The Dashboard Effect
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NEW EPISODES EVERY OTHER THURSDAY!!!
The Dashboard Effect Podcast: Simplifying Data for Smarter Business Decisions
Welcome to The Dashboard Effect, the go-to podcast for mid-market businesses and private equity-backed companies looking to harness the power of data.
Hosted by Brick Thompson from Blue Margin, we demystify data analytics and business intelligence, offering practical insights and actionable strategies that drive accountability, performance, and growth.
From breaking down complex data concepts to sharing real-world success stories, we cover topics like Power BI, data lakes, dashboards, automation, and the latest trends shaping the future of business intelligence. Whether you're a CEO, operator, or BI professional, we’ll help you unlock the potential of your data for smarter, faster decisions.
Tune in to The Dashboard Effect and discover how the right data, at the right time, can transform your business.
Subscribe now and take the first step toward becoming a data-driven organization!
Learn More: BlueMargin.com
163 Episodes
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AI adoption is booming but most initiatives still fail to deliver real ROI. In this episode, Brick and Landon unpack why 60–95% of AI projects miss the mark and what companies can do differently. From the importance of a solid data foundation to starting small with practical use cases, they outline a smarter approach to AI that focuses on results, not hype.
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick and Landon unpack why so many AI projects fail and how the right data foundation can make all the difference. From breaking down what a semantic model actually is to exploring the role of governance, they explain how structure, quality, and oversight in your data environment directly impact the reliability of AI. Whether you’re an executive planning your first AI initiative or a developer struggling to wrangle messy data, this conversation offer...
Think you need a big BI team and a big budget to get value from your data? Think again. In this episode, Brick Thompson and Landon Ochs share how small professional services firms can start using data effectively—by focusing on one meaningful problem, starting simple, and iterating over time. Hear practical tips, common pitfalls, and a real-world success story that added millions to the bottom line. At Blue Margin, we help middle-market companies turn their data into a competitive advantage....
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick and Landon give an update on Celeste, the internal AI tool Blue Margin has been building to help data teams query, explore, and visualize client data. They dive into what’s worked, what hasn’t, and the fork in the road between making Celeste valuable for engineers versus business users. Along the way, they share lessons about AI adoption, the limits of “wrappers,” and where emerging tools like Azure’s AI Foundry could take things next. If you’v...
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick and Landon discuss their shift in thinking on whether to build custom data connectors or use third-party tools like Fivetran. They share the pros, cons, and lessons learned from their proof-of-concept with Fivetran, and why APIs are changing the data pipeline game. Key Moments: 1:15 – Why custom connectors made sense in the past 2:00 – The rise of APIs and the challenge of building connectors for them 2:39 – Realizing the variety of systems—and...
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, host Brick is joined by Blue Margin account executive Greg to demystify what it really means to “prepare your data for AI.” Rather than focusing on flashy tools and hype, they dig into the foundational steps, like building a modern data lakehouse and semantic layer, that are essential for long-term ROI. You’ll also hear why many companies are pulling back on generative AI pilots and what it takes to avoid falling into the “trough of disillusionment.” ...
Choosing between Microsoft Fabric and Snowflake? In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick Thompson and Landon Ochs break down when, why, and how to choose the right data platform for your organization. From ecosystem compatibility and AI capabilities to cost management and developer experience, we unpack the real-world trade-offs we see every day at Blue Margin. Whether you're building from scratch or evaluating a transition, this conversation will help you make a smarter, more informe...
This episode dives into the biggest theme from the 2025 Microsoft Build conference: AI agents. Brick and Landon unpack what Microsoft unveiled, from Copilot Studio to Azure AI Foundry, and what it all means for businesses adopting custom AI tools. Whether you're curious about how AI agents can automate tasks, what it takes to build and govern them effectively, or how Microsoft is pushing this technology forward, this episode is your insider look at the future of business automation.
Landon and Brick unpack the biggest announcements about Microsoft Fabric from the 2025 Microsoft Build Conference. From long-awaited features like Power BI write-back and built-in CICD, to major shifts like Cosmos DB moving into Fabric and Copilot now available at the F2 tier, this is a must-watch for data professionals and business leaders keeping an eye on Microsoft’s data ecosystem. Whether you're already working in Fabric or planning your move from Synapse, this breakdown will help you u...
In this episode, Blue Margin’s Kate Eberle and Greg explore why forward-thinking private equity firms are investing in firm-level data lakehouses and how it’s transforming deal flow, operations, investor relations, and beyond. From reducing manual reporting to enabling AI-driven insights and natural language querying, they outline real-world use cases, challenges, and the best first steps to take. Subscribe for more insights on data strategy, business intelligence, and private equity perfor...
In this episode, Brick and Kate break down the five most impactful metrics for middle-market companies to focus on when implementing Business Intelligence (BI). These metrics help businesses not only measure performance, but also take strategic action based on real-time insights. Whether you're in services, manufacturing, or another industry, this conversation dives into practical examples and key considerations for tracking performance across the organization. Don't forget to like, comment,...
Rolling out a new BI system or dashboard? It's not just about the data; it's about the people. In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick and Landon dive into the hidden influence of company culture on BI adoption. From Excel loyalty to leadership modeling and psychological safety, they unpack the human side of digital transformation. Learn how to overcome resistance, build trust, and drive lasting engagement with your dashboards. Need help getting your dashboards adopted? Visit u...
Are you chasing metrics that look good but don’t do good? In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick Thompson and Landon Oaks dive into the common trap of vanity metrics, those flashy numbers that don’t actually move the needle. They explore how to identify the right metrics, involve the right stakeholders, and why iteration is key to building dashboards that drive real results. Whether you’re building your first dashboard or refining a mature BI strategy, this episode will help you shift...
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, host Landon Oaks sits down with Azure Data Architect Mark Bender to discuss Blue Margin’s first internal leap into AI: Project Celeste. Still in its early stages, Celeste is designed to boost developer and analyst productivity by using large language models to generate SQL queries from natural language prompts, without exposing sensitive data. Landon and Mark unpack how Celeste works, what makes it different from traditional AI chatbots, an...
Are you trying to decide between Microsoft Synapse and Microsoft Fabric for your data architecture? In this episode of The Dashboard Effect Podcast, we break down the key differences, pros, and cons of each platform to help you make the best decision for your data needs. What You’ll Learn: ✅ The biggest limitations of Microsoft Fabric right now ✅ When Synapse is the better choice for large data sets ✅ How Microsoft is evolving Fabric to compete with Synapse ✅ Real-world experiences fr...
Revenue seems like a simple metric—just add up the sales, right? Not so fast! In this episode of The Dashboard Effect Podcast, Brick and Landon dive into the complexities of defining revenue. Every business calculates revenue differently, whether due to trade discounts, loyalty programs, rebates, or industry-specific rules. We explore why even CEOs, CFOs, and sales leaders might have different definitions of revenue and how companies can align on a single, accurate metric. If you're dea...
In this episode, Kate Eberle and Greg Brown discuss the challenges and strategies of portfolio monitoring in private equity. They explore the different approaches firms take, from Excel-based reporting to fully automated Power BI solutions, and discuss the pros and cons of each method. Things we cover: - The evolution of portfolio monitoring in private equity - Common challenges firms face with data collection and reporting - Comparing Excel, data warehouses, and portfolio monitoring ...
Who should see your business data and who shouldn’t? In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, hosts Brick and Landon break down the essentials of role-based security and data access control. Learn how businesses can ensure the right people have access to the right data while keeping sensitive information secure. We cover: - The importance of defining roles & hierarchies - How to structure access control in ERP, HR, and security systems - Best practices for implementing role-based access...
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, host Jon sits down with Lisa Weaver Lambert, author of The AI Value Playbook. Lisa shares her deep expertise in AI, offering practical advice for non-technical leaders on how to leverage AI effectively. From addressing common pitfalls to discussing actionable strategies, Lisa’s insights are a must-hear for anyone looking to implement AI in their organization. Lisa’s book, The AI Value Playbook, is a practical guide for non-technical leaders looking to...
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick and Landon discuss the importance of truly understanding your data before diving into report building. Whether you’re an analytics engineer or using Power BI, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for making better decisions and creating impactful dashboards. Key Moments: [02:15] Why understanding your data source improves report outcomes. [05:30] How Power BI simplifies data visualization and decision-making. [08:45] Common pitf...
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