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 

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Our focus for this inspiring episode of AOF is mindset, especially if you want to be a standout data analyst! I have brought one of my first ever followers and day ones! Trevor Tapscott is a VP and Analytics Consultant at Wells Fargo and has been in the game for 20 years and counting. We connected in 2008, when he was seeking help with a visualization tool called Xcelsius. In this knowledge bomb filled episode, Trevor shares his thoughts on what sets great data analysts apart, his framework ‘VTAC’ for impactful data analysis, and how to approach making an impression when applying for positions in data!  

Trevor makes a number of really important points around understanding the business of data, what the role of an analyst truly is, and what goes into the mindset of a rock star in the space! We unpack indispensable parts of the relationships that make up the work of a data consultant, and our guest talks about getting to grips with a user's vision and their 'why'. Trevor also talks about the recent BIDS Accelerator class that he attended and the lessons he has already started implementing from that! Make sure to stay tuned to the end to hear about the amazing raffle that Trevor is hosting for listeners and how you can enter to win! 

In this episode, you'll learn:

• [0:12:00] Trevor's basic definition of the role of a data analyst and what it means to be a rockstar!
• [0:15:02] The importance of understanding the business of data and the value of business insights. 
• [0:18:20] Unpacking Trevor's VTAC process: vision, translation, action, change and how to use it for delivery mode
• For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://bibrainz.com/podcast/78 

   

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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 

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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 

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Here on the AOF podcast, I have often spoken about the issue of user adoption and the slow progress we have all been experiencing for a long time. Our guest today has so much to offer in relation to our approach to this challenge! I speak to Kevin Greene, the CEO of Logi Analytics, and we delve deep into why the mentality of product leaders is so valuable right now! 

Kevin has a brilliant mind for the field of analytics, sharing how and where to get started with these parts of your leadership and partnerships. Kevin has been in the analytics game for over 20 years and was actually an investor at Logi before he took the reins! This episode is jam-packed with actionable knowledge bombs that you are definitely not going to want to miss, so let's get to it AOF!

In this episode, you'll learn:

• [15:41] Why Kevin believes enterprises have to start thinking like product leaders. 
• [22:47] Approaches to building strategic applications with a smaller team.
• [25:11] Finding the right service partners and the critical nature of owning the application.
• [28:59] Ensuring success by scheduling time with business leaders, prioritizing, and using collected data.
• [44:04] Operationalizing your application and bringing it to your end-users.
• For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://bibrainz.com/podcast/75 

   

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Today we have a real data masterclass in store for you! I am joined by the wonderful and inspiring Valerie Logan from The Data Lodge, and we talk about the unique way she approaches data literacy through what she calls ISL or Information as a Second Language®. Valerie does an amazing job of unpacking exactly how this works and adds in loads of useful wisdom and examples that you can add to your existing data literacy program.

I would call Valerie a data whisperer, and by the end of this exciting episode, you will see why. Make sure to stay tuned until the end to hear about an extra special offer, that Valerie has for AOF listeners. Trust me you will not want to miss it. So if you want to learn how to create an effective data literacy program from an award-winning expert, join us today!

In this episode, you'll learn:

• [0:12:20] What is data literacy? What is ISL? Who do they serve?
• [0:19:46] How Valerie approaches speaking to "non-data people".
• [0:23:32] The three elements of data literacy programs; engagement, development, enablement.
• [0:37:06] Valerie's advice for improving the standard of a data program.
• For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://bibrainz.com/podcast/74

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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

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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

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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

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Welcome to the first part of a three-part podcast, with each episode touching on the part of our data storytelling framework. You’ll find a deep dive into each part of the framework and find out what lessons were learned and the big takeaways from our last data telling accelerator workshop, which was a huge success.

Even though there are other data telling stories schools of thought, one element our followers love is how we tackle the three parts of storytelling: what you say, what you write, and what you draw. As we’ve learned, this starts with your conversation.

Find out what feedback I received from the workshop post-survey, the biggest mistakes people make when trying to sell to end-users, and why most people don’t know that 99% of questions you ask your client are data-related and why they shouldn’t be.

• [03:53] Storytelling starts with your conversation and with the content that you write. If you get that part right, the part that you have to visualize becomes very easy. We teach this process and also implement this process at big companies around the world. 
• [07:25] Guessing off the top of your head what you think is going to happen is a waste of time. The biggest value of our framework is breaking down the storytelling process into parts for you to be able to quickly see what a story truly is, how to bring it together, and to see the gaps in your current story to remedy those holes in your story and bring your story together. 
• [13:28] Humans make decisions with their emotions and then they use logic to justify it. So if you are one that is using ginormous words that are not visual or thinking that the more data you give to your end users is going to make them better users, you are grossly mistaken. 
• For full show notes, and the links mentioned visit: https://bibrainz.com/podcast/70

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