Twins Talk Tech Leadership

Episode 28: AI Readiness & an Update

We are fortunate to have recorded this live during the Taylor Business Group BigBIG Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Fantastic being able to catch up with Michael Slater, Head of Sales for Channel Marketplace at Sherweb. We get an update as to what Michael has been up to as well as some insight into the incredible growth of SherWeb. Michael stated how a big focus for Sherweb has been on 'AI readiness' and opportunities with automation. Readiness can be seen as the first stage in supporting organizations with their ability to deploy and use AI with automation.Michael also recently was recognized by CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, as he was named a 2023 Inclusive Channel Leader for his work in helping to create a more diverse and inclusive environment. Connect with Michael on LinkedIn and learn more about this cloud services and solutions provider by visiting sherweb.com/

Special Replay: Lemonade Entrepreneurial Spirit

While we prepare for an upcoming technology conference and a series of interviews, we wanted to treat you to a special replay of a popular episode from our Twins Talk it Up Program. In honor of that conference, you will love hearing from our friend and marketing leader John Rowa. John is a Partner at Lemonade Stand, a full-service Digital Marketing agency, helping to strengthen and spread the brands of their clients. In other words, they are helping them to get their 'lemonade' out there. While serving many industries, an area of specialty is the tech sector. To learn more about John and Lemonade Stand, visit lemonadestand.org/ and be sure to listen to their program entitled Lemonade Stand Stories Podcast.

Episode 26: Successfully Managing Twins and the Marketplace

What does work-life integration mean? How can you improve your work-life balance? The drive to succeed professionally can take precedence over everything else in your life, forcing you to set aside or sacrifice your own health and well-being. Discovering that harmonious balance or integration can lead to an improved sense of physical, emotional and mental health. This state of equilibrium can positively and dramatically impact your career.Christine Brown, Sr. PM, Microsoft Azure Commercial Marketplace Services shares her journey and tips for finding success by equally prioritizing the demands of her professional career and the demands of her personal life; the demands of being a mother to twins. She believes that it is vital that you stay present, show up as your best and to communicate clearly. Christine brings that same dedication and mindset of being a mother to her role in helping organizations create an MVP (Minimally Viable Product) and achieve success as a Microsoft Partner. She provides 3 Keys for favorable outcomes, and they include:1. Be in the marketplace (search ‘mastering the marketplace’)2. Have a clear description of the product/service that answers what 'problem' it will fix3. Make sure it is industry specific Learn more about Christine by connecting with her on LinkedIn. Also, join her as she will be the featured speaker for a special session by the Crancer Group. This event on the 18th of August is entitled, ‘Voice of the Microsoft Partner: Navigating the Azure Marketplace’. Register at https://bit.ly/AugustVOMP2023

Episode 25: Special Replay: Partner Matching to Maximize Growth & Profit

While we are working on a special series, we wanted to bring you a special episode from our Twins Talk it Up program. This popular episode was a conversation with our friend and industry leader Dina Moskowitz, CEO and founder of PartnerOptimizer, Inc (by SaaSMAX). What's your ideal partner profile? Strengthen your strategic channel program and find your ideal channel partner by unlocking and leveraging the power of their Partner Ecosystem Intelligence Platform. Connect with Dina on LinkedIn and visit partneroptimizer.com/

Episode 24: Disrupt the System & Build a Billion Dollar Network

Either disrupt or get disrupted. Become a disrupter and change the game. This is the mindset of influencer, investor, author and speaker Omi Shelly Bell. Omi is the CEO of Black Girl Ventures, an organization dedicated to creating access to capital for Black and Brown women entrepreneurs. Through BGV, they have already helped to fund over 450 women, added 3,000 jobs and generated over $10M in revenue.So many great gems from this conversation include:Embrace the power of entrepreneurship.Access to social capital, access to financial capital, access to capacity and access to community.Black Girl Ventures’ 3 Core Programs of Next Gen (Accelerator), Emerging Leaders Fellowship and BGV Pitch.Focus on “bridging” and not just on building bridges. Invest by putting “your dollars where you want your impact to be”.We also touch on her recently released book entitled, Originate, Motivate, Innovate: 7 Steps for Building a Billion Dollar Network. Never underestimate the value of networking and the power of just asking. Get a copy now on Amazon. To learn more about Omi and to support the vision and work of Black Girls Ventures, visit blackgirlventures.org. You can also give your pitch by joining them at one of their next stops, including the cities of Houston, Charlotte, DC, Miami and Atlanta.

Episode 23: Microsoft Inspire Recap with Eddie Bader

Microsoft Inspire 2023 just wrapped up, but what should you know? Eddie Bader joins us to share his takeaways from the conference. Eddie is the Director of Projects, Process Management & Strategic Alliances with 6th Street Consulting, a Consulting firm focusing in on all things Microsoft, specializing around user productivity and collaboration on SharePoint and Office 365. Eddie also serves as the President of the International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners (Americas), commonly referred to as IAMCP.Eddie stated that the overwhelming themes of the conference were around the adoption of AI and on the success of the Microsoft Partner. He gave the charge to specialize, productize offers and create IP. Be creative and drive innovation by not focusing on ‘selling AI, but the business outcomes of AI’. He also believed that Microsoft is listening more to the ‘voice of the partner’ and that there was ‘gold in every session’ of the conference.We appreciate how Eddie spoke about various communities coming together, including IAMCP, WIC and BCPA. Together, we can be ‘unstoppable’. Get involved in these wonderful communities. Connect with Eddie on LinkedIn, check out your local community and IAMCP Chapter and learn more about 6th street consulting bu visiting 6sc.com/

Episode 22: Grow Your Stack, Grow Your Rev Share

What are some strategies for building an effective security stack? How can leveraging partnerships become a key component for capturing more revenue? Michelle Ragusa-McBain, Vice President of North American Channels for SonicWall, a leading provider of network security, wireless access and remote access products and solutions joins us to speak about her new role and what to expect from their partner program. They have been recognized as an industry leader in threat prevention, having secured a perfect threat detection report 8 quarters in a row.Some of the benefits partners can expect include:Lead flow equating to more opportunitiesRebates and market development fundsSonicWall UniversityMichelle has always been an advocate for underrepresented communities in tech. Representation matters; mentorship matters; sponsorship matters; Diversity of thought matters.To learn more about Michelle, connect with her on LinkedIn and visit sonicwall.com

Episode 21: Education, Access & Growing Tech in Ghana

Driven by a passion to bridge the digital divide and empower underrepresented communities, Nikkia Carter took the next step and made the move across the Atlantic to the country of Ghana. Nikkia is an author, speaker, advocate and serves as the CEO of NTC Tech Consultancy, a Microsoft solutions partner, providing a full range of services including technical support and training.We dive into her leadership journey, including her time at Microsoft, her now second business and learn about her pursuit of leveling the tech playing field. We also talk about her move to the continent of Africa. Her goal is to ensure that all communities have access:Access to FundingAccess to KnowledgeAccess to Biz AppsWe ask about learning and growing your personal brand and how this even goes beyond your social media presence. Keep looking for opportunities to speak and to make an impact. To learn more about Nikkia, NTC Tech Consultancy, her work with technology and Education, connect with her on LinkedIn and visit consultNTCtech.com

Episode 20: Have BHAGs; Big Hairy Audacious Goals (Part 2)

Part 2 of our conversation with Matt Lee, Educator, Speaker, Podcaster and Senior Director of Security and Compliance at Pax8.We continue with Matt’s philosophy on security:Security is a combination of the right tools, people, processes and capabilities.Security is the whole life cycle, including detection, response and recovery.Must have the right mindset of adjusting and learning.He also dispels the position 'of how expensive' security can be. It's not about money as much as it's about being intentional. “Security is significantly more about the surgeon than the scalpel."Connect with Matt on LinkedIn, get involved with the charities he supports, listen to the Beard Banter Podcast and visit both cybermattlee.com/ and pax8.com.As a community, let’s get him to that goal of raising $1M in 2024 Bike MS

Episode 19: Have BHAGs; Big Hairy Audacious Goals (Part 1)

Consider the goals you have for yourself and your organization. Are they big and bold enough to challenge you beyond your comfort zone? A true CyberSecurity Evangelist, Matt Lee, Senior Director of Security and Compliance at Pax8, talks about having ‘audacious goals’. These are goals that seem to be outside of the realm of possibility, but are exactly what you need to achieve your possibility. Matt is a highly sought after speaker, educator and force multiplier within the cybersecurity community.We learn about his role with Pax8, discuss his work within the Community, his Beard Banter podcast, fundraising efforts, the recent Pax8 Beyond Conference and his experience as a speaker. The Charity Beard Shave raised over $200K, supporting various charities including:Hackers for VetsBits N’ BytesDiversity Cyber CouncilWomen Who CodeBike Walk Wichita.He has a goal in 2024 to raise $1M for Bike for MS. Connect with Matt on LinkedIn, get involved with the charities he supports, listen to the Beard Banter Podcast and visit cybermattlee.com/