The Better Business Analyst Podcast

The leap from delivery to strategy is the real career game-changer for Business Analysts.In this episode, Benjamen Walsh's shares his Top 10 ways to become a Strategic BA — from mastering financial acumen and building senior stakeholder trust, to telling stories with data and using enterprise analysis techniques.We’ll explore real case studies from Netflix, Toyota, Spotify, Amazon, Tesla and more — showing you exactly how BAs move from documenting requirements… to shaping direction.

Job hunting can feel like a full-time job — one day you’re full of hope, the next you’re wondering if anyone even saw your CV.In this episode of The Better Business Analyst Podcast, Benjamen Walsh shares his Top 10 job-seeking strategies tailored for Business Analysts, IT professionals, and strategic leaders.From crafting personalised cover letters to staying visible on LinkedIn, and from working with recruiters to managing your own energy, these are the proven approaches that will help you stand out and stay resilient during your search.Tune in for practical tips, real examples, and encouragement for your journey to the next role.🎧 Listen now on Spotify.

The BA as Storyteller: 10 Ways Narrative Shapes Better OutcomesBusiness Analysts aren’t just requirement gatherers — we’re storytellers.In this episode of the Better Business Analyst Podcast, Benjamen Walsh explores how narrative can transform workshops, requirements, benefits, business cases, and even your career.You’ll hear 10 powerful ways to use storytelling in BA work, complete with real-world examples from energy, government, and education projects — where the right story, metaphor, or user journey shifted outcomes.💡 Key lesson: Data and documents may inform, but stories inspire action.If you want to become a BA who influences, not just documents, this episode is for you.

Managing a product in an enterprise isn’t like working in a start-up. It’s bigger, slower, more political – and far more complex. But when you get it right, you can influence strategy, steer multi-million-dollar roadmaps, and create products that impact thousands, even millions, of users.In this episode of The Better Business Analyst Podcast, Benjamen Walsh shares ten essential truths about enterprise product management – each with a practical tip, a real-world example, and key talking points you can use immediately.You’ll learn:Why enterprise products are ecosystems, not just featuresHow to manage a crowd of stakeholders with competing prioritiesThe role of data in winning roadmap decisionsWhy compliance, change management, and continuous improvement are non-negotiableHow to be both the visionary and the translator for your productWhether you’re a product manager, business analyst, or leader responsible for delivery at scale – these insights will help you survive and thrive in the enterprise world.🎧 Listen now and get the survival strategies you need for your next big product challenge.

Shadow IT: The Secret Weapon – Top 10 Ways Business Analysts Can Use It For GoodThink Shadow IT is just a security risk? Think again. In this week’s episode of The Better Business Analyst, I’m breaking down the Top 10 ways Shadow IT can actually help you become a better BA and drive smarter business change.We’ll cover:Spotting Shadow IT – What it is and where to find itUnderstanding Why It Happens – The hidden gaps it exposesBalancing Risk and Reward – The real dangers (and hidden upsides)Innovation in Disguise – How unofficial tools spark new ideasPain Point Radar – Why Shadow IT is your best early warning systemMapping the Underground – Surfacing and tracking shadow tools safelyBuilding Trust – Turning “gotchas” into open conversationsFrom Hack to Prototype – Turning grassroots solutions into real valueTriaging What to Keep, Kill, or Scale – Practical decision-making tipsCitizen Development – The rise of low-code and how BAs can lead the wayTune in for stories, practical examples, and the honest, no-fluff take on how to turn those rogue spreadsheets and apps into your secret weapon for business improvement.Ready to see Shadow IT in a whole new light? Listen now.

International trade is high-stakes, high-impact work—and BAs are at the centre of how governments support their exporters and grow economies. In this episode, I share 10 essential things every BA needs to understand if you're working in a trade agency, export business, or supporting businesses going global.From cross-border data constraints to stakeholder diplomacy and exporter experience, this is your BA map for global impact.🎧 Hit play and get international.#BA #BusinessAnalysis #Business

In this episode, I’m diving into the realities of being a Business Analyst in the education sector—where data is fragmented, outcomes matter more than outputs, and the people you serve care deeply about the work. Drawing from years of experience across schools, systems and strategy, I’ll unpack 10 critical things every BA should know if you're heading into education or already deep in the trenches.From policy vs people, to why pilots don’t scale and the true power of teacher feedback—this episode is full of hard-won insights and practical tips to elevate your BA practice in one of the most impactful sectors around.🎧 Hit play and get ready to sharpen your thinking.

You don’t need a title to lead — you just need the right approach.In this episode of The Better Business Analyst, I break down the Top 10 ways Business Analysts can influence strategy and drive real business impact — even without a formal leadership role.Each strategy includes:✅ A key principle📊 A research-backed insight💬 A talking point to use in the room📌 A real-world example from the fieldWhether you’re a junior BA or a seasoned analyst looking to elevate your voice, this episode is packed with practical tools to help you lead from the middle.🎙 Topics include:Earning trust before earning titlesTurning insights into influenceVisuals that shift decisionsValue-first storytellingStaying persistent (even when you're ignored)Hit play — and start showing up like the strategist you already are.🔗 Subscribe to the podcast today and Connect on LinkedIn → Benjamen Walsh | Better Business Analyst Podcast