Edge of Excellence: Empowering People to Shape the Future

iuvo LLC
  • 5.0 (2)
  • BUSINESS

The Edge of Excellence explores how leadership, culture, and technology shape modern business growth. Hosted by Bryon Beilman, President & CEO of iuvo, and Jessica DeForge, Marketing Manager at iuvo, the show dives deep into the human side of innovation, where strategy meets curiosity, and excellence is more than just expertise. Each episode features conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and visionaries who are pushing boundaries in leadership, technology, and business transformation. From sharing actionable insights to simplifying complex IT challenges, The Edge of Excellence empowers listeners to think differently, lead boldly, and use technology as a catalyst for growth. Tune in for real stories, expert perspectives, and practical takeaways that help you lead at the edge of excellence.

Episodes

  1. How to Apply AI: Where Smart Businesses Start

    2D AGO

    How to Apply AI: Where Smart Businesses Start

    In this episode of Edge of Excellence, Jess DeForge and Bryon Beilman sit down with Brian St. Marie, Principal Consultant and vCIO at iuvo, to unpack how organizations can start using AI in a way that’s practical, secure, and actually valuable. They discuss: Why “just waiting” on AI is a riskHow to start small with AI pilots instead of massive investmentsThe importance of data hygiene and AI use policiesHow shadow AI creates security and compliance risksWhy the best AI ROI often comes from back-office workflowsHow internal champions and company culture impact AI successThis episode is for leaders and teams who want clarity on how to approach AI. Key Takeaways Your employees are likely already using AIStart with everyday use cases to build comfort and momentumPoor data hygiene can derail AI effortsAI governance and policies protect your businessIterative pilots outperform large-scale AI projectsCulture and internal champions are criticalAI can dramatically accelerate productivity and employee satisfaction

    53 min
  2. Building a People-First Culture in IT

    JAN 21

    Building a People-First Culture in IT

    In this episode of Edge of Excellence, co-hosts Jess DeForge and Bryon Beilman are joined by Jeff Ouellette, Co-Founder and COO of iuvo, to share the story behind the company and the values that shaped it. Jeff reflects on the early challenges of the IT industry, where technical expertise often lacked business understanding and customer empathy. Together, they discuss how iuvo was intentionally built to bridge that gap through a people-first culture rooted in trust, accountability, and growth. This conversation dives into leadership lessons learned over nearly two decades, including: Why cultural alignment outweighs technical skillHow core values must be lived—not just written downThe role of psychological safety in innovation and performanceEmpowering leadership at every levelNavigating failure, growth, and change with purposeWhether you’re leading a company, managing a team, or growing in your own career, this episode offers practical insight into building organizations where people and businesses thrive. Key Takeaways The IT industry has long struggled to connect technical expertise with business outcomesA people-first culture drives stronger teams and better customer experiencesHiring for cultural fit creates long-term successCore values should reflect reality, not aspirationEmpowered employees deliver better resultsLeadership is about support, trust, and growthPsychological safety encourages innovationGrowth is a continuous journey built on learning and adaptation  🌐 Learn more about iuvo: https://www.iuvotech.com

    51 min
  3. Cybersecurity is Culture: Protecting People, Not Just Systems

    JAN 7

    Cybersecurity is Culture: Protecting People, Not Just Systems

    Cybersecurity isn’t just about firewalls, passwords, and software updates. It’s about people. In this episode of Edge of Excellence, hosts Jess DeForge and Bryon Beilman sit down with expert Russell Poovey to explore the often-overlooked human side of security. From phishing attacks and insider threats to leadership accountability and employee training, this conversation highlights why culture and behavior are just as critical as technology. Russell shares real-world stories from the field, explains how modern phishing attacks work, and offers practical, actionable steps leaders can take to strengthen their organization’s security posture. The key takeaway? Cybersecurity is a company-wide responsibility, and building a strong security culture can prevent costly mistakes before they happen  Key Takeaways Cybersecurity starts with people, not just tools or systemsHuman behavior is often the biggest security risk and the biggest opportunityLeadership must model good security habits for teams to followPhishing attacks are more sophisticated (and convincing) than everCreating a “report first, no shame” culture is essentialRegular training and phishing simulations empower employeesIncentives can positively reinforce strong security behaviorsProper offboarding and account management reduce insider threatsRemote work introduces new security risks that must be addressedA strong security culture can prevent downtime, financial loss, and reputational damage Learn More Want help building a security-first culture at your organization? Visit iuvotech.com to learn how iuvo helps businesses strengthen cybersecurity through people, process, and technology.

    52 min
  4. The Future of Work: Culture, Collaboration & Connection in Remote Teams

    12/10/2025

    The Future of Work: Culture, Collaboration & Connection in Remote Teams

    As remote and hybrid work models become the norm, leaders are facing a new challenge: How do you build a strong, connected, high-trust culture when your team is distributed? In this episode of Edge of Excellence, hosts Jess DeForge and Bryon Beilman sit down with Matt Freake, Vice President of Client Services at iuvo, to unpack what great culture looks like in remote environments and how leaders can foster collaboration, communication, and genuine human connection no matter where their teams are logging in from.   This conversation explores: Why culture shouldn’t shift just because the workplace doesThe role of trust and transparency in avoiding micromanagementHow to build psychological safety and open communicationBest practices for remote collaboration and knowledge sharingHow onboarding, mentorship, and community rituals accelerate connectionWhy modeling work–life balance matters and how it impacts business outcomes  Matt also shares the systems iuvo uses to strengthen distributed teamwork, including Slack, Teams, SharePoint, Viva, structured onboarding, cultural mentors, virtual events, and intentional in-person gatherings.   Whether you're a people manager, HR leader, executive, or anyone navigating the future of work, this episode delivers a grounded, human-centered guide to building collaborative, resilient, and connected teams. 🎧 Listen in to learn why strong culture is not only possible in remote teams, it can be a powerful advantage.

    1h 1m

  5. 11/26/2025

    AI Without the Hype: What Leaders Really Need to Know

    In this episode of Edge of Excellence, we sit down with Ed Perkins, Principal Consultant, vCIO, and the architect behind iuvo’s secure, self-hosted AI platform, to unpack what AI adoption really looks like inside modern businesses. Instead of adding to the noise, this conversation cuts straight through the hype. Ed breaks down the biggest misconceptions leaders have about AI, why companies feel so much pressure to “do something” quickly, and how hype from major vendors and industry success stories fuels both overconfidence and fear. He also explains why some organizations are rushing in blindly, while others are pretending AI doesn’t exist, despite the fact that employees are almost certainly using it already. Drawing from real client experiences and decades of supporting data-intensive industries, Ed offers a clear, practical roadmap for leaders. He covers: How to tell the difference between hype and real opportunityWhy leadership alignment and culture matter more than toolsThe risks of ungoverned AI use, including accidental data exposure, hallucinations, and unexpected access to sensitive informationWhy an AI policy is the essential first stepHow private/self-hosted AI environments (like iuvo Secure AI) protect IP and reduce riskWhat leaders should understand about Copilot, SharePoint permissions, and data governanceHow AI can speed up decision-making and free teams to focus on higher-value workHow fast AI is evolving, and why strategies must stay flexibleEd also shares practical advice for leaders who are curious about AI but don’t know where to start. Whether you're hesitant about AI, excited but overwhelmed, or trying to build a responsible long-term strategy, this episode gives you the grounded, candid clarity you need to move forward with confidence.

    37 min
  6. The Future of IT: What Every Leader Should Know Heading Into 2026

    11/12/2025

    The Future of IT: What Every Leader Should Know Heading Into 2026

    What will it take for businesses to stay competitive, secure, and resilient heading into 2026? In this episode of Edge of Excellence, Empowering People to Shape the Future, we break down the future of IT and what leaders need to know to make smarter, future-ready decisions. For years, IT was viewed as a cost center, a support function that “kept the lights on.” But today, IT drives growth, innovation, customer experience, operational efficiency, and competitive advantage. The organizations that win in 2026 will be the ones that treat IT as a strategic asset, not an afterthought. In this episode, we explore: How IT has shifted from back-office function to a business growth engineWhy leaders must rethink how they evaluate technology investmentsThe most important technology trends shaping the next yearHow to separate hype from what actually creates valueThe growing importance of security, governance, and operational visibilityHow to close the gap between leadership vision and IT execution Key Trends Discussed - Cloud maturity & optimization - AI implementation that aligns with strategic goals - Evolving cybersecurity threats - Data visibility for smarter decision-making - Practical Steps for Leaders - Evaluate your current IT posture - Strengthen resilience and security culture - Build foundations before adopting “shiny” new tools - Partner with experts who help translate strategy to execution The bottom line: Technology is no longer optional or operational; it’s the backbone of business growth. The leaders who understand this shift will be the ones who scale, adapt, and outperform in 2026 and beyond. 🌐 Learn more about how iuvo empowers organizations →  www.iuvotech.com

    46 min
  • 6 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Edge of Excellence explores how leadership, culture, and technology shape modern business growth. Hosted by Bryon Beilman, President & CEO of iuvo, and Jessica DeForge, Marketing Manager at iuvo, the show dives deep into the human side of innovation, where strategy meets curiosity, and excellence is more than just expertise. Each episode features conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and visionaries who are pushing boundaries in leadership, technology, and business transformation. From sharing actionable insights to simplifying complex IT challenges, The Edge of Excellence empowers listeners to think differently, lead boldly, and use technology as a catalyst for growth. Tune in for real stories, expert perspectives, and practical takeaways that help you lead at the edge of excellence.

Information