Erik Braden: From Wall Street to Nationwide Tech Leader

Erik Braden, managing partner at Braden Business Systems, uncovers the secrets behind transforming a family business into a nationwide managed technology powerhouse. From his early days on Wall Street to navigating the intricate balance of preserving a strong business legacy while fostering growth, Erik's journey is a testament to the power of persistence, accountability, and adhering to core values. This episode unpacks the challenges of working with AI and cybersecurity, highlighting the imperative of a secure infrastructure to prevent data leaks and ensure seamless technology integration.  Our conversation with Erik also takes a fascinating turn as we explore innovative sales strategies and the critical role of CRM technology in modern business operations. Collaborating with Dale Dupree of the Sales Rebellion, Erik shares insights on how to break away from traditional sales methods and embrace a more community-driven, impactful approach. Through strategic roadmapping, compliance with cyber insurance policies, and the art of pattern interrupt marketing, Erik reveals how businesses can not only survive but thrive in a competitive environment.  Leadership with a genuine touch is the cornerstone of Erik's philosophy, as he emphasizes vulnerability and authenticity in managing successful teams. By sharing personal growth stories and illustrating the power of leading by example, Erik underscores the importance of empowering team members to devise solutions and innovate. As businesses gear up for the AI revolution, he stresses on fostering a culture of collaboration and emotional intelligence, paving the way for a future where technology and humanity coalesce for unprecedented success.  Erik Braden is the CEO and Managing Partner of Braden Business Systems, where he has led the company’s evolution from a regional office equipment dealer to a nationally recognized technology leader. With a background in investment banking and private equity across New York, Los Angeles, and Zurich, Erik brought strategic discipline and a global outlook to the family business. Under his leadership, Braden has quadrupled in size, expanded into managed IT, cybersecurity, and document management, and earned top rankings on the MSP 501 list.  Known for his people-first approach and culture of transparency, Erik has driven record growth while maintaining exceptional client satisfaction and employee retention. His leadership has earned him accolades including the MSP 501 Executive of the Year and the Fortress Cybersecurity Leadership Award. Outside of work, he supports over 100 nonprofits annually and serves on several industry boards.    Quotes: "Persistence opens doors, but accountability keeps them open." "Leadership with a genuine touch is the cornerstone of my philosophy. Vulnerability and authenticity in managing teams lead to success." "As businesses gear up for the AI revolution, it's crucial to foster a culture of collaboration and emotional intelligence." "You can't just bolt AI onto your operations without a secure infrastructure; the risks of data leaks are too great."   Links: Erik’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-braden-1930904/ Braden Business Systems - https://bradenonline.com Find this episode and all other Sales Lead Dog episodes at https://empellorcrm.com/salesleaddog/