Helping SMBs Cut Through the AI Noise with Alex Heublein

On this episode of That Tech Pod, Laura and Kevin chat with Alex Heublein, President of Culture and Innovation at Netsurit, about what it actually takes for small and midsize businesses to modernize their tech without getting overwhelmed. Alex has spent time at major companies like IBM and Oracle, but he makes it clear why working with SMBs is often more rewarding: they’re nimble, adaptable, and ready to try new things, as long as those things make sense.

They dig into Netsurit’s approach to “Innovate as a Service,” a subscription-style model built around co-innovation, outcomes, and a mindset shift from traditional consulting. Alex also shares his framework for helping clients navigate the noise around AI, how to pick the right use cases, and why some businesses are better off waiting before diving in.

The conversation touches on everything from AI ethics and return on investment to why culture and tech have to evolve together. Plus, there’s a lighthearted trivia round on the inventors behind the internet, some talk about the future of augmented reality glasses, and a few laughs along the way. If you’ve ever wondered how to actually apply AI without just chasing trends, or what makes an IT partner worth working with, this one’s worth a listen.

Alex Heublein is the President of Culture and Innovation at Netsurit, where he focuses on helping small and midsize businesses navigate digital transformation, cybersecurity, and operational growth through practical, forward-thinking technology solutions. With a strong background in both business strategy and technical leadership, Alex has held senior executive roles at major tech companies including IBM, HP, Oracle, and Red Hat. His experience spans innovation strategy, IT modernization, cloud services, and organizational culture development. At Netsurit, he leads efforts to blend culture with technology, ensuring that companies not only adopt new tools but also build the internal mindset and processes to make them work.