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Brian Moran

Brian Moran is chief servant officer and co-owner of both Linchpin People and SQL People. He is a contributing editor for SQL Server Pro and has been involved in the SQL Server community for more than 20 years. Brian co-founded what might be the first SQL Server user group in the world, was one of the first SQL Server MVPs in the world, and was on the SQL Server Magazine launch team. Brian's roles in the SQL Server community include technologist, author, community leader, entrepreneur, and executive.
Email: brian.moran@linchpinpeople.com

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Author Articles

Training SQL Server Newbies to Avoid Basic Database Mistakes

By Brian Moran, 05/23/2012

SQL Server professionals still forget to put indexes on tables and still forget to test their backups. Do other professions do a better job of training newbies so that certain ...

Big Data: What Is the True Cost of Your Data?

By Brian Moran, 04/25/2012

DBAs and software architects may want to consider whether businesses are storing more data than actual business needs dictate.

Do you need a coach?

By Brian Moran, 04/12/2012

Coaching as a profession has been gaining more traction in recent years but professional coaching in the business space is still a concept that is a bit nebulous and poorly ...

Does it ever make sense to negotiate a counter offer from your current employer?

By Brian Moran, 04/10/2012

Conventional wisdom says that using an offer from a new job to negotiate a counter offer with your current employee is a dangerous task. Most advice I see on the topic suggests ...

What happens when you’re an IT pro and your ‘outgrow’ your current job or company?

By Brian Moran, 04/05/2012

Have you ever been told ‘this is the most you can make here unless you start to manage people’? What would it look like if IT professionals had a middle ground option that didn’t ...

Is treating everyone on your team ‘the same’ fair?

By Brian Moran, 04/03/2012

Treating everyone the same is rarely fair or what’s best for them. This is a topic that new leaders, and sometimes very mature leaders, often struggle with. I speak from ...

Does a DBA need an MBA to get ahead?

By Brian Moran, 03/28/2012

A recent US News and World Report headline caught my eye. The title was “8 Ideal Jobs for M.B.A. Grads”. I was curious and read it. The top job shocked me. The report says that ...

A Case for Shorter SQL Server Conference Sessions

By Brian Moran, 03/22/2012

Microsoft SQL Server conference sessions and webinars should arguably be limited to 30 minutes for optimal online viewing.

You may never be a tax expert… but never rely on just your CPA to maximize deductions and tax breaks.

By Brian Moran, 03/21/2012

I’ve been in business for myself for more than a decade and have used a CPA to assist me with my taxes for much of that time. However, over the years I’ve come to realize two ...

Help your team come up with solutions. Don’t simply solve their problems.

By Brian Moran, 03/19/2012

What happens if you are a manager or leader when someone on your team comes to you seeking a solution a problem? Do you solve it or help them to come up with a solution. ...

Every full time independent consultant needs an assistant and bookkeeper.

By Brian Moran, 03/14/2012

I’ve been an independent consultant (IC) in one way or another for more than a decade. I’ve been fortunate to have had a fabulous assistant and book keeper from day one. I’m ...

3 tips for setting your rates as an independent IT consultant.

By Brian Moran, 03/12/2012

Are you an entrepreneur who sells your time as a service provider in some capacity? Maybe a billable consultant in the IT space? Here is some simple rate setting advice that I’ve ...

Invest more time on work that is important but not urgent.

By Brian Moran, 03/09/2012

Successful people spend lots of time doing #2. No; not that kind. Yes; I did just make a potty joke in my blog on professional development. My 8 year old son will be so proud of ...

What compass guides your career and life?

By Brian Moran, 03/06/2012

We only have one compass and that’s the fact we all too often lose sight of. Too often we claim that we’ve set long term goals for our professional and business lives that are ...

What entity type should I choose for my small business?

By Brian Moran, 03/01/2012

I’ve coached dozens of people through starting small businesses over the past decade. Everyone eventually has to decide ‘what entity should I pick? I’m not a CPA nor did I sleep ...

Troubleshooting SQL Server Performance Problems Using Internal vs. External Resources

By Brian Moran, 03/01/2012

SQL Server performance problem troubleshooting often isn't anyone's core job. SQL Server Pro expert Brian Moran discusses options for handling performance tuning management in ...

Data Scientist: Data job of the future?

By Brian Moran, 02/14/2012

I’m fascinated and incredibly excited about the concept of data science and the so called scientists who do this job. I had never heard the term Data Scientist until last December ...

Will Apple’s iBooks 2 Revolutionize the SQL Server Book and Training Market?

By Brian Moran, 01/26/2012

Brian Moran highlights the SQL Server 2012 Virtual Launch Event and explores how Apple's iBooks 2 electronic textbook publishing platform will change the way SQL Server ...

The SQL Server Community: Giving to Those in Need

By Brian Moran, 12/22/2011

The SQL Server community is known for banding together to help those in need, whether they have a SQL Server-related question or a charity they want to support. Here's two acts of ...

How many original L.E.A.P. ideas are out there?

By Brian Moran, 11/28/2011

I read a lot. Ideas make me think. Considering and dissecting ideas from other people shape the way I think. The process refines my ideas and makes me a better person in countless ...



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