Updated 8/28/2024. Originally published 6/3/2021. We've learned a few things in our work in the finance industry. Third party experiences, both of our own and those of our customers, have given us exposure to the various ways organizations structure their teams, and the impact it can have on the service level technology providers receive.
Welcome to GreatConversations, a podcast about leadership and life from GreatAmerica Financial Services. Mitch Leahy, VP and General Manager for our Office Equipment Group hosts our NextWave Series of talks with thought leaders and innovators from across the business world. On today’s episode of GreatConversations, Mitch hosts Ashley Carnes, Chief Strategy Officer at Impact Networking—one of the fastest-growing managed services providers in the nation. Ashley’s passion for lifelong learning and servant leadership earned her recognition as a 2024 Young Influencer by The Cannata Report. She shares her unexpected journey from an entry-level sales rep to leadership, emphasizing the role strong mentors had on her development and how motherhood helped shaped her empathetic and curious approach to leadership. Listen to full podcast or read the abbreviated interview below!
Updated 7/25/2024. Originally posted 12/8/2022. There’s nothing worse than billing processes that involve wasteful double-entry and time-consuming methods of billing for usage. Whether you are an office equipment dealer selling copiers on cost-per-copy finance agreements, or a managed service provider needing to easily bill and invoice for an ever-changing array of software, hardware, and as-a-service solutions, the administrative process you follow has a large impact on your bottom line, be it positive or negative. For well over a decade, GreatAmerica Financial Services has built and expanded upon our comprehensive billing infrastructure to support solution providers selling a wide range of technology and as-a-service offerings. We’ve been deliberate in developing integrations with leading ERP software providers serving the imaging and technology channels. This blog will hone in on three specific integrations with ECI e-automate®, ConnectWise, and CEO Juice.
Welcome to GreatConversations, a podcast about leadership and life from GreatAmerica Financial Services. Mitch Leahy, VP and General Manager for our Office Equipment Group hosts our NextWave Series of talks with thought leaders and innovators from across the business world. Today Mitch hosts Casey Lowery, President at Applied Innovation, a family-owned and run office technology provider offering technology, imaging, and automation solutions with locations in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Florida. Applied Innovation’s legacy goes back more than three decades, and Casey grew up observing and learning from his dad, John Lowery. As a young kid, he always looked up to his dad and knew early on he wanted to follow in his footsteps. Casey shares his perspective growing up the young child of a business owner and paints the picture of what it was like in the early days growing up in a family business. He shares what he’s learned throughout life and leadership that’s shaped the way he approaches things today in his current role as President at Applied Innovation and talks about what it’s been like to lean into the ownership seat with the goal of staying family owned. Listen to full podcast, or read the abbreviated interview below!
Updated 1/30/2025. Originally published 2/17/2023. Time is a valuable commodity, so if you’re spending it in the wrong places, things can quickly become misaligned. Now more than ever, we are challenged to adjust our processes and use our time and other resources even more wisely. Businesses are learning to rely on tools and technologies that help streamline and automate their processes for greater efficiencies and better outcomes.
The office technology industry is full of up-and-coming talent, as showcased by The Cannata Report’s 2024 Young Influencers Issue. This year’s list includes both generational leaders carrying through their family legacy, as well as young talent who have entered the industry through internships or career moves. Regardless of the category they fall into, it’s clear they're all hungry for opportunities to contribute to their organization and grow the industry to its full potential. Among those on this list is Hannah Allpress, Account Executive and MSP Channel Manager at Collabrance, a wholly owned subsidiary of GreatAmerica. Hannah was selected as one of six of The Cannata Report's up-and-coming executives under 40 and recognized as a 2024 Young Influencer. In fact, Hannah is the youngest office technology professional to ever be selected for this recognition. Today, we interviewed Hannah to hear her perspective on being a young leader. Read on as she shares her advice for other young professionals, as well as her insights on where she sees the industry heading.
Updated 6/25/2024. Originally published 9/11/2020. Time is a valuable commodity. It equates to so many things to so many people – money, accomplishment, job satisfaction, etc., so if you’re spending it in the wrong places or on the wrong things, it’s easy to see how quickly things can become misaligned. In today's competitive landscape, we’ve all been challenged to adjust our processes and use our time and other resources more wisely.
Now more than ever, office technology providers are relying on support from third-parties to help meet customer needs. In an effort to remain relevant, many technology providers are evolving their product and service offerings to include IT, Voice-over IP, and even physical security related solutions. This has created need to seek outside expertise.
Updated on 4/4/2024. Originally posted 7/1/2021. “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.” We all know the saying that says if something isn’t wrong, we need not take action. The message can sometimes be great advice, however when it comes to technology, outdated hardware or software can create liabilities, inefficiencies and unnecessary expenses. Simply put — clinging to old, sometimes clunky technology can end up costing more than the price of an upgrade. In this blog, we highlight a handful of pitfalls associated with hanging on to outdated equipment.
