Go Beyond The Connection

ChaChi Gallo, Vice President of Information Technology at Michels Corporation, joins host Steve MacDonald to explain what it actually takes to build a digital job site -- and why most organizations get the sequence wrong.Michels is a Wisconsin-based infrastructure contractor building the foundational systems that power modern construction: fiber networks, energy infrastructure, and some of the largest data center projects underway in the country. ChaChi leads IT strategy across an environment that is distributed, unpredictable, and operationally demanding in ways that most enterprise IT frameworks were never designed to handle.In this conversation, ChaChi makes the case that AI readiness is a construction project, not a software rollout. Before tools can deliver value, organizations need trusted data, governed processes, and connectivity that works in real job site conditions -- not ideal ones. He traces the 60 to 70 percent failure rate on AI deployments directly to sequencing: the data foundation comes last, not first, and everything built on top of it reflects that instability.He also shares a practical lesson from visiting an AWS distribution center that reframed his team's assumptions about 5G, explains why satellite connectivity changed operations for Michels in ways that cellular never could, and draws a clear line between the kind of automation that belongs on a job site today and the kind that does not yet belong there at all.His closing thought is the one that stays with you: technology is easy. It is the people who are hard.Topics covered include building a data foundation for AI, why AI deployments fail, satellite connectivity for remote construction sites, autonomous networks and human oversight, wireless strategy for field operations, and IT leadership in relationship-driven industries.AI deployments fail when the data foundation is built last, not firstSatellite connectivity is a genuine operational breakthrough for remote construction sites5G is a tertiary backup in even the most sophisticated distribution environments -- not a Wi-Fi replacementAutonomous equipment belongs where conditions are controlled; human oversight is required everywhere elseTechnology is easy -- relationships and operational presence determine whether digital initiatives succeed"Just like you have to get a permit to do construction work, you have to go through cyber and risk to make sure that this product is okay for us to use. We have to do the same checks and balances that we do for our customers." - ChaChi Gallo, Vice President of Information Technology, Michels CorporationCompanies mentioned in this episode:Michaels CorporationMilwaukee PCGeneracGoogleOracleOpenAICaterpillarKomatsuAWShttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IThc0C7zdMw

Jim Basar, VP of Enterprise Business Group at Intwine Connect, LLC, explains how restaurants now rely on internet connectivity for point-of-sale systems, digital menu boards, guest Wi-Fi, delivery platforms, and connected kitchen systems. He shows how reliable connectivity supports revenue, customer experience, labor efficiency, food safety, and data-driven operations across locations. He also outlines how stronger connectivity strategies, blended carrier options, and dependable support partners help restaurant brands scale confidently in both urban and rural markets.“What we’re seeing is almost a gold rush of technology going into the restaurant space right now, driven by the move toward cloud-based point-of-sale systems. As restaurants add more technology into their stores with digital menu boards, guest WiFi, TVs, and connected kitchen equipment, that internet connection is really the backbone of a business.” — Jim BasarRestaurants are rapidly evolving into technology-driven environments where connectivity directly impacts revenue, efficiency, and guest experience. Jim shares how digital transformation across front-of-house and back-of-house operations is reshaping restaurant strategy. He highlights why resilient connectivity, hybrid carrier strategies, and proactive monitoring are essential for scaling modern restaurant operations and maintaining consistent performance across distributed locations.Takeaways:The podcast delves into the transformative impact of technology on the restaurant industry, particularly highlighting the significance of a reliable Internet connection for operational efficiency.Jim Bessard's journey from an intern to the head of enterprise sales at Entwine illustrates the profound evolution within the tech-driven restaurant sector.The discussion emphasizes how the integration of IoT devices and cloud-based systems enhances the connected kitchen, thereby improving customer service and operational effectiveness.A critical takeaway is the necessity for restaurant owners to remain open and adaptive to new technologies that can significantly enhance their business operations and customer experiences.The podcast outlines how the increasing complexity of data management in restaurant chains necessitates innovative solutions and partnerships to ensure seamless connectivity.The conversation underscores the importance of proactive technology management, particularly with Internet connectivity, to mitigate potential operational disruptions in a competitive industry.Full NameJim BasarTitleVP of Enterprise Business GroupCompanyIntwine Connect, LLCLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-basar-91240a50/Company Sitehttps://www.intwineconnect.com/

Most businesses treat internet connectivity like a utility — something that is simply there until it is not. BJ Olson and Ryan Bowden have spent their careers watching what happens when that assumption meets reality, and the cost is almost always higher than anyone expected.BJ Olson is the Founder of twenty7 Technology Group, a technology solutions firm helping businesses design and deploy reliable, resilient connectivity strategies. Ryan Bowden is a Technology Consultant at twenty7 Technology Group, bringing more than a decade of experience managing connectivity across large-scale distributed retail environments. Together, they make a practical and direct case for why network resilience belongs in business strategy, not just the IT department.Key LearningsWhy a single fiber connection is a liability, not a foundation — and what redundancy actually looks like in practiceHow combining fiber, 4G, 5G, and satellite into a single intelligent network eliminates most outage riskWhat downtime actually costs, including the delayed losses that show up weeks after the connection comes backWhy modern wireless is no longer a backup option, and how unlimited high-speed wireless changes the planning conversationHow centralized network visibility helps lean IT teams identify and resolve issues faster across multiple locations“There are just so many more upsides to having a redundant connection with the Bigleaf network. Invest in your network and invest in the insurance your network provides. You can ensure your employees aren’t idle and that your customers can continue to reach you and do business with you without interruption. If you can’t afford to ensure your business has uptime, you probably won’t be in business for very long.”— BJ Olson, Founder, twenty7 Technology GroupIf your business depends on staying connected — and every business does — this conversation is worth your time. BJ and Ryan bring real operational experience to a problem that gets treated as an IT concern right up until the moment it becomes a business emergency.GuestsBJ Olson, Founder, twenty7 Technology GroupRyan Bowden, Technology Consultant, twenty7 Technology GroupSeriesTech TrendsEpisode Pagehttps://www.bigleaf.net/podcast/episode/038-bj-olson-ryan-bowdenBlog Posthttps://www.bigleaf.net/blog/network-downtime-cost-business-resilienceBJ LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/b-j-olson/Ryan LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-bowden/Company Websitehttps://twenty7tech.com/

Healthcare modernization sounds straightforward until you look at what teams are actually working with. Faxes. CDs in the mail. Record sharing that is supposed to happen but often does not. Pricing that no one can explain upfront.Falko Buttler, Chief Technology Officer at Lantern, has spent more than 20 years building technology inside that reality. In this episode, he explains why big system overhauls tend to fail in healthcare and why small, incremental changes are the safer and more effective path forward.You will hear Falko cover:Why friction in healthcare is often structural, not accidentalHow fragmented data and inconsistent record sharing delay care and drive up costsWhy AI can process legacy inputs like faxes today, without waiting for the system to changeHow continuous delivery improves quality rather than reducing itWhy technology leaders need to earn a seat at the table by tying their work to business outcomes"Whenever you want to upgrade a system, the best way to go about it is to do it incrementally. Improve it in small chunks along the way until you eventually have everything improved. It's going to take a long time, but the friction is not as big." — Falko ButtlerFalko brings a grounded, practical perspective to a space where the gap between modern tools and legacy workflows is still very real. This episode is worth your time if you lead technology in healthcare or any regulated, high-stakes environment.Listen now and go beyond the connection.

When construction leaders talk about productivity, forecasting, and growth, the conversation often centers on tools and applications. But behind every digital jobsite is a network that determines whether those systems deliver real-time visibility or break down under pressure.In this episode of Go Beyond the Connection, we sit down with Thomas Berrington, Chief Information Officer at French Brothers Homes, to explore how wireless connectivity and owned data have become the operational backbone of modern homebuilding.Thomas brings a rare blend of operational and technology leadership to the construction industry. With a background in restaurant operations and data analysis before stepping into construction IT, he prioritizes initiatives that directly impact efficiency and the bottom line. At French Brothers Homes, he has helped transform the business from paper-driven workflows to cloud-connected execution in the field, enabling builders to manage significantly more homes with fewer administrative bottlenecks.For Thomas, the digital jobsite is not about adding more software. It is about ensuring that data is connected, accessible, and actionable across trade partners, inspectors, office teams, and customers.Key learnings from this episode:Why data ownership is foundational for breaking down silos and improving forecast accuracyHow real-time operational visibility allows builders to scale without proportional increases in staffingWhy downtime creates a “whipsaw effect” across construction schedulesHow wireless-first network design, mixed-carrier strategies, and redundancy protect uptime in undeveloped environments“Having the data at our fingertips and having that ownership allows us to make data-driven decisions. We have gone from managing five to ten homes per builder to fifteen to twenty homes at a time because of connectivity and cloud-connected data, and maintaining that connectivity is essential to operating and growing in today’s business environment.” – Thomas BerringtonThomas also explains why construction should be viewed as a project management business powered by data. When real-time updates stop flowing, communication gaps quickly cascade into delays, cost overruns, and customer frustration. By contrast, resilient wireless connectivity enables continuous visibility across projects, allowing leaders to aggregate data at scale and make faster, more confident decisions.If you lead IT, operations, or digital transformation in construction, this episode offers a clear blueprint for aligning connectivity strategy with measurable business impact. The wireless backbone of the digital jobsite is not optional. It is the foundation for scalable growth.Related Content:The Digital Jobsite: The Wireless Backbone of Modern ConstructionHow Wireless Connectivity for Construction Jobsites Enables Scalable GrowthWhy Data Ownership in Construction Forecasting Drives Smarter GrowthWireless-First Network Design for Construction: Building Resiliency Into the JobsiteThe Digital Jobsite: The Wireless Backbone of Modern Construction | Thomas Berrington | Go BeyondThe Digital Jobsite: Real-Time Data and Wireless Scale | Thomas Berrington Go Beyond the ConnectionWhy Data Ownership Drives Forecast AccuracyDesigning Reliable Connectivity for JobsitesGo Beyond: The Digital Jobsite - YouTube

The Digital Kitchen: Powering the Future of DiningWhen restaurant leaders talk about speed, reliability, and guest experience, the conversation often stops at applications and devices. But behind every digital kitchen is a network that determines whether those systems deliver or break down under pressure.In this episode of Go Beyond the Connection, we sit down with Chris Demery, Chief Technology Officer at Blaze Pizza, to explore how the digital kitchen has become the operational and revenue backbone of modern fast-casual dining.Chris brings a rare blend of experience across military leadership, restaurant operations, and enterprise technology. Having worked with brands like Domino’s, Bloomin’ Brands, P.F. Chang’s, and now Blaze Pizza, he has seen firsthand how disconnected systems create friction for both guests and operators, and how integrated, real-time data changes everything.At Blaze Pizza, the digital kitchen is not just about efficiency. It is the command center where marketing promises, operational execution, and guest expectations converge. Chris explains why predictability matters more than raw speed, especially as off-premises orders continue to grow, and how restaurants must rethink performance metrics when the majority of their “tables” now exist outside the four walls.Throughout the conversation, Chris breaks down how technology leaders can earn a true seat at the table by speaking the language of operations and finance, not just IT. He also shares how Blaze Pizza evaluates technology investments, builds business cases for franchisees, and uses real-time insights to protect top-line revenue.“If you go offline for a day, you can lose three hundred, four hundred, five hundred dollars in off-premises orders.”In this episode, you’ll learn:Why the digital kitchen has become the epicenter of restaurant operationsHow real-time data enables predictable speed of service across dine-in and off-premises ordersWhat it takes for technology leaders to earn trust with operations, marketing, and finance teamsHow integrated systems reduce guest friction and protect revenue at scale Why network resiliency is now a business requirement, not just an IT concernWhether you are a restaurant technologist, an operator, or a business leader responsible for growth and guest experience, this conversation offers practical insight into how connectivity, data, and execution intersect inside today’s digital kitchen.Listen to the full episode to hear how Chris Demery is helping Blaze Pizza deliver consistent, predictable experiences in a fast-changing dining landscape.Companies mentioned in this episode:P F Chang'sDomino's PizzaWoolman BrandsLemon BrandsBloomin BrandsCKEBlaze PizzaNCR

Restaurant operations have changed. Data has replaced cash, technology touches every step of service, and disconnected systems now create more friction than progress. In this episode of Go Beyond the Connection, Tom Seeker, Chief Technology Officer at Ziggi’s Coffee, explains why the connected kitchen has become the operational heartbeat of the modern restaurant.Tom brings a rare perspective shaped by experience across the Navy, restaurant operations, and executive technology leadership. He breaks down how today’s kitchens are no longer collections of isolated tools, but living ecosystems where front-of-house, back-of-house, and back-office systems must work together in real time. When those systems fail to communicate, teams lose clarity, decisions slow down, and margins suffer.Throughout the conversation, Tom shares how integrated technology changes the way restaurants operate at every level. From guest ordering to payment reconciliation, each interaction generates data that can either become noise or be transformed into actionable intelligence. The difference lies in whether leaders design their technology stacks to work as one environment rather than a patchwork of vendors and devices.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why the connected kitchen is now central to restaurant performance and scalabilityHow real-time data visibility replaces guesswork during busy shiftsWhy too much data can slow teams down if systems are not integratedHow innovation labs help operators test, certify, and deploy technology with less riskWhy CTOs who understand the business model earn a real seat at the tableTom also dives into his approach to innovation labs. Instead of changing systems blindly, his teams test multiple POS platforms, kiosks, sensors, and back-office tools together before rollout. This end-to-end testing uncovers conflicts early, reduces downtime, and helps operators avoid costly mistakes that often appear only after deployment.“The connected kitchen today is the tech stack within the restaurant that impacts how things flow between front of house and back of house, and the ability for all of your electronics to communicate in a singular world and allow data to be intelligently gathered, manipulated, and displayed so you can act in real time.”— Tom Seeker, Chief Technology Officer at Ziggi’s CoffeeThis episode is not about chasing the latest technology trend. It’s about building clarity. When every system speaks the same language, teams act faster, stress decreases, and leaders gain confidence in their decisions. The connected kitchen becomes a strategic advantage that protects both guest experience and profitability.If you lead technology, operations, or innovation in restaurants or multi-location environments, this conversation offers a practical framework for simplifying complexity and turning real-time information into better outcomes.Listen, watch, or explore the full episode:🎧 Captivate Audio Feed: https://feeds.captivate.fm/go-beyond-the-connection/📄 Episode Blog & Podbook: https://www.bigleaf.net/podcast-episodes/034-tom-seeker/▶️ YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSnAvj9VfOKQ2ISXOUIAc3Jse8S3eJIde📰 LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7313431647520006144Companies mentioned in this episode:Barnhills BuffetOutback Restaurant PartnersMeguiar'sShrimp BasketBurton GolfEarl EnterprisesPlanet HollywoodBrioBravoBertucciBucaZiggy's CoffeeOloChowieCheckmateToastNCRPOSitouchSamsung

Companies mentioned in this episode:Long John Silver'sPapa John'sWendy'sChili's

When everything is running smoothly, customers rarely think about their network. But behind every seamless experience is the work, care, and visibility that make reliability possible. In this episode of Go Beyond the Connection, Bjørn Jensen, CEO and Founder of WhyReboot, explains why service excellence has become the defining advantage for technology leaders — and why the human connection still matters most.Bjørn has spent two decades designing resilient networks for high-performance homes, professional gamers, traders, and organizations where uptime is non-negotiable. His perspective is clear: technology alone doesn’t build trust. People do. And the companies that blend technical precision with genuine partnership create loyalty that automation simply can’t replace.Bjørn shares how his team approaches service as an extension of each customer’s IT department, offering direct access to experts who understand their environment without hold times, ticket escalations, or scripted interactions. That accessibility isn’t a perk — it’s the foundation of reliable experience. As he puts it, “People are always going to want to know there’s an actual human on the other end, even if you do make mistakes. What makes us successful is that people feel like we’re actually a part of their team.”He also digs into how reliability becomes a measurable business advantage when partners can make invisible performance visible. Tools like Bigleaf help WhyReboot show exactly how networks behave — which connection dropped, how optimization protected a call, how much uptime was preserved, and why an issue was the ISP rather than on-site equipment. That level of clarity changes conversations. It reduces frustration, builds confidence, and demonstrates real value long before a problem escalates.Bjørn explains why simplicity matters just as much as sophistication. Customers don’t want to manage complex configurations or navigate multi-layer troubleshooting. They want systems that “just work,” supported by partners who listen, guide, and make their jobs easier. That philosophy underpins every WhyReboot design decision, from redundancy and failover strategies to proactive communication and lifetime service guarantees.In this episode, you’ll learn:How reliability becomes a competitive differentiator when customers can see its impactWhy service quality often matters more than technical specs in long-term loyaltyHow visibility transforms outages from stressful guesswork into confident actionWhy empathy, responsiveness, and transparency outperform automation aloneHow making support effortless generates referrals, repeat business, and sustained growthThroughout the conversation, Bjørn emphasizes that service excellence isn’t a cost center — it’s a growth engine. Companies that invest in relationships, simplify complexity, and prove value through clear data cultivate trust that lasts. Whether you support residential networks, enterprise teams, or integrator partners, his insights reveal how reliability, visibility, and human connection come together to create a customer experience people remember.Ready to see how service becomes your strongest differentiator? Listen to the full conversation with Bjørn Jensen and explore how resilient design, proactive reporting, and human-first support set the foundation for smooth, dependable connectivity.Explore more:Guest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bjornjensensr/ Company Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/whyreboot/ Company Website: https://whyreboot.com/ Service Excellence: Bjørn Jensen on Making Reliability the Real Competitive EdgeService Excellence: The Networking Industry’s True Edge Turning Exceptional Service Into a Competitive Edge Simplifying Reliability: The Power of Bigleaf Connectivity Watch the YouTube Playlist of video episodesWatch the YouTube Shorts PlaylistSubscribe to the LinkedIn NewsletterListen on Captivate: Go Beyond the ConnectionFollow us on social: Linkedin | Facebook | Instagram

Takeaways:The podcast illuminates the significance of managed connectivity services in today's network landscape, illustrating how they enhance customer experiences.Julian Jaquez emphasizes that wireless connections are increasingly viable and can match the reliability of wired counterparts in modern infrastructure.Dave Idle discusses the competitive landscape among wireless carriers, highlighting ongoing investments that improve connectivity options available to businesses.The conversation underscores a critical transition from legacy copper services to resilient wireless solutions that support essential business operations.Both speakers advocate for organizations to embrace dual connectivity solutions, combining wired and wireless to ensure uninterrupted service and optimal performance.The imminent advancements in wireless technology are set to redefine connectivity standards, offering businesses unprecedented flexibility and reliability in their operations.Companies mentioned in this episode:BCN Networkbigleaf NetworksVerizonAT&TT MobileStarlink

What if you stopped optimizing for today and started building from 2040 backward? That’s the challenge Claus Torp Jensen, Chief Technology Officer at the University of Texas Medical Center and Dell Medical School, brings to this conversation with host Steve MacDonald.A technologist turned storyteller, Claus has served as a Chief Innovation Officer and advisor across industries. He believes the best technology leaders don’t just react to change—they prepare for it. In this episode, he explains how to anchor strategy in a clear future destination, then engineer the steps that make it real.Together, Steve and Claus explore how future backwards thinking reshapes long-term planning for hospitals, networks, and people-centric innovation. Claus shares examples from his work designing a next-generation academic medical center, where the building itself becomes part of the care team. He discusses robotics and human collaboration, individualized therapies created at the point of care, and why waiting rooms may soon give way to functional lounges that onboard patients into follow-up programs.This future-first mindset also applies to infrastructure. Claus outlines how generalized sensors paired with smart algorithms can simplify data collection while edge computing filters out noise so teams act faster on what matters. He argues that connectivity is no longer just business-critical—it’s mission-critical—and that healthcare networks must be engineered with double or triple redundancy across wired and wireless paths to ensure patient safety and operational continuity.Yet technology alone isn’t enough. Claus emphasizes that leadership and storytelling are the glue that hold complex programs together. Knowing who your “chief storytellers” are—and empowering them to share the why behind the work—helps sustain culture and momentum over years of transformation.“Nobody can predict the future, but you can prepare for it. Ask yourself, where do you want to be in 2040? It’s mind-boggling how it changes the conversation if you start with the future and then you try to go backwards.” — Claus Torp JensenKey LearningsStart with 2040, then work backward. Define the end state first so roadmaps, standards, and budgets line up with where you need to be—not just what’s possible today.Design for blended teams and care. Plan spaces for people and robots to share corridors, build labs for individualized therapies, and turn waiting rooms into active engagement lounges.Build wide sensing with smart interpretation. Combine generalized sensors with specialized algorithms and edge computing to deliver faster, more accurate insights.Treat connectivity as clinical risk management. Engineer redundant paths and measure continuity, not just uptime, with clinicians and operations as partners.Lead with people and story. Identify storytellers who connect vision to daily work and make long-horizon change feel tangible.If you’re responsible for networks, applications, or facility programs, this episode offers a practical way to prepare for what’s coming while improving reliability today.🎧 Listen now, share it with your team, and subscribe to Go Beyond the Connection for more conversations with leaders building for resilience, performance, and human impact.Companies mentioned:University of Texas Medical Center, Dell Medical School, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Six SigmaGuest Links:Claus Torp Jensen on LinkedInThe Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at AustinDell Medical School at the University of Texas at AustinRelated LinksFull Episode: Future Backwards Thinking: How CTOs Should Build Today’s Technology StrategyFuture Backwards Thinking: How CTOs Should Build Today’s Technology Strategy Breaking the Box with Future BackwardsThe Network Is the BusinessWatch the YouTube Playlist of video episodesWatch the YouTube Shorts PlaylistSubscribe to the LinkedIn NewsletterListen on Captivate: Go Beyond the ConnectionFollow us on social: Linkedin | Facebook | Instagram

Links referenced in this episode:linkedin.com/in/chris-inkarvarCompanies mentioned in this episode:Jack's Family RestaurantsLegal SeafoodsPanera

Wireless-first is no longer a provocative idea—it’s how modern enterprises move faster and stay resilient. In this episode, we unpack what changed and why treating wireless as a primary path gives you speed to value, stability under load, and freedom from construction timelines.Our guest is Arvin Singh, Founder and CEO at NextGen Technology Advisory. After nearly two decades at Verizon leading global presales and 5G & edge innovation teams, Arvin now advises startups, telcos, and enterprise leaders on turning connectivity into measurable business outcomes. He explains how fixed wireless access and SD-WAN matured well beyond “backup,” what private 5G unlocks on campus, and how multi-mode designs reduce risk while simplifying operations for lean IT teams.What you’ll learnWhy wireless-first became proven for primary business connectivity across hundreds of thousands of sitesHow SD-WAN, application priority, and multi-carrier diversity harden uptime and protect critical workflowsWhere private 4G/5G, neutral-host, and satellite-backed options extend reach and control for industrial and remote operationsWays faster turn-ups shorten time to revenue, improve customer experience, and reduce acquisition costsHow to pilot the right way: measure real app performance, not just a speed test, and translate results into business KPIs“Put a business application on it and see for yourself the kind of performance, reliability, and resiliency these networks offer.” — Arvin SinghIf you’re still defaulting to wired-only assumptions, this conversation gives you a practical path to test, validate, and scale wireless-first with confidence. You’ll hear how leaders pair day-one fixed wireless with SD-WAN for stability, add wired where it makes sense, and use private cellular to isolate sensitive workloads. The result is a network that turns openings into on-time launches, protects payments and voice during busy periods, and frees IT from chasing circuit timelines. Start with a scoped pilot, define KPIs that matter to your business, and let the data guide your rollout.Listen and Learn More🎧 Watch the full episode and read the recap▶️ YouTube Playlist💬 Follow the LinkedIn Newsletter🔗 Subscribe to the Captivate FeedTakeaways:The evolution of wireless technology necessitates a paradigm shift towards wireless-first network strategies.Businesses must embrace the reliability of wireless networks to enhance operational efficiency and customer experiences.With the advancements in 5G technology, wireless connections can now serve as primary communication channels for various applications.Leveraging customer experience is crucial for business success and can be significantly improved through effective wireless connectivity.The integration of multiple network modalities, including wired, wireless, and satellite, can enhance connectivity resilience and performance.Testing fixed wireless connections with business applications is vital to understanding their potential and capabilities in real-world scenarios.Companies mentioned in this episode:VerizonNextGen Technology AdvisoryPepperdineStanfordMcKinseyBig Leaf Networks

When AI is everywhere, the teams that win don’t start with tools. They start with clarity. In this episode, Michael Parlotto, Vice President of Emerging Technologies at InComm Payments, shares a practical way to cut through hype and ship outcomes your board and your customers can feel.Michael leads Go Studio, InComm’s innovation center. His work pairs disciplined discovery with fast, user-centered prototyping and a futures practice that protects launches after day one. In plain language and real examples, he explains how to frame the right problem, test ideas quickly, and design for resilience so products work even when networks don’t.What you’ll learnA simple, repeatable sequence that moves from problem framing to design thinking to futures signalsWhy diverse data and low-fidelity prototypes reduce rework and improve adoptionHow voice-led inputs can outperform typed prompts by capturing richer intentHow to design for offline and edge conditions so apps keep working in the real worldA board-ready way to rank big bets by impact and effort“First, focus on the problems and the situations that you’re solving for.” — Michael ParlottoIf you’re being asked to “add AI” while also proving measurable value, this conversation gives you a clear path forward. You’ll hear how to find the real friction, align teams on a few high-value bets, and build safeguards that keep your launch from being copied or derailed. You’ll also learn how to connect architecture decisions—like offline modes, edge processing, and secure synchronization—to customer experience and business outcomes.Call to action Watch the conversation, share it with your product and engineering leaders, and subscribe for more executive-level insights on building reliable, resilient digital experiences that actually move the needle.Watch and Read📖 Read the companion articles and more:Watch the episode and check out the podbookHow Innovation Centers Navigate AI Hype and Deliver Real ResultsProblem Framing That Drives Real ROIDelivering AI on Resilient, Secure NetworksGo Beyond: Watch the YouTube Playlist of video episodesWatch the YouTube Shorts PlaylistSubscribe to the LinkedIn NewsletterListen on Captivate: Go Beyond the ConnectionFollow us on social: Linkedin | Facebook | InstagramLearn more about Bigleaf Networks

AI is transforming every part of business—from customer experiences to internal operations—and the networks that power it have never mattered more. In this episode, Joel Mulkey, Founder and Board Member at Bigleaf Networks, explains why resilient connectivity is now a strategic necessity for AI-driven organizations.Joel shares the story of how a failed attempt to help a local church build internet redundancy sparked the idea for Bigleaf. His mission: make enterprise-grade reliability simple, accessible, and automatic. From that vision came a cloud-based tunnel architecture that reroutes around outages in real time while keeping sessions stable. It’s a system designed to work seamlessly, even when no one’s watching.He walks through how Bigleaf’s adaptive monitoring continually measures circuit health ten times a second to deliver the best possible user experience—without IT teams needing to touch a thing. That means calls stay clear, video meetings don’t stutter, and mission-critical applications keep running smoothly even when individual connections falter.Key Learnings:Tunnel-based architecture preserves sessions while rerouting instantly.Adaptive monitoring turns wireless connections into enterprise-grade options.Prioritization keeps interactive traffic stable under heavy load.AI workloads raise the stakes for uptime and session persistence.Seamless failover eliminates the human scramble during outages.Mulkey also challenges one of the most persistent myths in networking—that wireless is inherently unreliable. He explains how intelligent monitoring and adaptive steering have redefined what’s possible: “With 5G and low-earth-orbit satellite systems, you can combine multiple wireless networks to achieve throughput and resiliency once limited to fiber.” This shift allows businesses in rural areas or multi-location operations to enjoy the same reliability once reserved for major urban centers.As AI adoption accelerates, the cost of downtime grows. Joel breaks down how data-driven systems and machine learning models rely on stable sessions, whether running in the cloud or on local clusters. When an IP address changes mid-process, critical workloads can fail—causing hours or even days of lost productivity. Bigleaf’s tunnel-based design prevents that by maintaining consistent connectivity no matter what happens upstream.He also shares why network resilience is as much about people as technology. From his earliest entrepreneurial lessons to leading a company that now serves thousands of organizations, Joel’s people-first philosophy has remained constant. “I’m most thankful that what we were able to hold on to is how we treated our team, where we recognized their value and treated them like people.”This episode isn’t just for network engineers—it’s for every leader who understands that connectivity and productivity are inseparable. Whether you’re running AI workloads, managing distributed teams, or supporting customer-facing operations, resilience is now a business-critical advantage.Hear the founder’s perspective on how adaptive networking is redefining uptime, wireless performance, and the future of AI connectivity. Watch the full episode, explore the recap, and subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping how technology supports business outcomes.Links:📺 Watch the YouTube Playlist of video episodes▶️ Watch the YouTube Shorts Playlist📬 Subscribe to the LinkedIn Newsletter🎧 Listen on Captivate: Go Beyond the Connection💬 Follow us on social: Linkedin | Facebook | InstagramCompanies mentioned in this episode:Bigleaf NetworksCiscoComcastStarlinkVerizon

How do you design IT systems that survive every disruption—from leadership turnover to world-changing crises?Thomas Dewar, Chief Information Officer at Acupath Laboratories Inc., joins host Steve MacDonald to explore what sustainable technology really looks like inside healthcare. With decades of experience spanning 9/11, digital transformation, and COVID-19, Tom reveals how clear data, empathetic leadership, and practical cloud strategy keep mission-critical operations running when it matters most.Early in his career, Thomas replaced stacks of handwritten lab reports with automated dashboards that sparked better decisions. Today, he leads with the same principle: make information simple enough to inspire smarter questions.Key LearningsDesign systems that outlast you. Sustainability in IT means simplicity, documentation, and shared ownership.Validate before you automate. Trustworthy AI and analytics depend on verified, reproducible data.Protect uptime through planning. Migrate incrementally to the cloud while maintaining service continuity.Architect for anywhere operations. Cloud redundancy enables seamless collaboration—even from home.Lead with empathy. Understanding real workflows helps technology earn adoption, not resistance.“We rebuilt the entire company infrastructure as a web-based application in Azure so that it’s always available, always there, and they can use it at any given point in time.” — Thomas DewarFrom laboratory logistics to enterprise resilience, Thomas shares a playbook for CIOs who want stability without stagnation. His story connects human insight with technical precision—a model for how IT can stay both dependable and transformative.Listen now to learn how empathy, validation, and structure create IT systems built to endure. Links:📝 Blog / Podbook: https://www.bigleaf.net/podcast-episodes/025-thomas-dewar/▶️ YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSnAvj9VfOKQ2ISXOUIAc3Jse8S3eJIde📰 LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7313431647520006144🎙 Captivate Feed: https://feeds.captivate.fm/go-beyond-the-connection/Links referenced in this episode:acupath.comlinkedin.comCompanies mentioned in this episode:Acupath LaboratoriesMicrosoft AzureLeakin WattsLotus

What makes a business not just grow, but thrive long-term? According to Julian Jacquez, President & COO of BCN Telecom, and Jeanne Duca, CMO at BCN, the answer is simple yet profound: high-performance teams fueled by trust, transparency, and strategic alignment.In this episode of Go Beyond the Connection, Julian and Jeanne share how they’ve built a culture that balances employees, partners, and customers — what they call the “three-legged stool” of success. This framework guides every decision, from channel strategy to customer engagement, and has helped BCN create sustained growth in a highly competitive telecom market.Julian, who has nearly three decades of experience in telecom and technology, explains why avoiding commoditization means shifting focus from price to customer experience. Jeanne, with over 20 years in branding and marketing, shares why consistency across every touchpoint builds advocacy — when partners and customers speak highly of you even when you’re not in the room.Together, they reveal insights every technology leader and business executive can use to create teams that outperform, partnerships that last, and customer relationships that generate real value.Key Learnings from the ConversationWhy trust and transparency are the ultimate KPIs for business growth.How BCN’s “three-legged stool” (employees, partners, customers) creates stability and resilience.Why commoditization is a trap — and how an experience-first strategy protects margins.How Experience Level Agreements (XLAs) complement SLAs by redefining service through outcomes.Why relationships, not contracts, are the foundation of long-term partnerships.“True sustainable relationships are built on trust. Doing what you say you’re going to do, embracing transparency, and recognizing that sometimes a great deal comes when both sides give a little more than they expected.” – Julian JacquezWhy It Matters for LeadersThe conversation reinforces a lesson many forward-thinking leaders share: genuine relationships drive growth more than technology alone. Cal Krome emphasized how leadership alignment shapes performance, while Hamed Mazrouei argued that customer experience is a competitive advantage.Julian and Jeanne take this further, showing how a telecom partner ecosystem thrives when every leg of the stool — employees, partners, and customers — is supported equally. Their approach parallels solutions like Bigleaf Business Continuity, which ensures operations stay online during outages, and Bigleaf Distributed Locations, which help multi-site businesses keep every branch connected and consistent.The result? Advocacy, loyalty, and resilience — outcomes that no contract alone can guarantee.🎧 Listen now and discover how Julian and Jeanne turn people-first leadership into sustainable success.Related Content Links:Building High-Performance Teams: Fueling Sustainable Business Success High-Performance Team Strategies from BCN Telecom LeadersThe Three-Legged Stool: BCN Telecom’s Partner Ecosystem for GrowthBuilding Trust in Telecom Partnerships Through Transparency and ActionGo Beyond the Connection on CaptivateSubscribe to the LinkedIn NewsletterYouTube Podcast Playlist

The way we connect has changed. What was once backup-only wireless is now the backbone for business growth. In this episode of Go Beyond the Connection, Shawn Tinsley, Senior Director of IT at Dell Technologies, and Dave Idle, Chief Product Officer at Bigleaf Networks, share how wireless-first strategies are transforming enterprise IT.Shawn and Dave bring deep experience from both the enterprise and product sides of networking. Together they explore how companies can shift from fragile, fixed lines to agile, service-layer connectivity that improves uptime, resilience, and customer experience.What you’ll learn in this episode:Why wireless-first networks are now reliable enough for primary connectivityHow Bigleaf’s dynamic circuit bonding ensures uninterrupted applications during outagesWays field and offshore teams benefit from 5G-enabled tablets and toolsHow centralized dashboards let one engineer manage hundreds of sitesWhy AI and machine learning are key to building responsive, self-healing networksHow intelligent monitoring helps businesses right-size bandwidth costs without losing performance“5G is revolutionary, and it’s a fundamental shift from connectivity. It’s a service layer that enables business. Infrastructure becomes more adaptable, and the network extends seamlessly across traditional boundaries. It’s no longer a barrier because of the technology we have now.” — Shawn TinsleyShawn describes how 5G is moving beyond buzzwords to deliver tangible value, from replacing binders on offshore rigs with live tablets, to making real-time analytics possible at the edge. Dave explains how Bigleaf enables zero-touch failover, bonding multiple circuits so applications like point-of-sale, Teams, and IoT devices never skip a beat.The conversation also explores the economics of bandwidth. Many companies use only a fraction of what they pay for, yet hesitate to cut back. With AI-driven traffic shaping and intelligent monitoring, enterprises can optimize network investments while boosting performance.For lean IT teams, this shift is game-changing. Instead of rolling trucks or firefighting at every site, one engineer can manage an entire distributed footprint from a central dashboard. Automation, observability, and edge-ready resilience bring enterprise-grade reliability within reach for organizations of all sizes.Shawn and Dave close with a clear call: don’t be afraid of wireless as your primary network. With the combination of 5G, hybrid WAN architectures, and intelligent automation, the technology is already outperforming legacy fiber in many scenarios.Whether you’re responsible for dozens of remote offices, offshore operations, or just want to keep every transaction flowing no matter what, this episode will reshape how you think about connectivity.Companies Mentioned: Nextel, Sprint, Verizon, Bigleaf NetworksListen now and learn how to build a network strategy that scales with your business, not against it.🔗 Explore more from this episode:Edge to Enterprise: Where Networks Drive BusinessEnterprise WAN Resilience with 5GEmpowering Field and Offshore Teams with Wireless-First ToolsSimplifying Multi-Site IT with Bigleaf Centralized MonitoringGo Beyond the Connection on CaptivateSubscribe to the LinkedIn NewsletterYouTube Podcast Playlist

AI is everywhere right now, but most teams still ask the same question: will it actually make our networks more reliable and our customers happier—or just add cost and complexity? In this episode of Go Beyond the Connection, we get blunt about where AI helps today, what’s still hype, and how to translate AI investments into real business outcomes.Our guests bring both the innovation lens and the operator’s reality. Ajay Malik, Founder of StudioX AI, has built AI-driven systems across networking and edge use cases, turning noisy telemetry into clear decisions. Greg Davis, CEO of Bigleaf Networks, lives the reliability mandate daily, aligning network strategy to revenue, customer experience, and risk.What you’ll learn:Where AI adds measurable value in networking today—noise reduction, anomaly detection, and faster root-cause analysis.How to prove business impact using outcomes that executives care about: uptime, conversion, NPS, and ticket deflection.What to fix first so AI can help: clean data, clear SLOs, and observable paths from issue to action.The pitfalls to avoid: vendor buzzwords, “demo-only” wins, and models that drift without guardrails.A practical roadmap for MSPs and IT teams to pilot, evaluate, and scale AI safely.Standout insight:AI pays off when you can tie every suggested action to a clear reliability or customer outcome—otherwise it’s just more dashboards.Why this matters now:Budgets are tight. Talent is stretched. And every customer interaction depends on a stable, high-quality connection. AI can help, but only if you design for reliability and accountability first. Ajay and Greg lay out a pragmatic approach that you can start using this quarter: define the business goals, pick a narrow use case, measure rigorously, and scale what works.Listen and explore:How Ajay Malik & Greg Davis See AI Powering Business-Ready NetworksPractical AI for Network Reliability: Lessons from Ajay Malik & Greg DavisHow Leaders Measure AI Outcomes in IT and NetworkingAvoiding AI Pitfalls in Networking: A Guide for IT LeadersWatch the podcast on YouTubeSubscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter

The cheapest network isn’t the smartest choice. In this episode, Michael Pittman — CEO and Founder of Connected Solutions Group (CSG) — explains how to break out of the race to the bottom and invest in connectivity that actually moves the business forward.Michael leads CSG, a Verizon co‑sell partner known for turning “just connectivity” into outcomes. His team handles the messy middle: device configuration, staging and kitting, field installs, antenna placement, site surveys, and real‑time project visibility via API integrations. They also manufacture purpose‑built gear through their Catalyst (with a “K”) brand when off‑the‑shelf hardware leaves gaps. The goal is simple: deliver fiber‑like reliability with wireless‑first agility—at scale.What you’ll learnHow to reframe price vs. value so MRC isn’t the only decision driver.Why CX (every email, every handoff, every PM touch) is a competitive advantage.Practical ways to de‑risk wireless‑first: site surveys, external antennas, dual‑SIM/Smart‑SIM failover, SD‑WAN path control.How real‑time API visibility (staging status, IMEIs, MDM loads, shipments) builds trust and speeds rollouts.Where 5G fixed wireless now rivals—or beats—wireline for speed, time‑to‑turn‑up, and multi‑site scale. “When it comes to your connectivity, don’t just race to the bottom.” — Michael PittmanMichael walks through common objections (“wireless isn’t as reliable,” “we can’t depend on a third party”) and shows how the toolset has changed. Modern antennas are cheaper and better. Carriers help fund enterprise‑grade site work. Dual‑SIM routers can auto‑failover to the best network. And with APIs and project transparency, third‑party deployment feels like an extension of your IT team—not a black box.If you’ve ever felt pressure to pick the lowest bid, this conversation offers a different lens: align spend with uptime, app performance, and customer promise‑keeping. That’s how connectivity becomes a growth lever, not a commodity.Listen & subscribe💹 Beyond the Bargain: Creating Network Value That Outlasts the Lowest Bid💸 Price vs Value in Network Connectivity🤝 How a Customer-Centric Approach Creates Competitive Advantage🛜 Making the Case for Investing in Reliable Connectivity📺 Watch the video episode YouTube Playlist📬 Subscribe to the LinkedIn Newsletter🎧 Listen on Captivate: Go Beyond the ConnectionFollow us on social: Linkedin | Facebook | Instagram

When technology is moving faster than training programs and AI is rewriting job descriptions, how do leaders keep teams aligned, resilient, and ready for what’s next?Paul Davis, Field CTO at NetApp, has spent his career at the intersection of systems, strategy, and human problem-solving—from rebuilding the Pentagon’s infrastructure after 9/11 to guiding enterprise sales conversations today. In this episode, he shares why redefining failure is essential to long-term success and how the CTO’s role differs from the CIO’s in shaping a company’s future.Paul explains that while CIOs often focus on current operations, CTOs must bridge the gap between immediate execution and future readiness. That means asking tough questions about architecture, talent, and delivery assumptions—often before others are even thinking ahead. As a Field CTO, Paul blends technical credibility with business acumen to help sales teams connect product capabilities to customer outcomes.You’ll also hear why “failing forward” is more than a catchphrase. For Paul, it’s a deliberate strategy to build resilient teams that can iterate quickly, learn from setbacks, and move on without carrying baggage from past mistakes. That mindset, he says, is what keeps organizations competitive in high-stakes markets.AI is central to this discussion. Paul warns that without continuous upskilling, enterprise AI adoption can stall—or worse, introduce risk. He describes how legacy silos between infrastructure and application teams are holding companies back, and why breaking them down is critical for innovation, performance, and long-term cost savings.Key learnings from this episode:The CTO’s job is to translate strategy into technical roadmaps that serve both current needs and future goals.Failing forward builds the resilience and psychological safety teams need to innovate at speed.AI is a productivity multiplier only when guided by skilled, experienced teams.Breaking down infrastructure-application silos improves uptime, innovation, and revenue.Continuous upskilling protects both productivity and intellectual property in the AI era.“A Field CTO can help people become aware that the silos of yesterday are not going to build the systems you want today or tomorrow.” – Paul DavisIf you lead technology strategy, manage high-performance teams, or need to align sales, product, and technical execution, this conversation is packed with actionable insight. Listen now to learn how you can strengthen your organization’s resilience, adapt faster to change, and turn failure into a strategic advantage.Links:Blog/Podbook: https://www.bigleaf.net/podcast-episodes/020-paul-davis/YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSnAvj9VfOKQ2ISXOUIAc3Jse8S3eJIdeLinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7313431647520006144Captivate Feed: https://feeds.captivate.fm/go-beyond-the-connection/

What does it take to reposition IT as a driver of revenue—not just a responder to outages?Kurt Shriner, Vice President of IT Infrastructure Management at Capital Bank, has spent nearly two decades in technology leadership. But it’s his background in psychology and live events that shapes his leadership style today. In this episode of Go Beyond the Connection, Kurt shares how psychological safety, internal marketing, and strategic roadmaps are helping him turn IT into a high-performing, growth-aligned force within the bank.Here’s what you’ll learn from Kurt’s roadmap:Psychological safety is a growth strategy. When engineers feel safe speaking up, retention improves and issues surface earlier—before they become costly.IT must market itself. Kurt treats his 18-month roadmap like a campaign—public, strategic, and tied to specific KPIs. It earns trust, headcount, and budget.Leadership starts with listening. Kurt leads through mentorship and empathy, building trust through check-ins, ownership, and collaborative decision-making.You can’t be everywhere—so control the intake. By routing all support requests through himself, Kurt shields his engineers from constant context-switching and keeps projects on track.Tailored advocacy earns a seat at the table. Whether talking to a CFO, CRO, or COO, Kurt speaks their language—connecting tech outcomes to the metrics they care about.“When I talk about transforming IT into a growth enabler, I’m not saying we stop break‑fix. We still keep the lights on. I’m looking for value‑add that proves we’re more important to the business than before.” – Kurt ShrinerIf you're an IT leader looking to shift how your department is seen, this episode is a playbook for reframing IT’s role—from reactive support to proactive growth partner. Learn how Kurt earns trust across departments, retains top talent, and builds transparency into every project milestone.Listen now and start building your own roadmap:Episode PageYouTube PlaylistLinkedIn NewsletterCaptivate Audio Feed

What if your IT department wasn’t just a support desk—but a driver of revenue, reputation, and resilience?In this episode of Go Beyond the Connection, Jon Manes, Vice President of Information Technology at Mambo Seafood Restaurants, shares how he transformed IT into a revenue partner by building support systems that treat frontline staff like internal customers. With over 20 years of experience in restaurant technology, Jon brings clarity and urgency to what restaurant IT really needs—empathy, speed, and strategic influence.He walks through the infrastructure that keeps operations running even when fiber lines go down, explains why “wireless-first” is now a business imperative, and shows how real-time guest feedback can power a culture of accountability across the company.What you’ll learn:How dual connectivity and power redundancy protect every dollar earned at the point of saleWhy fast, empathetic IT support directly impacts customer experienceHow cross-departmental leadership buy-in makes IT a growth driverThe role of AI and loyalty programs in restaurant innovationWhy respecting internal teammates like guests builds long-term success"We are not a support department. We are not a cost center. We are a direct connection to customer experience, revenue growth. We support every single department and enable them." – Jon ManesIf you’ve ever wondered how IT can lead—not just support—this episode is your blueprint.Listen now:🔗 Full Blog + Podbook: https://www.bigleaf.net/podcast-episodes/018-jon-manes/▶️ YouTube Video Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSnAvj9VfOKQ2ISXOUIAc3Jse8S3eJIde📰 Subscribe to the LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7313431647520006144🎧 Captivate Audio Feed: https://feeds.captivate.fm/go-beyond-the-connection/

When your infrastructure can’t expand any further, you don’t just add hardware—you rethink everything.Chris Crist, Chief Information Officer at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, joins Go Beyond the Connection to explain how a wireless-first strategy became the foundation for nonstop operations at the world’s busiest airport.With over 108 million passengers annually and a complex campus that rivals a small city, ATL needed a network capable of more than just keeping up. Chris shares how they hit a hard limit on physical cabling—and turned it into a catalyst for innovation.Key learnings from this episode:Why traditional cabling reached its breaking point—and what came nextHow distributed antenna systems (DAS) and upgraded Wi-Fi support 24,000+ concurrent usersWhat biometric boarding and AI-powered security mean for real-time operationsThe role of CIOs in business alignment and infrastructure resiliencyHow to build hot-standby data centers and redundant distribution frames into the network fabric“We have to become more efficient with what we have. It’s through technology that we’re going to make that work—and we’ll need to rely more on wireless capabilities to do that.” – Chris CristThis episode is packed with actionable insights for IT leaders managing complex operations, constrained environments, or growing digital footprints. Whether you’re in aviation, healthcare, retail, or manufacturing, Chris’s wireless-first roadmap offers practical takeaways for building resilient, scalable infrastructure.🎧 Read the blog ▶️ Watch the full episode 📬 Subscribe to the LinkedIn newsletter 🎙️ Audio-only feed on Captivate 👤Chris Crist on Linkedin 🏢Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport (ATL)

What’s the hidden cost of internal misalignment in tech companies? According to Jordan Liebman, it’s not just friction—it’s lost growth, missed customer outcomes, and a lack of clarity across the business.In this episode of Go Beyond the Connection, Jordan—a marketing executive with leadership roles at Verizon, BlueJeans, and Konica Minolta—shares how tech teams can achieve more by working together across functions. With decades of experience translating customer needs into brand and business impact, Jordan outlines how marketing must act as the voice of the customer inside the company.His message? Alignment isn’t optional—it’s the foundation for sustainable growth.Key Learnings:Marketing is the conductor. Jordan sees marketing as the cross-functional hub translating customer needs to every department—from product to finance.Content must invite participation. In a saturated market, the brands that win are those that start conversations, not monologues.Design for internal and external customers. True collaboration means building experiences that support both teams and buyers.Misalignment is silent sabotage. It shows up as slow decisions, finger-pointing, and missed KPIs—but it can be solved through radical transparency and shared goals.Growth requires orchestration. High-performing tech teams operate like a synchronized system, with marketing playing the role of connector and catalyst.Quote:“Customer-obsessed silos don’t just slow you down—they kill momentum and confuse the customer.” — Jordan LiebmanIf you're leading through complexity or scaling a tech business, this episode offers a practical roadmap to align your teams around what really matters.🎧 Full blog recap: https://www.bigleaf.net/podcast-episodes/015-jordan-liebman/▶️ Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSnAvj9VfOKQ2ISXOUIAc3Jse8S3eJIde📬 LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7313431647520006144🎙️ Audio Feed on Captivate: https://feeds.captivate.fm/go-beyond-the-connection/👤 Guest: Jordan Liebman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanliebman/

What does it take to keep a fully remote company running smoothly—at scale? Cal Krome, Head of IT at Calm, joins Go Beyond the Connection to share his approach to building trust, deploying cloud-first systems, and designing IT processes that actually help people.With a background that spans everything from solo IT support to launching 40+ global offices at Lyft, Cal offers a refreshingly human perspective on what modern IT leadership looks like. It's not about locking everything down—it’s about empowering your people with secure, seamless access and planning ahead so the road stays smooth as you grow.Key learnings from this episode include:Why IT has to earn trust just like any other teamHow automation supports scale in onboarding and offboardingThe value of cloud-first infrastructure in remote environmentsThe role of AI in modern IT workflows—and where it's headingWhy IT shouldn’t be the reason a deal doesn’t closeQuote highlight:“You never want to be in the place where you’re putting out fires. Your goal should always be to build fire sprinklers well in advance.”🎧 Check out the full episode blog recap▶️ Watch all episodes📬 Subscribe to our newsletter🎙️ Captivate feed👤 Connect with Cal Krome🏢 Learn more about CalmAdditional Reading:Bridging the Trust Gap: How IT and Executives Can Align for Scalable GrowthDevice Trust and Access Control: The Future of Secure Remote WorkCalm IT in a Chaotic World: How Cal Krome Trains Non-Technical Teams for Tech ResilienceScaling Smart from Day One: What Cal Krome Learned Supporting Lyft’s Explosive Growth

When it comes to network strategy, Ajay Malik doesn’t just follow trends—he helps define them. With a background spanning Wi-Fi Alliance, Google, Cisco, and more, Ajay brings unmatched expertise to the intersection of wireless networking and AI.As CEO of StudioX, he’s advising organizations across industries on how to build more resilient, intelligent infrastructures that do more than just connect—they reason, adapt, and optimize in real time.Key Learnings:Why wireless-first is no longer optional—it’s foundationalHow AI enables autonomous networking and real-time optimizationThe real-world benefits of moving from wired to AI-managed wireless networksWhat “customer experience” really means in a connected businessWhat system engineers need to know now about AI’s role in their futureQuote:"Wi-Fi is not just a technology—it’s a business acceleration strategy." — Ajay Malik🎧 Blog Recap › https://www.bigleaf.net/podcast-episodes/014-ajay-malik/▶️ Watch the Episode › https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSnAvj9VfOKQ2ISXOUIAc3Jse8S3eJIde📬 Subscribe to the Newsletter › https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7313431647520006144🎙️ Listen on Captivate › https://feeds.captivate.fm/go-beyond-the-connection/🔗 Connect with Ajay Malik › https://www.linkedin.com/in/artofai

Cybersecurity isn’t just about technology—it’s about leadership.In this episode of Go Beyond the Connection, Javed Ikbal breaks down how misalignment at the executive level weakens even the most well-funded cybersecurity programs.Drawing on decades of experience in security leadership, Javed explains why CISOs must stop speaking in technical terms and start communicating business risk. He shares examples of how cultural gaps, unclear roles, and competing priorities leave companies vulnerable—and how to turn that around.What you’ll learn:Why people—not tools—still pose the biggest riskHow executive misalignment creates security gapsWhy CISOs must translate threats into business languageHow to reduce shadow IT through better alignmentThe role of empathy in building a strong security cultureQuote from Javed:“If security is getting in the way of business, business will go around security. Every time.”--📖 Check out the Episode Landing Page: https://www.bigleaf.net/podcast-episodes/013-javed-ikbal/📺 Watch More Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSnAvj9VfOKQ2ISXOUIAc3Jse8S3eJIde📬 Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7313431647520006144🎧 Subscribe on Captivate: https://feeds.captivate.fm/go-beyond-the-connection/👤 Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/javedikbal/🏢 Guest Company: https://www.brighthorizons.com/

What does it take to design a network that won’t go down—even when something breaks?In this episode, Milagro CEO Hamed Mazrouei shares how he built the HAFT platform to deliver fault-tolerant, high-availability infrastructure across multiple business locations, even on a budget.Key Learnings:Design for every failure pointScale HA with Bigleaf SD-WANKeep your brand safe through tech and partner accountabilityQuote: “Bigleaf has to be a 10. We don’t tolerate anyone who isn’t.”🎧 https://feeds.captivate.fm/go-beyond-the-connection/📖 https://www.bigleaf.net/podcast-episodes/012-hamed-mazrouei/▶️ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSnAvj9VfOKQ2ISXOUIAc3Jse8S3eJIde

When healthcare systems fail, lives are on the line. That’s why CIOs can’t just be operational—they must lead.In this episode of Go Beyond the Connection, Julie Dearinger-Smith, Founder & CEO at Contingency Health Solutions, discusses how CIO leadership in healthcare resilience is reshaping patient safety, business continuity, and cross-functional alignment.Julie brings 25+ years of experience in nursing informatics and IT leadership to the conversation, revealing why the CIO is no longer a behind-the-scenes tech role. Instead, today’s CIO is a strategic partner, capable of translating complex systems into boardroom decisions—and helping entire health systems plan for the unexpected.Key takeaways:A resilient network starts with contingency planning, not just infrastructure.Wireless must be strong enough to be invisible.Leadership must ensure technology is adopted—not just implemented.Downtime is inevitable. Preparation reduces its impact.Cross-functional trust creates true resilience.Julie emphasizes that people—not just platforms—create stability. “Even the best technology is completely useless if it isn’t adopted,” she says.🎧 Go Beyond The Connection 📖 Read the blog recap ▶️ Watch more episodes 📬 Subscribe on LinkedIn👤 Guest on LinkedIn: Julie Dearinger-Smith🏥 Guest Company: Contingency Health Solutions

Is your C-Suite helping or hindering your data strategy?Rob Huffstedtler, Global Head of Solutions Architecture at Sitecore, brings decades of cross-functional experience to this question—and the answer isn’t always obvious. In Episode 11 of Go Beyond the Connection, Rob explains why aligning executive leadership with technical goals is the difference between meaningful innovation and organizational gridlock.Through compelling stories drawn from his journey in IT, sales enablement, and even competitive chili cookoffs, Rob explores the hidden forces that shape how companies use (or misuse) their data. He argues that data is only valuable when aligned to business outcomes—and that alignment begins with the C-Suite.“If data clarity and alignment don’t happen at the C-suite level, silos form. Then data becomes a tool to justify decisions, rather than a shared language for making the right ones.”This episode offers tactical advice for anyone selling into—or advocating within—enterprise organizations. If you're tired of managing by anecdote, struggling with siloed KPIs, or being treated as a cost center, Rob’s insights will help you change the conversation.🎧 Listen at http://www.gobeyondtheconnection.com🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-huffstedtler🌐 Sitecore: https://www.sitecore.com

Dean Sapp, Chief Information Security Officer at Filevine, explains why cybersecurity is more than just a cost center. He explores the financial risks of data breaches, revealing how swiftly companies can lose customers. He shows that business-minded security leaders need both technical skills and commercial acumen. He offers insights on leveraging IT to enhance revenue and trust.“A breach can hit profits overnight—strong security is truly a business enabler.” - Dean SappBusinesses often overlook the critical relationship between cybersecurity and operational growth. In this conversation, Dean reveals how disciplined habits—both in personal life and technology—can create a robust foundation for success. Learn how a commitment to consistent preparation, proactive defense, and relentless improvement can help safeguard data, earn stakeholder trust, and promote sustainable revenue gains.

Scott Reid, National Vice President of Technology Strategy and Sales at Radiology Partners, dives into why hitting the reset button is sometimes the smartest move. From lessons learned on championship teams to leading successful business strategies, Scott shares how continuous reevaluation and embracing change drive real growth.“You'll know it's time to start over when results decline and competitors outperform you.”We discuss building trust within teams, leveraging technology for competitive advantage, and recognizing when the status quo holds you back.🎧 Full audio feed: https://feeds.captivate.fm/go-beyond-the-connection/🔗 Full podbook and blog: https://www.bigleaf.net/podcast-episodes/008-scott-reid/Find Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmreid22/

Gary Trobaugh, Director of Information Technology at Life Flight Network, explores the pivotal role of a wireless-first approach in modern network infrastructure. He highlights how quick setup, mobility, and satellite connectivity create competitive advantages. He underscores the importance of securing sensitive data—especially in life-critical industries—and why seamless connectivity enables rapid expansion and secure, higher-level customer experiences."Wireless is the future. You need to embrace it, get comfortable with it, and utilize it. It will become a part of everyone’s daily life—if it hasn’t already." - Gary TrobaughAs industries evolve, wireless-first solutions offer substantial business agility. Adopting wireless-first means organizations can meet immediate demands, outpace competitors, and secure faster, more reliable operations. Gary shares invaluable insights into how businesses can ensure security while reaping the benefits of a flexible and scalable wireless-first infrastructure.

Most IT leaders know they cannot do everything alone. But knowing that and actually building the partner relationships that make a difference are two very different things.In this episode, Steve MacDonald sits down with Shawn Tinsley, Senior Director of IT at Dell Technologies, to talk about what it really takes to build partner ecosystems that drive results. Shawn brings a rare combination of executive IT experience and graduate-level research in organizational decision-making, and he uses both to make a clear case: the organizations that win are the ones that invest in the people and relationships around their technology, not just the technology itself.Shawn discusses why no single team can possess all the expertise a modern enterprise requires, what happens when organizations rely too heavily on internal knowledge alone, and how external partners can fill critical gaps while helping companies focus on what they do best. He also shares the story of leading a cloud migration involving 7,000 applications, a project that succeeded not because of the technology plan but because of the change management work and trust built along the way.Key LearningsNo internal team can hold all the expertise a modern enterprise needs -- partner networks fill critical gapsCulture, not technology, is the most consistent predictor of organizational success across 250 studiesA shift from passive ticket-taking to proactive service delivery generated $50 million in savings over three yearsTrust and two-way communication are what make large-scale technology implementations succeedIdentifying core vs. non-core functions is the highest-leverage decision an IT leader can make"Even the most advanced tools are meaningless unless people unite around shared goals."-- Shawn Tinsley, Senior Director of IT, Dell TechnologiesFor IT and network leaders thinking about how to get more from their partner relationships, this conversation offers clear, experience-backed guidance.Listen now and connect with Shawn Tinsley on LinkedIn

--Visit Go Beyond The Connection website for more informationInterview Guest: Jim Grassman, Vice President of Technology at Homes for HeroesFind them on LinkedIn

Eric Cole, Founder and CEO at Secure Anchor Consulting, explores critical challenges around data security in a connected world. He highlights how many of us lose track of our digital assets when relying on cloud storage and wireless networks. He demonstrates the risks of neglected security controls, particularly as we scale operations. He offers practical advice for building resilience without sacrificing convenience.“Data keeps multiplying, and if we don’t control it, we can’t harness its power.” – Eric ColeEric Cole’s conversation dives into the ever-shifting demands of cybersecurity and networking, highlighting the importance of remaining adaptive to advances in threat tactics. He reveals how a love for problem-solving propels him to explore cutting-edge solutions, ensuring businesses stay resilient while protecting their most valuable asset—data. Ultimately, he shows that continuous innovation is the only way to stay ahead of cyber adversaries.--Visit Go Beyond The Connection website for more informationInterview Guest: Eric Cole, Founder and CEO at Secure Anchor ConsultingFind them on LinkedIn

Adam Krob, Director of Information Technology at Field Audit, and Process Improvement at Boh Bros. Construction Co., LLC, explains how he became passionate about file and print networks in 1989. He shares why the German language remains a significant personal interest. Adam dives into pressing issues around connectivity, data management, and fiber versus wireless considerations. He emphasizes the importance of simplicity, reliability, and creative solutions in construction technology.“You have to hedge your bets and diversify connectivity options.” – Adam KrobThis conversation explores how Adam’s early tech experiences shape his forward-thinking approach. He details how personal passions intersect with professional growth, creating opportunities to innovate remote work and manage complex data demands. His story looks at how IT leaders anticipate and respond to constant changes in technology landscapes and on-site construction realities.--Visit Go Beyond The Connection website for more informationInterview Guest: Adam Krob, Director of Information Technology, Field Audit, and Process Improvement at Boh Bros. Construction Co., LLCFind them on LinkedIn

Sampo Parkkinen, CEO of Revieve, discusses the rising importance of connectivity in today’s remote work landscape. He explains how AI transforms customer experiences across online, in-app, and in-store channels. Emphasizing robust network infrastructure and cloud solutions, he advocates for innovation that drives customer engagement and enterprise success.“Reliable connectivity is the backbone of our service. For consumers to access the solution, they need a reliable connection. Without that, quite honestly, we wouldn’t have a business at all.” - Sampo ParkkinenRevieve’s approach demonstrates how digital tools can enhance, rather than replace, human interaction in both internal operations and customer relationships. Sampo Parkkinen underscores the importance of connectivity, customer experience, and company culture as key pillars of sustainable success. By strategically integrating technology, businesses can foster meaningful engagement while maintaining a human touch, ensuring that innovation drives both efficiency and authentic connections in an increasingly digital world.--Visit Go Beyond The Connection website for more information about the podcastInterview Guest: Sampo Parkkinen CEO, RevieveFind them on LinkedIn

Intelligent connectivity has become a critical necessity for businesses, particularly in an era where internet downtime can incur significant financial losses. In our inaugural episode of Go Beyond the Connection, we engage in a profound dialogue with Dave Idle, the Chief Product Officer at Bigleaf Networks, who elucidates the transformative potential of purpose-built SD-WAN, intelligent routing, and a wireless-first design approach. Dave articulates the inadequacies of legacy networking solutions in today's distributed environments and expounds upon how Bigleaf adeptly navigates these challenges. The discussion highlights essential concepts such as same-IP failover and real-time Quality of Service (QoS) routing, emphasizing their paramount importance over sheer bandwidth. This episode is an invaluable resource for both technical and non-technical leaders seeking to foster resilient, application-aware networks that maintain operational continuity even amid circuit failures.Dave Idle, Senior Vice President and Chief Product Officer at Bigleaf Networks, explores the evolution of wireless internet infrastructure and its impact on small to medium-sized businesses. He discusses the shift from traditional wireline networks to advanced wireless systems driven by 5G technology. The conversation highlights intelligent routing solutions that enhance connectivity and business resilience.“Bigleaf is capitalizing on the growth and expansion of 5G and satellite technology, and we are working diligently to ensure that connectivity across this new technology is optimized for consumers and businesses.” - Dave IdleThe future of wireless connectivity is evolving with 6G and satellite and wireless tech integration. As 5G expands, seamless global communication will enable high-speed internet anywhere. This progress drives innovation, boosts productivity, and strengthens industries. Companies like Bigleaf will optimize networks, ensuring resilience in a digital world. Embracing these changes is key for businesses to stay competitive in a hyper-connected future.The inaugural episode of Go Beyond the Connection offers an insightful discourse on the imperative of intelligent connectivity in an age where internet downtime incurs significant financial repercussions. In this enlightening conversation with Dave Idle, Chief Product Officer at Bigleaf Networks, we delve into the evolution of networking paradigms, particularly focusing on the inadequacies of legacy systems in meeting the demands of distributed business environments. Idle articulates the necessity for purpose-built SD-WAN solutions that facilitate intelligent routing and a wireless-first approach, highlighting how these innovations are reshaping connectivity strategies for enterprises. He elucidates the pivotal role of same-IP failover and real-time QoS routing, emphasizing their superiority over mere bandwidth considerations in ensuring network resilience. Through this dialogue, we uncover the transformative potential of Bigleaf’s proprietary architecture, which empowers enterprises to align their networking strategies with overarching business objectives, thereby fostering a seamless and reliable operational foundation.The discourse further explores the shifting perceptions surrounding wireless networks, which have traditionally been viewed as supplementary to wired connections. Idle posits that contemporary enterprises, particularly those with distributed retail franchises, are increasingly recognizing the critical nature of wireless connectivity. This shift is underscored by substantial investments in wireless infrastructure by major industry players. The episode ultimately challenges listeners to reconsider conventional views of networking, advocating for a paradigm where intelligent, application-aware networks are not merely optional but essential for maintaining operational integrity in an increasingly digital economy.Listeners are invited to grasp the nuances of modern networking as Idle dissects complex concepts with clarity, enabling both technical and non-technical stakeholders to appreciate the intricacies of resilient network design. The episode is a clarion call for enterprise leaders to embrace innovation in connectivity, ensuring that their infrastructure is not only robust but also agile enough to adapt to the evolving landscape of business technology.In this episode, we are introduced to the transformative landscape of connectivity wherein intelligent routing systems, such as those developed by Bigleaf Networks, play a pivotal role in shaping the future of enterprise networking. Dave Idle, the Chief Product Officer, articulates the pressing need for organizations to re-evaluate their networking strategies in light of the increasing reliance on digital connectivity. The discussion underscores the limitations of traditional networking approaches, particularly in the context of distributed environments where the agility and reliability of connectivity are paramount. Idle emphasizes the importance of innovative solutions that prioritize application performance over sheer bandwidth, introducing listeners to the concept of same-IP failover and real-time Quality of Service (QoS) routing as critical components in ensuring uninterrupted connectivity.The episode delves into the strategic importance of wireless-first designs for enterprises, particularly in sectors such as retail, where operational continuity hinges on reliable internet access. Idle's insights shed light on the substantial investments made by companies to bolster their wireless infrastructure, framing these efforts as essential to sustaining competitive advantage in today's digital marketplace. As businesses grapple with the challenges posed by an increasingly distributed workforce, the conversation highlights how organizations can leverage intelligent, application-aware networks to not only enhance their connectivity but also align their network infrastructure with broader business objectives.Listeners are encouraged to reflect on the implications of these insights for their own organizations, as the discussion navigates the complexities of modern networking and the critical role that intelligent routing plays in fostering resilience and operational excellence. The episode serves as both an informative resource and a strategic guide for enterprise leaders seeking to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of connectivity in the digital age.Takeaways:Intelligent connectivity has become essential for businesses, particularly in avoiding costly internet downtimes.The transition to wireless-first strategies is increasingly vital for distributed enterprises seeking resilient network solutions.Bigleaf Networks employs same-IP failover technology to ensure seamless connectivity during circuit failures, enhancing business operations.The proprietary architecture of Bigleaf facilitates intelligent routing that prioritizes crucial application traffic over less critical data.IT leaders must align their networking strategies with overarching business objectives rather than merely focusing on data transmission.Wireless technology is not merely a backup; it is a primary solution for maintaining operational continuity in modern enterprises.--Visit Go Beyond The Connection website for more informationInterview Guest: Dave Idle, Senior Vice President and Chief Product Officer at Bigleaf NetworksFind them on LinkedIn