Death by a Thousand Licenses: Cutting Waste in Your Cloud Stack
Cut cloud costs fast. Learn how to spot redundant tools, trim licenses, and stop wasting money on unused platforms and bloated subscriptions.
FireOak Insights & Analysis
Practical ideas for strengthening your organization's technology and knowledge foundations — covering AI strategy and governance, information management, and fractional CIO leadership.
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From the ISS to Windows 10: Planning for End-of-Life in Technology
Learn why planning for the end of life of hardware, software, and cloud tools is essential to a strong IT strategy. This post offers practical steps for reducing risk, managing costs, and preparing for what's next.
What Not To Write: AI Edition
In the spirit of good-natured guidance (and with a nod to What Not To Wear), here’s our roundup of what not to do when using AI for professional communication — especially with your own team.
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How We Use AI (and How You Can Too): Prompts from the FireOak Playbook
Discover how FireOak Strategies uses AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity in real-world consulting work.
What Taylor Swift's Masters Can Teach Us About Knowledge Management
Taylor Swift’s reclaiming of her masters is more than a music industry milestone, it’s a powerful lesson in knowledge management, intellectual property, and strategic asset control. Explore how her bold moves mirror the principles of KM in this real-world case study for mission-driven organizations.
We’re Not Just About Technology — We’re About Mission Enablement. Here’s What That Really Means.
Let’s start with a confession: At FireOak Strategies, we adore great technology. We’re the people who voluntarily organize
15 Years of FireOak: Reflections, Lessons Learned, and Why I Still Love This Work
Fifteen years in, I’ve worked across dozens of countries, supported bold missions, and learned a lot. Here are a few lessons and why I still love this work.
Migrating from WordPress to Ghost in a Weekend
We migrated our entire website from WordPress to Ghost in just one weekend—135 blog posts, 32 custom pages, and a fully redesigned homepage. Here's how we did it, what we customized, and why Ghost is a better (though not perfect) fit for our team.
What Does a Fractional CIO Actually Do? (A Day in the Life)
A Fractional CIO's day rarely revolves around technology alone. From AI strategy and cybersecurity to governance, budgeting, and executive decision-making, the role is about helping organizations make better long-term technology decisions.
Getting Ready for AI Starts with Cleaning Up Your Knowledge
AI won’t organize your knowledge for you — it will amplify what’s already there. Learn why strong knowledge management is the foundation of AI readiness.
AI isn't magic. But it can be transformational.
AI isn’t a silver bullet. But when grounded in strategy, clear workflows, and well-organized knowledge, it can be a powerful force for small teams.
The Most Overlooked Risk in Small Orgs? What You Don't Know.
In small organizations and growing teams, the biggest risk isn’t your tech stack — it’s the undocumented knowledge hiding in plain sight. Learn how to identify and fix these invisible risks.
