Who is Dave?
The Business of Tech Podcast
My Daily Podcast, The Business of Tech. 5 minutes of news and comments, asking “Why Do We Care?” for IT services companies

In 10 minutes daily, The Business of Tech delivers the latest IT services and MSP-focused news and commentary. Curated to stories that matter with commentary answering ‘Why Do We Care?’, channel veteran Dave Sobel brings you up to speed and provides resources to go deeper. With insights and analysis, this focused podcast focuses on the knowledge you need to be effective, profitable, and relevant.
The recent U.S.-China tariff truce has led to a significant surge in global markets, with the U.S. reducing tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30% and China lowering its tariffs on American imports from 125% to 10%. While this agreement has provided short-term relief, it has also triggered caution among Chief Information Officers (CIOs), who are now deferring IT projects and prioritizing cost management. A survey indicates that nearly two-thirds of IT leaders are focusing on cost control, with many reporting delays in discretionary IT spending, reflecting a shift from initial optimism to a more cautious approach.
In the realm of artificial intelligence, the U.S. Copyright Office has issued a report warning that generative AI companies may be infringing copyright laws by using creators’ works without permission. This has raised significant legal and political concerns, especially following the dismissal of the office’s director shortly after the report’s release. The implications for IT service providers are profound, as they must now navigate increased legal ambiguity and compliance risks related to the provenance of training data used in AI models.
Moreover, a recent survey revealed that many business leaders who implemented AI-driven layoffs regret their decisions, with over half acknowledging that their choices were misguided. As organizations face a global skills shortage, experts caution against hastily reducing headcount without a strategic plan for workforce transformation. The Society for Human Resource Management reports that a significant portion of jobs is at risk of displacement due to automation, emphasizing the need for reskilling and upskilling workers in vulnerable roles.
Finally, the emergence of Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) marks a shift in digital marketing strategies, focusing on optimizing content for AI-driven conversational interfaces rather than traditional search engine optimization. As generative AI platforms reshape how consumers access information, businesses must adapt their content strategies to remain visible in an evolving digital landscape. This shift underscores the importance of providing tangible value in services, as consumers increasingly prioritize measurable business outcomes over ideological narratives.
Four things to know today
00:00 Markets Rally on U.S.–China Tariff Truce, But CIOs and Consumers Signal Deeper Economic Uncertainty
09:42 Automation Without Alignment: Firms That Cut Staff for AI Now Face Strategic Reversals
13:06 AI-Native Discovery Rises: Answer Engine Optimization Signals SEO’s Next Evolution
Supported by:
https://cometbackup.com/?utm_source=mspradio&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=sponsorship
https://www.huntress.com/mspradio/
All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/
Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/
Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/
Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/
Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech
Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” – Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com
Follow us on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/

MSP Radio on YouTube
My Youtube Channel contains content specifically focused on the IT service Provider space. This is the latest video, and you can see all the
Support my Work
I’m supported directly to continue to create content for the IT services community by my Patreon supporters. Supporters get access to content early, discussions about the topics, have a dedicated slack channel on MSP Geek, and make all of this possible. If you like my work, please consider supporting me directly to remain independent.
Consulting
I do consult for companies who are interested. This video is an example of the kinds of briefings I provide and am happy to do work with you. If you want to dive right in, you can book a call right now.