Techlandia

This episode explores how Purpose in Expenses (PIE) turns everyday technology spending into steady funding for nonprofits without increasing costs. Founder Jamie shares his origin story, brokering phone and internet services to fund an 8-year bike trip that evolved into a model for charity funding. CTO Daniel explains how his IT background and a new automated portal removed onboarding friction so even small businesses can participate. They discuss client case studies (Techstars, Dr. Bronner’s, a home builder) and the morale, recruitment, and branding benefits when IT procurement becomes purposeful.

Bonnie Crawford walks through a nontraditional path from political science student to COO of Texada Software, explaining how early roles in executive support, product, sales, and customer success built a versatile toolkit. She defines customer experience as everyone’s job, arguing that product, sales, marketing, finance, and support must collaborate to create "customer awesomeness." Bonnie shares hiring tips valuing retail and service backgrounds for their customer instincts and stresses the importance of saying yes to uncomfortable opportunities that accelerate career growth. Listeners get practical leadership lessons on mentorship, psychological safety, and building a learning culture.

Amy Rosenberg, founder of Veracity, walks listeners through how PR has shifted from traditional media pitching to a blended strategy that accounts for search, SEO and the emerging field of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). She traces her path from entertainment PR and real estate marketing to creating a firm that pairs thought leadership with digital tactics. Amy explains why owned media ,especially clear, focused website copy and actionable pages, must come first, and why press still matters to build authority for both human readers and AI systems. She warns against quick fixes and urges a measured, test-driven approach.

In this episode of Techlandia TAO's Skip Newberry and guest Andy Harris from Northwest Corporate Law discuss key trends impacting businesses today. They explore the growing role of AI in various industries, the cautious approach investors are taking in funding startups, and how companies are getting creative with their financing strategies. Emphasis is placed on the importance of building a strong professional network, which can prove invaluable in navigating these challenges and seizing new business opportunities.

As AI reshapes various industries, challenges like fear and the desire for speed arise. Michelle Haynes notes that while there's reluctance and concern over job security, transparency and strong leadership vision can mitigate such fears. The conversation emphasizes the importance of companies understanding AI's role in enhancing efficiency rather than reducing headcount. She stresses that it’s not too late to adopt AI responsibly, as many companies are still operating with outdated technology systems, and thoughtful integration can lead to significant advancements.