Business Analysis Live!

Join Susan and Scott as they talk about to how to best work with teams across different cultures. They talk with the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) Account Managers from around the globe to get advice and practical tips: - Europe - Andy Grazebrook - Africa & Middle East - Koketso Chaba - India - Suvarna Veluthakkal - Asia, Pacific - Xavier Treguer - Latin America & Southeastern United States - David Rosales - Canada & Northern United States - Lia Spoltore In the discussion, the Account Managers discuss various aspects of effective communication across cultures, including: - Not making assumptions when meeting someone - Get to know the person and build the relationship - Understand body language in different cultures - How time zones are important to take into consideration - The benefit and challenge of speaking multiple languages RESOURCES: Corporate Membership inquiries, email CorporateMembership@iiba.org IIBA Global Chapters IIBA Multilanguage Resources Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠⁠⁠live@iiba.org⁠⁠⁠ or leave us a ⁠⁠⁠voice message⁠⁠⁠ on our podcast homepage.  Business Analysis Live is hosted by: - Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager at IIBA - Scott Bennett, Manager, Business Analysis at IIBA International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) is a non-profit professional association serving the field of business analysis.  As the global thought leader and voice of the business analysis community, IIBA actively supports the recognition of the profession, and works to maintain global standards for the ongoing development of the practice and certifications.   #culture #teamwork #communication

"Business Analysts are professional learners." Learning is a key skill (or is it a trait?) in business analysis, given that we often find ourselves in scenarios with limited information. Teaching is also important to the work we do. Do you know the differences between learning and teaching and how to incorporate these skills into your business analysis work? Susan and Scott are joined by Victoria Cupet, a business analysis practitioner, consultant, speaker and trainer, who has a doctorate in Education. They discuss various aspects of learning as well as how we share information with others, which can take on the form of teaching. RESOURCES: Victoria Cupet’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriacupet/ Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠⁠⁠live@iiba.org⁠⁠⁠ or leave us a ⁠⁠⁠voice message⁠⁠⁠ on our podcast homepage.  Business Analysis Live is hosted by: - Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager at IIBA - Scott Bennett, Manager, Business Analysis at IIBA International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) is a non-profit professional association serving the field of business analysis.  As the global thought leader and voice of the business analysis community, IIBA actively supports the recognition of the profession, and works to maintain global standards for the ongoing development of the practice and certifications.   #communication #learning #teaching

Susan and Scott chat with a new business analysis professional, Sachin Bhoria, about his experience preparing for and landing his first job in business analysis. Sachin has been in his role for over a year now and shares his perspective as a new business analysis professional. Resources: Entry Certificate to Business Analysis (ECBA) Certification - https://www.iiba.org/business-analysis-certifications/ecba/ Business Analysis Competency Model - https://www.iiba.org/professional-development/business-analysis-competency-model/ BACCM (Business Analysis Core Concept Model) - https://www.iiba.org/business-analysis-blogs/6-steps-to-applying-the-baccm/ Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠⁠⁠live@iiba.org⁠⁠⁠ or leave us a ⁠⁠⁠voice message⁠⁠⁠ on our podcast homepage.  Business Analysis Live is hosted by: - Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager at IIBA - Scott Bennett, Manager, Business Analysis at IIBA International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) is a non-profit professional association serving the field of business analysis.  As the global thought leader and voice of the business analysis community, IIBA actively supports the recognition of the profession, and works to maintain global standards for the ongoing development of the practice and certifications.   #businessanalysis #ECBA #career

Susan Moore and Scott Bennett are joined by guest speaker Mindy Bohannon, to delve into the challenges of difficult conversations. They share their own reactions and triggers when faced with such conversations and discuss how to approach them in a productive and empathetic manner. Mindy highlights the role of empathy in diffusing tension and getting everyone back on the same page. The hosts and guest emphasize the importance of acknowledging and managing emotions during these encounters. A few key take-aways: 1️⃣ Respect is Key: Difficult conversations can be challenging, but they ultimately come down to respect. 💯🤝 2️⃣ Focus on Objectives: It's easy for difficult conversations to go off track and become tangents. To avoid this, it's crucial to stay focused on the objective. 🎯📈 3️⃣ Cultural Awareness: Our guest speaker shared a fascinating personal experience about working with someone from a different cultural background. By fostering cultural awareness, we can create a more inclusive and understanding environment. 🌍🤝 Resources: 20% rebate on IIBA certifications (ends 29 Dec 2023) Connect with Mindy on LinkedIn Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠⁠⁠live@iiba.org⁠⁠⁠ or leave us a ⁠⁠⁠voice message⁠⁠⁠ on our podcast homepage.  Business Analysis Live is hosted by: - Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager at IIBA - Scott Bennett, Manager, Business Analysis at IIBA International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) is a non-profit professional association serving the field of business analysis.  As the global thought leader and voice of the business analysis community, IIBA actively supports the recognition of the profession, and works to maintain global standards for the ongoing development of the practice and certifications.   #PodcastEpisode #CommunicationSkills #DifficultConversations #PersonalGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #CommunityEngagement

Influencing is an advanced communication skill that is helpful for change management in the business analysis field. Susan and Scott talk with guests that have had success with influencing skills. Abigail Gaddy and Heath Butler share the benefits of using influencing skills as well as the potential pitfalls if it’s overused. Business analysts often need to work with various stakeholders, including executives, project managers, subject matter experts, and technical teams. Effective influencing skills allow business analysts to gain support, build relationships, and guide stakeholders towards shared goals and decisions. These skills help reduce resistance to necessary changes, articulate a clear vision, inspire others to take action, and promote collaboration. Additionally, negotiation skills are frequently used by business analysts to resolve conflicts and reach agreements among stakeholders. Influence is part of the Interaction Skills illustrated in the Business Analysis Competency Model. Interaction skills are one of the six underlying competencies for business analysis professionals, so influence is important. Overall, influencing skills play a crucial role in the success of business analysis initiatives by facilitating effective communication, collaboration, and decision-making. Join us for another engaging conversation on Business Analysis Live! RESOURCES: Business Analysis Competency Model - https://www.iiba.org/professional-development/business-analysis-competency-model/ The Trusted Advisor by: David Maister, Charles Green, and Robert Galford Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠⁠⁠live@iiba.org⁠⁠⁠ or leave us a ⁠⁠⁠voice message⁠⁠⁠ on our podcast homepage.  Business Analysis Live is hosted by: - Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager at IIBA - Scott Bennett, Manager, Business Analysis at IIBA International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) is a non-profit professional association serving the field of business analysis.  As the global thought leader and voice of the business analysis community, IIBA actively supports the recognition of the profession, and works to maintain global standards for the ongoing development of the practice and certifications.   #businessanalysis #influence #influencing

A Business Model Canvas is an analysis technique in the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK Guide) and is a technique taught in business schools.  Susan and Scott talk with Connor Estabrooks, who is a recent MBA graduate, to discuss how the Business Model Canvas is used to analyze a business, or part of a business.   The discussion is framed around the nine parts of the Business Model Canvas: - Customer Relationships - Customer Segments - Key Partnerships - Key Activities - Key Resources - Value Proposition - Channels - Cost Structure - Revenue Streams   RESOURCES: Business Model Canvas (IIBA Members Only) https://www.iiba.org/knowledgehub/business-analysis-body-of-knowledge-babok-guide/10-techniques/10-8-business-model-canvas/ Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠⁠live@iiba.org⁠⁠ or leave us a ⁠⁠voice message⁠⁠ on our podcast homepage.  Business Analysis Live is hosted by: - Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager at IIBA - Scott Bennett, Manager, Business Analysis at IIBA The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) is a non-profit professional association serving the field of business analysis.  As the global thought leader and voice of the business analysis community, IIBA actively supports the recognition of the profession, and works to maintain global standards for the ongoing development of the practice and certifications.   #businessanalysis #businessmodel #businessmodelcanvas

How you do you effectively manage the backlog?  Susan and Scott talk with Steve Adolph, one of the authors of The Rock Crusher, about were backlogs fail to deliver on their value.  They chat about where the Analyst role fits in this agile space to meet the needs of the team and organization.   In the book, it describes “Many organizations eliminated analyst roles in their rush to adopt agile as a development cost-reduction strategy.  In the minds of many, the product owner role made analysts redundant.  Unfortunately, many organizations that followed this path were soon harshly reminded of why the analyst role emerged in the first place.”  Steve shares his views on this an many more in this Business Analysis Live episode. RESOURCES: Book - https://www.iiba.org/career-resources/business-analysis-resources/iiba-bookstore/#purchase-rockcrusher Brochure - https://www.iiba.org/globalassets/career-resources/business-analysis-resources/iiba-bookstore/files/rock-crusher-brochure.pdf Infographic - https://www.iiba.org/contentassets/67f0d367b1ba4b0c9ba089f6667284b3/rock-crusher---backlog-infograph.pdf Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠⁠live@iiba.org⁠⁠ or leave us a ⁠⁠voice message⁠⁠ on our podcast homepage.  Business Analysis Live is hosted by: - Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager at IIBA - Scott Bennett, Manager, Business Analysis at IIBA The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) is a non-profit professional association serving the field of business analysis.  As the global thought leader and voice of the business analysis community, IIBA actively supports the recognition of the profession, and works to maintain global standards for the ongoing development of the practice and certifications.   #businessanalysis #backlog #agile #backlogmanagement

Susan and Scott talk to the organizers of the Festival of Business Analysis in Australia about the 3 E’s of business analysis.  They also talk with three of the speakers that will be at the festival in person and online to get a sense of what to expect from this conference. 1) Evolve – Sam Bowtell, who will be speaking about effective hybrid working techniques 2) Empathise – Phil Delalande, focusing on UX design 3) Emerge – Ruth Lewis, who is a qualified futurist, and will be speaking about ethical AI use and a certification program for AI auditors This is both an in-person event and an online event with recordings available for 6 months after the event.  Use the discount code BALIVE to get 10% off your ticket purchase. Get more information on the Festival of Business Analysis, the agenda and incredible list of speakers here: https://festivalofbusinessanalysis.org/ RESOURCES: Australia IIBA Chapter https://australia.iiba.org/ Sam Bowtell - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-bowtell-cst-b92a56/ Phil Delalande - https://www.linkedin.com/in/phildelalande/ Ruth Lewis - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-lewis-4239385/ Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠⁠live@iiba.org⁠⁠ or leave us a ⁠⁠voice message⁠⁠ on our podcast homepage.  Business Analysis Live is hosted by: - Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager at IIBA - Scott Bennett, Manager, Business Analysis at IIBA The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) is a non-profit professional association serving the field of business analysis.  As the global thought leader and voice of the business analysis community, IIBA actively supports the recognition of the profession, and works to maintain global standards for the ongoing development of the practice and certifications.   #businessanalysis #conference #training #FOBA2023

In our recent livestream discussion, we talked with Laura Brandenburg from Bridging the Gap about transferable skills. This is for both the aspiring business analysis professional and the experienced professional looking to grow their team. We started the discussion about crafting resumes. To highlight transferrable skills, we should prioritize showcasing our achievements over merely listing responsibilities. By spotlighting our accomplishments, we can effectively shine a light on our soft skills and underlying competencies, presenting a more holistic view of our abilities. As senior BAs, we explored how we can assist our junior counterparts in cultivating transferable skills. This involves providing opportunities for them to actively participate in meetings and gradually assume more responsibilities in projects. By doing so, they can showcase their skills in practical contexts. We also touched on the topic of transitioning into industries where we lack domain expertise. We recognized the need to highlight our ability to quickly grasp new concepts, ask pertinent questions, and effectively collaborate with domain experts. Building a network within the target industry is a good way to open doors and navigate past initial HR screening processes that may screen based on industry experience. During the conversation, the value of Toastmasters International as a program for enhancing communication skills was mentioned. Gaining Toastmasters certifications can demonstrate communication competencies, a skill fundamental to our roles as business analysis professionals. RESOURCES: Laura’s YouTube Channel, Bridging the Gap – @bridgingthegapba Laura’s website https://www.bridging-the-gap.com/ Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠live@iiba.org⁠ or leave us a ⁠voice message⁠ on our podcast homepage.  Business Analysis Live is hosted by: - Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager at IIBA - Scott Bennett, Manager, Business Analysis at IIBA The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) is a non-profit professional association serving the field of business analysis.  As the global thought leader and voice of the business analysis community, IIBA actively supports the recognition of the profession, and works to maintain global standards for the ongoing development of the practice and certifications.   #businessanalysis #transferableskills #softskills

Is facilitating change easy?  No!  Susan and Scott dig into the topic of change management with the authors of Brainy Glue, Ian Richards and Filip Hendrickx. They emphasize the importance of introducing and managing change effectively within organizations and highlight the role of Business Analysis professionals in facilitating this process.   For effective change management, it’s important to have a clear vision when initiating change.  This requires the participation of stakeholders to understand different perspectives and generate ideas for solutions.  Change doesn’t happen without impact and resistance.   The book “Brainy Glue: Making Change Stick”, is written different than others in that it is a story.  It has a plot that follows a business analyst through her challenges throughout her assignment and includes various characters that bring various perspectives to live.  There are over 30 techniques illustrated, so the book is not only entertaining and insightful, but it’s also very practical.   One of the areas that appealed to Scott is the concept of the "first follower" - a supporter who can rally others behind a new idea or initiative. Filip discusses the QR code in the book that links to a video featuring a lone dancer at a festival who is eventually joined by others, demonstrating the power of followership in driving change.   The book itself is a powerful example of a change management tool, storytelling.  It’s a technique that can be used tor convey the importance of change, making it relatable, and building rapport with stakeholders.   One question from the audience revolves around the evaluation of the need for Organizational Change Management (OCM) in a project. The hosts suggest that the scale of the impact, the number of people affected, and the readiness of individuals for change should be considered when determining the level of OCM required. They also emphasize that even smaller projects can benefit from some level of change management.   Another audience question addresses the challenge of getting people to express their true opinions during change initiatives. The hosts recommend focusing not only on what people say but also on their actions. Encouraging individuals to actively participate in small parts of the change process can reveal their true sentiments and level of commitment.   A final question relates to customizing change initiatives to an organization's culture. The hosts express the desire for change management to become an integral part of an organization's culture. They advocate for smaller, more frequent changes, as they are often easier to adapt to and provide opportunities for individuals to contribute to improvements.   Effective change management is a critical component of any successful organization. It involves clear communication, engaging stakeholders, identifying and addressing resistance, and making change relatable through storytelling. Business Analysis professionals are seen as essential players in this process, helping organizations navigate the complex landscape of change and ensuring that it aligns with their goals and culture.   RESOURCES: Learn more about the book and where to buy it https://brainyglue.com/ Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at ⁠live@iiba.org⁠ or leave us a ⁠voice message⁠ on our podcast homepage.  Business Analysis Live is hosted by: - Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager at IIBA - Scott Bennett, Manager, Business Analysis at IIBA The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) is a non-profit professional association serving the field of business analysis.  As the global thought leader and voice of the business analysis community, IIBA actively supports the recognition of the profession, and works to maintain global standards for the ongoing development of the practice and certifications.   #businessanalysis #change #brainyglue #changemanagement