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. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. Service Excellence: Bjørn Jensen on Making Reliability the Real Competitive Edge

    12/10/2025

    Service Excellence: Bjørn Jensen on Making Reliability the Real Competitive Edge

    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 growth Throughout 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

    29 min
  8. Unbreakable Connectivity with Wireless-First Networks | Julian Jacquez & Dave Idle

    11/19/2025

    Unbreakable Connectivity with Wireless-First Networks | Julian Jacquez & Dave Idle

    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

    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
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Bigleaf Networks
  • Show Website
    Go Beyond The Connection