Big Tech to Boutique Insight with Steven Dickens

In this episode, we welcome Steven Dickens, founder of HyperFRAME Research and former IBM leader to unpack the rise of boutique analyst firms, the AI wave changing their playbooks, and the simple operating principles behind building a seven-figure practice in a year.

We explore why budgets are shifting away from the "Big Four" toward independent analyst firms and how credibility compounds when you’re fast, available, and honest.

Steven also shares pragmatic advice for early professionals, plus the operating system behind HyperFRAME's growth: be easy to work with, move quickly, and choose helping over monetizing in the moment. It’s a playbook for leaders who want sharper decisions, faster cycles, and fewer hurdles.

Learn more about HyperFRAME Research at: https://hyperframeresearch.com

Connect with Steven on social platforms: @StevenDickens3

Chapters

• 0:06 Setting The Bar And Intros
• 0:54 Stephen’s 30-Year Career Arc
• 3:40 Why Launch Hyperframe Research
• 9:56 What Technology Analysts Actually Do
• 15:14 AI’s Disruption Of Analyst Firms
• 19:58 Small Models, Big Use Cases
• 24:15 AI As A Small-Business Leveler
• 28:18 Beyond AI: Security And Cloud
• 31:58 Remote Work, Mentorship, And Growth
• 39:36 Year One Lessons And Frictionless AR
• 44:20 Travel Grind And Work Styles
• 48:00 How To Reach Stephen & Closing