What is it that makes the perfect role for a Database Administrator? Well I can’t tell you that because you and I may not be looking for the same things in a role. What I can tell you though is what I look for, what it is that makes my ideal DBA role. Last week […]
New Year New Job?
Are you 100% satisfied with your current job? Of course not! When given serious consideration most people will agree that there are some things that they would like to be different or change in their current role. The Christmas holiday season is a popular time for self reflection. The gift of time away from the […]
Being an Effective DBA Remotely
Do not let the phrase “out of sight, out of mind” apply to you. As Data Professionals a lot of us either have or will have the opportunity to work remotely. It’s a trend that I am convinced is set to increase as technology continues to integrate our working world, making us more accessible and […]
Exam 70-432 – My Guide to Passing First Time
A reader wrote in to me last weekend regarding the MCTS Exam 70-432 (SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance). Hi John, I hope you are well. I am planning to take exam 70-432 and I could really use some guidance on how to go about my studies. I would really appreciate your thoughts. Thank you. Certainly […]
Enough of the theme test posts already!
Some of you may have experienced a rather annoying volume of theme test posts in your RSS Reader yesterday. My apologies if that was the case. If you have no idea what I’m even talking about then you can completely ignore this post too :-) Ironically in an effort to improve visitor experience to the blog website, […]
Outstanding DBAs Make Relationships a Priority
In our open all hours global working world, do you ever wonder if perhaps the technology that is supposed to be bringing us closer together is inadvertently creating a world that is instead becoming more isolated? As Database Administrators (DBAs) technology enables us to work and meet our responsibilities effectively from almost any location in […]
5 Ways to Be a More Effective DBA Today
Regular readers will now that I like to talk (quite a lot) about how we can be more effective as Data Professionals. Often the advice I put out there requires a consistent effort in order to really reap the greater benefits. Take my post series 5 Days To Outstanding DBA Customer Service as an example. […]
Look How Far You Have Come
A reader wrote to me over the weekend, seeking advice on behalf of their friend, who had been feeling deflated and lost on their SQL journey. Hi John, My long time friend ****** is a SQL DBA and he is feeling a bit down at the moment. He is trying to advance himself in the […]
Start All Your Meetings in Pole Position
Let’s face it, a lot of us don’t enjoy attending meetings and can often find them to be a bit of a struggle. They may even feel like a waste of time and sometimes dare I say it, they actually are! It doesn’t have to be this way though and today I’m going to show […]
Your DBA Role is Changing. Are you Ready?
Where do you see yourself in the future? Are you working at the same company, are you working in a similar role, does your current role even exist? “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mohandas K. Gandhi Change has always been a close companion of the technology world. Technology is […]
Stop Asking and Start Making Decisions Today
Ever have one of those days where no matter how hard you try you just can’t seem to make any progress with your work? Sure you have. We all have days and moments like that. Sometimes it can feel impossible to get any real work done, with every task in your schedule requiring feedback from […]
7 Essential Habits of Successful DBAs
There are many different paths you can travel on the journey to success. There is no precise route that everyone can or should follow. The environments we manage are different, our customers are different, we are each different. There are many different ways of performing our art. It’s one of the most enjoyable and rewarding […]
Taking It To The Next Level
Have you set the bar high enough to ensure your success? You’re reading Taking It To The Next Level, day 5 of 5 Days to Outstanding DBA Customer Service. What prompted this journey into exploring what is Outstanding Customer Service for the Data Professional? Good Question. You can find exactly why in day 1 here. This week […]
The DBAs Guide to Expectation Management
Your customers expectations are their primary measure of your success. How well are you managing them? You’re reading The DBAs Guide to Expectation Management, day 4 of 5 Days to Outstanding DBA Customer Service. What prompted this journey into exploring what is Outstanding Customer Service for the Data Professional? Good Question. You can find exactly why […]
How To Really Listen
One of the most undervalued skills that an individual can possess is the ability to listen. Are you really hearing your customers? You’re reading How To Really Listen, day 3 of 5 Days to Outstanding DBA Customer Service. What prompted this journey into exploring what is Outstanding Customer Service for the Data Professional? Good Question. […]
Think Like a Customer
This is the most important and essential first step for a DBA on the journey to providing outstanding customer service. Make sure you too are headed in the right direction. You’re reading Think Like a Customer, day 2 of 5 Days to Outstanding DBA Customer Service. What prompted this journey into exploring what is Outstanding […]
5 Days to Outstanding DBA Customer Service
Your success as a Data Professional is directly dependant to the quality of service you provide your customers. Are you confident you’re doing enough? Here’s What Not to Do Recently I had what I can only describe politely as a very poor customer experience. This was not merely the result of a single conversation or […]
How to Raise Your Game by Doing Nothing
What if I told you that you could become a more effective Database Administrator by doing nothing? That’s right, in this post I’m going to tell you why doing nothing could be best thing that you have done for your career and performance for some time. In my post The DBA Ultimate Fitness Workout Plan […]
The DBA Ultimate Fitness Workout Plan
If you plan to stay on top of your DBA game then you have to workout regularly. Those of you that know me well know that I like to hit the gym on average 4 times a week and to go running 2-3 times a week. The primary goal of course being to impress the […]
Your Lack of Documentation is Costing You More Than You Think
You’ve got a mountain of work to get done and not enough time to do it in. There’s simply just not enough time for you to worry about documentation right now but that’s ok though because you plan to come back to it later. Let me guess, you’re still working on that part. The task itself […]