Training Investments and Tech Trends for 2026

Overview: In this episode of the SMB Community Podcast, hosts Amy and James discuss their upcoming travel plans and the busy start to 2026. They tackle a key listener question about how much to invest in training for IT teams, emphasizing the importance of continuous education and proposing strategies for incorporating both free and paid training within organizations. Additionally, they cover recent news in the tech industry, including Walmart's drone delivery expansion, layoffs in Kaseya, and the latest updates from companies like Ninja One, CrowdStrike, and others. The episode also touches on future technological predictions and top job listings for 2026. --- Chapter Markers: 00:00 Introduction and Hosts' Greetings 01:18 Kicking Off 2026: Busy Times Ahead 01:47 MSP Question of the Week: Investing in Team Training 02:24 Strategies for Effective Employee Training 09:49 News Highlights: Industry Updates and Trends 15:47 AI and Future Technologies 20:27 Top Jobs and Opportunities in 2026 21:40 Closing Remarks and Call to Action --- New Book Release: I'm proud to announce the release of my new book, The Anthology of Cybersecurity Experts! This collection brings together 15 of the nation's top minds in cybersecurity, sharing real-world solutions to combat today's most pressing threats. Whether you're an MSP, IT leader, or simply passionate about protecting your data, this book is packed with expert advice to help you stay secure and ahead of the curve. Available now on Amazon! https://a.co/d/f2NKASI --- Sponsor Memo: Since 2006, Kernan Consulting has been through over 30 transactions in mergers & acquisitions - and just this past year, we have been involved in six (6). If you are interested in either buying, selling, or valuation information, please reach out. There is alot of activity and you can be a part of it. For more information, reach out at kernanconsulting.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.