In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick and Landon unpack why so many AI projects fail and how the right data foundation can make all the difference. From breaking down what a semantic model actually is to exploring the role of governance, they explain how structure, quality, and oversight in your data environment directly impact the reliability of AI.

Whether you’re an executive planning your first AI initiative or a developer struggling to wrangle messy data, this conversation offers a clear look at what it really takes to make AI work in the real world.

Blue Margin helps middle-market companies turn their data into a strategic advantage. Through Power BI solutions and modern data platforms, we make data visible, reliable, and actionable—so your team can make smarter decisions and drive performance.

Learn more at https://bluemargin.com

Think you need a big BI team and a big budget to get value from your data? Think again. In this episode, Brick Thompson and Landon Ochs share how small professional services firms can start using data effectively—by focusing on one meaningful problem, starting simple, and iterating over time. Hear practical tips, common pitfalls, and a real-world success story that added millions to the bottom line.

At Blue Margin, we help middle-market companies turn their data into a competitive advantage. As a Microsoft Gold Partner specializing in Power BI, we build simple, actionable dashboards that give leaders instant visibility into their business. Our proven process and deep expertise in data strategy help organizations boost accountability, accelerate growth, and achieve their goals—without the complexity or overhead of a full data team.

In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick and Landon give an update on Celeste, the internal AI tool Blue Margin has been building to help data teams query, explore, and visualize client data.

They dive into what’s worked, what hasn’t, and the fork in the road between making Celeste valuable for engineers versus business users. Along the way, they share lessons about AI adoption, the limits of “wrappers,” and where emerging tools like Azure’s AI Foundry could take things next.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to build and test an AI tool inside a data company, this conversation pulls back the curtain.

Blue Margin helps middle-market companies use their data to create focus, accountability, and growth. We specialize in building modern data platforms and Power BI dashboards that turn information into a competitive advantage.

Learn more at https://bluemargin.com