BA Brew - A Business Analysis Podcast
Our podcast is a chance to tune into our musings on a range of subjects from the use of business analysis tools and techniques to the books we like that are helpful for business change professionals.
Episodes
How to Improve Digital Change Collaboration: An Introduction to Service Frameworks (feat. Chris Pyatt and Victoria Banner)
Service frameworks are a powerful yet often overlooked tool that can fundamentally change how teams understand, collaborate, and achieve outcomes.In this episode of BA Brew, Jonathan Hunsley from AssistKD is joined by Chris Pyatt and Victoria Banner to discuss how service frameworks help business analysts, business architects and service designers clarify their value, improve collaboration and nav
Business Analysis Mode: Stuck On (feat. Stu Mullinger)
Once you learn business analysis skills, do they ever really switch off?In this episode of BA Brew, Mike, Ruth, Kerry and Stu discuss how BA thinking becomes embedded into everyday life - shaping how we solve problems, make decisions and interact with others.The discussion covers:Why BA skills naturally carry over into everyday situationsReal-life examples of using BA thinking outside of workWhen
Informal Networks & Gossip in Business Analysis (feat. Carlos Pullen-Ferreira)
Informal networks are one of the most powerful – and often overlooked - forces in organisations. For Business Analysts, understanding how information really flows can make the difference between struggling with change and successfully influencing it.In this episode of BA Brew, Jonathan Hunsley is joined by Michelle, Fiona and Carlos to explore the role of gossip and informal networks in the workpl
Active Listening for Business Analysts (feat. Craig Rollason and Corrine Thomas)
Active listening is one of the most valuable skills a Business Analyst can develop — and one of the easiest to get wrong. In this episode of BA Brew, Jonathan Hunsley from AssistKD is joined by Craig Rollason and Corrine Thomas to discuss how active listening helps business analysts build trust, improve stakeholder conversations and gather better requirements. The discussion covers: What active li
Supporting the Next Generation of BAs with the YBA (feat. Joanne Fahy and Joseph Haslam)
What’s it really like starting out as a Business Analyst - and how do you avoid feeling isolated, overwhelmed or “behind” in your early career? In this episode of The BA Brew, Mike is joined by Joe and Jo from the Young Business Analysts (YBA) - a fast‑growing, volunteer‑led community designed to support Business Analysts aged 35 and under. They discuss: Why YBA was created and the gap it set out
The Professional BA (feat. Laurens de Rooij)
What does it really mean to be a “professional” Business Analyst? In this episode of BA Brew, Kerry is joined by Laurens and Lisa to explore professionalism in business analysis – from preparation and mindset to qualifications, growth, and career progression.They discuss:What professionalism means in a BA contextTheir journeys through the BCS International & Advanced DiplomasAchieving CITP sta
Communities of Practice (feat. Anthony Thompson and Mark Thompson)
Being part of a Community of Practice allows BAs to share knowledge and best practice, mentor or be mentored, and have a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities. But some of the benefits are less tangible. In this lively chat, Anthony Thompson and Mark Thompson of Close Brothers discuss the value of Communities of Practice with the Brew Crew. Anthony Thompson and Mark Thompson are
Accessibility (feat. Adam Pearson)
In this informative BA Brew Adam Pearson talks to the Crew about why BAs need to develop an accessibility mindset and how he, as a registered blind person, has used his BA skills to help to make it easier to both generate and consume accessible content.Topics discussed: why accessibility must be considered from the start of every project; useful tools for generating accessible content and for cons
Mental Monsters (feat. Helen Holder)
Helen Holder developed an idea to help her children talk about their fears during lockdown – and it proved to be highly effective. Now Helen is using the same powerful visualisation technique to help business change professionals name, and tame, their self-limiting beliefs. In this mindset-challenging BA Brew, Helen and the Brew Crew discuss common 'Mental Monsters’ and share some practical strate
Transferable Skills (feat. Lisa Croft)
If you have relevant transferable skills, it is possible to change careers at any time of life. In this thought-provoking episode, Lisa Croft of Herd Consulting and AssistKD’s Amanda Christianson talk about transferable skills with host Jonathan Hunsley. Relevant skills discussed include: stakeholder engagement; customer service; teamwork; data analysis; problem-solving; taking a holistic view; an
BA of the Year Award Special (feat. Mark Cross and Kay Hardy)
If you’ve ever considered applying for the Business Analyst of the Year Award, this BA Brew special is for you. Current BA of the Year Mark Cross and 2024 winner Kay Hardy discuss what inspired them to apply, and some of the unexpected benefits of taking part. FURTHER RESOURCES Visit our BA of the Year page Assist’s Learning Zone is packed with free learning resources, with new and topical conten
The Balanced Business Analyst: Stretch goals and The Holistic Approach (feat. Jennie Macdonald)
In this stressbusting BA Brew, special guest and yoga teacher Jennie Macdonald talks to the Brew Crew about how yoga, mindfulness, and something as simple as a breathing technique can foster balance, calm and resilience in your work and home life. Jennie and Ruth recommend the following online Yoga and Mindfulness resources: Yoga with Adriene is a particularly good entry point – well worth subscr
Mind The (Service) Gap
Bad service appears to be on the increase… why? Could it be because organisations are forgetting about the needs of the customer or are not sufficiently involving BAs, Service Designers or Business Architects? Debra Paul, Jonathan Hunsley and Mike Williams share a few ‘tales of woe’ and discuss some of their favourite trouble-shooting tools and techniques. Techniques discussed include scenario an
Digital Solutions and the Role of the BA (feat. Catherine Plumridge)
Could BAs be the new digital solutions superheroes? This week’s BA Brew, which features special guest Catherine Plumridge, looks at how the skills of BAs plug into digital solutions across every element of the BA Service Framework. Questions addressed in the chat include: Could the BA role in the future embrace the development of digital solutions, using no-code platforms and AI? How does using t
Business Analysis and All That Jazz (feat. Dominic Ready and Claire Chaundy)
In this music-themed BA Brew, three piano-playing business analysts identify and draw parallels between business analysis and music, highlighting interesting similarities and connections. Claire Chaundy compares mentoring in music and in business analysis. AssistKD’s Stuart Mullinger discusses BA tools and techniques and the musical standards. And Dominic Ready (who also performs the intro and ou
Beesiness Analysis – Lessons from the Hive (feat. Mick Brian)
In this week’s BA Brew, Kerry Adams chats to avid beekeepers Mike Williams and Mick Brian about what business analysts can learn from the organisation of a beehive – including how the bees communicate, make decisions, and allocate their resources. Interesting facts include the many different jobs of the worker bees (they don’t just collect pollen) and the intricacies of the ‘waggle dance’. FURTH
Why BA Techniques are Useful (feat. Carlos Pullen-Ferreira)
Ready for some BA toolbox inspiration? This BA Brew is all about business analysis techniques, and how to apply them. Podcast guest Carlos Pullen-Ferreira waxes lyrical about the Requirements Traceability Matrix and User Stories; Debbie sings the praises of Data Models, the CRUD Matrix and a good Value Stream Diagram; and finally Jonathan puts a word in for GAP Analysis and can’t resist talking (o
The Butterfly Effect of Inspiration (feat. Simon Platt and Charlotte Neill)
According to Simon Platt, every one of us, regardless of our age, job, title or background, has it within us to inspire others – even if we don’t always realise it. Simon lived in the same village as Sir Captain Tom Moore, and observed close at hand how a simple idea lifted the nation’s spirits in lockdown and raised £39 million for NHS charities. In this uplifting BA Brew, Simon talks to the Crew
Trilogy Pete: The Digital Solutions Series
AssistKD’s Product Strategy Director Pete Thompson is the author of the new BCS Digital Solutions series. In this BA Brew Pete, explains how he saw the need for an up to date, comprehensive body of knowledge for business and IT professionals, and talks about the process of writing the three books – Defining Digital Solutions, Designing Digital Solutions and Delivering Digital Solutions. Topics dis
Business Service Architecture (feat. Debra Paul and Jonathan Hunsley)
hat is Business Service Architecture, and why is it important to business change professionals? In this BA Brew, Debra Paul and Jonathan Hunsley, authors of Business Architecture: A Comprehensive Guide, answer these question, and more. All too often, services and products just don’t work, resulting in poor outcomes for customers and other stakeholders. Business Service Architecture takes an ecosys
The 100th BA Brew (feat. Fabricio Laguna)
For the 100th Brew we decided to do something completely different. Fabricio Laguna joins the Crew for an in real time SWOT analysis of the BA profession – captured heroically by Jonathan on Mural – and available to download as a PDF here.Watch out for when everyone shares the one thing they would do to take the profession forward… (did anyone say ‘Empress of Business Analysis’?)Fabricio Laguna is
The Effective CEO (feat. Byron Morrison)
Everyone who watches this leadership focused BA Brew with Byron Morrison can think of someone they’d like to share it with. It’s packed with nuggets of wisdom from the author of ‘The Effective CEO 2.0’, including… At 2’ 41 – how to deal with overwhelm At 7’ 19 – moving from ‘doing’ to ‘leading’ At 14’ 01 – are you setting your team up for success… or failure? At 20’ 37 – what is your ‘Zone of Gen
The BASF vs A Tailored Approach (feat. Danny Kalkhoven)
BA Brew guest Danny Kalkhoven warns against sticking too strictly to business models (such as the BA Service Framework) and recommends adapting them to context. Jonathan is impressed by Danny’s inspired analogy – applying a business model without context is like turning up at a building site with a shiny new drill and asking where you can use it. Danny quotes British Statistician George E.P. Box:
Adopting AI: A Business Analyst's Journey
What AI tools do you use as a BA? Business change consultant Mick Brian is an early adopter and expert on the subject. In this thought-provoking BA Brew, he discusses the challenges and rewards of introducing an LLM (Large Language Model) into a large organisation. Topics covered include: why the input of BAs is essential when introducing AI tools; the intangible benefits of LLMs; why you need to
Mischief Management (Feat. Karen Newnham)
Have you ever wrestled with a box of tangled cables and leads… or tried to get the knot out of the chain of a necklace? Some business change problems can be as challenging. Change expert and BA leader Karen Newnham joins the crew to discuss engaging with stakeholders to tackle complex, persistent problems (otherwise known as ‘Mischief Management’.) Karen Newnham was also the special guest on BA Br
Cybersecurity and Business Analysis (Feat. Bindu Channaveerappa)
What’s all the fuss about cybersecurity? And why do business analysts need to understand it? Cybersecurity and business analysis expert Bindu Channaveerappa is the special guest on this week’s BA Brew, where she argues that an understanding of cybersecurity is now integral to the work of the BA. “When we create the value, why leave the security to someone else?” Bindu Channaveerappa is a highly
Business Architecture – A Comprehensive Guide
This BA Brew focuses on the newly published ‘Business Architecture: a comprehensive guide.’ Authors Jonathan Hunsley and Debra Paul and contributing author Victoria Banner discuss the ‘why’ of the book; the joy of collaborating and sharing ideas; and some of their favourite content including: - leveraging capability to meet goals and outcomes using the CALM model - comparing the business archite
The Games People Play (Feat. Mandy Green)
Difficult stakeholders or colleagues? Help is at hand! How we (and others) react in response to challenging situations at work – especially where there is resistance to change – is explained by the Transactional Analysis model. This week’s special guest, and an expert on #transactionalanalysis, is Leadership Development Consultant and MD Mandy Green. Watch the Brew to find out more about the ego
Customer Experience Analysis
In AssistKD’s latest Business Analysis podcast the team discuss why every touchpoint of the customer journey matters... and how a deeper understanding of the customer experience can only benefit organisations and the wider economy. Kerry, Mike and Jonathan get some serious mileage out of a restaurant analogy and Mike gets extra brownie points for mentioning POPIT™️within the first two minutes of t
Can an MBA help your BA career? (feat. Christina Tan)
Are you a Business Analyst considering your next career move? Our latest BA Brew considers an academic route for BAs and how a Master of Business Administration (MBA) postgraduate degree could revitalise your career. AssistKD’s Debbie Paul and Lisa Hudson are joined by IIBA UK Director and Transformation Consultant at Burendo Christina Tan to talk about their respective MBA journeys. They discuss
Seasons Greetings from the BA Brew Crew
In AssistKD’s 2024 BA Brew Christmas message the Crew discuss what they are most looking forward to about Christmas and share some very cheesy jokes. Lisa and Kerry are excited about Christmas Day; Mike (or is it Santa?) is going to parkrun, Pete does not need any more socks, and Jo is looking forward to playing Cards Against Humanity with her 90-year-old Grandad! #merrychristmas #BABrew #business
The BA Market (feat. Michelle Shakesheff & Jamie Toyne)
Do we need a rebrand of the business analyst role? Experts in the field Debra Paul, Jamie Toyne and Michelle Shakesheff put their heads together to discuss the current BA market, and the ongoing implications for BAs. Topic discussed include: the current demand for BAs; recruitment challenges; the need for a broad BA skillset; rebranding the BA role; changing the narrative; role clarity; the need f
Character Crafting (feat. Helen Holder)
Have you heard of Character Crafting and how it can be used to build resilience and leadership skills? In this enlightening chat our special guest, Helen Holder, discusses the positive character traits and behaviours central to the BA role… and how we can develop and maintain them. Topics discussed include: the Personal Strength inventory; character vs. the cult of personality; identifying your c
BA Apprentice of the Year (feat. Lorna Mylett)
Do you love a success story? BA Apprentice of the Year 2024 Lorna Mylett is this week’s special BA Brew guest. She shares her experience of the Business Analyst Apprenticeship supported by her employers DWP, and AssistKD. Topics discussed include: learning and applying new skills and understanding; the value of learning as part of a group and having a mentor; and what it’s like to be thrown at th
Creative Thinking
Tricky business problem? Get those (creative) thinking caps on! In this week’s BA Brew the Crew discuss how creative thinking can help business change professionals challenge the status quo, think expansively and come up with effective solutions. Questions addressed include: What is creative thinking? How can you create an environment for creative thinking? What are the potential barriers? What ar
Psychological Safety (feat. Emma Lee)
If you have ever wanted to know more about psychological safety this brew is a one not to be missed. Jonathan Hunsley and Philippa Thomas are joined by Emma Lee (Chief Psychologist at Matthew Syed Consulting and registered psychologist) to discuss this important topic.Collectively they explore questions such as:▶️What is psychological safety?▶️Why is psychological safety important?▶️How does psych
History of the BA Conference (feat. Shane McGlynn, Rachael Levermore and James Archer)
In this special BA Conference Europe BA Brew, AssistKD CEO Debra Paul is joined by three BA Conference legends: Shane McGlynn, Rachel Levermore, and James Archer (who started the ball rolling in the first place!) The BA Conference Europe is Europe’s foremost Business Analysis conference, which has evolved over the past 16 years to over 500 attendees and 6 streams of talks. This BA Brew celebrate
Learning Styles (feat. Cat Warren)
Are you an Activist, a Theorist, a Pragmatist or a Reflector? Our latest BA Brew could help you find out and get the most from your learning. The Brew Crew are joined by former Apprentice and now BA at the Environment Agency Cat Warren to talk about some of the different learning models (Kolb, Bloom and Honey and Mumford). They look at how the different learning approaches work with training cou
BAQT with Jo Frances and Jonathan Hunsley
This BA Brew is AssistKD’s second BA Question Time. Many of the questions focus on role clarity, a hot topic for BAs. Mike Williams is host, with expert panellists Jo Frances and Jonathan Hunsley providing the answers and insights. This week’s questions are: ❓What is the difference between a Business Analyst and a Business Architect? ❓What is the difference between a Business Analyst and a Servic
The Double Diamond (feat. Liza Laya)
The Double Diamond approach is a popular (and fun) design thinking technique designed to help you generate ideas; problem solve; challenge and even reverse assumptions. Our latest BA Brew with Jonathan Hunsley, Lisa Hudson and special guest Liza Laya introduces the framework – discussing its uses, benefits and some real-world applications. Liza Laya is Head of Technology and Digital Reform at a
The Benefits, Risks and Opportunities of AI in Business Analysis (Feat. Donald Farmer)
If you’re concerned about the impact of Artificial Intelligence on your business or your job, this BA Brew is a must-watch. Debra Paul and Pete Thompson discuss the benefits, risks and opportunities with Donald Farmer – one of the foremost thinkers, researchers and presenters in the field. Topics discussed include: automating processes; cost savings; intellectual property; caring about the human e
Bravery in Business Analysis (Feat. Kay Hardy & Charlie Payne)
This BA Brew is all about bravery, asking what bravery is and how we can develop it. Charlie Payne and Kay Hardy join the Brew Crew to try to answer these questions and more. The discussion includes: how elements of police training can also apply to business analysis; a great skiing analogy; building resilience; psychological safety; power poses; and more. During the BA Brew, Amy Cuddy’s TED talk
Agile Business Analysis (2nd Edition)
If you are interested in Agile, you won’t want to miss this. This BA Brew is all about the second edition of ‘Agile Business Analysis: Practical guidance for IT professionals’ by Lynda Girvan and Debra Paul. Watch as the authors discuss what readers can expect from the revised and updated edition, including: ⭐ the latest Agile developments ⭐ new techniques ⭐ new thinking ⭐ real-life case-studies
BAQT - The Brew Crew answer your Questions!
In this special edition of our BA Brew, it’s BA Question Time! Mike Williams presides as AssistKD’s Fiona Bruce with Debra Paul and Jonathan Hunsley as the panellists. This week’s questions are: ❓Should BAs understand commerce/business? ❓How can a BA team of 20 balance sharing knowledge and experience as a team with time on their own projects? ❓How do I bring together a group of professionals wor
How to start your BA career (feat. Timothy Clark & Michelle Shakesheff)
In our latest brew Jonathan Hunsley and Nicole Alderton are joined by Michelle Shakesheff and Tim Clark of Close Bros to share their thoughts on getting started in a BA career. They share insights on the different modes of learning available to build the professional toolkit, the importance of mentoring and stepping out of your comfort zone to take on new challenges. Handily, they also delve into
The Human Element (Feat. Helen Holder)
The pandemic and new technology have changed the way we work, but how are we responding as humans? Special guest Helen Holder considers the human element of our professional lives in this fascinating BA Brew. Topics include: how we respond to our work, interact with stakeholders and deal with change; the personal attributes of BAs, business architects and service designers; investing in personal g
Business Analysis and AI (Feat. John Wisner)
Artificial Intelligence: a powerful ally with mind-blowing potential… or a threat to our jobs? @John Wisner joins the BA Brew crew for a lively discussion on where we are right now, and the possibilities and challenges ahead. Topics include: AI and automation; brainstorming with AI; machine learning and data analytics; asking AI the right questions; why BAs need to be aware of the new AI tools, an
Black-Belt Business Analysis (Feat. Daniel Squire)
Daniel Squire and Jonathan Hunsley are passionate about business analysis… and martial arts (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Taekwondo respectively). In this fascinating BA Brew, they discuss some of the misconceptions about martial arts and the many parallels between the disciplines. Topics include: situational awareness; control, discipline and practice; inclusivity and respect... and much mo
The Benefits of the In-House Consultant (feat. Liz Calder)
In... or out? This BA Brew looks at the differences and common ground between the in-house and the external BA consultant roles. Our special guest is Liz Calder, highly experienced BA and IIBA UK Chapter President. Topics covered include: different agreements and expectations; skills sets; organisational culture and implicit rules; organisational knowledge; financial con
The Institutionalised BA (Feat. Chris Pyatt)
When business analysts work at one organisation for a long time, they can lose sight of their value and transferable skills. They may even find it difficult to move on. This BA Brew In this BA Brew Chris Pyatt talks about how BAs can regain their professional confidence. Topics covered include: the ‘comfort zone’ of subject matter and organisational expertise; the skills you have which you may tak
Neurodiversity: The BA Survival Guide
Neurodiversity is a word we hear, but how much do we really understand it and recognise neurodivergence in ourselves and others? Only by better understanding can we support and champion people with neurodiversity and appreciate what they can offer the BA community. In this awareness-raising BA Brew, guests Nicola Pinkney and Paul Haywood share some personal insights and helpful tips. You can find
The Strategy and Architecture Rant (Feat. Vicky Rothwell)
Editor Tom found this BA Brew ‘mind-blowing’ and we think you will too. If you have ever felt ‘put in your box’ as a BA, you need to hear what Enterprise Architect and Strategy Delivery Consultant Vicky Rothwell has to say. Vicky challenges business analysts to push for a strategic role, to be bold with our BA toolkits and to build our understanding of business architecture and service design. To
Self Assessment and Development Tools (Feat. Corrine Thomas)
Self-assessment and development tools provide useful insights which can benefit individuals, teams and organisations. This BA Brew features special guest Corrine Thomas (business analysis leader, coach, mentor, writer and author) and looks at some of the tools including MBTI Myers Briggs, StrengthsFinder, Engage, Strengths Profile, the Strengths Deployment Inventory and Mindset Advantage. Useful
Stepping Beyond the BA Toolbox (Feat. Pip Hall)
Newly crowned IRM UK Business Analyst of the Year winner Pip Hall joins the Brew Crew this week. Pip talks about her BA journey and those key life skills to be found beyond the standard BA toolbox. The inspiring and heartwarming chat covers what we can learn from our hobbies, interests and relationships; the importance of empathy and why Pip thinks we should take our whole selves to work. You may
Concise and Coherent Communication (Feat. Miruna Ursache)
In this fascinating BA Brew, business consultant and communications specialist Miruna Ursache talks about the different ways we communicate, and the power of understanding where our personal communication styles, habits and patterns come from. Miruna is the founder of training and coaching company Refraiz, and has led fun, interactive communications workshops at the BA Manager Forum and the BA Con
The Secret Life of Presenters: Practical Presentation Tips
Between them, our Brew Crew have decades of presentation-giving experience. In this eye-opening chat they share some useful and practical advice… and a few embarrassing stories. From testing the tech to the best throat pastilles, discover some handy hacks and hints to make sure your presentations go without a hitch. Find out about AssistKD’s Presentation Skills course here. Plan for success in yo
Brainy Glue: A Novel Approach to Business Analysis (feat. Ian Richards & Filip Hendrickx)
It took Ian Richards and Filip Hendrickx five days and an entire wall of Post-It notes to create the storyline for the business novel Brainy Glue. It then took them three years to write it, around their many commitments. In this BA Brew, Filip and Ian talk about the main themes explored in the novel – business analysis, innovation and change… and how they managed to weave 25 BA techniques into the
How to Become a Business Analysis Professional (Feat. Victoria Banner and Joe Newbert)
How do you become a BA professional? In today’s BA Brew, the crew talk about their respective journeys and business analysts can gain certifications, increase their skills and raise the standard of their business analysis work. Topics covered include: Training and development in business analysis; the pros and cons of the multiple-choice question and the oral exam; the difference between qualifica
The AI Brew (Hosted by ChatGPT)
🤖💼 The Future of Work: AI & Human Collaboration 🤝 This week's BA Brew is taking a futuristic turn, as we host an exclusive session led by a ChatGPT Avatar! Yes, you heard that right—a digital entity ready to explore, engage, and enlighten us on the potential and pitfalls of AI in the workplace. Join us to dive into topics like: How AI is reshaping industries 🏭 The balance between human intuiti
Advice That Got Us Through Life (Feat. Julie Walker)
You know you’ve had great advice when you remember it and feel inspired by it throughout your life. This week the Brew Crew and special guest Julie Walker share some valuable gems of wisdom – including how to eat an elephant (one bite at a time). Julie Walker is the author of the historical novel ‘Bonny & Read’, about the lives of the famous women pirates Ann Bonny and Mary Read. Further rea
50 Mighty Words to Grow your Business (Feat. Felicity Cowie)
Communications failure is behind most business disasters, where people are afraid to admit they don’t fully understand what they are supposed to be doing, and why. Luckily, our latest BA Brew guest is on the case. In this fascinating discussion, Felicity Cowie –communications consultant, multi-award winning investigative news journalist and former Panorama editor – shares useful insights from her
BA Brew Christmas Message 2023
In AssistKD’s 2023 BA Brew Christmas message, the Crew compare their favourite Christmas songs and share their highlights of the year.
Imposter Syndrome: Are you an imposter in BA clothing? (Feat. Jo Fahy)
This week our intrepid crew are joined by Jo Fahy to talk about Imposter Syndrome, something 80% of us admit to having experienced. The discussion includes what Imposter Syndrome is; the many ways it can manifest itself; personal experiences; gender and age factors; why a little self-doubt is useful but a lot is prohibitive; the power of being authentic; asking for feedback; silencing the inner cr
Be More Pirate Feat. Alex Barker and Julie Walker
This week we welcome two very special guests aboard the good ship BA Brew. 🏴☠️Novelist Julie Walker shares the incredible story of notorious female pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read while facilitator, speaker and author Alex Barker encourages us to learn from the Be More Pirate’s pirate code (see below). Are you brave enough to find your inner pirate and challenge the status quo? Topics disc
Customer-centric Change (Feat. Sushma Sundaran)
This week the Brew Crew discuss why the customer should be at the centre of any change initiative. Their special guest is Sushma Sundaran, a Senior Technology Delivery Manager at the Home Office, with extensive experience of customer-centric change. Topics covered include: listening to, understanding and meeting diverse customer needs; customer journey mapping; the customer experience; customer re
RE Practices (Feat. Karl Wiegers and Candase Hokanson)
Karl Wiegers and Candase Hokanson join the Crew this week to chat about requirements practices. Answering the need for a shorter book on requirements, their new book ‘Software Requirements Essentials’ focuses on the 20 core practices essential for software and systems projects. Topics covered in the Brew include: the requirements engineering framework; modelling; why requirements matter; requireme
The BA Story (Feat. Lee Fewkes)
Are you a business analyst with a story to tell? In this BA Brew, Lee Fewkes tells the Crew why he created The BA Story, where business analysts can share their BA stories and insights. Topics covered include: The power and connection of the personal story; how no two business analysts are the same; how it feels to reflect on your career challenges and achievements; the many roads to becoming a B
Whose Persona is it Anyway?
How can you make your customers or end users feel real, empathise with them and better understand what they really want and need? In this Brew Kerry, Mike and Pete discuss the power of Personas, and how BAs can create and use them effectively. The chat covers: what are Personas; avoiding stereotypes; customer research; using photos and names; how Personas link to other techniques such as User Stor
Neurodiversity (feat. Simon Platt)
The topic for this latest BA Brew was suggested by Principal Business Analyst Simon Platt. A keen Neurodiversity Advocate, Simon addresses this sensitive and sometimes challenging topic, sharing his insights into and experience of Neurodiversity with the Brew Crew and wider BA Brew audience. Topics discussed include: What is Neurodiversity?; looking beyond labels; trust and psychological safety i
I'm a Business Analyst. How did that happen?
Our latest BA Brew guest is the wonderful Fae Marcano, Business Analyst of the Year 2022. In this episode Fae and the crew talk about how they became business analysts and their experiences of the BA of the Year awards. Topics include: how Fae, Jonathan and Lisa became BAs; the ‘why’ of becoming a BA; the Business Analyst of the Year experience and why it’s worth entering; the joys of networking a
Books that change the way we work
Can a book really change the way you work, or even how you look at life? The Brew Crew certainly think so. Watch this podcast to hear about the books that have made them think differently, and that they return to again and again for inspiration. Topics discussed include: how our reading choices evolve; people taking away different messages from the same book; books on self-awareness and mindset;
Think Like a CEO (Feat. Byron Morrison)
The new series of the BA Brew kicks off with a cracker of an episode. Author, life coach and business consultant Byron Morrison challenges us to learn from the CEO mindset in order to reach our full potential in life and in business. It’s inspiring stuff. Topics covered include: the decision framework; thinking holistically; risk aversion; the value of trying and failing; maintaining momentum vs.
Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone (Feat. Producer Tom)
It’s our 50th BA Brew! To celebrate this momentous milestone Producer Tom finally steps out from behind the camera… but he’s not sure how comfortable he feels about it. From taking up bee-keeping to playing music on an open mic night the Crew share how they’ve stepped out of their respective comfort zones. And they discuss some useful strategies, including some from the business analysis toolkit.
Mental Health
It’s the last BA Brew of 2022 and this one’s incredibly inspiring. Coach, speaker, psychotherapist and mental health consultant Petra Velzeboer shares her extraordinary story and talks to the Brew Crew about looking after our mental wellbeing and how we can ‘check in’ with friends, family and colleagues. Topics covered include: Growing up in a religious cult; the recent rise in depression and anxi
The Benefits of One Pagers (Feat. Chris Ingold)
Now you can get everyone on the same page… literally. Chris Ingold joins the Brew Crew all the way from Melbourne to share his passion for the ‘one pager’. Topics covered include: The power of the one pager; A3 management; establishing the ‘why’ and the purpose; the misuse of small fonts and overcrowded PowerPoint slides; the one pager as a validation document; compatible BA techniques including T
Creating Purpose and Meaning (Feat. Joe Newbert)
What is your ‘Why?’. In this inspiring BA Brew, Joe Newbert joins the Crew to talk about how we can create purpose and meaning in our personal and professional lives. Topics covered include: Jacob Morgan’s framework for purpose and meaning; values driven leadership; bringing our personal purpose and meaning to work; finding consensus on purpose and values; intent-based leadership and helping othe
Business Service Design
What is Business Service Design and is it the next big thing? If you’re curious about this powerful new human-centred approach you will be interested in this BA Brew where Jonathan, Kerry and Kate share their thoughts on the subject.Topics covered include: Systems, Service, Design and Lean Thinking; Business Service Design tools, frameworks, techniques and more.AssistKD provides training, apprenti
Developing Positive Habits and Behaviours
AssistKD’s Kate Biddle joins us for today’s BA Brew, her first as part of the Crew. It’s a good one, discussing how to break those bad habits and build positive behaviours instead. Topics covered include: the power of habits; self awareness; the habit loop; habit stacking; planning ahead; good BA habits and the value of moral support from friends, colleagues and family. Books recommended during t
Building A BA Community (Feat. Louise Powell)
It just takes one person to gather people together to help each other. Today the Brew Crew chat with Lou Powell about how she set up and grew the BA Crowd, a Meet Up group for her local BA community. Topics covered include: the value of community, how to get sponsorship, finding speakers and more. Louise Powell is a Senior Business Analyst at BGL Insurance and Co-founder of the BA Crowd. AssistKD
You Couldn't Make it Up!
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you’ve thought ‘You just could not make this up’? Today Jonathan, Mike and Lisa discuss their experiences as customers and as business analysts. They range from the sublime (luxurious upgrade, anyone?) to the ridiculous (a multi-million pound project with no agreed scope… two years in). Hear about Jonathan’s nightmare coach journey, Lisa’s broadban
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