“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

Small Business | Hugh Hobby Barndollar

Slow Down to Speed Up - you can't go FAST all the time. It's so important to slow down, to speed. Listen to Ramon's 14 tips in how to do this best.

Slow Down to Speed Up - 14 Tips

How To Use Wordpress Better In Your Business - tips from Ramon Ray, founder of SmartHustle.com - global keynote speaker, motivational speaker, best-selling author and serial entrepreneur

Ramon Ray, using Wordpress

How To Use Wordpress Better In Your Business

Hybrid work is here, and it is not going away. But is your business ready for it? With more ways to work than ever, businesses are having to account for the new role of the office, and the rise of the homeworker, making their techstack truly the new workplace. Andrew Gilman, CMO of NWN Carousel, a Cisco partner, joins the podcast to talk through what they’re seeing with hybrid work, what organizations are missing, and how businesses are evolving their technology investments to improve employee and customer experience.

Small Business, Big Solutions: What Can Hybrid Do for You?

Peter Ingram happily describes himself as an “airline guy,” a title he’s held for the last 30 years. 

The president and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines discusses the company’s plans to fly Amazon packages, install high-speed Wi-Fi on its planes, and implement a new passenger service system.

Born and raised in Toronto, Ingram originally worked in financial services. He pivoted to the airline industry after being hooked by American Airlines’ philosophy that prioritizes curiosity and problem-solving among new hires over knowledge of the industry.

S2E1, Peter Ingram, Hawaiian Airlines

While the cloud may have once been an unfamiliar concept, it has now become the baseline for operations for businesses of all sizes. In this new era, where priorities have shifted to increasing the efficiency and agility of innovation, developers and businesses are finding ways to level up their own platforms by integrating apps from the marketplace. 
 
In this episode, Ian is joined by Grant Shirk, Head of Product Marketing at Cisco Meraki, and Miriam Kung, SMB Product Marketing at Meraki, to discuss this new era of the cloud and how small businesses can take advantage of these developments to accelerate the growth of their businesses.

Learn more about Cisco SMB solutions: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/small-business.html?ccid=cc004168

Small Business, Big Solutions: The Future is Cloudy

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!