I love doing year-in-review posts because they offer a comprehensive perspective on my annual achievements. It’s all too easy to become engrossed in the minutiae of daily tasks, losing sight of broader accomplishments.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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