IT Unplugged

Unlimited Support Contracts With a Catch (And It's Expensive)

If you've ever gotten off the phone with your IT provider and thought "that was useless," this episode is going to feel very familiar. In Episode 53, Brandon and Mike from M2 Technology break down the most common reasons businesses end up unhappy with their managed IT providers - and why the same issues keep coming up over and over. They cover what changes when VC money enters the MSP space, how support ticket triage systems create friction that discourages people from even calling, the scope-of-work games that lead to surprise invoices, and why hardware markups erode trust faster than almost anything else. The conversation is honest and pretty direct - because Brandon and Mike are having it with real businesses every week, and the frustration they're hearing is real. If any of this sounds like your current situation, it might be time to find out what a different kind of IT relationship looks like. Reach out to M2 Technology at www.m2.technology

Why Ben Kvalo Left Netflix to Build Midwest Games

Ben Kvalo built a gaming career most people dream about: working on Borderlands 2, NBA 2K, and major franchises at 2K and Blizzard. Then he left Netflix to start Midwest Games in Wisconsin. This episode isn't your typical gaming interview. We get into the business mechanics of publishing games, why video games might actually extend your life, and what it really takes to leave corporate security behind. Ben breaks down the analytical side of risk-taking, why even failed founders come out ahead, and how he's building a publishing company that supports indie developers across the Midwest. If you've ever had an idea you're too nervous to pursue, Ben's approach to testing concepts and building systems will give you a framework to think differently about that leap. New games from Midwest Games include Tomb Water, The Legend of Baboo, and Floor is Wet from Wisconsin's Pyramid Lake Games. Want to discuss your business technology strategy? Reach out to M2 Technology at m2.technology or call 920-362-6869.

What's REALLY Behind Northeast Wisconsin's Labor Shortage Today?

Wisconsin businesses face an unprecedented challenge: the labor force is shrinking while demand grows. In this episode of IT Unplugged, Brandon sits down with Laura Strickland, Partner Success Manager at Carex Consulting Group, to uncover the shocking reality behind Northeast Wisconsin's labor market. (Check out September's LMI Report: https://www.carexconsulting.com/resources/labor-market-insights-september-2025/ What You'll Learn: Why Wisconsin job openings dropped from 268,000 to 137,000 (and what this really means) The 6 million worker shortage coming by 2032 - traced back to 1970s birth rates How to build vs buy vs rent talent in today's competitive IT market Essential upskilling strategies that boost retention and cut hiring costs Why IT unemployment sits at 2.9% while national average exceeds 4% The truth about software development job postings vs AI/cybersecurity demand Key Topics Covered: Labor market index insights and what a 60.9 score means for businesses Northeast Wisconsin's innovation boom and talent retention strategies Building local talent through CSAs, technical colleges, and apprenticeships Hiring adaptable employees over perfect skill matches ROI of employee upskilling vs external hiring costs Transparent hiring practices that improve candidate-company matching Laura breaks down Carex's labor market insights report, revealing why traditional hiring approaches no longer work in today's talent-scarce environment. Learn practical strategies for workforce planning, from identifying upskilling needs to creating competitive advantages through employee development. Whether you're struggling to fill IT positions, planning workforce strategy, or wondering how AI fits into the labor shortage equation, this episode provides data-driven insights and actionable solutions for Wisconsin business owners. Special focus on IT professionals: Discover why certain tech roles are abundant while others face scarcity, and how smart companies are adapting their hiring criteria to find hidden talent in unexpected places. Subscribe for weekly insights on business technology, workforce strategy, and the future of work in Northeast Wisconsin.

Are Remote Workers from Gen Z REALLY Less Productive?

Are remote IT workers really more productive, or is it just hype? In this episode of IT Unplugged, Brandon and Ben dive deep into the remote work debate that's dividing the tech industry. What You'll Learn: Why 18% of IT jobs are fully remote (and why that number might surprise you) Real cybersecurity risks of remote work - 75% of IT professionals say companies are MORE vulnerable Generational differences: How Gen Z approaches remote work vs Millennials The truth about productivity - can you really focus while watching kids? Essential security tools every remote IT worker needs (VPN requirements, avoiding public WiFi threats) Key Topics Covered: Remote work productivity myths vs reality Managing different employee types in distributed teams Cybersecurity challenges with remote IT teams Generational workplace attitudes and authority issues Building effective remote IT culture Public WiFi security risks and Pineapple attacks Whether you're an IT manager considering remote policies, a cybersecurity professional worried about distributed teams, or just curious about the future of tech work, this episode breaks down the complex reality of remote IT work beyond the hype. From basement home offices to coffee shop security nightmares, we cover what really works (and what doesn't) when your IT team goes remote. Plus, candid insights on hiring self-motivated employees and the challenges of managing across generations. Security Focus: Learn why remote work makes companies 75% more vulnerable to cyberattacks and the essential tools to protect your business. Subscribe for weekly IT insights that cut through the noise and give you actionable business technology advice.

Is Your Insurance Broker Really On Your Side?

Manufacturing insurance Wisconsin | Risk management consultant | USI Insurance Services | Business insurance broker advocacy Is your insurance broker truly advocating for you? In this episode of IT Unplugged, we sit down with Stephanie Lee, Senior Risk Management Consultant at USI Insurance Services, to discuss how manufacturers can tell if their insurance partner is working in their best interest. Stephanie shares her unique journey from 13 years in logistics and supply chain consulting to becoming a trusted insurance advisor for Wisconsin manufacturers. Her insider knowledge of manufacturing operations gives her a distinct advantage in identifying risks that other brokers might miss. Key Topics Covered: • How to evaluate if your insurance broker is truly advocating for your business • Why manufacturing risks are different from other industries • The interconnected nature of supply chain vulnerabilities • Using data analytics to make informed risk management decisions • Breaking away from relationship-based insurance decisions • ROI analysis for insurance investments and loss prevention • Supply chain risk assessment for manufacturers • Property and casualty insurance challenges for difficult risks • Business interruption coverage and downtime costs What You'll Learn: Stephanie explains how USI leverages proprietary data from thousands of clients to benchmark your coverage against industry peers. Instead of relying solely on relationships, modern insurance consulting should provide hard facts and analytics to support recommendations. Learn why "insurance finds you" rather than the other way around, and how Stephanie's background in warehouse assessments, automation, and system integrations now helps her protect the very assets she once helped companies invest in. Perfect for manufacturing business owners, risk managers, and anyone evaluating their current insurance partnerships. Discover how data-driven insurance consulting differs from traditional relationship-based approaches. About the Guests: Stephanie Lee brings unique expertise combining supply chain operations knowledge with insurance risk management. Her experience spans logistics consulting, business solutions, and now comprehensive risk assessment for Wisconsin manufacturers. Connect with M2 Technology for comprehensive IT solutions supporting your manufacturing operations. manufacturing insurance, risk management, Wisconsin manufacturers, business insurance broker, supply chain risk, manufacturing downtime costs, property casualty insurance, cyber insurance manufacturing, business interruption coverage, insurance analytics, USI Insurance Services, manufacturing operations risk, insurance broker advocacy, Wisconsin business insurance, manufacturing risk assessment, supply chain vulnerabilities, insurance ROI analysis, data driven insurance, manufacturing business protection, industrial insurance solutions