Microsoft Business Applications Podcast Mark Smith [nz365guy]

FULL SHOW NOTES
https://podcast.nz365guy.com/486

You're in for a treat as we invite you to listen to our special guest Tchesco Ayih's fascinating transformation from dabbling in a computer repair shop to becoming an MVP in Ghana. With our fireside chat, we delve into Tchesco's inspiring journey that's marked by his love for cooking and gaming, his self-taught graphic design and C-Sharp skills, and his unexpected MVP award. He'll let you in on his approach to learning new skills, staying updated with the latest trends, and the significance of being part of tech communities.

Moving on, we'll traverse the evolving landscape of the Power Platform community in Ghana, its inception, growth, and the key role MVP Abu played in shaping it. We'll also draw parallels with the community growth in Nigeria and shed light on Tchesco's efforts to bolster the French community's involvement in this tech revolution. Join us and get captivated by Tchesco's story of perseverance, thirst for knowledge, and the influence of tech communities in transforming lives. It's an insightful ride you wouldn't want to miss.

OTHER RESOURCES:
Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP 
90-Day Mentoring Challenge - https://ako.nz365guy.com/
Microsoft User Group Lome (French sessions): https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Microsoft-User-Group-Lome/gh-p/MicrosoftUserGroupLome
Microsoft User Group Ghana (English sessions): https://www.meetup.com/Microsoft-User-Group-Ghana/ 
AgileXRM AgileXRm - The integrated BPM for Microsoft Power Platform
Support the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.

Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

FULL SHOW NOTES
https://podcast.nz365guy.com/485 

Ever reflected on how video games can affect our productivity in the digital workspace? That's a thought-provoking question we tackle with our accomplished guest, Joris de Gruyter, a seasoned program manager at Microsoft. As we journey through his intriguing career path from Belgium to the US, we find out how his hobbies like gaming, skiing, and sailing, have shaped his perspective on making business applications more engaging.

You'll surely get hooked as we move into the heart of our conversation – PowerApps and PowerFX. Learn first-hand from Joe about the creative alliance between the Excel and PowerApps teams that have helped in shaping Microsoft's robust Power Platform. As he breaks down the ins and outs of PowerFX, especially how its strongly typed nature offers a unique advantage when sending data to databases, you'll gain valuable insights into the realm of coding.

Brace yourself for a refreshing discussion on the complexities of UX design in PowerApps, the need for a universal formula bar, and the mammoth task of balancing the needs of ProDevs and new makers. As we venture into the challenges of code reuse in PowerFX, and the importance of user-defined functions, you'll start to see the art behind the science of coding. Finally, get a glimpse into the minds of MVPs in our vibrant discussion on customer requests, recognizing low-hanging fruit, and much more. This episode is your golden ticket to dive deep into the world of PowerApps, PowerFX, and the magic of Microsoft's Power platform.
AgileXRM AgileXRm - The integrated BPM for Microsoft Power Platform
Support the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.

Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

FULL SHOW NOTES
https://podcast.nz365guy.com/484

What happens when you combine multicultural experiences, love for food, family, fun, and a passion for Microsoft Dynamics ERP? You get Parag Chapre, our guest on today's show. A senior consultant at DXC Technology, Parag's journey has spanned continents - from the streets of India to the hustle of Europe, and now the shores of Australia. He shares his experiences of transitioning from different languages during his engineering to choosing Dynamics, the continuous evolution it offers, and the immense learning opportunities it provides.

Parag doesn't merely work in IT; he lives it. His career started at SA Global, where he delved into Microsoft Dynamics ERP and never looked back. But how does he keep track of the ever-evolving landscape of Microsoft's features and functionalities? He shares his secret - being a part of community events and discussions. But Parag didn't stop at just being part of the community; he took his knowledge-sharing a step further and became an MVP, sharing unique content with the community. Listen in as he talks about his experiences and the pivotal role of continuous learning in his personal and professional journey.

OTHER RESOURCES:
Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP 
90-Day Mentoring Challenge - https://ako.nz365guy.com/
Dynamics Community - https://community.dynamics.com/members/parag-chapre 
AgileXRM AgileXRm - The integrated BPM for Microsoft Power Platform
Support the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.

Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

FULL SHOW NOTES
https://podcast.nz365guy.com/483 

What if you could leverage technology to outsmart the escalating cost of living? Join us on this riveting adventure as we talk with Mike Carlton, a director at PWC and a dedicated family man from South Wales. Living with his wife, four children, and an assortment of pets, Mike's life is as colourful as it is engaging! His non-tech lifestyle at home provides a refreshing juxtaposition to his impactful work with the Power Platform at PWC.

Our conversation ventures into the transformative capabilities of the Power Platform, a low-code solution that's revolutionizing businesses grappling with increasing living costs. We reveal how PWC is harnessing this innovation on an enterprise-wide scale, navigating complexities, and fostering the growth of consultants. Get ready to learn about the Power Platform, its business-centric approach, and its implications in the real world.

Yet, we don't simply stop at the technology. Mike, being a leader in system integration, shares the importance of technical skills in the consulting arena. Hear his insights on the approaches of big four companies and system integrators, the need to comprehend the client's problem domain, and the invaluable art of making business-oriented decisions. As we wrap up, we take a moment to appreciate our listeners and supporters. Who knows? You might be our next guest! So, tune in, learn, and remember to shoot for the stars!
AgileXRM AgileXRm - The integrated BPM for Microsoft Power Platform
Support the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.

Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

FULL SHOW NOTES
https://podcast.nz365guy.com/482

What if you could transform your organization into a digital native? Join us as we converse with Ayotunde Ayoola, a Principal Consultant and Product Lead hailing from Nigeria who is leading this digital revolution. With his team at Stringify, Ayo assists organizations in undergoing crucial digital transformations, introducing the power of technology to multiple sectors. Ayo also offers a glimpse into his life outside the tech world, sharing his love for reading, sports, and church. We also explore the burgeoning Nigerian tech and MVP community and their ever-growing interest in BizApps and Power Platform careers.

But this episode isn't all tech and transformations. Has he ever wondered about the charitable side of the tech industry? Mark Smith, an MVP recognized as the NZ365 guy, shares his experiences of giving back to the community. He firmly believes that contributing isn't always about money but creating opportunities. Mark shares his experiences running a boot camp for high school students, introducing them to low code and other technologies. He believes in the transformative power of giving back and how it creates more opportunities for digital transformation. This episode is filled with insights, experiences, and heartwarming stories from the tech community. So, gear up for a compelling conversation with Ayo and Mark!

OTHER RESOURCES:
Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP 
90-Day Mentoring Challenge - https://ako.nz365guy.com/
Azure Community Portal: https://azure.styava.dev/apac/id/user/organizer?userId=5b7eceb2-6b9c-43df-9937-a02856d1da2c
GitHub: https://github.com/officialAY
Microsoft Power Apps Community: https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Power-Apps-Community/ct-p/PowerApps1 
AgileXRM AgileXRm - The integrated BPM for Microsoft Power Platform
Support the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.

Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

FULL SHOW NOTES
https://podcast.nz365guy.com/481 

Picture this: You're a customer service admin needing a modernized approach. What if there were improvements in customer service administration, security role management, and agent productivity features, all at your fingertips? This episode with our guest, Tina Ding, Senior Program Manager at Microsoft, brings this transformation to life! Tina takes us on a personal journey from China to Seattle, sharing her passion for food, family, and fun while also giving us a glimpse into her career beginnings and her work in admin modernization of the customer service product. We explore the essential tasks and roles of customer service admins and the exciting progress her team has made in reshaping the customer service experience.

Shifting gears, we spotlight the October Release Wave 2 2023 and the significant enhancements to contact centre and user management. Tina enlightens us on the potential of the Power Platform in creating powerful and versatile applications. We discuss how this platform could be a game-changer for your organization's productivity and delve deep into its features and capabilities. As a bonus, Tina generously shares her top tips on how to get started with the Power Platform. So, if you're all about optimizing your customer service game and leveraging the power of the Power Platform, this episode is an absolute must-listen!
AgileXRM AgileXRm - The integrated BPM for Microsoft Power Platform
Support the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.

Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith