Particle Accelerator: A Particle41 Podcast

• The Communication Secret to IT Strategy & Leadership | David Fazio

  David Fazio, VP of IT & Data Management at Vira Insight, for a masterclass in technology strategy and leadership.With a 27+ year career spanning engineering, leadership at Amazon, and working with private equity, David shares the hard-won lessons that propelled him from engineer to VP. He emphasizes one crucial ingredient for success in tech: effective communication. You'll get actionable advice on how to translate technical concepts for business leaders, use language to drive decisions, and balance technical expertise with essential diplomacy.If you're a technology professional, leader, or anyone interested in the future of business IT, this conversation is packed with takeaways.Key Discussion Points:From Engineer to VP: David's 27-year journey in tech, including his foundational experiences.The Communication Superpower: Why effective language is the #1 tool for IT leaders and strategy.Lessons from Amazon & Private Equity: Unique insights from working in high-growth, demanding environments.The Art of Persuasion: How to offer strategic options that enhance decision-making instead of just technical solutions.Blending Creativity & Tech: The importance of bringing a creative mindset to technical roles.Top Takeaways:Communication is the engine of leadership success—it's not enough to be technically right.Know Your Audience: Speak the language of results and business strategy, not just solutions.Diplomacy Matters: Balance your technical expertise with the soft skills needed to navigate leadership.Options Drive Action: Present leadership with strategic choices to empower them, not just demands.Connect with the Guest: David FazioDavid Fazio is a Digital Transformation Expert, Product Architect, and Strategic Advisor with over 25 years of experience leading digital transformations and cloud platform engineering. He currently serves as VP of IT & Data Management at Vira Insight.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davefazio/Website: https://davefaz.io/About The Host & PodcastBen Johnson is a seasoned entrepreneur and technology leader with a proven track record of building and scaling successful companies. As the founder of Particle41, he helps forward-thinking businesses modernize and grow through cutting-edge technology and expert teams.To explore how Particle41 can support your business growth and technology needs, visit https://Particle41.com.Connect with Ben Johnson:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminrjohnson/Website: https://Particle41.com

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• How AI is Transforming the Supply Chain at SwagUp | Prashant Shah

  Join Prashant Shah, a seasoned supply chain leader at SwagUp, as he shares insights on how AI agents, automation, and a data-first leadership philosophy are revolutionizing the promotional products and corporate gifting industry. Learn how his unique background—from a U.S. Marine to an industry veteran—has shaped his approach to logistics and digital transformation.In this episode, Prashant discusses the company’s strategic response to modern technology trends and the challenges of maintaining a competitive edge in a fast-evolving market. He reveals how SwagUp is tackling common industry pain points like vendor integration, real-time inventory management, and outdated legacy systems to drive business growth.Key Highlights:Military-to-Corporate Journey: Prashant's transition from logistics in the Marines to leading the supply chain at SwagUp.COVID Impact: How the pandemic accelerated the corporate gifting industry and its subsequent post-pandemic plateau.Practical AI Use Cases: The application of AI agents for faster customer responses, reduced administrative work, and better utilization of human expertise."Packs" Innovation: How SwagUp uses intent-based search to create curated promotional product bundles for onboarding and events.Leadership Philosophy: Why leading with facts and data is crucial and the importance of keeping vision flexible while setting specific, measurable goals.Culture of Innovation: Fostering a team culture that embraces experimentation, celebrates small wins, and promotes analytics fluency.Strategic Frameworks: A deep dive into using OKRs and SMART goals to align every department with a core set of three company objectives.Connect with Prashant Shah:LinkedIn: [linkedin.com/in/prashant-shah-mba]Website: https://www.swagup.com/Email: [email protected]:00 Intro & Welcome00:14 Guest Intro: Marines to Supply Chain Leader at SwagUp01:13 First Jobs & Early Lessons02:11 Duty, Service, and Giving Back03:01 Math Over Social Studies: Leading with Data04:18 Quote & Leadership Mindset04:27 Tech Picks: Blockchain, AI, Automation06:17 COVID’s Impact on Corporate Gifting & Events08:11 Building Internal Tech + Salesforce Integration09:56 AI Use Cases: Faster Answers, Less Admin11:07 Agents & Intent-Based Product Discovery12:34 “Packs” for Onboarding/Events13:28 Reality vs Ambition: Vendor Integration & Inventory Visibility16:08 Dimensions/Packaging Chaos; Legacy Interoperability19:44 Strategy to Edge: Cross-Functional Roadmaps21:23 From Vision to Three Aligned Goals23:10 OKRs, SMART Goals, Meaningful KPIs23:58 Cascading Goals & ROI Visibility25:14 Cadence: Weekly KPIs, Biweekly Projects27:01 Startup vs Enterprise Recalibration28:29 Focus, Shiny Objects, and Learning by Failing29:12 Pilots, Change Management, Stakeholder Buy-in30:32 Culture: Celebrate Small Wins; Safe to Fail32:31 Advice for Early Careers & Founders35:10 Vision vs Goals—North Star vs Mileposts37:35 How to Reach PrashantTo explore how Particle41 can support your business growth and technology needs, visit   particle41.com  .About @BenJohnson:Ben Johnson is a seasoned entrepreneur and technology leader with a proven track record of building and scaling successful companies. As the founder of @Particle41, he helps forward-thinking businesses modernize and grow through cutting-edge technology and expert teams. Connect with Ben to discover how @Particle41 can help you overcome your most complex digital challenges and drive meaningful results.Connect with @BenJohnson:LinkedIn:   / benjaminrjohnson  Website:   particle41.com

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• AI & Cybersecurity in Healthcare | Randi Deckard

  Explore the intersection of AI and cybersecurity in healthcare with Randi Deckard, SVP of Client Engagement at Besler. Discover how AI-driven platforms like Heart Health Community are enhancing patient education while addressing data security challenges.Randi Deckard, with her extensive background in healthcare finance and digital health, discusses the transformative impact of AI and machine learning on patient care. Delve into how cybersecurity challenges are shaping healthcare innovation and the importance of governance in AI implementation.- Key Highlights:  • AI and ML in patient education  • Cybersecurity's impact on healthcare  • Importance of governance in AI  • Randi's career journey from farm to SVP  • The role of diversity in team performance- Key Takeaways:  • AI can enhance patient engagement and education  • Cybersecurity is a critical concern in healthcare innovation  • Effective AI governance is essential for data protection  • Diverse teams bring unique perspectives and strengths  • Curiosity and continuous learning drive success in businessLearn how Randi Deckard is helping companies through Besler.LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/randisuedeckardWebsite: https://www.besler.com/To explore how Particle41 can support your business growth and technology needs, visit https://Particle41.com.About @BenJohnson:Ben Johnson is a seasoned entrepreneur and technology leader with a proven track record of building and scaling successful companies. As the founder of @Particle41, he helps forward-thinking businesses modernize and grow through cutting-edge technology and expert teams. Connect with Ben to discover how @Particle41 can help you overcome your most complex digital challenges and drive meaningful results.Connect with @BenJohnson:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminrjohnson/Website: https://Particle41.comChapters:00:00 IntroductionSubscribe for More Insights on:• healthcare• machine learning• cybersecurity• patient education• digital health👉 What childhood toy or hobby sparked your interest in healthcare or technology, leading you to where you are today? Share your early inspirations in the comments!#particleacceleratorpodcast #particle41@besler7603

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• Discover How AI Is Reshaping Business Strategies | Jared Barol

  Join us as Jared, a seasoned go-to-market strategy leader, delves into the intricacies of building effective market strategies. Drawing from his experiences with global giants like Salesforce, Jared shares insights on organizational structuring, technology integration, and the evolving role of AI in business.In this episode, we explore Jared's expertise in go-to-market strategies, focusing on sales, marketing, and customer success. Jared discusses his journey from selling Cutco knives to leading international sales efforts, highlighting the impact of languages and cultural understanding on business expansion. We delve into AI's transformative role and how it has reshaped expectations in business deliverables.Key Highlights:• Jared's transition from Cutco sales to global strategy leadership• The role of language in international business expansion• AI's impact on business expectations and deliverables• Lessons from intensive language immersion programs• The importance of intention in achieving business outcomesKey Takeaways:• Align strategies with cultural nuances for global expansion• Use future-focused language to enhance performance• Understand the balance of intention and mechanism in achieving results• AI is reshaping deadlines and expectations permanently• Language skills can unlock new market opportunitiesConnect with Jared:Website:https://www.copy.ai/Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredbarol/Learn how Jared is helping companies adapt to a rapidly changing business landscape. To explore how Particle41 can support your business growth and technology needs, visit https://Particle41.com.About @BenJohnson:Ben Johnson is a seasoned entrepreneur and technology leader with a proven track record of building and scaling successful companies. As the founder of @Particle41, he helps forward-thinking businesses modernize and grow through cutting-edge technology and expert teams. Connect with Ben to discover how @Particle41 can help you overcome your most complex digital challenges and drive meaningful results.Connect with @BenJohnson:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminrjohnson/Website: https://Particle41.comChapters:00:00 IntroductionSubscribe for More Insights on:• go-to-market strategy• sales strategy• customer success• ai in business• organizational structure👉 What was your first job experience like? Did it shape your career path in any way, like Jared's experience with selling cutco knives door to door? Let us know in the comments!#particleacceleratorpodcast #particle41@Copyai

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• B2B Podcasting & AI Trends | Jeremy Wellman

  Explore the evolution of B2B podcasting with Jeremy Wellman, Director of Operations of Sweet Fish Media. Discover how AI is reshaping content creation and the unique strategies for building niche audiences in the digital age.Join us in this episode of the Particle Accelerator Podcast as we delve into the world of B2B podcasting with Jeremy Wellman, Director of Operations of Sweet Fish Media. Jeremy shares insights on forming niche audiences, leveraging AI in content creation, and the strategic principles guiding his company. From his early experiences to his views on technology's impact, Jeremy offers a compelling look at the future of media.Key Highlights:• Jeremy's journey from music to multimedia• The power of niche marketing in B2B podcasting• AI's role in audio and video content creation• The importance of maintaining authenticity in automated processes• Overcoming financial and adoption barriers in techKey Takeaways:• Build trust with niche audiences for deeper connections• Embrace AI as a tool for enhancing content quality• Prioritize the human touch in automated systems• Seek strategic partnerships to overcome financial constraints• Continuously adapt to stay competitive in the tech landscapeConnect with Jeremy Wellman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremywellman/Company: Sweet Fish MediaWebsite: https://www.sweetfishmedia.com/Learn how Jeremy Wellman is helping companies through Sweet Fish Media. To explore how Particle41 can support your business growth and technology needs, visit https://Particle41.com.About @BenJohnson:Ben Johnson is a seasoned entrepreneur and technology leader with a proven track record of building and scaling successful companies. As the founder of @Particle41, he helps forward-thinking businesses modernize and grow through cutting-edge technology and expert teams. Connect with Ben to discover how @Particle41 can help you overcome your most complex digital challenges and drive meaningful results.Connect with @BenJohnson:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminrjohnson/Website: https://Particle41.comChapters:00:00 IntroductionSubscribe for More Insights on:• b2b podcasting• content creation• ai in media• niche marketing• digital content👉 What was your first job or how did you make your first dollar? Share your experience in the comments below!#particleacceleratorpodcast #particle41@b2bgrowth

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