This special episode of DataFramed was made in collaboration with Analytics on Fire! Nowadays, the hype around generative AI is only the tip of the iceberg. There are so many ideas being touted as the next big thing that it’s difficult to keep up. More importantly, it’s challenging to discern which ideas will become the next ChatGPT and which will end up like the next NFT. How do we cut through the noise? Mico Yuk is the Community Manager at Acryl Data and Co-Founder at Data Storytelling Academy. Mico is also an SAP Mentor Alumni, and the Founder of the popular weblog, Everything Xcelsius and the 'Xcelsius Gurus’ Network. She was named one of the Top 50 Analytics Bloggers to follow, as-well-as a high-regarded BI influencer and sought after global keynote speaker in the Analytics ecosystem.  In the episode, Richie and Mico explore AI and productivity at work, the future of work and AI, GenAI and data roles, AI for training and learning, training at scale, decision intelligence, soft skills for data professionals, genAI hype and much more.  Links Mentioned in the Show: Analytics on Fire PodcastData Visualization for Dummies by Mico Yuk and Stephanie DiamondConnect with Miko[Skill Track] AI FundamentalsRelated Episode: What to Expect from AI in 2024 with Craig S. Smith, Host of the Eye on A.I PodcastRewatch sessions from RADAR: AI Edition New to DataCamp? Learn on the go using the DataCamp mobile appEmpower your business with world-class data and AI skills with DataCamp for business

Hjalmar Gislason is the Founder and CEO of GRID.is, a BI notebook company that has been making big waves in the field in the last few years. He tells us all about GRID.is and the rise of data notebooks. In this episode, you'll learn: [0:05:50] Hjalmar explains exactly what a data notebook is and how it compares to other tools.  [0:11:52] Reasons to consider using a data notebook along with a range of other tools. [0:27:30] The 'living' quality of the models that can be created on GRID.  [0:33:28] A special offer for AOF from Hjalmar and how to sign up immediately! For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://bibrainz.com/podcast/85   Enjoyed the Show?  Please leave us a review on iTunes.

This week we are joined by AoF alumni, David Dadoun to talk about data lakes, data oceans, data puddles, and data platforms, and why so many are confused about the topic. David is a leader, professor, global speaker, and recently transitioned to an exciting new role as Head of Enterprise Data and BI at BRP in Canada.  If you feel unsure about the definition of a data lake vs a data platform, you're not alone. The concept continues to evolve, to where we are today which is a data platform. As the owner and creators of multiple data platforms, David shared breaks down the key steps to transform your data lake into a data platform. Whether you're migrating to a more sophisticated data cloud or building a platform from scratch, the rapid pace of change means there's always something new to be learned. Tune in today for this fascinating conversation on how to master your data platform!   In this episode, you'll learn: [0:07:35] What the 'data lake' was and how it has evolved over time. [0:08:35] What is a data fake and how data lakes have evolved into data platforms. [0:12:51] Who needs to own the data platforms and who it's for. [0:14:41] How to run a data platform depending on the size and structure of your organization. [0:16:05] The different ways that companies can structure their data platform(s). [0:18:02] Why data literacy is crucial for any company with a data culture and how data lakes form part of the core strategy. [0:21:03] How to balance analytics and data goals within your company and teams. [0:24:20] The important steps a company can take towards creating a data lake. [0:28:13] Why it's necessary to be mindful of the rapid rate of change within data and how it will affect your data platforms. For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://bibrainz.com/podcast/83   Enjoyed the Show?  Please leave us a review on iTunes.

Ryan Wade joins us on AOF today to talk about how to use advanced analytics in your organization! Ryan has been in the analytics game for the last 20 years and is now a Senior Solution Consultant at Blue Granite, based in Indianapolis, Indiana. He recently authored the amazing must-read book, Advanced Analytics in Power BI with R and Python, and in today's chat, we get to hear all about why he wrote the book, who it is for and how you can use it to accelerate your data journey! I met Ryan while speaking at a few conferences and was always impressed with his knowledge and great sense of humor! A professional football player turned data scientist, Ryan has a passion for breaking down advanced analytics in a way anyone can understand. Whether you're already using advanced analytics or researching how to get started Ryan's knowledge on the topic will help you. Tune in with a pencil and paper in hand!   In this episode, you'll learn: [0:09:22] The rise of the R and Python programming languages in the data world. [0:16:44] The necessary, well-thought-out preparatory steps for a project utilizing advanced analytics. [0:19:39] Why attention-grabbing visuals are not the most important part of data storytelling! [0:23:13] Creating a sufficient team for data analytics and the vital roles of the database administrator, active directory administrator, and more! [0:39:07] Client conversations around shortcomings and hurdles in advanced analytics.  For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://bibrainz.com/podcast/82   Enjoyed the Show?  Please leave us a review on iTunes.

Hey AOF! Today I am joined by one of my first mentors in the BI industry, Rick Montgomery, to unpack why and how you can add the human element to digital transformation. Tune in as Rick shares how to identify, understand and map out the different personalities and parts of your digital transformation. In this episode, you'll learn: [0:09:12] What Rick learned from dropping out of MIT / Harvard. [0:19:39] How automation and analysis can lead to conversations with leadership. [0:21:38] Knowledge Bomb: How to get started with adding the human element and Rick's recommendations for useful books on consultative selling. [0:39:02] Knowledge Bomb: First sell your ignorance, then sell your expertise later! For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://bibrainz.com/podcast/80    Enjoyed the Show?  Please leave us a review on iTunes.

Welcome to another exciting masterclass! Today I'm taking you behind the scenes of how two women leaders on our BI Brainz team, created not one, but two of our most downloaded dashboard templates ever! To share these juicy details, we are joined by Raquel Seville, CEO of BI Brainz Caribbean, and Anna Ria, our very own Head of Design and well-known BI Data Storytelling Accelerator trainer. In the first part, you'll hear from Raquel, as she explains how she used our BI Data Storytelling Framework to transform a 271-page annual report into a simple, insightful Power BI Stock Dashboard template that got a thumbs-up from the company's CEO on social media. Then, we jump into part two with Anna, as she shares the unique inspiration behind our now-famous Analytics Design Guide template and why she believes it became one of the most downloaded templates in BI Brainz history, with over 600 downloads in the first 48 hours! In this episode, you'll learn: [0:05:33] What Raquel has learned as a woman in a male-dominated industry. [0:06:10] How she built a single view dashboard from a 271-page annual report by focusing on a clear goal. [0:10:16] Raquel's idea to create the Stock Data Viz Template, a free Power BI Dashboard. [0:28:27] What the Analytics Design Guide (or ADG) actually is: a set of guidelines that anybody can use. [0:30:46] Who will benefit from using the ADG, from novices to dashboard wizards! [0:34:08] How ADG can help users that are "over creative" by honing in on specific areas. [0:35:10] The story-driven analytics that drive the ADG and why Anna believes that storytelling is crucial for success. For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://bibrainz.com/podcast/79  Enjoyed the Show?  Please leave us a review on iTunes.

Finding your dream job in the world of data and analytics might not be as hard you think! Our guest today, Kimberly Herrington stands as a testament to this idea and she joins us on AOF to talk about how you can go about identifying and capturing your ideal position in this fascinating space. Kimberly is a data journalist at a large healthcare company in Buffalo, New York, and is also the founder of Buffalo Business Intelligence. She is also a graduate of our BI Data Storytelling Accelerator Workshop and in 2020, she was voted Data Literacy Advocate of the Year. Tune into this episode and you will see why! I am so excited to share this great chat with you, in which we hear about Kimberly's personal method for landing that dream job that you might have thought was only a wish. In our conversation, Kimberly does an amazing job of unpacking some parts of the work she does and the difference between some of the job titles in the space. We also talk about the great learnings she garnered from our workshop, and why you should sign up immediately! I learned so much from today's guest, and you will too, as we run through common mistakes that are made in the pursuit of a great job, how to leverage working at home to your advantage, and the vital importance of community! Kimberly is like a fairy of goodness, and believe me AOF, you will see exactly why I say this!   In this episode, you'll learn: [0:04:13] Kimberly's past work as a professional improv comedian! [0:09:12] Mapping the trajectory of an ideal career in data storytelling and how to start this journey.  [0:18:19] Differentiating between a data journalist, data storyteller, and analytics translator.  [0:24:43] Investing the time and money into valuable education and qualifications. For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://bibrainz.com/podcast/77    Enjoyed the Show?  Please leave us a review on iTunes.

Stakeholders often miss key insights that can be provided by data to drive action forward, due to the way the data is presented and communicated to them. My guest today believes that data storytelling is key to resolving this common pain point. Kam Lee, a BI Data Storytelling Mastery alumn and graduate who has used our framework to surface over $100M for the fintech company he works with! Kam is the Chief Data Scientist at his company Finetooth Analytics (specializing in marketing analytics), working with top marketers like Russell Brunson from Clickfunnels! Our data masterclass with Kam today delves deep into how he used our BI Data Storytelling Methodology and framework to straddle data engineering, data science, and storytelling. Kam shares game-changing concepts from the course and how he has used them to connect to stakeholders, influence their actions, and overcoming what he calls 'emotional responses' to data. Tune in to this knowledge bomb-filled episode! In this episode, you'll learn: [0:12:20] Three buckets Kam uses to organize the data storytelling process. [0:14:56] The challenge of dealing with stakeholders who respond emotionally to data. [0:26:48] Whether to start with the storyboarding or the analytics data dictionary first. [0:28:19] The difference between KPIs, trends, and actions. For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://bibrainz.com/podcast/76    Enjoyed the Show?  Please leave us a review on iTunes.

Welcome back AOF! I'm so glad to be back after taking some time off over the holidays and having an amazing social media detox! I'm excited to kick-off Season 6. Today's show is going to give you some super important updates and changes coming to the podcast, our academy platforms and groups, and everything else that matters to you. I will be riding solo on the podcast again this year, but you can still expect to hear more amazing guests who will deliver game-changing business intelligence, data, and analytics master classes. Also, tune in to be first to hear about our big name change and the new dates for our Accelerator live workshop (yes finally)! Enjoy and let's kick off this season in high gear!   In this episode, you'll learn: [01:01]  - A fresh start and some exciting changes for the AOF podcast! A look at the reasons that I took a break from social media at the end of 2020, and four updates to the podcast: guests, giveaways, new sponsors, and our exciting #1 ranking for the 3rd year in a row! [08:12]  - Why we are removing the 'BI' from our name and changing it all to Data Storytelling Method! New and exciting ways to engage with the updated content and platform. [14:06] - The changes to the dates for the Accelerator; it is now May 18-20 2021 instead of in February, and we expect it to sell out again. [16:48] - My surprise appearance on CNN in Dec! For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://bibrainz.com/podcast/73   Enjoyed the Show?  Please leave us a review on iTunes.

Excited to share the last and final part of my three-episode series on BI data storytelling accelerator lessons learned. We'll be digging into the last but most exciting step in our BI Data Storytelling Mastery Framework, 'What you Draw'. Useless visualizations are everywhere! This episode will give you seven things to avoid and ways to fix them to ensure you bring your A-game when it comes to visualizing your storyboard. Tune in for knowledge bombs galore!

[05:53] Never skip the mock-up stage: 90% of us make the mistake of getting directly into drawing without a mock-up. Always make sure you a client signs off before you start on the mock-up and you have some sample data [09:34] Doing mock-up before getting a sign off on the storyboard and the analytics data dictionary. Without a sign-off, you should never go into the drawing board [11:44] Starting from scratch all the time: Nothing wastes more time than having to start from scratch all the time. To save on time, always treat every project you build like an asset. Every template you build as a team should be repurposed as a template for the users. For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://bibrainz.com/podcast/72 Enjoyed the Show?  Please leave us a review on iTunes.

Tune in as I recap lessons learned from our latest accelerator class. This part two in the series of three podcasts, which deep dives into our BI data storytelling framework, where we tackle three parts of storytelling. 1) What You Say, 2) What You Write, and 3) What You Draw. I dive into some of the biggest mistakes people make when working with users and writing down their requirements, including why so many get confused with the different story parts and how to fix it. Tune in to this amazing BI masterclass!

[04:36]  - How to become a better master storyteller. [13:20]  - Changing your questions and process to create an effective data story. [14:25]  - Biggest mistakes people make when working with users to gather requirements and create an amazing data story. For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://bibrainz.com/podcast/71 Enjoyed the Show?  Please leave us a review on iTunes.

You don't want to miss Vincent share the three steps he took after he left Lillian's class that led to his success in 90 days.  He discussed how he chose the right problem to solve, and the challenges he faced while setting expectations, and most importantly how he measures success! Tune in and be sure to share with others that struggle with their data strategy. Knowledge bombs galore!

  [17:03] Vincent's takeaways from Lillian's course: "What I learned from the workshop really inspired me and was really insightful. We have a lot of data in our company. We have to ask: 'What can we do with that data? How can we monetize it better? How we can drive revenue from the data?'"  [23:06] Vincent on understanding the data you have: "Once you understand your data you can move on to implement the right models and generate the right insights."   [41:43] Vincent on what is most important: "What is most important is actually transforming your data into relevant insights. Don't jump quickly into the solution. Sit down, narrow down your problem, find the real cost, and seek out different solutions. Only then you can find the most effective solution." For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://bibrainz.com/podcast/68

Enjoyed the Show?  Please leave us a review on iTunes. Free Data Storytelling Training Register before it sells out again! Our BI Data Storytelling Mastery Accelerator 3-Day Live Workshop new dates are finally available. Many BI teams are still struggling to deliver consistent, high-engaging analytics their users love. At the end of the workshop, you'll leave with a clear BI delivery action plan. Register today!

Data isn't just relevant in the US, it's important all over the world. And currently, the Caribbean is experiencing something of a movement in relation to data. In today's episode, you'll hear from Raquel Seville, the CEO of BI Brainz Caribbean. Learn what's happening in the Caribbean on the data scene, how data innovation is taking center stage, and how you can be a part of it.

    [13:49]  - What's happening with data in the Caribbean right now [21:07]   - What the rest of the world can learn from the data work happening in the Caribbean​ [21:07]   - What the rest of the world can learn from the data work happening in the Caribbean For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://bibrainz.com/podcast/67

Enjoyed the Show?  Please leave us a review on iTunes. Free Data Storytelling Training Register before it sells out again! Our BI Data Storytelling Mastery Accelerator 3-Day Live Workshop new dates are finally available. Many BI teams are still struggling to deliver consistent, high-engaging analytics their users love. At the end of the workshop, you'll leave with a clear BI delivery action plan. Register today!

Data literacy is one of the most sought after cultural transformations of 2020. In episode #47 we discussed 'Why we should stop saying 'data literacy'. Today's guest, Jordan Morrow, shared the episode on Linkedin sparking off some very interesting and even defensive responses from the data literacy social media mafia. Today, Jordan joins the podcast to share his unique point of view on the topic. Known as the pioneer of data literacy, tune in to learn how to start a data literacy practice, the best audience for data literacy skills, and what the most important data literacy skills are. Knowledge bombs galore!

 [16:43]  - Key Quote: "Not everyone needs to be a data scientist, but everyone should develop skills in data analytics in today's day and age." – Jordan Morrow​ [22:53]  - The order that data literacy skills should be taught in​ [29:25]  - Other phrases that could be used instead of data literacy​ For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://bibrainz.com/podcast/66

Enjoyed the Show?  Please leave us a review on iTunes. Check out our sponsor! Are you a BI/Analytics leader who is tired of creating useless reports or dashboards? Are you struggling to get users over to your BI portal? Ever thought about embedding your analytics? If so, then you have to check out Logi Composer, the first ever out of the box development experience for teams who want to get up and running fast! Logi Analytics is offering AoF Listeners a special 14-day trial to get up and running fast! Just visit - logianalytics.com/aof

Just a few years can be a lifetime in the data world, but there's reason to expect that PowerBI, which has already taken the business intelligence world by storm, is set up for at least a ten-year reign? Why is that? What do you need to know about PowerBI? That's exactly what today's guest Patrick Leblanc is going to cover! As the co-host of the famous Guy in a Cube YouTube channel (with over 100,000 followers), and Principal Program Manager at Microsoft, Patrick share's his unbiased view of whether or not he feels that PowerBI is here to stay. He also shares practical ways to embrace PowerBI in your organization and gives some of his thoughts about the future about PowerBI! Whether you have Power BI or your considering it this episode is a must listen and share! Enjoy!

  [32:41] - Patrick on getting started in Power BI: "I say you take a really slow step toward that solution, and the first thing you need to do is really look at your data." [33:50] - Patrick on Power BI Adoption: "That's the big tip, you have to be gradual with these people." [43:58] - Patrick on trying Power BI: "You can honestly just get into PowerBI desktop, which is free, do everything you need globally, kick the tires on it if it doesn't work, it cost you some time, because of your human resource cost, but for the most part, you're going to pay them anyway. So it costs you nothing." For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://bibrainz.com/podcast/65

Enjoyed the Show?  Please leave us a review on iTunes. Free Data Storytelling Training Register before it sells out again! Our BI Data Storytelling Mastery Accelerator 3-Day Live Workshop new dates are finally available. Many BI teams are still struggling to deliver consistent, high-engaging analytics their users love. At the end of the workshop, you'll leave with a clear BI delivery action plan. Register today!

Many companies want to use data to gain a competitive edge in their industries--this can pose a challenge for organizations whose core business is not inherently technical. To make things worst lots of providers and consulting firms push unproven strategies and technical solutions that don't work. My guest today, Heather Smith is a data leader who has over 15 years of experience in the data science field, including recognition as one of Seattle's Top 5% of Women Engineers by Women Impact Tech.

As co-founder of Rove Technologies, Heather teaches how to set realistic expectations, when it comes to senior management and why it's so important. She shares real-world examples of where expectations were set, and unfortunately when they were not. In a more personal tone, she discusses how her female appearance has impacted her professionally. Listen in to hear Heather talk about the role of executive expectation management in data science and how you can start managing expectations correctly!

 [26:51]  - The role of executives in data management​ [29:54] - Heather on Data Literacy: "Often very smart people including executives, become dumb in the face of data."​ [45:48]  - Whether the team that built the successful model should own the model​ For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://bibrainz.com/podcast/64

Enjoyed the Show?  Please leave us a review on iTunes. Check out our sponsor! Are you a BI/Analytics leader who is tired of creating useless reports or dashboards? Are you struggling to get users over to your BI portal? Ever thought about embedding your analytics? If so, then you have to check out Logi Composer, the first ever out of the box development experience for teams who want to get up and running fast! Logi Analytics is offering AoF Listeners a special 14-day trial to get up and running fast! Just visit - logianalytics.com/aof

In Ep 50 with Jurgen Faiist, I discussed why we need a new data visualization language. In today's episode, we return to debate that topic with my good Suisse buddy Raphael Branger who is a Principal Data & Analytics Consultant at IT-Logix in Switzerland. Raphael is an IBCS Certified Consultant (he introduced me to it) as well as a Certified Disciplined Agile Practitioner with more than 18 years of experience in business intelligence and data warehousing. I met Raphael almost a decade when he invited to keynote their epic BI event in Zurich. As one of the most passionate people I've met around requirements gathering 'engineering' is he calls it, his feedback was instrumental to the ongoing enhancement of our BI Dashboard Formula methodology!

In today's episode, Raphael gives examples of why a new data viz language is needed and explains the International Business Communication Standards (IBCS) SUCCESS poster and how those standards can help. So much knowledge bombs in this one! Be sure to tune in!

 [03:01] The pros and cons of whether a new data visualization language is needed [03:15]  - User Expectations: Real-world experiences using the IBCS standards [24:45]  - How to ease communication between consumer and creator For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://bibrainz.com/podcast/63

Enjoyed the Show?  Please leave us a review on iTunes. Free Data Storytelling Training Register before it sells out again! Our BI Data Storytelling Mastery Accelerator 3-Day Live Workshop new dates are finally available. Many BI teams are still struggling to deliver consistent, high-engaging analytics their users love. At the end of the workshop, you'll leave with a clear BI delivery action plan. Register today!

Mike Bugembe is a speaker, consultant, and Amazon best selling author of the book Cracking the Data Code. He joins today's podcast to talk about the things that you can do that will help create successful analytics projects. After being the head of business intelligence for one of the largest diamond companies in the world, and seeing project struggle or fail, Mike went on a journey to find out why some unicorn companies like Netflix were succeeding in analytics, which traditional companies were not. In today's interview, he discusses the five key traits of a successful project and why 90% of enterprises data are missing most of them. Listen in to hear what Mike has to say about finding use cases for AI, learning how to ask data questions, and the biggest obstacles companies face when trying to unlock the value of their data.

  [03:42]  - Cracking the Data Code: 5 Things that successful unicorn companies are doing that you are not for your data projects​ [24:43]  - Key Quote: "Around 75% of investments in data fail to see any return on investment." –Mike Bugembe​ [31:18]  - How to offer a skillshare to teammates​ For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://bibrainz.com/podcast/62

Enjoyed the Show?  Please leave us a review on iTunes.   Check out our sponsor! Are you a BI/Analytics leader who is tired of creating useless reports or dashboards? Are you struggling to get users over to your BI portal? Ever thought about embedding your analytics? If so, then you have to check out Logi Composer, the first ever out of the box development experience for teams who want to get up and running fast! Logi Analytics is offering AoF Listeners a special 14-day trial to get up and running fast! Just visit - logianalytics.com/aof

Lewis Temares is a former Dean at the University of Miami, and though he's retired now, he still has a lot to say and a lot of knowledge to contribute. As one of the most beloved leaders I've ever met, he has managed large and very successful teams in IT. Not only was he my first mentor in the technical industry, but his influence and continual guidance have been instrumental in my career path. Given recent world events, I brought him on to discuss how techies can stand out at work during unusual circumstances like a pandemic, what advice he'd give to tech leaders, workers, and students, and how to deal with the obstacles that accompany being laid off or furloughed. Tune in to gain some real-world wisdom and practical steps you can take to ensure you are standing out even while working from home!

  [13:17]  - Key Quote: I mean, there's nothing comparable to this, but yes, we've seen other occurrences, we've seen economic depressions, we've seen a lot of things that have been negative and have negative effects on organizations, but nothing to this extent. –Lewis Temares [13:53]  - Lewis's perspective on where listeners should be focused right now [24:01]  - Advice Lewis would give to IT students For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://bibrainz.com/podcast/61

Enjoyed the Show?  Please leave us a review on iTunes. Free Data Storytelling Training Register before it sells out again! Our BI Data Storytelling Mastery Accelerator 3-Day Live Workshop new dates are finally available. Many BI teams are still struggling to deliver consistent, high-engaging analytics their users love. At the end of the workshop, you'll leave with a clear BI delivery action plan. Register today!

Why is the business missing in BI? And how can you get the business back into BI? That's what today's guest is here to talk about. Cliff Alper is Director of Product Development at Analysis Factory, and in today's episode, you'll hear what he has to say about how you can tell if you're someone who's missing out on the business part of BI, why it's so important to ask a lot of questions, and how to talk to end-users.

  [18:40]  - What Cliff means when he says that the business is missing from BI [30:25]  - Advice for BI analytics leaders who struggle with confidence and knowledge [40:35]  - How to teach BI folks how to notice the unsaid things that happen in meetings For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://bibrainz.com/podcast/60

Enjoyed the Show?  Please leave us a review on iTunes. Free Data Storytelling Training Register before it sells out again! Our BI Data Storytelling Mastery Accelerator 3-Day Live Workshop new dates are finally available. Many BI teams are still struggling to deliver consistent, high-engaging analytics their users love. At the end of the workshop, you'll leave with a clear BI delivery action plan. Register today!