Read Between the Tech Podcast Simplifying technology conversations for organizations

Brought to you by ProServeIT - Unlock your organization’s digital future | RBCx - Backer of Canada’s most daring innovators and idea generators. RBCx power bold.
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Eric Sugar is the President at ProServeIT, an IT consulting company with 20+ years of experience in digital transformation and technology advisory for various organizations across North America. Eric is joined on this podcast episode by Devon Thompson, Managing Director, Banking at RBCx, an innovative company in the Canadian tech and banking ecosystem supported by the Royal Bank of Canada.
“I really love supporting financial literacy founders and really helping them grow and build their businesses in really unique ways.”
- Devon Thompson (Managing Director, Banking at RBCx)

In today’s podcast episode, we discuss:
* Banking and Tech: Intersection explored.
* Investment Trends: Tech, clean tech, life sciences.
* Economic Outlook: Rates, inflation, 2024.
* Strategic Focus: Startup resilience.
* External Partnerships: Tech support.

“We provide early stage tech-focused capital, a curated network of investors, content curated events, and deep operational expertise.”
- Devon Thompson (Managing Director, Banking at RBCx)

In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Introduction
(00:55) Devon’s background/passion
(02:23) Combining technology and banking
(04:41) Business alignment with your bank
(06:05) Business investments and the Canadian economy
(10:28) Building the right internal/external team for your business
(12:25) What upcoming technology are you interested in?
(16:05) Changes in non-tech industries
(17:58) Book/podcast recommendations

Referenced:
• Global clean tech investments - Statistics & Facts: https://www.statista.com/topics/3001/clean-technology-investments/#topicOverview
• Inflation Outlook For 2024: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/investing/inflation-outlook-2024/
• Thriving in Economic Uncertainty: Strategies for Startups to Adapt and Grow: https://www.spectup.com/resource-hub/economic-uncertainty-strategies-for-startups-to-adapt-and-grow
• Technology Partnerships: A Guide to Selecting the Right Tech Partners: https://www.itonics-innovation.com/blog/technology-partnerships

Thanks for listening to our Read Between the Tech podcast! Subscribe for free to receive new episodes and learn more about technology conversations for your organization.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit proserveit.substack.com

Brought to you by ProServeIT - Unlock your organization’s digital future | HomeFront Brands - Investing in, and amplify the growth of, small or early-stage residential or commercial property services brands.
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Eric Sugar is the President at ProServeIT, an IT consulting company with 20+ years of experience in digital transformation and technology advisory for various organizations across North America. Eric is joined on this podcast episode by Michael O'Driscoll, President & COO at HomeFront Brands, an organization that holds an increasing number of emerging residential and light commercial property service franchised brands.

“In anything that's consumer facing or any other sector, if you're average and you're not leveraging technology well, then you're just going to get found out and get left behind by all your competitors.”
- Michael O'Driscoll (President & COO at Homefront Brands)

In today’s podcast episode, we discuss:
* A CEO’s view on evolving technology
* Technology stacks and your business
* Proper technology support for a franchise
* The impact of AI on your business
“I think AI is another example of something that will change the world forever, hopefully for good.”
- Michael O'Driscoll (President & COO at Homefront Brands)

In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Introduction
(00:45) Michael’s background/passion
(05:50) Technology guidance for your business journey
(07:48) Homefront Brands and the franchising industry
(09:27) Growing a business through the power of technology
(12:44) Technology democratization and availability
(15:11) AI and the future of business
(20:02) Book/podcast recommendations

Referenced:
• AI's Business Value & Technology Strategy for Organizations: https://www.proserveit.com/blog/ai-business-value-and-tech-strategy
• How to Adopt AI Step-By-Step for Your Business [Complete Roadmap]: https://www.proserveit.com/blog/how-to-adopt-ai-step-by-step
• The essential elements of an enterprise tech stack: https://webflow.com/blog/essential-elements-enterprise-tech-stack
• Democratizing Transformation: https://hbr.org/2022/05/democratizing-transformation

Thanks for listening to our Read Between the Tech podcast! Subscribe for free to receive new episodes and learn more about technology conversations for your organization.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit proserveit.substack.com

Brought to you by ProServeIT - Unlock your organization’s digital future | TEC Canada - Create real impact. Become a better leader.
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Eric Sugar is the President at ProServeIT, an IT consulting company with 20+ years of experience in digital transformation and technology advisory for various organizations across North America. Eric is joined on this podcast episode by Chuck Homer, Chair at TEC Canada, a member-based leadership development organization of chief executives, entrepreneurs, & business owners who helped over 25,000 Canadian executives and owners for over three decades.

“If you're interacting with someone who you respect & value and they're asking you questions or challenging you, you will develop valuable insights which will help hone your own business thinking. ”
- Chuck Homer (Chair at TEC Canada)

In today’s podcast episode, we discuss:
* Challenges of being a modern CEO
* The impact of business coaching
* Your attention span and technology
* How technology has impacted the peer group experience for executives

“The essence of a peer group learning model is that, through learning, individuals grow and companies grow. Adults learn best from other people.”
- Chuck Homer (Chair at TEC Canada)

In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Introduction
(00:45) Chuck’s background/passion
(05:50) Interrelation between sports coaching and business coaching
(08:22) How has the role of the CEO changed over 23 years?
(10:44) What's the typical largest pain point you hear with regards to technology from executives or C-Suite?
(11:35) How has technology changed the peer group experience?
(18:13) Book/podcast recommendations

Referenced:
• Why Leaders Need Professional Coaching Now More Than Ever: https://hbr.org/sponsored/2021/03/leaders-need-professional-coaching-now-more-than-ever
• 15 Big Challenges You'll Face As A Modern CEO (And How To Solve Them): https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/11/21/15-big-challenges-youll-face-as-a-modern-ceo-and-how-to-solve-them/
• How to Get the Most out of Peer Support Groups: https://hbr.org/2022/05/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-peer-support-groups
Thanks for listening to our Read Between the Tech podcast! Subscribe for free to receive new episodes and learn more about technology conversations for your organization.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit proserveit.substack.com

Brought to you by ProServeIT - Unlock your organization’s digital future | Carson Dunlop - The Most Trusted Name In Home Inspection.
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Eric Sugar is the President at ProServeIT, an IT consulting company with 20+ years of experience in digital transformation and technology advisory for various organizations across North America. Eric is joined on this podcast episode by Alan Carson, President at Carson Dunlop, an exceptional organization that has been a leader in the home inspection field for over four decades.

“I saw the world was moving (back in the 90s) and I didn't just want to take a baby step towards our digital transformation. If you’re going to try and get ahead of the curve. To take a step off the cliff, you might as well take as big a step as you can.”
- Alan Carson (President at Carson Dunlop)

In today’s podcast episode, we discuss:
* The concept of disruption and risk (from the lens of the home inspection industry)
* Home inspection and augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR)
* Making the bold business move towards digital transformation
* How AI can impact various business functions for a home inspection company

“Facilitating the transfer of knowledge through our technology is probably the most exciting thing in my world right now.”
- Alan Carson (President at Carson Dunlop)

In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Introduction
(00:46) Alan’s background/passion
(03:20) The inception of Alan’s home inspection company
(05:40) Disruption, risk and the digital transformation of Carson Dunlop
(10:23) Augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR) meets home inspection
(13:10) Taking the big leap to become a technology business
(17.58) AI’s impact on the home inspection business
(19:30) Book/podcast recommendations

Referenced:
• Why AR/VR Is the Best Tech for Real Estate: https://impressit.io/blog/ar-and-vr-for-real-estate
• How to Accelerate Digital Transformation in Your Organization: 3 Tips: https://www.proserveit.com/blog/how-to-accelerate-digital-transformation-in-your-organization
• How Artificial Intelligence is helping in Property Inspection: https://www.ioptime.com/how-artificial-intelligence-is-helping-in-property-inspection/
Thanks for listening to our Read Between the Tech podcast! Subscribe for free to receive new episodes and learn more about technology conversations for your organization.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit proserveit.substack.com

Brought to you by ProServeIT - Unlock your organization’s digital future | Treefrog Inc. - Championing your organization’s digital transformation.
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Eric Sugar is the President of ProServeIT, an IT consulting company with 20+ years of experience in digital transformation and technology advisory for various organizations across North America. Eric is joined on this podcast episode by Sean Stephens, CEO at Treefrog Inc., a unique company responsible for driving the success of thousands of organizations through innovation, creativity and technology - by thinking ahead

In today’s podcast episode, we discuss:
* The importance of AI technologies like Chat GPT and its potential impact
* The implications and challenges of AI adoption
* The concept of adding "special sauce" to AI models to create unique value
* The role of AI in improving efficiency across various business functions

In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Introduction
(00:41) Sean’s background/passion
(02:22) Getting into AI
(07:42) Big impacts of AI in the next 18 months
(14:10) AI and businesses creating a "secret sauce" to use it effectively
(16:40) AI and your organization's competitive advantage
(19:19) Book/podcast recommendations

Referenced:
• The implications and challenges of AI adoption: https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/what-main-challenges-opportunities-ai-adoption
• AI and the Future of Health: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/blog/ai-and-the-future-of-health/
• Leaders look to embrace AI, and high-growth companies are seeing the benefits: https://news.microsoft.com/europe/features/leaders-look-to-embrace-ai-and-high-growth-companies-are-seeing-the-benefits/
• Getting your organization’s technology environment ready for AI: https://www.proserveit.com/services/microsoft-copilot-ai-assessment
Thanks for listening to our Read Between the Tech podcast! Subscribe for free to receive new episodes and learn more about technology conversations for your organization.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit proserveit.substack.com

Brought to you by ProServeIT - Unlock your organization’s digital future | Microsoft Canada - Empowering organizations and people to do more with technology.
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Eric Sugar is the President of ProServeIT, an IT consulting company with 20+ years of experience in digital transformation and technology advisory for various organizations across North America. Eric is joined on this podcast episode by Michael Thibodeau, Director of Sales & Strategy (Azure) - SMB, Startups & High Growth at Microsoft Canada. Michael is also the host and creator of Pitch Please, an engaging podcast for startups, innovators and tech lovers.

In today’s podcast episode, we discuss:
* The importance of connecting and learning from diverse startup stories.
* The potential and impact of AI/data or AR/VR.
* Challenges and rewards of supporting startups with innovative ideas.
* Highlighting the ways AI is integrated into businesses and industries.

In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Introduction
(00:58) Michael’s background/passion
(03:25) How passion and processes comes together
(06:48) Favorite startup in the Canadian space
(09:16) People, food, and being connected
(10:16) Upcoming technology to be excited about
(12:40) The impact of Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality in the workplace
(20:20) Book/podcast recommendations

Referenced:
• Startup challenges and rewards: https://www.process.st/startup-challenges/
• The Role of Food in Building Connections and Relationships: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/media/documents/ageing-better/Ageing-Better-Role-of-Food-in-Building-Connections-and-Relationships.pdf?mtime=20211213115152&focal=none
• Lessons from Leaders of Generative A.I. Startups: https://www.inc.com/peter-cohan/these-generative-ai-startups-offer-4-lessons-for-leaders.html
Thanks for listening to our Read Between the Tech podcast! Subscribe for free to receive new episodes and learn more about technology conversations for your organization.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit proserveit.substack.com