We start with Amazon’s announcement that it will require corporate employees to return to the office five days a week by January 2025. This decision, articulated by CEO Andy Jassy, aims to enhance in-person collaboration and strengthen company culture. However, it comes alongside plans to reduce middle management by increasing the ratio of individual contributors…

Dave Sobel discusses the evolving landscape of managed service providers (MSPs) and the increasing importance of cybersecurity and compliance. With a significant number of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) anticipating budget increases for the upcoming year, the focus is shifting towards treating cybersecurity as a business decision. Forrester’s report emphasizes the need for investments in…

In this bonus episode of The Business of Tech podcast, Brett Leatherman, a senior executive with the FBI, provides insights into the current cybersecurity landscape from a law enforcement perspective. Leatherman highlights the ongoing threat of ransomware targeting businesses, particularly in critical sectors like healthcare and energy. He emphasizes the importance of imposing costs on…

Host Dave Sobel dives into the evolving landscape of cloud pricing and AI models, highlighting the significant shifts that are reshaping customer expectations. With rising cloud costs becoming a pressing concern for many organizations, Sobel discusses a report indicating that over a third of companies feel their transition to the cloud has not delivered the…

  A recent Zoom survey reveals that 83% of employees report higher productivity in hybrid environments, with 64% of leaders adopting such models. Despite this trend, many Fortune 100 companies continue to enforce return-to-office (RTO) mandates, which may negatively impact employee morale and retention. HR expert Daniela Herrera highlights the inequities these mandates create, particularly…

The episode starts with California’s AI safety bill, SB 1047. The bill, which mandates safety testing and third-party audits for advanced AI systems costing over $100 million, has garnered opposition from industry leaders and academics who fear it may stifle innovation, particularly for smaller firms and academic research. As Governor Gavin Newsom deliberates on the…

A recent survey reveals that while 80% of IT leaders express confidence in their recovery strategies post-ransomware attacks, nearly 70% have paid ransoms despite having policies against it. The episode emphasizes the importance of proactive defense strategies, as Tenable’s research shows that only 3% of vulnerabilities pose significant risks, urging organizations to prioritize their cybersecurity…

Gartner emphasizes the importance of tailored AI strategies, suggesting that focused use cases yield better returns on investment compared to broad, generic tools. The episode highlights six transformative technologies identified by Gartner that are set to enhance digital governance over the next five years, including Digital Employee Experience, Generative AI, and Predictive Analytics. Host Dave…

The August jobs report revealed that the U.S. economy added 142,000 jobs, falling short of expectations, while the unemployment rate decreased to 4.2%. Small businesses are facing challenges, with 40% of owners struggling to fill positions and a significant number reporting a lack of qualified applicants. Despite these hurdles, there is a slight increase in…

host Dave Sobel interviews RJ Kedziora, the co-founder of Estenda Solutions, a company specializing in software, data analytics, and AI for the healthcare industry. RJ shares insights into the innovative work his firm does, focusing on digital health solutions that aim to improve the health and wellness of individuals. He highlights two key projects, including…