The CollabTalk Podcast

Episode 111 of the #MVPbuzzChat​ series. Conversation between Microsoft Regional Director and MVP Christian Buckley (@buckleyplanet), Founder & CEO of CollabTalk LLC, and Business Applications MVP Oleksandr Olashya (@dancingwithcrm), a certified Dynamics 365 Architect and MCT with experience in CRM 2015 and Dynamics 365 for CE, and a CRM Architect with 3shape. In this episode, Oleksandr and I joked about the "need" for more dance-centric development interfaces, but then talked extensively about how much of his time is focused on building out PowerApps Portals. We talk talked about some of the changes to the space, and how with the latest API advances, Microsoft has really expanded the capabilities of these portals. Oleksandr points out that while more development skills are needed to master the PowerApps Portals, the tools are more powerful than ever -- albeit pushing the limits of being considered "low code" solutions. You can also watch this entire episode on the CollabTalk YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/z3AO0PZ5fgE

Episode 110 of the #MVPbuzzChat series. Conversation between Microsoft Regional Director and MVP Christian Buckley (@buckleyplanet), Founder & CEO of CollabTalk LLC, and Office Apps & Services MVP Johnny Lopez (@rockett_15), a Microsoft 365 expert and Managing Consultant for Catapult Systems who is based in Houston, Texas. Johnny spent over 10 years in the US Navy, which is where he cut his teeth on SharePoint by deploying SPS2003, and is the President for the Houston Office 365 Community and the co-leader in the Houston Power Platform User Group. In this episode, Johnny and I discuss his passion for technology, community, and family. We talk about his background and path into the MVP program, specifically talking about the importance of mentoring -- both in how it helped him along his journey, but also on its importance as he looks for ways to give back to the community. You can also watch this entire episode on the CollabTalk YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/_tOdlI3T_BM

Episode 109 of the #MVPbuzzChat series. Conversation between Microsoft Regional Director and MVP Christian Buckley (@buckleyplanet), Founder & CEO of CollabTalk LLC, and Business Applications MVP Mary Thompson, a Dynamics Angels Guru at Cooper Parry specializing in Business Central and the Power Platform, based in Columbia, South Carolina. Recorded in November 2020. In this episode, Mary and I discuss her experiencing working with partners as a functional consultant to help them get set up with the essentials of Dynamics 365 Business Central, and shares some of her experiences in helping organizations and coaching individuals on making the shift to the cloud. You can also watch this entire episode on the CollabTalk YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/gyy0UA1zuSo

Episode 108 of the #MVPbuzzChat series. Conversation between Microsoft Regional Director and MVP Christian Buckley (@buckleyplanet), Founder & CEO of CollabTalk LLC, and Microsoft Azure MVP Martyn Coupland (@mrcoups), a UK-based Senior Azure Consultant with Ensono, where he focuses on Microsoft Azure deployments and the adoption of DevOps. In this episode, Martyn and I discuss his path to becoming an MVP (he was awarded for the first time this week!) and his career within the IT and engineering operations world. Martyn credits much of his growth and success on his participation in the community, providing a great perspective for those who want to grow in their careers, and possibly strive to become a Microsoft MVP. He shares how his passion for problem-solving and solution-building was the key to his success within the DevOps space. You can also watch this entire interview on the CollabTalk YouTube page at https://youtu.be/aTZoHXlx0sE

Episode 8 of this Microsoft employee-focused interview series. Conversation between Microsoft Regional Director and MVP Christian Buckley (@buckleyplanet), Founder & CEO of CollabTalk LLC, and Chris Slemp (@cslemp), a former Microsoft MVP who is currently a Customer Success Manager on the Modern Workplace team for Microsoft UK, based in Scotland. Recorded in July 2020. In this episode, Chris and I talk about his history with social collaboration and community management within Microsoft, and how he fell into his dream job as a CSM, moving from Washington State to Scotland. You can watch the entire interview on the CollabTalk YouTube page at https://youtu.be/89j5kVqpk_s

Episode 107 of the #MVPbuzzChat series. Conversation between Microsoft Regional Director and MVP Christian Buckley (@buckleyplanet), Founder & CEO of CollabTalk LLC, and Microsoft Regional Director and Cloud and Datacenter Management MVP Ahmed Nabil Mahmoud (@ITCalls_ANabil), a regional senior information security and risk manager for Standard Chartered Bank, MBA and PMP, and C|CISO advisory board member for EC-Council who is based out of UAE. Recorded in September 2020. In this episode, Ahmed and I discuss his "origin story" for the MVP and RD programs, beginning with his efforts to catalog all of his ideas and thoughts on technology through his blog, and how that expanded and opened up opportunities within information security and digital transformation. On the latter, Ahmed talks about how previously underserved communities are being transformed by technology, and how our collective community efforts play a large part in this growth and prosperity. You can find this entire episode and other MVP and RD interviews on the CollabTalk YouTube page at https://youtu.be/3gnQ6hZF6mo

Episode 106 of the #MVPbuzzChat series. Conversation between Microsoft Regional Director and MVP Christian Buckley (@buckleyplanet), Founder & CEO of CollabTalk LLC, and Microsoft Regional Director and Office Apps & Services MVP Jennifer Mason (@jennifermason), an author and popular speaker, and the VP of Workforce Learning and Transformation at Planet Technologies. Recorded in August 2020. In this episode, Jennifer and I discuss some of the nuances between the MVP and RD programs, as well as the many different technical paths and certifications within the Microsoft ecosystem. Jennifer shares that she is "allergic to anything with syntax and semicolons" and instead focuses on out-of-the-box features that improve personal and organizational productivity and adoption, showing how they can impact and transform a business. We also talk about the shift in the expert community over the years from the heavily dev and IT Pro-focused content 7-10 years ago to more end user and power user-focused scenarios, showing the broader adoption and maturity of Microsoft's collaboration technology, especially in this era of remote working. You can also watch this episode and others on the CollabTalk YouTube page at https://youtu.be/CUD_mOBYLW8

Episode 105 of the #MVPbuzzChat series. Conversation between Microsoft Regional Director and MVP Christian Buckley (@buckleyplanet), Founder & CEO of CollabTalk LLC, and Microsoft Regional Director Kate Carruthers (@kcarruthers), Chief Data & Insights Officer for the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, and an Adjunct Senior Lecturer in the School of Computer Science & Engineering. Additionally, Kate is a Certified Information Security Manager, and the co-host of the podcast Conversations with Annie & Kate. Recorded in August 2020. In this episode, Kate and I discuss  her path in data science and cybersecurity, and the growing importance of data analysis and insights within the education sector. Specifically, we talk about how her university (the administration, faculty, and students) are increasingly leveraging these data capabilities -- and how they are using data to provide additional services and automation. You can also watch this episode on the CollabTalk YouTube page at https://youtu.be/2lHZ6HeElqQ

Episode 104 of the #MVPbuzzChat series. Conversation between Microsoft Regional Director and MVP Christian Buckley (@buckleyplanet), Founder & CEO of CollabTalk LLC, and Microsoft Regional Director and Developer Technologies MVP, Esteban Garcia (@estebanfgarcia),  SVP of Azure and DevOps at Orlando, Florida-based New Signature, and Pluralsight author. Recorded in July 2020. In this episode, Esteban and I discuss the differences between a Regional Director and an MVP, and since joining the MVP ranks as an ALM MVP in 2012, how Microsoft has evolved in the DevOps space, from TFS to Visual Studio Online to Azure DevOps, and how the migration toward the cloud has pushed this change forward. Esteban also shares his thoughts on what Microsoft got right in their acquisition and integration of GitHub. You can also watch this episode on the CollabTalk YouTube page at https://youtu.be/pSrDNhz9WNY

Episode 103 of the #MVPbuzzChat series. Conversation between Microsoft Regional Director and MVP Christian Buckley (@buckleyplanet), Founder & CEO of CollabTalk LLC, and Microsoft Regional Director and Data Platform MVP, Andrew Brust (@andrewbrust),  founder and CEO of Blue Badge Insights, a Big Data and Analytics correspondent and blogger at ZDNet, and the Research Director for Big Data and Analytics for GigaOm, and is based in New York City. Recorded in July 2020. In this episode, Andrew and I discuss his path into consulting and analyst roles, and the evolution of "big data" into his current focus on data analysis, artificial intelligence, and data mining. Andrew also shares some insights into the future of machine learning and cognitive services, and how Microsoft is trying to make this technology more accessible for the masses. You can watch this entire episode on the CollabTalk YouTube page at https://youtu.be/vZhTl3ZsS28