Go Beyond The Connection

Bigleaf Networks
  • 5.0 (4)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Go Beyond the Connection is a show for business leaders, IT pros, and anyone obsessed with how connectivity shapes the modern enterprise. Listen and explores what happens beyond the internet connection—where technology, resilience, and real-world business needs intersect. In each episode, we speak with industry experts, innovators, and practitioners who are pushing the boundaries of cloud connectivity, network performance, and digital infrastructure. From hybrid work to SD-WAN, from customer experience to business continuity, we dig into the strategies that power today’s most connected organizations. Whether you’re leading IT transformation, navigating the challenges of multi-site networking, or simply want to stay sharp on emerging tech, Go Beyond the Connection delivers actionable insights in a human, engaging format. It’s not just about the tech—it’s about the people and stories behind it. Tune in, subscribe, and discover how to future-proof your business one conversation at a time.

  1. Why Most AI Deployments Fail (And How to Fix the Sequence) | Go Beyond the Connection with ChaChi Gallo

    APR 29

    Why Most AI Deployments Fail (And How to Fix the Sequence) | Go Beyond the Connection with ChaChi Gallo

    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 Corporation Companies mentioned in this episode: Michaels CorporationMilwaukee PCGeneracGoogleOracleOpenAICaterpillarKomatsuAWS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IThc0C7zdMw

    30 min
  2. The Connected Kitchen: Restaurants Are Now Technology Companies with Jim Basar

    APR 14

    The Connected Kitchen: Restaurants Are Now Technology Companies with Jim Basar

    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 Basar Restaurants 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 Name Jim Basar Title VP of Enterprise Business Group Company Intwine Connect, LLC LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-basar-91240a50/ Company Site https://www.intwineconnect.com/

    29 min
  3. Connectivity Insurance: BJ Olson and Ryan Bowden on Protecting Revenue | Ep. 038

    MAR 30

    Connectivity Insurance: BJ Olson and Ryan Bowden on Protecting Revenue | Ep. 038

    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. Guests BJ Olson, Founder, twenty7 Technology Group Ryan Bowden, Technology Consultant, twenty7 Technology Group Series Tech Trends Episode Page https://www.bigleaf.net/podcast/episode/038-bj-olson-ryan-bowden Blog Post https://www.bigleaf.net/blog/network-downtime-cost-business-resilience BJ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/b-j-olson/ Ryan LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-bowden/ Company Website https://twenty7tech.com/

    29 min
  4. The Future of Connected Care: Why Incremental Change Wins in Healthcare | Go Beyond the Connection with Falko Buttler

    MAR 12

    The Future of Connected Care: Why Incremental Change Wins in Healthcare | Go Beyond the Connection with Falko Buttler

    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 Buttler Falko 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.

    26 min
  5. The Digital Jobsite: The Wireless Backbone of Modern Construction. | Thomas Berrington Go Beyond the Connection

    FEB 19

    The Digital Jobsite: The Wireless Backbone of Modern Construction. | Thomas Berrington 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

    28 min
  6. The Digital Kitchen as a Revenue Engine with Chris Demery of Blaze Pizza

    FEB 4

    The Digital Kitchen as a Revenue Engine with Chris Demery of Blaze Pizza

    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 concern Whether 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

    31 min
  7. How the Connected Kitchen Powers the Modern Enterprise with Tom Seeker

    JAN 20

    How the Connected Kitchen Powers the Modern Enterprise with Tom Seeker

    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 table Tom 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 Coffee This 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=7313431647520006144 Companies mentioned in this episode: Barnhills BuffetOutback Restaurant PartnersMeguiar'sShrimp BasketBurton GolfEarl EnterprisesPlanet HollywoodBrioBravoBertucciBucaZiggy's CoffeeOloChowieCheckmateToastNCRPOSitouchSamsung

    38 min
  8. Tim Newton on the Digital Kitchen Advantage in QSR Operations

    JAN 8

    Tim Newton on the Digital Kitchen Advantage in QSR Operations

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

    30 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Go Beyond the Connection is a show for business leaders, IT pros, and anyone obsessed with how connectivity shapes the modern enterprise. Listen and explores what happens beyond the internet connection—where technology, resilience, and real-world business needs intersect. In each episode, we speak with industry experts, innovators, and practitioners who are pushing the boundaries of cloud connectivity, network performance, and digital infrastructure. From hybrid work to SD-WAN, from customer experience to business continuity, we dig into the strategies that power today’s most connected organizations. Whether you’re leading IT transformation, navigating the challenges of multi-site networking, or simply want to stay sharp on emerging tech, Go Beyond the Connection delivers actionable insights in a human, engaging format. It’s not just about the tech—it’s about the people and stories behind it. Tune in, subscribe, and discover how to future-proof your business one conversation at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Bigleaf Networks
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Bigleaf Networks
  • Show Website
    Go Beyond The Connection