Brandy Semore's guest appearances

Brandy Semore

Hello Tech Pros - Motivation, Soft Skills & Business Advice

Software & Technology by MarketScale

MarketScale Technology

David Platt

Dan Miller

David Hill

David Sawyer

John Dudley

Dan Thompson

Eric Anderson

Michael Longoria

Andy Weir

Ben Taylor

John Ryan

Chris Devlin

Matt Wood

Paul Johnson

Ross Perot

OwlTail

There are times in a company's life where it could use a hand from a third-party expert. Whether it’s a complex new system that your company is implementing or a complex problem that you need help seeing the solution for, IT consulting companies exist to ease the burden. But what if you’re a small company, have a small budget, and don’t really know where to start? Our guest today explained that companies have a misconception that bringing in an IT consulting partner is a luxury for larger, more complex companies. She argues that that's not the case. Host Shelby Skrhak sat down with Brandy Semore, director of professional services for Pinnacle Business Solutions, who shared four solid reasons to partner with an IT consultant. Unbiased and focused attention, specialization, money savings, and taking on the burden of risk are the top reasons customers seek to partner with IT consultants like Pinnacle Business Solutions, Semore said. “Offering specialization, I feel, is one of the most impactful benefits of being a VAR, or value-added reseller,” she said. “That way you don’t have to spend the time and money researching these solutions or getting trained because we absorb that burden.” On the podcast, Semore broke down the importance of all four reasons, gave examples of potential cost savings, explained what she means by taking on the burden of risk for a company, and shared how an unbiased third party can help find solutions to IT headaches.

There are times in a company's life where it could use a hand from a third-party expert. Whether it’s a complex new system that your company is implementing or a complex problem that you need help seeing the solution for, IT consulting companies exist to ease the burden. But what if you’re a small company, have a small budget, and don’t really know where to start? Our guest today explained that companies have a misconception that bringing in an IT consulting partner is a luxury for larger, more complex companies. She argues that that's not the case. Host Shelby Skrhak sat down with <a href="https://marketscale.com/industries/contributors/brandy-semore/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Brandy Semore</a>, director of professional services for <a href="https://www.pbsnow.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pinnacle Business Solutions</a>, who shared four solid reasons to partner with an IT consultant. Unbiased and focused attention, specialization, money savings, and taking on the burden of risk are the top reasons customers seek to partner with IT consultants like Pinnacle Business Solutions, Semore said. “Offering specialization, I feel, is one of the most impactful benefits of being a VAR, or value-added reseller,” she said. “That way you don’t have to spend the time and money researching these solutions or getting trained because we absorb that burden.” On the podcast, Semore broke down the importance of all four reasons, gave examples of potential cost savings, explained what she means by taking on the burden of risk for a company, and shared how an unbiased third party can help find solutions to IT headaches.

4 Reasons to Use an IT Consultant Partner with Brandy Semore

Brandy Semore has over fifteen years of management experience in various fields with a strong grounding in internet, data center operations and business management strategies. She graduated from Oklahoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and holds a MBA from Oklahoma City University, with an emphasis in project management and is PMP certified with the Project Management Institute. Beyond being a working mom delicately balancing her career with her family – she is passionate in helping and serving others. Brandy is dedicated to coaching others in managing successful projects, regardless of one’s background or training, as seen from her blog articles Project Success: Six Factors. She is also an advocate for equal pay and equal opportunity for women working in technology. She serves as the volunteer President and Executive Director for Oklahoma Women in Technology (OKWIT), which she co-founded in March 2016. Since its inception, OKWIT has attained over 350 members and expanded from the OKC metro area into Tulsa. She is also the Director of Operations for Pinnacle Business System, a information technology solutions provider. Show notes at http://hellotechpros.com/brandy-semore-technology/ Key Takeaways  When you have women in leadership positions in technology, businesses see an increase in productivity and profit. Sometimes men stop talking shop when women workers walk in the room. Women built the first computer. In the 1980s, women dropped out out of tech jobs and STEM degrees. 35% of computing jobs filled by female workers in the U.S has dropped to 26% today. Women as a whole have to be guarded about what they say about their careers to not damage the relationships with their male colleagues. Many women in technology are introverts and don't like speaking out. Groups like OKWIT are connecting women in a safe environment to talk about these issues.  Women are starting to feel empowered. They are asking for raises, asking for promotions and getting in leadership.   Women in technology starts at home as parents. Introduce girls to technology, Legos, telescopes, microscopes, Scratch camps. High school admins need to introduce girls to tech opportunities and STEM activities. Collegiate professors and administrators need to make females feel comfortable and welcome. Don't say things to make a girl feel bad about herself for being interested in STEM. When planning an offsite event, include activities that are more inclusive. Men tend to ask for raises and promotions more while women wait. Managers need to be aware of this and look across the entire talent pool.    Resources Mentioned  OKWIT Ada Lovelace Scratch Osmo Starter Kit Osmo Genius Kit Osmo Coding Kit 

Brandy Semore has over fifteen years of management experience in various fields with a strong grounding in internet, data center operations and business management strategies. She graduated from Oklahoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and holds a MBA from Oklahoma City University, with an emphasis in project management and is PMP certified with the Project Management Institute. Beyond being a working mom delicately balancing her career with her family – she is passionate in helping and serving others. Brandy is dedicated to coaching others in managing successful projects, regardless of one’s background or training, as seen from her blog articles Project Success: Six Factors. She is also an advocate for equal pay and equal opportunity for women working in technology. She serves as the volunteer President and Executive Director for Oklahoma Women in Technology (OKWIT), which she co-founded in March 2016. Since its inception, OKWIT has attained over 350 members and expanded from the OKC metro area into Tulsa. She is also the Director of Operations for Pinnacle Business System, a information technology solutions provider. Show notes at <a href="http://hellotechpros.com/brandy-semore-technology/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://hellotechpros.com/brandy-semore-technology/</a> Key Takeaways <ul> <li>When you have women in leadership positions in technology, businesses see an increase in productivity and profit.</li> <li>Sometimes men stop talking shop when women workers walk in the room.</li> <li>Women built the first computer.</li> <li>In the 1980s, women dropped out out of tech jobs and STEM degrees.</li> <li>35% of computing jobs filled by female workers in the U.S has dropped to 26% today.</li> <li>Women as a whole have to be guarded about what they say about their careers to not damage the relationships with their male colleagues.</li> <li>Many women in technology are introverts and don't like speaking out.</li> <li>Groups like OKWIT are connecting women in a safe environment to talk about these issues. <ul> <li>Women are starting to feel empowered. They are asking for raises, asking for promotions and getting in leadership.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Women in technology starts at home as parents. Introduce girls to technology, Legos, telescopes, microscopes, Scratch camps.</li> <li>High school admins need to introduce girls to tech opportunities and STEM activities.</li> <li>Collegiate professors and administrators need to make females feel comfortable and welcome.</li> <li>Don't say things to make a girl feel bad about herself for being interested in STEM.</li> <li>When planning an offsite event, include activities that are more inclusive.</li> <li>Men tend to ask for raises and promotions more while women wait. Managers need to be aware of this and look across the entire talent pool.</li> </ul>   Resources Mentioned <ul> <li><a href="http://okwomenintech.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">OKWIT</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ada_Lovelace" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ada Lovelace</a></li> <li><a href="https://scratch.mit.edu/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Scratch</a></li> <li><a href="http://amzn.to/2dbfxtE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Osmo Starter Kit</a></li> <li><a href="http://amzn.to/2dAXlJz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Osmo Genius Kit</a></li> <li><a href="http://amzn.to/2dbeNV8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Osmo Coding Kit</a></li> </ul>

The Past, Present and Future of Women in Technology — Brandy Semore