As we approach 2025, I’m excited to share some big goals I’ve set for myself and my business. Every November, I reflect on ways to grow, both personally and professionally, and this past November was no different.

Here’s a glimpse into what I’m focusing on in 2025:

Writing and Publishing My First Book

This year, my personal goal is to write and publish my first book. Publishing a book has been a long-time aspiration of mine and is an opportunity to channel creativity, share insights, and accomplish something deeply meaningful on a personal level. As part of this, I’m applying my “5 to 10% personal development rule,” dedicating no more than 5-10% of my time and income to this project.

Here’s where I stand:

• Exploring Content Options:
  • I’ve already drafted two books:
    • A passion project about technology careers.
    • A business-focused book targeting my ideal audience, which I’ve revised twice but may still refine further.
  • Alternatively, I may start fresh and write a completely new book that better meets the needs of my audience.
• Publishing Insights:
  • I recently read The Nonfiction Book Publishing Plan by Karl Palachuk and Stephanie Chandler, which provided valuable insights into the self-publishing process. It also helped confirm my assumption that self-publishing my first book would likely require more time than my 5-10% rule allows.
  • To balance my time commitments, I’m leaning toward working with a hybrid publishing company for this first book. This approach will provide the structure I need while ensuring I can meet my personal and professional priorities.
  • Self-publishing is still on the table for future books once I’ve mastered the process and can dedicate more time.

Aligning Personal and Business Goals:

This year, I’ve decided to align my personal goals with my business objectives to create a stronger, more cohesive path forward. A significant shift I’ve embraced is becoming more publicly active—a step I haven’t taken in several years. By aligning my personal and professional growth, I’m taking a strategic approach to strengthen my business and personal brand:

• Q1: Redefining my personal brand marketing strategy.
• Q2: Increasing my public presence by participating in events and networking.
• Q3: Developing a robust process to better engage my target audience.

I’ve also partnered with a marketing firm to fine-tune specific aspects of my business marketing. Their expertise will complement my efforts to enhance my overall strategy.

Looking Ahead

2025 is shaping up to be a transformative year. Publishing my first book—whether it’s a revised version of my current drafts or an entirely new project—will be a deeply personal milestone. By focusing on aligning my personal goals with my business strategy, I’m creating a foundation for growth and success in all areas of my life.

I’m excited about what’s ahead and grateful to have your support along the way. If you have advice, insights, or encouragement, I’d love to hear from you.

Let’s make this year one of meaningful achievements together!

Wylie Blanchard

Here are a few of my activities from 2024:

• What is Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and Why Does It Matter?
• From NPD to the Cloud: Why Businesses Must Prioritize Cybersecurity Now
• Embracing AI in SMBs: Driving Competitiveness and Efficiency Through Technology
• Essential Disaster Preparedness Strategies: Safeguarding Your Business
• Innovating on a Budget: Strategies for Today’s Tech Leaders
• Embracing AI in SMBs: Driving Competitiveness and Efficiency Through Technology

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Here’s the full interview:

Get the bonus Q&A with the audience by visiting GreatTechPros.com.

Here are a few video clips from the discussion:

• Business Partnerships, Relationships and Trust.
• Working with a Partner to help meet a Client Objectives.
• Contractors, Vendors and meeting client needs.
• Handling Partnership Challenges.
• Partner Expertise and Education.
• Post-Interview: Thoughts on the Value of Business Partnerships.

Connect with Traci: 

You can connect with Traci on Linkedin and by visiting Temple-IT.com. 

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Here’s the full interview:

Get the bonus Q&A with the audience by visiting GreatTechPros.com.

Here are a few video clips from the discussion:

• Difference between Individual Contributor to Business Leader.
• Defining a Win as Individual Contributor vs Business Leader.
• Challenges when Moving into Tech Management.

You can connect with Jason on Linkedin, Facebook and Github. 

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• and more.

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Here’s the full interview:

Get the bonus Q&A with the audience by visiting GreatTechPros.com.

Useful Links:

• You can connect with Sean on Linkedin. 
• Regulatory Compliance in the United States. 

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• and more.

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Here’s the full interview:

Get the bonus Q&A with the audience by visiting GreatTechPros.com.

Here are a few video clips from the discussion:

• What does Smart Technology Roadmapping Mean?
• Smart Technology Automation.
• Journey to a Career in Cannabis Technology
• How has the Product Road Map changed and evolved?
• What’s on your current Road Map?
• What’s changed from Individual Contributor to Company Leader?
• How are you addressing current customer pain points and challenges?
• Current State of the Cannabis Industry.

Useful Links:

• You can connect with Eric on Linkedin.
• Cannabis industry history in the United States.

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• and more.

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Here’s the full interview:

Get the bonus Q&A with the audience by visiting  GreatTechPros.com.

Here are some short video clips of topics discussed:

• What has changed in Business Analytics?
• What is your approach to creating data visualizations?
• Free/Low cost data visualization tools for small businesses.
• What type of data visualization recommendations do you offer to larger businesses that do not have tool/platform preferences?
• What were you doing with CDC?
• What drove you to Analytics & Data Visualization as a Career?

Useful Links:

• You can connect with Teneika on her website, Twitter and Linkedin.
• Tools include PowerQuery, PowerBI, Tableau, Google Data Studio and SAP Tools.
• Though it is important to implement a new platform/solution, it is equally as important to inform and educate end-users on how to utilize the new platform or solution.
• Every career/job has a data component – Do make an effort to learn how to utilize data as a skill. Doing so will enhance your skill-set and help you enhance your career.
• College students should look into scholarship, internship and other opportunities offered by their university like the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and INROADS internships.
• For those who are new to data visualizations, start with Microsoft Excel, work to graduate from a beginner Excel user to an advanced Excel user, then learn Microsoft Power BI and Tableau.
• Microsoft currently offers free Power BI training, Tableau Prep & Tableau Desktop are not free unless you are a student, freeCodeCamp and SimpliLearn.

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In this discussion, we explored the challenges that prevent people from obtaining the career success that they’re working toward, the obstacles that are in place that lock people out of the sales cycle when working to close deals with their high-profile clients and what people and organizations can do to shatter through the glass ceiling so that they can find the career success that they are working toward.

Here’s the discussion.

Here’s the pre-event message that I created leading up to the event.

Useful Links:

• You can find more events from Lotus Bucker on her website, Twitter and Linkedin.
• During the talk, I advised that people should read Shattering the Glass Ceiling: How to Break Through Without Breaking Down by Gia Suggs and Hayward Suggs.

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Here’s the full interview:

Get the bonus Q&A with the audience by visiting GreatTechPros.com.

Here are some short video clips of topics discussed:

• What does Tectonic Speed of Government mean?
• How do you interact with the local college (University of Illinois)?
• How to get role working in Technology and Government?
• Journey to a Career in Technology & Government.
• Sales Cycle & Technology.
• Skills & Experience we look for in New Employees.
• Training & Education for Technology Generalists.

Useful Links

• You can connect with Sanford on his website and Linkedin. 
• The Tectonic Speed of Government is the website where Sanford shares his thoughts on Government, IT, Change, Government IT Change … and Movies.
• Sanford recommends that aspiring technology professional consider Google IT Support Professional Certificate.

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• Watch on YouTube, 
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• and more.

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Here’s the full interview:

Get the bonus Q&A with the audience by visiting GreatTechPros.com.

Here are some short video clips of topics discussed:

• Why I wrote Women of Color in Tech.
• 2 Challenges that Women of Color face in Tech Careers.
• How men can help create opportunities for Women of Color in Tech?
• 3 Career Options for Women of Color in Tech.
• What is a Cloud Technical Specialist?
• What is the Difference between a Coach, Mentor and Sponsor?
• How to Close Technical Skill Gaps?
• Salary Negotiations: What you need to know.
• Introverts: Successful Client & Group Interactions.

Useful Links:

• You can connect with Susanne on her website, Twitter and Linkedin. 
• You can get Susanne’s new book, Women of Color in Tech: A Blueprint for Inspiring and Mentoring the Next Generation of Technology Innovators, by visiting WeBelongInTech.com.

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• and more.

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Here’s the full interview:

Get the full interview + bonus Q&A with the audience by visiting GreatTechPros.com.

Here are some short video clips of topics discussed:

• How Business Intelligence & Data Science Differ
• 2 ways to get into Business Intelligence and Data Science
• The Programming and Querying Languages of Data Analytics
• 2 Important Resources for a Data Consultant
• What events and conferences do you use to build your network?
• Resources to get started in Data Science

Useful Links:

• The best way to connect with Chris Hyde is on Twitter. He can also be found on Linkedin.
• Chris Recommends the following books:
• Learning R by Richard Cotton.
• R for Data Science: Import, Tidy, Transform, Visualize, and Model Data by Hadley Wickham and Garrett Grolemund.
• Think Stats: Exploratory Data Analysis by Allen Downey.

Watch or Listen to Great Tech Pros anytime, anywhere.

• Watch on YouTube,
• Tune in on Facebook Watch,
• Listen on Google Podcasts,
• Be all ears on Spotify,
• Eavesdrop on Apple Podcasts,
• and more.

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Learn what clients are saying about his programs....