PASS – Show us the numbers (you need)!!!

Michael Wall July 01, 2020 0 Comments
Let's face it, we're all data geeks. We love numbers, we love visualizations, we love dashboards (or at least know how to make them!). The PASS board said that they need a "certain amount of registrations to break even and a certain amount to make sure they keep the coffers full for next year". (paraphrased). In fact, an email even came out last week promising some numbers. Great! What are those...

Keeping the PASS dream alive

Michael Wall June 24, 2020 2 Comments
I went to a couple of sessions yesterday hosted by the PASS executive leadership and the board. Sadly there weren't that many leaders in the morning session, but the afternoon was more lively. A big thanks to the PASS leadership for putting on the time to do this. Remember, they are all volunteers as well and do have "day jobs". It was refreshing to have such a down to earth conversation with...

On PASS and what it means to me

Michael Wall June 20, 2020 0 Comments
I admit that I haven't been to many PASS Summits (two!), and most of my involvement with PASS has been on the sidelines, but my experiences with the SQL (ne Data now) Community have been almost without exception positive. I have been to many many SQL Saturdays and user group meetings and met so many quality, passionate, and kind people it's amazing. But, what has brought all of these people...

User Groups – pt 2

Michael Wall June 11, 2020 0 Comments
Last night was another successful meeting of the Oregon Data Community, virtually of course! We were thrilled to have two of our leaders speak, Jessica Aguilar, and Paul Turley, both on that Power BI thing that seems to be pretty popular... Jessica is our newest member to the leadership group and she's very excited about it. She's had a busy month with starting work at Pragmatic Works with me...

Communication – Business Continuity Style

Michael Wall June 10, 2020 0 Comments
At my many positions in my career, it has been said many times that "Communication is our number one priority." During this never ending period of crisis, poor communication between people, cities, counties, states, and countries has caused just as much confusion and delay (quoting Sir Topham Hatt of Thomas the Tank Engine fame) as the actual multiple crises! When something goes wrong at your...

On Business Continuity

admin June 10, 2020 0 Comments
Business Continuity, why is it so important? If the business can't run, it can't make money. Even more critical is the customer trust that will be lost by the business not functioning. There are quotes on that it takes ten times more effort to keep a customer than it does to gain a new one. If your company can't provide the needed goods/services, etc, your former customers will be moving onto...

Becoming a Master

Michael Wall June 10, 2020 0 Comments
I miss working with Kat. She was the one that gave me the tagline that caused me to write the above titled presentation which caused me to move forward with my life. "Novices absorb knowledge like a sponge, intermediates hoard it for themselves, and masters just give it away" (accompanied by the appropriate hand gestures). Kat told me that she was taught that phrase by a former boss of hers. I...

User Groups

Michael Wall June 10, 2020 0 Comments
When I decided that I wanted to get into the "speaker" gig, I went straight for the SQL Saturdays. I wasn't surprised when I was rejected the first time, but the second time I was a little disappointed. At that point, Arnie Rowland, suggested that I start by supporting the local user groups. I took his advice to heart and contacted the Eugene UG as you can see from the top post. It took three...

Business Continuity – having a backup workstation

Michael Wall June 06, 2020 0 Comments
I mentioned this topic briefly when I presented on HA/DR for Pragmatic Works in March during my DBA Madness Series. I got the idea from Randolph West and he said it was fine to mention it during the webinar. Since then, I've got a video "in the can" on the topic and will be posting it on my Videos page once it goes through final edit. I've been reorganizing my office due to lighting issues and...

Business Continuity for June!

Michael Wall June 01, 2020 0 Comments
It's June and it's the beginning of hurricane season! That makes me think about Business Continuity. There's nothing like a hurricane/tornado/flood/pandemic/cat invasion that can really mess up your Business Continuity plans. Have you reviewed all of the plans that keep your business running? Have you partnered with Human Resources to come up with a communication plan? Have you partnered with...