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 Liebman

If 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 team
• How automation supports scale in onboarding and offboarding
• The value of cloud-first infrastructure in remote environments
• The role of AI in modern IT workflows—and where it's heading
• Why IT shouldn’t be the reason a deal doesn’t close

Quote 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 Calm

Additional Reading:

• Bridging the Trust Gap: How IT and Executives Can Align for Scalable Growth
• Device Trust and Access Control: The Future of Secure Remote Work
• Calm IT in a Chaotic World: How Cal Krome Trains Non-Technical Teams for Tech Resilience
• Scaling 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 foundational
• How AI enables autonomous networking and real-time optimization
• The real-world benefits of moving from wired to AI-managed wireless networks
• What “customer experience” really means in a connected business
• What system engineers need to know now about AI’s role in their future

Quote:

"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 risk
• How executive misalignment creates security gaps
• Why CISOs must translate threats into business language
• How to reduce shadow IT through better alignment
• The role of empathy in building a strong security culture

Quote from Javed:

“If security is getting in the way of business, business will go around security. Every time.”

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📖 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 point
• Scale HA with Bigleaf SD-WAN
• Keep your brand safe through tech and partner accountability

Quote: “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

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 Sapp

Businesses 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 Trobaugh

As 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.