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Bytes and Banter

Bytes and Banter

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Are you an Information Technology professional? Do you work in the IT industry? This podcast is for you. Bytes and Banter is hosted by HDI Local Chapters.

2023 PodTechs
Career Success Economics Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Solving Tech Challenges with the Right Talent
    Jun 25 2025

    In this episode of Bytes & Banter, we talk with Matt Deneroff, Vice President and Market Director at Robert Half, about one of today’s most pressing tech challenges: finding and developing the right talent. Drawing from Robert Half’s Building Future-Forward Tech Teams report, Matt shares insights on closing skills gaps, navigating AI and cybersecurity demands, and responding to the surge in ERP needs.


    We dive into workforce strategies like refining job descriptions, upskilling, flexible staffing models, and leveraging consultants or hackathons to spark innovation. Tune in to hear how tech leaders are adapting—and what it takes to build a team that’s ready for what’s next.


    Explore how Robert Half can help you build a future-ready tech team: https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/building-tech-teams?utm_medium=alliance&utm_source=external-link&utm_campaign=v2_all_thought-leadership_july-2025-hdi-bytes-and-banter-us_rht&utm_content=building-future-forward-tech-teams


    Bio: Matt Deneroff is Market Director and Vice President of Technology & Digital at Robert Half, serving the DC Metro market. He leads both contract and permanent placement services across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, connecting top tech talent with forward-thinking organizations. With over a decade at Robert Half, Matt has held multiple leadership roles and earned national recognition for driving growth and performance. He holds a degree in Business Administration and Management from The Catholic University of America.

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    HDI Local Chapters is an all volunteer not-for-profit that brings Technical Support professionals together to connect, share and discuss common challenges, and learn from industry innovators and each other --- https://www.hdilocalchapters.org

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    Bytes and Banter Podcast Team


    Creative Producer/Host: Rocky McGuire - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rockymcguire/

    Associate Producer/Host - Daniel Guinto - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-guinto-7b723630/

    Executive Producer: Terri Oropeza - https://www.linkedin.com/in/toropeza/

    Associate Producer: Colleen Rush - https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-rush-3603241/

    Technical Producer: Dustin Canter - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustincanter/

    Podcast Operating System: https://www.PodTechs.com

    Post-Production: https://www.PodTechs.com

    Show More Show Less
    23 mins
  • Beyond Silos: Authentic Leadership in the Age of AI
    Jun 11 2025

    In this episode of Bytes and Banter, Sarah Nicastro joins us to explore what authentic leadership looks like in an AI-driven world. From her unexpected journey into field service to becoming a principal evangelist at IFS, Sarah shares how the industry has evolved—from cost center to strategic asset—and what that means for leaders today. We talk curiosity, change leadership, and how to create cultures that truly value people. Plus, why staying neutral on AI is key to driving innovation without compromising your core values.


    🌐 Want more insights on service transformation and leadership? Visit www.futureoffieldservice.com for articles, podcasts, and resources from Sarah Nicastro.


    Sarah Nicastro is the driving force behind Future of Field Service as Founder & Editor in Chief, Host of the UNSCRIPTED podcast, and Principal Evangelist at IFS. Through insightful articles and engaging interviews with industry giants, Sarah distils real-world perspectives into actionable insights. Renowned as a global keynote speaker, she inspires audiences to navigate modern business complexities and drive transformative change. With a unique combination of community-sourced best practices and her own thought leadership, Sarah empowers service leaders to embrace innovation and chart their course toward sustainable success. Sarah lives in Erie, Pennsylvania with her husband Eric; two sons, Evan and Ellis; and two cats, Atticus and Popcorn. To decompress, she likes to visit Lake Erie and search for beach glass. She’s an avid reader, a die-hard fan of hip-hop, is obsessed with ice cream, and Pelotons daily.

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    HDI Local Chapters is an all volunteer not-for-profit that brings Technical Support professionals together to connect, share and discuss common challenges, and learn from industry innovators and each other --- https://www.hdilocalchapters.org

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    Bytes and Banter Podcast Team


    Creative Producer/Host: Rocky McGuire - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rockymcguire/

    Executive Producer: Terri Oropeza - https://www.linkedin.com/in/toropeza/

    Associate Producer: Colleen Rush - https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-rush-3603241/

    Associate Producer - Daniel Guinto - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-guinto-7b723630/

    Technical Producer: Dustin Canter - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustincanter/

    Podcast Operating System: https://www.PodTechs.com

    Post-Production: https://www.PodTechs.com

    Show More Show Less
    50 mins
  • Five Quick Fixes That Will Make Your Knowledgebase Articles More Useful
    Apr 30 2025

    In this episode of Bytes and Banter, writing expert Leslie O’Flahavan joins us to unpack why great writing is one of the most powerful—and overlooked—tools in tech support. From simple word swaps to game-changing formatting tips, Leslie shares practical ways support teams can write knowledge base content that’s clear, useful, and ready for both humans and AI. If you want your support docs to drive better self-service, reduce ticket volume, and actually help people solve problems—this one’s for you.


    ✍️ Want to write content people (and AI) can actually use? Visit ewriteonline.com and follow Leslie on LinkedIn for tools, tips, and real-time writing makeovers.


    Leslie O’Flahavan has helped thousands of people learn to write well for online readers. As the founder of E-Write, she delivers custom writing workshops for contact center agents, social media teams, and technical staff. Leslie’s expertise spans email, chat, social media, and self-service knowledge articles—and she’s helped major global brands overhaul their entire customer service writing approach. A recognized leader in the space, Leslie was named one of ICMI’s “Top 25 Thought Leaders” in 2024 and has also been featured by Klaus, Netomi, and ProcedureFlow as one of the most influential voices in customer experience. She’s a LinkedIn Learning author of five popular courses and co-author of Clear, Correct, Concise E-Mail: A Writing Workbook for Customer Service Agents.

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    HDI Local Chapters is an all volunteer not-for-profit that brings Technical Support professionals together to connect, share and discuss common challenges, and learn from industry innovators and each other --- https://www.hdilocalchapters.org

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Bytes and Banter Podcast Team


    Creative Producer/Host: Rocky McGuire - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rockymcguire/

    Executive Producer: Terri Oropeza - https://www.linkedin.com/in/toropeza/

    Associate Producer: Colleen Rush - https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-rush-3603241/

    Associate Producer - Daniel Guinto - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-guinto-7b723630/

    Technical Producer: Dustin Canter - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustincanter/

    Podcast Operating System: https://www.PodTechs.com

    Post-Production: https://www.PodTechs.com

    Show More Show Less
    47 mins

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