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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
Thursday Jun 08, 2023
Thursday Jun 08, 2023
As the world shifts gears from the challenges wrought by the COVID pandemic, questions about what’s next in healthcare technology are hard to ignore. Elo’s Katharine Cummings returns to the show to discuss what she’s hearing and seeing as she returns to regular visits with healthcare orgs. What do healthcare leaders expect from tech and funding in coming years? What’s changed about how telehealth is used? What’s the potential for AI in medicine? Are there opportunities on the cybersecurity side for VARs? It’s the episode that doubles as an early Father’s Day gift!
#VARValue - Any other predictions or growth opportunities that you and Elo are watching or working on solutions for?
How technology will shape healthcare in 2023 - HealthcareDive
TEConnecting with us:
Katharine - Bryan Johnson's Blueprint
Dean - Optogenetics
John - "Dream glove" boosts creativity
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Zebra ZD611 Premium Desktop Printers
Elo Wallaby Pro
Thursday Jun 01, 2023
Thursday Jun 01, 2023
We’re big fans of partner-assisted selling, a perk of working within the reseller channel. This week, we’re focusing on partnering with hardware manufacturers with our friends at Star Micronics, Kate Orara (Partner Development) & Mark Rasho (Product Integration). What does partner-assisted selling & solutions mean to them? What should VARs & ISVs expect from their vendor relationships? How early or often should manufacturers be brought in on an opportunity?
#VARValue - Let’s talk about Star in particular. What do you offer VARs & ISVs as a partner?
TEConnecting with us:
Mark - mC-Label3
Kate - Cruise Robotaxis
Dean - The end of MTV News
John - Automaker subscription services
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Star Micronics Tablet Stands
Elo I-Series 4
Zebra Sales Trifecta
Thursday May 25, 2023
Thursday May 25, 2023
When a last-minute schedule change leaves us with a slot to fill, Dean & John are happy to once again riff on hot topics, interesting articles, and list debates.
This week's topics:
- The Death of Social Media?
- Vinyl is Back On Top
- World-Changing Ideas for 2023
- The Fasties
- Is There Science Behind Late People?
- Superhero Film Fatigue
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - PTO around the world
John - Worthless workplace data
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Thursday May 18, 2023
Thursday May 18, 2023
Adopting the latest technology and trends is helping retailers of all tiers separate from their competitors and keep up with consumer expectations, but what does that modernization mean, and where can VARs and ISVs find opportunities, especially at the SMB level? Intel’s Retail Industry Advisor, Kristen Call, is here to explain! What does digital transformation look like in retail? What do retailers get wrong when modernizing, and how can our channel help? What is the “blended” approach? It’s the episode that might give you retail flashbacks.
#VARValue – We’ve spoken with Intel software partners like VSBLTY, Pathr, & WaitTime. Why do you think it’s important for VARs to develop relationships with companies like those to take their retail solutions to the next level?
TEConnecting with us:
Kristen - ChatGPT
Dean - Sargassum seaweed blob & northern elephant seals' sleep habits
John - Predator dinosaurs had lips?
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Zebra Future Proofing Retailers eBook
Elo M60 Mobile POS
Thursday May 11, 2023
Thursday May 11, 2023
We’re breaking down another BlueStar Nation blog article; this time, our findings from a lengthy warehouse and supply chain professionals survey. Where do they typically encounter errors in daily practices? What kind of hardware is most used? Is RFID table stakes now? What technology issues do companies trust to in-house vs. outside IT firms? What emerging technology do they expect to invest in soon? If you don’t care about the answers to those questions, you’re in the wrong business!
#VARValue - What is something Supply Chain VARs could do immediately to capitalize on these findings?
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Toronto Airport Gold Heist & the Great Maple Syrup Heist
John - Beer Bots
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo POS Solutions
Zebra ZT Industrial Printers
Thursday May 04, 2023
Thursday May 04, 2023
We’re digging into the latest hot topics, news articles, and water cooler discussions, so you don’t have to!
- ProMat 2023
- UK’s 4-Day Work Week Pilot Results
- State of the US EV Charging Network
- How Far Does $100K Go?
- Where Generations Get Their News
- Kiosk Marketplace Census Report
#VARValue - Any takeaways from these stories relevant to the channel?
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Beetles absorbing water...through their butts? and Free pizza for TSwift tix
John - Marvel Snap mobile game
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Zebra Sell & Win Club
Elo Edge Connect
Thursday Apr 27, 2023
Thursday Apr 27, 2023
Over 40% of people prefer ordering from a kiosk, a growing trend accelerated by COVID but has persisted due to labor shortages, convenience, and generational preferences. This week, Epson’s David Vander Dussen & Josh Stanphill return to the pod to explain the self-service trend, what it means as consumer return to stores, and where opportunities lie for VARs. How does self-service affect label printing needs? What does “experiential” retail mean to our guests? What trends are they watching next?
#VARValue - What is Epson doing differently to meet these new needs in retail and hospitality?
Referenced Articles:
Delaget 2022 QSR Operational Index
TEConnecting with us:
David - Self-driving AI lawnmower
Josh - Café Specialty coffee maker & Companion dog-babysitting robot
Dean - SpaceX Superheavy Starship (recorded one day before it exploded)
John - Apple Savings Account
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Epson OmniLink m30III Receipt Printer
Elo Wallaby Pro
Thursday Apr 20, 2023
Thursday Apr 20, 2023
There are quite a few steps between food & beverage manufacturing and what we ultimately consume, and those steps are filled with the need for technology to manage processes, meet delivery demands, and grow brand recognition for companies large and small. This week, CIS Group’s Julie Desroches joins us to share her experience in F&B that’s informed her expertise in software solutions for the industry. What’s changed in distribution over the years, and what challenges do companies face to get their products onto store shelves? How do technologies like route planning, mobile POS, and communications help SMB businesses? What does Julie think will change the industry next?
#VARValue - What advice do you have for VARs looking to grow their business with F&B?
TEConnecting with us:
Julie - Her clients
Dean - Classic "Bigfoot" footage stabilized with AI
John - Alphabet layoffs affecting robotics
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Zebra ZT Industrial Printers
Elo I-Series 4
Thursday Apr 13, 2023
Thursday Apr 13, 2023
We’re not shy to talk about the importance of effective marketing to build your brand and illustrate your value-add to current and potential customers, but don’t just take it from us! This week, we brought in a panel of experts from around the channel to weigh in: Elo CMO John Lamb, Barcoding VP of Marketing Jody Costa, and 42Gears’ Director of Channel Marketing Jean Secrist. Why do they think marketing is important? What tips do they have for VARs & ISVs working on a budget or with minimal staff? What trends are they following, and what’s the benefit of working within our channel?
#VARValue - When defining what industries or target markets to focus on, what are the top sources of information you use to make educated decisions?
Check out Elo's 70-Series Touchmonitors!
TEConnecting with us:
Jean - NCAA brackets & sports tech
John Lamb - 5G devices
Jody - ChatSpot
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Zebra Media & Supplies
Elo Edge Connect
Thursday Apr 06, 2023
Thursday Apr 06, 2023
“That’s an American thing.” Trends and tech adoption can differ in the US from the rest of the world, so we thought we’d explore that in the retail industry. We’re joined by two members of the BlueStar EU team, Richard Austin & Jord Malcorps, who start by sharing some things they find very different about the states. On the retail side, we discuss how businesses juggle tech needs in-store and online. Is omnichannel table stakes at this point? Why has Europe been more open to payment flexibility? It’s the episode that’s not sure it can fit in the garage, but you’ll hear us coming down the road!
#VARValue - Any other trends or predictions from the Lightspeed article or your own insights that can help retail-focused VARs this year?
Retail Predictions & Trends 2023 - Lightspeed
TEConnecting with us:
Richard - Amusing out-of-office responses
Jord - Crypto & blockchain payments
Dean - Most Loved & Hated Brands
John - Solid metal ball at Earth's core
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo POS Solutions
Zebra Printing Portfolio