The future is already here. The only question is whether your business is ready. This week, Mike is joined by the brilliant Alex Cribby, CEO & Founder of PowerMPS. Alex and his company want to make working in the imaging channel easier, smoother, and faster. To this end, Alex joins Mike to talk about the technology that is making our industry go and grow. From replacing outdated ERPs to the advent of AI (with some Sinatra too, of course), we play all the hits in this episode of Next Week's Life. Show Links - Learn more about Stramaglio Consulting: https://stramaglioconsulting.com/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nextweekslifepodcast - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextweekslifepodcast/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/next-week%E2%80%99s-life-podcast/ - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEMWp0DB0L9yrKSQhhNniow Guest Links - Website: https://www.powermps.com/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexcribby/

Welcome to Part 2 of this special two-part podcast! If you missed part one, check out Episode 26 to get caught up. In Part 2, we discuss The Code of Bushido, a book that has guided host Mike Stramaglio and his partner at Stramaglio Consulting Hiro Ueda throughout their lives. Along with Hytec's Eric Auman, they talk about the joys of travel, best practices for a changing business landscape, and we even get a little karaoke from Hiro-san! We had a lot of fun with this episode and we hope you do too. See you next time! Show Links - Learn more about Stramaglio Consulting: https://stramaglioconsulting.com/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nextweekslifepodcast - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextweekslifepodcast/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/next-week%E2%80%99s-life-podcast/ - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEMWp0DB0L9yrKSQhhNniow Guest Links - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-auman-6250245 - Website: https://www.hytecrepair.com/

In the first episode of this special two-part podcast, Mike welcomes Hytec CEO Eric Aumen and his longtime friend and colleague Hiro Ueda to the show! In part one, Hiro tells his story of coming to America - and meeting Mike! - and we talk about Eric's work at Hytec. These three men have travelled, collaborated, and led together as they each charted their courses through the channel, and we cannot wait to share part two of their stories with you on 8/8. Show Links - Learn more about Stramaglio Consulting: https://stramaglioconsulting.com/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nextweekslifepodcast - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextweekslifepodcast/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/next-week%E2%80%99s-life-podcast/ - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEMWp0DB0L9yrKSQhhNniow Guest Links - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-auman-6250245 - Website: https://www.hytecrepair.com/

Fresh off a massive joint venture with Ricoh, Toshiba America Business Solutions (TABS) CEO & President Larry White joins us in this week’s episode! Together with Mike, Larry addresses some of the biggest questions surrounding the channel, and shares his thoughts on our changing industry. Key takeaways from this episode include: - What does it mean to be a great leader? According to Larry, being a great leader means being a great listener. - Why does Larry not see managed services as a priority for Toshiba? Our guest offers advice on playing to your strengths in business. - What will the future of print look like? Larry and Mike weigh in. Show Links - Learn more about Stramaglio Consulting: https://stramaglioconsulting.com/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nextweekslifepodcast - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextweekslifepodcast/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/next-week%E2%80%99s-life-podcast/ - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEMWp0DB0L9yrKSQhhNniow Guest Links - Website: https://business.toshiba.com/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitelarry/

If you are not creating the guidelines for the future of business, be prepared to follow someone else’s. This week, Mike is joined by Marco CEO Doug Albregts. With the advent of AI and the explosion of managed IT services, leaders have more to consider than ever. Together with Mike, Doug gives his appraisal on some of the biggest questions facing business leaders: What does AI mean for my company’s future? Is the slow decline of print a signal of tough times ahead, or does it present new opportunities for dealers? Not to spoil anything, but good service is still the key! We hope you enjoy! When Doug isn’t leading at Marco, he is making music as Little Falls Trophy. Check out his music: https://www.lftmusic.com/ Show Links - Learn more about Stramaglio Consulting: https://stramaglioconsulting.com/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nextweekslifepodcast - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextweekslifepodcast/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/next-week%E2%80%99s-life-podcast/ - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEMWp0DB0L9yrKSQhhNniow Guest Links - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougalbregts/ - Marco Website: https://www.marconet.com/

If you are feeling bullish, you will be in good company on this week's show! Frank Gaspari from FlexPrint and Jake Mizrahi from Oval Partners join Mike to talk about the future of the $40 billion channel. Learn how some of the industry's best are growing, scaling, and changing with the times in this week's discussion. Plus: - The key to Frank's mindset? Turn off the noise! - Frank and Jake weigh in on the future of the channel and share their observations of what Jake calls an unusually "fragmented" space. - We also have a bit of fun getting to know Jake and Frank. One New York kid and two Chicagoans talk sports, Sinatra, and staying motivated during tough times. Show Links - Learn more about Stramaglio Consulting: https://stramaglioconsulting.com/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nextweekslifepodcast - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextweekslifepodcast/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/next-week%E2%80%99s-life-podcast/ - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEMWp0DB0L9yrKSQhhNniow Guest Links - FlexPrint Website: https://www.flextg.com/ - Frank's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankgaspari/ - Oval Partners Website:https://www.ovalpartners.com/team/jake-mizrahi/ - Jake's LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-mizrahi-558679144/

This week, Mike welcomes President and CEO of Sharp Business USA Mike Marusic to the podcast! The two talk AI, the changing landscape of the channel, and a little Sinatra (plus baseball!). Tune in for key insights on: -AI: What does it mean for the future of our work? Both Mike's give their appraisal on this emerging technology. -According to Mike Marusic, Sharp is committed to the office. We discuss the necessity of office technology in an increasingly decentralized world. -Mike's leadership philosophy of "being a good neighbor." What can we learn from this industry leader on managing during tough times? -And much more! Show Links - Learn more about Stramaglio Consulting: https://stramaglioconsulting.com/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nextweekslifepodcast - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextweekslifepodcast/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/next-week%E2%80%99s-life-podcast/ - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEMWp0DB0L9yrKSQhhNniow Guest Links - Sharp USA: https://www.sharpusa.com/ - Mike's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemarusic/

Nothing brings an industry together quite like hard times, according to Konica Minolta's President of Dealer Sales Laura Blackmer. In this episode, Laura and Mike share their thoughts on the shifting landscape in the imaging channel. From big acquisitions to small business agility, listen to how industry leaders are adapting and thriving through tumultuous times. Topics covered include: - What motivates Laura to stay competitive in business. - Why we still need salespeople in a virtual world. - Laura and Mike look ahead to the future of the channel, and share some of the tough conversations that leaders need to have. Show Links - Learn more about Stramaglio Consulting: https://stramaglioconsulting.com/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nextweekslifepodcast - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextweekslifepodcast/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/next-week’s-life-podcast/ - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEMWp0DB0L9yrKSQhhNniow Guest Links - Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-blackmer-5176973 - Konica Minolta Website: https://www.konicaminolta.us/

Between the advent of AI and several years of social and technological upheaval, it can be hard to say where the world is going. This week, Mike returns to talk to Tami Beach, current Head of MPS Channel Sales and 25-year veteran at HP. As the face of HP’s work within the imaging channel, Tami offers her unique insight on what the future holds. From reminiscing about Tony Bennet to talking about HP's views on the channel, we run the gamut in this episode. Plus: - How will AI affect the way we live and work? Tami, a college educator, talks about how AI has been changing the way we use technology. - Why Tami encourages small businesses to leverage the growing power of AI. - Will the imaging channel remain resilient in 2024 and beyond? Tami shares her thoughts. Show Links - Learn more about Stramaglio Consulting: https://stramaglioconsulting.com/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nextweekslifepodcast - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextweekslifepodcast/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/next-week’s-life-podcast/ - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEMWp0DB0L9yrKSQhhNniow Guest Links - Connect with Tami on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamibeach - Learn more about HP's work: https://www.hp.com/us-en/home.html

If taking risks were easy, everyone would be like Frank Cucco. Frank’s company, Impact Networking, has spent over twenty years helping businesses gain an edge through process automation. This week, Mike interviews him to talk about how he does it. Together, they discuss the keys to building a positive culture in a competitive industry. Frank also talks about how he finds his own work-life balance, why some old-school habits will never go out of style, and why risk-taking is mandatory. A fun conversation as always, thanks for listening! Show Links - Learn more about Stramaglio Consulting: https://stramaglioconsulting.com/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nextweekslifepodcast - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextweekslifepodcast/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/next-week’s-life-podcast/ - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEMWp0DB0L9yrKSQhhNniow Guest Links - Impact Networking website: https://www.impactmybiz.com/ - Connect with Frank on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-cucco-55aa103/