One thing Michael Hadley, president and CEO of iCorps Technologies, Charlestown, Mass., has learned from attending technology shows is businesses need to "change or die," he told CRN. "And don't get caught riding a dinosaur."

Hadley says every business must evolve, "but you need to do it wisely," based on the direction of the market.

"I think a lot of people evolve just to evolve. We make it part of our business fundamentals," Hadley said. "It's not 'Ready. Fire. Aim."

iCorps, founded in 1994, is rooted in technology outsourcing, but has broadened its offerings to encompass cloud-based solutions and managed services, among other offerings. Hadley calls that a "smart evolution."

"Everybody has to change," added NWN's Phelps, and that includes public companies such as Cognizant that are always looking to increase shareholder value.

He added: "The highway of business is littered with companies that didn’t make the change."