# Andrew Bibby - Power Platform Today, March 18th 2025 This is the third episode of the series, where host **Reece** speaks with his guest, **Andrew Bibby**, a long-time member of the Dynamics and Power Platform community. ### **Show Introduction** * **\[**[**00:12**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM&t=12)**\]** Reece opens the show, welcoming viewers to *Power Platform Today*. * **\[**[**00:39**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM&t=39)**\]** He introduces his guest, **Andrew Bibby**, noting that this is Andrew's first time doing a live stream in this specific format, despite having done podcasts and some regional Microsoft events (like Build). ### **Andrew’s Background & Journey** * **\[**[**02:49**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM&t=169)**\]** Andrew has been involved with the platform for roughly 12-14 years, starting back in **2007** as a developer. * **\[**[**03:02**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM&t=182)**\]** He initially worked with **Dynamics CRM 3.0** (back when it was just "Microsoft CRM") for a software company in the UK (now owned by m-hance). * **\[**[**03:55**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM&t=235)**\]** He stuck with the technology because he enjoyed the efficiency of it—features like the security layer and database structure were easy to build, and Microsoft had just announced a massive investment in the platform with CRM 4.0. * **\[**[**05:08**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM&t=308)**\]** Reece notes the common theme of people "stumbling" into this career, whereas Andrew made a conscious decision to stick with it early on. ### **Community & User Groups** * **\[**[**05:58**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM&t=358)**\]** Andrew discusses how he got into User Groups. Coming from a .NET background, he was used to active forums, but the Dynamics community back then was tiny (mentioning early bloggers like Jukka Niiranen). * **\[**[**07:00**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM&t=420)**\]** He credits **Neil Benson** for starting an early user group in Reading, which later evolved when **Adam Vero, Scott Durow, and Paul Lin** resurrected the CRM User Group in the UK. * **\[**[**08:26**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM&t=506)**\]** Andrew attended his first meeting after a bad day at work, looking for answers. He found a welcoming group of people who were facing the same challenges. * **\[**[**11:06**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM&t=666)**\]** **The Quiz:** Andrew is well-known as the "Quiz Master" for community events. This started at the **Dynamics 365 Dublin** event in 2017 when he offered to run a pub quiz to help with entertainment. It has since become a staple at events like Scottish Summit, co-hosted with **Megan Walker**. ### **Public Speaking** * **\[**[**18:54**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM&t=1134)**\]** They discuss the anxiety of public speaking. Andrew admits he was initially terrified of it. * **\[**[**19:14**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM&t=1154)**\]** Reece shares that he uses hosting duties (like at parties) as a way to overcome social awkwardness because it gives him a "purpose." * **\[**[**20:02**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM&t=1202)**\]** Andrew dived straight into speaking at his second conference (Dublin 2018) to force himself to network. Being a speaker gave him an "in" to talk to established community members. * **\[**[**24:43**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM&t=1483)**\]** Both agree that the community is incredibly non-judgmental and supportive, even when demos fail on stage. ### **Segment: XRM Toolbox (Video)** * **\[**[**26:45**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM&t=1605)**\]** Reece plays a pre-recorded segment introducing the **XRM Toolbox** for those who might not know it. * **\[**[**28:15**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM&t=1695)**\]** He demonstrates downloading a tool called "Workflow Enabler" (a random new tool he found) to show how the toolbox works. * **\[**[**33:13**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM&t=1993)**\]** **Discussion:** Back live, they discuss the importance of community-built tools. Andrew mentions he has been using XRM Toolbox since ~2008 (created by Tanguy Touzard). * **\[**[**36:38**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM&t=2198)**\]** They highlight the importance of "battle-hardened" tools like **Jonas Rapp’s FetchXML Builder**, which are maintained to a very high standard. Andrew advises caution with newer or less popular tools as they can sometimes break things if not used carefully (citing a "View Layout Replicator" issue he had years ago). ### **Quick Fire Round** * **\[**[**41:23**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM&t=2483)**\]** **Favourite Power Platform Service:** **Copilot Studio** (despite some frustrations, he loves the accessibility of AI). * **\[**[**41:51**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM&t=2511)**\]** **Favourite Conference:** **DynamicsMinds** (in Slovenia) for the location, weather, and atmosphere. He also mentions **Nordic Summit**. * **\[**[**42:56**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM&t=2576)**\]** **Favourite Colour:** Forest Green (matching his shirt). * **\[**[**43:14**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM&t=2594)**\]** **Last Music Listened To:** A new artist he found on Instagram, possibly called **Dodie** (or similar). He also mentions watching **NPR Tiny Desk** concerts on YouTube. * **\[**[**45:28**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM&t=2728)**\]** **Podcasts or Audiobooks:** Podcasts for travelling/driving. * **\[**[**45:43**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM&t=2743)**\]** **2 Hours Free Time:** He would choose to do absolutely nothing—just sit and relax without guilt. * **\[**[**47:10**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM&t=2830)**\]** **Books or Audiobooks:** Loves collecting physical books but actually consumes Audiobooks (has over 250 in his library). * **\[**[**47:54**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM&t=2874)**\]** **Glass Half Full or Empty:** Half full (optimistic). * **\[**[**48:08**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM&t=2888)**\]** **If you won £1 million:** He would stop working and travel the world for 1-3 years. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAado2aTMM)