a security-first approach in light of evolving cyber threats. Many SMBs remain complacent, mistakenly believing they are not targets for cybercriminals. The report warns that this mindset, combined with the rising financial risks associated with breaches, necessitates a shift towards a security-centric operational model. The cybersecurity services market is projected to grow significantly, presenting opportunities for IT service providers that prioritize security.Apple has announced a substantial increase in its bug bounty program, now offering up to $5 million for critical vulnerabilities. This move reflects the growing importance of addressing security challenges within its ecosystem, which includes over 2.35 billion active devices. The company has previously awarded millions to security researchers, emphasizing its commitment to user privacy and security. As the landscape of cybersecurity evolves, managed service providers (MSPs) are urged to tighten vendor monitoring, incorporate AI risk assessments, and focus on continuous assurance to meet the increasing demands for security. Three things to know today00:00 Cybersecurity Crossroads: F5 Breach, AI Risk, and Apple's $5M Bug Bounty Signal Security Accountability06:44 Nearly a Third of MSPs Admit to Preventable Microsoft 365 Data Loss, Syncro Survey Finds09:22 AI Reality Check: Workers' Overconfidence, Cheaper Models, and Microsoft's Scientific Breakthrough Signal Maturity in the Market This is the Business of Tech.     Supported by:  https://mailprotector.com/mspradio/ 

Entry-Level Deep Dive into Due Diligence - I cover a lot here.   Financial Employee Admin / Business Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR)   Join the How to Buy a Business Cohort - Nov 2025 https://www.letsbuyabusiness.com/   SMBs are the biggest target for cyber attacks. Protect your business with Inzo Technologies. Check out....www.inzotechnologies.com, I-N-Z-O, or email Nick directly at nick@inzotechnologies.com.   Get expert M&A guidance, valuations, and fractional executive support from Amplēo.Learn more at www.ampleo.com/lets-buy-a-business-podcast/.   Buying or selling? Business Valuation help? - Lean on Peak Business Valuation and their expertise now. https://hubs.li/Q03zlvqH0   Sourcing List: https://www.letsbuyabusiness.com/p/source/

Send us a textThe enterprise software landscape in 2025 continues to evolve at a breakneck pace, marked by a surge of strategic acquisitions, partnerships, and AI-driven innovations. Acumatica's acquisition by Vista Equity Partners signals a new phase of investment and potential scaling for the mid-market ERP leader. Meanwhile, alliances like Capgemini's expanded collaboration with Mistral AI and SAP, and SAP's new partnership with Alibaba Group, underscore the growing importance of regional and AI-native synergies. On the AI front, DataRobot's open-source framework for agentic workflows and Deloitte's launch of a Global Agentic Network both highlight the race to operationalize autonomous digital workforces. Product innovation also remains intense: Snyk's AI Trust Platform, Gainsight's Atlas, and Similarweb's AI Agent collections illustrate how vendors are embedding intelligence across ecosystems. Complementing this trend, Invoca's acquisition of Symbl.ai and Salesforce's plan to acquire Informatica show how data and conversational intelligence are becoming central to customer engagement strategies. Even digital service providers like TELUS Digital are doubling down on CRM-centric growth through the acquisition of Gerent, reflecting how every layer of the enterprise stack is being redefined by AI and data infrastructure convergence.In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry analysts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to analyze current enterprise software stories. We covered many grounds including the direction and roadmaps of each enterprise software vendors. Finally, we analyzed future trends and how they might shape the enterprise software industry.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

How do you keep pace with rising PCB complexity while ensuring scalability and innovation? What you'll learn… (00:40) David Haboud's career journey and what drew him to Siemens (02:50) Aligning personal vision with Siemens mission of digital transformation and sustainability (04:50) The role of a technical audience manager in amplifying customer voices (07:00) Why integrated ecosystems outperform siloed toolchains (08:40) Today's biggest challenges in PCB design: complexity, time-to-market, and supply chain volatility (10:50) What is the true cost of the decisions you make and how they impact downstream? (13:10) Hidden costs in component libraries and the case for smarter automation (15:31) How automation has always been part of EDA—and what's next (18:40) Scalability of Xpedition Standard and what it means for engineers and SMBs (23:30) The future of PCB design: AI integration, sustainability, and smarter business-driven design More about the episode… In this episode of the Printed Circuit Podcast, host Steph Chavez welcomes Siemens newest co-host, David Haboud, Senior Technical Audience Manager at Siemens EDA. With over a decade of experience spanning embedded software and hardware product marketing, David shares how his career has been shaped by bridging gaps between domains and amplifying the user's voice in product development. Together, Steph and David explore how Siemens fully integrated digital thread transforms the way products move from concept to manufacturing—eliminating translation errors, reducing wasted time, and enabling true digital twins. They discuss the hidden costs of component selection, how scalability in solutions like Xpedition Standard empowers both startups and enterprises, and why automation and AI are key to unlocking engineers' full potential. The conversation also dives into the challenges facing modern PCB designers: supply chain volatility, increasing design complexity, and time-to-market pressure. Steph and David emphasize the importance of training the next generation of engineers, academia collaboration, and adopting scalable ecosystems that grow with business needs. This episode is ideal for PCB designers, electrical engineers, design managers, SMBs, and enterprises who want to harness scalability, digital transformation, and smarter automation in their workflows. Connect with Steph Chavez: LinkedIn Website Connect with David Haboud LinkedIn Website

In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains welcomes Harish Chandramowli, CEO of Flare, to unpack the evolution of ERP systems in the age of AI—specifically for fashion brands and SMBs.Harish shares insights from his unique career path, spanning cybersecurity at Johns Hopkins, engineering at Bloomberg and MongoDB, to tackling unstructured data and workflow automation for modern retailers. The conversation dives deep into the intersection of technology, scalable team building, and founder-led sales—along with candid lessons learned while bootstrapping, selling, and leading distributed teams across the globe.Key Takeaways00:00 Tech Innovation and People-First Leadership06:18 "SMB Market Gap: Custom ERP Needed"07:29 Flexible ERP Solutions with MongoDB12:34 AI Streamlines ERP Communication15:55 Increase Sales with Incomplete Products18:40 "Benefits of Technical Founders"23:02 Cultural Sensitivity in Global Teams25:41 Delegation as a Learning Opportunity29:43 "Team Growth and Skill Challenges"32:37 AI-Driven Business Insights36:22 Optimizing Workflow with AI Automation39:58 Future Growth: Strategies & Insights40:49 "SaaS Fuel Podcast Overview"Tweetable QuotesThe Power of Flexible Data: "One of the things that I learned in MongoDB is flexible data has so much power. It's so much easier to help people understand their business without having to pay." — Harish Chandramowli AI Revolutionizing Supply Chain Communication: "AI can learn. Your emails say that, hey, you got an email from your factory saying that things are getting delivered and AI can parse your attachment, fill in those data, you just need to verify and approve it and the workflow is done." — Harish Chandramowli Viral Topic: The Importance of Cultural Understanding in Global Teams: "Understanding each other's culture goes a long way in people feeling close to you." — Harish Chandramowli SaaS Leadership LessonsUnderstand Before You Automate: Deeply map out a customer's workflow before implementing automation. AI is most powerful when embedded where the real pain is.Founders Must Stay Hands-On: Engaged, founder-led sales and customer interactions are critical in the early stages—don't retreat into just building.Hire for Culture & Autonomy: Successful distributed teams thrive on self-motivation, global empathy, and transparent communication.Don't Fear Delegation: Letting your team handle challenges increases their growth and the company's overall resilience.Sales and Engineering Need Real Collaboration: Break down silos by involving engineers in sales calls and non-technical staff in planning meetings.Contextualize AI's Role for Customers: When selling AI-driven solutions, focus on the concrete problem solved, not the flashy technology. Realism and transparency build trust.Guest Resourcess.c.harish@gmail.comharish@flairesoftware.com https://www.flairesoftware.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/scharish/Episode SponsorThe Captain's KeysSmall Fish, Big Pond –

In this episode of the Transform Sales Podcast: Sales Software Review Series, Eddie Bello ☁, Marketplace Specialist at CloudTask, is joined by Jonas Hammarberg, CEO & Founder at SP CE, a powerful Sales Acceleration Software designed to boost SMB sales through enhanced collaboration with partners and distributors. SP CE offers secure digital rooms for streamlined content sharing, actionable insights, and consistent stakeholder alignment. Jonas shares how SP CE empowers SMBs to manage their indirect sales channels effectively by centralizing marketing materials, product training, and sales enablement resources in one intuitive platform. He highlights the common challenges SMBs face when scaling their partner channels—like fragmented communication, inconsistent brand messaging, and limited visibility into partner activities—and demonstrates how SP CE provides a unified solution. Listeners will discover how SP CE simplifies the management of complex partner networks by offering clear visibility and control, enabling better forecasting and stronger partner engagement. Jonas emphasizes the ease of onboarding, intuitive interface, and robust analytics that deliver immediate insights into partner effectiveness and engagement. Try SP CE here: https://software.cloudtask.com/sp-ce-f71f24 #TransformSales #SalesSoftware #SPCE #CloudTask #PartnerEnablement #SalesAcceleration #ChannelSales #SMBs

Send us a textUnlike startups prioritizing rapid deployment and simplicity, small businesses now seek consistency in customer data, light automation, and limited but meaningful integrations—often with accounting or marketing systems. Their CRM expectations include emerging needs for security, role-based access, and reporting maturity without the overhead of enterprise-grade tools. In compiling our 2025 rankings, we analyzed each vendor's product share, roadmap alignment, and community ecosystem while factoring in win rates, investor confidence, and innovation direction. The resulting list identifies platforms purpose-built for small businesses—solutions that deliver process efficiency, automation, and integration depth without sacrificing ease of use or affordability.In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 CRMs for small businesses in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these CRM systems for small businesses. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each CRM system.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Could a radio company that snubbed digital advertising for two decades wind up with the industry's winning strategy? This episode features an interview with Saga Communications CEO Chris Forgy, who forsees a steep decline in radio advertising and an aggressive digital sales effort aimed at reviving it. Stay in the loop with all things Borrell when you join our Research Alert Lists. As always, thank you for listening. If you like the episode, leave us a review!  Want to join the conversation? Share your comments at borrellassociates.com/podcast.

Navigating the 2025 SMB Landscape: Proactive Tax Strategies and Expert Insights from Adam WilliamsSmall and medium-sized business owners are facing unprecedented challenges in 2025, from rapid legal changes to AI-driven disruption. In a recent episode, Josh Elledge sat down with Adam Williams, author and Co-founder of Pennywise Tax Strategies, to explore actionable strategies for SMB founders navigating complex tax, legal, and operational environments. Adam shared insights on proactive tax planning, leveraging expert advisors, and adapting to technological changes to help businesses thrive in an increasingly dynamic landscape.The Power of Proactive Tax PlanningAdam emphasizes that reactive tax preparation is no longer sufficient for SMBs looking to maximize profits and future-proof their businesses. Forward-thinking strategies like auditing profit and loss statements, employing family members, leveraging the Augusta Rule, choosing the right business entity, and utilizing cost segregation can save businesses significant money while maintaining compliance. He also highlights the importance of ongoing education and expert advisors, ensuring owners can confidently navigate new laws, AI integration, and changing economic conditions.Proactive planning goes beyond minimizing taxes—it's about optimizing operations and leveraging every available advantage. SMB owners can use these strategies to automate processes, structure their teams effectively, and ensure every deduction, credit, or exemption is captured. Adam's guidance demonstrates how combining thoughtful planning with expert support allows businesses to remain agile, profitable, and competitive in 2025 and beyond.Entrepreneurs who implement these strategies not only reduce risk but also position their businesses for sustainable growth. From cost-saving opportunities to AI-driven efficiency improvements, the insights Adam shared provide a clear roadmap for SMB founders seeking long-term success. By taking a proactive approach, business owners can reclaim control over their finances, optimize operations, and confidently scale their enterprises.About Adam WilliamsAdam Williams is the Co-founder of Pennywise Tax Strategies and a seasoned author focused on actionable tax and business advice for small and medium-sized enterprises. With deep expertise in tax planning, business law, and strategic consulting, Adam empowers SMB owners to make informed decisions that maximize profits and minimize risk.About Pennywise Tax StrategiesPennywise Tax Strategies helps small and medium businesses implement proactive tax planning, optimize deductions, and leverage financial strategies to grow efficiently. Their team specializes in forward-looking solutions that combine expert knowledge with practical, actionable tactics for entrepreneurs navigating a rapidly evolving business environment.Links Mentioned in this EpisodePennywise Tax StrategiesAdam Williams LinkedInKey Episode HighlightsHow SMBs can navigate complex tax and legal changes in 2025Strategies for proactive tax planning and financial optimizationLeveraging expert advisors and mastering profit and loss statementsTips for employing family members, leveraging the Augusta Rule, and entity selectionInsights on cost segregation and maximizing deductions for SMBsConclusionThe 2025 SMB environment demands proactive planning, strategic partnerships, and a keen understanding of tax and operational opportunities. Adam Williams' insights provide a roadmap for entrepreneurs seeking to thrive amid uncertainty by optimizing finances, leveraging expert guidance, and positioning...

In this episode of Cybersecurity Today, Jim hosts Craig Taylor, a seasoned virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) with over 25 years of experience. They discuss the evolution and significance of the vCISO role, Taylor's career path, and the founding of his company, Cyber Hoot, which provides cybersecurity education and vCISO services. Taylor shares insights into why companies, especially SMBs, opt for vCISO services due to budget constraints and the scarcity of cybersecurity professionals. He also talks about the common challenges faced by vCISOs, such as managing burnout and ensuring client adherence to security recommendations. The conversation delves into the importance of cybersecurity culture, the need for effective education, and the integration of cybersecurity in business practices. Taylor offers practical advice on hiring the right vCISO and highlights the benefits his company provides. The episode concludes with a discussion on the psychology behind successful cybersecurity practices and Taylor's thoughts on the future of the industry. 00:00 Introduction to Cybersecurity Today 00:04 Meet Craig Taylor: The Virtual CISO 00:47 The Early Days of Virtual CISOs 02:15 Building a Cybersecurity Company 03:40 The Rise of Virtual CISO Services 05:01 Challenges and Realities of Cybersecurity 06:42 The Importance of Cyber Literacy 20:38 Managing Cybersecurity Risks 28:05 Understanding Administrative Risks in Onboarding and Offboarding 28:39 Challenges with MSPs and Cybersecurity 29:27 The Importance of Basic Security Measures 31:52 Dealing with Technology Debt 32:52 Balancing Budget and Security Needs 35:13 Real-Life Cybersecurity Incidents 40:17 The Role of Education in Cybersecurity 46:12 Hiring the Right VCISO 51:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Dan Thornton is the Co-founder and CEO of Goldphish. He is a former Royal Marine Commando who channeled his operational expertise into cybersecurity. Today, Dan leads a security awareness training company, helping organizations turn their people into their strongest defense with over 2.1 million learners trained worldwide. In this episode… Threat actors don't just target large corporations. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are finding themselves in the crosshairs of attackers who use automation, AI, and social engineering to cast a wide net of cyber threats. From convincing phishing scams that capture credentials to AI deepfakes that mimic trusted voices, the methods used to manipulate and exploit unsuspecting employees are becoming more sophisticated. So how can organizations protect themselves when even the most vigilant staff can be fooled? Organizations that believe they are too small to be targeted by threat actors often learn the hard way that one single mistake can have devastating consequences. Yet improving cybersecurity posture and building awareness doesn't have to be overwhelming or costly. SMBs can take simple steps, such as enabling multifactor authentication (MFA) for all business accounts, updating software and systems, and maintaining regular backups. Security training is also critical because it helps employees recognize threats and avoid mistakes that often lead to incidents. By combining basic security measures with security awareness training, businesses can foster a culture that strengthens their defenses against cyber threats. In this episode of She Said Privacy/He Said Security, Jodi and Justin Daniels chat with Dan Thornton, Co-founder and CEO of Goldphish, about how small and medium-sized businesses can enhance their cybersecurity defenses. Dan emphasizes that attackers do not discriminate based on company size and that common blind spots, such as over-relying on technology, neglecting incident planning, and staying silent after mistakes, can leave organizations vulnerable. He explains why steps like enabling multifactor authentication, performing regular backups, and conducting employee security training make a big difference in reducing risk. Dan also shares insights on how companies can counter the growing threat of AI deepfakes and why business email compromise (BEC) remains one of the most effective scams.

Unlocking Business Growth: Expert Insights from Sandy Moll, CEO of Advanced Business SolutionsIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur, host Josh Elledge interviewed Sandy Moll, CEO and founder of Advanced Business Solutions (ABS). With nearly two decades of experience guiding banks, credit unions, and small to medium-sized businesses, Sandy shared her unique approach to leadership, operational excellence, and sustainable business growth. This post distills the main insights from their conversation, offering practical strategies for founders, business owners, and leaders looking to scale effectively while keeping their teams engaged.The ABS Approach: People, Processes, and Strategic ClaritySandy emphasizes that real business growth begins with a clear understanding of the problem you solve and the unique value you bring. ABS helps clients identify their core challenges, streamline operational processes, and implement strategic frameworks that allow teams to execute effectively. By combining personalized coaching with actionable systems, ABS ensures that businesses are set up for both immediate results and long-term scalability.Another key aspect of ABS's methodology is the focus on people. Sandy highlights the importance of aligning team members with the company's mission, developing leadership at every level, and fostering a culture that encourages accountability and innovation. This people-first approach reduces friction, increases productivity, and empowers employees to contribute meaningfully to the organization's success.Finally, ABS integrates technology and modern tools to enhance business efficiency without overwhelming leadership or teams. From leveraging AI to automate repetitive tasks to using project management platforms to track outcomes, Sandy demonstrates how combining human expertise with smart systems drives clarity, better decision-making, and sustainable growth. This balanced approach allows founders to focus on high-impact initiatives while trusting their teams to execute effectively.About Sandy MollSandy Moll is the CEO and founder of Advanced Business Solutions (ABS), bringing nearly 20 years of experience in helping SMBs, credit unions, and banks achieve clarity, efficiency, and scalable growth. She is passionate about combining operational strategy, leadership coaching, and technology to create sustainable, people-centered business solutions.About Advanced Business Solutions (ABS)ABS is a consulting and business solutions firm specializing in operational efficiency, leadership development, strategic planning, and interim staffing. With a client-first approach, ABS helps organizations streamline processes, develop high-performing teams, and implement strategies that drive measurable growth.Links Mentioned in this EpisodeABS WebsiteConnect with Sandy Moll on LinkedInKey Episode HighlightsThe power of identifying the problem your business solvesAligning team members with organizational mission and cultureIntegrating technology to improve efficiency without overcomplicating operationsLeadership strategies for sustainable growth and accountabilityTips for founders navigating uncertainty and scaling effectivelyConclusionSandy Moll's insights provide a clear roadmap for leaders seeking growth without sacrificing culture or clarity. By combining strategic frameworks, people-first leadership, and technology integration, founders and executives can scale their businesses sustainably while empowering their teams to perform at their best.

Send us a textThe enterprise technology landscape in 2025 is marked by accelerating AI adoption, strategic partnerships, and expanded automation capabilities across industries. Velixo secured a Series A investment from Elephant to fuel growth in financial reporting automation, while FloQast launched auditable AI agents aimed at addressing the growing talent gap in accounting and finance. Infor and Kinaxis announced a new partnership to enhance AI-driven supply chain collaboration, and Pegasystems introduced an AI-powered solution tailored for governance agencies. Planview unveiled several upcoming product enhancements focused on strategic portfolio management, while Rimini Street rolled out new Workday-centric services to strengthen support options for enterprise clients. SAP introduced its Omnichannel Sales Transfer and Audit solution to drive transparency across sales operations, UiPath expanded its testing toolkit with advanced AI agents, and Workato acquired DeepConverse to bring conversational intelligence into its automation platform—collectively signaling that enterprise software innovation is converging around intelligent, interconnected, and highly automated ecosystems.In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry analysts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to analyze current enterprise software stories. We covered many grounds including the direction and roadmaps of each enterprise software vendors. Finally, we analyzed future trends and how they might shape the enterprise software industry.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Small and medium businesses make up nearly half of all employment and GDP, yet they often struggle to compete against the scale, brand power, and resources of large corporations. Too often, the advice given to them is to “play bigger”—but that's a losing battle. What if the real advantage lies in embracing their underdog status?In this episode of the Happiness Squad Podcast, Ashish Kothari sits down with Sri Kaza, Advisory Board at Markaaz and author of the upcoming book UNCONVENTION: A Small Business Strategy Guide, to explore how SMBs can thrive by leaning into what makes them different: positioning, proximity, and purpose. They discuss why small doesn't mean weak, and how founders can unlock resilience, loyalty, and growth by playing their own game.Sri Kaza is an entrepreneur, investor, and former McKinsey consultant with a career spanning engineering, consulting, finance, and startups. He has helped scale visionary companies like Viking Cruises, co-founded ForwardLine to provide innovative financing for small businesses, and worked closely with entrepreneurs across industries to unlock growth. Ashish and Sri unpack inspiring stories, actionable insights, and practical strategies that will change the way you think about leading and growing a small to medium business. Tune in to discover how to turn your size into your greatest strength.Things you will learn in this episode:• The three Underdog Principles—Positioning, Proximity, and Purpose—and how to apply them• Why focusing on your core customers builds resilience during crises• How closeness to employees and community becomes a competitive edge• How AI can serve as a growth engine for SMBs rather than just a cost-cutting tool• Practical ways to stay grounded as a founder and align every decision with purposeIf you want to discover how small and medium businesses can outcompete giants and make flourishing their competitive edge, this conversation is one you won't want to miss.✅Resources:• How Great Companies Deliver Both Purpose and Profit by Alex Edmans: https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2020/10/01/how-great-companies-deliver-both-purpose-and-profit/ ✅Books:• Unconvention: A Small Business Strategy Guide by Sri Kaza: https://a.co/d/aYYfD8w • The Experimentation Machine by Jeff Bussgang: https://experimentationmachine.com/• Hardwired for happiness by Ashish Kothari: https://happinesssquad.com/hardwired-for-happiness/

Big budgets and star power don't guarantee success. Sometimes it takes time, refinement, and the right story to win an audience.That's the journey of The Gilded Age, the HBO drama that overcame early skepticism to become a hit. In this episode, we dig into its marketing parallels with the help of our special guest Laura Goldberg, Chief Marketing Officer at Auctane.Together, we explore what B2B marketers can learn from practicing patience, locking in product-market fit, and doubling down when momentum builds to gain lasting growth.About our guest, Laura GoldbergLaura Goldberg is the Chief Marketing Officer at Auctane. She is a seasoned, operations-driven go-to-market executive with a proven track record of propelling software companies to new heights, particularly serving small and medium sized businesses (SMBs), a vital segment for Auctane. Goldberg excels in crafting data-driven marketing strategies that resonate with customer needs, and her expertise will be key in advancing Auctane's mission to deliver exceptional shipping and mailing experiences to businesses worldwide.Previously, Laura was the CMO at Constant Contact, a digital marketing platform trusted by millions of small businesses and nonprofits. She has also held marketing leadership positions at Kabbage, an American Express Company, and LegalZoom, where she played key roles in driving customer growth, revenue expansion, and EBITDA improvements, leading to successful exits for both companies.What B2B Companies Can Learn From The Gilded Age:Patience is essential. The Gilded Age wasn't an overnight success—it built momentum slowly, and Laura sees the same in B2B marketing. “You gotta have patience. You gotta see it more than once. It has to build. You may not, be a… hot [thing] out of the gate. But… it's gonna build. Nobody makes a decision… with The Gilded Age, it's, you know, a solid hour and you gotta pay attention. Like you have to make a commitment to it and it takes time.” Marketing results rarely happen instantly. Success comes from committing, nurturing, and allowing campaigns to grow into traction over time.Product-market fit is non-negotiable. The show's elaborate sets and costumes bought it some time, but what kept audiences hooked was stronger storytelling in later seasons. Laura draws a clear B2B parallel: “You may have some stumbles outta the gate… You gotta deliver the goods. The product market fit, if you will, has to be there eventually. It doesn't have to be perfect right outta the gate, but it has to get to perfect pretty quickly.” In other words: creative campaigns and strong distribution will only get you so far—if the product doesn't ultimately deliver, marketing can't save itLean in when you gain traction. Once The Gilded Age started buzzing online, the promotion amplified everywhere. Laura says the same is true for B2B: “Once you get traction, lean in. When I tell you that my socials, everything I see is talking about this show… I see Mr. Russell in his flower suit all over the internet. By the way, I think it's an interview from two years ago that I keep seeing. So recycle all that stuff. But like once you feel that traction gripping, lean in, like repeat, be on everything. Repost, retweet… you have to lean in when you're doing well and really get that momentum.” Marketers should maximize momentum, recycle strong content, and make sure their presence is unavoidable when the audience is paying attention.Quote“ Customer, customer, customer. I feel like too many times it's really easy to talk about why your product's great and what it does… but you really have to frame it in the, what are you doing for me and me being the customer. How am I making things faster, cheaper, better for your end customer with what we're doing, and making sure that you're not just yelling features and functionality at people.”Time Stamps[00:55] Meet Laura Goldberg, Chief Marketing Officer at Auctane[01:14] Why The Gilded Age?[02:57] The Role of CMO at Auctane[09:50] What is The Gilded Age?[26:28] The Craft of Period Pieces[29:19] B2B Marketing Lessons from The Gilded Age[31:43] Laura's Marketing Strategy as a CMO[37:25] Winning Across Channels[49:35] Final Thoughts and TakeawaysLinksConnect with Laura on LinkedInLearn more about AuctaneAbout Remarkable!Remarkable! is created by the team at Caspian Studios, the premier B2B Podcast-as-a-Service company. Caspian creates both nonfiction and fiction series for B2B companies. If you want a fiction series check out our new offering - The Business Thriller - Hollywood style storytelling for B2B. Learn more at CaspianStudios.com. In today's episode, you heard from Ian Faison (CEO of Caspian Studios) and Meredith Gooderham (Head of Production). Remarkable was produced this week by Jess Avellino, mixed by Scott Goodrich, and our theme song is “Solomon” by FALAK. Create something remarkable. Rise above the noise. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Inside Growth 2.0. How AI, GEO & Vibe Coding Are Changing Everything EP322 Profit With A Plan Podcast Release date: October 6, 2025 Guest: Raj Singh, VP of Product at Mozilla Host: Marcia Riner, Business Growth Strategist | Infinite Profit®  

Send us a textWhen assessing the Top 10 CRMs for Startups in 2025, it's important to establish a clear definition of what constitutes a startup and how its needs differ from larger organizations. In this context, startups are typically companies with fewer than 20 employees or less than $10 million in annual revenue—businesses still shaping their go-to-market models and refining repeatable sales and marketing processes. These organizations are usually founder-led, with lean operational structures and limited departmental specialization, which means their CRM requirements prioritize simplicity, affordability, and rapid deployment over complex integrations or deep customization. Unlike mid-market or enterprise firms, startups need tools that deliver immediate visibility and momentum without requiring heavy IT involvement or long implementation cycles.In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 CRMs for Startups in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these CRM systems for startups. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each CRM system.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Guest: Fred Meyers, Founder & CEO of QueensboroLinks:Website: www.queensboro.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/queensboro/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/queensborousa/Episode page: https://entrepreneurconundrum.com/fredmeyersIn this episode:(00:00) Intro — spotting a premium polo gap and building from scratch(02:35) Why Queensboro is B2SMB (marketing-first vs. enterprise sales)(04:14) The $4.95 first-order offer and trust-building guarantees(06:07) Shipping realities: continental U.S. free shipping and reliability(07:25) Lessons from economic turbulence & organizational vulnerabilities(09:40) Why move HQ to Dallas—and what improved (talent & logistics)(15:26) Expansion thinking (East, Texas/Midwest, West Coast next)(16:06) “Great small company” > “bad big company” (and how to become great)(18:35) A turning point: “We're not doing better because we aren't better.”(19:38) The 4 P's people framework: Principled, Positive, Proactive, Productive(27:50) Brand basics: clear positioning → clear logo → clear expression(30:24) Culture you can “hear”—why energy shows up in the box(33:21) Best advice received: “Do what's good for Freddie.”(35:52) Best advice given: “Pray for a difficult life (and wife)” → growth & character(37:58) Where to learn more & connectTakeaways:Trust is a growth lever: guarantees, clear policies, and reliability convert skeptics.Hire for the 4 P's; you can't out-perform your lowest standard.Be a great small company—scale comes after excellence.Position → brand → logo → apparel: get the story straight, then amplify.CTA: Start your first embroidered shirt for $4.95 and test the experience: www.queensboro.com Key Questions(01:07) All right, so how did you get to where you are today?(01:52) You stayed focused?(02:28) Who is your ideal It's a small, probably company. Do you sell more B2B or B2C?(04:09) Do you have a minimum quantity that I need to order?(07:13) You have been around for a while. You've been through lots of crazy things with the economy. What things did you learn? What tips do you have for it?(11:32) When you were growing, was it hard to remove yourself from certain positions so that you weren't for bottleneck?(15:58) Are there any other big goals that you're looking to achieve in the next couple of years?(22:57) How did you get your company's name?(26:39) What are some of your thoughts about helping others build their brand?(30:57) What did you do to help you get through hard times or times that were rough?(33:12) What's the best advice you've ever received?(35:49) What's the best advice you've ever given?(37:53) Where can we go to learn more about you and what you do? Fred Meyerswww.queensboro.comhttps://www.facebook.com/queensboro/https://www.instagram.com/queensborousa/?hl=enVirginia PurnellFunnel & Visibility SpecialistDistinct Digital Marketing(833) 762-5336virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.comwww.distinctdigitalmarketing.com

Reddit: once the quirky cousin of the internet, now a front-row player in the SEO and LLM (large language model) game. If your carefully crafted blog posts are suddenly being outranked by Reddit threads, you're not alone. That's exactly what sparked this week's conversation with Danny Kirk—musician-turned-marketer and the founder of Reddit Reach. Lorraine sits down with Danny to ask the question on every marketer's mind: Are we ready for Reddit? Together, they explore why Reddit is suddenly everywhere, how it's being used to train AI tools like ChatGPT, and what marketers can do to adapt and thrive in this new digital landscape. Key Points Reddit is no longer niche. It's showing up in Google's top search results and training AI models—which means it can't be ignored. Reddit's ad platform is cheap and underutilized, making it a hidden gem for budget-conscious marketers. Subreddits are their own little countries. Each one has different rules, moderators, and expectations. If you want in, learn the local customs. Organic participation matters. You need “karma” to post effectively, and that only comes from genuine interaction—not self-promotion. Actionable Takeaways Warm up your Reddit account. Comment, contribute, and build karma before dropping any links or promotions. Start small. Join subreddits that align with your interests—personal or professional—and spend one minute a day reading and commenting. Check your LLM rankings. Use a tool like Peekaboo to see how generative search engines (like ChatGPT) are interpreting and indexing your site. Map SEO to Reddit. Once you know which phrases are trending, find those conversations on Reddit and contribute thoughtfully. Customize your content per subreddit. A copy/paste job won't fly here—each subreddit requires its own approach and voice. About Danny Danny Kirk is a classicly trained trumpet player, turned entrepreneur and small business owner. He's started and grown multiple companies over the past decade, and now does growth marketing at ReddiReach for startups and SMBs, 500+ and counting.    Learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielpkirk/  https://reddireach.com/

Small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are significantly increasing their technology budgets, focusing on strategic investments that support long-term growth. According to a study by Forrester Consulting, 88% of SMBs plan to enhance their cloud strategies and cybersecurity through increased spending on third-party services. The study also highlights a growing emphasis on improving customer experience and reducing enterprise risk, with cloud-based disaster recovery solutions and hybrid cloud strategies becoming essential. However, the integration of AI services into the economy is expected to take years, as businesses need time to learn about new AI products and train their employees.The UK government has issued a second Technical Capability Notice requiring Apple to provide access to encrypted data and messages of British users stored on its iCloud service. This directive follows a previous request that raised diplomatic tensions with the US and has led Apple to withdraw its Advanced Data Protection Service in the UK, weakening user privacy. The implications of this move are significant for SMBs that rely on iCloud, as it introduces potential security risks and highlights the need for additional encryption measures.Microsoft is facing pushback as it prepares to end free security updates for Windows 10, which is set to occur on October 14, 2025. A coalition of organizations, including repair shops and advocacy groups, is urging Microsoft to extend these updates, citing concerns that many PCs will be left insecure or unusable. With a significant portion of Windows 10 machines unable to upgrade to Windows 11, businesses are left with difficult choices regarding their operating systems, potentially leading to increased e-waste.In the realm of AI, major companies like Microsoft, Salesforce, and Stripe are launching new tools that integrate AI capabilities into their existing platforms. Microsoft has introduced Microsoft 365 Premium, which combines Office applications with AI features, while Salesforce has launched AgentForce Fibes, a tool that streamlines coding through natural language. Stripe's new instant checkout feature within ChatGPT allows users to purchase products directly from chat interfaces. These developments indicate that AI is becoming an integral part of business infrastructure, and MSPs must focus on helping clients leverage these tools effectively to drive business outcomes.Four things to know today00:00 SMBs Are Increasing Tech Budgets for Cloud, Cybersecurity, and AI, But Forrester Warns True AI Value Will Take Years to Realize04:07 UK Pressures Apple on iCloud Again, Forcing Encryption Rollback That Puts Privacy, Business Security, and Global Precedent at Risk05:39 Windows 10 Sunset Becomes a Flashpoint: Market Share, Hardware Incompatibility, and Sustainability Collide in Microsoft's 2025 Deadline08:23 From Office to Checkout: Microsoft, Salesforce, Stripe, OpenAI, and Google Push AI Into Everyday Work and Consumer Life This is the Business of Tech.    Supported by:  https://scalepad.com/dave/https://mailprotector.com/ Webinar:  https://bit.ly/msprmail All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/ Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/ Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com Follow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.tech Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Send us a textThe enterprise software ecosystem continues to evolve rapidly as vendors double down on AI, automation, and data-driven orchestration across business functions. Nintex unveiled new generative AI capabilities to enhance business automation, while Circana introduced its Liquid Supply Chain solution to drive agility and responsiveness in complex networks. CloudBolt extended its optimization capabilities to Kubernetes through the acquisition of StormForge, signaling a stronger focus on cloud efficiency. Kinaxis partnered with Databricks to accelerate AI-powered supply chain orchestration and also announced a collaboration with Infor, further expanding its ecosystem reach. Rootstock's Spring '25 release reimagined the modern ERP experience for manufacturers, and Tempo launched a Strategic Portfolio Management platform to strengthen business alignment. Meanwhile, Tricentis rolled out new testing innovations in its spring update, Velixo secured Series A funding from Elephant to fuel growth, and FloQast introduced auditable AI agents to help finance teams bridge the growing talent gap—illustrating how innovation is reshaping every layer of the enterprise stack.In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry analysts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to analyze current enterprise software stories. We covered many grounds including the direction and roadmaps of each enterprise software vendors. Finally, we analyzed future trends and how they might shape the enterprise software industry.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Here is the 2-min "Sniff Test" on how you can avoid going after the wrong deals for you. It will eventually get to the point where it can be done in a few seconds but start out going deep into about 20-30 business summaries (CIMs) to get a handle on things.   SMBs are the biggest target for cyber attacks. Protect your business with Inzo Technologies. Check out....www.inzotechnologies.com, I-N-Z-O, or email Nick directly at nick@inzotechnologies.com.   Get expert M&A guidance, valuations, and fractional executive support from Amplēo. Learn more at www.ampleo.com/lets-buy-a-business-podcast/.   Buying or selling? Business Valuation help? - Lean on Peak Business Valuation and their expertise now.  https://hubs.li/Q03zlvqH0   Join the How to Buy a Business Cohort - Oct 2025? https://www.letsbuyabusiness.com/p/how-to-build-a-business-cohort-with-ryan-condie/   Sourcing List:https://www.letsbuyabusiness.com/source

Send us a textEnterprise Asset Management (EAM) systems in 2025 remain a specialized and best-of-breed category within the enterprise software landscape, purpose-built for organizations that prioritize the maintenance, tracking, and optimization of physical assets. Unlike ERP platforms that aim to unify enterprise-wide processes, EAM systems are typically siloed—designed to function independently and often deployed at the departmental level. This independence allows maintenance, reliability, and facility teams to manage their operations with greater agility, without the need for extensive cross-functional integration. For organizations seeking rapid implementation, localized asset control, and immediate operational value, modern EAM platforms offer the ideal balance of flexibility, scalability, and focus, delivering tangible impact without the burden of complex enterprise rollouts.In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 EAM Systems in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these EAM systems. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each EAM system.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Most conversations about AI are still caught up in the spectacle. We see demos, marvel at copilots, and argue about the latest big model. But what happens when you strip away the hype and focus on AI that simply works? That is exactly the perspective Olga Lagunova brings to this episode. As Chief Product and Technology Officer at GoTo, she has one goal in mind: make AI useful, practical, and almost invisible. Olga believes the real test of AI is whether it integrates seamlessly into workflows. In her view, the most powerful AI is the kind that feels almost boring because it is just part of how work gets done. During our conversation she explains how GoTo is embedding AI into its platform so that small and midsize businesses can benefit without needing data scientists on staff or large budgets to experiment. We explore the difference between AI for SMBs and AI for enterprises, and why simplicity and trust matter more than shiny features. Our discussion also goes deeper into agentic AI, where tools are no longer just assistants but are taking on tasks in the background. Olga highlights how GoTo balances this shift with guardrails, governance, and human-in-the-loop oversight to ensure that efficiency never comes at the cost of security. We also unpack the classic build versus buy dilemma, why shadow AI is becoming a real risk for companies, and how leaders can measure ROI in a way that proves value both immediately and over time. If you are tired of the hype and want to understand how AI is quietly reshaping the backbone of business operations, this episode with Olga Lagunova will give you a grounded and forward-looking perspective.

Is your brand's marketing strategy feeling a little… seasoned? In today's social media landscape, clinging to outdated tactics can mean clinging to what was hot just last week. If you feel like it's time to inject some youthful energy into your approach, how can you do it authentically? Agility requires a willingness to experiment, learn, and adapt quickly. It also demands a deep understanding of your audience and the platforms they engage with. Today, we're going to talk about how SMBs can capture the lightning-in-a-bottle energy of Gen Z marketing without looking like they're trying too hard. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Smita Wadhawan, CMO at Constant Contact. About Smita Wadhawan Smita Wadhawan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smitawadhawan/ Resources Constant Contact: https://www.constantcontact.com The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow Try ZipRecruiter for FREE at ⁠ZipRecruiter.com/audio Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company