Politely Pushy with Eric Chemi

Microsoft, Apple, and Google all began as small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs), eventually growing into the mega corporations we know today. During that growth, these corporations scaled their processes while simultaneously scaling what made them unique. In this episode of Politely Pushy, Tom Fitzgerald, CFO at Earnest & Associates, joins Eric to pinpoint how SMBs can navigate their IT investment around AI-specific solutions to stay relevant in 2024 and beyond. However, integrating AI isn’t the cure-all solution businesses expect it to be. Tom emphasizes the effort to maintain uniqueness in a sea of sameness. This episode is a must-listen for every business leader who feels the pressure to adapt and pivot but fears what lies ahead.

Jacob Robbins, known as “Captain Wetblanket” by his colleagues, often covers the AI industry and VC landscape through a skeptical lens. Jacob uses his carefully trained eye to weed through the industry’s flashy headlines to share stories of action and anxiety bubbling just below the surface.For those unfamiliar with PitchBook, it isn’t just a data company; it also produces VC and private equity data news. Jacob refers to their niche as “second-day” stories; when Microsoft invested $10 billion in OpenAI, PitchBook thoughtfully distilled that deal for a private market audience.Tune into this episode as Jacob gives Eric his playbook to uncovering the story beneath the story and balancing journalistic integrity with what an audience demands. To read Jacob’s latest work, visit https://pitchbook.com/news/author/jacob-robbins

How does one navigate a career that began with a law degree and settled in B2B medical marketing and media? For Larry Dobrow, editorial director at MM+M, it was all in mastering the art of the pivot. After the pandemic, more companies, including big brands like Apple and Lululemon, became health companies. Even if these companies didn’t realize it then, Larry saw a similar pattern of pivoting. But a well-intentioned pivot hasn’t always guaranteed a media placement.Tune into this episode to learn critical advice from a seasoned editor about successfully landing your media relations and pitching efforts. Plus, Larry discusses how marketing leaders from heavily regulated industries, such as big pharma, have and continue to stand out. To read Larry’s latest editorial work, visit https://www.mmm-online.com/author/larry-dobrow-1/.

So, you want to be a tech startup founder. Now what? Walter Thompson knows a thing or two about the journeys of successful–and not-so-successful– founders. As many know, securing investment is only part of the role.In this episode, Walter chats with Eric about his experience curating and creating content for digital publications and leading interviews with founders and investors. Walter’s latest project, hosting the Fund/Build/Scale podcast, pulls back the curtain of starting an AI company from the founder’s perspective to share the authentic stories and wisdom of those in the driver’s seat.Interested in learning the basic skills required to launch a startup, secure initial funding, and transform your idea into a sustainable business? Tune into Fund/Build/Scale wherever you listen to your podcasts or https://fundbuildscale.podbean.com/.

On this episode of Politely Pushy, Eric takes the dive with host of Tech Talks Daily, Neil C. Hughes.At 16 years old, Hughes imagined an exciting career as a radio host or a writer before leading into a career in IT. Finding a balance between technology and business, he sought to clarify the complexity of the evolution of technology for the masses. Neil eventually began his own path in writing, which precipitated the Tech Talks Daily podcast he records today.Tune in as Neil chats about his journey from IT to hosting 3,000 podcast episodes and counting. Plus, Neil shares his point of view on the current technology trends impacting the world. To learn more about Neil and listen to episodes of Tech Talks Daily, visit www.techblogwriter.co.uk

AI is the moment, and Michael Nuñez, editorial director at VentureBeat, unravels the tension between journalism and the business of technology in this episode of Politely Pushy.Inspired by the early development of large language models (LLM) and AI, Michael sought a way to break into the space. Enter VentureBeat. Michael’s regular conversations with engineers, builders, and doers who know this emerging technology best help him distill a wildly popular and important topic to the masses.Take the evolution of digital design tools, from Adobe to Canva to AI image generators, for example. Michael’s editorial edge comes by assessing trending stories about AI and digital design tools through an enterprise lens and gauging those findings for impact among readers. Listen in as Michael and Eric discuss how newsrooms integrate AI and define “newsworthy” in the new age of digital media. To read Michael’s latest editorial work, visit www.venturebeat.com/author/michael_nunez/.

In the age of tech disruption, who is responsible for leading a company through digital transformation? Isaac Sacolick, founder and president of StarCIO, identifies these leaders as “digital trailblazers.”In this Politely Pushy episode, Isaac quiets the buzz around generative AI advancement by comparing its hype cycle to the expansion of mobile technologies. Digital transformation paved the way for more organizations to adapt web content accurately to a mobile format. Outside of generative AI and the evolution of mobile applications, digital transformation remains integral to any organization’s forward momentum.Tune in as Isaac discusses the critical investments companies must make, such as appointing innovative leaders to enable experimental cultures, to stay competitive in a digital world.Isaac Sacolick is a bestselling author and contributing writer for www.cio.com specializing in guiding leaders on digital transformation. To read Isaac’s contributed content, visit https://www.cio.com/profile/isaac-sacolick/

Sustainability is arguably one of the largest threats facing humanity today.You may have heard the terms CSR and ESG thrown around increasingly in the past few years. CSR refers to “corporate social responsibility,” and ESG refers to “environmental, social, and corporate governance.” Both are critical to brands striving to capture consumer loyalty and set industry standards. Mega corporations, including Apple, Coca-Cola, and Disney, are steadfast in their carbon neutrality commitments. For Adidas and Walmart, their commitments lie in strengthening the community.On today’s episode, Michelle Crozier, former Global Head of ESG & CSR at ByteDance, chats about the importance of these programs and initiatives across industries. Michelle brings more than 20 years of experience transforming the social and technology impact, sustainability efforts, and corporate responsibility of leading brands.Curious to know the ethos that drives Michelle’s work? No matter what the cause, mission, or community is that drives your CSR or ESG program, it's all important to create a better, healthier world.

Imagine this: You’re at a physician appointment. In the background, innovative technology documents your conversation and creates accurate notes for your physician to reference later.Need a prescription? Ambient clinical intelligence (ACI) works alongside a generative AI program to deliver appropriate and available prescription treatments that match your insurance requirements, all without pulling the attention of your physician away from you.In today’s episode, Anthony Brooke, president of provider solutions and technology at DrFirst, highlights the positive impacts and areas of opportunity for generative AI in healthcare. DrFirst pioneers healthcare technology solutions to connect people at every touchpoint of care to improve patient outcomes.

The 2024 awards season is right around the corner, and winning is on the brain. If you’re preparing to submit for upcoming industry awards, there’s no one better to consult than PR industry veteran and awards secret weapon Betsy Quinn. Betsy has dedicated her career to zeroing in on the “why” behind the work. Her expertise in informing and directing brand strategy and messaging led her to establish the agency awards culture we know and appreciate today. Betsy’s ability to produce show-stopping award wins secured her path as Ketchum’s first Global Awards Director.   Tune into today’s episode as Betsy reveals her best practices for awards submissions and how you can build a winning mindset for your work.