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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

Think Like a Customer

March 29, 2011 by John Sansom 6 Comments

"Monkey Thinking"

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 […]

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

5 Days to Outstanding DBA Customer Service

March 28, 2011 by John Sansom 25 Comments

Outstanding Customer Service in 5 days

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 […]

Filed Under: Customer Service, Professional Development, SQLServerCentral Syndication, SQLServerPedia Syndication

SQL Server Crossword #3 – Solution

March 28, 2011 by John Sansom 1 Comment

SQL Server Crossword 3 Solution

Here’s the solution to SQL Server Crossword #3. I hope you enjoyed it. Let me know if you would like me to see more of these in the future.

Filed Under: SQLServerCentral Syndication

SQL Server Crossword #3

March 21, 2011 by John Sansom 6 Comments

To mark my 30th Birthday today, as promised here’s a SQL Server Crossword for you to enjoy. You can find the previous crosswords here(#2) and here(#1). Same as before, the answers are all SQL Server words that you will be familiar with from your experience of working with SQL Server. It’s not easy and I’m not in the business […]

Filed Under: SQLServerCentral Syndication

How to Raise Your Game by Doing Nothing

March 8, 2011 by John Sansom 6 Comments

A hammock in the sunset

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 […]

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

How to Get a Head Start on Performance Tuning

March 1, 2011 by John Sansom 3 Comments

The problem with performance tuning is that it is commonly considered as secondary to the task at hand rather than as an essential element of it. Unfortunately all too often performance is not even a consideration until there is actually a problem to be fixed. I know I’ve certainly experienced this in the field and […]

Filed Under: Performance Tuning, SQLServerCentral Syndication, SQLServerPedia Syndication

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