In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, Sharon and Erin sit down with Marc Pickard, co-founder and CEO of CB Tech Support, a New Jersey-based IT company helping small and mid-sized businesses get the fullest benefit from their technology. Marc shares how a lifelong love of tech and a background in art led him into the IT world and eventually to launching CB Tech Support with his business partner after seeing “what not to do” at a previous company.​

Marc explains how CB Tech Support supports New Jersey businesses with everything from day-to-day IT issues to strategy around cloud, security, AI, and remote work. He talks about working with companies that have distributed workforces, some in the office, some in the field, and how the right tools and support keep teams connected and information accurate.​

The conversation also dives into how COVID and hybrid work changed both security and productivity, why time management and calendar discipline became his most important business skill, and why every owner needs at least a basic grasp of their numbers and accounting tools. Marc and the hosts touch on QuickBooks headaches, smarter alternatives, and how CB Tech Support is helping clients navigate Microsoft’s AI tools like Copilot in a secure, practical way.

We talk about:

• The security challenges of “access from anywhere” and how to manage them.
• Why distributed workforces (especially in construction and the trades) rely on accurate, timely information flow.
• How tools like Microsoft 365, cloud services, and emerging AI (like Copilot) can actually make remote work smoother when implemented well.
• Why distributed and field-based teams in NJ need thoughtful tech support, not just quick fixes.
• How COVID and hybrid work changed the security and infrastructure needs of local businesses.
• The role CB Tech Support plays as a strategic partner, not just a “help desk.”

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• Website: CB Tech Support ​

• LinkedIn: Marc Pickard