Social Media, Mobility, Analytics, Cloud: Tech Show! Smactalk

When we picture authority or thought leadership or expertise, who is it that we picture?  In the digital world today does becoming an author or writing on Forbes or tweeting a bunch on a hashtag mean someone is an authority on that topic? On this episode hosts Daniel Newman and Brian Fanzo are fired up to talk about the short cuts and unicorn rainbow selling tricks that many have used to convey they have authority and why this has to be stopped.  Not only do they breakdown what is currently wrong with digital influence and self proclaimed thought leadership today. They share ideas and best practices to arm us the consumers so we can avoid being tricked by the fake news version of authority and thought leadership in today's digital world.  Every episode is recorded LIVE on Facebook Live: Facebook.com/SMACtalkLive WHAT IS SMACTalk? S.M.A.C. stands for Social Media, Mobility, Analytics and Cloud and over the two years Dan and Brian have covered topics that included Big Data, Digital Transformation, Social Sellin

In this week’s episode of SMACtalk, hosts Brian Fanzo and Daniel Newman had the opportunity to speak with Pegasystems CMO, Tom Libretto. Joining Pega just under a year ago, Tom is a seasoned marketing executive with a strong track record in driving results for the enterprise market. Tom has a strong background in driving fast moving marketing teams within the agile workplace to help tie together sales and marketing teams to meet the objectives of rapidly growing enterprises.    A topic near and dear to our heart, not only did we talk about the shifting CMO, but really the entire shift within the C-Suite to accommodate new roles like the Chief Digital Officer and the Chief Customer Officer as well as the challenge of a large number of CEOs that are still not prioritizing digital transformation.   During this episode, Tom provided insights on the following questions and a few bonus questions that you will have to tune into to learn more about:     Nowadays, there are many buzzwords to describe the shifting wor

On this episode of SMACtalk Daniel and Brian are on the expo floor of the Sapphire Now event where they were hired as both analysts and influencers to do work with SAP and some of the SAP partners.  The discussion is focused around the future of digital journalism and the role of analysts and influencers and bloggers as brands look for authentic ways to reach their audiences do they need to restructure who they use and how they value them.   This episode was recorded live on Facebook Live which you can watch here:https://www.facebook.com/SMACtalkLive/videos/1919871028292980/   As always we appreciate you listening and sharing the podcast on social media and with your friends. 

In this week’s episode of SMACtalk, hosts Brian Fanzo and Daniel Newman had the opportunity to speak with Pegasystems CTO, Don Schuerman, part of Pega Systems leadership team. During this show we explored Robotics and Automation in the workplace. Perhaps one of the most discussed topics in business today is the role that automation will have on jobs. There is an increasing concern that automation and robots will replace the workforce. We wanted to know if this was the case so this is exactly what was discussed with Don’s interview on SMACtalk.   During this episode, Don provided insights on the following questions: Give an overview on what is "Robotics Automation"  Explain robotics process automation and robotics desktop automation How will work change due to RPA and RDA? Can this be positive for people? (fear of automation etc.) How advanced is Robotics Automation today and when do you think we will see this make a big leap into our day to day life? What are some specific ways Robotics Process Automation is

In this week’s episode of SMACtalk, hosts Brian Fanzo and Daniel Newman had the opportunity to speak with PegaSystems VP, Rob Walker, an experienced executive in the machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) that also happens to hold a PHD in the space. While the show has covered the gambit of technology topics, this was one of the very first SMACtalk episodes that focused on the future of artificial intelligence, so having someone of Rob’s experience was a terrific fit and opportunity to discuss some of the key trends in the space. In particular, the focus was on AI and its impact on enterprise software tools such as ERP, CRM and Business Intelligence. During this episode, Rob provided insights on the following questions: What are some of the biggest technology shifts that are impacting the future of CRM? AI and Automation are stirring up the Future of Work, but for CRM they are a powerful duo, can you share a little more? Salesforce made a big splash with Einstein, but AI inside of CRM is going to

SMACtalk has been taken on the road around the world in some of the coolest venue's and technology events but episode 74 is without question the coolest experience yet!  Hosts Daniel Newman and Brian Fanzo are working with the Adobe Insiders team at the Adobe Summit event in Las Vegas.  For this episode the Adobe team let them jump in a giant glass box with a full production team referred to as the Think Tank. On this episode Daniel and Brian breakdown a wide range of trends including some hot topics that are being discussed at the Adobe Summit including: What is an Experience Business? What is the future of Design, Delivery and Data? Do we need marketers anymore if everyone in the company are responsible for creating experiences? What is the role of privacy today and is privacy something that actually exists. What role does Trust play with new technologies such as Chatbots, Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and cognitive computing.  You can watch the live stream of the recording here: https://youtu

On this episode both Daniel and Brian were a little sad that they were broadcasting from their home offices not at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona missing #MWC17 as they’ve been broadcasting live from that event the last couple years.   This conversation started as Daniel brought up the most innovative tech coming out of Mobile World Congress was the Nokia Snake Game and Nokia throwback phone.  The conversation took some interesting turns discussing a wide range of topics and questions Questions and Topics discussed on this episode: What makes people so in love with old school technology and is there a link to people wanting to live in the past or is it to slow down technology change? Are Smartphones just boring now? What does mobile innovation look like over the next 2-5 years? Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality are exciting innovation but are today’s consumers looking for a new reality or want to hold on to the reality of today? What features and benefits with the technology we use today get’s us tru

At the center of SMAC talk, is the A, and the A is for Analytics and all the other topics like Big Data and Insights that encompass the world of analytics. Nowadays, data is core to getting closer to the consumer and brands have figured that out. With the best data, companies are able to offer the right products and services at the right time, and this is a powerful tool for growth. However, when you are leveraging, and especially when you are collecting and storing customer data, you also have a responsibility to protect that information. This shift has turned companies from mom and pop restaurants to hotels to service companies of all kinds into modern tech companies with a fountain of valuable data that helps them market and could potentially be valuable to cyber attackers, meaning these small companies now are in the business of security.   In this week's episode of SMACtalk, cohosts Brian Fanzo and Daniel Newman explore the importance of companies recognizing their responsibility when they collect and le

During this episode, Brian and Daniel breakdown their path to success with the groundbreaking Superbowl 2016 #SB50Disrupt campaign and the importance of collaboration and live video content with guest host Ursula Ringham, SAP Change Evangelist. The #SB50Disrupt campaign, a collaboration between SAP and SMACtalk LIVE, created more than 20 hours of live streamed content over 5 days that averaged xx live viewers per broadcast and generated xx total social impressions. Tune in to hear Ursula share how she assembled support from SAP executives and partners and how important the role of digital transformation is in business success. Curiosity is the key to change, says Ursula. Keeping current on technologies that are available now and always having an eye on what might be drives innovation at all levels. http://discover.sap.com/superbowl/en-us/index.html SAP YouTube Playlist with all 20 hours of Superbowl Coverage of #SB50disrupt https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAN4lvL4kFnjOGeA19iFb8pyZI4-fF6kA About our gu

Daniel Newman and Brian Fanzo are both pager-wearing millennials but both approach technology, business and productivity differently.  On this episode of SMACtalk Dan and Brian discuss teamwork in this digital age and share a transparent view into their own collaboration over the last 3 years both the good and the bad.   Business Teamwork and Collaboration in a Digital World Still Comes Down To People! Businesses today know that success in the marketplace requires an understanding of knowledge management and collaboration as well as increased options for flexible work/life balance for workers. Organizational psychology backs up the pursuit of open collaboration, and in many cases, a flexible work environment inspires loyalty and productivity. Combined with a younger workforce interested in new technology, these changes have significantly impacted how people both millennials and not will work together in the future. Cisco Spark: Brian and Daniel have teamed up with Cisco Spark to leverage their new collaborati

During this episode, Brian interviews SMACtalk co-host Daniel Newman. Many know of Daniel’s recent successes as an entrepreneur, best-selling author, and keynote speaker. Few know the story that enabled him to become the successful businessman he is today. In his early 20’s Daniel was a globally recognized DJ leveraging mutually beneficial relationships and honest hustle. These core entrepreneurial traits allowed him to smoothly transition and propel his next career as an audio visual sales executive. But, every story has lows and life lessons. Tune in to hear how Daniel still relies on high-touch relationship building and hard work to manage his speaking career and keep his five businesses profitable and how the bumps in the road made him a better entrepreneur and overall better human. “Building relationships internally with your team is just as valuable as the external ones you build that bring profit” - @DanielNewmanUV Who is Daniel Newman: Author of 5 Amazon Best Selling Books, Newman is a trusted voice

If you aren’t growing you’re dying! One of the oldest adages in business, but true by so many accounts. Even though social media and digital has changed the sales process exponentially, selling is still a core part of almost every business. The companies that are best leveraging new media, social selling and of course traditional relationship selling are going to fare the best, but what do companies need to do to succeed in all of these areas? In this week’s SMACTalk, the fourth in our series partnership with Adobe Document Cloud, we explore the future of sales and how sales are being transformed across the enterprise. This week Adobe’s very own Lisa Graham and Selling Expert Colleen Francis joined hosts Brian Fanzo and Daniel Newman to discuss the transformation of the way we sell in a modern digital world; exploring the changes in how we sell, and what helps sales professionals rise above the rest.  A few of the questions that Graham and Francis tackle on the show include: How have sales changed in the pas

We kicked off 2017 just like we finished 2016 with a lively and passion debate with lots of SMACtalk this time around new years resolutions, making business goals and this culture of no accountability. This topic was fueled by Daniel's facebook post over the holidays which you can read below and the debate went on to include the importance of business goals, the role of public accountability and the current state of social media and marketing as it pertains to small business owners filtering the noise to work with true experts vs those who just make loud noises. Here is the Facebook post from Daniel. "I know this may make me sound like a crotchety old man... But seriously, wtf is the deal with "It's a new year and I'm going to do all this great shit because it's a new year." I have a feeling the people that are going to accomplish great things don't wait for some impending calendar date to get started on their route to greatness. Just start...Go...Do...Be... Celebrate the heck out of your wins, but don't wait

This week marks the 2 year anniversary of the launch of SMACtalk, as you’ll hear Dan and Brian were fired up and ready to celebrate.   S.M.A.C. stands for Social Media, Mobility, Analytics and Cloud and over the two years Dan and Brian have covered topics that included Big Data, Digital Transformation, Social Selling, Data Center Migration, Millennial Marketing, Digital Marketing, live streaming video, customer experience and everything else impacting today's technology world.   On this prediction episode Dan and Brian decided to stick to the S.M.A.C. as they each shared one prediction around each letter that makes up the show title.  From Dan’s very first prediction for social media in 2017 you’ll realize that these aren’t your normal generic marketing predictions.   Also listen all the way till the end as Dan and Brian also share sneak peeks into topics that they’ll be talking about on the keynote stage in 2017 that they’ve not talked about as professional speakers.   Visit Dan’s speaker page at: www.Daniel

 On this episode Brian and Dan change up the time and day they record and I have a feeling you’re going to LOVE the SMAC results. The topic started off debating how new media needs old marketing skills and old marketing needs to embrace new media marketers but then things took off. Based on the live viewers feedback, Brian and Dan might need to switch to recording at night because this was a passion filled 40 mins that you’ll need to hold onto your seats to enjoy. Some of the takeaways from this episode: Faster Marketing is the current trend Live Video is growing and changing the game both for good and bad What new problems result with new media Brian stated: “I’ve been evangelizing for people to create a bunch of crap content!”  Brian used the Facebook 360 and Discovery channel collaboration as an example of even with good content, good technology and good brands doesn’t guarantee the content won’t suck. Importance of understanding the basics of marketing so that you can stay in business and market new tech

Once upon a time, it felt like the only time an employee dealt with HR was when they were hired, when they left the company and perhaps when they had a question about their insurance or another benefit. All in all, the HR department has over the years earned a reputation as a bit of a stranger to the everyday employee. However, that reputation is changing.  In this week’s SMACTalk, the third in our series partnership with Adobe Document Cloud, we explore one of the critical topics inside of every business, Digital Transformation. This week Mark Grilli from Adobe and Theo Priestly, known Digital Transformation expert and Technology Evangelist joined hosts Brian Fanzo and Daniel Newman to discuss the transformation in the enterprise; covering where we are now, the biggest challenges for organizations looking to transform as well as some predictions as to the future of digital for organizations, how transformation efforts will continue to evolve and what leaders need to be thinking about to successfully transfor

On this episode of SMACtalk, Brian & Daniel seem to be in a giving mood recording it on #GivingTuesday and you’ll hear some love given to their favorite cause of the year No Kid Hungry which you can read more about here. Retail shopping without question is being transformed by all aspects of S.M.A.C. and on this episode you’ll hear discussions around the importance of: Customer Experience Desktop to Mobile Integration Brick & Mortar Best Practices Impact of AI, AR & emerging technologies Of course it can’t be an episode of SMACtalk without both of them mentioning Dunkin Donuts at least once with all mentions of brand experiences at Amazon, Converse, The Buckle, Starbucks and many more.   Since this episode was recorded and posted on #GivingTuesday Brian & Dan gave a shoutout and asked for the listeners to donate and support No Kid Hungry, a cause they both support and care about deeply. https://www.nokidhungry.org/ They also reference this study from Adobe: Media Alert: Adobe Data Shows Cybe

On this episode Brian & Dan talk about the latest wearable technology rolled out from Snap.Inc known as Spectacles.  These sunglasses with circle video creating capabilities are being rolled out in select locations by vending machine at a price point of $150 US. The original plan was to compare the marketing and roll out to google glass and the "Glasshole" problem created thanks to tech elite but this conversation went down a completely different direction. WE PROMISE: You won't hear this type of discussion and debate about wearable technology, AR, VR or Spectacles anywhere else!  Discussed on this episode: What kind of content will people create using these sunglasses? Do we need more bad content from people's points of view? How can brands look at this new wearable opportunity and provide business value. Do we have a posting too much to social media problem today, what will this type of technology create for tomorrow. If we are watching this content or any social content from those in our circle of inf

Once upon a time, it felt like the only time an employee dealt with HR was when they were hired, when they left the company and perhaps when they had a question about their insurance or another benefit. All in all the HR department has over the years earned a reputation as a bit of a stranger to the everyday employee. However, that reputation is changing. In this week’s SMACTalk, the second in our series partnership with Adobe Document Cloud, we explore the future of Human Resources and HR Tech. This week Mason Stubblefield from Adobe and Matt Charney, known HR Tech Influencer joined hosts Brian Fanzo and Daniel Newman to discuss the transformation of the HR department; covering where we are now, where HR needs to go and some of the challenges and opportunities that exist. A few of the questions that Charney and Stubblefield tackle on the show include: How has HR changed the most over the past few years? What impact have new technologies and tools had on how HR functions? Have we seen increased collaboration

What will the future look like? For businesses today this may be one of the most commonly asked and pressing questions. With the pace of change accelerating at breakneck pace, companies no longer have the luxury of depending on what is working today in order to sustain profits. As fast as companies rise today, they can fall. And for most companies, their product becomes obsolete the moment a better product, service or experience enters the market.   At SMACtalk, we focus on talking about the biggest technology and people challenges that impact business, and on this episode of SMACTalk we bring the Future of Work from and center to the conversation. To kick off a four part series with our new partners Adobe Document Cloud, we had the opportunity to bring a special guest, Jon Perera. Jon is Vice President at Adobe and he is one of the future forward thinkers in the organization. In this episode we focus in on:   1. Why future of work has become such an important topic? 2. What can companies do to help people k