Presentations, Keynotes, and Panels

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Impact: Reduce risk and potentially cost on expensive software projects.

This presentation sets realistic expectations for large software projects, ERP or otherwise, and the "organizational transformation" sales pitch that sets you up for disappointment. No matter what, large software projects are really hard, but I aim to improve your chances of success if you decide to forge ahead. I'll share practical tips on typical project pitfalls and some traditional and non-traditional approaches on how to avoid those problems.

15-20 min, or available in an extended version,.

Impact: Improve morale, retention, and productivity, all of which lead to stronger business results and a better bottom line.

For anyone who manages, hires, or influences the process, this presentation focuses on talent, especially technical talent: practical ways to set expectations, find and attract “rock stars”, hire the best fit, provide career paths and professional development, and ultimately improve your morale, retention, and productivity.

P.S. this is also relevant for non-profits who want to increase their impact!

30-45 min, and can be segmented into shorter talks on specific topics listed here as needed. 

Impact: Reduce security risk without overspending and avoid expensive shiny objects.

Even small organizations with a small IT team or no IT team are a prime cybersecurity target for myriad reasons, but have less time and money, and sometimes less expertise, to match the defenses of larger organizations. If this is a movie you’ve seen before, this presentation is for you. We’ll stay out of the technical weeds and so non-IT leaders and managers will benefit as well! I’ll talk about where to focus your efforts, practical ways to get the most risk mitigation for your time and money, and important questions to ask of — and expectations to set with — your IT support vendor.

20-30 min.

Impact: Faster and more successful IT hiring, and better retention.

This presentation is for organizations making their first IT hire. Too often we go to market looking for an entire IT department in a single job description. For what you want to spend, it’s unlikely to find someone who can and will change a printer cartridge, serve as a replacement for your current IT managed service provider, manage the budget, negotiate vendor contracts, and effectively brief the Board on cybersecurity threats. And if you do, they’re probably not staying long. The information in this talk can improve your chances of success. 

P.S. this is relevant for non-profits too!

15-20 min.

(Spoiler Alert: It's About Your Software) 

Impact: Better productivity, more potential efficiency through automation, and a bigger return on software investments.

This presentation is for organizations with little or no internal IT staff using Managed Service Providers, aka MSPs, or outsourced help desks for all their IT support.  That’s a great approach, and those organizations typically do an excellent job at managing support, networks, security - what we call the “infrastructure” side of IT. Infrastructure is absolutely critical - it has to work, and you want someone great. However, most of the time it doesn’t provide strategic benefit or competetive advantage. The “applications” or software side of IT is where the major ROI comes from, but only if you have the right applications and your people really know how to use them. Oh, and by the way, how are your processes? Good systems and bad processes means we are creating more waste more efficiently - i.e. losing money faster.  Whoops. Let’s talk about how to make all this better and get a bigger return on that software investment

30-45 min.

Impact: Improve morale, retention, and productivity, all of which lead to stronger business results and a better bottom line.

For managers, especially technical, whose people skills may not be at the top of the list. I’m not saying that’s all technical leaders of course, but if you’re asking for a friend then good news - it can be learned! This talk gives practical tips and recurring tasks you can develop into habits to use to keep your people happier, more engaged, and more productive. By the way, that makes your job much easier and ultimately increases business results and adds to the bottom line. Oh wait, right, you were asking for a friend - it will make their job easier - wink. 

P.S. this works in non-profit orgs too!

20-45 min.

With apologies to legendary baseball coach Joe Maddon who, along with his famous eyeglasses image, made "Try not to suck" a well-known phrase during his tenure with the Chicago Cubs, which ultimately led to their  2016 World Series championship. I mean it. They won because of the t-shirts... well, ok, not really.

A keynote speech that suits your needs, featuring live music about corporate life.

What?! 

Yep, I dare you to hire me for this one.

Impact: Debatable. It'll be entertaining. It'll be insightful. It'll be... something.

 At best, you'll have people talking about your event. At worst, a few people will probably walk out. But don't worry, they'll stay for the rest of the conference. I think. Probably. 

Don't worry -- I'm a professional...