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Topic 1: Skimpflation: Will this affect us?
Aside from basic inflation, will the labor shortage cause this for IT services?
Topic 2: China’s Privacy Law
China’s new policy looks “western” at first, but is used for strick tracking of citizens. The Personal Information Protection Law allows the government to blacklist companies, including those outside the country. Will companies go along or opt out of the largest market in the world?
Do providers really care?
https://www.wired.co.uk/article/china-personal-data-law
Topic 3: Hackers are stealing data today so quantum computers can crack it in a decade
It makes sense once you hear it. But it’s still surprising.
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Sponsor Note: Egnyte
Are you still using on-prem file servers and VPNs to share files with remote workers? Egnyte is a business class cloud sharing solution that works more like your on-prem server than other solutions. With a security first approach to file sharing and collaboration, Egnyte offers multiple options for sharing files and collecting files from outside sources. And do it all addressing data governance and compliance. Want to learn more? Check out https://Egnyte.com/msp, and when you do, tell them we sent you.
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Topic 1: Looking at Tech Companies as nation states
When one organization has so much money and does so many things that they “compete” with nation states, should we begin to treat them that way? Note that one article is from Foreign Affairs magazine.
Links:
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/world/2021-10-19/ian-bremmer-big-tech-global-order
See also the book: The Big Switch by Nicholas Carr
Topic 2: Using AI to parse CEO’s words
Is this truly useful AI or just a faster version of the obvious?
Link:
Topic 3: Facebook shuts down facial recognition
Facebook is shutting down their facial recognition program – and deleting the database altogether. Have they found a soul? Is this actually a good business decision? What don’t we know about this big decision?
Links:
https://www.protocol.com/bulletins/facebook-shutting-down-facial-recognition
https://gizmodo.com/google-is-going-to-charge-cops-for-your-data-1841221086
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Sponsor Memo:
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Topic 1: Trolls Are Born, Not Made
While self esteem is a factor, Internet trolls don’t have low self esteem. They have a high tendency to sadism. When mixed with high self esteem, you get a troll.
Who are these people and how did they become trolls. Research gives us some insights.
Topic 2: Async Business Collaboration Models
One of Karl’s favorite topics! Let’s focus on focus. Asynchronous communication goes a long ways to making focus possible and effective.
If you can find people who work asynchronously, and give them the right tools, amazing things can be done.
https://www.protocol.com/workplace/async-work-goodbye-meetings
Topic 3: Desperate for Workers, Restaurants Turn to Robots
It’s about time! Lines have gotten longer and longer due to pandemic upheaval and a shrinking workforce.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/19/business/restaurants-robots-workers.html
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Sponsor Note: Gozynta
Did you know that the average MSP spends 10 hours manually inputting accounting data each week? That time is 120 prospect calls, a month’s worth of the Business of Tech, or building an entire Lego death star. Gozynta Mobius can make your life easier through accounting automation. Automatic sync of invoices, expenses and inventory from ConnectWise Manage into QuickBooks Online in just a single click of a button.
With onboarding, direct support, and regular feature releases, Gozynta is a family owned company dedicated to making software suck a little less each day. Visit us at https://Gozynta.com.
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This special edition of The Killing IT Podcast was recorded before a live audience in a special presentation made possible by Cisco.
If you missed the “Live” portion, register at killingitlive.com to listen to the bonus topic and receive announcements about the next Killing IT Live broadcast. — — —
Topic 1: After much fanfare, what’s up with The Contract for the Web two years later?
Sir Tim Berners-Lee’s project – The Contract for the Web – promised to encourage governments to ensure access and privacy; corporations to encourage the best and discourage the worst in people; and citizens to be both creators and collaborators.
Well, two years later, we don’t think much has changed.
Links:
https://contractfortheweb.org/
https://contractfortheweb.org/2021/10/07/save-the-date-join-us-to-launch-the-tech-policy-design-lab/
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Topic 2: Has the Dream of AI Died? Faded? Evolved?
One article on this topic asks whether “losing AI” would be a bad thing. The trend looks like China is way ahead of the west, except with regard to the moral use of artificial intelligence. Another article reports that some computer experts think ending human oversight is a very bad idea.
What are the stakes of us losing our edge because we have ethics?
Links:
https://www.vox.com/recode/22725044/china-ai-race-pentagon-wechat
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Topic 3: Smart Cities Produce Unfathomable Amounts of Data.
This topic ties together several of our ongoing discussions: AI, analytics, 5G, privacy, automation, simulation, environmental impact, tech impact on real life, and big business opportunities.
But are we any smarter or better off?
https://www.axios.com/smart-city-5g-data-privacy-0f8e6535-3cad-4ceb-86a2-dd4cefcd28a7.html
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NOTE: You can catch the BONUS topic at https://www.killingitlive.com.
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Sponsor Memo:
Did you know Cisco helps Managed Services Providers directly? Know about the Cisco Partner Program? Focused on helping partners combine managed services expertise and service creation with innovative Cisco technology and proven go-to-market resources, there’s a program option for you. With provider pricing, MDF, and marketing resources coupled with Cisco’s leading technologies including Meraki, Duo, and Umbrella, learn more at https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/partners/partner-with-cisco/provider.html
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Interesting tidbit of the day: Statistics
Don’t forget to join us for Killing IT Live – October 20th – https://www.killingitlive.com
Topic 1: Slack upended the workplace — and gave power to the employees
Slack (and other technologies) are revealing some inner turmoil at companies such as Apple. Is this something caused by the technology, or merely revealed by the technology? We discuss culture and more.
Link: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2021/11/slack-office-trouble/620173/
Topic 2: Amazon Copied Best-Selling Products and then Rigged their Search Result
Meme for this: From the movie Casablanca . . . “I’m shocked – shocked I tell you.”
Question: Even though this is India, does it affect how our Congress will try to hold Amazon accountable?
Link: https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/amazon-india-rigging/
Topic 3: Convergence of AV and IT . . .
Other industries are learning the IT space. Well, at a minimum, they’re learning the language. This turns into a debate about marketing share and specialization. And “specialization” looks different, depending on the perspective you start with.
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Sponsor Note: Egnyte
Are you still using on-prem file servers and VPNs to share files with remote workers? Egnyte is a business class cloud sharing solution that works more like your on-prem server than other solutions. With a security first approach to file sharing and collaboration, Egnyte offers multiple options for sharing files and collecting files from outside sources. And do it all addressing data governance and compliance. Want to learn more? Check out https://Egnyte.com/msp, and when you do, tell them we sent you.
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Fun question of the day . . . If you were offered the position of mayor of your city, would you take it?
. . . wherein two of our hosts determine that they are two halves of a politician.
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Promo: Join Us for Killing IT Live – October 20th Info and registration at killingitlive.com No editing. No second takes.
Join hosts Dave Sobel, Ryan Morris, and Karl Palachuk for this special live event.
You’ll see behind the curtains as we prep and produce a live show. PLUS, we’ll stick around and answer questions so YOU can be part of the show as well.
We’ll record an episode of the podcast for you — broadcast live with video!
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Topic 1: Amazon’s bi-annual report on government requests for data . . .
Over 30,000 requests for information from various governments around the world for the six months ending June 30th. This includes subpoenas, search warrants, and court orders (or their equivalent in various countries).
This includes requests regarding Amazon Echos, Ring devices, etc. It does NOT include requests related to AWS, which only numbered 632!
The number of devices with your personal information, photos, and data is growing every year. Remember, that robot dog serves more than one master.
https://d1.awsstatic.com/Information_Request_Report_June_2021_x.pdf
Topic 2: Is Facebook’s problem just “hubris?” We can fix this!
“I don’t think the Facebook Files show a company that is evil or incompetent. It seems to show a company that is in way too deep, but still thinks it can totally get things back under control.”
Topic 3: CISA Issues Guidance to Mitigate Threats to Autonomous Vehicles
CISA has published more guidance. Once lesson is: MSPs are not their only target. Another Lesson: Emerging tech is being held to some reasonable standards.
Links:
https://www.hstoday.us/nppd/cisa-issues-guidance-to-mitigate-threats-to-autonomous-vehicles/
https://www.cisa.gov/autonomous-vehicle-security
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Remember to sign up for Killing IT Live – free!
Killing IT Live – October 20th Info and registration at www.killingitlive.com
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Question of the Day: What was your first W2 job?
Topic 1: Vendors Selling Around their Partners
Listener Lucy asks: “Why the **** do vendors keep overlooking the sales rep who owns the customer in their Channel program?”
There’s natural tension between vendors and their solution provider partners. Why do we have to keep revisiting this topic?
(Also, she agrees with Dave that a sandwich requires two pieces of bread.)
Topic 2: Thoughts on taking UI to government activities
Dominos (and other) have made some huge advancements in tracking the progress of their services. This is both a UI (user interface) and a CX (customer experience) topic. So where is the government when it comes to next-gen UI and CX?
Link: https://statescoop.com/why-government-technologists-love-dominos-pizza-tracker/
Topic 3: Facebook/Instagram for Children?
Holy smokes. Thankfully, Facebook has decided to “hold off” on releasing a version of Instagram geared toward children. We universally think it’s a bad idea. But we also point out that lots of other platforms are targeting children – illegally.
Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/27/technology/facebook-instagram-for-kids.html
— — — Sponsor Note: Think you know PC Matic? Think again. PC Matic is working with MSPs to deliver true zero trust/default deny endpoint security. Allowing only trusted applications and blocking all the rest. A light weight, simple to deploy & easy to manage approach to application allow-listing. Layering a default deny approach provides MSPs of all sizes the ability to again focus on prevention, and PC Matic delivers this without impacting performance or efficiency. Find out more about by visiting https://pcmatic.com/MSP. Be sure to ask about PC Matic’s exclusive lead sharing program for MSPs backed by a prime time national TV campaign.
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Question of the Day: What is a photo?
Topic 1: When AI Breaks Bad
Once again we address the question of ethics and AI.
From Axios: “A new report about artificial intelligence and its effects warns AI has reached a turning point and its negative effects can no longer be ignored.” Have we reached the point where we should automatically look for the negative effects first?
Link: https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-future-0a5d2e2c-acd8-422b-a37c-1fc93f78a76f.html
Topic 2: Let’s look at CISA . . . again.
Last week we talked about the CISA advice for your customers. Here we revisit, and look at the “Low fruit” considerations that you might actually decide to adopt today. These include Backup documentation, Client data segregation, and Financial health of IT service providers.
Link: https://www.cisa.gov/publication/risk-considerations-msp-customers
See also Karl’s blog posts on this: – https://blog.smallbizthoughts.com/2021/09/the-government-is-telling-your-clients.html – https://blog.smallbizthoughts.com/2021/09/three-things-you-should-do-in-response.html
Topic 3: Next Gen Crowd Sourcing?
Pondering . . . is there a new name for the group behavior that’s emerging on the Internet in the 2020’s? For example: – TikTok investors follow members of Congress – Reddit investors manipulate the stock market – Amateur sleuths help in the search for missing persons
Question: Is there a name for this kind of activity? It seems like there’s something other than “crowd sourcing” here.
Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/20/style/gabby-petito-case-tiktok-social-media.html
Sponsor Memo:
Did you know that the average MSP spends 10 hours manually inputting accounting data each week? That time is 120 prospect calls, a month’s worth of the Business of Tech, or building an entire Lego death star. Gozynta Mobius can make your life easier through accounting automation. Automatic sync of invoices, expenses and inventory from ConnectWise Manage into QuickBooks Online in just a single click of a button.
With onboarding, direct support, and regular feature releases, Gozynta is a family owned company dedicated to making software suck a little less each day. Visit us at www.Gozynta.com
🙂
Question of the day: What is a sandwich?
Topic 1: Apple Pay . . . Again
The headline says Apple lost … but the article makes it clear that Epic is the one who is disappointed and is appealing.
Let see: Epic violated their agreement and owes Apply $3.5 Million. But Apply can’t have those kinds of agreements going forward. And Apple’s not a monopoly.
Seems confusing, but it does mean there will be other options to pay for in-app purchases on AppStore apps to work around Apple. But Epic still doesn’t think that is enough. Let the lawyer games begin.
Link: https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/10/22662320/epic-apple-ruling-injunction-judge-court-app-store
Topic 2: Microsoft Study Finds Problems with Employee Productivity in Remote Work
In a study or more than 60,000 employees, Microsoft find that the shift to remote work has hurt communication and collaboration. A separate study shows that individual workers feel better supported by bosses than ever before. The first finding looks bad for employee productivity and long-term innovation; the second suggest happier, more productive workers.
Note: Microsoft also announce that employees won’t be returning to the office in October as expected.
Topic 3: Cybersecurity Vulnerability Could Now Impact a Business’ Credit Rating … Things are Getting Serious!
Startup BitSight generates reports on the likelihood that an organization will be breached. They just received a $250 million investment Moody’s. Moody’s provides corporate “credit rating” information. In your future: Credit ratings base on Cybersecurity preparedness.
Sponsor note:
Threats to client data constantly evolve, so your strategies must evolve too …but knowing where to get good guidance isn’t always easy.
Well, nowhere will you hear more helpful insights from leading cyber protection experts than at the Acronis #CyberFitSummit. I’m going again –this year in-person, in Miami – and you should join me. Experts like Erick Simpson; Larry Walsh; and Acronis’ Amy Luby will show you how to boost profits, reduce risk, and improve your team’s productivity, as well as the latest cybersecurity strategies, technologies, and processes. In person and online, Learn more about the Acronis #CyberFit Summit World Tour at https://Acronis.events
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Topic 1: CISA Guidelines for MSP Clients
Like it or not, the US Government has defined Managed Services, and published guidelines for your clients and prospects to evaluate you! We expect a lot of heat – and maybe some light – to come out of this document.
Related Links: – https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/current-activity/2021/09/03/cisa-insights-risk-considerations-managed-service-provider
Topic 2: Forcing options to Apple Pay and Google Pay
In the continuing saga of Apple (and others) forcing app developers to use their pay systems, the government of South Korea has decided that Apple and Google cannot force game makers and others to use only their payment gateways. This is, of course, the beginning of other nations jumping into fray.
We comment – including how this might affect potential lawsuits in the US.
Topic 3: Tesla building their own chip to train self-driving vehicles
What? Tesla joins the chip-making industry – because they can’t buy the chips they need! Is this a sign of impending disruption for Intel, AMD, and others? Tesla has a unique demand, given the specific requirements of their autonomous vehicle strategy. And if they can’t buy chips elsewhere, they’re going to make their own – for now.
Link: https://link.wired.com/view/5e3f0a597e553f71453d575deurb4.7s9/5a9cf463
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Sponsor Note:
Think you know PC Matic? Think again.
PC Matic is working with MSPs to deliver true zero trust/default deny endpoint security.
Allowing only trusted applications and blocking all the rest. A light weight, simple to deploy & easy to manage approach to application allowlisting.
Layering a default deny approach provides MSPs of all sizes the ability to again focus on prevention, and PC Matic delivers this without impacting performance or efficiency.
Find out more about by visiting https://pcmatic.com/MSP
Be sure to ask about PC Matic’s exclusive lead sharing program for MSPs backed by a prime time national TV campaign.
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