Navigating Market Shifts: Inflation, AI Skepticism, Hardware Longevity

Consumers are pushing back against price hikes, leading companies like PepsiCo and Delta Airlines to consider value adjustments due to cooling inflation. Small businesses, particularly those with one to four employees, are facing revenue declines and profitability challenges, with the impending retirement of baby boomer owners expected to reshape the market in the coming years.Secondly, Sobel delves into the skepticism surrounding generative AI, as highlighted in a research paper by Goldman Sachs. The paper questions the economic viability and transformative potential of generative AI, raising doubts about its ability to solve complex problems. Despite optimism surrounding AI, concerns about cost, reliability, and real-world applications persist, impacting investment decisions and stock market gains.Furthermore, the episode emphasizes the importance of long-term planning and skill development in the tech industry. Data shows a trend of Mac owners holding onto their devices for longer, reflecting a shift towards sustainable hardware usage. Additionally, European tech companies are facing skill shortages in areas like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, underscoring the need for upskilling and reskilling to ensure long-term success in AI strategies.Lastly, Sobel advises IT service providers to focus on sustainable investments, client education, and the development of reliable and cost-effective AI solutions. Embracing hardware longevity, emphasizing high-margin services, and supplementing clients with necessary skills are key strategies for navigating industry shifts and ensuring long-term success. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to engage with the content, ask questions, and participate in the live show to stay informed about the evolving business of tech landscape. Three things to know today 00:00 Inflation Cooling, Small Business Struggles, and Baby Boomer Retirements Reshape Market04:07 Goldman Sachs, Enterprise Skepticism, and AI Hype: What’s Next for Generative AI?06:54 Embrace Hardware Longevity: Focus on High-Margin Services and Skill Supplementation  Supported by:  https://www.huntress.com/mspradio/https://www.coreview.com/msp    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/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessoftech.bsky.social