218: Breaking the Language Barrier Between Data and Business with Joyce Myers of Modern Technology Solutions
Dec 4, 2024
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Joyce Myers, Chief Data Officer at Modern Technology Solutions and former Army logistics expert, shares her remarkable journey from paper-based systems to cutting-edge data technologies in the defense sector. She discusses the vital role of data quality and entry accuracy in decision-making and resource management. Joyce emphasizes the importance of bridging the gap between data insights and business needs, highlighting how leadership and communication are essential during digital transitions. Her insights offer valuable career advice for aspiring data professionals navigating change.
Joyce Myers underscores the critical importance of accurate data entry in logistics, asserting that small errors can lead to significant operational consequences.
The podcast emphasizes the need for organizations to embrace change in data practices while prioritizing effective communication to enhance data quality and decision-making.
Deep dives
Joyce Myers' Diverse Background
Joyce Myers has had a multifaceted career in the military and defense contracting, having served as a soldier and a civilian in various roles including logistics. She highlights her beginnings in the Army during the early 1980s, where she faced unique challenges as one of the few female soldiers. Throughout her career, she experienced significant technological advancements that have transformed logistics operations from manual processes on paper to sophisticated digital systems. Her journey illustrates the evolution of data management in the military and emphasizes her expertise in bridging logistics and data.
The Interconnection of Logistics and Data
Logistics and data are deeply interconnected, as data plays a crucial role in managing resources efficiently. Myers expresses her enthusiasm for the relationship between logistics and data, noting how effective data management can optimize supply chain operations. She reflects on the historical context of logistics during major military operations like D-Day, where successful communication and data handling were vital. This emphasizes the ongoing importance of combining leadership with solid data management to achieve operational success.
Data Quality and Its Impacts
The conversation addresses the complexities of data quality, particularly the challenges posed by transitioning from paper-based systems to digital data entries. Myers shares examples of how small data entry errors can lead to significant ramifications in resource allocation decisions, such as staffing mechanics based on inaccurate maintenance time data. She highlights the necessity for rigorous data management practices that maintain high data fidelity to prevent the misinformed decision-making that can arise from poor data quality. This illustrates the need for organizations to prioritize data integrity as they adapt to technology.
Navigating Change and Leadership in Data Practices
Embracing change in data practices is essential for optimizing processes and improving quality, yet it presents challenges due to ingrained habits and resistance. Myers shares her insights on implementing change by encouraging stakeholders to assess the utility of existing data elements and to continually inquire about their relevance. She advocates for patience and understanding towards individuals affected by data changes while emphasizing the human aspect involved in data management. By focusing on effective communication and collaboration, organizations can better navigate the complexities involved in transforming their data practices.
Career Advice for Data Practitioners and Parting Thoughts (41:10)
The Data Stack Show is a weekly podcast powered by RudderStack, the CDP for developers. Each week we’ll talk to data engineers, analysts, and data scientists about their experience around building and maintaining data infrastructure, delivering data and data products, and driving better outcomes across their businesses with data.
RudderStack helps businesses make the most out of their customer data while ensuring data privacy and security. To learn more about RudderStack visit rudderstack.com.
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