The Dashboard Effect
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The Dashboard Effect Podcast: Simplifying Data for Smarter Business Decisions
Welcome to The Dashboard Effect, the go-to podcast for mid-market businesses and private equity-backed companies looking to harness the power of data.
Hosted by Brick Thompson from Blue Margin, we demystify data analytics and business intelligence, offering practical insights and actionable strategies that drive accountability, performance, and growth.
From breaking down complex data concepts to sharing real-world success stories, we cover topics like Power BI, data lakes, dashboards, automation, and the latest trends shaping the future of business intelligence. Whether you're a CEO, operator, or BI professional, we’ll help you unlock the potential of your data for smarter, faster decisions.
Tune in to The Dashboard Effect and discover how the right data, at the right time, can transform your business.
Subscribe now and take the first step toward becoming a data-driven organization!
Learn More: BlueMargin.com
Episodes
163 episodes
ROI for AI: Why Most Projects Fail (and How to Get Yours Right)
AI adoption is booming but most initiatives still fail to deliver real ROI. In this episode, Brick and Landon unpack why 60–95% of AI projects miss the mark and what companies can do differently. From the importance of a solid data foundation t...
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Episode 163
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10:14
The Data Governance Behind Trusted AI
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick and Landon unpack why so many AI projects fail and how the right data foundation can make all the difference. From breaking down what a semantic model actually is to exploring the role of governanc...
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Episode 162
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11:40
Making Data Work for Small Firms Without a Big Budget
Think you need a big BI team and a big budget to get value from your data? Think again. In this episode, Brick Thompson and Landon Ochs share how small professional services firms can start using data effectively—by focusing on one meaningful p...
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Episode 161
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8:40
Beyond the Wrapper: Making AI Work for Data Teams
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick and Landon give an update on Celeste, the internal AI tool Blue Margin has been building to help data teams query, explore, and visualize client data.They dive into what’s worked, what hasn...
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Episode 160
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15:14
From Custom Builds to Fivetran: Evolving Our Data Pipeline Strategy
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick and Landon discuss their shift in thinking on whether to build custom data connectors or use third-party tools like Fivetran. They share the pros, cons, and lessons learned from their proof-of-conc...
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Episode 159
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7:34
Preparing Your Data for AI: What Most Companies Get Wrong
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, host Brick is joined by Blue Margin account executive Greg to demystify what it really means to “prepare your data for AI.” Rather than focusing on flashy tools and hype, they dig into the foundational s...
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Episode 158
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15:14
Choosing the Right Data Platform for Your Business: Fabric or Snowflake?
Choosing between Microsoft Fabric and Snowflake? In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick Thompson and Landon Ochs break down when, why, and how to choose the right data platform for your organization. From ecosystem compatibility and AI ...
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Episode 157
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12:46
Inside Microsoft Build: The Rise of AI Agents
This episode dives into the biggest theme from the 2025 Microsoft Build conference: AI agents. Brick and Landon unpack what Microsoft unveiled, from Copilot Studio to Azure AI Foundry, and what it all means for businesses adopting custom AI too...
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Episode 156
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8:56
Breaking Down the Latest Fabric Updates from Microsoft Build
Landon and Brick unpack the biggest announcements about Microsoft Fabric from the 2025 Microsoft Build Conference. From long-awaited features like Power BI write-back and built-in CICD, to major shifts like Cosmos DB moving into Fabric and Copi...
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Episode 155
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12:12
Why Private Equity Needs Its Own Data Lakehouse | PE Analytics & AI Readiness
In this episode, Blue Margin’s Kate Eberle and Greg explore why forward-thinking private equity firms are investing in firm-level data lakehouses and how it’s transforming deal flow, operations, investor relations, and beyond.From reduc...
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Episode 154
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18:02
5 Key Metrics for Middle Market Companies
In this episode, Brick and Kate break down the five most impactful metrics for middle-market companies to focus on when implementing Business Intelligence (BI). These metrics help businesses not only measure performance, but also take strategic...
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Episode 153
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9:35
If You Build It, Will They Use It? Culture’s Role in BI Success
Rolling out a new BI system or dashboard? It's not just about the data; it's about the people. In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick and Landon dive into the hidden influence of company culture on BI adoption. From Excel l...
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Episode 152
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9:38
Vanity Isn’t Strategy: Smarter Metrics for Smarter Teams
Are you chasing metrics that look good but don’t do good?In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick Thompson and Landon Oaks dive into the common trap of vanity metrics, those flashy numbers that don’t actu...
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Episode 151
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8:55
Safe, Smart, and Internal: Our Experimental Leap with AI
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, host Landon Oaks sits down with Azure Data Architect Mark Bender to discuss Blue Margin’s first internal leap into AI: Project Celeste. Still in its early stages, Cele...
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Episode 150
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7:03
The Future of Microsoft Fabric: Will It Replace Synapse?
Are you trying to decide between Microsoft Synapse and Microsoft Fabric for your data architecture? In this episode of The Dashboard Effect Podcast, we break down the key differences, pros, and cons of each platform to help you make the best de...
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Episode 149
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9:04
Revenue Reporting: It's Not as Simple as It Seems
Revenue seems like a simple metric—just add up the sales, right? Not so fast! In this episode of The Dashboard Effect Podcast, Brick and Landon dive into the complexities of defining revenue. Every business calculates reven...
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Episode 148
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5:55
Breaking Down Portfolio Monitoring Solutions
In this episode, Kate Eberle and Greg Brown discuss the challenges and strategies of portfolio monitoring in private equity. They explore the different approaches firms take, from Excel-based reporting to fully automated Power BI solutions, and...
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Episode 147
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20:31
Role Based Security: Keeping Data in the Right Hands
Who should see your business data and who shouldn’t? In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, hosts Brick and Landon break down the essentials of role-based security and data access control.Learn how businesses can...
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Episode 146
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8:47
From Theory to Practice: Making AI Work in the Real World
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, host Jon sits down with Lisa Weaver Lambert, author of The AI Value Playbook. Lisa shares her deep expertise in AI, offering practical advice for non-technical leaders on how to leverage AI effectively. ...
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Episode 145
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40:37
How to Build Smarter Reports with Power BI
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick and Landon discuss the importance of truly understanding your data before diving into report building. Whether you’re an analytics engineer or using Power BI, this conversation is packed with actio...
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Episode 144
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9:48
Is Raw or Aggregated Data Better for Analytics Decisions?
Knowing when to use raw data or aggregated data can make or break your analytics strategy. In this video, Brick and Landon explain the key differences between raw and aggregated data, how each affects decision-making, and the best times to use ...
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Episode 143
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7:57
Schema on Write vs. Schema on Read: What’s Faster for Your Business?
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect Podcast, Brick and Landon break down the differences between schema on read and schema on write. They discuss when to use each approach, the pros and cons, and real-world applications for busines...
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Episode 142
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6:57
Understanding Semantic Models and Data Lake House Layers
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect Podcast, host Brick Thompson and Blue Margin’s Director of Solutions, Landon Ochs, dive into the nuances of semantic models and the bronze, silver, and gold layers within a data lake house. They explain t...
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Episode 141
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10:25
NetSuite Data Pipeline: Surprising API Challenges & ODBC Solution
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick chats with Landon, Director of Solutions at Blue Margin, about a surprising challenge faced while extracting data from NetSuite. Despite NetSuite’s well-developed API, handling massive datasets pro...
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Episode 140
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7:22
How Bad Data Models Can Sabotage Your Reports
In this episode, Brick Thompson and Caleb Ochs discuss the critical role of good data models in making business intelligence tools like Power BI efficient and scalable. They cover the pitfalls of poor data models, including delayed reporting an...
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Episode 139
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10:51