Closing out on 2024

It's the holiday season again, already!

This year has been marked by significant advancements in Microsoft Fabric, and Power BI in specific, and I've had the privilege of engaging with these developments both personally and professionally.

Blogging

I can say I haven't been that active on my blog, I always have a lot of plans for the new year, but motivation is still not easy.. 😆 Let's not make plans this year, but just start blogging for myself and not for others or the views, and see what that brings.

5th Year MVP

One of the highlights of the year was being recognized once again as a Microsoft MVP. It’s a privilege to be part of this amazing program, and I’m very grateful for the opportunities it provides, to share knowledge, collaborate with brilliant minds, contribute to the data community and create new friendships.

Microsoft Ignite 2024: A Glimpse into the Future

One of the biggest events this year was Microsoft Ignite 2024, held in Chicago. The conference had some great innovations, with the number one being the introduction of Fabric SQL Database (in preview). This developer-friendly, transactional database, based on Azure SQL Database, offers seamless creation of operational (OLTP) databases within Fabric. Its integration with OneLake ensures near-real-time data replication, bridging the gap between transactional and analytical processing. 

Another noteworthy feature introduced was the Metrics Hub (also in preview), setting a new standard in how organizations define, track, and share KPIs. This centralized management system integrates effortlessly with Power BI, promoting consistency and enhanced collaboration across teams. 

Community Engagements and Speaking Opportunities

This year also provided new opportunities to connect with the data community through various speaking engagements. Events like DataGrillen in Germany and the 1st Fabric Conference in Europe were particularly memorable. Sharing insights on topics such as Administration and Governance in Fabric, and engaging in lively discussions with fellow data enthusiasts, was both fulfilling and inspiring. This extended beyond sessions, with early morning runs and social gatherings strengthening the relationships with old and new friends in the community. 

Looking Ahead

As we are moving into the new year, my agenda is already filled with promising developments. The upcoming Fabric February 2025 event in Oslo, Norway, is an occasion that promises to bring together the best minds in the industry. And in March the MVP Summit in Redmond will be another highlight!
It's an exciting time to be part of the data community, and I look forward to continuing this journey with all of you, exploring new technologies, sharing knowledge, and fostering the collaborative spirit that defines our field. 

Thank you for being a part of this year's journey. Wishing you all a great New Year's Eve and an insightful 2025 ahead!

Nicky. Out.

P.S. I should mention that I did use AI to create a summary of events of my blog and my LinkedIn posts. I used that as a basis for this post.

Closing out on 2022

It's the holiday season again. This year flew by if you ask me.

As I did last year, I like to close this year with a little review and mention a few of the things I did.

Blogging

I can at least say I did a bit better than last year, writing a total of 12 posts this year. I still like to get some more time for writing posts, but motivation is still not easy... On the kind of posts: I like in-depth technical ones, where I explain a specific problem or solution I've come across.

And I've also written a lot about Administration and Governance type of topics, like:

• Naming Conventions
  
• Installing the PowerShell commandlets to Refresh a Dataset with PowerShell
  
• But also a No-Code Method to Refresh One Table From a Power BI Dataset in the Service

Speaking

Luckily, in-person speaking has returned again. I think I can speak for everyone if I say that we missed that very much the last year(s).
I've had some great speaking gigs this year, like a virtual presence at SQLBits, The Dutch Power BI User Day (Deep Dive as well as the free Saturday), DataGrillen, and (both virtual) New Zealand Business Applications Summit and the Pakistan Power Platform Bootcamp.

While I didn't have the pleasure to speak at dataMinds Connect this year, I did attend it with a few colleagues, which was again awesome!

MVP

I've been awarded Microsoft Most Valuable Professional in the Data Platform category for the 3rd time in a row now! 

Learning goals

In May, I took the (then beta) exam DP-500 (Azure Enterprise Data Analyst Associate) and in early July I got the confirmation of receiving the certification!

Are you still interested in taking this exam? Have a look at my overview post.

I didn't do much reading, in books that is. I've read numerous blog posts, but not really any books. Let's up that game in 2023 and put in effort to do more reading.

I do like listening to podcasts, ranging from running (Susy Q&A, Klaas en Koen lopen weg) to tech (Knee-Deep in Tech, Kasper on BI, Explicit Measures). I like to listen to them during my morning or lunch walks and sometimes during running also.

Powerdobs

In February of this year, I started my job as the Unit Lead Power BI at Powerdobs B.V. It's a small consultancy company based in 's-Hertogenbosch, focused on the Azure Data Platform and Power BI. We now have 8 consultants (in one month 9 😀), with some backend, some front-end and a few both.

As the Unit Lead for Power BI (Sjoerd Donker is Unit Lead Data Engineering), next to client engagements, I am responsible for spreading knowledge about Power BI and also getting my colleagues excited about sharing knowledge, inside but also outside the company, through blogs and presentations.

I definitely thought my move to Van Lanschot Kempen (my previous employer) was the best I would ever make, because of the permanent employenent, less travelling and building a solid relationship and solutions inside one company.
However, I missed the point of being with my hands on the buttons of Power BI a bit, so I couldn't resist taking the chance to join this family of Power BI enthusiasts at Powerdobs. And it truely feels like a little family here! 💛

Sports/health

With a last year of running just over 1800 km's, I was a bit fed up with running in the first quarter of this year.

This year my total will be around 1120 km, so a lot less then last year, but I can definitely say I ran much more effectively. For example: I used to go running to and from the interval training at the club (4.5K), just to get more K's in. Now I take the bike to the training, so the training itself can be more effective, especially with an interval training.

On the half marathon goal (of 90 minutes): I had one try in October in Eindhoven, but that didn't go as planned. 😐

I did a half marathon today! Not the wanted PR, but still satisfied I completed it! #runhappy pic.twitter.com/rJ2sEsnVIF

— Nicky van Vroenhoven (@NickyvV) October 9, 2022

I still love the fact that all the #runhappy buddies are going strong!

Next to running I've also been doing a bit more workouts at home, being mainly pilates and strength exercises (with the Skimble app) to complement the running, and the last monhts also some yoga to start the day.

I've also been doing some cold showers and Wim Hof (a.k.a. the Iceman) breathing exercises once in a while the last year. But in the beginning of October I've had the pleasure of attending a Wim Hof (half day) workshop, on mindset, breathing and cold. So I took an ice bath! 😁

After that day, I've been consistently doing a cold shower every morning now! It feels amazing going through that stress and adrenaline rush in the morning, and feeling relaxed after a few seconds of focussing on my breathing.
I just have to get the breathing exercises incorporated more into my daily routine also.

That's all for this year. I whish everyone the best New Year's Eve and a great start of 2023!

Nicky. Out.

Closing Out On 2021

Well, this has certainly been an interesting year, to say the least.. 

I thought I'd write up my findings of 2021, and have a little look into the future as well.

And of course also for you all to keep me accountable for the goals I set in this post.

Blogging

Let's start with the best topic.. 😁 I managed to write a whopping 6 (six!) blog posts this year, of which 4 are from this month.. That is actually the lowest for one year since I've started blogging in 2011.

My goal for next year is definitely to blog more, and more consistent! I think I already made a great start this month.

Speaking

While I had some great speaking engagements online in 2021, with 7 presentations in total the number is not that high. But the winner is definitely Power BI Next Step in Copenhagen, the first (and for me only) in-person event in 2021! It was great to be back and physically meet and see friends again. Also, the road trip with Marc (@MarcLelijveld | b) & his girlfriend was quite fun.

I also have some plans for new presentations, and even have an in-person (new) presentation planned at DataGrillen!

MVP

This was certainly the highlight of 2020 and 2021, because on July 1st 2021, I received the great e-mail that I was (re-)awarded Microsoft Most Valuable Professional in the Data Platform category for the 2nd consecutive year.

I've already learned so much from all the conversations and e-mails with other MVP's. And of course the direct links to the (Power BI) product teams are amazing!

Thanks again to Jan Mulkens, Marc Lelijveld and Rishi Sapra for supporting me on this track.

Learning/Reading

While I do read a lot of blog posts to keep up with all the news in the Power BI and Power Platform world, I think I didn't actually finish any books this year. I do have 3 books still in progress at the moment which I started recently. I want to read a bit more and also more regularly next year.

I also managed to do 2 exams in the first week of 2021: I passed both DA-100 and PL-900 in one day! 🥳

BAM: 2 out of 2 👊! I also nailed the PL-900! 🥳
I found this one to be a bit harder then the PBI one, but still managed to do it quite well 😀#happy #pbifamily https://t.co/W6GRAqI8LB

— Nicky van Vroenhoven (@NickyvV) January 6, 2021

Running

Just over 2 years ago I started as a member of the local athletics club, with training on a running track once a week. That helped me a lot in getting more regular in running. In 2020 I ran 1250 km, which was way more than I ever did. However, my goal for 2021 is set to 1800 km! And I managed to beat that 1800th km on this final day of the year! 🎉

A beautiful 11.5K morning run to complete my goal! 🥳😆 #runhappy @erinstellato @SQLBalls @SQLRockstar @wstrasser @bweissman @SQLFlipFlopsDBA @NickyvV @kjonge @cporteous @transmokopter @landrews5807 @widowpage @ko_ver @sqlespresso @sqlworldwide @mwdarab @heymiky pic.twitter.com/ppmCyhM8ob

— Nicky van Vroenhoven (@NickyvV) December 31, 2021

I also wanted to get a half marathon under 90 minutes, but that didn't go as planned. I got stuck at just over 92 minutes. That's a nice goal to finish next year!

The motivation of my fellow runners on Twitter (#runhappy) helped me a lot, so THANK you!

17.3k today. First 5 on the road (4:30), after that cross/MTB/heath trails! Cold, but beautiful weather and views! #runhappy @erinstellato @SQLBalls @SQLRockstar @wstrasser @SQLFlipFlopsDBA @heymiky @kjonge @cporteous @landrews5807 @widowpage @nickyvv @bweissman @Transmokopter pic.twitter.com/MbvGDiMkqT

— Nicky van Vroenhoven (@NickyvV) January 10, 2021

So, What's Next?

2022 will also bring about another big change. As you already may have noticed, next month will be my last month at Van Lanschot Kempen.

On February 1st I will join Powerdobs as their Unit Lead Power BI! It's a small consultancy company, located in Den Bosch, focused on the (Azure) Data Platform and Power BI.

So out of my comfort zone, back into consultancy. More focus on Power BI, but also the connecting parts on the Azure data platform, so I wouldn't be surprised if there are going to be some posts and/or certifications around that.

Just before I start the weekend, a good time to finally get the news out:
On February 1st, I'm starting a new adventure as Unit Lead #PowerBI at https://t.co/LPLKTZaJCR! 🥳
Huge excitement ahead, but also sadness to leave all my wonderful colleagues at @VLKcorporate 💛 https://t.co/4ZzLrBBTmY

— Nicky van Vroenhoven (@NickyvV) December 10, 2021

I wish everyone the best, a happy new year, and good health for you and your loved ones in 2022!

Nicky,

Out.

T-SQL Tuesday #97: Setting Learning Goals for 2018

This months T-SQL Tuesday is hosted by Malathi Mahadevan (@sqlmal | b).
Besides my strict learning goals I’ll also provide my retrospective for 2017.

Data Science Program

I recently started the Microsoft Professional Program for Data Science, of which I completed the first 3 courses already. I want to complete course 4 before the end of the year. That leaves me with 5 courses and the capstone project. Finishing this program in the Fall of 2018 seems doable, so I’ll put that in my calendar!

MCSE

Ow, already 3 years back I passed my final exam for my MCSA. Until recently the progress to my next goal (MCSE) kind of stopped. I already had one attempt at 70-464 this year, but I failed… I guess I underestimated that one a bit, so that’s one reason I’m not going to take my next exam too early. I just didn’t have too much time to work on it since my recent switch out of consultancy and to Van Lanschot Bankiers. Another reason is the fact I also started the Data Science Program, and the fact that this year is almost finished. I’d rather wait a few months and have my MCSE for 2018 already.

Podcasts

The fact that I made the switch to Van Lanschot also meant less commuting, which is a good thing of course, but not for my time listening to podcasts. I’m having trouble keeping up with all the feeds I’m in at the moment so I’ll have to either cut the feeds or find some other time (during running maybe?) to listen to the podcasts.

Books

As you can see on My Reading Journey page I made some steady progress on my reading goal. Although there have been days and weeks I didn’t read, since I started tracking my progress again in my spreadsheet I see I keep advancing more steadily. I still have some days I don’t read at all, but at least now this is visible and I can hold myself accountable for that. The books I read this year have been a good mix between technical, personal skills and process oriented topics. I’m going to switch my technical topics this year a little bit to more closely match my work at Van Lanschot. In the beginning of next year I’ll write a blog post about my first months here.

Running

As for my personal goals: I completed 2 half marathons this year in Venlo and Eindhoven, with a PR of 1:38:59 in Eindhoven this October! Now on to a PR on the 10 km, 40 minutes would be a great goal, as my PR is now 44:27.

@NickyvV