15,000 Followers on Twitter!

Alexander Loth reaches 15k followers on Twitter: Thank you very much!
Alexander Loth reaches 15k followers on Twitter: Thank you very much!

Reaching 15k Twitter followers is a significant milestone that reflects not only my journey in data and digital strategy but also the power of community engagement. I’m thrilled to announce that my Twitter community has grown to 15,000 followers! This milestone reflects the collective passion for data, digital strategy, and continuous learning. Read about my recent career boost at CERN here.

Just over 2 months after my new book Decisively Digital became a #1 New Release on Amazon, and shortly after the newspaper article about my data journey, I have now reached the 15,000 follower mark on Twitter.

I am overwhelmed and delighted that my shared content on data and digital strategy is attracting so much interest. From insights to discussions, the engagement reflects the shared passion for all things digital.

Whether through tweets, blog posts, or interactive discussions, I value the connections and the continuous learning that takes place within this thriving community.

Thank you all so much for your support and engagement! Let’s continue to explore, learn, and grow together. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn for more insights and updates.

The Data Operator: How the World’s Largest Particle Accelerator Boosted My Career

Alexander Loth featured in BNN regarding his career boost at CERN
Alexander Loth featured in BNN regarding his career boost at CERN

The world’s largest particle accelerator not only unleashed hidden particles but also unlocked my career growth. As a young data scientist, my journey at CERN was a career boost that laid the foundation for my future endeavors. Read about my first day at Microsoft here.

Der Daten-Verarbeiter: Der weltgrößte Teilchenbeschleuniger war für Alexander Loth ein Karriere-Turbo

BNN, 14.07.2021

Today in the news:

  • A Career Turbocharged at CERN: CERN offered more than just research opportunities. Working at CERN was a defining moment for me. The cutting-edge technology, incredible talent, and the massive amount of data were the catalysts that propelled my career to new heights.
  • Data as the Common Thread: My time at CERN reinforced my belief in the transformative power of data. „Data is the common thread that runs through my professional life.“ From CERN to Tableau, and now at Microsoft, my passion for data continues to drive my career forward.
  • Decisively Digital – A New Publication: My new book, 📖 Decisively Digital (Amazon), published by Wiley, reflects my thoughts on digital transformation. It’s a culmination of my experiences and insights from various stages of my career.

I am grateful for my journey from CERN, via Tableau, to Microsoft. The opportunities, learning, and growth have been truly enriching, and I look forward to what the future holds. Stay connected and follow my journey on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Read the online version of the newspaper article: Wie ein Karlsruher am CERN in die Welt der Daten eintauchte (BNN, 14.07.2021)

#datamustread: How to Master Your Data Journey

From ideas to dashboards: The essential books for mastering your Data Journey, featuring 'Info We Trust', 'Visual Analytics with Tableau', and 'The Big Book of Dashboards'.
From ideas to dashboards: The essential books for mastering your Data Journey, featuring ‚Info We Trust‘, ‚Visual Analytics with Tableau‘, and ‚The Big Book of Dashboards‘.

Today, data is at the core of everything we do, but the journey to mastering it can be overwhelming. Last year I started lecturing a Data Analytics course at university (as part of an MBA program). In the meanwhile, I was refining the list of books that I highly recommend to read. Three of these books form the Data Journey!

The Data Journey: A Human-Focused Approach to Data Storytelling

The Data Journey is not just about numbers; it’s about understanding the evolution of data, the power of visualization, and how it all connects to real-world business. Here are the books that will guide you on this path:

1. Info We Trust: How to Inspire the World with Data

Begin your Data Journey with a deep dive into data storytelling. Info We Trust explores data lifecycle across disciplines, with inspiring references and hand-drawn illustrations. It’s a must-read for anyone serious about data communication.

This book examines all parts of the data storytelling lifecycle across disciplines. The use of marginalia and hand-drawn illustrations give you both simple lessons to take away and insights into where to find out more. The book is full of magnificent references that inspire further reading.

2. Visual Analytics with Tableau

Ready for hands-on experience? My book, Visual Analytics with Tableau, provides a step-by-step guide to mastering Tableau, from basic chart creation to advanced statistical modeling. With Tableau available for free to students, there’s no reason not to dive in!

Visual Analytics with Tableau covers everything you need to get started with Tableau (students get Tableau for free!). The book guides you from the first steps of connecting to data, creating different types of charts, and adding calculation fields to more advanced features such as table calculations, forecasts, and clusters, as well as R, Python, and MATLAB integration for sophisticated statistical modeling.

3. The Big Book of Dashboards: Visualizing Your Data Using Real-World Business Scenarios

Back to business (as this course is designed for an MBA program). We close our Data Journey canon with The Big Book of Dashboards. This is a comprehensive reference book with real-world solutions for business dashboards and a detailed analysis of do’s and don’ts.

This comprehensive reference book offers real-world solutions for business dashboards. It’s a practical guide to understanding do’s and don’ts in data visualization, categorized by industry and functional business areas.

Need More Inspiration for Mastering Data Journey? #MakeoverMonday: Improving How We Visualize and Analyze Data, One Chart at a Time

Because vizzing alone is only half the fun, you should not miss the #MakeoverMonday book. Eva Murray and Andy Kriebel are icons in the data visualization community (read the interview!) and they have curated the thousands of visualizations from the #MakeoverMonday project into a practical guide that will take your design and data communication skills to the next level!

The #MakeoverMonday book by Eva Murray and Andy Kriebel is a treasure trove of data visualization insights. It’s a practical guide to enhancing your design and communication skills.

Join the Conversation: Your Recommendations for the #DataJourney

Interested in more insights on data visualization, analytics, and Tableau? Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn, and let’s continue learning together. And don’t forget to check out my book Visual Analytics with Tableau to take your data journey to the next level!

What other books have inspired you on your data journey? Share your favorite data books in the blog post comments or reply to this tweet:

Reflecting on my Internship in Software Engineering and Project Management at SAP

I recently completed an internship in the software engineering department of SAP, a large international software manufacturer, where I had the opportunity to work as a software engineer and project manager. Looking back on my experience, I am proud of the exceptional performance I was able to achieve in both of these roles and the great success I had in leading a team of 12 developers.

Leading a Complex Project: Developing Mobile BI Infrastructure at SAP

One of the main responsibilities of my internship was to lead the development of a mobile BI infrastructure. This was a complex and challenging project, but I was able to effectively manage it by using my project management skills to ensure that everything was completed on time and within budget. I was also able to contribute to the development of the infrastructure by using my software development skills to create high-quality code.

Collaborative and Inclusive Work Environment at SAP

One of the things that I enjoyed most about my internship was the opportunity to work with such a diverse group of developers. Each person brought their own unique skills and perspectives to the table, which made the experience all the more enriching. By fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment, I was able to create a positive team dynamic that made it easier for everyone to work together effectively.

Top Learnings in Software Project Management

These are some of my top learnings in software project management:

  1. Setting clear goals and objectives: It is important to have a clear understanding of what the project aims to achieve, as well as specific goals and objectives that need to be met. This will help to guide the project and ensure that it stays on track.
  2. Managing resources: A software project manager must be able to effectively allocate and manage resources, including budget, staff, and equipment, to ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget.
  3. Communication: Effective communication is crucial in software project management. The project manager must be able to communicate clearly and effectively with team members, stakeholders, and other stakeholders to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that any issues or concerns are addressed in a timely manner.
  4. Risk management: It is important to anticipate and mitigate potential risks to the project, as well as have contingency plans in place in case something does go wrong.
  5. Adaptability: A successful software project manager must be able to adapt to changes in the project and the industry, and be able to pivot as needed to ensure the project’s success.
  6. Leadership: A software project manager must be able to effectively lead and motivate the team to ensure that everyone is working towards the common goal.
  7. Attention to detail: A software project manager must have strong attention to detail to ensure that all aspects of the project are properly planned and executed.
  8. Time management: Managing a project requires effective time management skills to ensure that tasks are completed on schedule and that the project stays on track.

Conclusion: A Rewarding Internship at SAP

In conclusion, my internship at SAP was a valuable and rewarding experience that has helped me to develop my skills in software development and project management. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with such a talented team and am confident that the skills and knowledge I gained during my time at SAP will be invaluable as I pursue a career in the software industry.

Want to know more about my journey in the software industry? Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn for more insights.

This blog post is an excerpt from the Personal Development section of my internship report written for my university.