Dynamics Matters Podcast -
A '10-minute' podcast series on everything Microsoft Dynamics

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Episode List

1 - Why you cannot succeed with technology alone
2 – An outside-in perspective
3 – How to create an agile business
4 – Multi-Channel Retailing
5 – Did you catch the best bits from Microsoft Ignite 2021?
6 – Why your analytics is probably lying to you
7 – Using technology to connect with communities
8 – How to build a team of giants
9 – The most important factor when choosing technology is …
10 – How data can improve your customer’s digital journey
11 – The future of retail technology
12 – The advantages of digital transformation
13 – Lessons from a retail CEO
14 – How to build a commercially successful partnership
15 – What change management is and why it’s important
16 - How to create a modern workplace
17 - The surprising things to consider before choosing ERP
18 - How your business can benefit from mixed reality

19 - How retailers can get ahead and stay ahead
20 - The Importance Of Data Management
21 - Maintaining the innovation momentum in local gov
22 - The importance of innovation
23 - 3 steps for getting the most from Microsoft 365
24 - The secret to creating a personal retail experience
25 - The benefits of automation
26 - How to measure RoI from your technology projects
27 - How to create a data strategy
28 - Transformation lessons from a CTO
29 - What Smart Maintenance is and how you get started
30 - How to build your data strategy: Where to begin
31 - Confessions of a Data Man
32 - How to land your data strategy: increasing adoption
33 - How to measure return from your data efforts
34 - How to juggle emergencies by doing one thing differently
35 - How to choose the right finance system
36 - Technology, the great 2022 enabler

Episodes

Episode 36 – Technology, the great 2022 enabler

2021 was a little like ground hog year, rolling on from the trials of 2020. But advancements in how we tackle COVID has at least helped many adjust to the changes the pandemic instigated. So, what does 2022 look like for business, for Microsoft, and for HSO. And does technology remain one of the key tools in continuing our adaption to the world around us? Find out in this Dynamics Matters podcast episode with HSOs Managing Director David Little.

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Episode 35 – How to choose the right finance system

A good finance system is central to a well-run business. It’s also central to maintaining operational efficiency. From it you can check and monitor the health of your business, gathering insight to make proactive decisions. But with many systems to choose from, how do you ensure the right fit? In this episode of the Dynamics Matters podcast series, Mark Reed, CFO of Hunter Boot, shares his views on what to look for and how to assess options as a fit to the business needs.

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Episode 34 – How to juggle emergencies by doing one thing differently

The world feels like it’s in multiple emergency mode. And for many local government authorities, and those in the private sector, some of these emergencies could go on for a while yet. Like dealing with COVID, speeding up economic recovery, managing the climate agenda, and overcoming inequality. In this edition of the Dynamics Matters podcast, I’m joined by Paul Najsarek, Chief Executive of Ealing London Borough Council, to discover how they have approached addressing them.

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Episode 33 – How to measure return from your data efforts: highlighting value

How do you know when your data strategy is working and delivering value, meeting the original goals you set? Being able to measure return on your data activities remains one of the biggest challenges in justifying investment in data projects. Data has a value but how can you calculate and record it? Your executive sponsors will likely be keen to know the detail behind the data investment, and in this short podcast you will learn how to identify, monitor and report back data ROI.

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Episode 32 – How to land your data strategy: increasing adoption

You now have a fit for purpose data strategy. One shaped to help achieve your business goals. But unless it lands well with users – those instrumental in managing data and following the strategy – your hard work will be undone. And should you land your data strategy well, how best to ensure it remains an integral part of business operation, and retains its key role and importance in directing the business to success? All will be revealed in this short podcast.

 

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Episode 31 – Confessions of a Data Man

In this edition of the Dynamics Matters podcast we’re turning the tables on usual presenter Michael. Having recently launched his book ‘Confessions of a Data Man’, we wanted to find out what inspired it, who should read it, and what they’ll get from it when they do.

 

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Episode 30 – How to build your data strategy: Where to begin

Without a strategy to guide you, your data efforts will be directionless; its value limited. You know this. But when building your data strategy, where do you begin? Your business is different to another, as will your strategy be. And yet there are a small number of things you must consider to ensure your data strategy lands well, is accepted and adopted by all, and delivers value from the off. This short podcast shows you the things to include when first setting your data strategy.

 

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Episode 29 – What Smart Maintenance Is And How You Get Started

By the end of 2021, 90% of manufacturers will have invested in technology to improve resiliency, and 20% will treat assets as internal customers resulting in 40% reduced downtime. And by 2023, 20% will support EaaS (Everything as a Service) with remote IoT. In other words, Smart Maintenance. But what is it, how does it extend the life of your assets, and how do you get started?

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Episode 28 – Transformation lessons from a CTO

A simple system set-up helps workers become productive quickly. For charities, this is an important part of operating a well-run organisation. For example, with stores manned by volunteers, this creates a challenge with turnover. As new volunteers come in, it’s important they’re able to get up and running with store systems quickly. Able to serve customers and report problems with ease.  In this edition of the Dynamics Matters podcast series, we chat with British Heart Foundation CTO, Ursula Dolton, to find out what challenges they face and how technology is helping overcome them.

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Episode 27 – How to create a data strategy

Data is an asset that, when managed well, can provide insight from which to make more profitable decisions. But as with any asset, data needs careful nurturing and direction if it’s to fulfil its potential. To achieve this, implementing a data strategy is one of the first and most critical steps. In this edition of the Dynamics Matters podcast, HSO Solution Specialist and MVP Laura Graham-Brown, details why a data strategy is critical and how to put it together.

 

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Episode 26 – How to measure RoI from your technology projects

The three things’ executives care about is more revenue, more growth and more efficiency. These are the three things your technology projects must be seen to be contributing towards in order to get the green light. But how do you measure the RoI of your projects in relation to these goals? Without the ability to do so, it becomes impossible to justify the time and expense of your projects. Thankfully there some methods for measuring return as we discuss in this podcast.

 

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Episode 25 – The benefits of automation

The field service management software market is growing, fast. According to recent estimates, the FSM market is currently worth $3.5b and expected to hit $5.9b by 2024. And it’s clear why. Advancements in technology is enabling automation of traditionally manual services. But automation doesn’t just have benefits for Field Service organisations. And in this edition of the Dynamics Matters podcast series we discuss what advantages automation offers.

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Episode 24 – The secret to creating a personal retail experience

The more personal you can make the buying experience, the greater the likelihood of repeat purchases and recommendation. If you think about the last purchase you made, this makes sense, right? And managing your data well is key to this because it allows you to create a 360-degree of each customer and their buying preferences. In this podcast we caught up with Microsoft’s Business Applications lead for Retail, Stacy Keen, to find out the simple secret to delivering more personal experiences for your customers.

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Episode 23 – 3 steps to get the most from your Microsoft 365 investment

Used correctly and Teams can save everyone 140 minutes a week. And Teams is just one of the tools you can find within Microsoft 365. The challenge is, not everyone is aware of the other tools available as part of their license, and if they are, not everyone is able to manage these tools in such a way they provide value. In this podcast, HSO Modern Workplace lead Sergio Giusti, talks us through his 3 top tips for getting the most value from these tools, and your investment.

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Episode 22 – The importance of innovation

Business leaders have never had such a fantastic opportunity to adapt and transform – to understand their customers and to harness the power of technology to create new products and services through innovation. In this podcast, HSOs Senior Account Manager, Brian Hynes, explains that whatever the mechanism, innovation and change require the correct strategy, leadership, investment, and the guts to push yourself over the technology tipping point to succeed.

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Episode 21 – Maintaining the innovation momentum in local government

Despite the tumult and heartache, the pandemic has led to a rapid – often positive – shift in the way local government authorities support and interact with their communities. It has forced each to find new and innovative ways to solve unique challenges of service delivery. Centre to this has been technology. Microsoft’s Business Applications Solutions director for the public sector, Sam Bramwell, joins us to tell us why it’s important to use this momentum to continue to improve the support and care citizens receive.

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Episode 20 – The Importance Of Data Management

Good data management is the result of many elements coming together and being managed in the right way. The right processes to govern how data is collected, managed, and used. The right technology to support this and deliver the insight to influence change. And the right people to drive change forward. In this edition of the Dynamics Matters podcast we discuss why it’s important to manage your data well, and how it benefits all concerned.

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Episode 19 – How retailers can get ahead and stay ahead

As customer buying behaviours evolve, so must a retailer’s ability to serve their needs. But ripping out and replacing technology is not cost effective, or indeed practical. So how can you continue to cater for changing needs in the most cost-effective way, whilst continuing to deliver the best and most consistent retail experience possible? Microsoft’s Colm McArdle reveals all.

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Episode 18 – How your business can benefit from mixed reality


The term Mixed Reality was introduced in 1994, used in reference to the merging of real and virtual worlds. Its practical applications have long been wide ranging and difficult to define,particularly in commercial value terms. But today, Mixed Reality, through tools such as Microsoft HoloLens, offers businesses new ways to reduce time and money in creating and supporting new products, as we’ll look into in this edition of the Dynamics Matters podcast with Microsoft’s Global Sales Director for Dynamics 365 Mixed Reality, Anna Waight.

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Episode 17 – The surprising things to consider before choosing your ERP

Cost, useability, scalability, all important things to consider when choosing an ERP platform. But there are other more surprising, yet equally important, things that need to be considered to ensure your platform of choice serves the needs of your businesses now and well into the future. In this latest edition of the Dynamics Matters podcast series, HSO Sales Director Hector Hickmott reveals what these are.

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Episode 16 – How to create a modern workplace

Having a Modern Workplace enables users to increase contribution and value. But what is it, what technologies reside within and how can you get the most value from it? The fact is, it’s not just one thing, it’s a combination – so what combination do you need and how can you extract the most value from it? All things we discuss in today’s podcast with HSOs Office 365 Productivity and Cloud Transformation Lead, Sergio Giusti.

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Episode 15 – What change management is and why it’s important

Technology alone delivers very little value. No matter the investment. Value occurs begins when you mix the right people with the right technology, plus one other ingredient. Change management. Change management drives the successful adoption and use of new technology. Without it, projects and company transitions can be rocky and expensive in terms of both time and resources. Discover why Change Management is an important part of any project in the latest edition of the Dynamics Matters podcast.

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Episode 14 – How to build a commercially successful partnership

Bill Gates once said: “Our success has really been based on partnerships from the very beginning”. Achieving commercial success is as much down to the partnerships you make, than what it is you do. In this podcast, Microsoft Partner Development Manager Richard Wills explains what it takes to create good lasting partnerships that delivers continuous value.

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Episode 13 – Lessons from a retail CEO

Siegfried Horn worked as CEO for some of Europe’s largest retailers. His time on the hot seat led him to believe there are three things to have front of mind when it comes to running a successful retail business. And in this edition of the Dynamics Matters podcast Siegfried talks about what they are.

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Episode 12 – What digital transformation means, and the advantages it offers

The focus of Digital transformation is in enabling companies to benefit from modern technology and approaches to meet customer needs in more ways, more efficiently. In this edition of the Dynamics Matters podcast, we spoke with the Chief Technology Officer of global retailer Boden, to find out what Digital Transformation looks like in practice, and the positive impact it has for businesses and the customers they serve.

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Episode 11 – The future of retail technology

It’s a consumer led retail world. Customers expect to find the products they want when they want them. They expect to be able locate and buy those products when is convenient for them. On any platform. They expect retailers to know enough about them to make buying a seamless experience. So what technology is coming that will make it easier for retailers to meet these expectations? Find out in this edition.

Episode 10 – How data can help you improve your customer’s digital journey

There’s a lot that’s been made of the importance of the digital journey when it comes to the buying experience, but why is it so important and what role does data play in helping define the journey? How will you and your customer benefit by creating a connected digital experience? Discover the answers in this edition of Dynamics Matters.

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Episode 9 – The most important factor when choosing technology is …

For the local government, technology plays a crucial role in connecting remote working employees to back-office support. This ensures responses are tracked, and next actions initiated quickly. But what are the things you need to consider when choosing the technology to meet your needs? This short podcast reveals all.

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Episode 8 – How to build a team of giants

“If each of us hires people who are smaller than we are, we shall become a company of dwarfs. But if each of us hires people who are bigger than we are, we shall become a company of giants.” – David Ogilvy. Finding and recruiting the best talent is a challenge. Often a costly and time consuming one. So where do you begin your search for the talent you need build your super-star team of giants? Learn where to begin here.

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Episode 7 – Using technology to connect with communities

The role of local government is to support, and ideally improve, the lives of the communities it serves. As the population grows and changes, this is increasingly difficult to do, so how can technology help local government authorities engage and support people better in a world of finite resources? This short podcast tells you how.

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Episode 6 – Why your analytics is probably lying to you

Analytics software is a stable of any proactive IT landscape. Used well it can spot trends in your data, offer direction, and support business strategy. But it has one major flaw: it’s only as good as the data that feeds. If the variety, or quality, of data is compromised, then whatever your analytics shows is a lie, because it tells only part of the story. And that itself may be in accurate. In this podcast we delve into this challenge further and discuss how you can go about solving it.

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Episode 5 – Did you catch the best bits from Microsoft Ignite 2021?

A recent study found that nearly 61% of companies expect over half their sales to come from digital channels in the next couple of years. At the same time, over 50% felt their supply chains were unprepared to meet growing digital commerce needs. In the recent Ignite conference, Microsoft announced several new tools to help. And in this edition of Dynamics Matters podcast we’ll rattle through some of the highlights.

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Episode 4 – Multi-Channel Retailing

It has long been understood that customers no longer engage or buy in just one way. And that providing a consistent buying experience across each platform gives retailers more opportunities to connect and sell. Yet achieving this multi-channel experience remains a challenge for many. In this podcast, Microsoft retail and consumer good technology specialist, Colm McArdle, describes why this is, and what steps retailers can take to address more customers in more ways and in the most engaging way possible.

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Episode 3 – How to create an agile business

Custom integrations. Legacy systems. Mergers. Acquisitions. Disappearing knowledge. Over time, these things serve to create a melting pot of issues when it comes to running a business, and managing data, in the most agile way possible. But the reality is they will continue. Systems grow old. As businesses grow, mergers will happen. And people will leave. So, what can you do to stymie the tide of business slow down? How can you unshackle the potential of your systems, data and people? In this podcast we discuss why having an agile business is so important. And how you can achieve it.

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Episode 2 – An outside-in perspective

When you have worked in the IT industry for a long time, you have a developed sense of things. Why technology takes the direction it does. Why Microsoft focuses in one area over another. But for someone coming from the outside in, these reasons are not as clear. And a fresh perspective is what you’ll gain by tuning in to this edition of the Dynamics Masters podcast series.

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Episode 1 – Why you cannot succeed with technology alone

HSO helps organisations across the word improve business performance with technology. But technology is not actually the route to success. It is not a case of selecting the best systems, getting them in place, and watching as results follow. Technology alone will not help. There’s a more important thing to consider first, as HSO Managing Director David Little explains in this edition of the Dynamics Matters podcast.

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