What even is the modern data stack (Changelog Interviews #600)
Jul 17, 2024
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Data and tech expert Benn Stancil discusses the modern data stack, challenges in data analytics, and the effectiveness of analytics teams. He also delves into making engaging conference talks and the benefits of the Neon database platform for developers.
Modern data stack challenges traditional approaches to analytics.
Building BI tools involves navigating complex customer preferences in visualization products.
Data-driven transformations may not universally benefit average companies.
Deep dives
Changelog Podcast Episode Overview
The episode features conversations with Ben Stancil, co-founder of Mode, a business intelligence platform. Stancil discusses the challenges of traditional cron jobs, emphasizing the inefficiencies and lack of monitoring in these processes. He introduces Chronitor as a solution, offering real-time monitoring and comprehensive telemetry for improved job execution oversight. Additionally, the conversation delves into the evolution of background jobs beyond Linux cron, highlighting the need for unified monitoring across various job platforms.
Building Mode and Insightful Writing Journey
Ben Stancil recounts his journey founding Mode, a BI tool, and delving into writing data-focused content. Initially filling varied roles within the company's growth, Stancil transitioned to content creation, analyzing pop culture with data-driven perspectives. Despite Mode's success, he highlights the challenges of building BI tools, emphasizing the complexity of customer preferences in visualization products.
Dissecting Analytics Teams and Data-Driven Decisions
Stancil critiques the premise of analytics teams driving better decision-making, questioning the industry's effectiveness. He challenges the notion of widespread data intelligence impact, suggesting that companies often struggle to leverage data effectively. The discussion touches on the limitations of analytics within average companies and the evolving dynamics of the data industry, implying that data-driven transformations might not be universally attainable.
The Value and Challenges of Data Utilization
Data's potential to drive business transformation is highlighted, yet challenges like the cost, time investment, and risks associated with data utilization are discussed. The narrative questions if the extensive resources poured into data initiatives justify their outcomes, pondering the balance between data insights' worth and practical implications for businesses.
Innovative Approaches to Conference Talks
The podcast delves into unconventional strategies for delivering engaging conference talks, contrasting traditional advice by advocating for dynamic and entertaining presentations. By prioritizing audience engagement and memorability over conveying solely informative content, the discussion encourages taking risks and exploring unique styles to captivate and resonate with audiences.
Benn Stancil’s weekly Substack on data and technology provides a fascinating perspective on the modern data stack & the industry building it. On this episode, Benn joins Jerod to dissect a few of his essays, discuss opportunities he sees during this slowdown & explain why he thinks maybe we should disband the analytics team.
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Sponsors:
Cronitor – Cronitor helps you understand your cron jobs. Capture the status, metrics, and output from every cron job and background process. Name and organize each job, and ensure the right people are alerted when something goes wrong.
Retool – The low-code platform for developers to build internal tools — Some of the best teams out there trust Retool…Brex, Coinbase, Plaid, Doordash, LegalGenius, Amazon, Allbirds, Peloton, and so many more – the developers at these teams trust Retool as the platform to build their internal tools. Try it free at retool.com/changelog
Neon – Fleets of Postgres! Enterprises use Neon to operate hundreds of thousands of Postgres databases: Automated, instant provisioning of the world’s most popular database.
