John Serra
Data Analytics · Systems & Operations · AI Engineering
Practical Analytics · AI-Assisted Data Systems

Practical Analytics for Better Small-Business Decisions. Clear metrics, trustworthy data, and reports your team can act on.

I help small and medium businesses turn scattered spreadsheets and operational data into clear, dependable decisions—combining decades of hands-on operating experience with an AI-assisted approach to data analytics, Grain First data modeling, and actionable reporting.

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Grain First

Table & Metric Clarity

4 Pillars

Metrics · Data · Reporting · Ownership

AI + Ops

AI-Assisted Analytics & RAG

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Interactive
01 · Grain FirstVERIFIED

Define What One Row Represents Before Counting

Conflicting totals usually start when spreadsheets mix orders, line items, and payments in the same view. Declaring the table grain first restores trust in every downstream metric.

Grain: 1 row per completed_order_id (net of refunds, UTC close)
Case Studies & Production Systems

Systems built for operational clarity and measurable outcomes.

Selected case studies across business development automation, educational transformation, and AI-assisted career learning.

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CareerTalkLab
Next.js · Supabase · AI

CareerTalkLab

An existing English-learning LMS, with a wider data and software career-learning direction planned.

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Digital Transformation in Crisis
Operations · EdTech

Digital Transformation in Crisis

Leading a language school's complete pivot to online learning during COVID-19.

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BD Automation Suite
Python · AI Pipeline

BD Automation Suite

A modular Python pipeline that automates multi-stream business development, from prospect research to AI-drafted outreach.

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Operator & Builder Perspective

Real-world operations meet disciplined data and AI systems.

With a unique blend of hands-on manufacturing expertise, educational leadership, and data analytics skills, I bring a comprehensive perspective to every project. My approach combines decades of real-world experience with modern technological solutions to deliver tangible results.

About Me

Focus AreasSMB Analytics · Grain First · AI
MethodologyClear Definitions & Owned Action
Community LabCareerTalkLab (A1–C1 + Data)
Writing & Field Notes

Practical essays on small-business analytics, Grain First, and building CareerTalkLab.

Field notes on turning messy spreadsheets into reliable decisions, alongside essays on AI engineering and language pedagogy.

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Data Audit

Hand Over a Report Without Breaking Its Refresh

Sharing a report link does not hand over its refresh. Transfer the source spreadsheet, report, and data source ownership, switch Data credentials to the successor, and test refresh after removing the outgoing owner.

Business Intelligence

Why the Dashboard Total Differs from the Spreadsheet

When a Data Studio dashboard total differs from your Google Sheet after refreshing, check filter scope across every metric, replace AVG or SUM of row percentages with a guarded SUM/SUM calculated field, and match COUNT_DISTINCT(order_id) versus COUNT(line_id) grain.