While some features are not quite up to par (yet) with Azure Synapse Pipelines, Brick and Caleb discuss Microsoft Fabric's Direct Lake mode and Data Pipelines and the speed and advances they're bring to data management. Fabric's unified platform and source control integration streamline development, and Direct Lake allows organizations to operate off of a single copy of data -- providing data consistency and near real-time Power BI updates.

Click here to watch this episode on our YouTube channel.

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.

Subscribe here to get more episodes of The Dashboard Effect podcast on your favorite podcast app.

Visit Blue Margin's library of additional BI resources.

For months, Brick and Caleb have been recommending that companies start preparing their data infrastructure to leverage the current and upcoming AI technologies. In this episode, however, they break down how to prepare. They emphasize the need for data consolidation (and recommend OneLake on Microsoft Fabric), a robust semantic layer for report development, data literacy development within the organization, and consistent metric definitions.

Click here to watch this episode on our YouTube channel.

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.

Subscribe here to get more episodes of The Dashboard Effect podcast on your favorite podcast app.

Visit Blue Margin's library of additional BI resources.

In this episode, we discuss the key takeaways from the AWS report "CDO Agenda 2024: Navigating Data and Generative AI Frontiers." According to the report, the top focus for CDOs is creating visible value and achieving business objectives while preparing company data to leverage generative AI advances. Brick and Caleb share strategies for improving data infrastructure and considerations for generative AI's growing impact. Regardless of when/whether generative AI advances materialize, companies stand to benefit from consolidating their data tools onto a single platform to improve their data quality and security.  

Click here to watch this episode on our YouTube channel.

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.

Subscribe here to get more episodes of The Dashboard Effect podcast on your favorite podcast app.

Visit Blue Margin's library of additional BI resources.

In this episode, hosts Brick Thompson and Caleb Ochs discuss the current state of data and AI, inspired by a recent report from Salesforce. They discuss the importance of a strong data foundation (and what constitutes one) for effective use of generative AI, emphasizing the need for high-quality, consolidated, and secure data. They also cover some of the challenges of advancing data initiatives (e.g. keeping data projects aligned to business goals, differing perceptions of data quality and usefulness across business departments, etc.)

Click here to watch this episode on our YouTube channel.

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.

Subscribe here to get more episodes of The Dashboard Effect podcast on your favorite podcast app.

Visit Blue Margin's library of additional BI resources.

In this episode, hosts Brick and Caleb discuss the hesitation many companies have to pursue data projects during ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) implementations. They dissect the risks of delaying these initiatives and highlight how running data projects in parallel can streamline processes, enhance data validation, and drive a faster return on investment. This discussion is helpful for leaders and executives aiming to harmonize their data strategy with ERP upgrades and ensure continuous business growth and operational efficiency. 

Click here to watch this episode on our YouTube channel.

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.

Subscribe here to get more episodes of The Dashboard Effect podcast on your favorite podcast app.

Visit Blue Margin's library of additional BI resources.

Brick and Jon, founders of Blue Margin, talk about the advancements in data technology and its impact on mid-market businesses. They discuss how rapid developments in data technology, particularly in data lakes and data pipelines, are revolutionizing how businesses operate and strategize. Emphasized is the shift from traditional data handling methods to more agile, cost-effective approaches that enable businesses to adapt quickly. Jon also talks about the importance of being data-driven and how outdated approaches can leave companies behind in the competitive market.

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.

Subscribe here to get more episodes of The Dashboard Effect podcast on your favorite podcast app.

Visit Blue Margin's library of additional BI resources.

This episode of the Blue Margin's Expert Insights Series with Kison Patel, CEO of M&A Science (www.mascience.com), provides valuable insights into a scientific approach to M&A, data management, and the potential impact of generative analytics in the industry. Kison Patel's extensive experience and forward-thinking perspective make for a compelling discussion on the future of M&A.

M&A Science is a community of practitioners dedicated to improving M&A practices through virtual roundtables, an annual summit, and a popular podcast (www.mascience.com/podcast) with over 50,000 users. It offers DealRoom, an M&A lifecycle management platform, and FirmRoom, "the world's most intuitive data room".

Key insights:
- Kison's perspective on the current state of the private equity market, with variations in activity across different industries.
- Private equity approaches during slower seasons, including cost-cutting initiatives and a focus on improving integration processes.
- The role of clean and reliable data in M&A deals, facilitating smoother and more successful transactions.
- Data lakehouses and their potential to revolutionize data management, and their relevance to the M&A industry.
- The upcoming generative analytics revolution and its potential impact on M&A, including AI's slow adoption in the industry due to skepticism.
- Exploration of potential AI applications for roll-up strategies in M&A, including training AI to extract and summarize diligence reports.

Click here to watch this episode on our YouTube channel.

Click here to read the interview highlights.

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.

Subscribe here to get more episodes of The Dashboard Effect podcast on your favorite podcast app.

Visit Blue Margin's library of additional BI resources.

In this episode, Brick and Caleb discuss the fine line between adding value and overwhelming users with too much information when it comes to developing Power BI dashboards. They give insight into the dangers of overloading reports with excessive visualizations and the importance of maintaining simplicity and clarity in data reporting.

Key Points:

1. The Risk of Overreporting: Too many reports can lead to inefficiency rather than improved performance.
2. Don't Overcomplicate: Why report developers might add too many elements to a report, and the impact it has on user experience and report maintenance.
3. Striking the Right Balance: How to determine the optimal number of visualizations and data on a single page.
4. Focus on Intuitive Design: The importance of keeping reports simple, intuitive, and dedicated to specific topics.
5. Responding to Feedback: How to effectively handle requests for additions to reports, and ensure they align with the report's primary purpose.
6. User-Centric Report Design: Define the value and goal of a report for clearer, more user-friendly outcomes.

Did you know we have 100+ episodes available in our resource library? Check them all out here, and subscribe to get more episodes of The Dashboard Effect podcast on your favorite podcast app.

Click here to watch this episode on our YouTube channel.

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.

Visit Blue Margin's library of additional BI resources.

(This week’s episode is a rerelease from earlier this year, and it’s just as relevant now as it was then.) Brick and Caleb highlight how constant evolution in the BI process is key to a data initiative’s success. They emphasize the need for flexibility and incorporating user feedback for continuous improvement. They discuss the inevitability of business evolution and how BI reports must be updated to meet those evolving needs. Listen to learn why an iterative approach isn't just beneficial—it's essential for keeping up with the dynamic nature of business data and decision-making. 

Did you know we have 100+ episodes available in our resource library? Check them all out here.

Click here to watch this episode on our YouTube channel.

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.
 
Subscribe here to get more episodes of The Dashboard Effect podcast on your favorite podcast app.

Visit Blue Margin's library of additional BI resources.

In this episode, Brick and Caleb discuss how to demonstrate the value and return on investment (ROI) of data initiatives. They explore practical ways to quantify ROI, from automating manual effort to improving decision-making processes. Brick and Caleb also share real-world examples including the impact of increasing employee utilization on a company's bottom line.  

They discuss the importance of measuring performance before and after the implementation of data projects, the potential pitfalls of "over reporting", and the power of simplicity in data analytics.  

Click here to watch this episode on our YouTube channel.

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.

Subscribe here to get more episodes of The Dashboard Effect podcast on your favorite podcast app.

Visit Blue Margin's library of additional BI resources.