The Analytic Mind: Recent Episodes
Enterprise DNA
The Analytic Mind podcast provides an opportunity to learn from a diverse range of global data leaders. Hosted by Sam McKay, CEO of Enterprise DNA. Covered will be a range of data and analytics topics keeping you up to date with recent trends, organizational challenges, and opportunities for innovation in this exciting space.
Modern tools can now plan, build, test, and iterate while you supervise. The real unlock isn’t just speed, it’s defining stop conditions, adding observability, and validating every step.What you’ll learn:
- How an M-code MCP server runs a “genetic loop” to transform raw data into target shapes automatically
- Practical validation tactics: line-by-line checks, artifact comparison, and anti-hallucination guardrails
- Using Claude Code, Playwright/Puppeteer/Chrome DevTools MCP for vision-based UI verification
- A real example: running a 15-Minute Cities spatial analysis in hours instead of weeks
- Why OpenAI’s MCP-integrated hosting and agent specs change app delivery and stickiness
- Security and enterprise patterns for MCP gateways and containerized servers
- A workflow you can copy: plan first, parallelize tasks, supervise mid-run, validate at the end
Why it matters:Per-seat SaaS pricing, consulting models, and “build vs buy” are all getting rethought as replication costs drop and hosting moves in-platform. The edge now is knowing what to ask for, when it’s done, and how to prove it.If this helped, subscribe for more hands-on modern tools workflows and agent orchestration tips. Want structured learning and tools for data pros becoming app builders? Check out the Enterprise DNA ecosystem.
The way we work is being rewritten. More people are moving into fractional careers, AI is amplifying individual skills, and every business is on the path to building its own “org brain.”In this episode, we explore how these shifts are creating the biggest reorganization of work in our lifetimes. From agent orchestration and conversational analytics to dynamic stacks and MCP-powered workflows, we break down what’s changing and where the new opportunities lie.
What you’ll learn:
- Why fractional work and portfolio careers are growing fast
- How AI turns specialists into orchestrators across multiple projects
- The rise of organizational brains built on MCP
- Why intuition now matters more than perfection
- How conversational analytics takes self-service to the next level
If you’re building your career or your business in this new era, this conversation will help you see the patterns, spot the opportunities, and stay ahead of the curve.
Is Power BI making a comeback, or is Microsoft’s real bet on Fabric?
In this episode, we break down what’s happening across the data stack and why it matters for data professionals, developers, and teams building with AI.
Why it matters:
Microsoft is positioning Fabric as the AI runway while keeping Power BI as the semantic/data home base. The winners will learn to orchestrate, using agents for testing, automation, and scaling, while focusing on human effort on strategy and design.
AI voice is here: live translation, agent-to-agent booking, and call transcripts you can analyze instantly. We share concrete use cases, the MCP tool layer, and how teams turn conversations into first-party data that drives ops and growth.
Is AI really in a bubble, or are the headlines missing the truth?
In this episode, we unpack why the so-called “AI bubble” doesn’t match reality. Innovation is still accelerating, usage keeps climbing, and compute capacity, not demand, is the real bottleneck.
You’ll hear comparisons of GPT-5 Thinking, Claude, Cursor, and OpenRouter in real workflows, a look at how dynamic artifacts are replacing static dashboards, and why validation loops are making AI insights more reliable.
We also cover the explosion of data center investment, real security risks in the agent era, and how big platforms are turning AI into ecosystems that monetize far beyond chat.
Subscribe to The Analytic Mind to stay ahead in data and AI.
The generative economy is taking shape, but what does it actually mean for business, education, and everyday life? In this episode, we break down how AI-driven creation is changing the rules: lowering software costs, shifting how we learn, and even redefining what work looks like.
From token costs to vibe coding, from the future of universities to the rise of agents, this conversation explores how the generative economy will impact us all.
Listen in and get ahead of the curve on one of the biggest transformations of our time.
GPT-5 is out, but is it really a game-changer? In this episode, we unpack what’s new, what’s different from GPT-4, and why the launch has stirred so much debate. From model personalities to multi-model workflows, we explore what these changes mean for developers, businesses, and everyday users.
Listen in to find out if GPT-5 is hype or the next big step forward.
Self-service BI promised to democratize data, but did it ever truly deliver?
In this episode, we explore what self-service business intelligence could have been, why it struggled, and where it might actually work today. From the early days of Power BI as a "souped-up spreadsheet" to the rise of agents, context engineering, and lightweight tools, we unpack the real reasons behind BI’s evolution and where it’s heading next.
This is for analysts, builders, and data professionals asking: what’s the real path forward for empowered decision-making?
New tools. New workflows. No clear map.
This episode explores how we’re building faster than ever but often without knowing exactly where we’re headed. We talk about why tools now feel like teammates, how search and content systems are breaking down, and why building still matters in the middle of all the noise.
If your work feels different lately, this will explain why.
AI is advancing at lightning speed from agents that automate workflows to LLMs orchestrating complex tasks. But here's the truth: despite the hype around AGI and automation, humans are still at the center of it all.
In this episode, we break down what’s real and what’s exaggerated about AI today. We talk about energy limits, orchestration, memory tools, Microsoft's strategy with Power BI and Azure, and what it actually means to work with AI—not against it.
Whether you're a developer, analyst, or builder, one thing is clear: AI doesn't replace you. It multiplies what you can do.
👉 Topics Covered:
- Why energy is the real bottleneck to AI progress
- How LLMs need human orchestration to be useful
- What makes Microsoft’s data platform unstoppable
- Why Power BI, Excel & agents are transforming work
- The real conversation around AGI and compute limits
Discover how AI is transforming data analysis and app development by making complex tasks faster, smarter, and more accessible. This video explores the rapid advancements in AI tools that reduce the need for coding, automate database management, and enable dynamic data insights from multiple sources.
Learn why traditional data warehouses might become obsolete as AI connects directly to diverse datasets, and how AI agents are reshaping roles in the software and data industries. Whether you’re a developer, analyst, or business leader, understanding these changes is crucial to staying ahead.
Power BI changed the game when it launched, offering powerful analytics at a fraction of the cost of competitors like Tableau.
But as AI transforms how we work with data, are the foundations of Power BI built for what’s coming next?
In this episode, we look back at the early days of PowerPivot, the real reasons Power BI won over the market, and whether it's evolving fast enough to stay relevant in a modular, API-driven, AI-first world.
Topics we cover:
- Why Power BI really overtook Tableau
- The disconnect between innovation and adoption
- How AI is changing expectations for BI tools
- What data professionals should prepare for next
In this episode, we explore how AI agents combined with Model-Driven Code Platforms (MCP) are transforming enterprise software. Learn how businesses are building custom ERP and CRM solutions faster and more cost-effectively than ever before, moving away from traditional legacy systems.
Discover the power of AI-driven automation and low-code development in boosting productivity and driving innovation in enterprise operations. Tune in to understand why the future of business software is intelligent, flexible, and accessible.
What You Will Learn:
- How AI agents and MCP are disrupting traditional enterprise software
- The benefits of low-code and AI-driven custom ERP and CRM solutions
- Ways these technologies reduce costs and accelerate development
- How intelligent automation is transforming business productivity
- Why the future of enterprise software lies in flexibility and innovation
In this episode, we dive deep into the revolutionary impact of multiple AI agents collaborating to transform app development. Moving beyond traditional coding, developers are becoming managers of intelligent digital workers that work in concert to build smarter, faster, and more innovative software solutions.
Learn about the AI-genetic approach and how orchestrating multiple AI agents can unlock unprecedented productivity and creativity in your projects. This new paradigm not only changes how software is developed but also opens exciting opportunities for developers and businesses alike.
What You Will Learn:
- The concept of AI-genetic development and how multiple AI agents collaborate in app building
- How managing AI agents changes the traditional role of developers
- The productivity and innovation benefits of using AI agents in software projects
- Real-world examples of AI agents working together to accelerate app development
- What this shift means for the future of software and developer careers
Tune in to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving world of AI-powered app development.
Explore how AI is transforming business software by enabling faster, smarter, and more accessible solutions. Discover how agile teams and AI-powered tools are reshaping software development and revolutionizing customer support with voice-enabled agents. Stay ahead with the latest trends in AI and business technology.
Show Notes:
- The rise of AI-driven custom business software
- How small agile teams are disrupting traditional software models
- Voice-enabled AI agents transforming customer support
- The shift from manual processes to AI automation
- What this means for the future of business technology and innovation
Stay connected for more insights on AI, software development, and digital transformation.
Google isn’t just changing search, it’s reprogramming how we experience the internet itself. As AI-generated answers, zero-click results, and algorithmic prioritization take over, the web is quietly shifting from a place you explore to a place that’s curated for you.In this episode, we unpack how Google is reshaping digital discovery, what it means for creators, researchers, and everyday users, and most importantly, how you must adapt to stay visible, relevant, and ahead of the curve.
We’re no longer asking if AI will change the world, it already has. The real question now? Who’s actually winning and who’s quietly being left behind.Early adopters are leveraging AI to scale faster, think smarter, and outpace the competition. Meanwhile, those clinging to outdated tools and thinking are losing relevance by the day. This isn't just a tech shift. It's a mindset reset. In the AI era, adaptability is the new advantage.Start learning for FREE → https://enterprisedna.co/register
Is Copilot finally finding its stride? After a wave of early hype and mixed reactions, we’re starting to see real traction—and it might just be the beginning. With new AI innovations on the horizon, including more adaptive models and smarter integrations, the way we work is set to evolve fast.But here’s the big question: are we adapting fast enough? Or are we still treating these tools like fancy features instead of the foundational shift they represent? The real opportunity lies in how we use them—not just to save time, but to think, create, and collaborate in entirely new ways. The future of work isn’t coming. It’s already here—and it’s learning fast.
As voice commands become the new keyboard, interacting with AI through speech and Model Context Protocol (MCP) is reshaping how we work and create. But it’s not just about convenience—it’s about control. While AI learns from our inputs, social media continues to shape the outputs we see, framing our digital realities. The question is: Are we guiding the tech, or is it guiding us?
Model Context Protocol (MCP) is no longer just a concept—it’s quietly powering a new era of intelligent workflows. From automating data management to enhancing prompt precision, MCP is bridging the gap between AI potential and practical business use. Pair this with AI learning, where systems improve through structured, real-time interaction, and we’re looking at a future where AI doesn’t just assist—it actively adapts. The shift from theoretical to real-world use is here, and those who understand how MCP integrates into everyday tools will lead the next wave of AI-driven transformation.
The way we build software is evolving. Vibe coding, paired with Model Context Protocols (MCP), is reshaping how developers interact with AI — not just to write code, but to collaborate with it. These tools turn AI from a static assistant into a dynamic partner, accelerating learning, boosting productivity, and transforming what’s possible. The future of software development isn’t just faster — it’s smarter, more contextual, and deeply intuitive. Are we ready to code with the flow?
Excel remains a vital tool in the modern tech stack, continuing to support critical workflows despite the rise of more advanced platforms. As AI advances, security risks become more complex, requiring careful oversight and robust safeguards. Hardware challenges also persist, influencing the speed and scalability of AI solutions. Meanwhile, virtual reality continues to develop, offering new potential across industries. These trends reflect the ongoing need to balance innovation with reliability and highlight how established tools like Excel still play a key role in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The rise of vibe coding continues to shape how developers interact with AI tools, offering a practical way to build knowledge through hands-on experience. OpenAI is leading on the product front, consistently releasing tools that expand the potential for both innovation and new business models. Model Context Protocols (MCPs) are becoming essential in maximizing the relevance and accuracy of AI outputs by shaping how models understand and respond to prompts. For traditional developers, this shift presents significant opportunities—those with existing coding expertise can leverage OpenAI’s tools to accelerate development, streamline workflows, and explore new applications.
From Google’s Gemini 2.5 to OpenAI’s ChatGPT 4.0, we explore how the latest advancements in artificial intelligence are revolutionizing creativity, reshaping the future of work, and challenging our perceptions of trust. What does this mean for artists, professionals, and society at large? Tune in as this conversation will give you insight into the fast-evolving AI landscape.
In this video, we dive deep into how advancements in artificial intelligence are transforming the software development landscape. From Power BI integrations to the rise of AI coding assistants like OpenRouter and the adoption of Vibe Coding, discover how developers are rethinking traditional workflows.
This conversation explores the transformative power of AI-driven tools in development, data analytics, and automation, highlighting how new technologies are reshaping workflows and unlocking new opportunities.
Sam and Brian discuss the rise of API-driven models, which are making analytics and software development more accessible than ever, allowing users to build applications, automate processes, and analyze data—all with natural language inputs. They challenge the fear-driven narrative that AI will replace jobs, instead arguing that AI is democratizing technology, making software development faster, easier, and more cost-effective while also creating more opportunities in tech, automation, and entrepreneurship.
There are so many new opportunities to evolve and adapt to this latest wave of AI tooling and a brand new ecosystem of technologies empowering it all.
In this episode we discuss all of the changes that are happening and the opportunities that it is creating.
The Fullstack AI Professional is a new framing, a new framework to think about when you are developing your skill set. Particularly if you were historically more data focused, you can move into application development and automations using AI APIs.
You can do so much more than you realize and it's actually become almost 10 times easier than it was historically.
There's been some big changes over the past couple of weeks around better and cheaper AI models and this isn't just hype, this is real.
I wanted to cover off a lot of my thoughts around this, a lot of reasons why I believe it's a big deal and just highlight how this is great for businesses, how this is great for individuals.
I also cover why and how to make this real within your organization. It's all well and good having a better model, but how do you actually realize the benefits as a business? And that is a big part of what I want to cover here and a lot more as we create more content around the latest changes.
After a nice break over the Christmas and New Year period, we're back at it and have had a lot of clarity around where things are all going.
How this AI wave creates enormous opportunities for individuals and businesses that can approach it with a growth mindset.
There's also some massive trends happening around the cost to run AI models and also the tools that are being built up around the latest AI models There's a lot changing but it's all super positive to those that buy in.
In this episode of The Analytic Mind Podcast, we explore the exciting world of AI and its profound impact on learning, productivity, and new opportunities in the data analytics sphere. Our host shares insights on how AI systems are enhancing individual capabilities, enabling professionals to acquire new skills rapidly and perform tasks more efficiently.
We discuss:
- The current state of AI and why it's considered superior in certain aspects of general intelligence.
- How AI democratizes access to advanced tools and skills, allowing individuals to extend their capabilities in Power BI, Excel VBA, Python, and more.
- The evolution of Enterprise DNA and our mission to empower users to leverage AI for greater productivity and innovation.
- Practical strategies for enhancing your productivity using AI tools and plugins.
- Insights from Sequoia Capital on the generative AI wave and the concept of 'service as a software.'
- The immense opportunities AI presents for automating tasks, creating new services, and transforming traditional business models.
Tune in to learn how you can harness AI to unlock new opportunities, stay ahead in your field, and contribute to the evolving landscape of data analytics.
In this episode, we explore why setting up a GitHub account is more important than ever. With AI opening up a wave of new niche software opportunities, GitHub serves as a gateway to these innovations. We discuss how GitHub’s powerful network effects and vibrant community of developers are fueling collaboration on groundbreaking projects. From open-source contributions to connecting with experts, we break down how you can leverage GitHub to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving tech landscape.
In this video, I share my insights on leveraging AI to rapidly acquire new skills, emphasizing the unprecedented learning opportunities available. I discuss the transformative power of AI in learning, the efficiency of short bursts of learning followed by project implementation, and the personalized learning experience AI offers. I recommend integrating AI into skill acquisition processes and highlight the compounding effect it has on productivity and skill development.
In this video, I delve into the evolving landscape of AI, discussing key trends like multi-modal capabilities, AI agents, open source software, faster inference speeds, and smaller, more affordable models. These advancements are not just hype; they signify the beginning of a significant transformation in how we approach productivity, business growth, and customer service. I highlight the potential impact on industries, job markets, and customer experiences, emphasizing the need to adapt and leverage these emerging technologies for competitive advantage.
In this podcast we discuss how voice and vision technology namely from Open AI is about to change everything.
After using particularly the voice technology for a weekend there's some enormous changes that are going to happen to the way we interact with and use technology.
It's all incredibly exciting so we discuss it at length during this particular podcast episode
After a 6 month break the podcast is back! There's been a lot of reflecting and thinking that's been happening over the last while and those thoughts are shared in detail in this latest episode of The Analytic Mind.
New content, new ideas, new guests. This is now TIW 2.0. The world is changing and so shall we!
In this episode of the Analytic Mind podcast, join us as we delve deep into the transformative power of AI in the data analytics space and its broader implications across various industries.
From personal anecdotes about new workflows to the potential of tools like ChatGPT and the code interpreter, we discuss the massive revelations that AI brings to the table.
We also touch upon the democratization of data work, the future of data engineering, and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for both businesses and individuals.
Whether you're a data enthusiast or just curious about the future of AI, this episode offers a comprehensive look into the ongoing AI revolution and its profound impact on our daily lives and workflows.
Join Sam in this thought-provoking episode of 'The Analytic Mind,' as he delves into the heart of the AI revolution and its transformative impact on data analysis. In this era of rapid technological advancement, Sam explores how AI is reshaping the landscape, causing disruption in content creation, customer acquisition, marketing, sales, and fundamentally changing the way we analyze data.
Sam shares his insights on the challenges and opportunities this new era presents, urging businesses and data professionals to evolve and adapt. He discusses the potential of AI to understand and analyze large data sets, providing insights and visualizations without the need for manual model building or formula creation.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the future of data analysis in an AI-powered world. Sam encourages listeners to see these changes not as obstacles but as opportunities for growth and innovation. Tune in to discover how you can navigate this new landscape, increase productivity, and expand your skill set in the face of change.
Don't miss this enlightening discussion on the AI revolution and its implications for the future of data analysis. Tune in, get inspired, and start thinking big about what's possible in this new era of data
In this episode of "The Analytic Mind," join host Sam McKay as he delves into the exciting world of analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) integration with special guest Henry Habib. Together, they explore Microsoft's bold move with Fabric, a strategic shift that is revolutionizing the analytics landscape.
Discover the transformative impact of AI on the analytics field and gain insights into its implications for individuals and industries. Explore the evolving landscape of analytics and learn about Microsoft's innovative approach to harnessing the power of AI.
In this episode, you will learn the following:
- Discover the transformative impact of AI on the analytics field and understand its implications for individuals and industry.
- Explore the ethical considerations and challenges surrounding the attribution of content in the age of language models (LLMs).
- Learn about the revolutionary potential of LLM agents in revolutionizing workflows and democratizing open-source technologies.
Be our guest, register here: https://www.enterprisedna.co/be-our-podcast-guest/
Connect with me:
Henry Habib
Website: https://linktr.ee/henrylearning
Sam McKay
Website: https://www.enterprisedna.co/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammckayenterprisedna/
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-analytic-mind/id154106699
Join Power BI experts Sam McKay and Wyn Hopkins as they discuss the evolution of Power BI, from its early days to its current AI-powered capabilities, and explore how it has transformed data analytics and reporting.
In this episode, Sam and Win Hopkins, Power BI veterans from Access Analytic, delve into their experiences with Power BI, its growth as a tool, and its impact on organizations' efficiency and productivity. They explore real-life success stories, the power of automation, and the revolutionary potential of AI in data analytics. Don't miss this insightful conversation about the past, present, and future of Power BI.
Wyn Hopkins is the Director at Access Analytic, where he provides amazing Excel and Power BI solutions to leading companies in Perth. With extensive expertise as an Excel MVP, Microsoft Certified Excel Expert, and Power BI Developer, Wyn is a highly sought-after trainer and speaker. He brings years of experience working with Chevron and a deep understanding of business intelligence software to help organizations optimize their analysis, reporting, and process improvement. With a track record of delivering solutions that exceed expectations, Wyn is at the forefront of empowering businesses with modern data analytics tools.
For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://www.enterprisedna.co/podcast
Be our guest, register here: https://www.enterprisedna.co/be-our-podcast-guest/
Connect with Wyn Hopkins:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wynhopkins/
Website: https://www.accessanalytic.com.au/
Website: https://pbi.guide/book
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AccessAnalytic
Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@PowerQuery
Connect with Sam McKay
Website: https://www.enterprisedna.co/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammckayenterprisedna/
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-analytic-mind/id154106699
Are you struggling to find meaningful learning support in the data analytics field? Tired of the same ineffective advice and lacking the right connections to make a difference? Join us in this episode and learn how to unlock personalized learning support with data communities and AI technology – finally advancing your skills and career in data science.
In this episode, you will be able to:
- Establish close-knit communities for individualized learning support in the realm of data analytics.
- Elevate your worth as a data professional by mastering Python's adaptability and AI potential.
- Attract employer interest with striking data analysis projects featured in your portfolio.
- Integrate AI technologies, such as Chat GPT, to revolutionize your data analytics learning experience.
- Overcome the isolation of freelancing while forging meaningful connections and mentorship within the data industry.
Kedeisha Bryan is a dedicated data professional who has made a significant impact in the field of data analytics in just two years. With a background in senior data engineering at Booz Allen Hamilton, Kedeisha has a wealth of experience in various aspects of data analysis, data science, and data engineering. She began her journey in data analytics by self-studying SQL, Tableau, and Excel, which led to a year-long full-time internship and eventually to her current position. Kedeisha is the founder of Data in Motion, a thriving private community for data enthusiasts that offers personalized learning support and resources.
For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://www.enterprisedna.co/podcast
Be our guest, register here: https://www.enterprisedna.co/be-our-podcast-guest/
Connect with Kedeisha Bryan:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kedeishabryan/
Website: https://kedeisha1.github.io/
LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/data-in-motion-llc/
Website: https://linktr.ee/data_in_motion
Connect with Sam McKay
Website: https://www.enterprisedna.co/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammckayenterprisedna/
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-analytic-mind/id154106699
In this episode of The Analytic Mind, host Sam McKay welcomes data expert Nikola Ilic, also known as the Data Mozart, to discuss the latest developments in the data world. Nikola shares his background working with traditional Microsoft business intelligence products and his current focus on Power BI and Azure Synapse Analytics. The conversation then turns to the strength of Microsoft's data platform and the integration of its various components. Sam and Nikola also explore the potential of AI technology in data analysis and productivity, citing recent advancements in PowerPoint and Power BI.
Nikola Ilic is a renowned data expert with extensive experience working with traditional Microsoft Business Intelligence stack, Power BI, and Azure Synapse Analytics. He is passionate about the Microsoft Evolution and BI stack and has identified a talent gap in the Power BI community to create high-quality solutions that can cater to different business units. Nikola believes that the combination of AI and Power BI can revolutionize the way people use data to make informed decisions, leading to increased productivity and success.
In this episode, you will learn the following:
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How AI is revolutionizing data immersion, analytics, and visualization.
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Best practices for architecting large data initiatives.
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Automating the retrieval and transformation of data for everyday business users.
For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://www.enterprisedna.co/podcast
Be our guest, register here: https://www.enterprisedna.co/be-our-podcast-guest/
Connect with me:
Nikola Ilic
Website: https://data-mozart.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikola-ilic-data-mozart/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DataMozart
Sam McKay
Website: https://www.enterprisedna.co/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammckayenterprisedna/
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-analytic-mind/id154106699
Today’s episode features Gilbert Quevauvilliers, an expert in the field of Business Intelligence and Data Analytics. He has been in the industry since 2009 and has been an early adopter of Power BI, which he has been using for many years in his consulting and various engagements. His expertise spans across the data stack, from multidimensional cubes to the tabular model, and he has continuously kept himself up-to-date with the latest technologies.
Starting off in a large company in Durban, South Africa, he has decided to specialize in the Microsoft ecosystem and has built a wealth of knowledge and experience in this area. Join us today to hear Gilbert's expert insights and learn from his expertise.
In this episode, you will learn the following:1. How to bridge the gap between stored data and the business users' needs
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Know the key to success with Microsoft Tools
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The importance of simplifying data models and creating a user-friendly data catalog for Power BI
For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://www.enterprisedna.co/podcast
Be our guest, register here: https://www.enterprisedna.co/be-our-podcast-guest/
Connect with me:
Gilbert Quevauvilliers
- Website: www.fourmoo.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fourmoo/
Sam McKay
- Website: https://www.enterprisedna.co/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammckayenterprisedna/
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-analytic-mind/id154106699
In this episode, Sam McKay and Brian Julius discuss their latest initiative from Enterprise DNA, called Workouts. The aim of Workouts is to help users improve their skills in a more time-efficient and accessible way. They dive into how Workouts provide users with the opportunity to accelerate their skills in data analysis through daily challenges and access to experts in various fields.
Brian shares his vision for Workouts as a gym-like setting where members and non-members can improve their job prospects by building their skill portfolios. He also believes that the rapid development of Artificial intelligence (AI), Robotic process automation (RPA), and other technologies will provide a huge jump in intelligence and productivity. Brian hopes that Workouts will be a part of this exciting change.
Join Sam and Brian in this episode to learn more about how Workouts can help you take your data analysis skills to the next level.
What you will learn:
- Enterprise DNA’s new initiative would Accelerate Your Data Analytics Learning and Skill Development.
- The power of skills portfolio and how it can enhance your career opportunities
- The Benefits of Participating in Enterprise DNA Workouts
For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://www.enterprisedna.co/podcast
Be our guest, register here: https://www.enterprisedna.co/be-our-podcast-guest/
Connect with me:Brian Julius
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianjuliusdc/
- Blog: https://blog.enterprisedna.co/author/brian-julius/
Sam McKay
- Website: https://www.enterprisedna.co/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammckayenterprisedna/
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-analytic-mind/id154106699
In this episode of the podcast, learn from the expertise of Thomas Martens, a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and Solution Architect at Munich Re. Join us as he explores the role of a Power BI Sherpa in driving a data culture and overcoming challenges in organizations. With 25 years of experience delivering Business Intelligence, Data Warehousing, and Analytics solutions, Tom shares his insights on using Power BI to tackle analytical challenges and apply analytical methods to small and large amounts of data. In this episode, Tom discusses the importance of Power BI in fostering a data culture, the challenges faced in large-scale analytics implementation, and his thoughts on the future of Power BI. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from a seasoned expert on the topic of Power BI and its impact on organizations.
Thomas "Tom" Martens has been awarded as an MSFT Data Platform MVP and works as Solution Architect at Munich Re (www.munichre.com). Tom is a regular speaker at international conferences and user meetings. Tom is the co-author of the book "Pro DAX with Power BI." When he is not working, Tom enjoys cycling and taking pictures. He also loves to blog and is passionate about helping others level up in the Power Bi space. Tom is an expert when it comes to creating complex solutions and architecting applications for large organizations.
In this episode, you will learn the following:
1. Working with Microsoft Technologies for 25 plus years and falling in love with Power BI
2. Understanding complex concepts such as incremental refresh and slowly changing dimensions in Star schema modeling
3. Forming teams of diverse skill sets to create data visualizations and build custom visual demos in Power BI.
Chapter Summaries:
00:00 Introduction
11:12 Exploring the Week-to-Week Role of a Solution Architect at Munich Re
22:54 Balancing Scalability and User Requirements in Deploying Data Solutions
27:49 Power BI and the Power Platform as the Engine of Analytics in Organizations
32:52 The Benefits of Staying Within the Microsoft Ecosystem: Power BI as the Data Analytics Hub
40:07 Challenges in Large-Scale Analytics Implementation: Insights from Experts
54:38 Exploring the Future of Power BI: Anticipating Advancements and Exciting Developments
1:06:38 Final Thoughts and Connecting with Tom Martens
For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://www.enterprisedna.co/podcast
Be our guest, register here: https://www.enterprisedna.co/be-our-podcast-guest/
Connect with me:Thomas "Tom" Martens
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommartens68/
- Website: https://minceddata.info
- "Pro DAX with Power BI." Book: https://www.amazon.com/Pro-DAX-Power-Intelligence-PowerPivot/dp/1484248961
Sam McKay
- Website: https://www.enterprisedna.co/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammckayenterprisedna/
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-analytic-mind/id154106699
With his financial background and data modeling expertise, Chris Barber, a Microsoft MVP, explores the irony of his journey to discover the optimal data model, a task that requires both technical knowledge and a judgement call, to uncover the key to his clients' successful decision-making.
Chris Barber is a Microsoft MVP and chartered accountant with a Masters in analytics. He has presented at Microsoft Reactor and the London Business Analysts Group, and runs the website Starchema.co.uk, which has over 1000 people taking his finance course. He specializes in large scale data modeling and financial reporting.
Chris Barber was always interested in Power BI and data modeling and sought to gain a more in-depth understanding of the tabular engine and business problems. Through his Masters in analytics and working in finance, he developed a deeper understanding of Power BI and data models. He now works with large scale clients as a consultant and is passionate about understanding business problems and creating data models to meet them. He's learned that there is no quick fix to creating data models, but that it requires an understanding of the problem and a lot of practice. He has seen both the successes and failures of data models in Fortune 500 companies and believes that the trend of self-service and departmental data models will continue in the future, offering many opportunities for business owners.
What You Will Learn:
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Discovering how to use Power BI to build effective financial models.
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Exploring the challenges and rewards of using self-service data models.
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Investigating the benefits of the MVP program and its connection with the product team.
For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://www.enterprisedna.co/podcast
Be our guest, register here: https://www.enterprisedna.co/be-our-podcast-guest/
Connect with me:Brian Julius
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophermichaelbarber/
- Website: https://www.starschema.co.uk/
Sam McKay
- Website: https://www.enterprisedna.co/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammckayenterprisedna/
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-analytic-mind/id154106699
The rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technology have been nothing short of groundbreaking. The implications for businesses, jobs, and education are profound, and it can be both awe-inspiring and intimidating to consider what the future may bring. Brian and Sam discuss AI’s impact on coding, and how it has already begun to shift the way we do things. With a $20 billion investment from Microsoft and AI being embedded in parts of Azure, it is clear that the technology is advancing at an alarming rate. How will we use AI to our advantage, and how can it be used to enhance the way we learn and create? Brian and Sam dive into these questions and more, offering insight on the power of AI and how it can be used to make our lives easier.
Meet Brian, the Chief Content Officer of Enterprise DNA, passionate about the potential of Artificial Intelligence. He recently appeared on the Analytic Mind podcast to discuss the impact of AI on the future of businesses and education. Brian believes that AI is already making a huge impact, and that its potential is only beginning to be tapped. He has spent the past few weeks playing around with AI and attempting to understand how it works. He is most impressed by how well it can understand complex questions and produce code that runs well, but he is also aware of its limitations. Brian is excited to see where AI is going and how it will shape our lives in the years to come.
What You Will Learn
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How will AI change the way we learn analytics languages?
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How Google is navigating the introduction of AI into their business model without destroying their main revenue streams.
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Examining a controversial topic in the DAX universe and challenging the status quo on how to learn DAX.
Resources Mentioned
- Chat GPT
- General Availability of Azure OpenAI Service Expands Access to Large, Advanced AI Models with Added Enterprise Benefits
For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://www.enterprisedna.co/podcast
Be our guest, register here: https://www.enterprisedna.co/be-our-podcast-guest/
Connect with me:Brian Julius
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianjuliusdc/
- Blog: https://blog.enterprisedna.co/author/brian-julius/
Sam McKay
- Website: https://www.enterprisedna.co/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammckayenterprisedna/
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-analytic-mind/id154106699
Are you struggling to create a data culture in your organization that can support everyone inside the company, not just the executive? Chris Wagner, a director of data solutions at Baker Tilly, is here to help. With over two decades of experience in the data analytics space, Chris has worked with large organizations to create modernized data and analytical strategies. He will provide actionable ideas on how to build a data culture that can help individuals take their next step forward in their data career. This article will cover three focus areas of data engineering, analytics and data science, and how to build a data culture that encourages collaboration and mentorship. Get ready to unlock the power of data and join Chris in this journey to create an effective data culture.
You will learn:
1. How to effectively deploy and develop Power Bi in a modern data and analytics strategy.
2. The power of no-code/low-code tools to empower people to make an impact in their careers
3. Building a data culture to enable an organization to support broadly everyone inside the company.
Chris Wagner, a director of data solutions at Baker Tilly, has been working in the data analytics space for over two decades. Chris has worked at Rockwell Automation and Northwestern Mutual, managing their Power Bi and analytical platforms. He is passionate about helping organizations modernize their data and analytical strategy and empowering people to work with data. Chris will be discussing how to effectively develop and deploy Power Bi and how to create a data culture that drives value for everyone in the organization. So let's jump into the conversation!
Resources Mentioned
- Baker Tilly - https://www.bakertilly.com/
- StrengthsFinder - https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/254033/strengthsfinder.aspx
- ChatGPT - https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt/
- DBT - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_build_tool
For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://www.enterprisedna.co/podcast
Be our guest, register here: https://www.enterprisedna.co/be-our-podcast-guest/
Connect with me:Chris Wagner
- Website: https://www.kratosbi.com/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChrisWagnerDataGod
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wagnerchris/
- Email: Chris.Wagner@BakerTilly.com
Sam McKay
- Website: https://www.enterprisedna.co/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammckayenterprisedna/
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-analytic-mind/id1541066997
Are you looking to advance your analytics career? Then you won't want to miss this episode of Analytic Mind. In it, Greg Hamper, a financial analyst, and former Marine Corps crew chief share his journey from the military to the analytics space. He'll provide valuable tips on identifying, developing, and establishing an analytics career for maximum success. Greg will provide insight into how he used Power BI and Microsoft tools to achieve Scalable Integration Success when he was part of a team that was merging two businesses. We will outline Greg's system in detail and provide a look into how he architected his workspace environment and coordinated across multiple business units. Don't miss this episode of Analytic Mind to learn from Greg's experience and unlock your analytics career!
In this episode, you will learn the following:
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How Greg Hamper found his way into the analytics space from his previous career in the US Marine Corps
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The challenge of integrating data from different systems during a merger or acquisition
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How to develop an effective workspace environment in a large organization such as Parker Hannifin Corporation.
Resources Mentioned
- MidJourney AI - https://midjourney.com/home/?callbackUrl=%2Fapp%2F
- ChatGPT - https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt/
- Enterprise DNA Forum - https://forum.enterprisedna.co/
- Enterprise DNA YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy2rBgj4M1tzK-urTZ28zcA
For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://www.enterprisedna.co/podcast
Be our guest, register here: https://www.enterprisedna.co/be-our-podcast-guest/
Connect with me:Greg Hamper
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-hamper-8b3193117/
Sam McKay
- Website: https://www.enterprisedna.co/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammckayenterprisedna/
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-analytic-mind/id1541066997
On the Analytic Mind Podcast, Sam McKay invited Brian Julius, the Chief Content Officer of Enterprise DNA, to discuss ChatGPT, a promising new tool that could revolutionize data analytics. They shared their initial thoughts on ChatGPT and its potential to enhance careers in the field, rather than pose a threat.
ChatGPT, short for "Generative Pre-trained Transformer 3," is an OpenAI language generation model that uses machine learning to generate human-like text. While it is not specifically related to Power BI, it could potentially improve certain aspects of Power BI workflows or development.
What You Will Learn
- Why Chat GPT is not a threat to your Data Analysis career, but an enabling tool.
- Open AI's potential to upend Google's dominance.
- Insights on the recent Power BI Updates and Features
- A sneak peek at what Enterprise DNA has in store
Resources Mentioned
- Chat GPT - https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt/
- DALL·E 2 - OpenAI - https://openai.com/dall-e-2/
The use of advanced language generation models like GPT-3 in data analytics could increase the efficiency and effectiveness of Power BI processes, as well as enhance the skills and career prospects of data analysts. However, it is important to note that GPT-3 and similar models are still in the early stages of development and may not always be reliable or accurate. It is therefore essential to exercise caution and judgment when using these tools, and to thoroughly validate and verify any results or insights they generate.
For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://www.enterprisedna.co/podcast
Be our guest, register here: https://www.enterprisedna.co/be-our-podcast-guest/
Connect with me:Brian Julius
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianjuliusdc/
- Blog: https://blog.enterprisedna.co/author/brian-julius/
Sam McKay
- Website: https://www.enterprisedna.co/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammckayenterprisedna/
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-analytic-mind/id1541066997
In this episode of the Analytic Mind Podcast, Chris Webb, a member of the Power BI Customer Advisory Team at Microsoft, shares his insights on the history and development of Power BI and how the team listens to customer feedback to create an enterprise BI tool for professionals and casual users alike. Chris reveals how the team has to balance making the tool easy to use and accessible with promoting best practices, and how they are working to make the transition from casual to professional user easier. Discover how to create quality Power BI reports and unlock the power of DAX with Chris Webb in this episode of the Analytic Mind Podcast.
Chris Webb, is a celebrated figure in the Power Bi world. Currently, he serves as the Principal Program Manager for the Power BI Customer Advisory Team. This team assists large customers to achieve success with Power Bi. They listen to the customers and convey their feedback to the rest of the product development team. Having worked with Microsoft Bi since 1998, Chris has seen the Power Bi product evolve from its early days to the highly successful product it is today. In addition to listening to user feedback, Chris is passionate about building the product based on what users want.
What You Will Learn:1. How has Microsoft's Power BI team been able to revolutionize its product and make it successful?
2. What strategies can be used to make the transition to Power BI easier for users?
3. What techniques can be used to optimize the DAX experience and simplify the use of Power BI?
For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://www.enterprisedna.co/podcast
Be our guest, register here: https://www.enterprisedna.co/be-our-podcast-guest/
Connect with me:Chris Webb
- Blog: https://blog.crossjoin.co.uk/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriswebb6/
Sam McKay
- Website: https://www.enterprisedna.co/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammckayenterprisedna/
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-analytic-mind/id1541066997
In this episode, Jarrett Moore talks about how he learned to use Power Automate and Power Automate Desktop to automate his work and save time. He explains how he uses these tools to connect to different software and websites, extract data, and schedule reports. He also shares how he has used Power Automate to replace manual work for clients, freeing up their time to do more profitable work for their company.
In this episode, you will learn the following:
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How Power Automate and Power Automate Desktop can be used to automate data collection and save time
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How Power Automate can be used to schedule desktop flows
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How to use Power Automate and Power Automate Desktop to replace manual work in Excel or create reports in PowerPoint
For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://www.enterprisedna.co/podcast
Be our guest, register here: https://www.enterprisedna.co/be-our-podcast-guest/
Connect with me: Jarrett Moore
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarrett-moore-44409b95/
Sam McKay
- Website: https://www.enterprisedna.co/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammckayenterprisedna/
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-analytic-mind/id1541066997
With the power of analytics, marketing campaigns can be fine-tuned for maximum impact and ROI.
"Math and Analytics can make you a better person."
Mark Stouse is the CEO of Proof Analytics and a former large company CCO and CMO. He has extensive experience in analytics and decision making, and is passionate about operationalizing analytics to empower business leaders.
This is Mark Stouse's story...
I am Mark Stouse, CEO of Proof Analytics. I have a long and varied background in analytics and decision making. I started out in a large company, HP, and my colleagues and I were constantly being cut, our budgets were being cut. I went on a quest to find a way to make better decisions with the data we had. I discovered mathematical models and got hooked. I've seen how challenging it is to operationalize analytics. The whole issue of latency
In this episode, you will learn the following:
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What is the OODA loop?
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What is the difference between a cult of precision and a cult of pragmatism?
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How can a data-driven approach help you win in business?
What was mentioned:
- Multi Variable Regression - https://academic.oup.com/ejcts/article/55/2/179/5265263
- Honeywell Aerospace - https://aerospace.honeywell.com/
- OODA Loop - https://www.techtarget.com/searchcio/definition/OODA-loop#:~:text=The%20OODA%20loop%20(Observe%2C%20Orient,as%20more%20data%20becomes%20available.
- Procter and Gamble - https://www.linkedin.com/company/procter-and-gamble/
- Johnson Controls - https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/
Connect with me: Mark Stouse
- Website: https://www.proofanalytics.ai/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markstouse/
Sam McKay
- Website: https://www.enterprisedna.co/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammckayenterprisedna/
Loved this episode?Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-analytic-mind/id1541066997
In this podcast episode, Sam McKay is joined by Aron Clymer.
Aron Clymer has been in the data world for 25 years and has grown his consulting business for the past seven years. Aron's mission is to empower clients to get the most out of their data through self-service analytics and actionable analytics. Aron shares a story about his time at Salesforce and how he was able to use data to increase the value of the product, optimize customer health, and marketing campaigns.
Aron is a great resource for anyone looking to learn more about data analytics and how to use data to drive business decisions.
What you'll learn:
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How data can be used to optimize every aspect of a business, from new product development to customer attrition
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The importance of data governance and ensuring a single source of truth for data
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The impact that data can have on a company's bottom line
For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://www.enterprisedna.co/podcast/
Be our guest, register here: https://www.enterprisedna.co/be-our-podcast-guest/
To know more about Enterprise DNA's upcoming events visit: https://www.enterprisedna.co/events/summits/
In this episode of The Analytic Mind Podcast, Sam McKay is joined by Esteban Fabiani and discusses the opportunities and potential one can pursue whether as an enterprising individual or company and align it with one’s skill set as a strategy.
Esteban has been educated and worked in Argentina, Chile, and the USA giving him unique international exposure in diverse fields.
He is a Certified Project and Consultant Manager at EMF Consulting Inc. and an expert in a range of different aspects of Power BI development and implementation.
EMF Consulting provides consulting services tailored to each type of business, offering complete and accurate information that allows each area to make decisions quickly and effectively, anticipating and enhancing the profitability of the business using tools such as Microsoft Power BI, Zebra BI, ValQ visuals, and PBI Documenter.
What You'll Learn
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Esteban Fabiani's focus on developing specific skill sets within the Power BI community in order to become a consultant and/or coach for customers.
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The difficulties that exist within Argentina for implementing Power BI.
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Fabiani's strategy of finding customers by connecting with companies that teach Power BI, in order to offer coaching and consulting services.
For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://www.enterprisedna.co/podcast/esteban-fabiani/
Be our guest, register here: https://www.enterprisedna.co/be-our-podcast-guest/
To know more about Enterprise DNA's upcoming events visit: https://www.enterprisedna.co/events/summits/
Do you know what design psychology is? Thomas Watkins describes it as taking what we know about psychology and applying it to technology. Incorporating our knowledge of sensory perception and cognition into the product in order to ensure that it resonates with users.
In this episode of the podcast, Sam McKay speaks with Thomas Watkins about design psychology and how it can be incorporated into techniques and frameworks in Power BI.
Thomas Watkins is a thought leader, speaker, and industry practitioner located in Houston TX. He is a life-long learner who has a passion for bringing greater clarity to the world.
Thomas has made it his career goal to combine technology with design psychology in order to achieve business success. His expertise lies in assisting his partners in bringing their brilliant ideas to life by simplifying the complexity of their ideas. His work has included interface design for mobile, SaaS system architecture, usability research, and data visualization.
Ever wonder what it’s like to work in Microsoft Modern Workplace Intelligence? In this episode of the Analytic Mind, Sam McKay spoke with Kristian Bubalo previously a Technical Specialist Intelligence and now a Cloud Solution Architect in Microsoft Switzerland.
Dive in and discover his role within Microsoft. An insider update about the latest and greatest trends in Power BI. And most especially his role in the recently concluded Power BI Championship - Switzerland.
Kristian Bubalo is working for Microsoft Switzerland as a Technical Specialist Modern Workplace Intelligence, in Wallisellen, Switzerland. Their goal is to empower every organization and every person to achieve more. With Power BI each individual is capable of analyzing their data - "Any data, any way, anywhere. And all in one view."
A business intelligence (BI) service facilitates the use of structured data in order to enable data-driven decision-making across the organization. It is an end-to-end service that handles the extraction, organization, and maintenance of data.
So if you're a small business with limited IT resources or someone who's interested in exploring this service model using Power BI, this episode's for you. There's more to Power BI than building a consulting business.
Erik Svensen, a Microsoft Business Intelligence specialist, and Microsoft MVP data platform. He is also the founder of CatMan Solution, a Power BI consulting company based in Northern Europe, and a Microsoft Gold Partner for Data Analytics. The company offers business analytics consulting, design, and implementation of tailor-made data analytics solutions to mid-to-large CPG organizations throughout Northern Europe and the world. The organization's mission is to enable companies to adopt a data-driven culture through the use of Power BI, thereby helping them perform better.
If you are working in the BI & Analytics field, you may have heard of self-service business intelligence (BI). In fact, you might also have a strong interest in implementing Self-service BI into your organization.
Self-service BI systems like Power BI allow you to put your data models into the hands of many users and let them analyze their own data without the involvement of developers. While every organization is different, there are some general guidelines that can ensure a successful implementation.
Lars Schreiber is an independent consultant for Self-Service BI with Microsoft Power BI. He has more than 11 years of experience as a Controller in different industries. In 2017, he became a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP). He also founded the first German Power BI User Group in Hamburg. The following year, he decided to do his own thing and became a freelancer, helping companies with data analytics on a more advanced basis.
In this episode, Lars talks about how he evolved his skillset around Power Pivot, Power Query, and Power BI. He’s experienced working with different kinds of customers. and what he thinks is necessary for a successful self-service PowerBI implementation.
Technology-based on no code enables effective "citizen development," where business users can rapidly develop apps and virtual agents without extensive IT assistance. In order to meet this business need, Microsoft's Power Platform combines the strengths of Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power Virtual Agents.
Sam McKay interviews Enterprise DNA expert Henry Habib in this episode of The Analytic Mind Podcast. He talks about his real-world experiences as a Power Platform Consultant and his passion for teaching people how to succeed with no-code platforms.
Henry is currently an engagement manager at a leading management consulting firm, where he advises F500 companies on a variety of topics, including (i) using data and analytics to drive better decisions, and (ii) implementing tools to improve processes and workflows.
In the course of working on his various projects, he discovered that there are a number of automation, productivity, and development tools that do not require any software background but still offer enterprise-grade solutions. Using these no-code platforms, anyone can automate workflows, create dashboards, and develop custom applications. There is, however, a gap in knowledge and awareness between these platforms and the average employee - and this is what Henry wants to address.
A company’s success directly correlates with its people which is why employers and HR/talent acquisition personnel are constantly improving how they find, hire, and retain the best candidates. Data analytics plays a major role in this process.
In this episode of The Analytic Mind Podcast, Sam McKay is joined by Tim Freestone, founder of Alooba, to talk about hiring in analytics and data literacy.
From the big issues with CVs, and interviews, where companies typically go wrong to future trends in hiring and improving data literacy.
Tim Freestone has spent his career in analytics, starting initially as a financial analyst. Throughout his career, Tim has gotten great first-hand experience in being both a candidate and a hiring manager in analytics. It’s this direct exposure to the myriad of issues in analytics hiring that led Tim to found Alooba, a skills assessment platform for data literacy, analytics & data science.
Alooba’s vision is to create a world where everyone can get the job they deserve. This is a world – we can all agree – far from the one we live in right now.
Businesses are increasingly recognizing the importance of data analytics in making informed decisions across all aspects of their operations. However, simply having access to data is not enough. They need to be able to extract value from it as well. They also need to have the skills and tools to analyze it effectively. How can businesses become more literate about their data in order to identify and respond to opportunities and threats strategically?
George Mount is the founder and CEO of Stringfest Analytics, a consulting firm specializing in analytics education and upskilling. He has worked with leading bootcamps, learning platforms, and practice organizations to help individuals excel at analytics. He is the author of Advancing into Analytics: From Excel to Python and R (O’Reilly, 2021) and Enterprise DNA expert specializing in these topics.
George is also an award-winning blogger, consultant, and educator at leading data science bootcamps and academic institutions. Combining a diverse background in academia and the private sector ranging from start-ups to nonprofits, his interests lie at the intersection of design and innovation through data-driven insights.
In this episode, George talks about data analytics and literacy. He will discuss why data literacy is important to businesses, how Excel remains a powerful tool for organizing data and performing financial analysis, and how he provides value to clients.
Analyzing, interpreting, and monitoring data is crucial for a business or an organization, and things have never been easier than using Power BI.
Microsoft Power BI creates an analytical environment for monitoring data and sharing reports. It delivers interactive data visualization BI capabilities allowing users to see and share data and insights throughout their organization.
In this episode of The Analytic Mind Podcast, Sam McKay interviews Greg Deckler, Vice President (Microsoft) at Fusion Alliance and is also part of the team at Enterprise DNA, helping them move the needle on some great initiatives.
Find out many exciting things that are going on with Power BI, tapping on automation and other possible features.
Greg Deckler has been a professional technology consultant for over 28 years. He is also a Six-time Microsoft MVP for Data Platform and author of the books Mastering Power BI, Power BI Cookbook, DAX Cookbook, and Learn Power BI.
Fusion Alliance creates digital, data, and technology solutions that keep you moving forward, with a team of big-picture thinkers, technology-minded creatives, data scientists, and technical experts coming alongside your team to deliver scalable, future-focused solutions for your most complex goals.
There’s no question that it is important for companies to understand their data. The challenge most businesses face, however, is that they lack the time and manpower to gather, analyze, and report all of their relevant data. Moreover, big data has made it even more difficult for business owners to make decisions based on information spread out across multiple systems. How can businesses find solutions that will allow them to slice and dice data in many ways so that they can understand how different areas of the business perform?
Pascal Kiefer is a Business Intelligence enthusiast and the founder of K Team Solutions Ltd as well as BI Samurai. He and his team of BI Samurais implement Power BI solutions for clients of all sizes and industries around the globe and his company K Team Solutions has developed a couple of Custom Visuals for Power BI. Pascal is coming from a finance background and used to work with SAP back in the days but quickly switch to Microsoft technology after opening his own business in 2016.
In this episode, Pascal talks about what motivated him to establish K Team Solutions, how Pascal manages the standardization and visualization of report design, and how he enables clients to get their jobs done.
Data analytics skills are in high demand. Increasingly, companies are hiring data analytics skills not just to conduct research and generate reports, but also to act as thought leaders who will help companies gain a competitive edge by leveraging their skills strategically. No matter how experienced you are in data analytics, there are many marketing strategies you can implement as a data architect. You can demonstrate your value to employers by staying up-to-date on the latest technological innovations.
Sam McKay interviews Reid Havens, the founder of Havens Consulting Inc. and a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP). You can learn about his thoughts on Data Architecture, offer your skills as an Analytics Architect, and gain insight from the MVP community as well as Microsoft.
Data are not all created equal. There are structured (machine-generated) and unstructured (human-generated) data, and each requires a different approach. As a result of the increased use of digital applications and services, unstructured information is growing rapidly. It is estimated that 80-90% of company data is unstructured, and the amount of unstructured data continues to grow at an alarming rate per year.
In this episode of The Analytic Mind Podcast, Sam McKay speaks with Kirk Marple, the founder, and CEO of Unstruk Data. Hear about the hidden value in unstructured data and how it impacts the future of data and analytics.
Kirk Marple is a Customer-focused Technology leader with extensive expertise with cloud-based microservices, scalable multimedia data ingestion, knowledge graphs (entity extraction/enrichment), machine learning and computer vision integration, and CPU/GPU-based file and data processing workflows. He is highly skilled at architecting and managing teams developing APIs and scalable services, leveraging on-premise and cloud infrastructure, generating significant cost savings, and supporting revenue growth for startups through Fortune 25 companies.
Unstruk Data, is a company that is building the industry’s leading Unstructured Data Warehouse for automating data preparation via metadata enrichment, integrated compute, and graph-based search. Unstructured data can include anything from audio to visual data, and Kirk explains that analytics can be done on geospatial and temporal unstructured data. Then by using machine learning and artificial intelligence, it is possible to generate knowledge graphs based on this data.
Data is among the most valuable resources in an organization, and data analysts extract insights from said data to make smart business decisions. Analysts, however, can only work so fast. To extend the capabilities of Shashank's team of data analysts, they developed a proof-of-concept based on machine learning to automate the analytics process and significantly accelerate the generation of actionable insights.
Shashank Kalanithi is a Senior Data Analyst at Nordstorm in Seattle, Washington, United States. In this episode, you'll hear about his journey to becoming a Data Analyst despite having a Chemistry degree, his role on the Nordstorm Strategic Analytics Team, and their exciting project on building an automated machine learning platform that augments the abilities of individual data analysts.
In this episode, Brian talks to Haroon Ali, founder of Stellify BI, on how he made the jump from corporate to consulting. In just six short years, Haroon went from being a graduate student in Chemical and Petroleum Engineering with no data analytics experience to becoming an Enterprise DNA intern, and from being a skilled corporate BI Analyst to founding a successful consulting firm.
Brian and Haroon talk about a wide range of issues, including how to break into the BI field with no experience, the challenges of transitioning from a technical developer role to a management and leadership position, and advice for those considering making a similar leap to consulting.
In this episode, Brian talks to a range of BI experts who have managed to start and grow a successful consulting business out of their foundational skills.
Listen as Rick de Groot, Paul Lucassen, and George Mount talk about what it takes to start and grow a consultancy business. They also share some tips and tricks on how to get a consulting business off the ground.
With so many options to choose from in the tech space, why should you consider data analytics?
In this episode of The Analytic Mind, our Chief Content Manager, Brian Julius talks about why pursuing a career in data analytics is worth it.
He also talks about the things you’ll need to have in your toolbox in order to achieve a highly successful career in this in-demand field.
In this brand-new episode, we’re trying something new for a change. Brian Julius rounds up a panel of Enterprise DNA experts and asks them the most common questions that are being asked in a job interview for a data analyst position.
If you are interviewing for a data analyst position, make sure to check out this episode and brush up on the topics that Brian and the experts discuss on this epic episode.
Join Brian Julius, Gaelim Holland, and George Mount as they talk about the advantages of learning a second programming language when using Power BI.
In this episode, you’ll learn how Python and R can improve the work you’re doing in Power BI. They also talk about the advantages and limitations of both languages, and which one to choose to integrate with Power BI.
In a brand-new episode of The Analytical Mind, the Enterprise DNA experts sat down to discuss their different approaches when making entries for the Power BI Challenges.
The experts also touched upon how to build dashboards and reports for an unfamiliar industry, and offered tips for newbies who want to join future challenges.
In this episode, Andrew Swan talks about how implementing analytics and incorporating data can greatly transform the way law firms work. Andrew also talks about how data governance can deliver great value for organizations in the long run.
Listen to Wendy Zhang as she talks about how you can learn analytics if you want to pursue a career in data. She also talks about how a data analytics education can come in many forms, and not just from having a formal degree.
Wendy also emphasizes the importance of accomplishing low-hanging fruits early on when establishing your data framework, and how these can help change the mindsets of people working for your organization.
In this episode, Bharath Natarajan talks about how we can successfully utilize small analytical teams in a big organization.
He also talks about how to deal with challenges like complex data models, legacy systems, and ensuring that everybody is on the same page.
In this episode, join Anirudh Kuthiala of Groupon as he talks about the importance of stream analytics when it comes to detecting relevant patterns and developing insights real-time to enable data-driven decisions.
In this brand-new episode, Douglas Rahden talks about the importance of fraud analytics so that organizations can detect fraudulent practices and take precautionary measures to curb them.
Douglas also talks about how thinking outside of the box and instilling creativity can help data analysts with their work. He also believes in having an agnostic approach when it comes to tools; he says that you don’t have to use complex tools to achieve success with your data.
Join Alexs Thompson as he talks about what it takes to build a successful data strategy.
In the episode, he tells us that the best way to get executive sponsorship is by starting small and showing quick wins that will decrease or eliminate an organization’s inefficiencies.
Gert Haegdorens talks about being an engineer in the analytics space. He says that the recipe to success is choosing a good data lake strategy, having a data catalog, and using the right ETL tools.
Gert also talks about how Power BI can improve an organization's data culture because it’s easy to make the switch from Excel to Microsoft’s own analytics tool.
Join Rashmi Menon of FedEx as she talks about how customer experience analytics can be used by businesses so that they can better understand their customers and make their experience more enjoyable.
In this episode, Rashmi also talks about what makes customer experience analytics unique in the analytics space, and how to deal with large and complex datasets.
Join Christine Greenleaf as she discusses how analytics helps the insurance industry. In this podcast episode, she also talks about how the lines between data science and data analytics are blurring, and how these two fields can help industries that have exponential data growth.
In this episode, Adam Heppe talks about how analytics tools can help showcase the value of analytics, but having the right mindset is important more than anything else.
He also talks about overcoming the challenges of legacy systems with data lakes and provides techniques on how you can monetize your data assets.
In this episode, Bruno Reis discusses the impact of business intelligence in the aerospace industry. He talks about the challenges he encountered and how building a strong governance model helped his organization scale up.
As long-time fans of Power BI, Bruno and Sam talk about what’s still possible with Microsoft’s analytics tool and what users can look forward to from the Microsoft ecosystem.
Join Aleksandar Lazarevic as he talks about how companies can create a culture of analytics by changing the mindset of its people.
In this episode, Aleksandar also talks about the importance of descriptive and predictive analytics. He also provides tips on how organizations can drive their data culture initiatives faster.
To close out the episode, Aleksandar and Sam also discuss emerging trends in the AI and machine learning space.
Listen to Matthew Brown as he talks about how data analytics is changing the real estate space. Find out how analytics is being used by eco-friendly builders to create sustainable buildings.
In this episode, Matthew also talks about using semi-agile methodology to effectively lead and manage data analytics teams.
Listen as Brett Cohen discusses the importance of assigning value to your data assets and creating a data-driven culture.
In this brand-new episode, Brett talks about assigning value to operational efficiency. He also discusses how the design thinking methodology can be used to improve your operational efficiency.
To create data culture within your organization, Brett recommends two things: 1. find a champion of data who will drive the change and 2. show and quantify tangible results.
Listen as Prashant Natarajan talks to Sam McKay about how AI is making the world a better place. He discusses both tactical and strategical frameworks when it comes to building AI solutions.
Prashant points out how the cloud has democratized software in many ways, and that people should focus on being successful in one cloud first before using multiclouds. He also discusses the impact of AI and automation technologies in healthcare, life sciences, customer service, and in most industries. Lastly, he points out the differences and synergies of AI and BI.
Listen to Joel Dunahoe as he talks to Sam McKay on how to manage the challenges of acquiring new data assets during an acquisition. They also talk about the differences between a startup and a Fortune 500 company when it comes to handling data assets. The two also discuss the advantages of having and sticking to a playbook, and how to convince stakeholders on the value of implementing data initiatives.
Listen and learn as Richie Bachala discusses the practical applications of data engineering to real-world operations. They also discuss the importance of data lakes in business analytics, and how cloud-based tools like Snowflake can help users fully leverage on their data to power their businesses.
Listen to Sam McKay and Juan Orozco of US Foods as they talk about how you can prioritize the various data initiatives you want to implement in your own organization.
In this episode, they also discuss how you can decide on the best initiatives to focus on when dealing with massive amounts of data. You’ll also learn strategies for building a modern analytics stack, and find out if data hubs will benefit your organization.
Listen as Sam McKay and Greg Philps discuss the importance and challenges of a data-driven culture in the government and public sector.
Join Sam McKay and Alex Badiu as they discuss the role of storytelling and creative thinking in a data-driven world.
Join Sam McKay and Anuj Kapoor as they talk about how data analytics is helping the healthcare industry save lives. Anuj also discusses the importance of establishing a problem statement and having quality data to work with.
Listen as Sam McKay talks to Shiv Misra on why companies need to have an appetite for change and embrace data analytics.
Listen as Sam McKay talks to Jamie Beason about the importance of data literacy, and learn how an analytics summit can help promote data culture within a large-scale industry.
Sam McKay talks to Paul Lucassen, one of our Enterprise DNA experts, about the role of geospatial data analytics in the transportation and logistics industry.
Listen as Sam McKay talks to Alex Moy on how he implemented a self-service business intelligence environment for a large-scale financial operation.
What You’ll Learn From This Episode:
2:47 – 3:19 Alex Moy’s background in business intelligence
5:48 – 6:15 Starting self-service BI in a large-scale merger
7:18 – 8:36 Giving birth to the BI Center of Excellence at Truist
13:20 – 15:50 Challenges when introducing a new data tool
16:00 – 16:29 It’s the tools that enable the self-service movement
17:20 – 19:00 Identifying champions of the tool is key to self-service
21:02 – 21:16 D3 Framework: Data-Driven Decisions
25:36 – 27:28 Data governance and prototyping
27:29 – 28:10 Creating a workflow process for check and balance
30:00 – 30:51 Having a good platform administrator is essential
31:03 – 37:11 Enterprise, third-party, and user-defined data
39:57 – 44:32 Communication strategies in data analytics
48:00 – 50:17 The culture of innovation
Listen as Jarrett Moore talks to Sam McKay on how he scaled a data analytics system for his own company and built a separate data product on top of it.
What You’ll Learn From This Episode:
1:23 – 2:40 Jarrett Moore’s background in Power BI
3:23 – 9:25 Data culture initiatives within the restoration industry
11:15 – 12:29 How Power BI made tasks easier
12:53 – 18:02 Creating partnerships to increase distribution
18:03 – 24:03 Building a data product with Power BI
24:26 – 28:19 Securing & managing multiple systems in a scalable way
29:27 – 30:02 “You need to figure out how analytics can help you run your business better.”
33:35 – 34:12 Using Power BI for consumer reporting
34:25 – 36:10 Teamwork makes the dream work
36:50 – 38:02 How Enterprise DNA’s Power BI Challenges helped Jarrett
Sam McKay talks to Brian Julius on how to integrate data culture in one’s own organization. Brian is an Enterprise DNA expert who has a thriving career as a project management lead for Power Platforms in the public sector, where he uses data to improve government processes.
They discuss further how data culture can improve one’s organization and speed up its business decision-making processes, and how people can leverage data to perform their jobs well.
What You’ll Learn From This Episode:
3:44 Brian shares how his interest in data science started, and how “everything you see in the world is governed by a data generating process.”
5:27 How Sam made the shift from the finance industry to data science.
7:46 Sam and Brian discuss how data science tools have become more accessible now than they used to before.
10:00 How Brian got involved in the Enterprise DNA community, and how it became a tremendous learning experience for him.
11:17 The power of an online community.
14:38 Brian talks about the data culture initiatives in his organization.
17:57 “If your current tools don’t meet people’s needs, the smart people are going to build their own solutions to do their jobs well.”
20:48 Understanding the self-service structure of Power BI.
28:11 How long it took Brian to successfully implement an analytics tool in his company.
33:16 How Microsoft has “democratized” advanced analytics through the Power BI platform.
36:45 The struggles Brian experienced that slowed down the implementation of Power BI in his team.
41:10 “Before you attribute something as a DAX problem, make sure your data model is set up correctly.”
46:08 Brian's grand vision for the future with regards to the implementation of Power BI.
48:16 “With Power BI every month feels like Christmas, where you get a new release and you don’t know what’s inside that release.”
50:02 The long-term impact of Power BI on users.
50:52 Power BI is going to fundamentally change what people do during their day, where time-consuming repetitive tasks that take up a significant chunk of time will be lessened.
59:00 How you can build up your own analytic mind and grow your analytical skills.
59:52 The 5 strategies to improve one’s DAX toolbox through structured practice.
The Analytic Mind is a podcast that empowers business owners to make better decisions and helps organizations grow through data science. Join Sam McKay, the founder of Enterprise DNA, as he talks to some of the leading data experts around the world.
In each episode, Sam and his guest discuss the importance of data culture within an organization and share their own experiences on data-related topics with focus on Microsoft’s analytical tool, Power BI. The guests share how they implemented data analytics within their team, and how they were able to distribute the insights within their organization.
Tune in and learn how you can grow your own analytical mind. Our aim is to be the #1 podcast space for data leaders around the world who are looking to unleash their data assets, become more agile, and responsive to their clients’ needs.