The Catalyst by Softchoice – Details, episodes & analysis

Is your business ready for the end of Windows 10, or are you risking being left behind in the next wave of digital transformation?  

In this episode, host Aaron Brooks is joined by industry experts Cameron Allen from Intel, Kirk Sinclair from Microsoft, and Bryan Rusche from Softchoice for a roundtable discussion on now to navigate the shift to Windows 11. 

The panel delves into the strategic importance of upgrading, addressing security, hardware readiness, and the impact of AI. They explore the challenges and opportunities businesses face during this transition, providing actionable advice for IT leaders on how to build a smooth migration strategy and future-proof their IT infrastructure. 

Featuring: Cameron Allen, Partner Account Manager at Intel Canada, Kirk Sinclair, Partner Account Manager at Microsoft and Bryan Rusche, GTM Product Manager at Softchoice  

The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology.

In this episode, co-hosts Aaron Brooks and Heather Haskin take a break from the constant buzz around generative AI and ChatGPT to explore what else is shaping the future of IT. From cybersecurity threats in the age of quantum computing to the rising expectation for businesses to become content creators, this mid-season check-in dives into the trends and insights flying under the AI radar. Don’t miss this candid conversation that uncovers some of the key issues transforming the tech world in 2024—beyond AI. 

Featuring: Aaron Brooks, VP Customer Strategy and Solution Sales at Softchoice and Heather Haskin, Business Development Manager AWS at Softchoice 

The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology.

The biggest architectural change to the humble chipset is underway. Its aim: deliver artificial intelligence to the PC. 

Host Aaron Brooks meets with Cameron Allen, partner account manager at Intel Canada, to get the details. We'll hear about all the reasons Intel is taking this quantum leap toward portable AI, herald the arrival of neural processing units (NPUs), and discuss what all this means for technology and business leaders.

Hear Cameron explain the concepts behind NPUs, and how they direct the CPU and GPU for optimization, performance and security gains. With GPU scarcity hindering AI innovation, he articulates the need for an open, sustainable supply chain. He also dives into customer outcomes and use cases, including all the ways NPUs can support AI democratization.  Don't miss this fascinating glimpse into the next evolution of the PC.

Featuring: Cameron Allen, Partner Account Manager at Intel Canada

This episode is brought to you by Intel. Deliver all the AI results you need, everywhere you need them, with Intel and Softchoice, together. Contact a Softchoice representative today to learn about Intel’s comprehensive AI solutions, and how we can unlock them for you. Or get started here: https://www.softchoice.com/technology-partners/intel

The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology.

'Look before you leap' is often the difference between success and failure when it comes to adopting a new technology.  

When it comes to Microsoft Generative AI, the importance of assessing your organizational readiness before you implement can’t be overstated.

On this episode of this miniseries on The Catalyst podcast, step into the 'Assess' phase of the Copilot Adoption Journey with Matt Vasil, Director of Emerging Technology at Softchoice. We get into the essential preparations for implementing Copilot for Microsoft 365, from measuring the potential licensing impacts to minding security gaps to answering the question, “Are our people truly ready?” 

Matt offers key insights into how to evaluate your environment to make sure your Copilot adoption stays on course and ultimately sticks the landing. 

Featuring: Matt Vasil, Director of Emerging Technology at Softchoice

The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology.

Businesses everywhere taking a good, hard look at Microsoft Generative AI are all wondering the same thing: is it really worth the hype? That's what we're here to find out.

On the inaugural episode of this brand-new miniseries courtesy of The Catalyst by Softchoice, host Braeden Banks and guest Jaime Waterfield, Director of Microsoft Category at Softchoice, explore the crucial beginnings of building a Copilot business case for Microsoft 365. Discover the best practices and potential pitfalls in planning your strategy and learn how to effectively generate buy-in and set the stage for success. Tune in to start your journey with a solid plan and get inspired to transform your business's digital landscape.

Featuring: Jaime Waterfield, Director of Microsoft Category at Softchoice

See how we can help you unleash the potential of your people and technology with Copilot: softchoice.com/microsoft-copilot 

The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology.

What lessons from elite athletic coaching can empower today’s business leaders? With the summer Olympics just around the corner, we asked Pete Steinberg, leadership consultant and celebrated rugby coach, that very question.

He discusses how feedback is the fuel of high performance, in sports and business. Like a rugby coach leading from the stands, the further up the leadership ladder, the less control you have. That's why Steinberg provides strategies for empowering your employees to manage strategic decisions and conflict.

We also delve into his new book, Leadership Shock, which addresses navigating new and fundamentally different leadership challenges using his Authentic Leadership Model.

He discusses finding purpose as a leader, understanding self-identity, and building a culture of experimentation.

Featuring: Pete Steinberg, President of Innovative Thought and author of Leadership Shock. Find out more about Pete and his book here: Innovative Thought - Peter Steinberg Book

The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology.

How will Adobe’s foray into Generative AI impact how your team creates and collaborates? That’s what we wanted to find out. 

On the latest episode of The Catalyst Podcast, co-host Heather Haskin sits down with Adobe’s Principal Product Marketing Manager, Lori DeFurio, to explore the transformative role of AI within Adobe's ecosystem to empower human productivity. DeFurio provides valuable insights on how business leaders can strategically adopt generative AI while upholding ethical standards and fostering an environment of innovation.  

Featuring: Lori DeFurio, Principal Product Marketing Manager at Adobe 

The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology.

Season 6 of The Catalyst by Softchoice kicks off with an episode that questions conventional wisdom about IT leadership. Aaron Brooks sits down with Eric Champagne, CIO of La Vie en Rose, to hear how Eric is flipping the script. Eric’s story is all about bridging a longstanding gap between IT and end-users, with the goal of making technology a tool for empowerment and efficiency.

Gone are the days of tech gatekeeping. Eric champions a philosophy where technology aligns seamlessly with business goals and, more crucially, the people it serves. His approach? Ditching the tech jargon for a language of collaboration and understanding, making him a leader in creating a more inclusive, user-focused IT culture.

Featuring: Eric Champagne, CIO, La Vie En Rose

The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology.

This season on The Catalyst, a podcast about unleashing the full potential in people and technology, co-hosts Aaron Brooks and Heather Haskin explore the transformative power of tech, not just within businesses, but also through the personal journeys of those at the forefront of change. Every episode is packed with stories of triumph and the valuable lessons learned from the setbacks along the way. Tune in bi-weekly and discover why the most important conversations surrounding people in tech are happening right here.

Learn more: softchoice.com/podcast

The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology.

Imagine everyone with a great business idea could make it happen without a deep engineering bench or tens of millions of dollars in funding. 

How would that change competition in an already hypercompetitive marketplace? How do the principles of responsible AI show up when AI is accessible to everyone? What responsibility do enterprise firms have to help shape a world where this technology benefits all of us?

On this episode of The Catalyst, host Aaron Brooks meets with  Robert Daigle, Director of Global AI Business at Lenovo, to unpack these and other issues surrounding the fast-moving democratization of generative AI. 

Robert explains the 5 AI transformation imperatives that guide Lenovo’s responsible AI committee along with the need for enterprise leaders to work with governments to balance real innovation with responsible AI policy. 

Resources mentioned:

●      Responsible AI: From Managing Risk to Driving Business Value

●      Responsible AI will give you a competitive advantage


Featuring: Robert Daigle, Director, Global AI Business, Lenovo  

The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology.

This episode is brought to you by Lenovo. From the pocket to the cloud, Lenovo is bringing AI to your business, so you can grow and innovate. Contact a Softchoice Sales Specialist or visit lenovo.com/ai to learn more.

The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology.