Belmar Bytes

Belmar Consulting
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Belmar Bytes is brought to you by the team at Belmar Consulting. We explore business, leadership, technology, and all things Salesforce.

  1. MAR 5

    Episode 29: AI in the First Inning: Displacement, Evolution, and the Future of Enterprise Software

    As we hit the three-year mark of the current AI cycle, the debate surrounding the "replacement" of enterprise software and knowledge workers is reaching a fever pitch. In this episode, Scott Billows and Matt Hui break down the current state of artificial intelligence, arguing that we are still in the "very early part of the first inning". They dive into the trending fears that AI will eradicate SaaS giants like Salesforce, explaining why these tools remain essential foundations as systems of record and compliance. The conversation also shifts to the "knowledge worker," debunking the idea of total job replacement and focusing instead on how AI is supercharging productivity, increasing the "surface area" of what organizations can achieve, and raising the high watermark for quality and human judgment. Key topics discussed include: The "Vibe Coding" Trend: Why AI replaces tasks, not entire professions, and how job descriptions for developers and consultants are evolving.Real-World Adoption: Why AI pioneers like OpenAI and Anthropic are still hiring human Salesforce administrators and software developers.The "Output vs. Expectation" Cycle: How increased efficiency leads to higher complexity and a greater need for human accountability and trust.Practical AI Wins: A look at how the Belmar team uses tools like Google Gemini and automated transcriptions to streamline content strategy and customer communication.

    28 min

  2. FEB 5

    Episode 28: Building the Foundation: How Alberta Cancer Foundation Modernized 20 Years of Data

    From waking up at 3:00 AM to process donations to tracking campaigns in real-time, Leslie Stewart joins the pod to discuss the Alberta Cancer Foundation’s move to Salesforce. Scott Billows and Leslie Stuart dive into the challenges of untangling "Frankensteined" legacy systems and the massive benefits of cloud adoption.  Whether you are a fundraiser or a systems director, Leslie’s advice on process mapping and data hygiene is a must-listen for anyone looking to modernize their nonprofit’s tech stack. Episode Highlights: Mitigating Risk: How a CFO and leadership team drove the decision to overhaul critical systems.Real-Time Results: Shifting from reactive, 24-hour delays to watching donations and campaign success in real-time.Platform vs. Application: Why growing organizations should choose platforms that allow for innovation rather than "in-the-box" applications.Future-Proofing: Preparing data foundations today for the use of AI tomorrow.

    32 min

  3. JAN 29

    Episode 27: From Emails to Selfies: The Hierarchy of Client Relationships

    We are deep into the January rush and the end of the Salesforce fiscal year, but we’re taking a moment to step back from the screens. In this episode, Scott and Matt discuss the undeniable energy of in-person events, from tech happy hours to executive dinners. The conversation dives down a rabbit hole regarding the "hierarchy" of client communication: when is it okay to move from email to text, to FaceTime, and finally, to asking for a selfie?. Plus, we talk about why "trust is currency" and preview some exciting upcoming events in Toronto this spring. Key Topics: The Energy of In-Person: Why face-to-face meetings beat virtual calls. The Manatee Lagoon: Scott’s recent networking event (not amenity lagoon). The Communication Stack: Assessing your relationship status based on whether you text or FaceTime clients. The Selfie Hook: How to successfully ask a client for a photo without making it awkward. Upcoming Events: The Build Good Summit and True North Dreamin' in May.

    29 min

  4. JAN 22

    Episode 26: Building Literacy from Birth

    In this episode of Belmar Bytes, Scott Billows sits down with Summer Wedlock, CEO of the Canadian Children’s Literacy Foundation (CCLF), to explore why early childhood literacy is one of the most powerful, and often overlooked, drivers of long-term social and economic impact. Summer shares her journey into the role, what drew her to CCLF’s mission, and why literacy from birth is not just an education issue, but a critical social determinant of health. Together, they unpack the realities facing children across Canada, from the alarming number entering Grade 1 below reading level to the millions growing up without a single book at home. The conversation dives into CCLF’s Flagship Program, which trains healthcare professionals to integrate early literacy into routine check-ups, ensuring families receive both guidance and books at key developmental milestones. Summer also discusses the Foundation’s expansion into early childhood education, multilingual and culturally relevant resources, and the growing role of evidence-based research in shaping national outcomes. Key themes include: Why early literacy from birth matters more than ever The role of healthcare providers and educators in closing literacy gaps Addressing inequities faced by marginalized and underserved communities The long-term economic impact of literacy, including its connection to Canada’s GDP Building national awareness to create lifelong reading habits at home This episode is a must-listen for nonprofit leaders, educators, healthcare professionals, and anyone passionate about creating lasting, generational change through early intervention.

    29 min

  5. JAN 16

    Episode 25: Navigating the Wave: Adapting to the AI "Operating System" in 2026

    Welcome back to Belmar Bytes! In our first episode of 2026, hosts Scott Billows and Matt Hui kick off the new year by diving deep into their predictions for the technology landscape over the next 12 months.  Scott and Matt reflect on the rapid evolution of the market and what it means for organizations trying to stay ahead. In this episode, we discuss: The AI "Tsunami": Scott predicts that 2026 is the year the world wakes up to a massive wave of advancement, where automation and autonomous technologies (like Waymo and humanoid robots) fundamentally change operations for organizations like food banks.AI as an Operating System: Matt argues that AI is no longer a "shiny object" or fad; it has become as fundamental as an operating system, caked into everything we do.The Trust Imperative: With reliance on data growing, security and trust are paramount. Matt predicts outsized investments in cybersecurity, noting it is no longer a question of if you get hacked, but when.From Reactive to Proactive: The duo discusses the shift in Salesforce’s Agent Force, predicting a move from reactive prompting to proactive insights that deliver answers before you even ask.Rising Expectations: As tools improve, user expectations for speed and accuracy skyrocket, requiring businesses to ensure their data plumbing is solid. Join us as we explore how to prepare for this accelerated rate of change and why proactive organizations will have a significant leg up in 2026.

    27 min

  6. 12/18/2025

    Episode 24: Building Better Fundraising: Donor Psychology & Lifetime Value with Mike Duerksen

    In this episode, Scott sits down with Mike Duerksen, Founder and CEO of Buildgood, a fundraising growth agency serving nonprofits across Canada and the US. Mike shares his journey from a frustrated fundraiser to an agency founder determined to eliminate the "black box" of data and strategy. The conversation explores the psychology of giving through "Self-Determination Theory"—ensuring donors feel autonomy, competence, and connectedness. Mike also breaks down the cultural differences between the US and Canadian markets, noting that while the US is faster and more entrepreneurial, Canada remains deeply relationship-driven. The "Black Box" Problem: Mike founded Buildgood to create a more transparent agency relationship regarding data and strategy. Donor Psychology: Utilizing "Self-Determination Theory" (Autonomy, Competence, Relatedness) to drive loyalty and higher lifetime value. Market Dynamics: A look at the speed and entrepreneurial nature of the US market versus the polite, relationship-heavy Canadian market. The F1 Analogy: Why organizations should not slow down during economic downturns, inspired by racing driver Ayrton Senna. The Teaching Hospital Model: Buildgood’s mission to care for clients (patients) while teaching the industry (doctors). Upcoming Event: The Build Good Summit, taking place May 13-14 in Toronto.

    29 min

  7. 12/11/2025

    Episode 23: Uniting Forces: Belmar Acquires 10th Avenue Consulting to Transform HHS Tech

    In this episode, Scott Billows and Matt Hui welcome Matt Reed, founder of 10th Avenue Consulting, to announce a major organizational milestone: the acquisition of 10th Avenue by Belmar. Matt Reed shares his journey from a frustrated client to a consultant determined to shift the industry standard for nonprofits. The trio dives deep into the specific challenges facing the Health and Human Services (HHS) sector, including the need for rapid digital transformation to meet new payer requirements like CalAIM. They also introduce "Care Ready," a prescriptive Salesforce package designed to get organizations live in just 6-8 weeks with a focus on long-term adoption through mandatory post-launch support. Tune in to hear how this partnership aims to fix the "broken" consulting model and deliver faster value to mission-driven organizations. The Acquisition: Belmar has acquired 10th Avenue Consulting to strengthen its expertise in the nonprofit and Health and Human Services (HHS) sectors. The Origin Story: Matt Reed founded 10th Avenue after a disappointing experience as a client, where a massive budget didn't yield the desired results. The "Care Ready" Solution: This is a pre-built Salesforce package designed for HHS organizations to go live in 6-8 weeks rather than months or years. A Different Support Model: The model requires six months of ongoing support to help clients iterate on the system after they have started using it, ensuring higher adoption. Declarative First: The team emphasizes using Salesforce's declarative (no-code) features so clients can maintain the system themselves without needing expensive developers.

    41 min

  8. 12/03/2025

    Episode 22: Breaking Down Barriers: 75 Years of Impact and Innovation at Easter Seals Alberta

    In this special episode released to celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Scott Billows sits down with Katherine Such, CEO of Easter Seals Alberta. Approaching its 75th anniversary, Easter Seals Alberta continues to pursue its vision of inspiring potential and building community by removing barriers for individuals with disabilities across the province. Katherine shares her unique leadership journey, rising from a summer student to CEO and discusses how the organization manages to support individuals from birth to age 99+. The conversation dives into the business challenges of the non-profit sector, including the need to diversify revenue streams through corporate retreats at Camp Horizon and the critical role of digital transformation. Scott and Katherine explore how their current technology partnership is streamlining administrative burdens, allowing the team to focus less on paperwork and more on human connection. Key Takeaways: Holistic Support: unlike many organizations that focus on specific cohorts, Easter Seals Alberta serves individuals with all types of disabilities from birth through to end of life (99+), covering the entire province. Revenue Diversification: To offset rising costs and maintain low fees for clients, the organization is utilizing its Camp Horizon facility to host corporate retreats, weddings, and conferences. Digital Transformation: Following a merger with the Children’s Link Society, the organization is implementing a centralized Salesforce database to reduce administrative time, improve reporting, and prevent clients from having to re-tell traumatic stories repeatedly. Leadership Advice: Katherine advises leaders facing complex challenges to "be curious" and start from the ground up to identify the root of the problem before jumping to solutions.

    30 min
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About

Belmar Bytes is brought to you by the team at Belmar Consulting. We explore business, leadership, technology, and all things Salesforce.

Information

  • Creator
    Belmar Consulting
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Belmar Consulting
  • Show Website
    Belmar Bytes