Blog

---

If you’ve ever managed vacation requests or resource planning in a large team, you know how tedious it can be to transform raw HR data into a format that project managers actually want—like a matrix showing every employee’s vacation days across the year. Recently, I decided to see if Microsoft Copilot could help me automate this process. Spoiler: it did, and it opened the door to even more automation possibilities!

The Challenge

Every year, our project managers need an Excel matrix where:

• Rows = Employees
• Columns = Every day of the year
• Cells = Marked if the employee is on vacation that day

The HR system exports vacation requests in a detailed table, but not in this matrix format. Manually converting this data is time-consuming and error-prone.

My Copilot Journey

1. Defining the Problem
   I explained to Copilot that I wanted to transform an HR Excel export into a vacation matrix, with color-coded vacation days, for the entire year.
2. Uploading the Data
   I uploaded my HR file, and Copilot quickly analyzed the structure—identifying columns like “Full Name,” “From Date,” “To Date,” and “Status.”
3. Iterative Automation
   Copilot generated a Python script that:
   • Reads the HR data
   • Filters only approved requests
   • Expands each vacation period into individual days
   • Creates a new Excel file with the matrix, marking vacation days in green
4. Debugging Together
   We refined the script through several iterations—fixing issues like date alignment, handling month boundaries, and ensuring the output matched real-world scenarios. Copilot was able to quickly adjust the logic based on my feedback.
5. Reusable Solution
   In the end, I received a reusable script that I can run anytime, for any year, with just a few clicks. No more manual editing or formula headaches!

Taking Automation Further

What really impressed me was how easy it is to make this solution even more powerful and reusable:

• Python Script: The script Copilot generated can be reused for any HR file and any date range. Just update the input file and run—it’s that simple.
• Power Automate: Want to go no-code? You can set up a Power Automate flow to watch your OneDrive or SharePoint folder for new HR files and automatically run the script, delivering the finished matrix to your project managers without lifting a finger.
• Excel Macros: Prefer to stay in Excel? You can convert the logic into a macro, so anyone on your team can generate the matrix with a single click.
• Azure Functions or Logic Apps: For enterprise-scale automation, you can deploy the script as an Azure Function or Logic App, making it accessible via API or web interface.

The Result

Here’s the final output:

Why This Matters

With Copilot, I turned a boring, repetitive HR task into a one-click automation. This not only saves time but also reduces errors and lets me focus on more valuable work. And with the flexibility of Python, Power Automate, and other tools, you can scale this automation to fit any workflow or organization.

---

Ready to automate your own boring tasks?
Start with Copilot, and don’t be afraid to connect it with Python, Power Automate, or Azure—your future self will thank you!

Tra una sessione di gioco e l’altra, ho avuto il piacere (e la pazienza) di mettere alla prova la nuova Asus ROG Xbox Ally X. Un ibrido curioso, potente e con qualche spigolo che non ho esitato a raccontare nella mia ultima recensione per MondoXbox.

Due settimane intense, tra setup da astronauta, giochi da urlo e qualche apparizione improvvisa di Windows che ti fa ricordare che sì, sotto sotto è sempre lui. Ma non vi spoilero nulla: se volete sapere com’è andata davvero, trovate tutto nel mio articolo.

👉 Leggi la recensione completa su MondoXbox

Spoiler: ho giocato a DOOM, Starfield, Indiana Jones e persino a Battlefield 6 in modalità REDSEC. E no, non ho fatto esplodere nulla. Quasi.

There’s something primal about watching lightning tear through the sky and strike a tree. A sudden, sharp sound. A blinding flash. Then silence—smoke, debris, and a strange, paralyzing stillness. If that lightning hits a person, the feeling shifts entirely: disorientation, horror, and a deep sense of helplessness in the face of something uncontrollable.

Lately, that same kind of fear, dizziness, and powerlessness is rippling through the halls—both physical and virtual—of tech companies. Waves of layoffs, striking without warning like bolts from the sky, have become all too common. It doesn’t matter how skilled, valuable, or motivated someone is: when the lightning comes, it hits without mercy.

Every time Teams opens with a new notification, or a sudden  meeting appears on the calendar, hearts race. It’s like watching the sky darken, knowing something destructive may be moments away. When it hits, those affected are left stunned. Their professional identity shatters, their sense of direction vanishes. Those who remain are often overcome with guilt—and the quiet fear that they might be next.

And yet, something surprising happens in the aftermath. LinkedIn—so often a polished display of achievements—transforms into an emergency response hub. Supportive posts, job leads, referrals, offers of help: a digital chain of solidarity forms, much like the community relief efforts that spring up after natural disasters. In an industry as relentlessly competitive as tech, this isn’t something to take for granted. But perhaps, as in real tragedy, it’s in collapse that we rediscover the power of connection, the voices saying “I’m here.”

This isn’t just about economics. It’s emotional. Layoffs in tech are no longer exceptions—they’re patterns. No longer reactions to clear crises, but systematic tools for restructuring, repositioning, and, at times, speculation.

As a society, as a professional community, we need to ask: how much can we withstand before the whole ecosystem stops growing and starts to burn, like a tree struck by lightning?

The real danger isn’t just job loss—it’s the erosion of trust, the slow collapse of the collective spirit that fuels every innovation. And yet, maybe, in those sparks of humanity that flash during the darkest moments, there’s still a path to rebuilding.

L’ipocrisia dell’8 marzo: riflessioni sulla strada verso la parità

L’8 marzo, la Giornata Internazionale della Donna, è spesso celebrata con fiori, cene e gesti simbolici. Tuttavia, dietro questa facciata di celebrazione, persistono profonde disparità che rendono questa giornata un’occasione per riflettere, più che per festeggiare.

Differenze salariali e sociali

Nonostante i progressi, il divario salariale tra uomini e donne rimane una realtà in molte parti del mondo, Italia inclusa. Le donne guadagnano in media meno degli uomini per lo stesso lavoro, e spesso si trovano relegate a posizioni meno retribuite o con minori opportunità di avanzamento. A livello sociale, le donne affrontano barriere invisibili, come il cosiddetto “soffitto di cristallo”, che limita l’accesso a ruoli di leadership.

Anche i servizi dedicati alle donne, come l’accesso a strutture per la maternità o il supporto per le vittime di violenza, sono spesso insufficienti o mal distribuiti. Questo crea un ulteriore ostacolo alla loro piena partecipazione nella società.

Disparità di giudizio nei comportamenti

Un altro aspetto emblematico è la disparità di giudizio nei comportamenti sociali. Una donna con molti partner viene spesso etichettata negativamente, mentre un uomo con lo stesso comportamento viene talvolta celebrato o considerato “virile”. Questo doppio standard riflette una mentalità radicata che continua a penalizzare le donne per scelte personali che, nel caso degli uomini, sono accettate o addirittura applaudite.

La parità non si compra con i fiori

Arricchire i fiorai l’8 marzo non risolve queste disparità. La parità non è un gesto simbolico, ma un impegno quotidiano per abbattere stereotipi, garantire uguali opportunità e riconoscere il valore complementare di uomini e donne nella società. La complementarità non significa subordinazione, ma collaborazione e rispetto reciproco.

L’8 marzo dovrebbe essere un momento per ricordare che la strada verso la parità è ancora lunga e che ogni giorno è un’opportunità per fare un passo avanti. Non basta celebrare le donne; è necessario ascoltarle, sostenerle e lavorare insieme per un futuro più equo.

Per questo motivo non faccio mai gli auguri alle donne in questo giorno dove si dovrebbe riflettere sull’ipocrisia del festeggianento che è secondo solo a quella che confonde l’inclusività con la distorsione della realtà fattuale.

In the world of space exploration, few names shine as brightly as SpaceX. The company has redefined what’s possible, pushing the boundaries of technology and ambition. Its latest Starship launch, though ending in an explosion, is a testament to the relentless pursuit of progress. SpaceX has always embraced the philosophy that failure is a stepping stone to success, and this launch is no exception. The lessons learned will undoubtedly pave the way for future triumphs.

However, it’s impossible to ignore the shadow cast by the actions of its founder, Elon Musk. His involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and his vocal support for Donald Trump’s controversial policies have sparked heated debates. While these political choices may be polarizing, they should not detract from the groundbreaking work being done by the engineers, scientists, and visionaries at SpaceX.

SpaceX is more than its founder. It’s a collective of brilliant minds dedicated to making humanity a multiplanetary species. The company’s achievements—like reusable rockets, record-breaking launches, and partnerships with NASA—are milestones that deserve recognition, regardless of Musk’s political affiliations.

Criticism of Musk’s political choices is valid and necessary in a democratic society. But let’s not allow these controversies to overshadow the incredible strides SpaceX is making in space exploration. The work being done at SpaceX has the potential to benefit all of humanity, transcending political divides.

As we look to the stars, let’s celebrate the innovation and determination that make these missions possible. SpaceX’s journey is a reminder that progress often comes with challenges, but the pursuit of knowledge and exploration is always worth it. Let’s keep our eyes on the horizon and support the pioneers who dare to dream big.