Show 21 – Part 2: Telling Stories
Telling Stories – more than just a great album by the Charlatans, it is a way to share the benefits of tools like those in the Power Platform. This week we are joined by Clarissa Gillingham as she shares her experience of forming great stories and some great tips for creating your own. If you would like to appear on the show, please drop us a line using the form at
Show 20 – Part 2: Just Say No
This week we learn how saying no means that you can actually say yes more often, adding more control to what you do and being more productive with it. We chat about trying not to over commit and work out when you can work most effectively. <!– –> If you would like to appear on the show, please drop us a line using the form at https://www.greyhatbeard.com/upcoming-shows. We’d love to hear… Continue Reading Kevin...
Show 18 – Part 1: News and front of mind
While we eagerly await the news to come from Ignite, Peter Rising was kind enough to join us again and share some thoughts on Security and Compliance in Microsoft 365. We first covered some interesting ideas from Facebook, sunken datacentres and debated laptops vs desktops. <!– –> If you would like to appear on the show, please drop us a line using the form at
Show 17 – Part 1: News and front of mind
After almost two months, the three of us are back together and ready to share the latest info and our thoughts to you all. This week, we think about how you can stay in contact with the latest information, discuss the Microsoft 365 roadmap and our thoughts and wishes for what will be announced at Ignite 2020. First up was the news including why you should backup your Teams chat, the end of… Continue Reading Kevin...
Show 16 – Part 1: News and front of mind
Have you been using lockdown and the extra time at home during the pandemic to try and pass some Microsoft Certifications? Or perhaps you are just interested in how you can better implement Security and Compliance in Microsoft 365? We were joined by Peter Rising this week as Al and Garry ran the show while Kevin sweltered in a tent on the Isle of Wight. First up was the news including several… Continue Reading Kevin...
Show 16 – Part 2: Microsoft 365 Security Certification
Have you been using lockdown and the extra time at home during the pandemic to try and pass some Microsoft Certifications? Or perhaps you are just interested in how you can better implement Security and Compliance in Microsoft 365? We were joined by Peter Rising this week as Al and Garry ran the show while Kevin sweltered in a tent on the Isle of Wight. We aimed to cover the following on… Continue Reading Kevin McDonnell’s...
Show 15 – Part 1: News and front of mind
Never let it be said that we turn down a challenge. We were asked by a listener to try and summarise Power Platform licensing and rather than just share what we knew, we managed to bring in one of the Microsoft experts on the subject, the very tattoed and always entertaining Chris Huntingford. Then, by sheer chance, Microsoft decided to drop the bombshell news of Dataflex and we had even more… Continue Reading Kevin...
Show 15 – Part 2: Getting to the bottom of Power Platform Licensing
Never let it be said that we turn down a challenge. We were asked by a listener to try and summarise Power Platform licensing and rather than just share what we knew, we managed to bring in one of the Microsoft experts on the subject, the very tattoed and always entertaining Chris Huntingford. Then, by sheer chance, Microsoft decided to drop the bombshell news of Dataflex and we had even more… Continue Reading Kevin...
Show 11 – Part 1: News and front of mind
This week we have a special guest as Stephan Bisser, MVP for AI with a focus on Conversational AI, joins us to talk about Bots. Part 1 first though, the news as we pick up some of the latest updates following the Microsoft 365 Virtual Marathon and some Power Platform goodness. <!– –> If you would like to appear on the show, please drop us a line using the form at
Show 11 – Part 2: Here comes the robots
This week we have a special guest as Stephan Bisser, MVP for AI with a focus on Conversational AI, joins us to talk about Bots. We cover three key topics: Why/when would you use a Bot? How do you get started designing then building a Bot? What’s changed recently? Stephan’s post on updates from Build Adaptive Cards Management System Bot Framework Composer General Availability Updates to… Continue Reading Kevin McDonnell’s...
Show 10 – bonus edition: Microsoft Build 2020
A bonus show this week as Kevin (the Grey), Al (the Hat) and Garry (the beard) discuss the news and their views from Microsoft Build 2020. We cover the big announcements as well as a few interesting ones that may have missed your attention <!– –> General Build On-Demand Sessions Scott Hanselman’s Keynote Satya Nadella’s Keynote Easter Eggs Microsoft 365 News Microsoft Lists Cortex… Continue Reading Kevin...
Show 9 – Part 1: News and front of mind
I like that but can it look a bit less like SharePoint? Have you ever heard that said by someone? You might even have agreed. We talk about how true that thought is and if it needs to be done, what are the best ways to do it if you really do have to. This week we also have a special guest joining us so big thanks to Matt Weston for giving us his time and thoughts on SharePoint. Also this week,… Continue Reading Kevin...
Show 9 – Part 2: I like that but can it look a bit less like SharePoint?
I like that but can it look a bit less like SharePoint? Have you ever heard that said by someone? You might even have agreed. We talk about how true that thought is and if it needs to be done, what are the best ways to do it if you really do have to. This week we also have a special guest joining us so big thanks to Matt Weston for giving us his time and thoughts on SharePoint. Also this week,… Continue Reading Kevin...
Show 8 – Part 2: How you work and staying focused
How is the world of remote working treating you? Are you able to work well and focus? This week we chat about how to track your work effectively with Microsoft 365 and some techniques for staying focused. How you work and staying focused We kept it to general chit chat this time but covered topics like: Tracking work and prioritising Sticking to one thing Keeping focused with music and… Continue Reading Kevin McDonnell’s...
Show 8 – Part 1: News and front of mind
How is the world of remote working treating you? Are you able to work well and focus? This week we chat about how to track your work effectively with Microsoft 365 and some techniques for staying focused. Part 1 focuses on the news and what we’ve been up to. If you would like to appear on the show, please drop us a line using the form at https://www.greyhatbeard.com/upcoming-shows. We’d… Continue Reading Kevin McDonnell’s...
Show 7 – Part 1: News and front of mind
Is governance a dirty word to you? Let us persuade you otherwise as we talk about the importance of governance with the Power Platform, sharing why you should do it, how best to do it and when to do it. Part 1 focuses on the news and what we’ve been up to. If you would like to appear on the show, please drop us a line using the form at https://www.greyhatbeard.com/upcoming-shows. We’d… Continue Reading Kevin McDonnell’s...
Show 7 – Part 2: Governance and the Power Platform
Is governance a dirty word to you? Let us persuade you otherwise as we talk about the importance of governance with the Power Platform, sharing why you should do it, how best to do it and when to do it. Governance and the Power Platform Three topics: What do we mean by governance? – what it is and why you should do it What can you do for the Power Platform? – using the tools and an intro to… Continue Reading Kevin...
Show 6 – Part 1: News and front of mind
Bucking the trend, we have decided to go Corona Lite in this episode and try and provide a distraction to the talk of remote working and certain viruses that are filling our newsfeeds. Instead, we’ll be talking about Contributing to Open Source. Part 1 focuses on the news and what we’ve been up to. Talking of open source, a little reminder about our etiquette of Microsoft 365 repo. It is… Continue Reading Kevin McDonnell’s...
Show 6 – Part 2: Contributing to Open Source
Bucking the trend, we have decided to go Corona Lite in this episode and try and provide a distraction to the talk of remote working and certain viruses that are filling our newsfeeds. Instead, we’ll be talking about Contributing to Open Source. Contributing to Open Source Three topics: Why you should – the benefits to you and everyone else How you should – a little overview of Github and… Continue Reading Kevin...
Show 5 – Part 1: News and front of mind
We are halfway to double figures and the Hat is back for Episode 5. This week, it’s back to school as we talk about learning. Part 1 focuses on the news and what we’ve been up to. First some exciting news – as promised in our last episode, we managed to get together a repository of all those great etiquette of Microsoft 365. It is maintained in our brand new GreyHatBeard Repo in Github… Continue Reading Kevin...
Show 5 – Part 2: How we learn
We are halfway to double figures and the Hat is back for Episode 5. This week, it’s back to school as we talk about learning. How do we learn? Three topics: Learning by training and certification Learning by listening Learning by doing Related links: Microsoft Certifications Phil Worrell’s podcast list (including us!) Sharing is Caring – great guide for GitHub contributors...
Show 4 – Part 1: News and front of mind
Episode 4 and our first guest! Joining us is Marijn Somers, MVP for Office Apps and Services from Belgium and bringing a beautiful hat to stand in for Al who is away this week. Part 1 focuses on the news and what we’ve been up to. Marijn Is powerapps a worthy follow up for infopath ? Outlook Spaces: the pinterest for your project Jeff Teper also taking over Teams Kevin Kevin’s first… Continue Reading Kevin McDonnell’s...
Show 4 – Part 2: Etiquette of Office365
Episode 4 and our first guest! Joining us is Marijn Somers, MVP for Office Apps and Services from the Netherlands and bringing a beautiful hat to stand in for Al who is away this week. Etiquette of Office 365 Three topics: What would you consider when sharing the etiquette of Office 365? Why is etiquette important? What are your top tips? Related links: No Hello Image by MorningbirdPhoto… Continue Reading Kevin McDonnell’s...
Show 3 – Part 2: Problems with Dev Ops in a Non-Agile World
Episode 3 is up and after some feedback, we’re going to two shows – one for news and what we’re up to and the other on the discussion. In the discussion this week, we cover Problems with Dev Ops in a “Non-Agile” World. Problems with Dev Ops in a “Non-Agile” World Three topics: Building trust and confidence through DevOps Setting up a product backlog Setting up agile friendly… Continue Reading Kevin McDonnell’s...
Show 3 – Part 1: News and front of mind
Episode 3 is up and after some feedback, we’re going to two shows – one for news and what we’re up to and the other on the discussion. In news, there’s more insights for Power Apps, more notes for Azure Dev Ops and more outages for Microsoft. Al Model-driven apps in Power Apps App Insights integration for Power Apps Power Apps Test Framework 19th Feb – Power Platform Happy Hour – link… Continue Reading Kevin...
Show 2 – Part 4: What problems will Cortex solve?
We’re back for more! This week we decided to split the show in to four smaller, easier to digest parts for all you busy people on the move. The running topic this week was the hugely exciting subject that is Project Cortex and all that it will be able to offer. The four parts are: Part 1 – News and what’s front of mind for the Grey, the Hat and The Beard Part 2 – How will end users use… Continue Reading Kevin...
Show 2 – Part 3: How will Cortex make metadata different?
We’re back for more! This week we decided to split the show in to four smaller, easier to digest parts for all you busy people on the move. The running topic this week was the hugely exciting subject that is Project Cortex and all that it will be able to offer. The four parts are: Part 1 – News and what’s front of mind for the Grey, the Hat and The Beard Part 2 – How will end users use… Continue Reading Kevin...
Show 2 – Part 2: How will end users use Cortex?
We’re back for more! This week we decided to split the show in to four smaller, easier to digest parts for all you busy people on the move. The running topic this week was the hugely exciting subject that is Project Cortex and all that it will be able to offer. The four parts are: Part 1 – News and what’s front of mind for the Grey, the Hat and The Beard Part 2 – How will end users use… Continue Reading Kevin...
Show 2 – Part 1: News and front of mind
We’re back for more! This week we decided to split the show in to four smaller, easier to digest parts for all you busy people on the move. The running topic this week was the hugely exciting subject that is Project Cortex and all that it will be able to offer. The four parts are: Part 1 – News and what’s front of mind for the Grey, the Hat and The Beard Part 2 – How will end users use… Continue Reading Kevin...
