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, and how it's poised to change the way Blue Margin teams approach unfamiliar data systems like NetSuite. 

Whether you're an AI enthusiast or a data professional, this behind-the-scenes look offers insight into the future of analytics at Blue Margin. 

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 from working with both platforms
✅ Key factors to consider when choosing between Fabric and Synapse

Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more data-driven insights!

Have experience with Microsoft Fabric or Synapse? Drop your thoughts in the comments! We’d love to hear from you.

Blue Margin increases enterprise value for PE-backed, mid-market companies by building and managing their data platforms. Our strategy, proven with over 250 companies to-date, expands multiples through data transformation, as presented in our book, The Dashboard Effect. (For a free, downloadable copy click https://bit.ly/3RmBGWQ, or buy a hardcopy or Kindle version on Amazon (https://amzn.to/3UTvTLm).)

Get more episodes of The Dashboard Effect podcast on your favorite podcast app or at https://podcast.thedashboardeffect.com/

Visit Blue Margin's library of additional BI resources here: https://bit.ly/3fwNmcg

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 dealing with financial reporting, business intelligence, or analytics, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss!

Key Takeaways:

- Why revenue is defined differently across businesses
- Common challenges in revenue calculation
- How to handle discounts, rebates, and loyalty programs
- The impact of time and adjustments on revenue reporting

Subscribe to The Dashboard Effect Podcast for more insights on data-driven decision-making!

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 tools like iLevel and Chronograph
- How automation is transforming private equity analytics
- Best practices for improving investor relations through better reporting

Whether you're a private equity professional, a CFO, or an analyst, this discussion will help you better understand how to optimize portfolio performance and make data-driven decisions.

Don’t forget to like and subscribe to stay updated on the latest insights in private equity and business intelligence!

Blue Margin helps private equity firms and portfolio companies leverage business intelligence to drive efficiency, improve reporting, and maximize value creation. Our automated data solutions and custom dashboards give PE firms the clarity they need to make strategic, data-driven decisions.

Want to streamline your portfolio monitoring? Learn more at https://www.bluemargin.com

#PrivateEquity #PortfolioMonitoring #BusinessIntelligence #iLevel #Chronograph

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 BI reporting
- Common pitfalls (like using Excel) and how to avoid them

Whether you’re a business leader, IT professional, or data security enthusiast, this discussion will help you optimize your organization’s data visibility without overcomplicating access control.

Enjoyed the discussion? Don’t forget to like and subscribe. What challenges have you faced with managing data access in your organization?

#DataSecurity #BusinessIntelligence #RoleBasedAccess #TheDashboardEffect #BI #DataManagement #AccessControl

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 harness the power of AI. 

You can purchase it here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1835461751?ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_3KZ301F8G04SBWMCJ3CA&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_3KZ301F8G04SBWMCJ3CA&social_share=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_3KZ301F8G04SBWMCJ3CA&skipTwisterOG=1

Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-weaver-lambert-9568912/

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 pitfalls in analytics and how to avoid them.

Thank you for tuning into The Dashboard Effect Podcast! Subscribe for more insights on data, BI, and analytics.

Blue Margin increases enterprise value for PE-backed, mid-market companies by serving as their fractional data team. We advise on, build, and manage data platforms. Our strategy, proven with over 300 companies to-date, expands multiples through data transformation, as presented in our book, The Dashboard Effect.

For a free, downloadable copy click https://bit.ly/3RmBGWQ, or buy a hardcopy or Kindle version on Amazon (https://amzn.to/3UTvTLm).

Get more episodes of The Dashboard Effect podcast on your favorite podcast app or at https://podcast.thedashboardeffect.com/

Visit Blue Margin's library of additional BI resources here: https://bit.ly/3fwNmcg

Knowing when to use raw data or aggregated data can make or break your analytics strategy. In this video, Brick and Landon explain the key differences between raw and aggregated data, how each affects decision-making, and the best times to use them. Whether you’re managing transactional data or scaling analytics for your business, this discussion has you covered.

Tune in to learn how these data strategies can impact your reporting, analytics, and overall business performance.

If you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to hit the like button and subscribe to our channel for more insights on data analytics, business intelligence, and strategies to help your business succeed. Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!

Looking for smarter, faster ways to make data-driven decisions? At Blue Margin, we specialize in making data accessible and actionable for mid-market companies. Visit https://bluemargin.com to learn how we can help you unlock the full potential of your data.

In this episode of The Dashboard Effect Podcast, Brick and Landon break down the differences between schema on read and schema on write. They discuss when to use each approach, the pros and cons, and real-world applications for businesses of different sizes. If you're navigating the complexities of data lakes, data warehouses, or lakehouses, this episode will give you clarity.

Tune in to learn how these data strategies can impact your reporting, analytics, and overall business performance.

If you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to hit the like button and subscribe to our channel for more insights on data analytics, business intelligence, and strategies to help your business succeed. Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!

Looking for smarter, faster ways to make data-driven decisions? At Blue Margin, we specialize in making data accessible and actionable for mid-market companies. Visit bluemargin.com to learn how we can help you unlock the full potential of your data.

In this episode of The Dashboard Effect Podcast, host Brick Thompson and Blue Margin’s Director of Solutions, Landon Ochs, dive into the nuances of semantic models and the bronze, silver, and gold layers within a data lake house. They explain the roles of each layer, how data is transformed at each stage, and why collaboration with business users is essential for accurate and actionable BI reporting.

Through this episode, you'll learn why different layers serve different purposes—from storing raw data to pre-joining tables for efficiency to creating finalized data ready for reporting. They also discuss how the semantic model is designed to simplify complex data relationships, making reporting easier for non-technical users.

Thank you for tuning into The Dashboard Effect Podcast! Subscribe for more insights on data, BI, and analytics.

Blue Margin increases enterprise value for PE-backed, mid-market companies by serving as their fractional data team. We advise on, build, and manage data platforms. Our strategy, proven with over 300 companies to-date, expands multiples through data transformation, as presented in our book, The Dashboard Effect.

For a free, downloadable copy click https://bit.ly/3RmBGWQ, or buy a hardcopy or Kindle version on Amazon (https://amzn.to/3UTvTLm).

Get more episodes of The Dashboard Effect podcast on your favorite podcast app or at https://podcast.thedashboardeffect.com/

Visit Blue Margin's library of additional BI resources here: https://bit.ly/3fwNmcg