Tech for Finance Adam Shilton

In this insightful episode, Adam welcomes Damien Bird, the Microsoft Cloud Architect and Power Automate Guru with over 10,000 YouTube followers. They dive deep into the world of Power Platform, demystifying the terminology and exploring the vast possibilities of Power Automate. From personal productivity hacks to enterprise-level automation, Damien shares his expertise on leveraging this powerful tool. He also provides valuable insights into the integration of AI and generative models like Copilot Studio. Get ready to unlock new levels of efficiency and streamline your workflows! 

 

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Watch Damien’s YouTube Videos – https://www.youtube.com/c/DamoBird365  
Connect with Damien - https://www.linkedin.com/in/damobird365/  
Check out Tech for Finance – www.techforfinance.com 

 

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(00:00:00) - Intro and welcome to Tech for Finance podcast (00:00:34) - Introducing guest Damien Bird, Microsoft Cloud Architect (00:02:09) - Explaining Microsoft Power Platform terminology (00:05:12) - Getting started with Power Automate for personal productivity (00:10:48) - Discussion on Microsoft Copilot Studio and generative AI (00:19:18) - Examples of automating processes with Power Automate (00:25:58) - Suggestions for low-hanging fruit and quick wins with Power Automate (00:34:21) - Exploring Power Automate Desktop for personal productivity (00:38:06) - How to get started with Power Automate (00:44:13) - Using Process Advisor for process mining and automation opportunities (00:52:01) - Changing data formats and generating documents with Power Automate (01:00:26) - Keeping up with updates and changes in Power Platform (01:08:24) - Damien's favorite app: YouTube Studio (01:12:07) - Exploring AI apps and tools like Poe and Metaculus (01:20:22) - Closing comments and where to find Damien online 

In the age of rapid technological change, keeping up with the latest tools and trends can feel overwhelming. Dave Hartley, a technologist turned CPA, shares his insights on how businesses and individuals can navigate the AI revolution without getting left behind. He discusses the challenges of change management and the importance of being intentional about adopting new technologies.

Dave also explores the generational gap in technology adoption, the potential impact of AI on the workforce, and the need for governance and risk management. He emphasizes the importance of finding the right balance between embracing innovation and ensuring security and accuracy. Whether you're a finance professional, a business leader, or simply someone interested in the future of work, this episode offers valuable perspectives on thriving in the age of furious change. Tune in for practical advice and thought-provoking insights.

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- Connect with Dave - https://www.linkedin.com/in/davehartley/

- Check out Anders CPA - https://anderscpa.com/

- Listen to 'But Who's Counting?' -https://open.spotify.com/show/4mieDwzhsSh44gQxRVLKXD

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(00:00:00) - Intro: Change management challenges in the AI age (00:03:22) - Being intentional about remote work and employee experience (00:10:05) - Generational gap in technology adoption and AI acceptance (00:18:48) - Balancing innovation with security and risk management (00:27:49) - Pace of technological change and organizational readiness (00:36:42) - Governance and validation in the AI era (00:46:18) - Finding the right balance for AI adoption (00:54:19) - Dave's favorite productivity tool For more goodies, head over to www.techforfinance.com

In this episode, Adam Shilton and Mike Manalac dive into the creative side of accounting and finance. Mike, an illustrator and accounting manager at Google, shares how he incorporates drawing and visuals into his work to enhance collaboration, problem-solving, and overall productivity. They discuss the power of visual thinking, the role of technology in enabling creativity, and the future of work in a hybrid environment. Mike also offers insights into his book "No Flux Given" and shares tips for job seekers in the accounting field. Tune in for an engaging conversation that challenges traditional notions of accounting and finance. ------SHOW NOTES------ - Visit Mike's Website - www.mikefromaccounting.com - Connect with Mike - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemanalac/ ------CHAPTERS------

- (00:00:00) - Introduction and background on Mike Manalac - (00:03:42) - Mike's passion for drawing and incorporating it into work - (00:09:59) - Using virtual whiteboards for collaboration and visual thinking - (00:19:02) - The power of visuals in engaging audiences - (00:28:18) - Challenges and opportunities of hybrid work environments - (00:38:04) - The future of work and the role of AI - (00:48:00) - Mike's book "No Flux Given" and advice for job seekers - (00:58:22) - The importance of creativity and automation in accounting - (01:08:30) - Tools like Jeda AI for generating visuals - (01:14:05) - Closing remarks and where to find Mike For more goodies, head over to www.techforfinance.com

Join Microsoft MVP Mark Proctor and Adam Shitlon as they delve into powerful tools like VBA and Power Query, and how they can revolutionize your workflow, automating tedious tasks and streamlining processes. In this insightful episode, Mark addresses the common misconception that VBA is a dated language and explores its potential resurgence with the advent of AI. He also introduces the Unix philosophy, a framework for building scalable and maintainable automations. Additionally, they dive into the capabilities of Power Query, a powerful tool for data transformation and management. Tune in to gain valuable insights and stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving world of finance and technology.

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- Check out Excel Off the Grid - https://exceloffthegrid.com/

- Connect with Mark on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/markstephenproctor/

- Read Mark's hilarous LinkedIn post here - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/markstephenproctor_excel-is-not-a-database-conversation-examples-activity-7176512884670111744-NEWN

- See Mark's slide deck from the Global Excel Summit here - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q6mw6uAq6sl5tjp1AKQtH4fG0FyRCLAH/view?usp=drivesdk

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- (00:00:00) - Mark discusses VBA's staying power within Excel - (00:06:10) - Exploring the potential of AI to revive VBA - (00:11:00) - Importance of data structure for effective automation - (00:19:10) - Power Query: A game-changer for data transformation - (00:26:50) - VBA vs. Office Scripts: Contrasting use cases - (00:34:40) - Addressing concerns about VBA's perceived obsolescence - (00:42:30) - Leveraging Power Query for data management - (00:50:50) - The Unix philosophy: A framework for scalable automations - (01:00:20) - Embracing a modular approach to automation - (01:07:50) - Capturing ideas and staying productive on the go And for more goodies, head over to www.techforfinance.com

In this episode, we welcome Danielle Stein Fairhurst, a renowned Microsoft MVP, Author, and Corporate Trainer. Danielle shares her expertise in financial modeling, highlighting the crucial distinction between models and reality.

We also delve into best practices for building accurate financial models, emphasising the importance of separating inputs from calculations and avoiding hard-coded assumptions. We also explore the role of visuals, collaboration, and lesser-known Excel functions in elevating your modeling game. Join us as we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of tech for finance. Like, subscribe, and stay ahead of the curve!

------SHOW NOTES------

- Subscribe to 'Framework Friday' - www.techforfinance.com

- Connect with Danielle - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellesteinfairhurst/

- Using Excel for Business & Financial Modelling - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781119520344

- Financial Modelling in Excel for Dummies - https://www.dummies.com/book/technology/software/microsoft-products/excel/financial-modeling-in-excel-for-dummies-281721/

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- (00:01:39) - Danielle's experience in Saudi Arabia

- (00:05:57) - Common financial modeling mistakes

- (00:11:15) - Understanding financial models vs. reality

- (00:16:23) - Dangers of relying on AI models

- (00:21:02) - Elevating financial models for collaboration

- (00:27:04) - Importance of visuals in modeling

- (00:31:49) - Collecting and managing model data

- (00:35:32) - Lesser-known Excel functions for modeling

- (00:37:49) - Women in Financial Modeling group

In the ever-evolving world of AI chat tools, finding the right solution can be a daunting task. Fear not, as we present a comprehensive 6-step framework to help you navigate the sea of options. From budget constraints to security protocols, internet access needs, file management capabilities, data analysis requirements, and bot-building aspirations, we've got you covered.

We dive deep into the offerings of industry giants like OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, Anthropic, and Mistral, dissecting their free and paid AI chat tools. But the burning question remains: Is ChatGPT still the best? Join us as we explore the pros and cons of each tool, providing expert insights and pro tips to guide your decision-making process. Stay ahead of the curve and make an informed choice that aligns with your specific needs.

- (00:01:32) - Step 1: Budget considerations for AI chat tools
- (00:02:17) - Step 2: Security protocols and data protection
- (00:03:36) - Step 3: Internet access capabilities of AI chat tools
- (00:05:38) - Step 4: File management and multi-modal capabilities
- (00:06:50) - Step 5: Data analysis and visualization capabilities
- (00:07:52) - Step 6: Bot-building and customization options
- (00:09:13) - Example use case: CFO reviewing contracts
- (00:10:06) - Example use case: Controller analyzing spend
- (00:10:27) - Example use case: Finance business partner meetings
- (00:11:22) - Bonus free AI chat tool recommendations
- (00:13:24) - Determining if ChatGPT is still the best option

For more goodies, head over to www.techforfinance.com