Microsoft Innovation Podcast

FULL SHOW NOTES https://podcast.nz365guy.com/444Ibrahim Idowu discusses his journey into the IT field, his passion for the Power platform, and how he balances work with his love of football and gaming.  We explore how Ibrahim’s interest in repairing computers led him to study engineering and how his first job out of school introduced him to SharePoint and Microsoft technology, and how he found his niche in the Power Platform. In this episode, we learned about how Power Platform is revolutionizing the way businesses operate in Nigeria.  Ibrahim talks about his experience founding the Nigerian Power Apps User Group in 2019, how the group has grown, how it's helped people embrace the Power platform, and why community is so important to him. The Power Apps community in Nigeria is actively promoting this technology, and we are seeing its impact across various industries. The Power Apps community in Nigeria is a growing network of developers, entrepreneurs, and business leaders who are passionate about empowering their businesses with technology. The future of Power Platform in Nigeria and an excellent opportunity for developers, entrepreneurs, and business leaders to learn about this technology and take advantage of its benefits. Ibrahim discussed the exciting potential for AI integration within Power Platforms, including how it can streamline business processes and improve decision-making capabilities. Ibrahim also discusses how his interest in AI was sparked during his work in SharePoint and how he sees AI shaping the future of IT. Learn about the latest AI tools and techniques being used to create smarter and more efficient Power Platforms, and how businesses can benefit from their integration. Ibrahim discusses the latest developments in AI-assisted workflows and how they can help businesses stay ahead of the curve. Ibrahim discusses the potential benefits of democratizing AI, including increased productivity and innovation, and how Power Platforms can make this vision a reality.  OTHER RESOURCES: Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP  90-Day Mentoring Challenge - https://ako.nz365guy.com/ 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/443Shadrack Kiprotich shares his experience working in the industry and how his company is using technology to empower farmers in Kenya. Shadrack talks about his journey in the tech industry, from winning awards to working on open-source projects.  Shadrack also talks about his upbringing and shares some insights into Kenyan culture.  Shadrack talks about his upbringing and shares some insights into Kenyan culture, from the food to the music. Shadrack shares his journey of discovering low-code platforms such as Microsoft's Power Platform and explains how he found himself answering coding-related questions in his commerce classes and how he introduced his classmates to the Power Platform.  Shadrack shares his journey from studying finance to becoming a business applications enthusiast.  Shadrack shares his experience of forming a community group to empower local enthusiasts and how he sees low-code platforms shaping the future of application development. He also discusses his passion for adding artificial intelligence to business applications and the benefits it can bring. He also discusses some of the challenges associated with implementing AI and the importance of understanding the needs of the organization before implementing AI solutions. Shares his experiences as a community builder in the tech industry. Kiprotich emphasizes the importance of building relationships and supporting others within the community. He also discusses some of the benefits of community building, such as access to resources and the ability to learn from others. Kiprotich encourages listeners to try new things and take on new challenges, as this can lead to personal and professional growth.  OTHER RESOURCES: Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP  90-Day Mentoring Challenge - https://ako.nz365guy.com/ GitHub: https://github.com/shadrackkiprotich  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/442 Dr. S. Gomathi shares how she first became interested in technology and how it has evolved over time. Learn about Dr. S. Gomathi's journey into the world of technology and what motivates her passion for teaching. Gomathi shares how education has opened doors for her and allowed her to pursue her passions. Throughout her career, Gomathi has been committed to giving back to her community and helping others. Dr. S. Gomathi discusses her approach to teaching and sharing knowledge. She emphasizes the importance of simplifying complex concepts and using visual aids to help people understand difficult topics. Learn the importance of lifelong learning. Dr. S. Gomathi emphasizes the need for continuous education, even after completing a formal degree. She encourages listeners to pursue their passions and explore new topics, whether through self-directed study or formal coursework. This podcast provides insight into the world of technology and education. Dr. S. Gomathi discusses her experiences with various software tools and platforms, as well as her work with Google for Education. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and education. OTHER RESOURCES: Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP  90-Day Mentoring Challenge - https://ako.nz365guy.com/ Dr S Gomathi’s GitHub: https://github.com/Gomathikrishna/D365-Business-Central-AL-Programming 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/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/ 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/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/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/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/ 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/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 Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoptionSupport 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/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 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/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. Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoptionSupport 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/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/ Support the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith