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BlueStar Nation is the podcast that tackles the hot topics, trends, and emerging technologies impacting the specialty IT reseller channel, software companies, MSPs, and hardware manufacturers. Hosted by John Martin & Dean Reverman. Tell us what YOU want to hear about: nation@bluestarinc.com
Episodes
Jun 13, 2024
Jun 13, 2024
57 min
Is AI fatigue setting in? Maybe, but that doesn't mean there isn't a real opportunity for VARs to be found. MicroTouch's John Dittig joins the show this week to help us separate the hype from the reality of AI solutions. What industries and end-users are most interested in AI? What needs do they want to be addressed? Is SMB better suited for innovation at this point? How will AI help sell more hardware? It's an "incrinculent" episode!
#VARValue - How is MicroTouch approaching AI solutions, and how are you helping VARs find the right partners to solve their customer’s needs?
TEConnecting with us:
John D - LetzChat
Dean - Combining AI with robotics
John M - Deepfake conversations with dead loved ones
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
MicroTouch's AI Town Hall
Jun 6, 2024
Jun 6, 2024
1hr 2 min
We are again investigating the results of an excellent BlueStar Nation end-user survey (shout out to HP and Intel for sponsoring this one!), this time from SMB grocery leaders. The survey focused on the tech they currently use and want to deploy and where they see industry challenges that tech could solve. How are grocers addressing customer experience and collecting data? What are they most interested in improving? What opportunities for VARs does the data show?
Read the Article and More at BlueStar Nation
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Why is ice slippery and disappearing web pages
John - AI determining ER admissions
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
May 30, 2024
May 30, 2024
1hr 7 min
Next week, we'll discuss the results of a grocery executive survey, exploring what technologies they are using and considering and how they envision tech impacting the industry. In preparation, we thought we'd revisit this conversation with Epson's David Vander Dussen.
* * *
Grocery stores are an essential service, but they’re not immune to the changing whims of consumers and the desire for convenient options and dynamic shopping experiences. The razor-thin margins they operate under can cause challenges to VARs hoping to pitch new technology, but Epson’s David Vander Dussen is back on the pod to emphasize the opportunities. Why are midsize & regional chains still seeing growth? How have grocers changed their offerings and workflow? Why is the demand for dynamic color labeling higher than ever? It’s the episode where we learn why Dean is banned from grocery shopping.
#VARValue—For VARs that work primarily with SMB grocer chains or local independents, what’s the pitch for implementing tech like color labeling?
References:
Why Grocery Chains are Outperforming Expectations Amid Inflation
FMI study: Private brands not just about price
How to Ramp Up Online Grocery—without Breaking the Bank
The State of Grocery in North America
TEConnecting with us:
David - World Cup Video Assistant Referee
Dean - The success of the DART mission and robotics companies commit to not weaponizing
John - New Apple devices might confuse rollercoaster for a car crash
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Epson's New Mobilink Printers
May 23, 2024
May 23, 2024
1hr 2 min
Retail has “grown up” a lot in the last few years, as competition and shifting customer expectations drive innovation and open the door to new technologies. But that modernization can come with some tradeoffs as retailers determine what is must-have vs. nice-to-have. Intel’s Global Retail Director, David Dobson, joins the pod to explain the outcomes that retailers are pursuing and how we can help. How is AI affecting retail? How do retail leaders determine what innovations to pursue? What’s causing hesitation, and how can VARs & ISVs become go-to solution architects for the industry?
#VARValue - What’s your future view on how modernization will happen on the edge and how VARs and their ISV partners can be modern solution architects?
TEConnecting with us:
David - The moon landing and creation of DARPA
Dean - Project Astra
John - Dublin to NYC portal
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
May 16, 2024
May 16, 2024
59 min
Guy-Marie Joseph is not just another AI enthusiast. He has been deeply involved in AI, studying its foundations since college. This extensive experience makes him the perfect person to help us delve into the LLM hype, explore practical use cases, and share insights on the road ahead. What does the “intelligence” part of AI really mean? What’s the next step to make AI more practical? How does ConnecTalk approach AI in their day-to-day business?
#VARValue - As a reseller yourself, what are some examples of how ConnecTalk has used AI to improve your internal operations and build better customer solutions?
TEConnecting with us:
Guy-Marie - Tools to analyze cybersecurity threats & understanding RF
Dean - Sound-suppressing silk
John - What is the ideal movie run-time?
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Wallaby Pro
May 9, 2024
May 9, 2024
1hr 1 min
The electric & hybrid vehicle market continues to grow, spurred by government investment and consumer interest. This week, Jeff Smith, CEO of EVerged, explains why he is all-in on the market and its potential. What trends and opportunities is he seeing? How does EVerged address sustainability questions? What makes this a perfect time to explore EV charging partnerships?
#VARValue—Beyond EV solutions, what else is happening in the public sector that VARs should focus on to find new opportunities?
TEConnecting with us:
Jeff - X's AI & robotics initiatives, Horizon Aircraft's hybrid plane, and Zamboni EVs
Dean - Falling space junk
John - LG washer/dryer
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
May 2, 2024
May 2, 2024
56 min
Here's some new news, lists, and interesting studies to share around watercoolers both real and virtual!
- The effects of the "she"-conomy
- The coolest streets in the world
- Americans sleep less and stress more
- New airline cancellation/fee rules
- How much soda is too much?
- The end of noncompetes
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - How easy is it to brute force your password?
John - Google Maps photobomb dog
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Intel Sales Academy
Apr 25, 2024
Apr 25, 2024
53 min
We’re normally tech-positive on the show, but this week, Dean & John are sharing some of their “beefs” with technology, the things that frustrate or confuse them, including:
- Dynamic fast-food pricing
- The death of social media
- Pennies
- Paywalled news
- America's most popular beers
- Amazon’s “Just Walk Out” stores
- Healthcare information connectivity
It’s the episode that has a few things to get off its chest.
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Designing the next moon buggy
John - Lyft
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Apr 18, 2024
Apr 18, 2024
48 min
Technological progress often comes in waves that are met with intense discussion, scrutiny, skepticism, and acceptance. Artificial intelligence is the latest wave disrupting the reseller channel, but one that demands a response sooner rather than later. This week, Intel’s Director of US Distribution, David Allen, is not only explaining the history of such inflection points and why AI is perhaps the most important ever but also shedding light on Intel's strategic approach to partnerships and vetted solutions. This approach is crucial in helping solution providers deliver on the hype of AI. What is the “siliconomy”? How will a "wait and see "attitude affect VARs? What has to change to go to market with emerging technologies?
#VARValue - How is Intel helping take BlueStar's TEConnect Program to the next level?
TEConnecting with us:
David - Bose headphones & a Bluetooth transmitter for airplane movie viewing
Dean - The emotion of live vs. streamed music
John - Extraordinary on Hulu
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Apr 11, 2024
Apr 11, 2024
1hr 4 min
The modern customer is continually evolving, which demands that sales tactics also change, especially in our complex channel model. This week, BlueStar Canada’s President, Michel Sirois, shares his experience and insights on a highly relevant topic to our work. Is the new “generation” of buyers actually an age thing? How do we approach buyers with more information at their fingertips, time spent doing self-research, and unwilling to pick up the phone for a “cold call”? How can VARs/integrators/MSPs adapt? And because we have to talk about it…can AI enable salespeople?
#VARValue - How do you see BlueStar’s role changing to help our partners sell and grow their businesses?
TEConnecting with us:
Michel - The end of cookies
Dean - NASA/DARPA/DRACO nuclear rocket to Mars
John - Paris Olympics & booksellers
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - hhttps://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by: