

Microsoft Innovation Podcast
Mark Smith [nz365guy]
If you want to get your ideas or questions featured on an episode, please leave us a voicemail: https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/voicemail/Dive into the future of work with the "Microsoft Innovation Podcast," exploring the intersection of People, Business, Technology, and AI. Engage with expert guests—including thought leaders from Microsoft, industry innovators, and community specialists—who are redefining the world with advancements in AI, Cloud technologies, the Power Platform, Dynamics 365, and beyond.Every episode delivers a blend of in-depth discussions, practical insights, and actionable strategies tailored for professionals driving enablement and innovation. Join us across our five shows:The Power Platform ShowThe MVP ShowThe Copilot ShowThe Ecosystems ShowThe AI Advantage (coming soon)
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 15, 2023 • 22min
Goloknath Mishra on The MVP Show
FULL SHOW NOTES https://podcast.nz365guy.com/441 Goloknath Mishra shares his experience in Singapore, where he enjoys exploring different places, particularly Little India for its vegetarian food options. Tune in for an engaging conversation with Goloknath about technology and learn the vital aspect of career growth and success. Goloknath shares his experience of building solutions on the Power Platform and how the platform has evolved over the years. Goloknath talks about the Singapore community around Dynamics 365 and his involvement with it over the years. The importance of having a clear vision and mission for your business, and how to define your ideal customer and target market. Goloknath talks about the various line of business applications he has seen built using Dynamics and the Power Platform. Goloknath explains that his area of expertise is in Dynamics CRM, but he has also delved into the Power Platform, which he finds to be an interesting and low-cost platform for building a line of business applications. A discussion about the future of the Power Platform and how it can be used to create even more innovative solutions for businesses. Goloknath encourages listeners to explore the platform and see what it can do for their organizations. OTHER RESOURCES: Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP 90-Day Mentoring Challenge - https://ako.nz365guy.com/ PAD in Udemy - https://www.udemy.com/course/introduction-to-power-automate-desktop/ This year we're adding a new show to our line up - The AI Advantage. We'll discuss the skills you need to thrive in an AI-enabled world. Accelerate your Microsoft career with the 90 Day Mentoring Challenge We’ve helped 1,300+ people across 70+ countries establish successful careers in the Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 ecosystem.Benefit from expert guidance, a supportive community, and a clear career roadmap. A lot can change in 90 days, get started today!Support the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Mar 8, 2023 • 20min
Ferran Chopo on The MVP Show
FULL SHOW NOTES https://podcast.nz365guy.com/440 Ferran Chopo shares his hobbies and family life – what he does for fun, how he spends his time with his family and enjoying the sunny weather and delicious food in Barcelona. Ferran shares his insights on the ease of use and flexibility of Power Apps and the time-saving benefits of Power Automate. Ferran also talks about his role as a member of the SharePoint Music Group in Barcelona and his love for music. Ferran discusses his current role with the Power Platform and the benefits of Power Automate and Power Apps for both developers and business users.Ferran shares his journey into technology, starting with his first computer at the age of 14 and his passion for building applications. Ferran shares his experience working with various Microsoft technologies, including the Power Platform, and the impact it has had on automating processes and building custom solutions. Ferran discusses the benefits of Power Automate for automating repetitive tasks and saving time, as well as the flexibility and ease of use of Power Apps for building custom solutions. Ferran shares his passion for the Power Platform and how it has opened up new opportunities for him in his career. Ferran shares his experience as a Microsoft MVP and discusses the process of becoming a Microsoft MVP, including the importance of staying up-to-date with the latest technologies and sharing knowledge with the community. If you're interested in learning more about the Power Platform and how it can benefit your organization, be sure to listen to this episode and check out the links in the show notes. OTHER RESOURCES: Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP 90-Day Mentoring Challenge - https://ako.nz365guy.com/ GitHub: https://github.com/fchopo Power Platform Magazine: https://www.powerplatformmagazine.com/This year we're adding a new show to our line up - The AI Advantage. We'll discuss the skills you need to thrive in an AI-enabled world. Accelerate your Microsoft career with the 90 Day Mentoring Challenge We’ve helped 1,300+ people across 70+ countries establish successful careers in the Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 ecosystem.Benefit from expert guidance, a supportive community, and a clear career roadmap. A lot can change in 90 days, get started today!Support the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Mar 1, 2023 • 24min
Azure McFarlane on The MVP Show
FULL SHOW NOTES https://podcast.nz365guy.com/439 Hear Azure McFarlane talks about her inspiring story and love for food, family, and fun, and how these things play a role in her life outside of tech. Listen to the full episode for more insights from Azure on the importance of building a strong support system in tech. Azure shares her journey into the tech industry and the importance of building a strong support system. Azure talks about her expertise in Power Automate and how she uses it to increase productivity in both her personal and professional life. Azure shares her experience using Power Automate to snap photos of receipts and upload them to SharePoint and Dynamics for easy tracking and organization. Tune in to hear Azure's thoughts on the importance of continuous learning and staying engaged with the Power Platform, and her tips for finding creative uses for Power Automate in your own life. Azure shares her journey in creating engaging content for YouTube and blogging platforms. Azure shares her experience as an MVP and the opportunities it has provided for her, such as speaking at events and being a part of the MVP community. This serves as inspiration for others looking to become an MVP and the benefits that come with the recognition. OTHER RESOURCES: Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP 90-Day Mentoring Challenge - https://ako.nz365guy.com/ This year we're adding a new show to our line up - The AI Advantage. We'll discuss the skills you need to thrive in an AI-enabled world. Accelerate your Microsoft career with the 90 Day Mentoring Challenge We’ve helped 1,300+ people across 70+ countries establish successful careers in the Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 ecosystem.Benefit from expert guidance, a supportive community, and a clear career roadmap. A lot can change in 90 days, get started today!Support the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Feb 22, 2023 • 24min
Ragavan Rajan on The MVP Show
FULL SHOW NOTES https://podcast.nz365guy.com/438 In this episode, we dive into Ragavan Rajan’s background - shares his love for travel and exploration and tells us about some of the fun adventures he and his family have had in New Zealand over the past few years. Learn about Ragavan’s journey from India to Scotland and eventually to New Zealand. Discussions about Ragavan’s career path in technology and sharing his background in the Microsoft world and his desire to break out and explore the open-source world. Ragavan shares his thoughts on the future of technology and the importance of continuous learning. Talks about the value of staying up to date with new technologies and the importance of keeping an open mind to new opportunities. In this episode, we discuss the basics of website design and how to create a visually appealing and user-friendly website. Tips on how to effectively incorporate these elements into your design. Find out why people prefer Microsoft set-up tools. Ragavan’s opinion when it comes to start-up limits What brought Ragavan back to the light and what brought him back to Microsoft Ragavan talks about his current work as a DevOps engineer and the challenges and rewards of working in the field. Ragavan shares his thoughts on the importance of collaboration and teamwork in the tech industry, and the value of building strong relationships with colleagues and clients. Ragavan shares some insights into his experience as an MVP and the impact it has had on his career. Ragavan’s significant contributions to the tech community and has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience in this area. OTHER RESOURCES: Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP 90-Day Mentoring Challenge - https://ako.nz365guy.com/ Ragavan’s GitHub: https://github.com/ragavanrajan This year we're adding a new show to our line up - The AI Advantage. We'll discuss the skills you need to thrive in an AI-enabled world. Accelerate your Microsoft career with the 90 Day Mentoring Challenge We’ve helped 1,300+ people across 70+ countries establish successful careers in the Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 ecosystem.Benefit from expert guidance, a supportive community, and a clear career roadmap. A lot can change in 90 days, get started today!Support the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Feb 15, 2023 • 19min
Martin Drab on The MVP Show
FULL SHOW NOTES https://podcast.nz365guy.com/437 Martin Drab’s life background – family, interests, and how he enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, going on hikes and skiing. In this episode, Martin talks about his journey into the tech industry and shares his thoughts on the evolution of Dynamics 365 and the future of technology. Martin is a software architect and developer with expertise in Java and Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations. The importance of the tech community and how it has evolved over the years, with the advent of new resources and more people getting involved. Martin shares his thoughts on the future of technology and the impact it will have on businesses and industries. Martin has also released several development tools and written numerous blog posts. Find out more about this. The important changes Martin saw during his time with Dynamics include introducing a web client and switching to the cloud. Martin shares his insights on the development of Axapta over the years and the impact it has had on the tech industry. Technological change and impact - how many people are coming into the community and growing on the new platform? Martin’s journey into becoming a Microsoft MVP and the benefits What changes in the MVP Program and what is the impact on Martin’s career? Martin shares his predictions for the future of technology and the impact it will have on businesses and industries. OTHER RESOURCES: Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP 90-Day Mentoring Challenge - https://ako.nz365guy.com/ Martin’s GitHub: https://github.com/goshoom This year we're adding a new show to our line up - The AI Advantage. We'll discuss the skills you need to thrive in an AI-enabled world. Accelerate your Microsoft career with the 90 Day Mentoring Challenge We’ve helped 1,300+ people across 70+ countries establish successful careers in the Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 ecosystem.Benefit from expert guidance, a supportive community, and a clear career roadmap. A lot can change in 90 days, get started today!Support the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Feb 13, 2023 • 28min
Extending SAP with the Power Platform with Marysol Mantilla
FULL SHOW NOTES https://podcast.nz365guy.com/436 Marysol Mantilla gave us a glimpse into her personal life. She and her family are big foodies, with her husband working as a chef. They are also avid soccer fans. If you are interested in learning more about how the Power Platform can enhance your SAP setup, be sure to check out the full episode. We explore how Power Platform can be used to improve and streamline processes within SAP landscapes. We discuss specific use cases where Power Platform can be particularly effective, including excel-based processes and approval workflows. We also delve into the benefits of using Power Platform for SAP developers, including the ability to tackle backlogged projects and streamline complex processes. Marysol shares her expertise on how Power Platform can be integrated into SAP workflows and the benefits it can bring to businesses. We discuss the potential for Power Platform to be utilized by SAP customers who may already be using it for other purposes, such as citizen development. Introduction to the Power Platform and its role in solving point solutions and achieving strategic goals The importance of fusion development in maximizing the potential of the Power Platform Success stories of companies that have effectively implemented the Power Platform to drive innovation and growth Tips for overcoming common challenges when implementing the Power Platform, such as fear of integration with SAP systems The future of the Power Platform and its potential to continue transforming the way businesses operate. This year we're adding a new show to our line up - The AI Advantage. We'll discuss the skills you need to thrive in an AI-enabled world. Accelerate your Microsoft career with the 90 Day Mentoring Challenge We’ve helped 1,300+ people across 70+ countries establish successful careers in the Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 ecosystem.Benefit from expert guidance, a supportive community, and a clear career roadmap. A lot can change in 90 days, get started today!Support the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Feb 8, 2023 • 22min
Peter Ramer on The MVP Show
FULL SHOW NOTES https://podcast.nz365guy.com/435 Peter Ramer shares his journey into software development and the exciting world of automation and the Power Platform. Discussion about the convenience and benefits of using technology for home automation. Peter shares the importance of community and education in the tech industry, and how he enjoys giving back and helping others learn and grow in their careers. The magic of programming and how small changes in technology can make a big impact in our daily lives. Peter shares his experiences with the Commerce Platform and how it has helped his business streamline operations and increase online sales. Learn about the amazing capabilities of the Commerce Platform for managing and selling products online. Find out more about the features of the Commerce Platform if you are looking to succeed in the e-commerce world. Find out more about people’s interest in the Commerce Platform and the whole Commerce Platform story from Microsoft. Explore the world of integration and how it can enhance and streamline business operations. Exciting discussion on Peter’s journey to becoming a Microsoft MVP and the benefits of being an MVP. OTHER RESOURCES: Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP 90-Day Mentoring Challenge - https://ako.nz365guy.com/ This year we're adding a new show to our line up - The AI Advantage. We'll discuss the skills you need to thrive in an AI-enabled world. Accelerate your Microsoft career with the 90 Day Mentoring Challenge We’ve helped 1,300+ people across 70+ countries establish successful careers in the Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 ecosystem.Benefit from expert guidance, a supportive community, and a clear career roadmap. A lot can change in 90 days, get started today!Support the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Feb 1, 2023 • 21min
Mats Necker on The MVP Show
FULL SHOW NOTES https://podcast.nz365guy.com/434 A brief introduction about Mats Necter’s life – family, interests and hobbies Talks about Mats’ Hackaton experience Mats also discuss the challenges of working in the tech industry and how to stay motivated and focused. How Power Platform can help organizations automate processes and workflows, streamline data collection and analysis, and build custom applications. SharePoint is a powerful tool for collaboration and document management and can be customized to fit the specific needs of a team or organization. How Dynamics 365 can help organizations manage customer relationships and interactions and can be used to improve customer engagement and customer experience. The importance of understanding the needs of customers and finding the right solutions for their specific challenges. A discussion about the role of technology in driving customer engagement and how it can be used to create better experiences for users. The challenges of working in the tech industry and how to stay motivated and focused. Mats shared his insights on how these technologies can be used to drive customer engagement and improve business outcomes. What changed since becoming a Microsoft MVP Mats’ advice to people wanting to become a Microsoft MVP OTHER RESOURCES Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP 90-Day Mentoring Challenge - https://ako.nz365guy.com/ Mats’ Github: https://github.com/mnecker This year we're adding a new show to our line up - The AI Advantage. We'll discuss the skills you need to thrive in an AI-enabled world. Accelerate your Microsoft career with the 90 Day Mentoring Challenge We’ve helped 1,300+ people across 70+ countries establish successful careers in the Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 ecosystem.Benefit from expert guidance, a supportive community, and a clear career roadmap. A lot can change in 90 days, get started today!Support the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Jan 25, 2023 • 23min
Laura Rogers on The MVP Show
FULL SHOW NOTES https://podcast.nz365guy.com/432 Laura Roger talks about her family and love of food and shares a fun story about her recent trip to Universal Studios for Halloween Horror Nights. Laura shares her journey into the tech industry and how she ended up as a SharePoint and Microsoft 365 expert. Laura discusses the ever-changing world of technology and the importance of staying current in the tech field. A conversation with Laura about the process of writing a SharePoint book, including research and planning, outlining, writing, and editing. Laura’s valuable advice for those interested in writing their technical book. Laura’s involvement in the community and how she became a SharePoint trainer and expert speaker. How Laura’s company IW Mentor SharePoint training started Laura offers free training sessions on YouTube and constantly records new content for her training company. Laura’s knowledge and expertise on the Power Platform and how it can be used to benefit businesses and organizations. How does Microsoft certification fit into what Laura is doing right now? Laura shares her own experience as an MVP, including the projects and initiatives she has worked on as an MVP. OTHER RESOURCES: Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP 90-Day Mentoring Challenge - https://ako.nz365guy.com/ This year we're adding a new show to our line up - The AI Advantage. We'll discuss the skills you need to thrive in an AI-enabled world. Accelerate your Microsoft career with the 90 Day Mentoring Challenge We’ve helped 1,300+ people across 70+ countries establish successful careers in the Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 ecosystem.Benefit from expert guidance, a supportive community, and a clear career roadmap. A lot can change in 90 days, get started today!Support the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Jan 18, 2023 • 32min
Chris Huntingford on The MVP Show
FULL SHOW NOTES https://podcast.nz365guy.com/431 Introduction to Chris Huntingford's background as the Low Code Leader at ANS. Talks about Chris’ passion for using digital building blocks to create innovative solutions and his dedication to solving real problems through this process. Recap of Chris’ thoughts on the importance of good content and community engagement. Emphasize his commitment to creating quality content and building strong relationships with his audience. Discussion about Chris’ experience participating in hackathons, including any notable projects or successes he has had. Chris talks about the challenges he has faced and how he has overcome them. Overview of Canvas Apps and Model Driven Apps, two types of low code platforms offered by Microsoft. Chris explains the key differences between Canvas Apps and Model Driven Apps and how they can be used in software development. The importance of hackathons for the tech community and the value of bringing together diverse perspectives and skill sets to tackle complex problems and generate new ideas. OTHER RESOURCES Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP 90-Day Mentoring Challenge - https://ako.nz365guy.com/ This year we're adding a new show to our line up - The AI Advantage. We'll discuss the skills you need to thrive in an AI-enabled world. Accelerate your Microsoft career with the 90 Day Mentoring Challenge We’ve helped 1,300+ people across 70+ countries establish successful careers in the Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 ecosystem.Benefit from expert guidance, a supportive community, and a clear career roadmap. A lot can change in 90 days, get started today!Support the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith