Hosts Chandra Wobschall and Paul Houtkooper delve into a dynamic conversation with Alysa Mauer, IT Business Solutions Senior Manager at MDC Holdings (Richmond American Homes). Together, they explore Alysa's extensive role, her innovative approaches to recruitment and mentorship, and her dedication to fostering long-term community engagement. Listeners will gain insights into the complexities of the business analyst role, from balancing current operations with future enhancements, to navigating the intricacies of the JD Edwards software. 

The discussion also dives into the importance of coaching, the contrast between agile and waterfall methodologies, and the critical need for effective communication and problem-solving within teams. With plenty of laughs and shared learnings, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and business. 

05:56 Change leaders, automation and building relationships. 

07:25 Empowering change and improving functionality. 

13:00 Exposing customers to possibilities encourages product feedback. 

15:06 Perspectives on AI and BA. 

18:14 Conferences offer a networking environment to explore and learn. 

20:10 Patience and building confidence with new tools. 

26:12 Consider different perspectives, provide options, explain rationale. 

26:57 Describing iterative problem-solving. 

30:31 Balancing training and experience for business roles. 

35:31 Midwesternism of the Day.