Shows
The Dashboard EffectAntidote for Failed Data ProjectsIn this episode of The Dashboard Effect, hosts Brick and Landon break down why so many data projects fail and how to fix them. Instead of “boiling the ocean” with massive, months-long BI initiatives that never gain traction, they share a practical, proven approach to delivering fast ROI, user adoption, and sustained data success.Whether you’re leading a data transformation, building dashboards, or just trying to get your first BI win, this episode will help you reset your mindset and find your “real antidote” to failure.At Blue Margin, we help companies stop guessing and start...
2025-11-0710 minThe Dashboard EffectROI for AI: Why Most Projects Fail (and How to Get Yours Right)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.
2025-10-2210 minThe Dashboard EffectThe Data Governance Behind Trusted AIIn 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.
2025-10-0811 minThe Dashboard EffectMaking Data Work for Small Firms Without a Big BudgetThink 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 le...
2025-09-2208 minThe Dashboard EffectBeyond the Wrapper: Making AI Work for Data TeamsIn 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...
2025-08-2815 minThe Dashboard EffectFrom Custom Builds to Fivetran: Evolving Our Data Pipeline StrategyIn 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 past2:00 – The rise of APIs and the challenge of building connectors for them2:39 – Realizing the variety of systems—and limits of pre-built connectors4:03 – How Fivetran’s dedicated API teams save time and reduce risk4:5...
2025-08-1407 minThe Dashboard EffectChoosing the Right Data Platform for Your Business: Fabric or Snowflake?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.Don’t forget to subscribe for more data strategy insights!
2025-07-0712 minThe Dashboard EffectInside Microsoft Build: The Rise of AI AgentsThis 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.
2025-06-1908 minThe Dashboard EffectBreaking Down the Latest Fabric Updates from Microsoft BuildLandon 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...
2025-06-0512 minThe Dashboard Effect5 Key Metrics for Middle Market CompaniesIn this episode, Brick and Kate break down the five most impactful metrics for middle-market companies to focus on when implementing Business Intelligence (BI). These metrics help businesses not only measure performance, but also take strategic action based on real-time insights.Whether you're in services, manufacturing, or another industry, this conversation dives into practical examples and key considerations for tracking performance across the organization.Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on data-driven business strategies.
2025-05-0809 minThe Dashboard EffectIf You Build It, Will They Use It? Culture’s Role in BI SuccessRolling out a new BI system or dashboard? It's not just about the data; it's about the people. In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick and Landon dive into the hidden influence of company culture on BI adoption. From Excel loyalty to leadership modeling and psychological safety, they unpack the human side of digital transformation.Learn how to overcome resistance, build trust, and drive lasting engagement with your dashboards.Need help getting your dashboards adopted? Visit us at https://bluemargin.com
2025-04-1709 minThe Dashboard EffectVanity Isn’t Strategy: Smarter Metrics for Smarter TeamsAre you chasing metrics that look good but don’t do good?In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick Thompson and Landon Oaks dive into the common trap of vanity metrics, those flashy numbers that don’t actually move the needle. They explore how to identify the right metrics, involve the right stakeholders, and why iteration is key to building dashboards that drive real results.Whether you’re building your first dashboard or refining a mature BI strategy, this episode will help you shift from data that decorates to data that delivers.Learn...
2025-04-1008 minThe Dashboard EffectSafe, Smart, and Internal: Our Experimental Leap with AI 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...
2025-03-2707 minThe Dashboard EffectThe Future of Microsoft Fabric: Will It Replace Synapse?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 Sy...
2025-03-1309 minThe Dashboard EffectRevenue Reporting: It's Not as Simple as It SeemsRevenue 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!...
2025-02-2705 minThe Dashboard EffectBreaking Down Portfolio Monitoring SolutionsIn 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 i...
2025-02-2020 minThe Dashboard EffectRole Based Security: Keeping Data in the Right HandsWho 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 (li...
2025-01-3008 minThe Dashboard EffectFrom Theory to Practice: Making AI Work in the Real WorldIn 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=c...
2025-01-1640 minThe Dashboard EffectHow to Build Smarter Reports with Power BIIn 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, an...
2025-01-0309 minThe Dashboard EffectIs Raw or Aggregated Data Better for Analytics Decisions?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...
2024-12-0507 minThe Dashboard EffectSchema on Write vs. Schema on Read: What’s Faster for Your Business?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 su...
2024-11-2106 minThe Dashboard EffectUnderstanding Semantic Models and Data Lake House LayersIn 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...
2024-11-0710 minThe Dashboard EffectNetSuite Data Pipeline: Surprising API Challenges & ODBC SolutionIn this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick chats with Landon, Director of Solutions at Blue Margin, about a surprising challenge faced while extracting data from NetSuite. Despite NetSuite’s well-developed API, handling massive datasets proved problematic. Landon shares how they solved the issue using an unexpected solution—the ODBC connector.They discuss the limitations of the API, how ODBC outperformed it for large data sets, and the unconventional yet effective workaround using a virtual machine. If you’re working with NetSuite or other cloud-based systems and experiencing similar challenges, you’ll want to hear this episode....
2024-10-2307 minThe Dashboard EffectHow Bad Data Models Can Sabotage Your ReportsIn this episode, Brick Thompson and Caleb Ochs discuss the critical role of good data models in making business intelligence tools like Power BI efficient and scalable. They cover the pitfalls of poor data models, including delayed reporting and data category issues, and offer insights into designing flexible, transactional-level data models that can grow with your business needs.Key Moments:- Example of a Bad Data Model- The Benefits of Transactional-Level Data- Why Developers Take Shortcuts- Common Data Model MistakesBlue Margin increases enterprise value for...
2024-10-1010 minThe Dashboard EffectThe Blueprint for Rolling Out BI to Hundreds of UsersIn this episode of The Dashboard Effect, hosts Brick and Caleb discuss the challenges and best practices for rolling out Business Intelligence (BI) solutions to large audiences. With a real-life example of implementing BI across 600 retail locations, they dive into how to navigate common pitfalls, ensuring user adoption and success. Whether your rollout is for a small team or a large enterprise, these insights will help you optimize your process.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...
2024-10-0210 minThe Dashboard EffectSimplifying Your Data Pipeline for Maximum PerformanceIn this episode of The Dashboard Effect, hosts Brick and Caleb explore the essential steps to building efficient and reliable data pipelines. They discuss the critical factors in moving data from transactional systems to data lakes, highlight the importance of simplifying pipelines, and share practical strategies for handling pipeline failures, API connections, and ensuring scalability. Whether you're a data professional or a business leader looking to enhance your data processes, this episode offers valuable insights to guide you.Enjoyed the episode? Hit Like, subscribe to our channel, and tap the bell icon to stay updated on the...
2024-09-1216 minThe Dashboard EffectThe Data Team Dilemma: Strategies for Surviving High TurnoverIn this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick and Caleb explore the pressing challenges of assembling and sustaining a robust data team in today’s volatile tech landscape. With tech turnover rates on the rise, developing strategies to attract and retain top talent is more critical than ever. They share insights on the importance of redundancy, effective documentation, and keeping solutions simple to ensure your data team stays strong. Join us to learn practical approaches to future-proofing your data team.Subscribe to our channel for more insights on data analytics and team management.Blue Margin in...
2024-08-2908 minThe Dashboard EffectThe Strategic Edge of Outsourcing Your Data PlatformIn this episode of The Dashboard Effect Podcast, hosts Brick and Caleb dive into the often-overlooked advantages of outsourcing data platform management. They explore why mid-market companies should consider this option, discussing the challenges of in-house management, the importance of expertise in data integrity and security, and how outsourcing can free up your team to focus on core business analytics.Whether you're a growing company struggling with data management or an executive looking to optimize your data strategy, this episode offers valuable insights into making your data work for you without the headaches of platform management.
2024-08-1513 minThe Dashboard EffectGenerative AI Analytics: Hype vs. RealityWelcome to The Dashboard Effect Podcast! In this episode, Brick and Caleb discuss the world of generative AI analytics, reflecting on the initial excitement and the current state of the technology. They share their insights and personal experiences, examining the progress made since the Microsoft Build Conference 2023 and evaluating whether generative AI tools are living up to their expectations. Visit our website https://BlueMargin.com for more insights and resources. Episode Highlights: - Initial Excitement and High Expectations: Brick and Caleb reminisce about the excitement surrounding the Microsoft Build Conference 2023 and the potential the...
2024-08-0111 minThe Dashboard EffectHandling Multiple Currencies in Power BIIn this episode of The Dashboard Effect Podcast, we tackle the complex world of multi-currency reporting in Power BI. Whether you're a BI professional or a business analyst dealing with international data, this episode is packed with valuable insights to enhance your reporting capabilities.Brick and Caleb dive deep into:Effective strategies for displaying different currency symbolsThe power of dynamic formatting in Power BIAn innovative approach using a "concatenated fact table"Best practices for handling currency conversion ratesBalancing data duplication and compression for optimal performanceReal-world examples of multi-currency implementation for global businessesThe hosts share...
2024-07-1808 minThe Dashboard EffectModern Reporting with Power BI: Moving Beyond Email ReportsIn this episode of The Dashboard Effect Podcast, hosts Brick Thompson and Caleb Ochs discuss the pros and cons of emailing reports in business intelligence. They explore why the common practice of sending daily Excel sheets or PDFs is limiting and outdated, and offer better alternatives using modern BI tools like Power BI.We cover in this episode...- The limitations of static, emailed reports- Power BI's subscription feature as an improvement- The importance of live, interactive data- Alternatives for users who need raw data access- Storage...
2024-07-0308 minThe Dashboard EffectThe Pitfalls of Augmenting Transactional Data with Excel for ReportingIn the latest episode of The Dashboard Effect Podcast, Brick and Caleb discuss a common challenge businesses face when trying to extend their data for reporting purposes using Excel files to categorize or group data in ways not supported by the original system.While this approach may seem simple and straightforward, it can lead to several problems down the road, such as:Difficulty matching numbers between the transactional system and the reporting tool (e.g., Power BI)Inconsistencies in categorization when new data is addedMaintenance overhead and potential for errors as the Excel file grows...
2024-06-2009 minThe Dashboard EffectMastering Delta Loads: Caleb's Best Practices, Tips, and WorkaroundsBrick and Caleb get technical this week with a special focus on delta loading. They break down the concept of delta loading and highlight its benefits over traditional full loading techniques in terms of speed and resource efficiency. Caleb covers the typical obstacles faced when implementing delta loading, including issues with legacy systems and API limitations. He also shares strategies for effective delta loading, with practical tips and workarounds that you can apply directly to your operations.Watch this episode on our YouTube channel.Blue Margin increases enterprise value for PE-backed, mid-market companies by serving...
2024-06-0608 minThe Dashboard EffectA Speed-Trust Equation: Fast Power BI Reports Increase End User ConfidenceBrick and Caleb share the essentials of performant Power BI reports. They discuss the ideal loading performance benchmarks, the implications of load times on user trust, and helpful strategies for debugging and optimizing data models and DAX measures. 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...
2024-05-2309 minThe Dashboard EffectWatch Out for These Data Model Red FlagsBrick and Caleb discuss the importance of data modeling and good DAX in Power BI, highlighting common mistakes that can lead to poor report performance. For fast and efficient reporting, you need a sound data model that contains the right level of detail, dimensions, and relationships, avoids snowflake schemas, and uses simple (and standardized) naming conventions. 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...
2024-05-0909 minThe Dashboard EffectBlueprints for Building an Internal BI Team(This episode is a re-release, but the content is still just as relevant as it was the first time around!) Brick and Caleb discuss the complexities of building an in-house BI department. In addition to sharing their firsthand experience and insight from years of supporting mid-market companies, the duo discusses the potential benefits and pitfalls of moving from relying on external BI vendors to establishing internal teams. They explore why companies might want to bring these capabilities in-house despite the challenges and offer practical steps and advice for those considering this shift. Tune in to learn about the hiring...
2024-04-2515 minThe Dashboard EffectHow to Use Leading and Lagging Metrics for Better Business AgilityBrick and guest co-host Greg Brown explore the dynamic between leading and lagging indicators in BI reporting. They share challenges and strategies for integrating these metrics to enhance operational efficiency and financial performance. Greg shares anecdotes from his operations background to emphasize the need for timely and actionable data to adjust behavior before it's too late.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...
2024-04-1812 minThe Dashboard EffectBehind the Scenes in Power BI: Tips to Streamline Data ModelingThis week, Brick and Caleb get a bit technical and discuss how to improve Power BI report performance through effective semantic modeling and minimizing data transformation with Power BI. They unpack the challenges of managing data transformations directly within Power BI and highlight the advantages of using serverless SQL views instead. Their insights will help Power BI report developers avoid common pitfalls, streamline data processing, and improve Power BI report performance.Jump to a Section:0:40 How Blue Margin approaches semantic modeling with serverless SQL views1:45 Power BI is not an ETL tool, so use SQL...
2024-04-1108 minThe Dashboard EffectHow to Democratize Data and Avoid the Chaos of Data SprawlBrick and Caleb explore the balance between empowering analysts with data access and the governance required to prevent data sprawl and maintain integrity and consistency across reports. They provide strategies for enabling departments to independently use data for their own insights and how to use a centralized data team to review, refine, and distribute only the best individual reports to be used by the entire company. 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 d...
2024-04-0408 minThe Dashboard EffectThe Human Side of AI Readiness - How to Prepare Your Team and Business LogicIn a continuation of their AI-readiness discussion, Brick and Caleb outline the importance of the human element in preparing for generative AI analytics. They share strategies for ensuring that your company's culture is ready to harness the power of AI, from how to start improving data literacy to defining clear and consistent business logic. 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, e...
2024-03-2809 minThe Dashboard EffectLaying the Groundwork for Gen AI in Business AnalyticsBrick and Caleb explore the steps businesses must take to prepare their data for the inevitable integration of generative AI analytics. They use this episode to explain the "why" behind data consolidation and semantic layers. What you'll learn:Why consolidating your data is the first step for AI-readinessThe challenges and solutions for dealing with data from disparate sourcesThe importance of a semantic layer in making data accessible for AI and business usersWhy you should take an agile approach when developing data infrastructureClick here to watch this episode on our YouTube channel.Blue M...
2024-03-2108 minThe Dashboard EffectThe Layman's Guide to Data Terminology: Part ThreeThis episode is the third installment of Brick and Caleb's series on breaking down data terminology. They cover foreign and primary keys, data lakes and data lakehouses, parquet and delta parquet files, ETL and ELT, and data pipelines, before concluding with Python, PySpark, and visualizations. 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 E...
2024-03-1411 minThe Dashboard EffectThe Layman's Guide to Data Terminology: Part TwoThis episode is the second installment of Brick and Caleb's series on breaking down data terminology. They cover Kimball data warehouse methodology, fact/dimensional tables, star vs. snowflake schemas, and data models vs. semantic layers. 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 t...
2024-03-0710 minThe Dashboard EffectThe Layman's Guide to Data Terminology: Part OneThis episode is the first installment in a series of episodes that will serve as a primer on the key terms and technologies surrounding data management. Brick and Caleb begin with the fundamental differences between transactional and analytical databases, explaining concepts like OLAP, OLTP, normalization, and denormalization in an accessible way. They also clarify the essence of SQL, how it interacts with databases, and introduce the concept of Serverless SQL. Whether you're new to data or looking to deepen your understanding, this episode is a good place to start getting a handle on common data terminology. Click...
2024-02-2909 minThe Dashboard EffectThe KPIs You're Overlooking: Better Data Insights for ManufacturersIn this episode, Caleb and Kate discuss important KPIs for the manufacturing industry. While there are no one-size-fits-all solutions, they outline and provide insight on the leading and lagging KPIs that have helped our midmarket manufacturing clients improve sales operations, inventory management, labor and machine utilization, and cash flow.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...
2024-02-2214 minThe Dashboard EffectA Case Study: Unifying Data Sources with Azure Data Lake and Serverless SQLBrick and Caleb discuss Blue Margin's use of Azure Data Lake for unified data management. Using a recent client project as an example, Caleb explains how he integrated multiple data sources using serverless SQL to create a single data repository with a semantic model to enhance consistency across projects and reports. They also discuss the current performance benefits of using a serverless SQL and the Microsoft Fabric OneLake updates they're waiting on before transitioning from Azure Data Lake.In this episode:Introduction to Azure Data Lake: Caleb kicks off the discussion with an overview...
2024-02-1510 minThe Dashboard EffectFrom Data Setup to Power BI Reports: Considerations for Your Data Model (Semantic Layer)In this episode, Brick and Caleb explain the distinctions of and interdependencies between data setup/data pipelines, data modeling, and reporting, emphasizing their individual roles within an effective approach to data analytics and BI. Starting by explaining the necessity of a solid data pipeline structure, this episode highlights how the specific requirements of a report influence the development of a corresponding data model (also known as a semantic layer) and concludes with a practical discussion on balancing the complexities of data models. Click here to watch this episode on our YouTube channel.Blue Mar...
2024-02-0710 minThe Dashboard EffectHow to Generate Realistic, Synthetic Data for Power BI with ChatGPTBrick and Caleb explain how Blue Margin is using ChatGPT for generating synthetic data to populate data models in Power BI reports. Caleb shares his insights on how this approach has streamlined the process of creating sample reports with fake, yet realistic data, to demonstrate work without compromising customer data privacy. They discuss the limitations of traditional data-generating tools and highlight how ChatGPT's ability to produce specific data sets, like email addresses or location codes, significantly eases the task of generating authentic-looking fake data for reports. They also explore other practical applications, such as anonymizing sensitive data, generating test...
2024-01-3112 minThe Dashboard EffectHow to Structure Your Data for Power BI CopilotBrick and Caleb call out key aspects of Microsoft's Power BI Copilot documentation related to structuring datasets for Large Language Models (LLMs) and explain how to get these best practices in place. Data structure and organization are critical for getting useful outputs from advanced analytics tools like Power BI Copilot, and useful outputs will determine, in large part, whether or not these tools will be widely adopted. Here is the Microsoft documentation referenced: Update your data model to work well with Copilot for Power BI - Power BI | Microsoft Learn Click here to watch this...
2024-01-2413 minThe Dashboard EffectA Closer Look at Microsoft Fabric's Direct Lake and Data PipelinesWhile 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...
2024-01-1810 minThe Dashboard EffectHow to Prepare Your Data for AI AdvancesFor 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...
2024-01-1013 minThe Dashboard EffectData Quality Sets the Stage for Generative AI: AWS's CDO Agenda for 2024In 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 o...
2024-01-0311 min