My First Day at Microsoft: A New Journey Begins

Alexander Loth on his first day at Microsoft
Alexander Loth on his first day at Microsoft

Joining Microsoft marks an exciting new chapter in my professional journey. With memories of my farewell to Tableau still fresh, I arrived at the Microsoft office, ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Read about my farewell to Tableau here.

Walking through the doors of Microsoft’s sprawling campus, the spirit of creativity and technological advancement was palpable. The legacy of innovation that defines Microsoft was evident everywhere I looked. I was immediately struck by the energy and innovation that permeated the air. From the architecture to the people, everything spoke of a commitment to excellence.

My first day was filled with introductions to my talented new colleagues. Their passion and expertise left me inspired and eager to contribute. With previous experiences at Tableau, CERN, and other industry leaders, I am well-prepared for this new adventure. Each step has shaped me, and I’m confident that this new adventure at Microsoft will add valuable layers to my career.

I’m thrilled to be part of Microsoft’s vision to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more. The future promises exciting projects, innovation, and growth.

My day 1 at Microsoft has been a remarkable experience, setting the stage for a fruitful journey. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Stay connected with me on Twitter and LinkedIn to follow my journey at Microsoft.

Thank you Tableau and farewell!

Farewell to Tableau: A Reflective Goodbye - Alexander Loth with Tableau Data Rockstar t-shirt
Farewell to Tableau: A Reflective Goodbye – Alexander Loth

10 years ago, I started using Tableau.

4 years ago, I started working at Tableau.

Today is my last day with Tableau.

As I pen down my farewell to Tableau, it’s hard not to look back at the incredible journey that began 10 years ago. I reflect on a decade-long connection that began with using Tableau and culminated in four amazing years as an employee. This journey has shaped my career, leaving me filled with gratitude. Read about my 10-year blogging anniversary here.

These last four years have been the most inspiring of my career, what a ride it has been! It’s been a great opportunity and an amazing experience, joining this unique Seattle start-up as one of the first employees in Tableau’s Frankfurt office. Watching our DACH team grow to 120+ people is far more than I had imagined at the beginning, it is simply amazing!

As for my next phase, I’ll take on a strategist role at a leading cloud & AI company. I am excited to continue creating an impact in the digital age.

I’m very grateful to have worked alongside talented people both in Tableau and in our greater #datafam community — people who are brilliant and freakishly friendly. I am immensely grateful for the guidance of my mentors, Nate Vogel and Andy Cotgreave. Their wisdom and support have been instrumental in my growth at Tableau. I have many lifetime memories and made lots of great friends. I wish all of you at Tableau all the best for your next chapter, joining the Salesforce Ohana.

This farewell to Tableau is filled with gratitude, memories, and excitement for the future. Thank you, Tableau, for the incredible ride. So long, and thank you for everything!

— Alex

Watch my 4-years-in-2-minutes clip here:

Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn for updates on my farewell to Tableau and new ventures.

#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:

5 Reasons for Joining a Tableau User Group: Building Community, Skills, and Connections

Joining a Tableau User Group: A fun photo of Tableau #datarockstars
Joining a Tableau User Group: A fun photo of Tableau #datarockstars

Joining a Tableau User Group (TUG) is more than just participating in a community; it’s a pathway to personal and professional growth. In this post, we’ll explore the five compelling reasons for joining a Tableau User Group and how it can enhance your experience with Tableau. From the moment I started using Tableau at CERN (read about my Tableau experience at CERN here), I realized the importance of community in mastering this robust tool.

1. The Value of Joining a Tableau User Group: Community and Collaboration

The Tableau community is one of the biggest differentiators between Tableau and the rest of the market. It’s not just about technology; it’s about ensuring the larger community is successful with it. I was able to start using Tableau at CERN in just three days, thanks to this passionate community. With a simple Google search, you can get answers to your Tableau questions in seconds. This network of users is committed to helping each other succeed.

2. What Happens at a TUG? Learn, Share, and Network

TUGs offer a variety of activities, ranging from customer speakers demonstrating Tableau usage to hands-on training and competitions. You can learn new tips ’n‘ tricks, share your experiences, and network with other Tableau enthusiasts. Whether you’re facing daily Tableau struggles or looking for new insights, TUGs are welcoming platforms for collaboration and learning. Plus, there’s often pizza and beverages to enjoy!

3. Getting Involved: How to Connect with Your Local Tableau User Group

Getting involved in a TUG is easy. Follow @Tableau and @xlth on Twitter, keep an eye on relevant hashtags, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need guidance. You can also become a speaker, sharing your data journey or work experience. Check the Tableau events page or contact your Tableau account manager to find a TUG near you.

4. Bring a Friend and Build Connections

TUGs are not only professional gatherings; they’re social and networking events too. You can bring a friend for support or make new friends easily within the community. Engage in social projects, participate in hashtags like #MakeoverMonday, and discover more events like Data+Women or The Tableau Fringe Festival. The possibilities for connection and collaboration are endless.

5. Embrace the Community Spirit

Don’t hesitate to join the Tableau community. It’s a group of interesting, knowledgeable people all using the same tool and facing the same challenges. There’s much to learn and many people to meet. Join our Tableau User Groups and become a part of this thriving community.

Stay Connected: Follow Me for More Insights

The experiences we’ve shared in the Tableau community have shaped us, and I’m grateful for every connection and collaboration. If you’re interested in diving deeper into data visualization, don’t miss my book, Visual Analytics with Tableau. It’s designed to help you master the art of data visualization with Tableau, no matter your experience level. 📚 Explore „Visual Analytics with Tableau“ (Amazon) and let’s turn data into insights together!

I invite you to join our ongoing conversation about Tableau, data visualization, and more. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn, and let’s continue learning together.

#data19 Visual Diary: Tableau Conference Europe 2019 in Berlin

Let me share some of my favorite #data19 impressions from Tableau Conference Europe 2019 in Berlin with you (like I did for TC18 in NOLA last year)!

Sunday, 16 June

Arriving in Berlin

Monday, 17 June

Viz for Social Good

Makeover Monday

Welcome Reception

Tuesday, 18 June

Opening Keynote

Data Village | Diversity and Inclusion

Customer Session | Digital Journey of Deutsche Bahn

Data Night Out

Wednesday, 19 June

Tableau Public booth

Customer Session | Leveraging Social Media at Commerzbank

Data Village

Goodbye

What are your #data19 highlights?

Share your favorite moments in the blog post comments or reply to this tweet: