The Clearly Podcast

• So You Wanna be a BI Consultant? (2024 Edition)

  Send us a textWelcome to the Clearly Podcast. The podcast is taking a break for a few weeks due to another project, and upon return, there will be exciting news. Today's discussion revisits what it takes to be a Power BI consultant, focusing on the necessary skills and qualities.Experience with Power BI is valuable, but not mandatory for juniors. Key qualities include consulting skills, analytics, business experience, understanding data, and articulating it clearly. Being able to work with senior people to address business processes is also essential.For those fresh out of college or university, it's important to have a grasp of business fundamentals and good Q&A skills. Graduates often have skills in algorithms and data science. Conversing with business users to understand their challenges and developing solutions is crucial.The role of a Power BI consultant now often includes elements of data engineering, data warehousing, or machine learning. It’s important to have a broader knowledge of the data landscape. Employers should seek a mix of skills rather than expertise in every area.For someone starting, understanding data engineering and data modeling is key. Learning to build models that others can use and gaining experience in visualizing data is important. Download Power BI, use public datasets, and practice.Knowing how to find information about connectors for other applications is crucial. Being able to get back to clients with accurate information is essential.During interviews, honesty about skills is important. People often claim more experience than they have. Private projects show initiative and learning and should not be dismissed.There is high demand for roles, especially for those who understand the entire Microsoft stack. Consultants should keep their knowledge up to date through communities, podcasts, and continual learning.For aspiring consultants, working on side projects and learning new skills is beneficial. Employers appreciate self-starters who take initiative.The podcast will return with exciting news after the break. Thank you for listening and stay tuned for more insights.You can download Power BI Desktop from here. If you already use Power BI, or are considering it, we strongly recommend you join your local Power BI user group here. To find out more about our services and the help we can offer, contact us at one of the websites below: UK and Europe: https://www.clearlycloudy.co.uk/ North America: https://clearlysolutions.net/

  --------  

  38:48
• The 2024 IT Consulting Job Market

  Send us a textThe podcast discusses the current state of the IT consulting job market, particularly focusing on skills and opportunities in 2024. The conversation highlights the end of the post-COVID job market boom, noting that recruitment has slowed, with hiring managers delaying decisions and tighter budgets. However, there are signs of recovery with an increase in RFPs.The job market trend is similar in both the UK and the US, though the US is slightly better off, with contractors getting renewed more frequently. During the post-COVID boom, even mediocre candidates demanded high salaries, which is no longer sustainable. Now, candidates need to upskill and be proactive.Skills in high demand include pre-sales capabilities, combining product knowledge with the ability to confidently present to clients. Soft skills are emphasized as being equally important as technical skills. Companies are increasingly requiring employees to be in the office, at least part-time, to enhance learning and integration, especially for new employees. The hybrid work model is becoming more common, balancing office and remote work.Job seekers are advised to be proactive by updating their CVs, tailoring them for each job, and engaging directly with employers and recruiters. Side projects and continuous learning can help candidates stand out.There is growing demand for AI skills, but AI will not replace human roles entirely. It enhances human capabilities, and the best candidates will continue to improve and adapt. The importance of validating and understanding AI outputs, especially in critical fields, is highlighted.The podcast concludes with a suggestion to make this job market update a regular segment to keep the audience informed.

  --------  

  39:25
• Azure vs Fabric

  Send us a textWelcome to the Clearly Podcast. After some light-hearted banter about annual leave and running shoes, the discussion shifts to the main topic: Azure vs. Fabric.The conversation covers the components of Azure and Fabric, focusing on Power BI, Azure Data Factory (ADF), OneLake, and Synapse Analytics. Fabric offers better integration and cost control for users who need multiple components. However, for those using a single component like ADF, the benefits of migrating to Fabric are less clear.From a customer perspective, streamlining licencing and management is a significant advantage of Fabric. Azure requires separate licences for each component, while Fabric consolidates this into a single licence. This can simplify administration and reduce costs, especially for future expansions.For on-premise customers considering a move to the cloud, the best approach might be a gradual shift. First, migrate to Azure components, then transition to Fabric. This incremental strategy minimizes service interruptions and spreads out the rearchitecture workload.There are also scenarios where sticking with Azure might be more practical. If an organization primarily uses components like ADF for non-analytical purposes, the complexity of managing Fabric could outweigh the benefits. The consensus is that while Fabric offers significant advantages for data analytics, Azure components will continue to cater to other use cases, and there is no immediate push for all customers to move to Fabric.In summary, customers should evaluate their specific needs, considering both immediate and future use cases, to decide between Azure and Fabric. The transition should be planned carefully, leveraging Azure as a stepping stone when moving from on-premise environments.

  --------  

  36:25
• Power Apps and Power Pages- Demystifying the Options

  Send us a textWelcome to the Clearly Podcast, where today's discussion focuses on Power Apps, particularly canvas apps, model-driven apps, and Power Pages, and how to choose the right one.Power Pages are ideal for external, infrequent users due to their pricing model and ability to handle large user bases. In contrast, canvas and model-driven apps are more suited for internal use. Canvas apps offer high customization and a user-friendly mobile interface, making them great for tasks like inventory logging. However, they require careful management to avoid becoming overly complex. Model-driven apps, which are form-based and linked to Microsoft CRM, are faster to set up and better for structured, transactional tasks but are limited to using Dataverse.Client discussions typically start by identifying the project’s goals, budget, and timeline, prioritizing essential features, and planning additional phases. Managing expectations is crucial to prevent overcomplicating the project.When choosing data sources for canvas apps, Dataverse is preferred, but budget constraints might lead to using SharePoint lists, which must be managed carefully to avoid data issues. Deciding on data storage upfront is essential to avoid complications later.Power Pages are low-code environments suitable for creating external portals without needing individual licenses, making them ideal for customer portals. They support both authenticated and unauthenticated users and are priced based on usage.Clients often start using Power Apps by transitioning from cumbersome Excel spreadsheets to improve data management and security. Demonstrating practical examples helps clients understand the benefits.Long-term care and maintenance of Power Apps involve planning for support, ensuring sufficient storage, and considering future improvements. A support plan can be more cost-effective than hiring full-time staff and ensures ongoing maintenance.Power Apps are an investment requiring ongoing care and development. Thank you for joining the discussion, and we look forward to the next episode.

  --------  

  40:27
• Data Quality Dashboards - aka The Snitch Report

  Send us a textIn this episode of the Clearly Podcast, the hosts discuss data quality dashboards. These dashboards monitor data entry to flag errors and ensure data accuracy, especially in systems with significant human input. Key points include:Definition and Use: Data quality dashboards highlight data entry errors, allowing for prompt correction. Errors disappear from the report once fixed, providing satisfaction to users.Routine Recommendation: These dashboards are essential, particularly where user input is high.Risks of Poor Data Quality: Inaccurate data can lead to flawed reports and decisions. Regular monitoring helps maintain data integrity.Application Redesign: Dashboards can reveal systematic issues, sometimes leading to application redesigns. Simplifying the interface or automating processes can prevent errors.Building the Dashboard: Start by identifying key issues through stakeholder discussions. Focus on major errors first, like dates and large transactions. Decide whether to automate error resolution or require manual approval.Senior Management Buy-In: Effective communication ensures the dashboard is seen as a tool for improvement, not punishment. This promotes user engagement and data quality.Continuous Improvement: If errors persist, it may indicate a deeper application issue requiring broader solutions.The hosts emphasize the importance of data quality dashboards in maintaining accurate data, which is crucial for reliable reporting and decision-making.

  --------  

  28:49

More Technology podcasts

Trending Technology podcasts

About The Clearly Podcast