IT Unplugged

Most businesses still have boxes of paper documents in unlocked rooms, manual processes eating up hours each week, and employees doing repetitive tasks that technology could handle in seconds. In this episode, Brandon sits down with Scott from James Imaging to break down what digital transformation actually looks like on the ground - not the buzzword version, but the real one. They cover how busin...

Rebecca, Vice President of Talent Development at New North, joins Brandon to talk about what it actually takes to grow a regional economy — and why workforce development, entrepreneurship, and technology all have to work together to make it happen. New North covers 18 counties across Northeast Wisconsin with a team of six. They're running industry alliances, launching leadership academies, re...

David Zey has spent his career at the intersection of IT leadership, application development, and startup consulting. Today he's an Engineer in Residence at TitletownTech — the Green Bay Packers and Microsoft-backed innovation hub — where he's been running manufacturers and growing businesses through the Microsoft AI Co-innovation Lab in Milwaukee. In this episode, Brandon and David get...

If you've ever gotten off the phone with your IT provider and thought "that was useless," this episode is going to feel very familiar. In Episode 53, Brandon and Mike from M2 Technology break down the most common reasons businesses end up unhappy with their managed IT providers - and why the same issues keep coming up over and over. They cover what changes when VC money enters the M...

Ben Kvalo built a gaming career most people dream about: working on Borderlands 2, NBA 2K, and major franchises at 2K and Blizzard. Then he left Netflix to start Midwest Games in Wisconsin. This episode isn't your typical gaming interview. We get into the business mechanics of publishing games, why video games might actually extend your life, and what it really takes to leave corporate securi...

Wisconsin businesses face an unprecedented challenge: the labor force is shrinking while demand grows. In this episode of IT Unplugged, Brandon sits down with Laura Strickland, Partner Success Manager at Carex Consulting Group, to uncover the shocking reality behind Northeast Wisconsin's labor market. (Check out September's LMI Report: https://www.carexconsulting.com/resources/labor-mark...

Are remote IT workers really more productive, or is it just hype? In this episode of IT Unplugged, Brandon and Ben dive deep into the remote work debate that's dividing the tech industry. What You'll Learn: Why 18% of IT jobs are fully remote (and why that number might surprise you) Real cybersecurity risks of remote work - 75% of IT professionals say companies are MORE vulnerable Genera...

Manufacturing insurance Wisconsin | Risk management consultant | USI Insurance Services | Business insurance broker advocacy Is your insurance broker truly advocating for you? In this episode of IT Unplugged, we sit down with Stephanie Lee, Senior Risk Management Consultant at USI Insurance Services, to discuss how manufacturers can tell if their insurance partner is working in their best interest...

Meet Ben Marsh, M2 Technology's newest IT consultant! In this episode of IT Unplugged, we dive into Ben's unique career path from Dell software sales in Nashville to becoming a tech wizard serving Wisconsin businesses. What You'll Learn: How sales experience translates to better IT consulting and customer relationships Why Ninja RMM is a game-changer for managed service providers Th...

Join Brandon as he sits down with Nick, Claims and Carrier Compliance Specialist at M2 Logistics, to explore the sophisticated world of freight fraud and how technology is being weaponized on both sides of this battle. In this episode, we dive deep into: How phishing attacks are targeting logistics brokers to steal credentials and post fraudulent loads The rise of carrier identity theft and "...

Join Brandon from M2 Technology as he sits down with Kelly and Aslinn from Women in Technology Northeast Wisconsin to discuss the real challenges facing women in tech and the practical steps everyone can take to create more inclusive workplaces. Key Topics Covered: -Why "you can't be what you can't see" matters in tech careers -Practical allyship strategies that work in real me...

On this episode of IT Unplugged, we sit down with Eric Hussin, the new owner of Express Employment Professionals, to tackle one of the biggest questions facing job seekers today: Is AI making it harder to land your next role? Eric shares his unique journey from employee to business owner, including the mentorship and transparency that made his acquisition possible. We dive deep into the reality of...

In this episode of IT Unplugged, Mike and Brandon dive deep into Microsoft Office Protect - the powerful security add-on that's becoming mandatory for M2 Technology clients. Discover how this affordable tool can prevent email breaches, detect suspicious login attempts, and stop malicious rule creation before damage occurs. We break down real-world examples of how attackers compromise Microsof...

In this essential episode, we sit down with cybersecurity expert Mike to break down everything small and medium-sized businesses need to know about CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) compliance. If you work with the Department of Defense or its supply chain, this conversation is critical for your business survival. Mike walks us through: What CMMC 2.0 is and why it matters for your...

We sit down with Ann Franz, Executive Director of the NEW Manufacturing Alliance (NEWMA), to discuss innovative strategies for addressing the manufacturing skills gap. Ann shares how NEWMA has successfully built powerful partnerships between manufacturers and educational institutions to create a sustainable talent pipeline. Discover practical insights on: -How to develop effective industry-educati...

Is your company stuck "looking at its feet" instead of strategically planning for growth? In this episode of IT Unplugged, Brandon sits down with Josh from Tanduo to discuss how businesses can transform from reactive IT operations to opportunity-ready organizations. Josh shares insights from his experience helping mid-sized companies scale 2-5x through strategic IT leadership. Learn the...

In this episode of IT Unplugged, we sit down with Scott Janssen from James Imaging Systems to explore the evolution of printing in today's digital world. Far from being obsolete, printing has transformed into a comprehensive business solution that goes beyond simply putting marks on paper. Scott shares the compelling origin story of James Imaging, founded on family values and genuine client c...

In this episode of IT Unplugged, Brandon introduces Scott "Swanny" Swanson, the newest member of the M2 Technology team. Discover Scott's fascinating journey from recruiting (where he once sat in airplane cockpits as part of his job!) to IT, and why he chose to join the M2 Technology family. Scott shares insights about the importance of leadership, understanding client businesses, a...

In this revealing episode of IT Unplugged, we sit down with Dustin from Green Bay Packaging to explore his remarkable journey from IT intern to full-time security analyst. This conversation is packed with practical advice for anyone looking to start or advance their cybersecurity career. 🔒 CAREER INSIGHTS: Dustin shares how he navigated multiple IT roles at Green Bay Packaging, starting as an app...

In this episode of IT Unplugged, Brandon sits down with Kevin Roberts of Proper Recruiting to discuss the challenges and strategies of finding top talent in the tech industry. Kevin shares his unique approach to recruitment, drawing from his diverse background in philosophy, chemistry, and cybersecurity. They explore what makes a successful tech hire beyond just technical skills, the value of expe...

What is a SOC and Why Your Business Needs One | Security Operations Center Explained In this episode of IT Unplugged, we talk with Austin, SOC Director at CommandLink, who breaks down what a Security Operations Center (SOC) actually does and why businesses of all sizes need this critical security layer. Austin shares his journey from Navy intelligence to building SOCs from the ground up, explainin...

Learn how innovative tech solutions are revolutionizing the construction industry in Wisconsin. Find out how partnering with an IT company in Green Bay can enhance your cybersecurity and streamline your construction projects. How Technology is Transforming Construction Project Management | IT Unplugged ft. RODAC Construction Join us as we sit down with RODAC Construction to explore how technology...

Join Brandon from M2 Technology as he sits down with Dr. Lynn Wagner, an ER physician turned integrative medicine specialist, to explore how technology is reshaping healthcare delivery. Discover how AI, telemedicine, and advanced IT systems are improving patient care while maintaining security and privacy. Dr. Wagner shares insights on transitioning from traditional to integrative medicine, levera...

In this episode of IT Unplugged, host Brandon interviews Zach from Plug Light Bulb, exploring his unconventional path from Marine Corps field radio operator to managing both IT and marketing operations. Zach shares candid insights about overcoming imposter syndrome, navigating career transitions, and balancing full-time work with pursuing his IT degree. Learn how modern IT professionals drive busi...

Mike and Brandon dive into the most fascinating (and sometimes bizarre) jobs emerging in tech. From AI Prompt Engineers making $175k to Digital Afterlife Managers handling your social media after you're gone, this episode breaks down the jobs you never knew existed - but might want to consider! In this episode: AI Prompt Engineers and their surprising role in business The strange world of Dig...