February 2025 - Blue Tree Technology Group

Podcasts are an incredible way to gain insights from top industry leaders, whether you’re looking to sharpen your leadership skills, understand business strategies, or explore the world of scaling and investments.

We’ve rounded up five standout podcasts that provide valuable takeaways for business professionals.

1. Coaching for Leaders

Host: Dave Stachowiak
Episode Length: 20–40 minutes

If you’re a business owner or professional looking to enhance your leadership and management skills, Coaching for Leaders is a must-listen. Hosted by Dave Stachowiak, this podcast features expert guests covering a wide range of topics, including effective communication, team dynamics, emotional intelligence, and decision-making.

With more than 700 episodes since 2011, Stachowiak has spoken with renowned experts such as professors from Cornell and Columbia, the former CEO of AT&T Business, and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People author Stephen R. Covey. We especially love that the Coaching for Leaders website offers a free, searchable database to help listeners find episodes by topic.

Where to Listen:
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts

2. Business Breakdowns

Host: Various industry experts
Episode Length: Around 60 minutes

Ever wondered how the world’s biggest companies operate? Business Breakdowns provides deep dives into well-known brands, covering their history, business model, financials, and culture. Each episode features company executives or relevant experts who share their insights into the strategies behind major corporations.

This year alone, the podcast has covered Sony, Nintendo, and luxury group Kering, whose CEO is François-Henri Pinault. Past episodes have broken down iconic businesses such as Rolex, Hermès, and even the National Football League. If you’re an entrepreneur looking for lessons from the best, this podcast delivers insightful takeaways every week.

Where to Listen:
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts

3. The Silicon Valley Podcast

Host: Shawn Flynn
Episode Length: 30–60 minutes

Hosted by venture capitalist and startup expert Shawn Flynn, The Silicon Valley Podcast takes listeners into the heart of the tech world. Since 2018, Flynn has leveraged his experience working with investors, accelerators, incubators, and government leaders to bring insightful interviews with some of the most successful entrepreneurs, inventors, and investors.

Covering topics like venture capital, tech entrepreneurship, and startup funding, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in the Silicon Valley ecosystem. With new episodes dropping every Wednesday, there’s always something fresh and relevant for business leaders to learn.

Where to Listen:
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts

4. The Science of Scaling

Host: Mark Roberge
Episode Length: 12–30 minutes

Scaling a business is no easy feat, but The Science of Scaling aims to demystify the process. Hosted by Mark Roberge—Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School, Co-Founder at Stage 2 Capital, and Founding CRO at HubSpot—this podcast uncovers the science behind scaling revenue and sales.

Each week, Roberge interviews top sales leaders in tech to break down what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to growing a company. If you’re a founder, sales executive, or growth strategist, this podcast provides actionable insights in digestible, short episodes.

Where to Listen:
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts

5. How I Built This with Guy Raz

Host: Guy Raz
Episode Length: 30–60 minutes

Hosted by the renowned journalist Guy Raz, How I Built This delves into the stories behind some of the world’s best-known companies. Each episode features interviews with founders and co-founders who share their journeys, challenges, and triumphs in building successful businesses.

Covering topics like entrepreneurship, business strategy, and innovation, this podcast is a treasure trove of insights and inspiration for entrepreneurs, startup enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the business world. Listening to these success stories provides valuable lessons and motivation, making it one of the top business podcasts of 2025.

Where to Listen:
• Wondery
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts

These five podcasts offer fresh perspectives, expert strategies, and real-world lessons from top leaders. Whether you’re refining your leadership approach, exploring new business models, or staying ahead of industry trends, each episode provides valuable takeaways to help you grow and lead with confidence.

Plug in, listen, and keep learning from the best!

Outdated technology needs to be modernized.

“Yesterday’s home runs don’t win today’s games.” – Babe Ruth

In business, as in baseball, what worked yesterday won’t necessarily win tomorrow. Technology is no exception. Outdated systems may have been home runs in their day, but clinging to them now can cost your organization more than you realize. These hidden costs—lost productivity, rising maintenance expenses, and heightened security risks—add up quickly, creating barriers to growth.

On the flip side, investing in modern technology isn’t just about keeping up with the times; it’s about setting yourself up for a future where innovation drives profitability. Let’s explore the hidden costs of outdated systems, the undeniable ROI of modernizing your tech stack, and how to prioritize which systems to upgrade first.

The Hidden Costs of Outdated Technology

1. Increased Maintenance Expenses

Maintaining legacy systems often requires specialized knowledge and hard-to-find parts, leading to soaring costs. A report from RecordPoint highlights that “the average cost of operating and maintaining one legacy system is $30 million,”. “This maintenance can take the form of security patches, customizations and integrations to ensure disparate systems can interoperate, specialist technical support for applications that require old code, and operational downtime when issues need to be fixed.”

2. Reduced Productivity

Older systems can create bottlenecks that slow operations and frustrate employees. According to Innovation in Business, leveraging innovation can boost ROI by up to 69%, suggesting that reliance on outdated technology causes businesses to miss substantial productivity gains.

3. Security Vulnerabilities

Outdated technology lacks modern security measures, making it a prime target for cyberattacks. As Erbis emphasizes, “if you don’t dare to change, you will face serious problems,” including the risk of costly data breaches.

4. Compatibility Issues

Legacy systems often fail to integrate with new technologies, disrupting workflows and causing inefficiencies. Erbis notes that “integration of third-party services is not always possible with outdated technologies,” limiting your ability to scale and innovate.

The ROI of Modern Technology Investments

Investing in modern technology is a strategic move that delivers measurable returns:

Cost Savings
Replacing outdated systems can significantly reduce operating expenses. According to Erbis, modernizing your tech stack can increase annual revenue by 14.4% and cut operational costs by 13.6%

Enhanced Productivity
Modern tools streamline workflows and automate repetitive tasks, boosting efficiency and allowing employees to focus on higher-value activities. AAG IT Support notes that “outdated IT systems can cause an almost 15% increase to annual maintenance budgets,” suggesting that modern systems can help avoid these additional costs.

Improved Security
Up-to-date technology incorporates advanced security measures, reducing the risk of data breaches. Erbis highlights that “new technologies are not only about technical progress but also about guarding against cyber criminals who are improving their skills.”

Scalability and Flexibility
Modern solutions offer scalability, allowing businesses to adapt quickly to market changes. Erbis discusses the importance of scalability, stating that “the inability to scale quickly indicates a failure to meet modern business requirements.”

How to Prioritize Upgrades in Your Tech Stack

Modernizing your technology can feel overwhelming, so it’s essential to start with a clear strategy. Here’s how to prioritize:

1. Identify Pain Points

Analyze where your business feels the most friction. Are outdated systems slowing down operations, frustrating employees, or creating inefficiencies? Start with the most disruptive issues.

2. Assess Security Vulnerabilities

Conduct a security audit to identify legacy systems posing the greatest risk. Prioritize upgrades to systems that house sensitive data or are critical to your operations.

3. Evaluate Business Impact

Focus on systems that directly contribute to revenue, customer satisfaction, or operational efficiency. Tools that are mission-critical should take precedence.

4. Look for Quick Wins

Start with smaller, high-impact upgrades, like migrating to cloud-based collaboration tools or implementing automation in repetitive processes. These quick wins can deliver immediate ROI while building momentum for larger projects.

5. Plan for Scalability

Invest in solutions that can grow with your business. Scalable, flexible technology ensures your investment pays off long-term.

6. Consult with Experts

If you’re unsure where to start, a technology advisor can help you assess your current stack and develop a modernization roadmap.

Outdated systems may seem harmless on the surface, but their hidden costs are far-reaching. From rising maintenance expenses to missed opportunities for productivity and innovation, the impact of clinging to old technology can be profound. Modernizing your tech stack is a powerful investment in the future of your business.

If you’re ready to uncover the hidden costs of your outdated systems or want expert guidance on prioritizing your technology upgrades, we at Blue Tree are here to help. Let’s work together to transform your business. Reach out today to get started!