Switched On: A Bowdark Podcast

James Wood

James Wood and the rest of the Bowdark team explore key topics at the intersection of business and technology.

  1. AI and the Human Side of Business Transformation

    May 12

    AI and the Human Side of Business Transformation

    What We Cover Why AI tools like GitHub Copilot and Claude Code are real productivity accelerators and how Bowdark is actively using them The 70/30 split: why only about 30% of a technology project involves writing code What human-centered design actually looks like in practice and why it can't be automated away A real client example where a "detailed requirements doc" turned out to be a list of unanswered questions Why AI is a powerful tool in skilled hands and a risk in the wrong ones The right frame: AI is additive, not replacement

    29 min
  2. Ready to Move...Stuck in Place

    Apr 9

    Ready to Move...Stuck in Place

    Many organizations enter transformation initiatives with genuine commitment — and still go nowhere. In this episode, we dig into why so many leaders find themselves ready to move but stuck in place, and what it actually takes to break through organizational gridlock. We explore one of the most common and costly mistakes in transformation: treating it like a side project layered on top of everyone's day job. Real transformation requires a dedicated team capable of leading an end-to-end effort — from research and design through build and rollout. Buying technology, it turns out, is not the same as building capability. The data backs this up. A recent McKinsey study found that 70% of large-scale digital transformation efforts fail due to lack of resource availability and insufficient investment in the right foundations. CIO.com reports that 67% of transformation projects are delayed because of skill shortages — particularly in AI, cloud, and modern data technologies. And according to Gartner, a leading reason these efforts stall is the absence of internal expertise and change leadership required to actually execute. We unpack what those gaps look like in practice, why change leadership is so consistently underestimated, and what the difference is between executive sponsorship on paper versus real ownership in the work. We also get practical — what does a leadership team do today if they feel stuck? How do you balance quick wins with long-term sustainability? And what should progress actually look like in the first 90 days of a well-run transformation? If your organization knows it needs to change but can't seem to make it move, this episode is for you.

    39 min
  3. Microsoft Fabric Extravaganza with Chris Wagner

    01/27/2025

    Microsoft Fabric Extravaganza with Chris Wagner

    This episode dives into the transformative world of Microsoft Fabric with Microsoft MVP and "Data God" Chris Wagner. Whether you’re a data enthusiast, a business leader, or a technology professional, this episode will give you an insider's look at how Microsoft’s latest data platform is reshaping the way organizations manage, analyze, and act on their data. 🗂️ What’s in Store: The Origin Story How Microsoft Fabric evolved into the unified platform it is today.Key milestones in its development and the strategic vision behind it.What Sets Fabric Apart A breakdown of Fabric’s unique features, including its unified architecture.Comparisons to traditional data platforms and what makes Fabric a game-changer.Notable Capabilities From Data Factory to Power BI and beyond, explore Fabric’s ecosystem.Highlighting powerful tools like Data Activator, Lakehouse, and Real-Time Analytics.How these capabilities empower teams to innovate at scale.Building a Data Culture Why building a data culture matters for modern organizations.Practical steps on how Fabric enables everyone in your organization to access, analyze, and act on data securely.Real-world examples of businesses transforming their decision-making with Fabric.✨ Key Takeaways: Microsoft Fabric is more than just a data platform; it’s a revolution in how data is managed and used.Unified tools and seamless integration make it easier than ever to build end-to-end data pipelines.Fabric fosters collaboration and puts the power of data-driven insights in the hands of every user, from analysts to executives.🔗 Show Resources: Chris Wagner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wagnerchris/Chris Wagner's KratosBI YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisWagnerDatagodMicrosoft Fabric Home Page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-fabricBowdark Fabric Services: https://www.bowdark.com/services/spark/microsoft-fabric

    35 min

  4. 06/03/2024

    AI Dreamin' with Paul Modderman

    We flip the script and interview ourselves. James puts interesting questions to Paul about generative AI and the UX possibilities that are starting to open up. Sometimes Paul wanders off to uncharted territory.

    41 min

  5. 03/21/2024 ·  Bonus

    Quick Flip: We're In The Age Of Copilots

    We're in the age of Copilots. Discussion focuses a lot around Microsoft - but the implication is clear: they're everywhere, and they're just getting started.

    28 min

  6. 02/15/2024 ·  Bonus

    Quick Flip: Business-led IT

    James and Paul pontificate on their experiences working in, with, and under business-led IT, shadow IT, and corporate IT. What's the best way forward, for IT orgs to have real impact on business outcomes?

    24 min

  7. 01/04/2024 ·  Bonus

    Quick Flip: Copilot Plus SAP Plus Everything

    We talk about the Copilot Studio demo and other possibilities. "Everything you categorized in your head as 'I can't do that,' pull it out and rethink it. It might be possible now."

    18 min

  8. 11/01/2023

    The Future of Work: Winning Users with Alan Chai

    Alan Chai, Microsoft Power Apps MVP and Head of Digital Transformation & Innovation at Schlumberger, wows James Wood and Paul Modderman with his tales of enterprise creation, curation, and learning new things.

    45 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

James Wood and the rest of the Bowdark team explore key topics at the intersection of business and technology.

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