This reflection helps me piece together the larger narrative and understand the direction in which things are moving. As a business owner, it’s crucial to balance daily operations with long-term strategic planning.

To that end, below is a curated list of my endeavors in 2023, where I’ve attempted to discern patterns and connections within the data. It’s inevitable that some aspects may be overlooked or given undue emphasis—such is the nature of data collection and analysis.

My MVP journey starts here

As an avid Excel enthusiast, I once regarded the Excel MVP status as a nearly unreachable peak, perceiving those who attained it as akin to demigods in their expertise and prowess.

It’s quite surreal to find myself among these esteemed ranks now! Being on the other side feels a bit strange, and I sometimes feel slightly undeserving, but I remind myself that this isn’t fair. I’ve dedicated years to this community, which I deeply cherish.

2023 marked my inaugural year as an MVP, and I’m hopeful for many more years to come in this role.

Lights, camera… LinkedIn

The year kicked off with some exciting new courses that I recorded with Madecraft, which were subsequently featured on LinkedIn Learning. These courses were thrilling projects for me: one was an introduction to the Pandas package in Python, tailored for Excel users, and the other was a more advanced class on integrating Python with Excel.

Generally, I’m not particularly fond of making videos. However, the process was greatly enhanced by having a team handle all the technical aspects while I focused on preparing scripts and traveling to California for filming. You can learn more about the production of these courses and where to view them here:

Python integration with Excel has been a subject I’ve been passionate about for quite a while, and 2023 marked a significant year for this topic with the introduction of Python in Excel. I’ll delve into more details about this development later on.

University partnership

Having a university affiliation offers numerous benefits. Universities maintain strong, formal connections with their students and the community, which can be extremely valuable for a solopreneur. Such affiliations provide access to a different market segment, offering a polished platform and allowing one to leverage the university’s established brand equity.

Furthermore, universities have insights into current trends and what skills learners and employers are seeking, information that can be challenging for a smaller operation to obtain.

This is why I’m thrilled about my ongoing series of analytics courses in Excel with Stony Brook University. These half-day workshops, going beyond the basics of Excel, are designed to push the boundaries and offer more than the standard Excel 101 class. Stay tuned for more details about the schedule and content of upcoming courses:

Of course, AI

The surge of interest in AI this year has been nothing short of phenomenal, almost reaching apocalyptic levels of enthusiasm. I’m among those profoundly impacted by how ChatGPT has revolutionized my workflow, opening up vast opportunities to become more productive and insightful.

In response to this growing trend, I’m developing two new courses with LinkedIn Learning on AI applications for Excel. This venture will take me back to California to record more classes, kicking off 2024. Needless to say, I’m far from disappointed about this opportunity.

Onsite training: back in a big way

Beyond the technological breakthroughs of 2023, another highlight was the chance to travel more and engage in person. There’s something uniquely rewarding about in-person training. Witnessing those “a-ha” moments on participants’ faces and being able to move around the room to energize and inspire people offers a level of interaction that’s hard to replicate in the two-dimensional world of online calls.

Here are a few snapshots from some of my favorite places I visited this year:

Newport, RI

New York, NY

Santa Barbara, CA

Miami, FL

I look forward to making my first international business trip at the start of 2024 with the Global Excel Summit in London:

Expanded partners and client base

I’m immensely pleased with the growth in both the quantity and quality of my client base each year. It’s incredibly rewarding to collaborate with a diverse range of clients and partners in my role as a data analytics trainer and consultant.

This year, I made a mostly conscious decision to primarily focus on the banking and finance sectors, while also engaging with research institutions. This choice stems from my background in finance, including a master’s degree in the field, experience as a financial analyst, and studies toward a PhD.

I share a common language with these clients, and understand their needs and challenges firsthand, making them ideal partners for my work.

A second book is coming

Writing a book has been one of the most significant achievements of my career. I relish the creative autonomy it provides, allowing me to craft a unique voice and share insights that readers specifically seek from me.

Given that Excel has always been, and continues to be, my primary area of expertise, especially with the advanced data analytics techniques it offers, I’m thrilled about my upcoming book, Modern Data Analytics in Excel.

This book aims to provide a comprehensive overview of contemporary data analytics tools available in Excel. I hope it serves as an essential primer for anyone looking to explore the latest features in Excel for conducting repeatable data cleaning processes, building reliable data models and measures, and applying sophisticated analytics techniques.

More information about the book is available at the link below. I’m eagerly anticipating its publication, which is scheduled for early 2024.

What’s in store for next year

As someone deeply invested in advanced data analysis and bridging the gap between data analysis, business intelligence, data science, and machine learning, this year has been incredibly validating.

A perfect example is the incorporation of Python into Excel. I’ve long encouraged analysts to learn Python, and while there was some initial resistance, the official integration has significantly reduced it.

Moreover, the rise of AI and its potential to automate low-value tasks has prompted a more serious consideration of the importance of computer skills in the field.

There’s a perception that AI will make basic analysis techniques and fundamental Excel skills obsolete, enabling people to jump straight into complex Python scripts and advanced workbooks. However, my upcoming courses and book will demonstrate that AI, without a knowledgeable operator who understands topics like data structuring, bias avoidance, and the distinction between measures and dimensions, is ineffective.

This realization underscores the need for foundational analytics training in 2024. Without a skilled human guiding it, AI alone cannot produce impactful analysis.

I’m excited to witness this transformation, particularly in financial services and FP&A, sectors I have significant experience in. Seeing these industries embrace technology and realize its necessity for survival is gratifying.

In my year-in-review, not only do I reflect on the incredible experiences of 2023, but I also anticipate what’s to come in the next year. Here are some of my major goals and ideas:

1. Finish the book and develop related products: I aim to complete my book on modern data analytics in Excel and offer workshops, consultancy, and other services related to it.
2. Start an in-person meetup group: Despite my global connections, I lack a local network. I plan to establish a local meetup group, as I find in-person interactions even more rewarding than webinars.
3. Expand into coaching: I wish to offer more one-on-one coaching, helping individuals achieve their goals, particularly in writing technical books and navigating self-employment in data analytics.

If you’re interested in collaborating in these topics or my current consulting services, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact me or schedule a call via my contact page:

Thank you for the partnership

I am eagerly anticipating the possibility of collaborating with you in the upcoming year and am profoundly grateful to everyone who has contributed to my journey. Whether you’ve attended a webinar, referred a client, invited me onsite, or engaged in any other way, your role has been crucial to my success.

Partnerships like these are the lifeblood of a small business, with testimonials serving as their vital currency. If you are willing to leave a formal review that I can share with potential new members of my community, please refer to the link below. (And yes, Stringfest stickers are still up for grabs!)

Thank you once again, and I extend my best wishes to you for a reflective end to 2023 and a remarkable start to 2024. Here’s to cherished friendships and excellent spreadsheets.

The post The Stringfest year in review: A look back at 2023’s adventures in analytics first appeared on Stringfest Analytics.

By contrast, you can usually tell the publisher of a technical book before anything else, even before its author. And that’s perhaps more true for O’Reilly Media than any other with its iconic animal illustrations.

Like many, I was instantly intrigued by O’Reilly books (both the inside and out) when I got into tech. Hypothetically, I always wondered what my O’Reilly animal might be. I don’t have to wonder any longer; I am a proud O’Reilly Media author of Advancing into Analytics: From Excel to Python and R:

To my tech friends, the cover speaks for itself. But to everyone else, there’s a decent about of explaining to do. First — yes, O’Reilly is a legitimate publisher that people have heard of; in fact, a celebrated one. Also — yes, it is printed and made available “wherever books are sold.” But most importantly — that is a Clark’s nutcracker on the cover, and it’s a great fit for the book for these reasons (intentional or not):

It’s an explorer’s bird

It turns out this bird is named after the explorer William Clark of Lewis & Clark fame. Is there a better name for a book called Advancing into Analytics? I hope this book imparts the same intreprid spirit to readers, that they can tackle more complex data analysis by leveling up their spreadsheet know-how.

It’s a mountain-dweller

The Clark’s Nutcracker is a pine-dweller largely native to remote areas of the Rocky Mountains. Mountain, get it? I got the sense designers like my surname when it factored prominently (or subtly, depending on how you look at it) into my business logo:

It tucks everything away

These birds are known to bury thousands of pine seeds for the winter. Similarly, this book helps you store away tiny nuggets of working with data which can be used and re-used later. For example, you’ll be able to explore and confirm insights from data using first Excel, and then reproducing that analysis in R and Python.

Operations like sorting, filtering and merging datasets is universal to working with data, regardless of the language used. You’ll be able to store away knowledge of how to do it for later, regardless of the specific software you’re using.

It’s fearless

Data rarely comes in a ready-to-consume format, so data analysts are constantly on the prowl for new sources. Now, it’s great to be prepared and tuck away nuggets for later, but if you see an opportunity as a data analyst — you take it.

My first impression of the Clark’s Nutcracker was so idyllic — high in the Rocky wilderness, they burrow thousands of seeds; what a solitary life! But a friend from Montana disabused me of this tranquility, relaying the following:

We call them ‘Camp Robbers,’ that’s the local name. If you shoot an elk they come flocking immediately and eat the gut pile once you’ve dressed it out.

Humbly tucking away scraps and seeds is great, but data analysts will really take any opportunity to gather and explore.

Come and get it

Named after an explorer, this bird plans ahead but take every opportunity it gets. Data analysts thrive with the same mentality — always learning more, being fearless to get there.

I’ve only been out West once, but plan to make a pilgrimage to the Clark’s nutcracker habitat for some O’Reilly-inspired birding. If you’re in the area, please do share any stories, pictures, or thoughts you have about the bird.

Learn more about Advancing into Analytics: From Excel to Python and R

The post Advancing into Analytics: What’s with the bird? first appeared on Stringfest Analytics.