CIAOPS - Need to Know podcasts

Episode 18 - Josh Peterson

In this episode I speak with Josh Peterson from the Taylor Business Group firstly about the importance of having a proper Profit and Loss chart of accounts to give you better insight into your business. Josh shares with me some of the important business ratios you business should be achieving and why these are important. Our discussion then turns to the benefits of business improvement groups and how they can help drive you business to the next level. Josh Peterson - Josh@taylorbusinessgroup.com

Episode 17 - David Wales

In this episode I welcome the Service Manager of Correct Solutions in Sydney, David Wales, to the microphone. David gives us his extensive experience and feedback on the topic of managing a service desk at a technology business. This includes topics such as the technology utilized in running a service desk and how to manage staff involved as well. We also speak about the challenges ever changing technology bring to the landscape as well as the potential impact of cloud computing. David Wales - www.correct.com.au

Episode 16 - Matt Makowicz

In this episode we hear from Matt Makowicz about the challenges many businesses face breaking through revenue barriers and how to overcome these. We also discuss building a successful sales team with tips and techniques on how to know when to hire and secondly who to hire. Matt Mkowicz - http://www.ambitionmission.com/

Episode 15 - Todd Colbeck

I'm joined in this episode by Todd Colbeck from the Colbeck Coaching Group to discuss referral systems. So many businesses overlook the basics of creating systems where business leads seek you out. Many simply hope these referrals will eventuate but Todd shows us how to create systems to ensure that they keep happening. He takes through more than tweleve opportunities to create systems that will bring recurring referrals to your business. If you want more business leads without all the 'hard' marketing then this podcast is for you. Todd Colbeck - http://www,ccgcoaching.com

Episode 14 - Ryan Spillane

In this episode I speak with Ryan Spillane, the managing director of a Sydney based IT integration business Correct Solutions, about the challenges and processes involved in finding the recruiting good staff. We covers areas on what to look for in a good employee, how to find good staff, the interview and induction process. If you are interested in learning about how successfully Ryan and Correct Solution goes about finding quality staff then this episode is a must listen. Ryan Spillane - www.correct.com.au

Episode 13 - Lee Hickin

I join Lee Hickin from Microsoft Australia to talk about Office365 in more depth. We look at the current Microsoft BPOS offering as well as the new features that Office365 will provide. We also discuss the implementation of Office365 in an SMB environment and what resellers should be doing to get ready. If you are looking to better understand what Microsoft Online Services is going to provide then you should listen to this podcast. Show links: Office365 Beta Service descriptions - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=6c6ecc6c-64f5-490a-bca3-8835c9a4a2ea

Episode 12 - Brad Clarke

In this Episode I speak with Brad Clarke from Microsoft Australia about Office365. We cover how it will be a major upgrade from BPOS and what the major components of Office365 will be. We speak about why customers should use it and why resellers should look at becoming familiar with what it has to offer. Finally we look at how to prepare for the upcoming release of Office365 and how to take advantage of community contacts (not only for Office365) to assist your business, especially tools like Linkedin.

Episode 11 - Dana Epp

This episode features noted security professional, Microsoft Security MVP and creator of security software Dana Epp speaking about the vulnerabilities of wireless technology. This includes his recent SMB Nation 2010 Fall presentation and the reasons why wireless is always more insecure that wired systems. Dana also discusses the concepts of selling security to customers, how you should monitor security and what needs to be done in the event of something untoward being detected. Dana also gives his feedback on why the concept of 'community' is so important, especially to SMB segment. Information about the security products Dana creates is available at http://www.scorpionsoft.com/.

Episode 10 - George Sierchio

In this episode I speak with George Sierchio from www.­consultantscoach­.­com about running a business like you are going to sell it. In other words it is all about what exit strategy you have planned for yourself. Even if you never plan to sell the business unforeseen circumstances may arise that dictate otherwise. A smart part of any business planning to understand how the business will operate without the business owner. To maximize the value of any business you need to create a business that will run without the business owner. This planning needs to start as soon as possible and be updated on a regular basis. This way if the need ever arises not only is there a plan in place the opportunity to maximize return on what has already been invest in the business will be recognized. For anyone who owns a business then this is a must listen to episode.

Episode 9 - Jeff Alexander

In this episode I speak with Jeff Alexander (http://blogs.technet.com/b/jeffa36/) a technology evangalist from Microsoft Australia. We speak about the upcoming release of a the new Home Server product currently known as Vail as well as the upcoming hybrid edition of Small Business Server known as Aurora (now known as SBS 2011 Essentials). We also sepak about the newly released Windows Phone 7 and impact that may have on the mobile device market. If you are a business or a technology professional who works with these products then this episode is well worth a listen to get the latest information about these upcoming products from Microsoft.