Dan Barber
Mentor| Coach | MVP | MD @ Strathos
Bristol, United Kingdom
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A passionate and long-standing contributor to the Dynamics and Power Platform community, I bring over 20 years of hands-on experience in technology and consulting. From leading global system integrators to building high-growth practices and now leading my own business, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside brilliant minds on transformative projects—and picked up a few hard-earned lessons along the way. I love to share this knowledge and experience through my community activities with The Dynamics 365 & Power Platform User Group communities together with mentoring and coaching through both official channels such as Women In Power the Power Platform School as well an informal channels.
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Unlocking Collective Brilliance: The Human Side of High Performance
High-performing teams aren’t just efficient—they’re the most rewarding, engaging & energizing environments to be part of. When people feel seen, supported, and empowered, they don’t just deliver results—they thrive.
In this session, we’ll explore the human dynamics that fuel exceptional team performance, focusing on how understanding and meeting the real needs of your team members creates a culture of trust, fun, and shared success.
Whether you’re leading a team or part of one, you’ll learn:
- How to foster a culture of shared accountability and psychological safety
- What motivates individuals—and how to tap into it
- How empathy, clarity, and emotional intelligence drive performance
- Practical strategies to build teams that are not only effective, but deeply enjoyable to work in
This session is for anyone who believes that great teams should feel great to be part of. You’ll leave with actionable insights to help your team not just perform, but become the kind of team people are proud to belong to—and excited to show up for.
No Yachts, No Ferraris: MVP Life, Mental Health, and the Power of Community
Leave polished slides and corporate buzzwords in the fast-paced world of AI and Agents behind - at least for x minutes.
This session is raw, real, and a little bit reckless. Join us, MVPs (of course), as we drop the filters and share what life in the community really looks like: the highs, the struggles, the mental health battles, and the moments that make it all worth it.
We’ll talk about how we got here, why being an MVP shouldn’t be your ultimate goal, and why community matters more than any badge or title.
Expect comedy, a touch of trash talk, and plenty of honest advice you won’t find in any official documentation.
This is an interactive session with minimal slides, maximum truth, and a big dose of Q&A. Bring your questions and curiosity and join us!
Key Takeaways:
- The real story behind the MVP journey (spoiler: no yachts, no Ferraris)
- Why contributing to the community is more rewarding and sustainable than chasing titles
- Practical tips for staying sane, passionate, and connected in the tech world
Unleashing Potential: The Evolution from SA to Strategic Leader
Becoming a recognised Solution Architect is a milestone worth celebrating, and one to be incredibly proud of - but what comers next for those who want more?
If you're driven to expand your influence, elevate your leadership, or shape the future of technology delivery, this session is your strategic compass.
In this session I will explore the the three most common - and rewarding - routes beyond SA;
- Enterprise Architecture: Designing systems that scale across organisations
- Team Leadership: Building high-performing teams and shaping delivery culture
- Practice Management: Driving strategy, growth, and operational excellence
Through real-world insights, personal experience, and practical guidance, this session will help you:
- Understand the skills and mindset shifts each path demands
- Anticipate the challenges and opportunities ahead
- Make informed decisions about your next chapter
Whether you're actively planning your next move or simply curious about what’s possible, you’ll leave with clarity, confidence, and a roadmap to take your career to the next level.
Tables Turned - Interview with the Interviewer
In a world where AI written advice is widely available, how do you know what to believe? What’s the right advice to take?
In this session, a specialist recruiter turns the tables on a senior leader in the Microsoft BizApps space and asks the questions you can’t!
We’ll find out what are the top three things that should really stand out on your CV, dos and don'ts in an interview and what really makes the difference when selecting the right candidate?
We’ll also delve into how to develop a strategy to grow your team, where do you start? Seniors for maximum impact, or juniors to save costs? What is the right way to invest in sustainable growth?
You’ll come away from this session with the inside knowledge you need to make an impression at your next interview and get the role you want!
7 or So Habits of Highly Effective Consultants
After 20 years in the industry, I’ve seen first-hand that technical expertise alone doesn’t make a great consultant. The real differentiators? The habits, mindsets, and interpersonal strategies that shape how we engage with clients, teams, and complex challenges.
This is why in this this session I walk you through a set of recurring patterns—drawn from experience, coaching, observing exceptional peers, broad reading content, and plenty of trial and error—so that you can consistently elevate the impact of your consulting interactions. These habits are practical, adaptable, and immediately actionable.
Whether you're a seasoned consultant or just starting out, you’ll leave with a toolkit of proven techniques to:
- Build trust and credibility
- Navigate ambiguity with confidence
- Communicate with clarity and influence
- Foster collaborative problem-solving
- Reflect and grow continuously
If you're ready to sharpen your consulting edge and take your professional development to the next level, this session is your launchpad.
How to recognise and deal with the Imposter Syndrome devil 👿 on your shoulder
Many of us feel that overwhelming burden of I'm not good enough, I'm faking it, I'm not worthy. The good news is that in reality it probably means exactly the opposite and it's your impression not others. During the session we will cover, What Imposter Syndrome is, Why it exists, How to recognise it, How to support others who are experiencing it and How to navigate your way past it. We will share experiences, tools, tips and tricks prepare for it, and deal with it.
Beyond the Numbers: Leading a High-Impact, High-Growth Practice
Building a profitable, high-performing practice isn’t just about technical excellence—it’s about unlocking the full potential of your people, processes, and purpose.
In this session, I’ll share the proven strategies and leadership principles I’ve refined over two decades of growing successful teams and practices. We’ll explore how to:
Craft and execute a clear, scalable strategy
Build a culture that attracts and retains top talent
Streamline service delivery for impact and margin
Lead with clarity, confidence, and commercial acumen
Whether you're launching a new venture, scaling an existing operation, or stepping into a leadership role, this session will equip you with actionable insights to build a practice that thrives—commercially and culturally.
Expect real-world examples, practical frameworks, and a few uncomfortable questions that challenge conventional thinking. Are you ready to lead beyond the numbers?
Reclaiming Confidence: AI as Your Ally Against Imposter Syndrome
Imposter Syndrome affects 7 out of 10 professionals—from rising stars to seasoned leaders—quietly undermining confidence, amplifying self-doubt, and holding back potential. But what if the very tool that’s reshaping our industries—AI—could also be a positive force to tackle IS?
We will start by tackling the elephant in the room "..but I don't have a license!" by exploring the freely available AI tools and tiers. We then delve into how with some prompt wizardry they can become powerful allies in identifying, understanding, and overcoming the most common triggers of imposter syndrome. Whether it’s reframing negative self-talk, getting you off the start line, preparing for high-stakes conversations, or building a more confident mindset, you’ll discover how AI can support you in real-time, like a non-judgemental BFF in your pocket.
You’ll walk away with:
- Awareness of the variety of freely available AI tools to support you
- An understanding of the most common trait of IS and worked examples of how to deal with them
- A downloadable “Imposter Syndrome Prompt Cookbook” packed with real-world examples, prompts, and exercises used in the session—and many more to explore on your own.
This session is designed to be fun, empowering, and deeply practical. Whether you’re new to AI or already experimenting, you’ll leave with fresh insights, renewed confidence, and a toolkit to help you and those around you thrive.
Billable Brilliance: The Financials Every Consultant Should Know
Most consultants excel at delivery—but few truly understand the financial engine that powers their work. In this session, we’ll lift the curtain on the commercial side of professional services, revealing the numbers, metrics, and financial levers that shape decisions, drive profitability, influence career growth and facilitate the budgets for pay rises, bonuses, fun, training and community activities that we all enjoy.
Whether you're client-facing, delivery-focused, or aspiring to leadership, understanding the business behind consulting will elevate your impact.
You’ll learn:
- What key financial metrics mean and why they matter
- How your role directly impacts commercial outcomes
- How to align with business goals to become a strategic asset
- Real-world examples of consultants who leveraged financial fluency to grow their careers
-.......and most importantly why should you care!
You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how your work fits into the bigger picture—and how to use that insight to elevate your influence, decision making & career trajectory .
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Dan Barber
Mentor| Coach | MVP | MD @ Strathos
Bristol, United Kingdom
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