AI adoption is booming but most initiatives still fail to deliver real ROI. In this episode, Brick and Landon unpack why 60–95% of AI projects miss the mark and what companies can do differently. From the importance of a solid data foundation to starting small with practical use cases, they outline a smarter approach to AI that focuses on results, not hype.

In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick and Landon unpack why so many AI projects fail and how the right data foundation can make all the difference. From breaking down what a semantic model actually is to exploring the role of governance, they explain how structure, quality, and oversight in your data environment directly impact the reliability of AI.

Whether you’re an executive planning your first AI initiative or a developer struggling to wrangle messy data, this conversation offers a clear look at what it really takes to make AI work in the real world.

Blue Margin helps middle-market companies turn their data into a strategic advantage. Through Power BI solutions and modern data platforms, we make data visible, reliable, and actionable—so your team can make smarter decisions and drive performance. 

Learn more at https://bluemargin.com

Think you need a big BI team and a big budget to get value from your data? Think again. In this episode, Brick Thompson and Landon Ochs share how small professional services firms can start using data effectively—by focusing on one meaningful problem, starting simple, and iterating over time. Hear practical tips, common pitfalls, and a real-world success story that added millions to the bottom line.

At Blue Margin, we help middle-market companies turn their data into a competitive advantage. As a Microsoft Gold Partner specializing in Power BI, we build simple, actionable dashboards that give leaders instant visibility into their business. Our proven process and deep expertise in data strategy help organizations boost accountability, accelerate growth, and achieve their goals—without the complexity or overhead of a full data team.

In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick and Landon give an update on Celeste, the internal AI tool Blue Margin has been building to help data teams query, explore, and visualize client data.

They dive into what’s worked, what hasn’t, and the fork in the road between making Celeste valuable for engineers versus business users. Along the way, they share lessons about AI adoption, the limits of “wrappers,” and where emerging tools like Azure’s AI Foundry could take things next.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to build and test an AI tool inside a data company, this conversation pulls back the curtain.

Blue Margin helps middle-market companies use their data to create focus, accountability, and growth. We specialize in building modern data platforms and Power BI dashboards that turn information into a competitive advantage.

Learn more at https://bluemargin.com

In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick and Landon discuss their shift in thinking on whether to build custom data connectors or use third-party tools like Fivetran. They share the pros, cons, and lessons learned from their proof-of-concept with Fivetran, and why APIs are changing the data pipeline game.

Key Moments:

1:15 – Why custom connectors made sense in the past
2:00 – The rise of APIs and the challenge of building connectors for them
2:39 – Realizing the variety of systems—and limits of pre-built connectors
4:03 – How Fivetran’s dedicated API teams save time and reduce risk
4:57 – Turnaround times and when a custom build is still needed
5:56 – Cost trade-offs: upfront development vs. subscription model
6:30 – Support considerations for in-house vs. third-party connectors
6:41 – Exploring other tools and continuing custom pipeline work
7:11 – Closing thoughts and advice for data teams

Blue Margin helps middle-market companies turn their data into a strategic asset through automated dashboards and data solutions. By simplifying the flow of information, we empower leaders to make confident, data-driven decisions that drive growth and efficiency. Learn more at bluemargin.com.

In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, host Brick is joined by Blue Margin account executive Greg to demystify what it really means to “prepare your data for AI.” Rather than focusing on flashy tools and hype, they dig into the foundational steps, like building a modern data lakehouse and semantic layer, that are essential for long-term ROI. You’ll also hear why many companies are pulling back on generative AI pilots and what it takes to avoid falling into the “trough of disillusionment.”

Whether you’re just starting your AI journey or looking to get real results from your investments, this episode offers a grounded, strategic perspective.

Learn more: https://bluemargin.com

Choosing between Microsoft Fabric and Snowflake? In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick Thompson and Landon Ochs break down when, why, and how to choose the right data platform for your organization. From ecosystem compatibility and AI capabilities to cost management and developer experience, we unpack the real-world trade-offs we see every day at Blue Margin.

Whether you're building from scratch or evaluating a transition, this conversation will help you make a smarter, more informed decision.

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This episode dives into the biggest theme from the 2025 Microsoft Build conference: AI agents. Brick and Landon unpack what Microsoft unveiled, from Copilot Studio to Azure AI Foundry, and what it all means for businesses adopting custom AI tools.

Whether you're curious about how AI agents can automate tasks, what it takes to build and govern them effectively, or how Microsoft is pushing this technology forward, this episode is your insider look at the future of business automation.

Landon and Brick unpack the biggest announcements about Microsoft Fabric from the 2025 Microsoft Build Conference. From long-awaited features like Power BI write-back and built-in CICD, to major shifts like Cosmos DB moving into Fabric and Copilot now available at the F2 tier, this is a must-watch for data professionals and business leaders keeping an eye on Microsoft’s data ecosystem.

Whether you're already working in Fabric or planning your move from Synapse, this breakdown will help you understand what’s here, what’s coming, and what to watch out for.

Learn more about how Blue Margin helps companies turn data into growth: https://www.bluemargin.com

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In this episode, Blue Margin’s Kate Eberle and Greg explore why forward-thinking private equity firms are investing in firm-level data lakehouses and how it’s transforming deal flow, operations, investor relations, and beyond.

From reducing manual reporting to enabling AI-driven insights and natural language querying, they outline real-world use cases, challenges, and the best first steps to take.

Subscribe for more insights on data strategy, business intelligence, and private equity performance.

Want to learn how Blue Margin partners with PE firms?
Visit https://bluemargin.com to demo our PE Power BI Dashboards