Send us a message! Summary In this episode of the Sprint Zero podcast, we welcome Andy Wingate, Business Central Practice Director at Venture. The conversation explores Andy's journey from an end-user role to consultancy, the significance of community in the Microsoft ecosystem, and the importance of soft skills in professional services. They discuss the features and growth of Microsoft Business Central, the challenges faced during implementations, and the value of continuous learning and net...
Send us a message! Summary In this episode of the Sprint Zero podcast, we welcome Ulrikke Akerbæk, a Microsoft Business Applications MVP, to discuss her journey in the Power Platform space, particularly focusing on Power Pages. Ulrikke shares her experiences transitioning from web development to Power Pages, emphasizing the importance of understanding the product's capabilities and the need for effective marketing. The conversation also touches on the challenges of adoption, the significance ...
Send us a message! In this episode of the Sprint Zero podcast, we welcome Sean Astrakhan, a seasoned solutions architect and the creator of Untethered 365 and the Solution Architect Accelerator Course. The conversation delves into Sean's journey from working in a Mexican restaurant to becoming a tech expert, emphasising the importance of communication and learning from mistakes. They discuss the significance of advanced training in the Power Platform, the pitfalls of over-engineering, and the...
Send us a message! Summary In this episode of the Sprint Zero podcast, we meet with Mike Blair, who shares his journey through various career transitions. The conversation explores the importance of embracing change, overcoming career stagnation, and the value of diverse perspectives in the workplace. Mike discusses the challenges of imposter syndrome and emphasizes the significance of building confidence and asking for help. The episode concludes with reflections on personal growth and the e...
Send us a message! Summary In this episode of the Sprint Zero podcast, we welcome Shabana Khatau, a tech professional and football coach. Shabana shares her inspiring journey from a strict upbringing in Sweden to pursuing a career in technology, overcoming cultural barriers, and her passion for empowering young girls through football. The conversation explores her transition back into tech, the impact of automation at Network Rail, and the parallels between coaching and tech development. Shab...
Send us a message! Summary In this episode of the Sprint Zero podcast, hosts Jon Russell and Mike Gowland welcome Carl Cookson, head of professional services at Power 365 Solutions. The conversation covers Carl's journey in IT, his contributions to the XrmToolBox, and the importance of community engagement in the tech industry. They discuss the impact of community tools on development, the dynamics of the Power Platform Dev Weekly team, and personal reflections on comfort zones and profession...
Send us a message! Summary In this episode of the Sprint Zero podcast, we welcome Lucy Elliott, a recruitment consultant at Conspicuous. Lucy shares her journey from being a qualified sports therapist to entering the recruitment industry, driven by the need for financial stability. The conversation delves into the importance of communication in recruitment, the challenges faced in the industry, and the significance of building genuine relationships with clients and candidates. Lucy also discu...
Send us a message! Summary In this episode we welcome Sunil Kumar, a seasoned expert in the Power Platform space. Sunil shares his journey into the Power Platform, his experiences with AI prompts, and how they have been implemented in real-world client scenarios. The conversation also delves into the complexities of Power Platform licensing, the importance of community engagement, and the challenges consultants face when navigating client expectations. Sunil emphasizes the value of both gener...
Send us a message! Summary In this episode of Sprint Zero, hosts Jon Russell and Mike Gowland welcome Howdang Rashid, a Power Platform expert, to discuss his journey into the world of technology and automation. Howdang shares insights on the importance of community, the role of generative AI, and the path to becoming a content creator. He emphasizes the need for automation in overcoming manual processes and introduces his initiative, Power Academy, aimed at guiding new developers in the Power...
Send us a message! Summary In this episode, we're joined by Angeliki Patsiavou, a Senior Dynamics 365 and Power Platform Consultant. We explore various themes including the impact of AI and Copilot Studio, the importance of vulnerability in leadership, and the understanding of neurodiversity. Angeliki shares her personal journey, discussing her experiences with neurodiversity and the significance of creating safe spaces in the workplace. The episode also highlights the role of storytelling in...
Send us a message! Summary We interview Josh Giles, a seasoned expert in the Power Platform. We discuss Josh's career journey, the Power Platform's different layers, and tips for transitioning from basic apps to complex enterprise-grade solutions. We also touch on overlooked areas in the Power Platform, such as Power Apps cards and custom connectors. Josh discusses the challenges and limitations of building apps with Power Platform. He talks about the need to learn pro code and the steep lear...
Send us a message! Summary In this episode we're joined by Rory Neary, a freelance Power Platform Trainer and Consultant. Rory shares his journey from being an accountant to becoming a prominent figure in the Power Platform community. He discusses his early experiences with Power BI and Power Apps, his work with the Parliamentary Digital Service, and his role in creating learning content for Microsoft. We also touch on the importance of effective training, the growth of the Power Platform com...
Send us a message! Summary In this episode of the Sprint Zero podcast, Mike Gowland and Jon Russell are joined by Dan Romano, an experienced private consultant. They discuss topics such as research and development (R&D), managing scope creep, dealing with pressure in the workplace, and embracing neurodiversity. The conversation also touches on the cultural differences between the US and the UK when it comes to embracing individuality and mental health. The hosts and guest also share their...
Send us a message! Summary In this episode, we interview Rebekka Aalbers, a Microsoft MVP and technology consultant. They discuss Rebekka's journey with the Power Platform, her love for unicorns, and her experiences in the industry. Rebekka shares a story about a project that failed and the lessons she learned from it. The conversation also touches on topics like imposter syndrome and the importance of speaking up when uncertain. The hosts wrap up the episode with their signature Uncomfortabl...
Send us a message! Summary Pei Mun Lim, a mentor and coach in the consulting space, discusses the importance of active listening and the pitfalls consultants face when engaging with clients. She emphasizes the need to pause the urge to solutionize and instead focus on truly understanding the client's pain points. Pei also highlights the fear of failure in the consulting industry and how the use of AI tools can exacerbate this fear. She encourages consultants to learn from their mistakes and s...
Send us a message! Summary In this episode of the Sprint Zero podcast, Mike Gowland and Jon Russell interview Kevin McDonnell, a co-pilot strategy and modern workplace AI leader at Avanade. They discuss AI, Copilot functionalities, and the future of AI in the workplace. Kevin emphasizes the importance of having a strategy for integrating AI into business processes and highlights the need for responsible AI practices. They also explore the role of AI in employee experience and the challenges o...
Send us a message! Summary In this episode of the Sprint Zero podcast, hosts Mike Gowland and Jon Russell welcome Keith Watling, a seasoned expert in the Power Platform. The conversation explores Keith's journey into technology, the evolution of the Power Platform, and the critical importance of alignment and understanding in tech projects. They discuss real-world examples of project failures due to miscommunication, the balance between customer needs and technical feasibility, and the future...
Send us a message! Summary In this episode of Sprint Zero, we interview Ioana Tanase, an expert in AI and accessibility. They discuss the potential of AI to create a more equitable world by addressing the unique needs of diverse users, including those with disabilities and mental health conditions. Ioana shares examples of how generative AI can assist individuals with disabilities, such as helping with writing and summarizing research papers. We also explore the use of AI in supporting mental...
Send us a message! Summary Charles Sexton shares his journey from living in Uganda as a child to becoming a Power Platform expert. He discusses the impact of his experiences on his career and the role of creativity in his work. Charles also talks about the future of Power Platform and the importance of consulting skills in the industry. In the uncomfortable corner, he opens up about feeling uncomfortable in social situations and shares his experiences with public speaking. Takeaways Charle...
Send us a message! Summary We welcome Areti Iles, a prominent figure in the Microsoft community, to discuss her journey in tech, her advocacy for women in the industry, and her insights on AI adoption. Areti shares her experiences from user groups to major conferences, her role in the upcoming Scottish Summit conference, and the importance of community building and knowledge sharing. The conversation also delves into the challenges women face in tech, the significance of public speaking, and ...