In The Chat Room is a dynamic interview series where industry leaders, innovators, and experts gather to share their insights on the ever-evolving landscape of technology and business. In this episode, co-hosts, Matt Bauer, Cofounder and Director at BetterWorld Technology and BetterWorld’s Regional Director, Chris Jordan, are excited to have In The Chat Room, Lou Centrella, Senior Director of Technology Services at ISSA.

#ISSA, a valuable partner & customers for BetterWorld, is THE worldwide cleaning industry association, a leading trade organization representing over 10K members globally, including distributors, manufacturers, and cleaning professionals. ISSA provides resources, education, and networking opportunities to enhance professionalism and success within the cleaning industry.

The range of topics we cover are from Lou Centrella’s background as Senior Director of Technology Services at ISSA, how he came to ISSA and his role there, to his journey as a speaker and member of #ASAE, ISSA teaming up with #PCsforPeople, another BetterWorld partner, to donate retired IT equipment and support a dual mission: protecting the environment through responsible e-waste recycling and promoting digital equity for underserved communities, and the challenges, opportunities and goals for this year at the ISSA Show North America in Las Vegas this November.

𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀

00:00 Opening

00:52 Lou's career journey and shift from marketing to tech leadership at ISSA

02:22 Building ISSA's tech infrastructure with cybersecurity and Salesforce development

03:17 Overview of ISSA's charitable arms including Cleaning for a Reason and diversity initiatives

05:07 Chris’ personal connection to ISSA's mission and family custodial background

08:16 Speaking engagements and leveraging ASAE and AMS Fest platforms

11:33 Elevating ISSA’s security posture through trusted partnership with BetterWorld

12:58 Collaboration with PCs for People to advance sustainability and digital equity

20:03 Why the ISSA show balances education and networking exceptionally well

21:16 Lou's love for Nintendo and how gaming connects family and workplace culture

25:01 Observations on shared challenges across SMBs and Fortune 1000 companies in cybersecurity

26:12 Final thoughts on partnership strength, future events, and community connection



𝗟𝗼𝘂 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮’𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀

- Website:  https://www.issa.com/

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loucentrella/



𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸:

- Visit our website: www.betterworldtechnology.com [http://www.betterworldtechnology.com/]

Stay connected by subscribing to our YouTube channel for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and more. And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow us on Spotify and tell a colleague.

🌐 Keep innovating, keep connecting!

Episode 7: Talking ISSA, IT & Cybersecurity, and Conferences with Lou Centrella

In The Chat Room is a dynamic interview series where industry leaders, innovators, and experts gather to share their insights on the ever-evolving landscape of technology and business.

In Episode 6, Matt Bauer, co-founder and director at BetterWorld Technology, hosts Evan Francen, who is the co-founder and CEO of FRSecure and SecurityStudio. Evan has spent decades helping organizations, from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses, navigate the ever-evolving landscape of information security. He’s developed tools like the S2Score to measure risk, created the first-ever CvCISO® certification program, developed Project Broken Mirror, and founded the free CISSP® Mentor Program, which has reached over 100,000 students in 120+ countries.

Matt and Evan cover the waterfront with many topics centering around life, from ADHD to alcoholism, to Evan’s thoughts on where the Cybersecurity movement stands, the forthcoming update to his 2019’s book, ‘Unsecurity’, and what’s ahead in the years to come.

𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀

00:00 Opening

00:39 Transparency, identity, and the power of sharing personal truths in cybersecurity leadership

02:07 How vulnerability and stigma-breaking help build stronger connections in business and life

04:02 Why understanding human behavior is the hardest and most importantpart of cybersecurity

05:00 From rebellious hacker to CEO: the unconventional path to founding two cybersecurity firms

06:53 Breaking things to learn deeply and the value of curiosity in mastering complex systems

08:04 Early innovation stories from IBM, PaintShop Pro, and hacking SQL before clustering existed

09:22 Building threat response teams at scale and choosing mission over money

10:10 Why doing things “the right way” became the foundation of a new kind of security company

11:17 Revisiting 'Unsecured': what’s changed since declaring the industry broken

12:26 How tech outpaces responsibility and why misuse is the real threat

13:12 The compounding risks of unexamined innovation in AI, quantum, and connected systems

15:30 Embracing ADHD as a superpower in chaotic environments and leadership

17:19 The CISSP mentor program and the mission to freely educate 100,000+ global students

18:23 Project Broken Mirror and why defining critical infrastructure is the next urgent step

19:10 Closing thoughts and staying connected with Better World Technology

𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀

- Website: https://evanfrancen.com/

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanfrancen

- Book: ‘Unsecurity: Information Security is Failing. Breaches are Epidemic. How can We Fix This Broken industry?’ - https://www.amazon.com/Unsecurity-Information-security-failing-epidemic/dp/164343974X

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸:

- Visit our website: www.betterworldtechnology.com

- Stay connected by subscribing to our YouTube channel for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and more. And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow us on Spotify and tell a colleague.

🌐 Keep innovating, keep connecting!

Episode 6: Life, Cybersecurity & What’s Ahead with Evan Francen from FRSecure & SecurityStudio

In The Chat Room is a dynamic interview series where industry leaders, innovators, and experts gather to share their insights on the ever-evolving landscape of technology and business.

In Episode 5, Matt Bauer, Co-founder and Director at BetterWorld Technology, hosts Eric Torres, who has had an integral role in building out the Managed Service Provider space over the past 15-20 years with companies like Datto, Scalepad and now as VP of Channel & Community Engagement at Pax8, a critical partner to BetterWorld and thousands of MSPs globally.

Matt and Eric discuss Eric’s start in technology and his incredible experience over the past 20 years. They talk about advancements to the marketplace such as Storefronts, Opportunities, and Recommendations —then shifting to the big story behind all of this, the buying journey we’re all on and how COVID-19 has changed how we consume products: how we do our research, order online, and how we read and consume reviews.

They also dive into AI and how it has become fundamental in all aspects of our business —Eric provides his perspective on the processes & procedures as well as predictive analytics for helping MSPs automating much of their service delivery.

𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀

00:00 Welcome

00:04 The evolution of the MSP space and the journey to Pax8

02:55 How distributors are falling behind and why Pax8 is reshaping the model 04:28 Data-driven insights on cloud adoption and emerging industry trends

06:46 The shift in buyer behavior and why storefronts are the future of IT procurement 08:37 The rise of marketplaces and why $10 trillion will flow through them by 2030

10:07 AI, machine learning, and the changing landscape of automation in business 12:25 How AI is transforming operations, from sales processes to event planning

14:10 The role of AI in augmenting—not replacing—human expertise in managed services

15:42 The critical importance of security as cyber threats evolve alongside AI advancements

17:55 Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond: key opportunities for MSPs and end users

18:20 Closing thoughts and how to stay connected with Better World Technology

𝗘𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀’ 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀

- Website: https://www.pax8.com/en-us/

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/torreseric

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸:

- Visit our website: www.betterworldtechnology.com

- Stay connected by subscribing to our YouTube channel for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and more. And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow us on Spotify and tell a colleague.

🌐 Keep innovating, keep connecting!

Episode 5: Talking AI, the Marketplace and MSP Trends by the Numbers with Eric Torres from Pax8

Welcome to BetterWorld Technology’s In the Chat Room. In The Chat Room is a dynamic interview series where industry leaders, innovators, and experts gather to share their insights on the ever-evolving landscape of technology and business.

Each episode dives into compelling conversations with thought leaders across cybersecurity, compliance, sustainability, and IT management, offering executives and business professionals an inside look at trends, challenges, and actionable strategies that drive success in today’s digital-first world.

Episode 4 host, Matt Bauer, Co-Founder and Director at BetterWorld Technology, is excited to have In The Chat Room, Jonathan Liebert, who is CEO & Executive Director at the Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado and is also an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀

00:00 Welcome

00:04 The rise of the purpose-driven economy and the growing trust crisis

01:14 Why people are looking for businesses that align with their values

02:55 Is the movement toward social responsibility growing or fading in the AI era?

05:13 How the Better Business Bureau helps consumers find reputable, purpose-driven businesses

10:32 The difference between BBB for Good and B Corp certification

11:59 The hidden cybersecurity risks that most small businesses overlook

16:42 How AI is fueling more sophisticated online scams and fraud schemes

19:20 AI education, fraud prevention, and supporting ethical businesses

20:14 Closing remarks and how to connect with Better World Technology

𝗝𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗲𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁’𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀

- Website: https://www.bbb.org/

- LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-liebert-96918112/

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸:

- Visit our website: www.betterworldtechnology.com

- Stay connected by subscribing to our YouTube channel for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and more. And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow us on Spotify and tell a colleague.

🌐 Keep innovating, keep connecting!



Episode 4: Talking Cybersecurity, AI and B Corps / Corporate Trust with Jonathan Liebert of the Better Business Bureau  

In this episode of In The ChatRoom, we explore cybersecurity essentials for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Host Matthew Bauer interviews NIST expert Daniel Eliot to discuss actionable strategies for protecting your business against cyber threats. Daniel shares insights into the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, best practices for SMBs, and the importance of proactive security measures in today's digital landscape.Whether you're an IT leader, business owner, or simply security-conscious, this episode provides clear, practical advice on implementing cybersecurity standards to safeguard your operations. Tune in to learn how NIST guidelines can help fortify your business and reduce cyber risks.Keywords: SMB cybersecurity, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, small business security, Daniel Eliot, cybersecurity best practices, IT security for SMBs, protecting your business, cyber threat prevention, BetterWorld Technology.CTA: Don't miss out on essential cybersecurity advice — subscribe to In The ChatRoom and stay ahead of threats!

BetterWorld Technology [https://www.betterworldtechnology.com/]

www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-eliot/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-eliot/]https:/ [https://www.nist.gov/]

www.nist.gov [https://www.nist.gov/]

Episode 3: Talking Security For SMB's with NIST expert Daniel Eliot 

For Episode Two, this week we have Tim Frick, founder and President of Chicago-based and long time B Corps Mightybytes in the BetterWorld booth to help us celebrate B Corp Month and much more.

BetterWorld Technology [https://www.betterworldtechnology.com/]

Mightybytes [https://www.mightybytes.com/]

Tim Frick [https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfrick/]

Mightybytes is a digital agency and Certified B Corp located in Chicago. Since 1998, we have helped conscious companies, social enterprises, and large nonprofits solve problems, amplify their impact, and meet business and marketing goals. We have helped hundreds of organizations achieve real, measurable results.

Episode 2: Talking B Corps with Tim Frick of Mightybytes

In the Chat Room with BetterWorld Technology invites you to pull up a virtual chair and dive into conversations that matter for today’s tech-driven world. Each episode, we bring together experts from cybersecurity, compliance, sustainability, and beyond to discuss insights, trends, and stories that shape the future of technology and business. Designed for forward-thinking executives, this series is your gateway to in-depth dialogues on resilience, innovation, and the tools driving impact in our increasingly digital landscape. 

Join us in the chat room and be part of the conversation that’s shaping tomorrow.