“Small Business, Big Solutions,” a Cisco podcast, provides resources and expertise for SMB owners, IT managers, executives, and partners. Each episode we explore how the right technology can help drive business success across all industries, especially during a time of accelerated change. We’re often joined by Cisco partners, customers and executives to discuss common SMB technology needs and slay misconceptions about security, collaboration, cloud, and other IT solutions.
 
Learn more about Cisco solutions for SMBs at cisco.com/go/smb.

Small Business, Big Solutions

DevOps for Systems Engineers is critical, but still often misunderstood and confusing. How do I get started? Are my customers really seeing the need to incorporate these skills? We will do our best to demystify things in this session.

Episode 1 - DevOps for Infrastructure: Making it Real with Mike Younkers

Owning a small or medium business brings with it many unique challenges – from choosing which manufacturer to go with for your technology needs all the way to how to continue to grow and scale your business. The shift to hybrid work magnified to this, creating a new layer of complexity to both managing a business as well as employee satisfaction and retention. 

To sift through these challenges, and how he has successfully navigated them, today I am joined by Scott Kauffman, President of HighNoon, a full-service marketing agency located in Phoenix, AZ. Scott shares his perspective on business, technology and even provides a marketing tip for our listeners.

Small Business, Big Solutions: Building Your Business Through Technology

This is a special episode powered by the Cisco Emerging Talent Community (ETC) EMEA Chapter. Join our guest speakers, Chara Kontaxi (Director, Cisco Systems Engineering) and Paul Jordan (Vice President, Cisco US Global Enterprise), in a conversation with our host, Shaun Roberts (Principal Engineer, Cisco Customer Experience), talk about the Emerging Talent Community in Cisco, the importance of mentorship and sponsorship for a thriving career in Cisco.  
 
For questions, comments, or feedback, please email: cisco-techinsiders-podcast@cisco.com  
 
Director, Systems Engineering 
LinkedIn Profiles: 
Chara Kontaxi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charakontaxi/ 
Paul Jordan (paujorda): https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-jordan-216a36b/ 
Shaun Roberts: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srobertsmba/

Cisco Tech Insiders Podcast Episode 11: How to nurture a thriving career at Cisco

We interview Distringuished Engineer Ramses Smeyers from CX Datacenter who tells us two stories. In one, dozens of RMAs are done for a UCS server and each one makes the problem a little worse. In the other, Ramses prevents ACI to be released on time because it doesn't work in his lab. We also get his feelings about the Cloudization of this world.

Tech Stories - ep 04 - 99 problems and an RMA is one

Episode 14: Let's talk SaaS Support

In the holiday special, our producer, Elizabeth Chen, anchored the episode with the host, Shaun Roberts, on the hot seat! Their chat covers 2023 reflections, including what makes any innovation an award winner, what makes Cisco the best place to work, and their holiday plans! Wishing our viewers and listeners the best in 2024! Happy Holidays!  
Note: Please email cisco-techinsiders-podcast@cisco.com for queries, suggestions, or feedback .

LinkedIn Profiles: 
Elizabeth Chen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethchen01/  
Shaun Roberts: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srobertsmba/

Episode 16: A holiday special

Welcome to Line of Departure, power-packed interviews that take you on an unfiltered journey into the lives of veterans in tech who have not only served their country but have also conquered the corporate world of business and technology. In these concise conversations, we cut through the noise, and uncover the untold stories that have shaped their journey from the military to the forefront of the tech industry.  We dive into veteran-specific topics in business, dissect the latest tech news, and economic, and market trends, lessons on leadership, to civic duty and national security.  Nothing is off the table, Line of Departure is your compass in navigating the complex world of technology.
In each episode, we go beyond the surface and tell you the real story, delving into the raw and unpolished tales of personal hardship, growth, and ultimately success.  From discussing topics that uniquely impact veterans in the technology industry, to dissecting the latest tech trends, Line of Departure is your compass in navigating the complex world of tech leadership.

In the military, the term "Line of Departure" signifies the starting point of a mission, the aiming point for your journey.  Picture yourself having a cup of coffee with your future self in 5 or 10 years. What would you discuss? How did you reach that point, and where did you start? Line of Departure is thrilled to unravel the stories behind successful tech careers after military service, aiming to uncover the foundational lessons and principles underneath.

Join us on this journey as we connect with veterans in the tech industry globally, and help us creating a narrative that celebrates great people and the technology that binds them. Line of Departure is not just a podcast; it's a platform where tech leaders share their wisdom, connect with their peers, and inspire the next generation of leaders.

Episode 0: Line of Departure Intro

In the inaugural episode of this podcast, hosts Eric and Ben engage in a comprehensive discussion that spans various aspects of Ben's life journey. The conversation begins with insights into Ben's upbringing and the pivotal decision to become a Navy SEAL, leading to a decade of active duty and multiple combat deployments. The focus then shifts to the challenging transition from military service to the business technology sector, exploring the nuances of career 2.0 and the experiences of life post-career transition.

Listeners gain valuable perspectives as Ben shares advice for both veterans navigating their post-military careers and organizations looking to effectively employ veterans. The episode delves deep into Ben's impactful work in Veteran Advocacy, particularly addressing mental health concerns within the veteran community. The hosts touch on topics such as the veteran psyche, the search for a sense of purpose, and the evolution of self-identity. Throughout the conversation, the audience is treated to a rich exploration of the complexities and triumphs that define the veteran experience, making for an engaging and enlightening episode.

Episode 1: Navy SEAL to Cybersecurity featuring Ben Davis

Welcome to this week's episode of Line of Departure, where Eric and Ben dive deep with Morgan Mann, from his time serving in the Marine Corps to his current role as Vice President of Transformation at Cisco.

In this episode, Morgan chats with us about his passions for the outdoors, family, national security issues, along with the challenges and opportunities he faced transitioning from the military to the private sector.

We explore how Morgan found purpose beyond the Marine Corps, navigating the tech startup world before re-affiliating with the Marines post-9/11. His multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan offer profound insights into the post-9/11 veteran experience integrating into corporate life. 

Throughout our conversation, Morgan reflects on the importance of proactive career management, highlighting the need to break free from stereotypes and carve out new paths aligned with personal values. From starting his day with rituals to prioritizing family time, Morgan shares invaluable lessons on making every moment count.

Join us as we delve into the complexities of transitioning between two highly successful careers, from the challenges we all face, to the invaluable leadership skills learned along the way. Discover how Morgan's journey epitomizes resilience, adaptability, and the unwavering commitment to make a difference.

Episode 3: Choosing Your Own Adventure, Marines to Tech Executive with Morgan Mann

Jason Marks and Gladys Kline take you behind the scenes of building the BITS podcast, sharing their journey, insights, and challenges. They set the stage for the exciting episodes to come, offering a glimpse into the intersection of business, innovation, and technology that BITS will explore.

Welcome to BITS (Business, Innovation, & Technology Show), hosted by Jason Marks, CEO of Techrategy. Join us as we delve into the spheres of business, innovation, and technology, delivering insights from industry-leading experts worldwide. Join us as we delve into the spheres of business, innovation, and technology, delivering insights from industry-leading experts worldwide. Each episode is crafted to empower tech CEOs, VARs, MSPs, SPs, sellers, account managers, and their executive teams with the insights and strategies essential for success. Whether you're at the helm of sales, guiding corporate leadership, or driving engineering initiatives, BITS serves as your ultimate resource for staying abreast of the latest trends, tackling challenges, and discovering solutions that shape the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Crafting A Podcast, With Jason Marks & Gladys Kline

AI is everywhere. Every business is talking about it, and seemingly everyone has used it in one way or another. Are we in an AI revolution? What does it mean for the future of work, and the corresponding cybersecurity concerns that come with it? Is the toothpaste out of the tube?  

To answer these questions and discuss what the future holds, our host Ian is joined by Omar Zarabi, President and CEO of Port53 Technologies, a top SMB partner of Cisco.

Learn more about Cisco SMB solutions for security: www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/…ness/security.html

Learn more about Port53’s security offerings: https://port53.com/

Small Business, Big Solutions: Buttoning up Security with Port53

Video killed the radio star, and SASE killed the firewall. While it may not be as catchy, it might be just as valid. The shift to the cloud changed the way businesses work, and now it is having impacts on how they protect themselves. 

To dig into this bold statement, and unpack the impact AI will have on small and medium businesses, Ian is joined by Tim Orozco, Managing Partner of Stratus Information Systems, a top SMB partner of Cisco.

Learn more about Cisco's solutions for SMBs: www.cisco.com/c/en_uk/solutions/…mall-business.html

View Stratus Information Systems' solutions here: https://stage.stratusinfosystems.com/ 

Small Business, Big Solutions: Is SASE Killing the Firewall?

SMB is an entirely partner-driven channel, and yet so many manufacturers miss the mark when it comes to scaling through their partners. Marketing has evolved, yet strategies have not. How do we ensure our partners are getting the right content and resources to effectively create awareness and demand?

To answer this question, and dig into trends shaping channel marketing, Ian is joined by Alex Whitford and Efe Senel from Channext who also cohost the Partnerships Unrivaled Podcast.

Learn more about Cisco's marketing solutions for partners to market to SMB customers: https://ebooks.cisco.com/story/cisco-smb-partner-campaign-kit/

Check out Channext here: https://channext.com/partners

Small Business, Big Solutions: Partner Marketing's Evolution

Communication is key, and cloud communications have quickly become a critical component for businesses of all sizes, helping organizations stay agile in an increasingly digital-first world. Yet, many small businesses are still navigating the shift from outdated phone systems to modern, cloud-based solutions that unlock new opportunities for growth.

In this episode, Ian is joined by Ben Rife, President and CEO of Bullfrog Group and long-time member of the Cisco SMB Advisory Board, to discuss his new book, Cloud Calling Secrets. Ben reveals how small and medium businesses can identify when their phone systems are holding them back, why now is the time to embrace cloud communications, and how solutions like Cisco Webex Calling can transform the way businesses operate. He also dives into real-world success stories, practical tips for a seamless transition, and how his book helps demystify the decision between vendors.

Learn more about Cisco's solutions for SMBs: https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/solutions/small-business/index.html

To buy Ben's book for yourself: https://www.amazon.com/Cloud-Calling-Secrets-Underground-Communications/dp/B0DT1813Z1/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3kYo4R4GAtkiSVlo_FeQKw.Mrykj20lEL2_eQtDW6jLCIlvAL0fWdOSWktNqDG7Z2Y&dib_tag=se&keywords=cloud+calling+secrets&qid=1749670806&sr=8-1

Small Business, Big Solutions: Cloud Calling Secrets

New is always better, right? 

In this episode, Ian is joined Dave Soscia, Vice President of Cisco Product Management and Business Development at D&H Distributing to talk about his perspective on Cisco’s new partner program and how partners can optimize their profile before the launch date. Dave digs into how distribution can help partners with business analysis, practice consultations and even building and executing a business plan. The channel is changing, and partners are the ones who will continue to drive that change.

Learn more about Cisco's solutions for SMBs: https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/solutions/small-business/index.html

Learn about D&H’s partner offerings: https://www.dandh.com/v4/view?pageReq=focusedlanding&focus=SPAS1&int_cid=NS-NAV&utm_campaign=ASCII


Small Business, Big Solutions: A 360 View of Cisco's New Partner Program


The way we work has evolved. The technology that has driven that are collaboration tools like Webex that allow work to be something you do, not somewhere you go. But what does the future look like, and are there applicable lessons from the past that we can learn?

Ben Rife is back for round 3, and bring with him Brad Oliver, the Director of the US Commercial Collaboration SMB & Midmarket Sales Organization at Cisco to talk through practical advice and real-world examples to help small businesses navigate the rapidly changing landscape of modern teamwork. 

Learn more about Cisco's solutions for SMBs: https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/solutions/small-business/index.html

To buy Ben's book for yourself: https://www.amazon.com/Cloud-Calling-Secrets-Underground-Communications/dp/B0DT1813Z1/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3kYo4R4GAtkiSVlo_FeQKw.Mrykj20lEL2_eQtDW6jLCIlvAL0fWdOSWktNqDG7Z2Y&dib_tag=se&keywords=cloud+calling+secrets&qid=1749670806&sr=8-1

Small Business, Big Solutions: The Past, Present and Future of Collaboration

The Cisco Podcast Network is a collective of podcasts from across Cisco spanning technology to culture and everything in between. Hear from Cisco customers, partners, and Cisco insiders on the topics that matter most to you. Email us with your feedback and suggestions. Discover your favorite playlists today!

Small Business, Big Solutions: Buttoning up Security with Port53

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