Microsoft Innovation Podcast

FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/629Ever wondered how traditional software management can be transformed by innovative AI solutions? Join us as we navigate the exhilarating Ignite 2024 through the eyes of our field reporter, Chris Huntingford. With over 200 AI sessions and an emphasis on Contact Center advancements, Chris vividly captures the conference's electrifying atmosphere. Meanwhile, back at our studio, we reflect on the sheer joy of merging hands-on collaboration with cutting-edge AI capabilities, highlighting a rewarding return to the essentials like data modelling.The conversation takes a fascinating turn as we dive into the complexities of on-demand licensing for Copilot studio, illuminating the challenges organizations face in financial forecasting. We also take you on a cultural journey through London's vibrant networking scene, where we share anecdotes from our 2017 move to the UK, shedding light on the distinct business drinking culture and the unique expressions that bring a touch of humor to serious business meetings. Our experiences paint a picture of a collaborative environment where professionals from the UK and the US come together to bridge cultural gaps and foster innovation.Finally, we shed light on the rising phenomenon of "shadow AI" in the workplace and the pressing need for robust governance frameworks. Discover the latest developments in Microsoft's GitHub Copilot and the seamless integration between AI Foundry and AI Studio, promising a tailored and advanced experience for developers. As we bring this episode to a close, we reflect on the myriad of technological advancements and cultural insights, encouraging you to engage with the ongoing dialogue and explore the future of software innovation.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

FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/628  Join us as we sit down with Georgia Tsoraklidou, the dynamic HR Digital Cell Lead at SLB, who has successfully championed the integration of Microsoft's Power Platform. From her multicultural roots in Greece to her adventurous life in Houston, Georgia's stories are both inspiring and relatable. She shares candid insights into her journey—how an unexpected interview question led her to embrace the Power Platform, despite having no prior knowledge. This episode not only highlights her professional achievements but also delves into her passions for language, travel, and savouring the world's diverse cuisines.Our conversation takes you inside SLB's innovative approach to digital transformation, fueled by a network of 'agents' spreading Power Platform expertise company-wide. Discover how the pandemic accelerated SLB's digital efforts and learn about the creative solutions these agents devised—from emergency response apps to automating routine processes. Georgia's experiences underline the importance of curiosity and the willingness to embrace change, ensuring you leave with fresh insights on balancing technical prowess with a lifelong love for learning. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or a curious listener, Georgia's journey offers a unique perspective on thriving in a rapidly evolving world. 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

FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/627 Discover the incredible journey of Manonmani VS, a Microsoft MVP who has risen to prominence within the Microsoft Dynamics community. From her beginnings in Coimbatore, India, to her current role as a community leader in Sydney, Manonmani shares her transformative story of breaking into the tech industry despite initial challenges. Her passion for Microsoft Dynamics CRM not only propelled her career but also turned her into a serial community leader, avid event organizer, and influential speaker. Manonmani's reflections on embracing diverse cultures and savouring cuisines add a personal touch to her professional narrative, offering inspiration for aspiring MVPs and tech enthusiasts.Join us as we explore Manonmani's impactful work in aligning CRM systems across multiple regions, showcasing her resilience and strategic acumen. She reveals her commitment to building inclusive tech communities, empowering women in tech, and nurturing IT career transitions through initiatives like IT Transfer Launch. Her transition from an introvert to a key leader in the Asian Microsoft Business Applications User Group demonstrates the power of personal growth and community engagement. This episode is a testament to the strength of active, inclusive tech communities and the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in the constantly evolving tech landscape.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

FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/626  Discover how a mathematician from Hyderabad became a leading voice in the tech community. Join us for an episode that chronicles Vibhuti Dadhich's fascinating journey from numbers to code, illuminating her passion for low-code development on the Microsoft Power Platform. With a focus on creating "mega apps" that transform business operations, Vibhuti shares her insights into leveraging these robust solutions for long-term enterprise success. Her personal narrative intertwines with the dynamic growth she has witnessed in Hyderabad, providing a compelling backdrop to her endeavors in technology.In our second segment, we unravel the powerful impact of AI in intelligent document processing, revealing how it's reshaping industries worldwide. Listen as we discuss the surge in demand for AI-driven automation, tackling everything from sales order generation to advanced integrations with tools like Microsoft Teams and SAP databases. As organizations navigate adopting AI, we delve into the complexities of choosing between standard ERP connectors and crafting custom integrations for optimized efficiency. This episode is brimming with actionable insights for anyone looking to harness the potential of AI and the Power Platform in today's digital landscape.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

FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/625What if you could revolutionize your coding process with tools designed by a Microsoft MVP? Join us as we chat with Andrzej Zwierzchowski, a 2023 MVP awardee and development standards lead at TNP, the NAV people. With over twenty years of experience in .NET development, Andrzej has been instrumental in helping developers transition from CAL to AL languages using innovative tools available on the Visual Studio Code Marketplace. He shares his passion for writing clean, efficient code and highlights how these tools, developed since 2017, incorporate wizards and code-cleaning commands to simplify coding tasks.We also explore the vibrant community that thrives around these tools, where feature requests and improvements are actively discussed on GitHub. Andrzej opens up about his journey to becoming an MVP and how it has granted him invaluable insider access to Microsoft. He discusses his role as a development standards lead and involvement in significant projects across the education and production sectors. Wrapping up, we ponder the impact of AI on development work, from enhancing problem-solving to generating code, while acknowledging the challenges posed by current documentation limitations.OTHER RESOURCES: Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP  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

FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/624Balancing work and personal life is no small feat—in fact, it might just be one of the great challenges of our time. Imagine juggling a demanding career, family responsibilities, and personal interests, all while society whispers that you should be "having it all." Our candid chat opens with a humorous nod to Chris's gym escapades, setting the stage for a deep dive into the pressures of modern work life. As Anna bravely shares her battles with workaholism, the conversation shifts towards the necessity of setting boundaries and managing stress effectively. We take a closer look at the often overlooked pressures women face, questioning the myth of seamlessly balancing career and family life. Our discussion navigates the delicate dynamics between colleagues who are parents and those who aren't, illuminating the subtle tensions and misunderstandings that can arise. We examine how societal norms often steer us towards work-centric identities, sometimes at the expense of personal fulfillment and identity. Through our reflections, we expose the slippery slope to workaholism, where personal interests and family connections can be sidelined in the pursuit of career success. In a world where the lines between work and personal life blur more than ever, we explore the concept of work-life integration as a more fluid approach to achieving harmony. Sharing personal anecdotes, we highlight the importance of crafting a personal rhythm that incorporates family time, hobbies, and self-care. By challenging traditional notions of work-life balance, we advocate for a lifestyle that resonates with individual values and desires, free from societal expectations. Join us as we unravel these complexities and offer insights into fostering environments that nurture both personal well-being and professional productivity. 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

FULL SHOW NOTEShttps://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/623 Microsoft's Carl de Souza, a FastTrack Senior Solution Architect, joins us to share his passion for life beyond the office. We explore Carl's journey, spotlighting his deep love for food, family, and travel adventures to unique places like Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Carl reveals his secrets to balancing a dynamic career with an adventurous personal life, and how his portfolio website serves as a testament to his ongoing professional growth and technical expertise.Shifting gears, we explore the transformative world of Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS) and its cutting-edge integration with AI technologies. Discover how Microsoft's strategic evolution from a comprehensive Digital Contact Center Platform to more modular offerings like AI-driven sentiment analysis and voice recognition is reshaping digital contact centers. We also highlight the monumental impact of Microsoft's acquisition of Nuance, particularly in revolutionizing the medical field with advanced voice recognition.Finally, we delve into the cutting-edge PowerApps Component Framework (PCF) and its game-changing role in app development within the Microsoft ecosystem. Uncover how thoughtful software design with PCF controls can dramatically enhance user experience, offering superior customization compared to traditional web resources. Our discussion also highlights the rapidly evolving landscape of AI co-pilots, noting the importance of a seamless interface that simplifies interactions with multiple AI applications, paving the way for a more intuitive and efficient future in business technology.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

FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/622 Agnius Bartninkas, a Microsoft MVP and the dynamic COO of Definra, takes center stage in this episode as we explore his intriguing journey from tech to the tantalizing world of mixology. Curious about how an expert in Power Automate Desktop crafts the perfect Mai Tai? Or why a Baby Guinness shot became a significant discovery? Agnius shares personal anecdotes of cocktail adventures, revealing a newfound passion that blends his technical precision with creative flair. Get ready to be inspired by stories of crafting cocktails that capture the essence of far-off places like Waikiki, Hawaii.The conversation deepens as we navigate Agnius' path into Robotic Process Automation (RPA), a venture that started with humble beginnings in programming. Learn how opportunities in an international manufacturing company led him to the forefront of process automation. With insights into the impact of Microsoft's acquisition of Softomotive and the strategic role of Power Automate, Agnius recounts the growth of his family-run business, Robo Virgin, a testament to self-learning, adaptability, and the power of collaboration. This is not just about automation; it's about the relentless pursuit of innovation and the creation of meaningful solutions.As we look to the future, discover the possibilities of AI in email management and the potential for AI-powered co-pilot tools. Agnius shares his journey to becoming a Microsoft MVP, highlighting the integral role of community engagement and content creation on LinkedIn and Discord. Agnius joins us to offer her expertise on business applications, industry trends, and best practices. This episode is a rich tapestry of professional wisdom and personal enthusiasm, perfect for those passionate about technology, creativity, and the exciting prospects of AI.OTHER RESOURCES: Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP  iloveautomation: https://discord.gg/iloveautomation  Quora profile: https://www.quora.com/profile/Agnius-Bartninkas-1 GitHub: https://github.com/AgniusBartninkas/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

FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/621 After facing personal trials like a stroke and witnessing the havoc of severe flooding in Valencia, we find ourselves reminded of life's fleeting nature and the growing threat of unpredictable weather patterns. These experiences underscore the urgent need to cherish our connections and confront the realities of climate change. Join our heartfelt discussion as we also unpack the essence of trust in business, inspired by insights from Rachel Roberts. We'll touch on the critical importance of intentional collaboration when integrating groundbreaking technologies like AI and quantum computing, fostering a future that's both innovative and resilient.Explore the maze of AI adoption, where executive urgency often collides with the fear of missing out. We demystify the common misconceptions fueled by media narratives and dissect the necessity for strategic planning and AI literacy within organizations. Understand the parallels to past technology rollouts that left users bewildered, ensuring this time around, AI's potential doesn't just flicker but shines bright. Our conversation is a beacon for leaders aiming to navigate AI's complex landscape with foresight and efficacy.Step into a world where voice technology and generative AI are poised to redefine daily interactions. From the intuitive ease of finding products to the seamless experience of voice-driven transactions, we ponder the future of human-computer interaction. Yet, the shift from tactile to voice interfaces isn't without its hurdles, reminiscent of early resistance to then-novel video conferencing. Reflect with us on the blend of excitement and skepticism these advancements bring, and consider how they may shape the way we connect with technology and each other.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

FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/620  Emma-Claire Shaw, a dynamic low-code product manager and consultant at Defra in the UK, brings her vibrant personality to our latest discussion. With a bustling family life, including two young daughters and a dog, Emma balances her work with a passion for social activities such as music festivals and fitness through early morning gym sessions and trail running. Her intriguing relationship with food reveals a chocoholic side matched with a deep interest in nutrition and a primarily plant-based diet. We unravel her insights into the latest gut health trends, where she shares her experiences with nutrition and I reveal my experiments with Celtic salt for weight management.Our conversation takes a fascinating twist into the world of Microsoft Power Platform, as Emma shares her journey of implementing transformative low-code solutions in government operations. Her experiences highlight the impact of Power Apps in streamlining processes such as fleet vehicle logs and port inspections at Defra, showcasing the potential for increased efficiency in the public sector. We also reflect on the significant role of Microsoft 365 and the evolution of tech adoption in government, sharing compelling stories from around the world, including innovative uses of similar technology in container inspections in Australia.As we round off our episode, we dive into the digital transformation efforts of environmental agencies in the UK, focusing on initiatives like the Environment Agency's efficient fishing rod license verification via Power App. Emma discusses the ongoing challenges with offline data access in remote areas and shares strategies that have been successfully deployed elsewhere, such as in Western Australia. We also delve into Natural England's modernization of its licensing schemes, marking a shift from paper-based forms to a centralized digital platform, reflecting a broader move towards operational efficiency and innovation in government processes. Join us for this captivating narrative that weaves together technology, lifestyle, and wellness.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