Cirrius Talk

You have dreamed up a dozen things an AI agent could do for you, but the moment you open it, it feels like a stranger who has never met you. In this kickoff to the agentic operating system mini-series, 𝗚𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗹𝗶𝗻 and 𝗧𝗶𝗺 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 break down the first pillar - the signal layer and context management - so your agent starts acting like it actually knows you and your work.𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻:What a “signal” really is, and the three ways to pull one: structured skills, on-demand chat, and scheduled runsThe four tiers every incoming signal should sort into: transient, durable fact, project, and archiveHow the Common Operating Picture (borrowed from the military) gives an agent and a human the same current-state viewWhere to keep humans in the loop: what an agent may propose versus what it can write freelyWhy you should treat every wrong answer as a bug in the system, not a one-off correction𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿:Engineering leaders, architects, and AI-curious operators who want agents that stay useful past week two - and past month six.𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 + 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆:𝗧𝗶𝗺 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴, COO of 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, and 𝗚𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗹𝗶𝗻, Head of Custom Development, build and deploy agentic systems at Cirrius, both internally and for customers. Everything here is drawn from operating systems they have actually rolled out across teams using harnesses like Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor.𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗧𝗔:In the middle of building your own agentic operating system and hitting walls? Reach out and let’s talk it through. Follow the show for more 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸: 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗜 episodes.𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 & 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀Episode ArtifactPARA Method by Tiago ForteTim Harting on LinkedInGavin Franklin on LinkedInGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius SolutionsAgentic AI PlaylistAny Questions: Reach out to us at [email protected]#AgenticAI #ContextEngineering #AIAgents #ClaudeCode #KnowledgeManagement #AIStrategy

Six years as an Air Force Arabic linguist and intelligence operator didn’t prepare 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗞𝘂𝘁 for the short trip home after her first deployment. On this episode of 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲, she explains how that gap, and a Salesforce career built by stacking every veteran resource she could find, shaped who she is today.𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻:Why 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗞𝘂𝘁 wrote her own separation paperwork after the Air Force said no to every alternative she asked forHow 𝗛𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗲𝘀, 𝗛𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗨𝗦𝗔, 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹, Veterati (now 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶), and 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗯𝗹𝗮𝘇𝗲𝗿 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 each played a different role in her transitionWhat it’s like to serve as both a veteran and a military spouse, and why the two roles don’t always get the same supportWhy she believes networking is one of the most underused tools available to veterans and spouses𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿:Veterans, military spouses, and anyone supporting someone through a military transition.𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 + 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆:𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗞𝘂𝘁 served six years active duty in the US Air Force as an Arabic linguist and ISR operator, then two years in the reserve. She is now a Salesforce professional at MB&A, founder of the 𝗝𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘆 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗨𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 community, and co-host of Military Trailblazer Office Hours.𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗧𝗔:NEVER overlook networking!Find every program you can to help with transition.Take note of the responsibilites you have and the skills you learnFollow the show for more 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲 episodes.𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 & 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀Meagan Kut on LinkedInPost VeteratiHHUSACandorfulHiring our HeroesMilitary trailblazer office hoursJersey Shore User Group – Salesforce Related episode: Stephanie Murphy on Hiring Our Heroes: Your Next Career MoveRelated episode: Dean Robison - What If Veteran Hiring Isn’t Charity, but StrategyRelated episode: Beau Higgins - Your Network Is Your Net Worth: One Marine’s Path From 1st Recon to OplignGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius Solutions - Use this link to find a curated list of resources we promote based on first-hand experience.The Military Minute PlaylistSalesforce At Scale PlaylistAny Questions: Reach out to us at [email protected]

Most Salesforce implementations don’t fail because of bad technology. They fail because nobody protected data quality when it still mattered, and now AI is making that debt impossible to hide. 𝗛𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿, a 20-year Navy veteran and founder of 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗺 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀, joins 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸: 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲 to explain why the fix was never the platform, it was always the discipline behind it.𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻: - Why “quality assurance” for a Salesforce admin means owning the data end-to-end, not just testing forms How Brighthelm Partners built an internal knowledge architecture before ever adopting agentic AI, and why that order mattered The paradox at the center of every consulting relationship, and why trust has to be earned, not assumed  What’s still broken in how the nonprofit and higher ed sectors fund and govern their own technology𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿: Salesforce admins, architects, and consultants being asked to bolt AI onto systems that were never built with structure and disciplined standard of quality first!𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 + 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: 𝗛𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿 spent 20 years in the U.S. Navy as a cryptologic technician and aviation air crewman, including combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, before building a Salesforce career that spans QA, project management, solution engineering, and nonprofit administration. She now leads 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗺 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 and co-leads the Salesforce Jacksonville nonprofit user group.𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗧𝗔: Connect with 𝗛𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿 on LinkedInand learn more about 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗺 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 (links below)Follow the show for more 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸: 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲 episodes.𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 & 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀Hayley Tuller on LinkedInBrighthelm PartnersGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius SolutionsSalesforce at Scale PlaylistAny Questions: Reach out to us at [email protected]𝗦𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗵𝘁𝗮𝗴𝘀: #SalesforceAtScale #CirriusTalk #SalesforceArchitecture #VeteranOwnedBusiness #NonprofitTech #AgenticAI #SalesforceAdmin

Most AI practitioners build an agent, use it for a few weeks, and then watch it quietly get worse. In this episode of 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸: 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗜, 𝗧𝗶𝗺 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 and 𝗚𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗹𝗶𝗻 of 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 break down the four pillars of a true agentic operating system and explain what it takes to keep your agent useful for months or years, not just days.𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻:The difference between an agent harness and a true agentic OS, and why most deployments only have the formerThe three tiers of agent memory, and why the ChatGPT memory toggle is just one small sliceThe four core pillars: signal layers, context flow, memory management, and model portability𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿:For engineers, architects, and technical leaders moving past their first agent prototype and asking what it actually takes to run one sustainably for months or years. Also valuable for team leads evaluating a company-wide agent deployment.𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 + 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆:𝗧𝗶𝗺 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 and 𝗚𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗹𝗶𝗻 are members of the 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 engineering and AI practice. 𝗧𝗶𝗺 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 has been running his personal agentic OS in daily production for over six months; 𝗚𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗹𝗶𝗻 leads the technical architecture of 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀’ internal agent deployment.𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗧𝗔:Follow 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸: 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗜 for the next episodes in this series as we go deep on each of the four pillars.𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 & 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀Episode ArtifactTim Harting on LinkedInGavin Franklin on LinkedInGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius SolutionsAgentic AI PlaylistAny Questions: Reach out to us at [email protected]#AgenticAI #AIAgents #AgentOS #ContextEngineering #LLM #ArtificialIntelligence #CirriusTalk

Veterans leave the military carrying decades of leadership, problem-solving, and adaptability that most civilians will never develop, but the job market speaks a language they were never trained to use. 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘂 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀 knows that gap from every angle, as a retired Marine Colonel who commanded 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, as the architect of Amazon’s veteran hiring program, and now as SVP at 𝗢𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻, the AI-powered platform built to close it.𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻:Why hiring veterans is not charity, it is a financial and strategic advantage most companies have not fully calculatedHow Oplign translates military rank, MOS, and service history into skills-based resumes that civilian recruiters can readWhat Beau learned building Amazon’s veteran hiring program and how that shaped his approach at OplignWhy veterans already know how to network, they just never called it that𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿:Veterans, military spouses, and student veterans at any stage of transition, whether they separated last month or five years ago. Also essential listening for HR professionals, hiring managers, and any company building or improving a veteran employment strategy.𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 + 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆:𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘂 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀 is a retired Marine Colonel who served 25 years as an intelligence officer, including command of 1st Reconnaissance Battalion. He then joined Amazon’s Military Affairs team to help deliver on Jeff Bezos’s pledge to hire 25,000 veterans, building a program that set the standard in corporate veteran hiring. He now serves as Senior Vice President at 𝗢𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻 and also supports The Military Veteran (Millvet), focusing on executive recruiting for veterans entering private equity and venture capital. He is also a board member of Toys for Tots and serves the Travis Manion Foundation as race director of the New Orleans 9/11 run.𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗧𝗔:If you are a veteran, military spouse, or student veteran, visit Oplign (link below) to create your free profile. Ten minutes and you will know exactly how your service aligns to the civilian job market.𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 & 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀:Beau Higgins on LinkedInOplignToys for TotsMilVet PodcastThe Military Veteran Executive Recruiting(Milvet): Travis Manion Foundation9/11 Heroes Run in New OrleansRelated episode: Pat Hubbell (Candorful) — Why 94% of Vets Who Practice Land a Job Within 6 MonthsGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius Solutions — Use this link to find a curated list of resources we promote based on first-hand experience.The Military Minute PlaylistAny Questions: Reach out to us at [email protected]𝗦𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗵𝘁𝗮𝗴𝘀:#VeteranHiring #MilitaryTransition #Oplign #TheMilitaryMinute #CirriusTalk #VeteranCareers #MilitarySpouse

A perfect Salesforce build can still fail the day real people log in, and the reason is almost never technical. In this episode of 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸: 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲, Greg Banks sits down with 𝗔𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝘁𝘁 of 𝗔𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝘁𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 to unpack why deep expertise can become a blind spot, and how experts grow into the leaders an implementation actually needs.𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻:Why technical experts get blinded by their own expertise, and how to widen the tableHow to align people on the “why” before a single requirement is gatheredThe three laws of performance and what they mean for adoption and change managementHow to treat AI as an invitation to higher-value work instead of a threat to your job𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿:Salesforce admins, architects, developers, delivery leads, and transformation owners who already know the platform and now have to carry the people side of change.𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 + 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆:𝗔𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝘁𝘁 spent the first 15 years of his career in consulting before moving into internal IT leadership, then launched 𝗔𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝘁𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 in 2026. His mission is helping experts become leaders by navigating the identity growth required to stay relevant.𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗧𝗔:Connect with 𝗔𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝘁𝘁 on LinkedIn and take the leadership assessment at aaronottcoaching.com. 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 & 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀Aaron Ott on LinkedInAaron Ott CoachingGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius SolutionsSalesforce at Scale PlaylistAny Questions: Reach out to us at [email protected]#Salesforce #ChangeManagement #Leadership #DigitalTransformation #AdoptionAtScale #AgentforceReady #SalesforceAdmin

Most AI agent initiatives do not fail in the build. They fail in the planning, where six teams each carry a ninety percent plan and nobody agrees on what success looks like. In this episode of 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸: 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗜, 𝗧𝗶𝗺 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 and 𝗚𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗹𝗶𝗻 of 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 walk through the seven deliverables every organization should lock in before building a single agent.𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻:The three pre-execution phases: Assess, Initial Architecture, and Initializing ExecutionHow to build a use case value model with KPIs an agent can actually moveRunning a platform fit assessment so you do not end up paying for agents across six platformsWhy target state architecture for AI leans on data and integration, not system designBuilding an agent evaluation framework that covers output quality, token cost, and security, not just KPIs𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿:CTOs, CIOs, engineering leaders, and business leaders who are responsible for turning “go build AI” into a plan that actually delivers value.𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 + 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆:𝗧𝗶𝗺 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 and 𝗚𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗹𝗶𝗻 lead AI implementation work at 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. The seven-deliverable framework in this episode is what they have coalesced on after iterating across multiple agent engagements and rollouts.𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗧𝗔:Planning an agent rollout around Anthropic, OpenAI, or Salesforce? Learn more at https://cirrius-solutions.salesreach.io/cirrius-talk-landing-page (Optional: Follow the show for more 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗜 episodes.)𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 & 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀Episode ArtifactTim Harting on LinkedInGavin Franklin on LinkedInGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius SolutionsAgentic AI PlaylistAny Questions: Reach out to us at [email protected]

Transitioning out of the military often means facing a hiring process that went fully digital while you were serving, where one job can draw thousands of applicants and a great resume still gets lost. On this episode of 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲, Greg Banks sits down with 𝗣𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝘂𝗯𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹, co-founder of 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹, to talk about how free, expert interview coaching helps veterans and military spouses turn the interview into their advantage.𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻: - Why networking, not the resume, is the number one job-search skill - What real interview prep looks like, from the STAR format to handling mistakes - How 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 pairs candidates with coaches from PwC, Amazon, Oracle, and more - How to get started, and how to volunteer as a coach𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿: Veterans, military spouses, and anyone transitioning into the corporate world, plus professionals who want a high-impact way to give back.𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 + 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: 𝗣𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝘂𝗯𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹 is an engineer and former management consultant who co-founded 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 in 2017. With a team of two and roughly 130 volunteer coaches, 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 serves about 1,000 veterans and military spouses a year, and recently became a partner program within 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸.𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗧𝗔: Learn more, book an intake, or volunteer as a coach at candorful.org. (Follow the show for more 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲 episodes.)𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 & 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀To sign up for a 30 minute intake (and prepare for Candorful interviews):Go to https://candorful.org/ > Get started tab at the top > Choose “Military Veterans, Military Spouses” from the drop down menu > Get Started button. Then choose 1 coach to meet with for your intake.ORhttps://candorful.org/military-veterans-military-spouses/To learn more about being an interview coach, join an info session. Sign up here: Sign up to learn more about being a Candorful interview coachCoaches should be experienced at conducting corporate/business interviews, be HIGHLY reliable. They also need to be US Citizens or be employable in the USFour BlockPat Hubbell on LinkedInRecommended ReadingGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius SolutionsUse this link to find a curated list of resources we promote based on first-hand experience.The Military Minute PlaylistAny Questions: Reach out to us at [email protected]

Custom code used to mean long timelines, high cost, and a nagging fear of what happens when the developer who built it moves on. On this episode of 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸: 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲, host Greg Banks and co-host 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗼𝗻 sit down with developer 𝗧𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝘁 to walk through how assistive AI is reshaping Salesforce development, from landing the project to delivering it.𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻: - Why pre-AI integrations were slow and costly, and what specifically changed - How a full point-to-point integration demo got mocked up in about two hours - Where to draw the line between configuration and custom code - How one developer runs an entire project with AI as BA, PM, and architect𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿: Salesforce developers, admins, architects, and delivery leaders who want a grounded, practitioner view of where AI actually helps in custom development.𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 + 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: 𝗧𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝘁 is a developer at 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 who specializes in integrations and helped pioneer the firm’s use of assistive AI in delivery. Co-host 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗼𝗻 brings the solutions engineering and sales perspective on how this changes the way teams demo and deliver.𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗧𝗔: Follow the show for more Salesforce at Scale episodes, and catch Taylor speaking on this topic at Witness Success in July.𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 & 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀Prompt Engineering on RedditWITness SuccessTaylor Stewart on LinkedIn Allie Nelson on LinkedIn Greg Banks on LinkedIn Jason Fowler Music Cirrius Solutions Salesforce at Scale PlaylistAny Questions: Reach out to us at [email protected]

The AI security conversation has two volume settings: hand over the keys, or the sky is falling. On this episode of 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸: 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗜, 𝗧𝗶𝗺 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 and 𝗚𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗹𝗶𝗻 give you the calibrated middle, a practical framework for AI dev tool security that holds up whether you are technical or not.𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻: - Which fears are overstated (internet access, file deletion, vendors training on your whole machine) - The moderate risks worth monitoring: insecure code at scale, context and training data, malicious public repos, cost overruns - The act-now threats: prompt injection, automated output without review, API keys in local files - Six mitigation principles, from human in the loop to credential hygiene to spending limits𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿: Engineering leaders, architects, security owners, and business leaders deciding how to adopt AI dev tools without getting burned.𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 + 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: 𝗧𝗶𝗺 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 and 𝗚𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗹𝗶𝗻 work hands-on with agentic dev tools at 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, advising teams on how to deploy them securely. They translate real implementation experience into rules you can apply immediately.𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗧𝗔: Learn more at https://cirrius-solutions.salesreach.io/cirrius-talk-landing-page Follow the show for more 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸: 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗜 episodes𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 & 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀Episode ArtifactTim Harting on LinkedInGavin Franklin on LinkedInGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius SolutionsAgentic AI PlaylistAny Questions: Reach out to us at [email protected]

What does it actually look like when a tech giant treats veteran and military spouse hiring as a talent strategy instead of a checkbox? In this episode of 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲, Greg Banks sits down with 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 of Salesforce - executive sponsor of Salesforce Veteran Initiatives at the company Forbes just named the #1 best employer for veterans in America for the second year in a row.𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻:How VetForce grew from a few co-founders asking “how do we give back” into a 6,800-member global communityWhy Salesforce Military’s 87,000-member ecosystem is reporting 83% higher career satisfaction and ~$87K starting salariesInside Mission Force, the purpose-built defense platform behind Salesforce’s $5.6B, 10-year U.S. Army contractThe three Marine Corps lessons 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 carries into the boardroom: mission clarity, taking care of people, comfort with chaosWhy the military spouse community is the underrated superpower of the Salesforce ecosystem𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿:Transitioning service members, military spouses navigating the next PCS, and corporate leaders who want to stop treating veteran hiring as philanthropy and start treating it as a competitive advantage.𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 + 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆:𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and twelve-and-a-half-year Marine Corps veteran now serving in the Office of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer at Salesforce, with more than 15 years inside the company. He is a co-founder of VetForce and the executive sponsor of Salesforce Veteran Initiatives, including partnerships with Hiring Our Heroes, the VetForce Alliance, and Joining Forces.𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗧𝗔:Learn more about Salesforce Military and the free training pathways at Salesforce Military. (Optional: Follow the show for more 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲 episodes.)𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 & 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀SalesforceMissionForceSalesforce MilitaryDean Robison on LinkedInGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius Solutions — Use this link to find a curated list of resources we promote based on first-hand experience.The Military Minute PlaylistAny Questions: Reach out to us at [email protected]

The best field service call is the one you never had to run. On this episode of 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸: 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲, 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗼𝗻 and 𝗔𝗹 𝗛𝘂𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮 from 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 walk through a full day in the life of a Salesforce Field Service appointment with Agentforce layered in at every step, from intake and triage to wrap up, predictive maintenance, and coaching.𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻:·         How Service Agent deflects calls before a truck ever rolls·         Where Copilot in the dispatch console rebalances schedules in clicks instead of hours·         Voice to report, prompt builder summaries, and guided flows that take work off the technician·         Post visit automation that closes the loop with the customer and the back office·         Asset 360 and predictive maintenance that turn service history into proactive revenue·         Real time performance coaching that lifts new techs without adding head count𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿:Salesforce admins, architects, and service leaders running or scaling Field Service who want a concrete, stage by stage view of where Agentforce actually pays off.𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 + 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆:𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗼𝗻 and 𝗔𝗹 𝗛𝘂𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮 lead Field Service work at 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, a Salesforce Implementation Partner with more than 15 years of delivery experience and nearly 300 certifications across the team. They have implemented Salesforce Field Service across home services, B2B equipment fleets, and multi territory operations.𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗧𝗔:Pick one stage of the field service day and tell us how many human eyes touch it today. Reach out at [email protected] and we will help you map your first Agentforce target. Follow the show for more 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸: 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲 episodes.𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 & 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀Episode ArtifactAl Huerta on LinkedInAllie Nelson on LinkedInGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius SolutionsSalesforce at Scale PlaylistAny Questions: Reach out to us at [email protected]#SalesforceFieldService #Agentforce #Salesforce #FieldService #AI #CirriusTalk #SalesforceAtScale

Every consulting project carries the same hidden risk: the client doesn’t really know what they’re getting until UAT, and by then the time and money to change it are gone. In this episode of 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸: 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗜, 𝗔𝗹 𝗛𝘂𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮 and 𝗚𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗹𝗶𝗻 break down the POC-first delivery model and how agentic AI tooling has finally made it economically viable.𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻:Why describe-first artifacts (decks, user stories, wireframes) almost always leave a translation gap between consultant and clientHow tools like Claude Code and Claude Design compress weeks of POC build into hours - and why expertise still mattersThe shift from time-and-materials to outcome-based and fixed-bid contracts that POCs make possibleHow POC-first changes vendor selection: ask for an interactive mockup of your business, not a generic demoWhere AI-generated POCs can mislead clients into asking for things their platform can’t reasonably support𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿:Consulting leaders, delivery managers, software buyers, and product owners who are tired of UAT surprises and want a delivery model that surfaces hard conversations early - when there’s still budget and time to act on them.𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 + 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆:𝗔𝗹 𝗛𝘂𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮 leads delivery initiatives at 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, where he has been driving the internal move to a POC-first methodology across engagements. 𝗚𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗹𝗶𝗻 is a senior architect and recurring 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸: 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗜 voice with a developer’s-eye view on how POCs reshape user stories, sprint cadence, and pre-sales risk.𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗧𝗔:Learn more about how 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 applies POC-first delivery at https://cirrius-solutions.salesreach.io/cirrius-talk-landing-page. 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 & 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀Episode ArtifactAl Huerta on LinkedIn Gavin Franklin on LinkedInGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius SolutionsAgentic AI PlaylistAny Questions: Reach out to us at [email protected]#AgenticAI #ProofOfConcept #ConsultingDelivery #ClaudeCode #SoftwareArchitecture #Salesforce #AIConsulting

130 senior leaders. One day in Washington, D.C. A country song written live in the room. And a clear signal that 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 is back. On this 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲, 𝗧𝗼𝗺 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲, Director of Salesforce Military, returns with 𝗧𝗶𝗺 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 to recap the Salesforce Military AI Summit and what it means for veterans, military spouses, employers, and the VSO community at large.𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻:Why the Salesforce Military program is back, and what its three core principles - AI, future-ready workforce, networking and mentorship - look like in practiceThe CreativeVets icebreaker that turned skeptics into believers - and the deeper story behind itThe team-of-teams shift across 40,000+ VSOs - and why partnership beats redundant capabilityWhat next year’s two-day summit will look like, and why day one is being built for veterans and spouses who do not yet know what Salesforce isWhy allies without a uniform are essential to the program, not optional𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿:Veterans and military spouses navigating their next career chapter, hiring managers and corporate allies looking to engage with vetted VSOs, and Salesforce ecosystem leaders thinking about long-term talent.𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 + 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆:𝗧𝗼𝗺 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 is the Director of Salesforce Military, a Mustang with ten years enlisted and fifteen years as a supply officer, and the architect behind the recent AI Summit in Washington, D.C. 𝗧𝗶𝗺 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 is a former infantry officer and a recurring voice on Cirrius Talk.𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗧𝗔:If you are a veteran, military spouse, or ally and you want into the next Salesforce Military summit, get on the program’s radar now. Follow the show for more 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲 episodes.𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 & 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀Salesforce MilitaryCreativetsTim Harting on LinkedInGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius Solutions - use this link to find a curated list of resources we promote based on first-hand experience.The Military Minute PlaylistAny Questions: Reach out to us at [email protected]

Is Data 360 a rebrand or a genuine relaunch? In this episode of 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸: 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲, Greg Banks sits down with co-host 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗼𝗻 and Cirrius Solutions’ Data 360 lead 𝗘𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗦𝗸𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗼𝗻 to unpack what actually changed, what zero copy really means, and how to get started without trying to solve everything at once.𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻:Why Data 360 is a relaunch, not just a renameThe difference between connecting and integrating, and why zero copy changes the architecture conversationTableau Semantics as a lexicon layer that simplifying your tech stack mappingUnstructured data ingestion and the new Agentforce 360 native hooksA pragmatic, iterative way to land your first Data 360 use case𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿:Salesforce admins, architects, technical leads, and platform owners trying to make sense of Data 360 and figure out a sensible first project at enterprise scale.𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 + 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆:𝗘𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗦𝗸𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗼𝗻 is the Cirrius Solutions team member who stepped up to lead the firm’s Data 360 capability, training directly with the Salesforce Data 360 implementation team. Co-host 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗼𝗻 brings hands-on enterprise Salesforce architecture experience from across the ecosystem.𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗧𝗔:Pick one bottleneck and start there. Reach out at [email protected] if you want help framing the first use case. 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 & 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀Emily Skelton on LinkedInTrailhead Trailmix Salesforce BenData 360 on LinkedInAllie Nelson on LinkedInGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius SolutionsSalesforce at Scale PlaylistAny Questions: Reach out to us at [email protected]

You picked your LLM, you picked your use case, and now someone hands you a list of hosting options that all sound like they solve the same problem. They don’t. In this episode, Tim Harting and Gavin Franklin of Cirrius Solutions break down the three real hosting models for AI agents - self-hosted, software-aligned, and the new wave of provider-hosted options from Anthropic and OpenAI - and how to decide which one fits which agent.𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻:The real trade-offs between self-hosted, software-aligned, and provider-hosted agents - and why most companies end up running all threeHow Anthropic Cloud Managed Agents and OpenAI Workspace Agents actually differ in build model, lock-in, and how end users interact with themThe four customer archetypes we keep seeing - platform-first enterprise, builder-heavy SaaS, knowledge-worker augmentation, and regulated industries - and the hosting mix each one tends to land onThe questions to ask before you pick: where does the workflow live, do you have a platform team, how sensitive is the data, and how will you observe and evaluate the agent𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿:Technology leaders, architects, and AI/platform teams choosing where their agents will run - and trying to avoid locking the whole company into a single platform before the use cases are even mapped.𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 + 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆:Tim Harting and Gavin Franklin lead Agentic AI strategy and delivery at Cirrius Solutions, a consulting firm working at the intersection of cloud, software engineering, data, and AI. They’re rolling these hosting decisions out with real customers every week and watching the provider landscape shift in real time.𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗧𝗔:Grab the companion artifact from the show notes - it’s the side-by-side decision framework for the three hosting models, plus the Anthropic vs. OpenAI comparison. Follow Cirrius Talk: Agentic AI for more episodes that cut through the noise.𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 & 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀Episode ArtifactTim Harting on LinkedInGavin Franklin on LinkedInGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius SolutionsAny Questions: Reach out to us at [email protected]

USA Cares steps in when veteran families are at the brink—especially when eviction or foreclosure could trigger a fast, devastating spiral. Hear how stability-focused support can create breathing room and a bridge to long-term resources.What you’ll learnWhy housing instability is a key “crossroad” USA Cares targets to prevent deeper crisisHow USA Cares provides emergency grants (paid directly to creditors) and why speed mattersThe most common categories of support discussed: housing, vehicle expenses, and utilitiesWho it’s forVeterans, military spouses, and supporters looking for real-world resources that help during transition and hardship.Guest + credibilityMatt Maples is the Texas Director for USA Cares, an organization founded in 2003 to help stabilize veteran families by keeping them in their homes and in their jobs.Links & ResourcesMatt Maples on LinkedInUSA Cares on LinkedInUSA Cares main siteRequest assistanceBecome a VolunteerFind a USA Cares Chapter Greg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius SolutionsJason FowlerFollow-up: [email protected] help or want to support the mission? Visit usacares.org (assistance application, donation options, chapter info).Follow the show for more Military Minute episodes.SHARE to help a veteran today!

Salesforce Field Service is powerful—but only if you implement it the right way. Most organizations struggle to scale field operations because they’re still relying on outdated processes and disconnected systems.In this episode of Salesforce at Scale, we break down how Salesforce Field Service actually works in the real world—what drives success, what causes failure, and how to build a foundation that scales.What you’ll learn:How to improve scheduling, technician matching, and first-time fix ratesWhy process definition and clean data are critical before implementationThe role of change management in driving real adoptionWho it’s for: Business leaders, technical leads, and operations teams responsible for scaling service deliveryGuest + credibility: Featuring Bobby Basden and Al Huerta from Cirrius Solutions, bringing hands-on experience from more than a decade of real world field service implementations.CTA:Please like and subscribe to the show and share this episode with those on the Field Service journey. To learn more about Field Service and our accelerator, please view the resources linked belowLinks & Resources:Field Service Accelerator WhitepaperField Service GuideBobby Basden on LinkedInAl Huerta on LinkedInGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius Solutions For any questions, please reach out at [email protected]

Token stewardship is quickly becoming a make-or-break discipline for Agentic AI because it directly impacts cost, throttling, and whether teams can scale AI usage without losing velocity.In this episode, Greg Banks is joined by Tim Harting and Gavin Franklin to break down token stewardship in practical terms and lay out the core levers every organization can use to control spend while keeping agents effective.What you’ll learnWhere tokens come from in agent systems (prompts, memory, tools, calls, outputs)The 4-tier optimization approach: prompt/context, caching, model routing, and self-hosting tradeoffsWhy token discipline can prevent throttling and protect productivity at scaleWho it’s forDecision makers and technical teams building, deploying, or scaling agentic AI in real operations.Guests + credibilityTim and Gavin Franklin share research-backed guidance and lessons from hands-on internal agent development and usage optimization at Cirrius.CTADownload the episode artifact and use it to start a real cost-and-value conversation inside your organization. (And follow the show for the rest of the Agentic AI series.)Links & ResourcesAgentic AI Playlist of past episodesEpisode ArtifactTim Harting on LinkedInGavin Franklin on LinkedInGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius Solutions

Ready to translate military experience into a civilian career that actually fits? In this episode, Charlotte Creech breaks down how Hire Heroes USA helps veterans and military spouses land meaningful work - faster and with stronger outcomes.What you’ll learn:How the one-on-one career coach “concierge” model works from registration through job searchWhy combining services (resume + mentoring + interview prep + LinkedIn) improves job outcomesHow AI is reshaping hiring - and the career “sweet spots” veterans already align withWho it’s for:Service members transitioning out, veterans at any career stage, and military spouses building or rebuilding a career.Guest + credibility:Charlotte Creech is the Chief Program Officer at Hire Heroes USA, overseeing client-facing programs, mentoring operations, and digital transformation. Hire Heroes USA has operated since 2005 and reports 116,000+ confirmed job placements.Primary CTA:Register for support (or learn more) at HireHeroesUSA.org. (Optional: Follow the show for more Military Minute episodes.)𝙒𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚? 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱The Military Minute PlaylistLinks & ResourcesCharlotte on LinkedIn:HHUSA on LinkedInhttps://www.hireheroesusa.org/Job Seeker LinkVolunteer LinkJoint Report for veteran sweet spotsPatriot Boot CampGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius Solutions✉️Contact Cirrius:  [email protected]

Salesforce Security at Scale isn’t solely about the platform—it’s about your decisions. Some risks don’t come from Salesforce itself, but from how you configure it.In this episode, we break down how to approach Salesforce Security at Scale with a mindset that prevents risk, supports users, and scales with your business.What you’ll learn:Why over-permissioned users and poor configuration create the biggest risksHow to design a multi-layered security model from org to record levelWhy shifting from profiles to permission sets is critical for scalabilityWho it’s for:Salesforce admins, architects, technical leaders, and business stakeholders responsible for platform strategy and governanceRecommended Links:Episode Artifact: SF User Access Policies SF User Access and Permissions Assistant (appexchange) Trailhead Dean Finkelstein on LinkedInAllie Nelson on LinkedIn Greg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius Solutions Reach out at [email protected] with any questionsGuest:Dean Finkelstein leads managed services at Cirrius Solutions and brings years of hands-on Salesforce delivery and security experience across client environments.CTA:Follow the show and share this episode with leaders responsible for Salesforce security and scale.

Local agents can unlock real productivity—but only if you avoid the “skills wild west.” In this episode, we break down how Cirrius is rolling out a locally based employee agent and governing skills so teams get consistent, scalable results.What you’ll learnHow to shift from SOP-driven operations to a skills-driven model your agents can executeA 3-tier governance structure for individual, role/department, and company-wide skillsWhat a real “output-focused” skill looks like (Business Value Assessment Builder + reference docs + quality checks)Who it’s forBusiness leaders and technical teams implementing agentic AI inside real operations.Guest + credibilityTim and Gavin Franklin share what Cirrius Solutions is using internally day-to-day, including the Serious Ops Agent and the governance approach behind it.CTAShare this episode with a leader trying to scale AI beyond experimentation. (And follow the show for the next episode.)Links & ResourcesEpisode ArtifactClaude Code Skill discussed on the episodeTim Harting on LinkedInGavin Franklin on LinkedInGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius SolutionsFor questions or feedback, please contact us at [email protected]

Hiring Our Heroes can be the bridge between military life and a strong civilian career - especially when SkillBridge, fellowships, and employer connections feel overwhelming. In this Military Minute, Greg Banks sits down with HOH Director Stephanie Murphy to break down exactly how the pipeline works for service members and military spouses.What you’ll learnHow HOH fellowships work end-to-end (intake → resume release → interviews → fellowship start).What SkillBridge is, what changed recently, and how HOH supports the process for candidates and employers.How HOH supports military spouses, including the challenge of spouse unemployment and programs designed for reentry and readiness.Who it’s forTransitioning service members, military spouses reentering the workforce, and employers who want to hire military talent.Guest + credibilityStephanie Murphy is a military spouse of 26 years and Director with Hiring Our Heroes in the Baltimore–DC region, part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s HOH program, which supports military-connected career transitions nationwide.CTASubscribe and share this episode with a veteran or military spouse who’s planning their next career move.Recommended LinksStephanie Murphy on LinkedInHOH WebsiteEvents PageEvent RegistrationHiring EventsEmployersCareer ServicesFellowship ApplicationGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius SolutionsContact: [email protected]

Scaling Salesforce isn’t about features — it’s about leadership.In this episode of Salesforce at Scale, we explore how Managed Services evolved from reactive admin work into strategic advisory partnerships that drive long-term platform success.What You’ll LearnHow to transition from project delivery to sustainable Salesforce managed servicesWhy preparation and leadership philosophy reduce stress and improve delivery outcomesHow AI can augment teams without replacing strategic thinkingWho It’s ForSalesforce leaders, architects, delivery managers, and business stakeholders responsible for long-term platform success.Guest + CredibilityBrandon Wiedemeier leads multiple delivery teams at Cirrius Solutions and built the company’s Managed Services division from the ground up. He brings hands-on experience in scaling Salesforce operations across diverse client environments.Primary CTAFollow the show and share this episode with a leader who’s responsible for scaling Salesforce beyond go-live.Links & ResourcesBrandon Wiedemeier on LinkedIn:Seven P’s: Greg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius SolutionsFor questions or feedback, please contact us at [email protected]

Local AI agents vs cloud-hosted AI agents isn’t just a technical debate—it’s a productivity and security decision. In this episode, we explain the spectrum from cloud-hosted to hybrid to fully local, and what each approach unlocks for real-world adoption.What you’ll learnHow cloud-hosted agents typically map to scoped business processes and scale across teamsWhy local agents can drive major individual efficiency gains through personalization and tool accessThe real-world tradeoffs: context/memory control, security risk, and controlled rollout + trainingWho it’s forBusiness and technical leaders deciding how to deploy agentic AI across a company.Guest + credibilityGreg Banks is joined by Tim and Gavin Franklin to share lessons from deploying agents with clients and across internal teams—especially around hybrid and locally hosted approaches.CTAHave questions or want help planning an agent rollout? Reach out: [email protected]. (And follow the show so you don’t miss the next build-focused episode.)Links & ResourcesAgentic AI Playlist of past episodesEpisode Artifact:Tim Harting on LinkedInGavin Franklin on LinkedInGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius Solutions

Transitioning out of the military can feel like stepping into the unknown - this episode gives you a practical roadmap for military transition, straight from a veteran recruiter who’s built hiring programs inside major tech.What you’ll learnHow Mike’s “Mission Methodology” frames networking and career movement like a real-world field manualWhat it takes to build fellowship pipelines (including SkillBridge-style approaches) that convert into careersHow employers can support veterans/spouses with onboarding, coaching, and even potential tax credits (up to $9,600)Who it’s for Transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses building a civilian career - especially in tech and recruiting-adjacent paths.Guest + credibility Mike Nolan is an Air National Guard veteran and recruiter with decades in the industry, including over a decade at Salesforce supporting military recruiting and veteran community leadership (VetForce). He now runs Military Talent Connectors, a full-service military solutions firm supporting fellowships, hiring pipelines, and recruiting.A note from Mike:“If you're leaving active duty and preparing to transition into the civilian workforce, or are already a Veteran looking for help securing a meaningful and rewarding job, I’ve written a guide called The Mission Methodology coming out in May. If you'd like early access and to be notified when it launches, you can join the list at bit.ly/missionmethodology."CTAFollow the show and review other episodes to help you on your journeyhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL82X3ahN92owc-TsuZMDRMrfL5ubkmTwwLinks / Resources Military Talent ConnectorsMTC on LinkedInMTC on InstagramMike Nolan on LinkedInGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius Solutions Contact the show: [email protected]

What actually makes a great Salesforce admin?In this episode of Salesforce at Scale, Greg Banks and Allie Nelson sit down with Salesforce evangelist Mike Gerholdt to unpack why empathy, user understanding, and community matter more than technical wizardry.What you’ll learnWhy empathy is the most important skill for a Salesforce adminHow “SABWA” helps you design better solutionsWhy the Salesforce community is one of the most powerful learning accelerators in techWho it’s forSalesforce admins, architects, technical leaders, and business stakeholders responsible for scaling Salesforce inside their organization.Guest + credibilityMike Gerholdt is widely known in the Salesforce ecosystem as a longtime evangelist and community leader. In this conversation, he shares lessons from his journey into Salesforce and insights gained from years of engaging with admins and leaders across the community.Primary CTAFollow the show and share this episode with a colleague working to scale Salesforce inside their organization.Recommended LinksMike on LinkedInSalesforce Admin PodcastSalesforce Community GroupsAllie Nelson on LinkedInGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius Solutions

Multi-tenancy in agentic AI is not the same thing as multi-user—and getting it wrong can create serious security, compliance, and data boundary risks. In this episode, Greg Banks and Gavin Franklin break down what actually changes when an AI agent serves multiple users vs multiple tenants.What you’ll learnHow to distinguish individual, multi-user, and multi-tenant agent architectures (and why multi-tenant doesn’t always imply multi-user).Where cross-tenant leaks happen: memory, embeddings + vector search, and logs/traces—and what “tenant-scoped” really means.Why shared OAuth/API tokens and “UI-only filtering” are dangerous—and how MCP-style services help reduce risk.Who it’s forBusiness leaders and technical teams designing, governing, or securing agentic AI systems with real enterprise data.Guest + credibilityGavin Franklin joins host Greg Banks to explain the architecture and security controls that matter most when agents operate across users and tenants.CTAHave questions or want a follow-up topic? Email [email protected]. (And follow the show for more on agentic AI.)For questions or feedback, please contact us at [email protected] LinksEpisode Artifact:Gavin Franklin on LinkedInGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius Solutions

Military transition is more than finding a job—it’s rebuilding purpose. Retired Navy SEAL commander Jon Macaskill shares what he didn’t see coming after leaving the teams, and the practical tools that helped him move forward.What you’ll learn:How to start early and “backward plan” your transition (even if you feel too busy)Transition resources Jon recommends: The Honor Foundation, Commit Foundation, ACP, Tuck Next Step, and moreA practical purpose-finding exercise (from Designing Your Life) that helped clarify his pathWho it’s for: Service members, veterans, and military spouses preparing for or living through military transition.Guest + credibility: Jon Macaskill is a retired Navy SEAL commander (service from 1996–2020) who shares his transition story, lessons on identity and purpose, and why mindfulness became central in his life after service.CTA: Follow Cirrius Talk: The Military Minute and share this episode with a veteran, transitioning service member or military spouse who needs it.Recommended Linkslinkedin.com/in/jonmacaskillThe Men Talking Mindfulness PodcastThe Honor FoundationCommit FoundationAmerican Corporate Partners Tuck (Dartmouth) Next StepStanford IgniteCirrius Solutions: Learn More or ConnectThe Military MinuteGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicFor questions or feedback, please contact us at [email protected]

A Salesforce MVP isn’t about building less — it’s about building smart. In this episode of Salesforce at Scale, we break down how a Minimum Viable Product drives adoption, reduces risk, and protects long-term ROI.Too many Salesforce implementations fail because teams try to automate everything on day one. The MVP approach flips that script.What you’ll learnThe 4 criteria of a true MVP: Viable, Minimal, Measurable, and TestableWhy “big bang” implementations often create technical debt and user fatigueHow phased delivery accelerates adoption and long-term scalabilityWho it’s forSalesforce leaders, architects, delivery managers, and business stakeholders planning or scaling an implementation.Guest + CredibilityGreg Banks is joined by Allie Nelson and Al Huerta of Cirrius Solutions, drawing on 15+ years of Salesforce delivery experience across complex implementations.CTAFollow the show and share this episode with a leader preparing for a Salesforce launch.Recommended LinksAllie Nelson on LinkedInAl Huerta on LinkedInGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius SolutionsCirrius BlogFor questions or feedback, please contact us at [email protected]

Agentic AI security is now the difference between “we shipped” and “we leaked.” In this episode, we break down the real security risks AI agents introduce—and the practical ways to mitigate them.What you’ll learn:How prompt injection happens (and why LLMs struggle to separate trusted vs. untrusted instructions)How data exfiltration can occur even without a malicious prompt (often from system/design errors)How to reduce tool abuse risk by scoping tools, validating calls, logging, and using approvals for sensitive actionsWho it’s for: CTOs, CIOs, architects, engineers, and business leaders implementing or governing AI agents.Guest + credibility: Greg is joined by Gavin Franklin and Tim to translate agent security into practical patterns teams can apply immediately.CTA: Share this episode with someone responsible for AI rollout security. (And follow the show for more Agentic AI implementation guidance.)Recommended LinksEpisode ArtifactGavin Franklin on LinkedInTim Harting on LinkedInCirrius SolutionsCirrius Blog Greg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicFor questions or feedback, please contact us at [email protected]

Karri Webster shares how she navigated military life, family stability, and career re-entry—then built momentum in the Salesforce ecosystem through community, volunteering, and consistent habits.What you’ll learnHow to start building credibility in Salesforce through volunteering and community involvementPractical ways to use LinkedIn to grow relationships while you’re still learningHow routines and “next best steps” help you break out of transition gridlockWho it’s for Military spouses and service members moving toward civilian careers—especially those exploring tech.Guest + credibility Karri Webster is a military spouse who re-entered the workforce by leveraging Salesforce programs, Trailhead learning, and volunteer leadership—building a strong professional presence along the way.Primary CTA Subscribe to Cirrius Talk: The Military Minute and share this episode with a military spouse or veteran on a similar journey. (Optional: Follow the show)For questions or feedback, please contact us at [email protected] LinksKarri Webster on LinkedIn: LinkediIn PremiumTrailheadFocus on ForceSF MilitaryHiring our Heroes Talent Stacker (Paid)Portraits for PatriotsMilitary Trailblazer Office Hours#SteveMo: SalesforceBenHabit (Book) Greg Banks on LinkedInCirrius Solutions Cirrius BlogHire Heroes USAMerivisApple PodcastsSpotifyYoutubeJason Fowler Music

User adoption is the difference between Salesforce being live… and Salesforce delivering value.In this episode of Salesforce at Scale, we break down what real user adoption looks like — and why you can’t mandate it.What you’ll learn:Why user adoption is cultural, not just technicalHow leadership behavior directly impacts platform successPractical strategies to increase adoption before and after go-liveWho it’s for:Salesforce admins, architects, IT leaders, delivery managers, and business stakeholders responsible for driving Salesforce success at scale.Greg Banks is joined by Allie Nelson and Al Huerta from Cirrius Solutions to discuss real-world adoption challenges drawn from enterprise Salesforce implementations. The conversation covers ROI, data quality, leadership alignment, power users, detractors, and recovery strategies when adoption stalls.If you’re investing in Salesforce, make sure it’s actually being used the right way.Follow the show for more practitioner-led insights on designing Salesforce for scale.Salesforce adoption, user adoption strategy, Salesforce at scale, change management, Salesforce leadership, CRM ROI, digital transformation, Salesforce governance, power usersGuests + credibilityGreg Banks is joined by Allie Nelson and Al Huerta, drawing on years of real-world Salesforce delivery experience across complex orgs and long-term implementations.Primary CTAFollow Cirrius Talk: Salesforce at Scale and share this episode with peers responsible for Salesforce strategy.Want More: Watch: YoutubeListen: Apple Podcasts \ SpotifyRecommended LinksAllie Nelson on LinkedInAl Huerta on LinkedInGreg Banks on LinkedIn Cirrius BlogCirrius SolutionsJason Fowler MusicFor questions or feedback, please contact us at [email protected] Trailmix from the episode: https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/user-adoption-metricshttps://trailhead.salesforce.com/users/victoriapoku/trailmixes/user-adoption-trailmix

AI conversations can feel like alphabet soup—but building a custom AI agent doesn’t have to. In this episode, we break down custom AI agent architecture end-to-end so you can make the right build decisions with confidence.What you’ll learnThe key layers of a custom AI agent: UI/interaction → hosting/orchestration → tools & memory → LLMs → monitoringThe six core tech-stack decisions most teams must make to ship a custom agentA concrete example architecture: an agent that triages Zendesk tickets and takes actions in SalesforceWho it’s forDecision makers and technical teams evaluating whether to build vs. buy agentic AI.Guest + credibilityTim Harting and Gavin Franklin share a practical, implementation-focused breakdown based on how modern teams assemble real agent stacks in the enterprise.CTAExplore the resources and companion artifact in the show notes—and share this episode with a leader or team wrestling with AI implementation. (Follow the show for more Agentic AI architecture deep dives.)Recommended LinksGavin Franklin on LinkedInTim Harting on LinkedInEpisode ArtifactCirrius SolutionsCirrius BlogApple PodcastsSpotifyYoutubeGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicFor questions or feedback, please contact us at [email protected]

Merivis went from a side-project in Central Texas to a nationwide engine for military tech careers—and Kate Stoker explains exactly how they scaled without losing the “high-touch” support that makes Veteran transition programs actually work.What you’ll learnHow Merivis built a structured cohort model (coaches, squads, accountability) that helps people finish—and get hiredThe 10-year milestones that changed everything: Salesforce seed funding, Dreamforce spotlight, and the pandemic pivot to virtualWhat Merivis is shifting toward next: platform-agnostic foundations + AI/data skills + soft skills that don’t get automatedWho it’s forFor veterans, military spouses, and supporters who want a clear path into tech (and a community that sticks).Guest + credibilityKate Stoker, Executive Director of Merivis —nonprofit builder and tech marketing leader who helped grow Merivis from its first cohort (Oct 2015) into a national model.Call to actionExplore Merivis programs (or volunteer as a coach/mentor) to help the next cohort transition into tech.Recommended LinksKate Stoker on LinkedInMerivis WebsiteHow to become a volunteerHow to apply to a fellowshipFourblock FoundationHiring our HeroesHire Heroes USAAmerican Corporate PartnersCandorfulTexas DreaminBlue Star FamiliesPatriots HallGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicCirrius SolutionsCirrius BlogFor questions or feedback, please contact us at [email protected]

Salesforce UI decisions quietly determine whether users adopt your platform—or work around it. In this episode, we unpack why UI is a strategic lever, not a cosmetic choice.What you’ll learnThe real difference between Salesforce UI and UX—and why it mattersHow poor UI design creates technical debt and data quality issuesPractical ways to simplify pages, flows, and navigation without breaking trustWho it’s for Salesforce leaders, architects, admins, and delivery teams designing for scale.Guests + credibility Greg Banks is joined by Allie Nelson and Al Huerta, drawing on years of real-world Salesforce delivery experience across complex orgs and long-term implementations.Primary CTA Follow Cirrius Talk: Salesforce at Scale and share this episode with peers responsible for Salesforce strategy.Want More: Watch: YoutubeListen: Apple Podcasts \ SpotifyRecommended LinksAllie Nelson on LinkedInAl Huerta on LinkedInGreg Banks on LinkedIn Cirrius BlogCirrius SolutionsJason Fowler MusicFor questions or feedback, please contact us at [email protected]

Agentic AI frameworks are multiplying fast—but most teams only need a clear “when to use what” map to start building. In this episode, we break down the top agentic AI frameworks and how to pick the right one without getting stuck in analysis paralysis.What you’ll learnHow LangChain, Pydantic AI, and Anthropic’s Agent SDK differ in structure, community support, and best-fit use casesSimple rules of thumb: when you want RAG + ecosystem, typed/structured outputs, or autonomous delegationThe decision most teams underestimate: why the framework choice is harder to swap than the modelWho it’s for For product leaders, engineers, and teams building custom agent workflows in production.Guests Tim Harting and Gavin Franklin join host Greg Banks to compare their go-to frameworks from real build experience—what works, what’s painful, and what to choose first.CTA Follow the show for more practical breakdowns and upcoming agent architecture artifacts.For questions or feedback, please contact us at [email protected] LinksLink to referenced artifact:Gavin Franklin on LinkedInTim Harting on LinkedInCirrius SolutionsCirrius BlogApple PodcastsSpotifyYoutubeiHeartRadioGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler Music

From stay-at-home mom to 11x-certified Salesforce consultant—Joanah Gacuya breaks down how military spouse careers can thrive in tech (even if you’re starting from zero).What you’ll learnHow Joanah found Salesforce through a Facebook post—and turned curiosity into a real career planWhy volunteering (even small tasks) can give you the “real experience” that unlocks interviewsThe mindset shift that helped her lead discovery: follow the data in, through, and outWho it’s for For military spouses (and supporters) mapping a practical path into a portable career.Guest + credibility Joanah Gacuya — Hiring Our Heroes alum, Revenue Cloud/CPQ consultant at Cirrius, and 11x Salesforce certified. She also mentors new fellows making the same leap she did.Call to action Follow the show and share this episode with a military spouse who needs a fresh career blueprint.Recommended LinksJoanah Gacuya on LinkedInCirrius SolutionsACPCandorfulHiring our HeroesHOH Military Spouse NetworkHOH-Amplify events for Military SpousesHire Heroes USAMerivisApple PodcastsSpotifyYoutubeiHeartRadioCirrius BlogGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicFor questions or feedback, please contact us at [email protected]

Technical debt in Salesforce rarely feels urgent—until it is. In the first episode of the Salesforce at Scale series, host Greg Banks is joined by Allie Nelson and Al Huerta (Cirrius Solutions) to break down what technical debt looks like in real orgs, why it piles up, and how it quietly slows performance, blocks new features, and inflates the cost of future change. They share practical examples and discuss the most common blockers preventing companies from doing what MUST be done. They offer concrete starting steps—like analyzing report usage, taking an automation inventory, and using documentation and DevOps tools to regain control.What you’ll learn (key takeaways)Technical debt is anything you build that becomes a drag later—often invisible until it hits limits or breaks change efforts.Common culprits: unused flows/fields/layouts/apps, hard-coded processes tied to specific users, and formula fields that push org limits.The “real” cost shows up during upgrades—new clouds, re-architecture, or leadership initiatives can balloon to 2–3× expected cost when debt must be unwound first.Debt blocks innovation: over-customization can prevent adoption of newly released Salesforce capabilities.Prevention = governance + expectation management: define requirements, triage requests, and design intentionally before building.Call to Action:Start small and measurable: report on report usage; identify low/zero-use assets; then expand into fields and automations.Want More: Watch: YoutubeListen: Apple Podcasts \ SpotifyRecommended LinksAllie Nelson on LinkedInAl Huerta on LinkedInGreg Banks on LinkedIn Cirrius BlogCirrius SolutionsJason Fowler MusicFor questions or feedback, please contact us at [email protected]

 AI agents are powerful—but without the right “tooling layer,” they can be risky, inconsistent, and hard to scale. In this episode, Tim Harting and Gavin Franklin break down what an MCP server is (think: a secure, deterministic API layer for agents), why it exists even when you already have APIs, and how it improves reusability across multiple agents. They also walk through three practical adoption paths—existing MCPs, MCP governance platforms, and DIY MCP servers—plus what leaders should ask vendors in 2026 as MCP becomes a standard integration pathway.Highlights / Takeaways:🧠 Agents reason; MCPs execute. Keep the “brain” non-deterministic and the “tools” deterministic.🔒 Less scope = more safety. Expose only the minimum set of tools your agents truly need.🔁 Build once, reuse everywhere. One MCP server can power multiple agents across your ecosystem.🧩 Three adoption lanes: pre-built MCPs, governance platforms (ex: integration/ETL-style), or DIY.❓ New vendor question: “Are you MCP-capable—and what’s your roadmap?”Call to Action:Take one system in your stack this week and ask “What’s our MCP plan?” Do we use an existing MCP, a governance platform like what we discussed, or do we need to build one? If you need help, reach out to us at Cirrius. Contact details belowWant More: Watch: YoutubeListen: Apple Podcasts \ SpotifyDown the referenced visualsRecommended LinksGavin Franklin on LinkedInTim Harting on LinkedInGreg Banks on LinkedIn Cirrius BlogCirrius SolutionsJason Fowler MusicFor questions or feedback, please contact us at [email protected]

What if one conversation could turn your military experience into a career-changing opportunity? In this episode, Navy veteran and ACP staff member Andrea Bryant breaks down how American Corporate Partners connects veterans and military spouses with high-level mentors for a full year—at no cost—to help them land meaningful, better-paying roles after service. We unpack eligibility, what actually happens inside a mentorship, and why networking and referrals matter more than blindly applying online. Whether you’re months from separation or years into underemployment, this episode shows you how to stop going it alone and start building a real support system.What you’ll learnWhat ACP does and why the mentorship is free (corporate partners fund it and supply mentors). Who qualifies: post-9/11 veterans (including a 180-day active duty threshold) and several spouse categories.  Why ACP is not “job placement,” but a structure that improves outcomes through strategy and preparation.  How the human matching process works and why buy-in on both sides matters.  What mentorship looks like in practice: 1 hour/month minimum for a full year, agenda-driven by the protégé.  The non-obvious transition skills: networking without the cringe, interview readiness, salary negotiation, performance reviews, and long-term planning. Call to Action:  If you’re a veteran or military spouse navigating transition: don’t do it alone. Apply for mentorship, start building connections, and take one concrete step this week toward the career you want. If you're NOT a veteran or military spouse but are moved by this discussion, apply to be a mentor. There is wonderful support FOR the mentors to help you maximize the value you can bring to the table!Recommended LinksAndrea Bryant on LinkedInCirrius SolutionsAmerican Corporate PartnersACP - Become a MentorACP - Veteran protege applicationACP - Military Spouse protege applicationApple PodcastsSpotifyYoutubeiHeartRadioCastboxGoodpodsCirrius BlogGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicFor questions or feedback, please contact us at [email protected]

AI agents don’t fail because they’re “not smart enough”—they fail because they’re missing the right context. In this episode of Cirrius Talk, Greg Banks sits down with Tim and Gavin to break down context engineering: the practical evolution beyond prompt engineering that’s shaping modern agent performance. You’ll learn the five core context sources agents draw from (prompts, system instructions, memory, RAG, and external tools) and why smaller, curated context windows often produce the most accurate results. If you’re building agents in the Salesforce ecosystem—or anywhere—this is your blueprint for making them faster, safer, and more reliable. Highlights / Takeaways🧠 Context > prompts: prompt engineering evolved—now it’s about managing what the agent knows🧱 5 context types to design for: prompts, system instructions, memory, RAG, and external tools🎯 Less is more: bloated context increases hallucinations and misfires—curate ruthlessly🗂️ RAG is your process-at-scale: SOPs, checklists, and guidelines become agent-ready knowledge🛠️ Tools unlock real work: CRMs, ERPs, weather APIs, and databases turn chat into outcomesRecommended LinksEpisode ArtifactGavin Franklin on LinkedInTim Harting on LinkedInGreg Banks on LinkedInCirrius SolutionsCirrius BlogMental Model DiagramJason Fowler MusicSend questions to [email protected]

When a Nebraska math teacher meets a Marine on leave at a small-town charity dinner, her life takes a sharp turn into deployments, cross-country moves, and the invisible load of being a military spouse. In this episode, Marine spouse and Salesforce consultant Emily Skelton shares how she went from “passenger” in her own life to building a remote tech career through Family Readiness, Merivis, and Hiring Our Heroes. She breaks down the reality of loneliness, resilience, and parenting through deployments—and how she reinvented herself as a 7x-certified Salesforce professional working in CPQ and Data Cloud. Whether you’re a veteran, a spouse, or just standing on the edge of a big transition, Emily’s story gives you both the inspiration and the playbook for what to do next.TakeawaysHow a charity dinner at an Elks Lodge turned into a lifelong military adventure and marriageThe honest truth about being “okay being alone” while still saying yes to the adventure of military lifeWhy Family Readiness Centers can be the hidden gateway to career resources you didn’t know existedHow Emily used Merivis and Hiring Our Heroes to break into the Salesforce ecosystem without a tech degreeTurning a teaching background and math brain into real value as a Salesforce consultant in CPQ and Data CloudWhat it’s like to go from “brand-new fellow” to “go-to Data Cloud person” in just a few monthsThe mindset shift from “I just need a job” to “I want to bring value everywhere I go”Practical ideas for maintaining work–life balance, mental health, and movement in a fully remote tech jobWhat Emily would tell her younger selfConcrete advice for military spouses: “Don’t wait until you’re desperate—go introduce yourself at Family Readiness now.”Recommended LinksEmily Skelton on LinkedInCirrius SolutionsACPCandorfulHiring our HeroesHOH Military Spouse NetworkHOH-Amplify events for Military SpousesHire Heroes USAMerivisApple PodcastsSpotifyYoutubeiHeartRadioCastboxGoodpodsCirrius BlogGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicFor questions or feedback, please contact us at [email protected]

As AI headlines accelerated through 2025, costing remains one of the hardest areas for leaders to “get grounded” on. In this episode, Greg Banks sits down with Tim and Nancy for a true apples-to-apples comparison: building a customer-facing AI agent using Salesforce Agentforce + Data Cloud versus building a custom AI agent from modular components. Using a realistic vignette—Terrapin Pet Care, a direct-to-consumer pet wellness brand—the team evaluates both approaches across five criteria: solution fit, technical feasibility, procurement complexity, implementation costs, and operational costs. TakeawaysA practical 5-part evaluation rubric for agent platform vs custom build decisions. Why procurement complexity often favors platform approaches (fewer decisions; consolidated SKUs). Why long-run operational costs may favor custom builds (cutting out the “wrapper”/middle layer). How assumptions about your existing stack and team skill sets can change the recommendation.Recommended LinksCirrius Solutions Cirrius BlogTim Harting on LinkedInNancy Roller on LinkedInPydantic AIDocling: Crawl 4 AI: Langfuse: Render: Sentry: Comparison ArtifactGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicFor questions or feedback, please contact us at [email protected]

What happens when a 25 year Navy Mustang veteran is handed the keys to relaunch Salesforce Military? In this episode, new program director Tom House breaks down how Salesforce Military is being rebuilt around three pillars—future-ready skills, mentoring, and networking—so veterans and military spouses aren’t left staring at a blinking cursor wondering where to start. He walks through the evolution from VetForce to Salesforce Military, why the program lost momentum, and how community feedback, partnerships with VA, Hiring Our Heroes, and Hire Heroes USA are reshaping it for today’s job market. We also dig into how non-veterans and employers can plug in as mentors and partners, and preview the upcoming Salesforce Military Summit aligned with World Tour DC in March.This fits into the broader mission of Cirrius Talk: The Military Minute—spotlighting veterans and military spouses, translating service into civilian skills, and surfacing the tools and communities that actually help at separation.TakeawaysSalesforce Military is back—and it’s veteran-led. From VetForce to Salesforce Military (and why that matters). Three core buckets: skills, mentoring, and networking. How Salesforce Military, the VA, Hiring Our Heroes (SkillBridge), and Hire Heroes USA are connectedVeteran support orgs are teammates, not competitors. Networking is going hybrid—and community-led. You don’t have to choose Salesforce to benefit. How YOU can help a veteran on their journeyBig things are coming in 2025. Recommended LinksTom House on LinkedInGreg Banks on LinkedInSalesforce MilitarySalesforce Military SignupTrailhead MilitaryTrailhead Academy (instructor-led training)Hire Heroes USA (HHUSA)Skillbridge Hiring Our HeroesU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)Blue Star FamiliesSalesforce Military ExchangeSalesforce Military Exchange: Veteran Business Panel (example event)Salesforce Military Town Hall (example event)Salesforce Events (Dreamforce, TDX, World Tours)Dreamforce TrailblazerDXAgentforce training resource hubSalesforce LinkedInSalesforce Military SlackAgent Blazer” (Agentblazer) Champion / Innovator / Legend - Also in the Salesforce Military Site

 What if your AI agents were architected as intentionally as your Salesforce org? In this episode of Cirrius Talk, Greg Banks sits down with Tim and Gavin to break down a practical mental model for AI agent architecture—agents as decision-makers, MCP servers as shared capabilities, and skills as reusable workflows. They unpack when a use case calls for a new skill, a new MCP, or a brand-new agent (or even a multi-agent pattern), plus the anti-patterns to avoid as you scale. By the end, leaders walk away with questions they can use to design a secure, future-ready AI workforce across their Salesforce ecosystem. TakeawaysAgents are the “brains,” not the plumbing—let them decide what to do when, not handle low-level integration. MCP servers are your superpowers: secure, reusable connections into Salesforce, Jira, ERPs, and document stores that every agent can tap. Skills are where your workflows live—think “mini playbooks” that orchestrate steps and call MCPs to actually get work done.Use the five-question test (audience, decision space, context, security, triggers) to know when a new agent is justified. Multi-agent patterns shine when a “hub” agent needs to reason across multiple domain-specific agents—sales, service, finance, delivery, and more. Build from the bottom up (capabilities and MCPs), but design from the top down (business decisions and outcomes). Cirrius Solutions brings AI-shoring to Salesforce: 100% US-based teams, 50% military veterans and spouses, all AI & Data Cloud certified. Recommended LinksGavin Franklin on LinkedInTim Harting on LinkedInGreg Banks on LinkedInCirrius SolutionsCirrius BlogMental Model DiagramJason Fowler MusicSend questions to [email protected]

What do you do after leading soldiers through a nine-day firefight in Afghanistan and watching your story become a combat documentary? In this episode, former Army infantry officer and West Point instructor Jason Pomeroy shares how the mission didn’t end when the bullets stopped—especially as he processed trauma, sought help, and redefined purpose back home. We dig into his role in The Hornet’s Nest, the toll that deployment took on his family life, and the counseling that helped him become a more present husband and father. Then we follow the winding path that led him from farm kid to major, to startup consultant, and finally to Engagement Manager and change management leader in the Salesforce ecosystem.Key Takeaways9/11 to Ranger school to Afghanistan – how one high school decision turned into 12 years of service, combat tours, and leadership in the 101st Airborne.Inside “The Hornet’s Nest” – the real story behind the documentary: a multi-directional ambush, lost communications, six brothers killed on day one, and a nine-day fight in the Kunar River Valley.Calm in the chaos – Jason breaks down what it feels like to realize “no help is coming” and why leaders must still make clear, decisive calls when everyone else is locking up.The quiet aftermath of war – from throwing a toy through a wall at home to realizing he needed support, Jason shares how counseling through Headstrong helped him show up better for his family.From foxholes to fractional consulting – how he went from no job after separation to building an LLC, closing his own clients, and learning the full life cycle of business the hard way.Startup bootcamp for Salesforce – translating requirements between customers and offshore dev teams at a small software company became the perfect bridge to Salesforce consulting.Why veterans make elite Engagement Managers – active listening, conflict without drama, owning the budget, and keeping the “wheels on” when timelines and tensions spike.Reframing “yes sir” – why the best military leaders don’t want yes-men, and how that same candid, solution-oriented honesty is gold on high-stakes Salesforce projects.Purpose after the uniform – Jason’s advice: your biggest task in transition isn’t just finding a job, it’s realigning to a new mission that deserves your level of commitment.Recommended LinksJason on LinkedInHeadstrongProject.org Hornet's Nest Documentary Cirrius SolutionsACPCandorfulHiring our HeroesHire Heroes USAMerivisApple PodcastsSpotifyYoutubeiHeartRadioCastboxGoodpodsCirrius BlogGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicFor questions or feedback, please contact us at [email protected]

What happens when an Air Force drill instructor trades the flight line for Flow Builder? In this episode, Greg sits down with 14-year Air Force veteran Nick Stump to unpack his journey from power production tech and military training instructor to Salesforce consultant at Cirrius Solutions. Nick shares how deployments, family priorities, and a Hiring Our Heroes fellowship guided his transition, and why AI has become his quiet superpower for communication and productivity. If you’re a veteran or military spouse wondering how your service translates to tech, this conversation is a playbook you can start using today. Key TakeawaysFrom 17-year-old recruit to 14-year Air Force veteran – Nick walks through joining at 17, working power generation and arresting systems, and ultimately becoming a training instructor. Why loving deployments still wasn’t enough to stay in – He loved the simplicity and purpose of being overseas, but repeated absences and growing family priorities pushed him to rethink a full career in uniform. Hiring Our Heroes as the on-ramp to Salesforce – A single education brief and a TAPS PowerPoint opened the door to Salesforce, and a Hiring Our Heroes fellowship became his bridge into Cirrius Solutions and Team Echo. Work–life balance the military rarely teaches – Nick explains how he gives 100% to work during work hours, then fully “takes off the hat” to be present with his family—something that was nearly impossible as an MTI. Using AI as your quiet professional edge – From polishing client emails to summarizing complex tasks, Nick shows how AI doesn’t replace the human element but amplifies clarity, professionalism, and efficiency. Imposter syndrome is normal—especially in tech – He admits going from 14 years of mastery to “new guy” in Salesforce was humblingTranslating military bullets into civilian impact statements – Nick urges service members to use education offices, TAPS, and even AI to turn EPR/OER bullets and acronyms into plain-language, resume-ready accomplishments. Start planning your exit years—not months—before separation – Whether you serve four years or thirty, he stresses enjoying the ride and intentionally preparing for life after the military long before your final out date. Sports, Disney trips, and family experiences over “stuff” – Off the clock, Nick is an Ohio State and Reds fan, a Disney trip regular, and a dad who prioritizes shared experiences to teach resilience and savor post-service life.Recommended LinksNick Stump on LinkedInCirrius SolutionsACPCandorfulHiring our HeroesHire Heroes USAMerivisApple PodcastsSpotifyYoutubeiHeartRadioCastboxGoodpodsCirrius BlogGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicContact us at [email protected]

 What does it take to go from pulling espresso shots at Starbucks to architecting complex Salesforce solutions for enterprise clients? In this episode, Greg sits down with Cirrius Solutions Solution Architect Will Saleh to unpack his unconventional path from barista to Microsoft cybersecurity, then Salesforce admin, consultant, and finally architect. They dig into how mindset, mentorship, Trailhead, and community support helped him push through imposter syndrome and information overload in those early “firehose” years. Will also shares how he thinks about scalable architecture, AI as a tool (not a crutch), and the people-first skills that make consulting work long term. TakeawaysFrom lattes to layouts: How five years as a Starbucks barista and other service jobs quietly built the empathy and composure he now uses with stressed-out clients and teams. Nonprofit to Microsoft to Salesforce: The nonprofit training program that opened the tech door, led to a cybersecurity internship at Microsoft, and eventually dropped him into the Salesforce ecosystem. Drinking from the firehose: Will’s honest take on the first two years in Salesforce—data models, limits, overlapping automations—and how “mental reps” with documentation and training sped up his growth. Imposter syndrome is normal, not fatal: How he reframed “new job jitters” as proof of growth and leveraged his “junior” title to ask every question while the bar was lower. Building a Field Service accelerator: Inside the project where Will helped turn repeated field service patterns into a reusable accelerator that saves clients serious time and money. What a Solution Architect really does: Beyond building flows—thinking about integrations, security, compliance, user experience, scalability, and how today’s choices impact mergers and growth five years out. AI as power tool, not autopilot: How Will and the team use AI for automation assessments, documentation, and drafts—while still insisting consultants get their hands dirty and understand the details. Community as a force multiplier: Why mentors pushed him into Trailblazer communities, Slack groups, and forums instead of just giving him answers—and how that built confidence and resilience. Resilience, work ethic & grit : The work ethic he learned from his father, the grind vs. mental-health balance he’s trying to strike, and his advice to career changers not to lose the big picture in tough early days.Recommended LinksWill Saleh on LinkedInSalesforce Break / Andy Engin UtkanAndy’s Youtube ChannelYear Up UnitedCirrius BlogGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicContact us at [email protected]

What happens when a U.S. Air Force officer swaps flight lines for Flow Builder? In this episode of Cirrius Talk: The Military Minute, host Greg Banks sits down with Justin Dunn — Air Force veteran, nine-time Salesforce-certified pro, and Engagement Manager at Cirrius Solutions. Justin shares how military departure unexpectedly opened the door to a thriving tech career through Salesforce Military and Hiring Our Heroes. His story is a roadmap for veterans navigating transition, blending discipline, adaptability, and heart into a new mission: customer success in the Salesforce ecosystem.TakeawaysService to Salesforce — Justin’s path from Airfield Operations Officer to Engagement Manager proves military skills translate powerfully into tech.Trailhead Military = Liftoff — Free training and structured mentorship helped launch a second career.Managed Services Bootcamp — Hands-on problem solving built his technical and client-facing chops fast.From BA to EM — How business analysis evolved into engagement management and leadership.Project Management under Pressure — Lessons from briefing colonels now guide corporate communication.People > Process — Success at Cirrius comes from collaboration, not competition.Boundaries Build Longevity — Strict schedules, sleep, and structure keep consultants sustainable.Document Everything — Clear communication and thorough follow-up are a consultant’s best defense.Military Mindset Wins — Adaptability, accountability, and resilience make veterans natural fits for consulting.Recommended LinksJustin Dunn on LinkedInCirrius SolutionsACPCandorfulHiring our HeroesHOH Military Spouse NetworkHOH-Amplify events for Military SpousesHire Heroes USAMerivisApple PodcastsSpotifyYoutubeiHeartRadioCastboxGoodpodsCirrius BlogGreg Banks on LinkedInJason Fowler MusicContact us at [email protected]