Okay, data jockeys, here’s your chance to win some cash. If you’re familiar with Microsoft’s Power BI business intelligence platform and like to put together informative and easy-to-read reports, then Microsoft has a new contest just for you. Starting today, you can submit your Power BI reports and enter for a chance to win a cool $5,000.
Yes, this one’s a bit esoteric, but our business professional readers deserve some love too, right? With that in mind, Microsoft wants to promote the power of Power BI in turning raw data into insightful and actionable information. Reports, as boring as they might seem to some, are just the tools needed to help businesspeople make the right decisions.
Creating a great report is both an art and a science. There’s the data, of course — the raw numbers and charts and feeds that fuel your work. But it’s the nuanced art of finding the right way to deliver the right insights that truly lets your data reach its full potential. As a data analyst you walk the line between art and science every day, balancing complete and honest representation with engaging storytelling and an appreciation for minimalism.
The contest is fairly straightforward. Just create an original and creative Power BI Desktop report and submit it between January 7-29, 2015. Instructions and entry form are here, and some guidelines are provided:
1. A Power BI Desktop file (.PBIX) with your best report that you have permission to share publicly. Your file should be less than 50 MB.
2. A 150-word description, which will be displayed with your report.
3. A thumbnail image that will accompany your report.
4. A short video (1- 3 minutes) that narrates the insights contained in your report.
That’s all there is to it. Microsoft will select 10 finalists, and then post reports and videos on February 3, 2016 for voting on by the Power BI community. The winning entry will be picked starting February 14, and announced by February 17, 2016.
So, if you’re a Power BI guru and want the change to win $5,000 (and who doesn’t, right?), then get going on that report and get it submitted. Even if you don’t win, you can still score $2,500 with a second place finish. Any questions, head on over to the Power BI community forum and start asking.
