Dinara Bakirova and Charlie Cowan discuss the transformative role of AI in the B2B landscape. Charlie shares insights from his journey as an AI strategist, emphasizing the importance of understanding AI's potential and how organizations can assess their readiness to adopt AI strategies. They explore the skill gaps in the market, the need for dedicated AI leadership, and practical steps organizations can take to leverage AI technologies effectively. The conversation highlights the rapid evolution of sales processes due to AI and encourages businesses to act swiftly to harness AI's capabilities for growth. This podcast will give you simple, actionable steps that your business can take NOW to start leveraging the power of AI.

EP01 - AI Strategy - First Steps you must take NOW! - Dinara Bakirova & Charlie Cowan

In this episode of the Channel Insight podcast, host Dinara Bakirova speaks with Akash Singh from Mindmatrix about the transformative role of artificial intelligence in channel management. They discuss Mindmatrix's offerings, including their new AI capabilities, the importance of partner enablement, and the ethical considerations surrounding AI. Akash shares insights on how to effectively adopt new technologies and the significance of building trust in AI outputs. The conversation also touches on strategic partnerships and personal motivations in the channel space.


EP02 - Next-Level partnerships:  Harnessing AI in PRM - Dinara Bakirova & Akash Singh

In this episode of the Channel Insight Podcast, host Dinara speaks with Frie Petre, founder of Qollabi, about the importance of partner collaboration and forecasting predictable revenues. Frie discusses his inspiration for writing 'The Partner Operating Model' and how AI is transforming partner management. The conversation explores the evolving role of partner managers, the future of PRM systems, and how Qollabi integrates with existing platforms. Frie also shares insights on staying ahead in technology and offers advice for aspiring founders in the partner management space.

EP04 - Partner Collaboration is Changing - BE READY!

In this episode of the Channel Insights Podcast, host Dinara Bakirova speaks with Dr. Seth Dobrin, a human geneticist and AI expert, about his journey from genetics to AI, the future of AI technology, and the critical role of Chief AI Officers in organizations. They discuss predictions for AI in 2025, the impact of AI on crisis management, particularly in the context of COVID-19, and the importance of governance and regulation in fostering innovation. Dr. Dobrin emphasizes the need for a thoughtful approach to AI implementation, focusing on the right solutions rather than defaulting to large models.

Takeaways

The transition from genetics to AI is not as strange as it seems.
AI predictions for 2025 are shaped by technological, political, and energy factors.
Small models will become increasingly important in AI applications.
The Chief AI Officer plays a crucial role in aligning AI strategy with business value.
AI can significantly reduce the time required for pharmaceutical development.
Governance and regulation can accelerate innovation in AI.
AI is currently limited by the lack of comprehensive data.
Generative AI can create high-quality data from smaller datasets.
AI can help simulate and repair supply chains quickly during crises.
A thoughtful approach to AI implementation is essential for success.

Sound Bites

"The chief AI officer is a critical role."
"AI can help design vaccines faster."
"AI is as good as the data behind it."

Chapters

00:00 From Genetics to AI: A Journey of Evolution
02:53 AI Predictions for 2025: Factors and Insights
05:41 The Rise of Small Model Agentic AI
08:22 The Role of Chief AI Officer: Insights and Advice
11:03 AI in Crisis Management: Lessons from COVID-19
18:59 Regulation and Innovation: A Conversation with Leadership

Connect with Dr. Seth Dobrin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sdobrin/
Website:
https://drsethdobrin.com/

EP05 - World's FIRST Chief AI Officer interviewed - What YOUR business needs to know.

Summary

In this insightful conversation, Dinara interviews Jay McBain, Chief Analyst at Canalys, discussing his remarkable journey in the tech industry and the key insights from the 2025 MSP Prediction Report. Jay emphasizes the importance of understanding market systems, the growth potential in the APAC region, and the evolving relationship between vendors and MSPs. He also highlights the transformative impact of agentic AI on the partner ecosystem and the opportunities that lie ahead for managed service providers.
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Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of Jay McBain
03:22 Insights from the 2025 MSP Predictions Report
08:16 Regional Growth Trends: APAC vs North America
12:11 Vendor Strategies for MSPs
16:24 The Impact of AI on MSP and Vendor Relationships
20:42 The Future of the Partner Ecosystem in the AI Era
26:12 Final Thoughts and Opportunities for MSPs

Takeaways

Everything has a system underneath it.
AI is growing at 59% compounded in services.
Managed services is growing at 13%.
APAC is showing 15% growth compared to North America.
Vendors need to be measured outside of the transaction.
MSPs are asking vendors for co-selling opportunities.
Agentic AI is the next big phase in technology.
Every week in AI feels like a year.
The world economy is $105 trillion, with significant opportunities for MSPs.
You've been dealt a really, really good hand in the current market.

Links:
Follow Jay McBain on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaymcbain/

MSP Trends and Predictions 2025 - Executive Summary Report by Canalys:
https://www.canalys.com/insights/msp-trends-2025-es

Channels Ecosystem Landscape 2025:
https://www.canalys.com/insights/channels-ecosystem-landscape-2025

Canalys website
https://canalys.com/

EP07 - MSPs In The AI Era - Your Guide To Capturing New Opportunities. Dinara Bakirova & Jay McBain

In this insightful conversation, Dinara and Andy Bounds explore the multifaceted nature of communication, emphasizing its importance in personal and professional contexts. They discuss the concept of charisma, the impact of cultural differences on communication styles, and the significance of structuring messages effectively. Andy introduces his 'After Theory,' which focuses on the outcomes of communication rather than the content itself. The discussion also touches on the role of AI in communication, the art of delivering engaging keynotes, and the importance of humour. Throughout the conversation, actionable insights are provided to help listeners enhance their communication skills.