What are the best ways to stay up-to-date with BI trends and techniques through your professional network?

1 Join online platforms and groups

One of the easiest ways to expand your BI network and community is to join online platforms and groups that cater to your interests and goals. There are many options available, such as LinkedIn, Reddit, Quora, Stack Overflow, Medium, and more. You can follow influential BI leaders, join relevant discussions, ask questions, share your work, and learn from others. You can also find specific groups or communities that focus on certain BI topics, tools, or industries. For example, you can join the Power BI Community, the Tableau User Group, or the Data Science Central.

2 Attend webinars and events

Another way to stay up-to-date with BI trends and techniques is to attend webinars and events that showcase the latest developments and innovations in the field. You can find many free or paid webinars and events online, hosted by reputable BI organizations, vendors, or experts. You can also look for local or regional events that offer networking opportunities and face-to-face interactions. For example, you can attend the TDWI Conference, the Gartner Data & Analytics Summit, or the Data Visualization Summit.

3 Enroll in courses and certifications

If you want to deepen your BI knowledge and skills, you can enroll in courses and certifications that cover the most current and relevant BI topics and techniques. You can choose from a variety of online or offline courses and certifications, depending on your budget, time, and preferences. You can also benefit from the feedback and guidance of instructors and peers, as well as the recognition and credibility of credentials. For example, you can enroll in the Coursera Business Analytics Specialization, the Udemy Power BI Masterclass, or the Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate.

4 Participate in challenges and competitions

A fun and rewarding way to stay up-to-date with BI trends and techniques is to participate in challenges and competitions that test your BI skills and creativity. You can find many online or offline challenges and competitions that offer exciting problems, prizes, and exposure. You can also learn from the solutions and feedback of other participants and judges, as well as showcase your BI portfolio and achievements. For example, you can participate in the Kaggle Competitions, the Iron Viz Contest, or the Power BI Challenge.

5 Subscribe to newsletters and podcasts

A convenient and informative way to stay up-to-date with BI trends and techniques is to subscribe to newsletters and podcasts that deliver the latest BI news, insights, and tips. You can find many newsletters and podcasts that cover various BI aspects, such as data analysis, visualization, storytelling, strategy, and more. You can also choose the frequency and format that suit your preferences and schedule. For example, you can subscribe to the Data Stories Newsletter, the Data Skeptic Podcast, or the Storytelling with Data Podcast.

6 Create and share your own content

A creative and engaging way to stay up-to-date with BI trends and techniques is to create and share your own content that showcases your BI work, opinions, and learnings. You can use various mediums and platforms, such as blogs, videos, podcasts, or social media, to share your BI content with your network and community. You can also receive feedback, comments, and suggestions from other BI professionals, as well as build your reputation and authority in the field. For example, you can create and share your own BI blog, YouTube channel, or Twitter account.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?