Power Hour Podcast

Description:In this episode of the Power Hour podcast, I speak with Stuart Baxter, co-founder of the Scottish User Group and a senior Dynamics 365 and Power Platform Solutions Architect.We discuss Stuart's journey in the tech industry, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the importance of community engagement. Stuart shares insights on transitioning into the Power Platform field, building in public, and creating engaging content.

Find Stuart:Check out Stuart Baxter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sbaxter86/Check out the Scottish User Group (which Stuart co-founds): https://www.linkedin.com/company/scottish-power-platform-user-group/posts/?feedView=all

Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to Stuart Baxter and His Journey03:14 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in Tech05:46 Industry Trends and Customer-Centric Solutions10:20 Transitioning from Junior to Senior Roles14:23 Breaking into the Power Platform Field18:14 Building in Public and Sharing Your Journey20:12 Creating Valuable Content and Visibility23:32 The Shift from Content Creation to Community Building26:26 Making Memorable Presentations27:51 The Importance of Personal Touch in Content Creation29:41 Embracing Nervousness in Public Speaking31:46 Lessons Learned from Community Engagement34:17 Navigating Criticism and Community Feedback36:29 Recognizing When to Move On in Your Career39:59 Understanding Dynamics vs. Model-Driven Apps43:53 Defining Happiness

In this episode of the Power Hour Podcast, I interview EY Kalman, a Fast Track Recognized Power Platform Solution Architect, who shares his journey into the Power Platform space. We discuss the evolution of the Power Platform, the significance of being a Solution Architect, and the skills that separate good solution architects from great ones.

Check out EY on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thecrmninja/

00:00 Introduction to EY Kalman and His Journey

03:07 The Evolution of Power Platform and Lessons Learned

06:00 Becoming a Fast Track Recognized Solution Architect

11:57 The Value of Fast Track Recognition in the Industry

15:10 What Separates Good Solution Architects from Great Ones

19:00 Learning and Development in the Power Platform Space

22:54 Transitioning from Citizen Developer to Enterprise Architect

25:33 Embracing a Learning Mindset

26:24 Establishing Governance in Power Platform

28:35 Understanding Data and Its Importance

30:43 The Role of Data in Power Platform

33:13 The Future of Power Platform

35:34 Navigating Career Paths in Tech

39:19 The Intricacies of Contracting

41:18 Balancing Work and Personal Life

43:16 Pushing Personal Limits

47:43 Defining Happiness

50:47 Where to connect with EY Kalman

If you’re looking to succeed as a Power Platform consultant, then I've got you covered with this episode of the Power Hour Podcast 🎙️

In Episode #7, I sit down with Griffin Lickfeldt, Power Platform Consultant and host of the Citizen Developer channel, to understand the keys to a thriving consulting career.

We also dive into:

✅ Pro's and Con's of working in a consultancy

✅ The importance of goal setting in career growth

✅ Creating high-quality content without breaking the bank

✅ Measuring success beyond just views

✅ And how Griffin’s football journey shaped his mindset

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00:00 Introduction to Griffin Lickfeldt

01:39 Lessons from Consulting Experience

04:51 Balancing Billable Hours and Client Value

08:50 Pros and Cons of Working in a Consultancy

13:57 Transitioning from Citizen Developer to Full-Time Role

22:02 Goal Setting Philosophy31:39Creating a Content Creation Environment

33:03 Creating Quality Video Content on a Budget

36:05 Reducing Friction in Content Creation

38:45 The Importance of Video Quality and Lighting

41:05 Measuring Success in Content Creation

46:52 The Journey of Content Creation and Personal Growth

52:08 Defining Happiness and Personal Impact

55:18 Griffin's Football Journey and Lessons Learned

Subscribe To The Power Hour Newsletter For Weekly Secrets 🤫: https://www.powercademy.com/------------------In this episode of the Power Hour podcast, I speak with Keith Atherton, a Power Platform Solution Architect, about his journey from traditional software development to embracing the Power Platform.We discuss the importance of community building, overcoming public speaking fears, and the lessons learned from working in major consultancies. Keith shares insights on identifying use cases for Power Platform solutions, the future of the platform, and niche opportunities in the market.Keith also reflects on his experiences in the tech community, defining happiness through fulfillment in work and personal projects, and the balance between physical and mental health.---------------------Check out Keith on LinkedIn!: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-atherton/---------------------00:00 Introduction to Keith Atherton and His Journey02:58 Building the Power Platform Community High Five05:59 Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking09:08 Transitioning from Traditional Software Development to Power Platform12:02 Lessons Learned from Working in Major Consultancies14:53 Identifying Use Cases for Power Platform Solutions17:59 The Future of Power Platform and Its Evolution21:12 Niche Opportunities in the Power Platform Space23:51 Foundational Skills for Power Platform Developers27:12 Learning and Mastering New Technologies30:07 Creating Effective Online Courses33:27 Collaborative Learning and Course Development39:18 Navigating the Power Platform Career Path46:12 The Journey of a Game Developer53:04 Defining Happiness and Fulfillment58:37 Connecting and Engaging with the Community

In this episode of the Power Hour podcast, I interviewFrancesco Musso (Franco), a Power Pages freelancer.

Franco shares his journey from various entrepreneurial ventures to becoming a specialist in Power Pages.

He discusses the importance of networking, finding a niche in the Power Platform space, and the skills necessary for success in freelancing, particularly in sales and marketing.

Franco also highlights the value of community engagement and the long-term benefits of networking.

He concludes by sharing details about his upcoming training initiatives aimed at helping others transition into the Power Pages world.

I personally love his insights on preparing for a freelance career, the differences between contracting and freelancing, and how to effectively manage client demand.

We also get some insights on his personal philosophy towards life and work, highlighting the significance of pursuing passion projects and setting boundaries in professional engagements.

---------------------00:00 Introduction to Franco and His Ventures

02:32 Transitioning to Freelancing and Entrepreneurship

05:56 Sales and Marketing Skills for Freelancers

08:41 Finding Your Niche in the Power Platform Space

11:03 Networking and Community Engagement

15:52 The Long-Term Value of Networking

22:43 Franco's Upcoming Training Initiatives

27:06 Exploring Course Offerings and Pricing

29:43 Value-Based Pricing in Freelancing

32:11 Contracting vs. Freelancing: Key Differences

35:30 Transitioning from Contracting to Freelancing

39:35 Preparing for a Freelance Career

43:39 Life Perspective and Work-Life Balance

49:01 Managing Client Demand and Project Selection

In this episode of the Power Hour podcast, I speak with Sarah Jones, a seasoned recruiter in the tech space, particularly within the Power Platform and Dynamics 365.

We discuss Sarah's journey in recruitment, the importance of community building, and the role of visibility in the job market.

Sarah shares insights on negotiating salaries, valuing oneself in the job market, and the differences between contracting and permanent roles.

The conversation also touches on work-life balance, managing burnout, and the emerging skills in the business application space.

---------------------00:00 Introduction to the Power Hour Podcast

01:06 Sarah Jones: A Recruiter's Journey in Tech

04:28 Building Community Through Roundtables

10:02 The Importance of Visibility in the Job Market

13:14 Negotiation Beyond Salary

16:21 Valuing Yourself in the Power Platform Space

19:57 Navigating the Recruitment Landscape

23:17 Handling Candidate Placement Challenges

25:28 Identifying Red Flags in Recruitment

27:33 Contracting vs. Permanent Roles: Key Differences

31:03 Navigating Career Transitions: Contract vs Permanent Roles

33:32 Advice for Career Switchers: Breaking into Tech

36:40 Building Your Personal Brand: Networking and Content Creation

41:57 Essential Skills for the Business Application Space

44:56 Work-Life Balance: Managing Time and Avoiding Burnout

51:45 Community Engagement: Upcoming Projects and Initiatives

In this episode of the Power Hour podcast, we interview Steve Mordue, CEO of Rapid Start Apps Global.

We discuss the inception and philosophy behind Rapid Start Apps, emphasizing simplicity and user-friendliness for SMBs.

Steve shares insights on entrepreneurship, the importance of selling, and his role in the community.

He also reflects on his experience with the MVP program, networking with Microsoft, and the future of the Power Platform.

------------------00:00 Introduction to Rapid Start Apps Global

03:14 The Philosophy Behind Rapid Start Apps

05:57 Entrepreneurship and the Importance of Validation

09:04 The Art of Selling and Building Confidence

11:46 Community Engagement

18:00Navigating the MVP Program and Its Challenges

27:39 Building Connections with Influential Figures

33:18 The Future of the Power Platform

39:10 Hiring Insights and Company Culture

43:11 Living in Brazil: Cultural Reflections

In this episode of the Power Hour podcast, I interview Sean Astrakhan, a prominent figure in the Power Platform community.

I discuss Sean's journey from software development to leading the Architects Accelerator program, the importance of embracing pro code in low code environments, and the role of generative AI in coding.

Sean shares insights on creating unique content in a saturated market, the significance of consistency and validation in content creation, and his entrepreneurial journey with the Architects Accelerator.

The conversation also touches on consulting and contracting, providing valuable advice for aspiring consultants.

Sean also shares insights on navigating lead generation challenges, innovative client attraction strategies, and the importance of seizing opportunities in contracting.

Check Sean out below! :

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-astrakhan/

Become a Solutions Architect! : https://www.untethered365.com/architects-accelerator

00:00 Introduction to Power Hour Podcast

00:56 The Journey from Software to Power Platform

04:00 Embracing Pro Code in Low Code Development

06:00 Generative AI: A Tool or a Crutch?

09:06 Creating Unique Content in a Saturated Market

12:02 Consistency and Validation in Content Creation

15:01 Entrepreneurship and the Architects Accelerator

20:09 Consulting and Contracting Insights

25:07 Navigating Lead Generation Challenges

26:59 Innovative Approaches to Attracting Clients

29:36 Seizing Opportunities in Contracting

31:14 Identifying Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Power Platform

33:05 Choosing the Right Path in Entrepreneurship

34:54 Mastering Presentation Skills

40:08 Determining Pricing Models

44:04 Key Takeaways for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

46:03 The Importance of Networking

In this conversation, Howdang Rashid interviews Parvez Ghumra, exploring his journey in the Power Platform and low code development.

Parvez shares insights on transitioning from full-time work to contracting, including strategies for pricing and marketing oneself effectively in the industry.

In this conversation, Howdang and Parvez delve into the nuances of contracting within the tech industry, particularly focusing on the Power Platform.

They discuss the importance of transparency in financial discussions, the differences between working for partners versus end users, and the challenges of transitioning into contracting.

Parvez shares his personal journey, emphasizing the need for confidence and the inevitability of feeling unprepared.

The conversation also touches on the complexities of scaling a business, the daily life of a contractor, and the significance of personal branding in the tech space.

Parvez highlights the importance of staying current with industry trends and the value of networking within the community.