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MeganBowers
Alteryx Community Team
Alteryx Community Team

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Today’s ACE spotlight is @smugabart! Keep reading to learn more about Bart and what makes him a unique Alteryx super user.

 

Tell us a bit about your professional background.

 

I'm an Alteryx consultant and co-founder of Data Pal, which is an official Alteryx Partner. I am experienced in digitalizing the finance sector, streamlining processes, and saving hundreds of hours through Alteryx adoption.

Besides Alteryx, I have a background in Project Management. I've also had the chance to introduce Scrum methodologies to teams at UBS, State Street, and AGH Racing, and have facilitated numerous Scrum ceremonies.

 

I am always eager to help people solve their analytical problems. If you need any help or want to know more insights about my work with Alteryx, check out my LinkedIn page.

 

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What is your favorite Alteryx tool, and why? 

 

It's tough to pick just one favorite from over 270 tools. I would reverse the question back to ask, what tool I couldn't live without? 😊 If I had to choose, it would be the Summarize tool. I use it frequently, both for regular analysis and for quality checks to ensure everything is correct. It's an essential for me.

 

What has been your favorite Alteryx project? Can you tell us about the business problem you solved?

 

My favorite Alteryx project involved developing an integrated tech stack with Snowflake, Alteryx, and Tableau, all powered by Alteryx Server. I presented a really similar workflow and concept at our first on-site User Group meeting, which was held in Warsaw, focusing on a workflow that demonstrated how Alteryx could save up to 200 hours of work. You can watch our presentation here.

 

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What advice do you have for new community members?

 

If you're just starting out, the Getting Started Learning Path is the perfect place to begin. It will help you get a solid foundation. Moreover, if you already know a bit about data analysis, just jump in and start playing around with the tool using your real-life examples & processes. That’s what I did when I began using Alteryx.

I didn't have the chance to attend any professional Alteryx training, and looking back, I realize that formal training would have helped me learn faster – it would have accelerated my journey.

 

Stick with it, keep practicing, and don't be shy about asking questions. The Alteryx Community is full of friendly folks ready to help.

 

Happy learning!

 

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What is your favorite way to engage as an ACE? Also, what area of the online community do you spend the most time in?

 

As an Alteryx ACE, I love engaging with people through networking, mentoring, and helping out with questions about career growth and data. I am also involved in some pro-bono initiatives. For instance, in the past, I've led training sessions for dozens of university students on Alteryx, which has been incredibly rewarding, as well as my experience in helping career changers learn new technical skills.

 

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Moreover, my absolute favorite way to connect with people and the Alteryx community is through User Group Meetings. Along with my colleagues Emil Kos, Sebastian, and Jakub, we host these on a regular basis. At one of our meetings earlier this year, we had over 70 people on-site who joined us at the Polish User Group Meeting at the PwC office. These meetings are a fantastic way to share knowledge, meet new people, and build a strong community.

 

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What discussion topic(s) could Community members tag you in for help?

 

Community members can tag me for help with topics related to data preparation and blending, as well as any issues or questions concerning the internal community. I'm also happy to assist with questions about career growth, tool comparisons, and technical skills training. Whether you're just starting out or looking to deepen your expertise, feel free to reach out — I'm here to help!

 

What is one fun thing about you that community members might not know? 

 

One fun fact about me is that I'm really dedicated to maintaining a good work-life balance. I work out 5 days a week and love cycling, hitting the gym, and boxing. Taking time off to travel and enjoy these activities helps me recharge and stay energized.

 

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Megan Bowers
Sr. Content Manager

Hi, I'm Megan! I am a Sr. Content Manager at Alteryx. I work to make sure our blogs and podcast have high quality, helpful, and engaging content. As a data analyst turned writer, I am passionate about making analytics & data science accessible (and fun) for all. If there is content that you think the community is missing, feel free to message me--I would love to hear about it.

Hi, I'm Megan! I am a Sr. Content Manager at Alteryx. I work to make sure our blogs and podcast have high quality, helpful, and engaging content. As a data analyst turned writer, I am passionate about making analytics & data science accessible (and fun) for all. If there is content that you think the community is missing, feel free to message me--I would love to hear about it.

Comments
smugabart
9 - Comet
9 - Comet

Thanks, Megan, for that opportunity! In the meantime, if anyone would like to connect, feel free to send me a message :)

caltang
17 - Castor
17 - Castor

Very cool @smugabart ! The 200 hours story is a classic for many of us. Alteryx really is awesome.

PuffinPanic
9 - Comet
9 - Comet

I know what you mean about the lack of professional training @smugabart!

 

I look back at some of my earliest workflows and think how much better they could have been if I'd had a bit more support when I was starting out. The great thing about Alteryx is that you can easily get started without any training, even if it does mean that your workflows might not look pretty, or do things in the most efficient way, they do at least work!

smugabart
9 - Comet
9 - Comet

@PuffinPanic Yeah, and even if you are starting without any training, as you mentioned, that's still great as long as there is an ROI on it. The idea of having the training sessions at the beginning is more about making this ROI bigger or quicker compared to the path without professional training.