TEConnect Podcast teconnect

The electric & hybrid vehicle market continues to grow, spurred by government investment and consumer interest. This week, Jeff Smith, CEO of EVerged, explains why he is all-in on the market and its potential.  What trends and opportunities is he seeing? How does EVerged address sustainability questions? What makes this a perfect time to explore EV charging partnerships?
 
#VARValue—Beyond EV solutions, what else is happening in the public sector that VARs should focus on to find new opportunities? 
 
TEConnecting with us:
Jeff - X's AI & robotics initiatives, Horizon Aircraft's hybrid plane, and Zamboni EVs
Dean - Falling space junk
John - LG washer/dryer
 
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 
 
Sponsored by:
Elo Outdoor Open Frame Touchscreen

Here's some new news, lists, and interesting studies to share around watercoolers both real and virtual!
The effects of the "she"-conomy
The coolest streets in the world
Americans sleep less and stress more
New airline cancellation/fee rules
How much soda is too much?
The end of noncompetes
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - How easy is it to brute force your password?
John - Google Maps photobomb dog
 
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 
 
Sponsored by:
Intel Sales Academy
Elo 70-Series Touch Monitors

We’re normally tech-positive on the show, but this week, Dean & John are sharing some of their “beefs” with technology, the things that frustrate or confuse them, including:
Dynamic fast-food pricing
The death of social media
Pennies
Paywalled news
America's most popular beers
Amazon’s “Just Walk Out” stores
Healthcare information connectivity
It’s the episode that has a few things to get off its chest.
 
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Designing the next moon buggy
John - Lyft
 
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 
 
Sponsored by:
Elo Pay 7" POS System

Technological progress often comes in waves that are met with intense discussion, scrutiny, skepticism, and acceptance. Artificial intelligence is the latest wave disrupting the reseller channel, but one that demands a response sooner rather than later. This week, Intel’s Director of US Distribution, David Allen, is not only explaining the history of such inflection points and why AI is perhaps the most important ever but also shedding light on Intel's strategic approach to partnerships and vetted solutions. This approach is crucial in helping solution providers deliver on the hype of AI. What is the “siliconomy”? How will a "wait and see "attitude affect VARs? What has to change to go to market with emerging technologies?
 
#VARValue - How is Intel helping take BlueStar's TEConnect Program to the next level?
 
TEConnecting with us:
David - Bose headphones & a Bluetooth transmitter for airplane movie viewing
Dean - The emotion of live vs. streamed music
John - Extraordinary on Hulu
 
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 
 
Sponsored by:
Elo I-Series 3 w/Intel

The modern customer is continually evolving, which demands that sales tactics also change, especially in our complex channel model. This week, BlueStar Canada’s President, Michel Sirois, shares his experience and insights on a highly relevant topic to our work. Is the new “generation” of buyers actually an age thing? How do we approach buyers with more information at their fingertips, time spent doing self-research, and unwilling to pick up the phone for a “cold call”? How can VARs/integrators/MSPs adapt? And because we have to talk about it…can AI enable salespeople?
 
#VARValue - How do you see BlueStar’s role changing to help our partners sell and grow their businesses?
 
TEConnecting with us:
Michel - The end of cookies
Dean - NASA/DARPA/DRACO nuclear rocket to Mars
John - Paris Olympics & booksellers
 
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 
 
Sponsored by:
Elo Wallaby Pro Stand

It’s been three years since StayLinked CTO Justin Griffith last appeared on the pod. He discussed the struggle to get warehouses to adopt new technology, even during the pandemic. Has anything changed since then? How is AI impacting the conversation? What other emerging supply chain technologies is he watching? Most importantly, what does Justin think of the Apple Vision Pro?
 
#VARValue - How is StayLinked helping VARs strengthen their supply chain solution offerings?
 
StayLinked's VDC Research Report: https://info.staylinked.com/vdc-warehouse-report-2024 
 
TEConnecting with us:
Justin - 3M paper bubble wrap
Dean - NCAA/ESPN media deal and the annual number of objects launched into space
John - How celebs handle cell phone usage
 
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 
 
Sponsored by:
Elo 70 Series