133. This Should Be the New Vendor Requirement Question with Michael Wahl

Michael Wahl

is an innovative Information Technology Executive with progressively responsible experience in enterprise information technology (IT) infrastructure, cloud security, operations, and M&A. He brings a record of delivering world-class IT systems and processes aligning with business requirements and providing a competitive advantage. Michael is known for his collaborative style in developing and communicating roadmaps and driving them through to execution, successfully building and leading high-performing, autonomous teams that consistently deliver results on time and within budget while developing them into emerging leaders.

This Should Be the New Vendor Requirement Question with Michael Wahl

It’s time for you to learn when to shut off and nix that corporate 8-5 office job model by asking clients the right questions. Join host Phil Howard and his guest, Michael Wahl, on this Dissecting Popular IT Nerds episode to take from Michael’s first-hand discoveries on optimizing automation and setting personal boundaries. Get out of work at 4:30 every day and be a better spouse and parent when you do.

Today more than ever, it’s about detection and invisibility for phone users.

3 Key Takeaways

Listen To The Full Episode Below

Dissecting Popular IT Nerds

133. This Should Be the New Vendor Requirement Question with Michael Wahl

00:00 / 01:02:55

Episode Show Notes

[4:38] Phil formally welcomes you to Dissecting Popular IT Nerds Podcast and introduces our guest

Innovative IT executive
MBA
Specialization in global security

[5:30] The difficulty of communicating the complex language of IT with those outside of their occupation

Wanting to say on-prem versus on-premise PBX
- Michael’s example of the unmarked building by his house that inspires curiosity

[10:10] The representative of Michael Wahl

Phil explains how Zoom affected his thought process about fitting in meetings between driving
Deciding to homeschool their kids
COVID didn’t affect Phil or his family

[14:16] How COVID affected Michael and his family

Their team familiarity with video meeting before the pandemic
- Switching to video for everything
His day was longer than it used to be due to the elimination of driving time
Losing boundaries between work and personal time
- For Phil, work is very measurable
- For Michael, work time with never-ending responsibilities is less measurable

[18:35] When and how do you shut it off?

Getting to a point where you ask yourself “Why am I still working at seven o’clock?”
Phil’s idea
- Reading Atomic Habits by James Clear
- A story from the book suggesting they write down six things they want to accomplish the next day
Does Michael have a clear ending for his goals?
- Phil uses a notebook with a list for the day
- If he completes them ahead of schedule, he can give himself free time
- Habits take a long time to create!
Michael’s goal to learn German and Arabic

[29:54] Michael’s thoughts on securing remote workers in a post-PBX world

It’s not easier post-pandemic
Changing the concept of remote work from a temporary solution to a permanent solution
It is forever!
We’ll start to see that the usual 8-5 office job is less common
People will consciously consider why they’re going to the office
“Because we’ve decided this is how we’re going to work as a species, we’re taking steps to leverage new solutions” -Michael Wahl
Does Michael’s company have a private cloud VPN access for users?

[37:00] Michael’s best strategies for securing human beings with devices

“Today more than ever, it’s about detection and invisibility on what phone users are getting into.” -Michael Wahl
It’s more about not trusting anyone until they can fit the bill
Phil’s experience with Cato Networks
The discovery of SD-WAN as bigger and greater software networking
Your customers want full invisibility from you

[42:40] The new vendor requirement question

IT needs to ask how to go from six things a day to five a day, and how to leave at 4:30 every day and feel good about it
That conversation shouldn’t necessarily begin with the vendor showing you all the things they can do
“We shouldn’t be starting with a road map; we should be starting by asking ‘What are we looking for in a solution?'” -Phil Howard
- The marketplace is changing!
- People need you to tell them who not to go to because they’re slammed

[48:18] The old way of carrier sales

This doesn’t show you how backed up the process is or any of the management details

[49:50] Why we need to take time to reflect on the outcomes of recent tech solutions

Companies aren’t doing this enough!

The questions Phil always started with when presenting
- What do you hate about your current situation? What do you love about it? What would you like to see in a new solution?

[54:00] Phil and Michael recap the conversation

We’re all human beings
As IT leaders, there’s a high chance we’re not owner/are paid by salary and need to know when to shut off
How do we simplify, automate, and increase production?

[55:24] Michael summarizes how COVID affected his family

The time that they’re spending together is super important
As a husband, getting rid of his phone and distractions when he ends the work day is crucial
Be more present and push yourself outside of your comfort zone
Teach your kids what they don’t learn in school
Michael’s experience as a kid being the one to always hold the flashlight
Phil and Michael design a smart valve for his kids’ showers
- Teach your kids to appreciate what they take for granted
- Consider what life is like outside of the United States

[1:06:38] Phil’s experience in a hospital in Egypt

Michael Wahl

This Should Be the New Vendor Requirement Question with Michael Wahl

3 Key Takeaways

Listen To The Full Episode Below

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