What Does an Analyst Do? My Latest Interview with Bospar

If you’ve been to my website, I hope you’ve checked out the two videos on the home page about being an analyst, and the need to communicate clearly about the business benefits of technology.

If you’re still wondering about my world, here’s an update you’ll like. The worlds of public relations and analyst relations are pretty close, and I was recently a guest on the Politely Pushy podcast from PR firm, Bospar. Eric Chemi is the host, and he interviewed me about a wide range of things related to my world and the value independent analysts bring to tech vendors.

You can watch the interview here, and would love to hear from you if any questions, or if I can help with your branding, go to market, positioning, etc.

SCTC Conference - Am Speaking on the Analyst Panel

Time for another update on the SCTC annual conference. This year, it’s running in Reno, NV from Oct. 12-15.

I couldn’t attend last year’s event, and this time around, my speaking role will be as a panelist. Colleague Blair Pleasant and I will talk about trends impacting enterprises, and how consultants need to support them in a world of constantly-changing technology. We’ll be doing this fireside chat-style, moderated by industry colleague and SIPtones bandmate, Steve Leaden.

We’d better come prepared, as we’ll be following the opening keynote from Sir Terry Matthews - yeow. You’d better come prepared too, as the agenda is full of great sessions from consultants and others who are living with communications technology every day.

Plus, if you’re there Sunday night, you’ll get to see our SIPtones band - we’ll be doing two sets during the reception - can’t wait!

Our analyst panel is at 10am on the Monday, and the full agenda is here, along with details for registration.

Finally, if you haven’t seen this, we just released a set of video segments featuring 11 different SCTC members, talking about the various ways SCTC provides value to both the consulting and vendor communities.

Hat tip to Robert Cassard for doing such a great job putting these together - they’re really well done. You can check out all the videos here, and if you’re wondering how SCTC can be good for your business, all the answers are here.

To make life easy, here’s the link to my segment - it’s 4 minutes, so it won’t take too much time out of your day. Hope to see you in Reno!

Time for Next Newsletter

The September issue of my newsletter went out yesterday, so subscribers should have it by now. With summer fading fast, it’s time to get busy again, and the newsletter is the best way to keep tabs on what I’m writing about, speaking about, and which industry events I’ll be attending.

If interested in subscribing to JAA’s Communications and Collaboration Review, signing up to my newsletter is easy - it’s free - the signup page is here.

Although my Watch This Space podcast is on pause for now, you can still subscribe on all the major platforms, or listen to any episode directly here on my website, or here on the dedicated WTS website. There are 85 episodes to choose from, so I’m sure you’ll find something of interest. And if you have any topics you’d like to see covered in future episodes, drop me a line!

August Writing Roundup

Writing was light for August, but my overall workload was light by design. That will change once things get back to full swing after Labor Day. Until then, I hope you check these out, and would love to hear your thoughts.

Navigating the Telecom Alphabet Soup of UCaaS, CCaaS and CPaaS, guest post for Aizan’s blog, Aug. 12

How Zoom is Becoming AI-First, EM360, Aug. 4

Newsletter Time - August Edition Out Now

Things slow down at this point in the summer - at least for me! - but the newsletter routine continues. My July was pretty busy - and productive - so there are definitely updates to share. As you may know, my Watch This Space podcast is on hiatus, so for now, it’s just the newsletter, which went out to subscribers yesterday.

If interested in subscribing to JAA’s Communications and Collaboration Review, signing up to my newsletter is easy - it’s free - the signup page is here.

Although Watch This Space is on pause for now, you can still subscribe on all the major platforms, or listen to any episode directly here on my website, or here on the dedicated WTS website. There are 85 episodes to choose from, so I’m sure you’ll find something of interest. And if you have any topics you’d like to see covered in future episodes, drop me a line!


July Writing Roundup

Was a light month for writing, but pretty busy on the video front. The latter is a different mode, and I still put a lot of stock in writing for expressing thought leadership and articulating the impact of tech on the things that we do.

Sidebar - am definitely concerned about AI’s impact now on creativity and original thinking, and if anything, I’ll double down on maintaining my writing output. That’s another conversation, for sure, and for now, I’ll just stick to July’s writing.

NiCE + Cognigy - What Took So Long?, BCStrategies (joint byline with Blair Pleasant), Aug. 1 (including this for July since it’s breaking news now)

3 Ways UC Offers the RTO Metrics You Need, TechTarget, July 31

We Have Proof AI is Improving CX, No Jitter, July 10

And, ICYMI, my review of Infobip’s analyst event, which ran at the very end of June:

One Communications Platform - Billions of Conversations: Infobip Analyst Event Review, EM360, June 27

New Month - Time for July Newsletter

In case you’re looking for some quick beach reading during the holiday weekend, the July edition of my newsletter went out to subscribers today.

JAA’s Communications and Collaboration Review has been running steady for several years now, but for the first time, it’s going solo - as in, no new Watch This Space podcast episode.

If you follow me, you should know by now that I’m taking a brief hiatus from the podcast, and that’s explained a bit further in this month’s newsletter. I hope you check that out, and if you have any bright ideas for WTS 2.0, let’s get in touch!

For the handful of you out there not subscribed, signing up to my newsletter is easy - the signup page is here.

Although Watch This Space is on pause for now, you can still subscribe on all the major platforms, or listen to any episode directly here on my website, or here on the dedicated WTS website. There are 85 episodes to choose from, so I’m sure you’ll find something there of interest. And if not, then we really don’t have much to talk about, do we? :-)

June Writing Roundup

Plenty on the go during June, including some new writing. I’ve got three articles to share that had my byline last month - hope you check these out if not seen yet. More coming for July.

One Communications Platform - Billions of Conversations: Infobip Analyst Event Review, EM360, June 27

The Telco to Techco Reinvention Playbook: Three Moves that Matter, Aizan guest article, June 25

How UC Can Support Return to Office, TechTarget, June 9

June is Here - Time for New Podcast and Newsletter Editions

Am on target again for publishing my newsletter and podcast on the first Tuesday of the month.

If you’re not a subscriber, signing up to my newsletter is easy - JAA’s Communications and Collaboration Review - the signup page is here.

For my Watch This Space podcast, you can subscribe on all the major platforms, or listen to any episode directly here on my website, or here on the dedicated WTS website.

This month’s podcast was special, as it marks a change in plans for what Chris and I have been doing over 85 episodes the past eight years. The Last Waltz kinda comes to mind, and we’re taking a hiatus, as it’s time for a refresh on what I’m doing with the podcast.

Will likely hit pause for 2-3 months, and to learn about our thinking and what we’ve taken away from doing all these episodes, I hope you give give it a listen - here’s the link. In one form or another, Watch This Space will be back, so just bear with me, and if you have any suggestions for topics or sponsors, please drop me a line!

May Writing Roundup

May was another month with a lot of video activity, but I managed to get some writing done as well. Aside from published articles, I’ve decided to include here some writeups I posted on LinkedIn, as they would be easy to miss if not following me regularly. Caveat - you do need to be logged into LinkedIn to read them - but if you can’t do that, please let me know, and I could share any of those posts in another format. With that said, here’s the digest.

8x8, Q4 earnings - my takeaways, LinkedIn, May 23

Legacy to Leadership: Telcos Rewrite Their Future as Techcos, Aizan, May 19

NICE, Q1 earnings - my takeaways, LinkedIn, May 16

RingCentral Q1 earnings - my takeaways, LinkedIn, May 14

The Difference Between a Traditional and Hybrid Meeting Room, TechTarget, May 12

Catching Up - Latest Updates

Finally off the road for a few weeks, but staying busy on several fronts. I haven’t blogged much lately, so am sharing a few recent updates in this post.

That should keep you busy for now, and I’ll be back to more regular blogging next week, including updates on where my next travels will be taking me.

New Month - Time for May Podcast and Newsletter

My target date for publishing is the first Tuesday of the month, and for May, things were on target. Both newsletter and podcast editions went live yesterday, and I hope you check them out.

If you’re not a subscriber, signing up to my newsletter is easy - JAA’s Communications and Collaboration Review - the signup page is here.

For my Watch This Space podcast, you can subscribe on all the major platforms, or listen to any episode directly here on my website, or here on the dedicated WTS website.

This month’s podcast was a recap of the industry events Chris and I took in last month; namely Jeff Pulver’s vCon, 8x8’s analyst event, Cloud Communications 2025, and Vector Institute’s Remarkable event. Never a dull moment, and you can check it all out here.

April Writing Roundup

Was a busy month on several fronts, and event travel kept me on the move. I have three writeups to share from April, and I hope you give these a read.

What is a Hybrid Meeting?, TechTarget, April 28

Cloud Connections 2025 Takeaways, LinkedIn, April 18

8x8 Analyst Summit Takeaways - Track Some Mud on the Carpet, BCStrategies, April 10

Cloud Communications Alliance 2025 Event - Photo Highlights

Am back now from Cloud Connections 2025, the main event run by the Cloud Communications Alliance. I’ve known CCA for some time, but this was my first time attending - and speaking - at this particular event, held in St. Petersburg, FL.

For this post, I’m just sharing photos, and it’s really a companion to my takeaways post that is live now on LinkedIn. Also, I posted photos and commentary regularly on LinkedIn during the event.

Below - Masters of all ceremonies, Clark Peterson and Amy Bailey - great job all around. Center-of-the-universe Mike Tessler sharing his view from on high, including his Top 5 strategies for success with AI.

Michael Quinn and Brian Kornmann from Q Advisors, with their PE perspective on building value for your business, and key reasons why deals succeed or fail. Next - Clark Peterson moderating the analyst panel, with Robin Gareiss, Matthew Townend, Elka Popova and myself.

Master entrepreneur and Shark Tank alum, Kevin Harrington - this is the kind of vision MSPs need to keep growing, and he gave them plenty of food for thought - and a free book. Nice social shot, where a few us got in the mix with him before he left.

Two more solid panel sessions. First, Dino Di Palma, with Brian Beutler of Alianza, and Peter Eisengrein of XTIUM - talking about the climate now for M&A. Brian has “never been more excited” about the future for growing his company. Next - Gerry Christensen of 46 Labs, moderating a fascinating panel about branded calling and KYC. Lots to talk about here, and he’s with Alexis Buese of Bradley Law and Chakra Devalla of tekVizion.

Brandon Knight of Zoom, Doug Green doing a podcast with me, and Mr. CCA, Joe Marion kicking off the first night fun.

Event venue - the Vinoy - very Florida and very upscale. Loved the music and pool - who wouldn’t?


8x8 Analyst Summit - Photo Highlights

Been going full-out since back from last week’s 8x8 analyst event in Southampton, UK. I’ve written an extensive review on the BCStrategies website, which has just been updated, so that’s another reason to go visit.

My review just went live - read it here - and before doing that, I’ll share some of my photos from the event, along with some social time while there. I hope you enjoy these, along with my review of the event.

Below - CMO Bruno Bertini and CEO Sam Wilson

Hunter Middleton and Fabio Ramos

At the harborside hotel, and an obligatory Guinness at the soccer match

Customer panel, onsite at the stadium; some images from their new branding

Partner panel, executive Q&A panel near the end of the event

More social - at the soccer stadium, pub stop with Blair Pleasant, followed by dinner with Simon Harrison

Inside the stadium before the game, and the marching band outside - loved it

Next Event - Cloud Comms Alliance - Speaking on Two Panels

The annual Cloud Communications Alliance conference - Cloud Connections 2025 - is running soon - April 14-16, in St. Petersburg, FL. I’ve been to their finance event, but not the main one, so am looking forward to attending - and speaking.

It’s a very familiar group, and many of the topics will be comparable to what I see at most of the vendor events I attend as a matter of course. If you’re still thinking about attending, details are here on their site.

Both panels that I’m on are on Tuesday, and analysts will be the speakers, so there will lots of opportunity to hear from our perspective, and get the bigger picture on industry trends, and what they mean for carriers.

April 1 - No Foolin' - New Podcast and Newsletter Editions Out Now

Last month, publishing was a week late, but for April, we’re right on time. Both newsletter and podcast editions are live now, and I hope you check them out.

If you’re not a subscriber, signing up to my newsletter is easy - JAA’s Communications and Collaboration Review - the signup page is here.

For my Watch This Space podcast, you can subscribe on all the major platforms, or listen to any episode directly here on my website, or here on the dedicated WTS website.

This month’s podcast was a recap of three March events - Leesman Focus Forward, Enterprise Connect, and Cognigy’s Nexus 2025. Lots to talk about, and you can hear all about it here.


March Writing Roundup

Was a busy month with event travel, plus planning for an even busier April. As summarized in my April newsletter, I did a lot of video segments, and public-facing writing was limited - here’s the summary.

Enterprise Connect 2025 - Photo Review and Media Summary, JAA blog, March 28

Cognigy Nexus 2025 - Quick Take and Pix, JAA blog, March 26

The Death of the Desk Phone?, Aizan blog, March 10

What is a Hybrid Meeting?, TechTarget, will publish in early April

Time for March Newsletter and Podcast Editions

Things are a week off-schedule this month, but the March editions are now out.

If you’re not a subscriber, signing up to my newsletter is easy - JAA’s Communications and Collaboration Review - the signup page is here.

For my Watch This Space podcast, you can subscribe on all the major platforms, or listen to any episode directly here on my website, or here on the dedicated WTS website.

This month’s podcast was a recap of the Future of Work Expo, which was the main focus for me last month. There were lots of interesting takeaways, and to hear all about it, you can listen to the episode here.

February Writing Roundup

Am posting this on the late side, mainly due to February being a short month, along with my recent travel schedule. Along those lines, I’m including a writeup that ran in early March, which were in fact, written last month. Here’s the digest of my public, bylined writeups for last month.

The Future of the Workplace Requires a Total Rethink, No Jitter, Mar. 4

RingCentral Analyst Summit - Quick Take and Photos, my blog, Feb. 28

ZohoDay25 - The AD Era, Build vs. Buy, and Playing the Long Game, No Jitter, Feb. 13

New Research From Aizan - Reimagining the On-Hold Experience, Aizan blog, Feb. 10