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New Year New Job?

November 28, 2011 by John Sansom 2 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: Professional Development, SQLServerCentral Syndication, SQLServerPedia Syndication Tagged With: Database Administrator

Being an Effective DBA Remotely

November 1, 2011 by John Sansom 3 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: Professional Development, SQLServerCentral Syndication, SQLServerPedia Syndication

SQLRelay Just Got Bigger Folks – The King is Back

September 7, 2011 by John Sansom 1 Comment

Cartoon Elvis

As if the original week of action planned was not enough SQLRelay just got Bigger! Three brand new User Groups have been added to the lineup and are highlighted below in red for your viewing pleasure. Wait there’s still more. The King will be returning to British soil. No my US chums I’m not talking […]

Filed Under: SQL Server Community, SQLServerCentral Syndication, SQLServerPedia Syndication

Exam 70-432 – My Guide to Passing First Time

September 6, 2011 by John Sansom 41 Comments

MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-432): Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 Implementation and Maintenance

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 […]

Filed Under: Professional Development, SQLServerCentral Syndication, SQLServerPedia Syndication Tagged With: Certification, Exam

SQLRelay UK

August 23, 2011 by John Sansom 7 Comments

[Update: Additional events added. See SQLRelay Just Got Bigger Folks – The King is Back] With the Olympics coming to the UK next year what better way to get into the spirit of things than with a good old fashioned race, a SQLRelay race! That’s right, in October the UK SQL Server community is going to […]

Filed Under: SQL Server Community, SQLServerCentral Syndication, SQLServerPedia Syndication

Outstanding DBAs Make Relationships a Priority

August 23, 2011 by John Sansom 4 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: Professional Development, SQLServerCentral Syndication, SQLServerPedia Syndication Tagged With: Soft Skills

5 Ways to Be a More Effective DBA Today

July 12, 2011 by John Sansom 3 Comments

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. […]

Filed Under: Professional Development, SQL Server Community, SQLServerCentral Syndication, SQLServerPedia Syndication Tagged With: Learning, User Groups

Look How Far You Have Come

June 27, 2011 by John Sansom 2 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: Professional Development, SQL Server Community, SQLServerCentral Syndication, SQLServerPedia Syndication

Too Many Disasters To Choose From (T-SQLTuesday)

June 14, 2011 by John Sansom 1 Comment

I’m ashamed to admit that somehow this months T-SQL Tuesday has completely blindsided me, which is kind of ironic really when you consider the theme. It’s a brilliant topic this month, hosted by Allen Kinsel (Blog|Twitter), who calls for participants to Blog about Disasters. More specifically preparing for or recovering from disasters. Rather than completely miss the boat on this […]

Filed Under: Administration, SQLServerCentral Syndication, SQLServerPedia Syndication

SQL Server Instant File Initialization (PQW)

June 14, 2011 by John Sansom 4 Comments

Bluntly put, this is something that you always want to be taking advantage of. As a Database Administrator I’m always on the look out for Performance Quick Wins(PQW). Simple tweaks and changes that I can make to the SQL Server servers in my care that deliver immediate and measurable payback. PQWs are a great way […]

Filed Under: Administration, SQLServerCentral Syndication, SQLServerPedia Syndication Tagged With: Instant File Initialization

Is There Something Wrong With The Database?

June 6, 2011 by John Sansom 1 Comment

I can think of no other simple phrase that has the same pent up potential to ignite the most colourful of discussions amongst technical professionals. Yes, it’s Meme Monday time. A creation brought to life by Thomas Larock (Blog|Twitter) that places but a single requirement on an author and that is to write something. Surprisingly […]

Filed Under: SQL Server Community, SQLServerCentral Syndication, SQLServerPedia Syndication

Start All Your Meetings in Pole Position

June 1, 2011 by John Sansom 2 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: Professional Development, SQLServerCentral Syndication, SQLServerPedia Syndication Tagged With: Soft Skills

Your DBA Role is Changing. Are you Ready?

May 24, 2011 by John Sansom 6 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: Professional Development, SQLServerCentral Syndication, SQLServerPedia Syndication

What Are You Waiting For?

May 17, 2011 by John Sansom 3 Comments

I know what I am waiting for. I know exactly what every SQL Server instance in my care is waiting for. Why? Because it’s my job to make SQL Server go faster. Identifying what your SQL Server Instance is waiting on will show you exactly where to look in order to make your server go […]

Filed Under: Administration, Performance Tuning, SQLServerCentral Syndication, SQLServerPedia Syndication Tagged With: DMV, DMV Queries, Wait Types

Stop Asking and Start Making Decisions Today

April 26, 2011 by John Sansom 4 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: Professional Development, SQLServerCentral Syndication, SQLServerPedia Syndication Tagged With: Database Administrator, Leadership, Time Management

7 Essential Habits of Successful DBAs

April 19, 2011 by John Sansom 5 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: Administration, Professional Development, SQLServerCentral Syndication, SQLServerPedia Syndication Tagged With: Database Administrator

SQLBits 8 – That’s a Wrap

April 10, 2011 by John Sansom 3 Comments

Community Corner

This weekend saw the 8th SQLBits conference take place amidst glorious British sunshine by the sea in Brighton. For those unable to attend the event you missed out on what was easily the most outstanding SQLBits experience to be had thus far. Here are some of my highlights. There were so many fantastic sessions over […]

Filed Under: SQL Server Community, SQLServerCentral Syndication, SQLServerPedia Syndication

Taking It To The Next Level

April 1, 2011 by John Sansom 5 Comments

Raising the bar of your customer service

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 […]

Filed Under: Customer Service, SQLServerCentral Syndication, SQLServerPedia Syndication Tagged With: Database Administrator

The DBAs Guide to Expectation Management

March 31, 2011 by John Sansom 2 Comments

Juggling expectations

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 […]

Filed Under: Customer Service, SQLServerCentral Syndication, SQLServerPedia Syndication Tagged With: Expectation Management

How To Really Listen

March 30, 2011 by John Sansom 4 Comments

How to Really Listen to Your Customers

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. […]

Filed Under: Customer Service, SQLServerCentral Syndication, SQLServerPedia Syndication Tagged With: Listening

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