Sprint-Zero Podcast - Power Platform, AI, Low Code, Consultancy & Neurodiversity

• Cultivating a Humble and Curious Mindset - Guest: Meg Smith

  Send us a message!SummaryIn this episode of the Sprint Zero podcast, we welcome Meg Smith, a prominent figure in the tech industry and co-founder of the 90 Day Mentoring Challenge. Meg shares her journey from advertising to tech, her advocacy for indigenous representation, and her insights on the role of AI in business. The conversation delves into the challenges of implementing AI solutions, the importance of security, and the need for organizations to focus on user experience. Meg also emphasizes the significance of defining personal success and aligning values in both personal and professional life. In this engaging conversation, Meg Smith, Mike Gowland, and Jon Russell explore various themes including societal expectations, work-life integration, the importance of humility and curiosity, intergenerational impact, authenticity in representation, and the value of embracing uncomfortable conversations. They discuss how personal values shape professional lives and the significance of being a good ancestor for future generations. The dialogue emphasizes the need for diverse voices in technology and the power of self-awareness in navigating complex discussions.TakeawaysThe 90 Day Mentoring Challenge emphasizes personal investment for maximum benefit.Career transitions can lead to unexpected opportunities and growth.Indigenous representation in tech is crucial for economic cooperation.AI implementation requires a focus on user experience and security.Organizations must adapt to the changing landscape of technology.Defining personal values is essential for authentic success.Empowering individuals with AI tools can drive innovation.Listening to users is key to successful technology adoption.Freedom can take many forms in personal and professional life.Understanding one's values can guide decision-making and career paths. People often project their expectations onto others.Work-life integration allows for a more fulfilling life.Humility and curiosity can lead to better outcomes.Understanding intergenerational impact is crucial.Authenticity fosters value in representation.It's important to support diverse perspectives.Self-awareness can enhance group dynamics.Embracing discomfort can lead to growth.Curiosity can alleviate fear of irrelevance.Legacy is about being a good ancestor.Special thanks to:Meg Smith:LinkedIn Thanks to:KenLikeFit for providing music for this episode - [Find out more about him and listen to his music here](https://linktr.ee/kenlikefit) ====================Love you,Mike Gowland,Jon RussellWe're on Substack: Sprint-Zero’s Substack | Sprint-Zero Podcast | SubstackCome and Join the Sprint Zero podcast on our very own Discord server!.

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• From IT Help Desk to Freelance Consultant - Guest: Suhail Sayed

  Send us a message!In this episode of the Sprint Zero podcast, we welcome Suhail Sayed, a freelance principal consultant specialising in Microsoft 365 migrations. Suhail shares his diverse career journey, from working in retail and IT help desks to becoming a successful freelancer. He discusses the cultural nuances of career paths in India, the challenges of freelancing, and the importance of focusing on sales for business growth. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of IT consulting and the significance of personal development through coaching.TakeawaysSuhail transitioned from retail to IT help desk roles.He emphasises the importance of aligning passion with financial stability.Cultural differences impact career opportunities in India.Freelancing allows for flexibility but comes with challenges.Sales activities yield the highest return on investment for business.Suhail's journey took about a decade to reach his current role.He started offering Microsoft Teams training as a side gig.The Indian market has a different approach to consulting compared to Western countries.Suhail's business model includes fractional consultants for specialised work.Coaching has been instrumental in Suhail's personal and professional growth.Thanks to Suhail Sayed for joining us on this episodeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suhail-powerflow/Thanks to:KenLikeFit for providing music for this episode - [Find out more about him and listen to his music here](https://linktr.ee/kenlikefit) ====================Love you,Mike Gowland,Jon RussellWe're on Substack: Sprint-Zero’s Substack | Sprint-Zero Podcast | SubstackCome and Join the Sprint Zero podcast on our very own Discord server!.

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• B.C. - Guest: Andy Wingate

  Send us a message!SummaryIn 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 networking in the tech industry. Andy shares insights on transitioning careers, the importance of embracing discomfort, and the future of AI in consultancy.TakeawaysAndy Wingate emphasizes the importance of community in the Microsoft ecosystem.Business Central is a growing ERP solution for SMBs, gaining traction in the market.Transitioning from an end-user role to consultancy can be a rewarding career move.Soft skills are crucial for success in consultancy and project management.Continuous learning through platforms like Microsoft Learn is essential for career growth.Networking and building relationships in the industry can open new opportunities.AI can be a valuable tool for productivity but should not replace human insight.Engaging in mini projects can enhance practical knowledge and interview readiness.The D365 space is experiencing a skill shortage, creating opportunities for new talent.Embracing discomfort can lead to personal and professional growth.Special thanks to:Andy WingateLinkedIn: Andrew Wingate | LinkedInBlog: Wingate365.com | MVPThanks to:KenLikeFit for providing music for this episode - [Find out more about him and listen to his music here](https://linktr.ee/kenlikefit) ====================Love you,Mike Gowland,Jon RussellWe're on Substack: Sprint-Zero’s Substack | Sprint-Zero Podcast | SubstackCome and Join the Sprint Zero podcast on our very own Discord server!.

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• Unexpected Hats - Guest: Ulrikke Akerbæk

  Send us a message!SummaryIn 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 of community support, and the recent availability of Power Pages in Norway. In this conversation, Ulrikke discusses the challenges of data center availability in Norway, emphasizing the importance of ROI for companies like Microsoft. She shares insights on navigating data security regulations and the necessity of having local data centers. The discussion shifts to the spirit of hackathons, highlighting their focus on learning and collaboration rather than competition. Ulrikke also reflects on her experiences with public speaking, addressing the discomfort that can arise and the importance of preparation to mitigate anxiety.Takeaways:+ Ulrikke Akerbæk has a background in multimedia and web development.+ Power Pages appeals to Ulrikke's skills in front-end development.+ The marketing of Power Pages is not effective enough.+ Team collaboration is essential for successful Power Platform projects.+ The Power Pages community is growing, but still niche.+ Adoption of new tools is challenging for users.+ Ulrikke emphasizes the importance of understanding the product's capabilities.+ The new Power Pages designer has limitations compared to previous versions.+ Power Pages is now available in Norway, expanding its accessibility.+ Ulrikke advocates for a more comprehensive approach to low-code development. Data center investments are driven by customer demand and ROI.+ Norwegian data security regulations necessitate local data centers.+ Hackathons are about learning and collaboration, not just winning.+ Public speaking discomfort often stems from lack of preparation.+ Embracing nervousness can enhance public speaking performance.+ Networking at hackathons can lead to valuable connections.+ The atmosphere at hackathons fosters creativity and innovation.+ Data security rules are evolving to keep pace with technology.+ Cognitive services require significant investment and clear ROI.+ The importance of being well-prepared for presentations.Thanks to:KenLikeFit for providing music for this episode - [Find out more about him and listen to his music here](https://linktr.ee/kenlikefit) ====================Love you,Mike Gowland,Jon RussellWe're on Substack: Sprint-Zero’s Substack | Sprint-Zero Podcast | SubstackCome and Join the Sprint Zero podcast on our very own Discord server!.

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• Architect Accelerator! - Guest: Sean Astrakhan

  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 necessity of understanding the problem before selecting the right tools. Sean shares insights on innovative solutions within the Power Platform and offers a candid discussion about the challenges of using Power Automate Desktop. We discuss the intricacies of working with the Power Platform, discussing the challenges faced by solution architects, the importance of best practices, and the necessity of thorough testing. They explore the future of work in the context of AI's growing influence and emphasise the significance of effective communication in the workplace.Takeaways- Sean Astrakhan emphasizes the importance of communication in tech.- Learning from mistakes is crucial for growth in software architecture.- Over-engineering can lead to unnecessary complications in projects.- Understanding the problem is key to choosing the right tools.- Advanced training is lacking in the Power Platform space.- Creating an environment for learning from mistakes is essential.- Sean's journey highlights the value of efficiency in tech solutions.- Innovative thinking can lead to creative solutions in enterprise settings.- Power Automate Desktop has a steep learning curve and unique challenges.- The importance of delivering value over simply migrating tools. A slight UI tweak can disrupt functionality.- Solution architects must navigate tool limitations.- Best practices should not be rigidly followed.- Writing test cases can significantly enhance project outcomes.- Finding a fulfilling job is a complex challenge.- AI is transforming the landscape of software development.- Effective communication is crucial in the workplace.- Understanding power dynamics is essential in professional settings.- Confronting workplace challenges can lead to personal growth.- The future of work will require adaptability and creativity.Special Thanks to:Sean AstrakhanLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-astrakhan/Untethered365 - https://www.untethered365.com/Thanks to:KenLikeFit for providing music for this episode - [Find out more about him and listen to his music here](https://linktr.ee/kenlikefit) ====================Love you,Mike Gowland,Jon RussellWe're on Substack: Sprint-Zero’s Substack | Sprint-Zero Podcast | SubstackCome and Join the Sprint Zero podcast on our very own Discord server!.

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