Migrating SQL workloads to Azure and topic 2: workshop on Powerful Questions

Subject1: Tick Tock, SQL workloads are now end of life, now what?
Abstract: Migrate your On-Premises SQL Server databases to Azure SQL Managed Instance using Azure Database Migration Service (DMS). Assess, migrate your End of Life (EOL) SQL Server 2008 R2 databases to Azure quickly and with minimal downtime for your business critical workloads and applications.
Speaker1: Ravi Yadav
Bio: Ravi Yadav is a Cloud Solutions Architect and Practice lead with Long View Systems, based out of Toronto. His technical background stems from System Center and Azure, however over the last 18 months has focused on polycloud infrastructure as code (IaC), cyber-security and cloud governance. Ravi is also a 4-time Microsoft Valuable Professional (MVP) within the Cloud and Datacenter Management.

Subject2:
It All Starts with a Question, a Powerful One!

Abstract:
We enjoy having conversations. Who doesn't? We are social animals after all. We like to know more about each other's stories. It is a feature built-in by default. As successful professionals, it is vital to use this basic instinct to our advantage. The easiest way to influence people is to have a conversation with them. You can use it leading, coaching, mentoring, transforming, or just building a relationship with the person you are having a conversation with. Can you imagine any of the above not to start with a conversation? I can't!

Conversations are two-way streets. And the easiest way to have a two-way communication is to ask questions. Questions can be dumb, unrelated, out of ordinary, crazy, or even beautiful. Can they be efficacious too? They can! An excellent communicator knows how and when to use Powerful Questions to make any conversation a mighty one. Powerful Questions generate curiosity in the listener and stimulate thoughtful conversation. They are usually thought-provoking and challenges the underlying assumptions. Powerful Questions, if asked in the right tone and body language, generates creativity and new possibilities. Is it hard to ask Powerful questions? It might be. I can assure you that It is not that easy, and indeed not instinctive for everyone. The good news is that it is something that can be learned, and relatively very easily.

I invite you to join me for a workshop on Powerful Questions. In this workshop, I am going to help you build your muscle to ask more Powerful Questions. I will give you an easy tool to make your questions more powerful, and conversations more enriched. Asking powerful questions will help you build bridges with people, you would become more empathetic with them, and do not be surprised you are going to listen more. Some of the characteristics of a great coach, one might say! Don't you agree?

Speaker 2: Shahin Sheidaei
Shahin is a regular speaker at lean and agile conferences. Shahin is the founder and principal coach at Elevate Change Inc. He is a passionate coach and facilitator. Shahin enjoys dealing with fresh challenges, learning new techniques, solving real problems, learning from outcomes, and constantly improving. He is eager to help organizations become a high performing one and achieve their utmost potential. Offering over 15 years of experience Shahin has strong expertise in applying agile and lean values & principles to organizational transformations and personal elevations. He has research & development experience, mid-size level engagement, as well as engagement with top names such as CIBC, WSIB, TD Bank, Scotiabank, TELUS, CBC, and SAP. He heavily believes in the value of communities. He is leading the Lean Agile Network community in his hometown of Toronto and helps with others building them and connecting them. He is also host of the podcast, Lean On Agile Podcast (www.leanonagile.com).