If you’re a SQL developer or dba working for a small company it’s pretty easy to become the big fish in the small pond.  But the downside is everything you learn is gained through the school of touch lessons.  You probably don’t have regular exposure to high end SQL expertise, so your knowledge will only grow so much.  Even worse, you might start believing yourself how good you are, until you go out on a technical interview and find out what you don’t know.

If you work for a large company you have a chance at finding a high end, technical mentor who’s not afraid of giving away all his knowledge (turf) and is truly secure in his / her hard earned skills.  You at least a decent shot at learning from established experts.

Either way the internet makes it possible to have quality touch time with some of the best names in the business.  Most of that contact will be from their blogs, user group meetings and if you can afford it, conferences.

I recently received a sponsored mailing from PASS about a web site called sqlworkshops.com where 2 free webcasts can be downloaded.  OK, another self-promoting, self-proclaimed “expert” setting the bait just before the switcher-oo.

Not this time folks.  The web casts on this site are from a true expert on SQL performance and tuning.  I personally have found these videos as much inspiring as informative.

So if you work for a small company and want to REALLY find out what you know, check out www.sqlworkshops.com and download the webcasts… then watch just one of them.  After you watch the first one, if you’re like me, you’ll watch it again and again, until you “get it”.  The other ones are still in the queue, waiting to be tapped.

This guy’s approach is unique, expert and deep.  He calls it level 4 training; I call it awesome.  Whatever you call it will be up to you… just try it.

Happy SQL-ing!

Dave