Lenny's Podcast: Product | Growth | Career

Building a world-class data org | Jessica Lachs (VP of Analytics and Data Science at DoorDash)

Jul 14, 2024

01:19:55

Snipd AI

Jessica Lachs, VP of Analytics and Data Science at DoorDash, shares insights on structuring and scaling analytics organizations, centralized vs decentralized data teams, picking the right metrics, fostering extreme ownership culture, AI in analytics team productivity, and advice for aspiring data leaders without formal training.

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Quick takeaways

Focus on short-term metrics driving long-term outcomes for business impact.

Establish centralized data teams for effective decision-making and scalability of solutions.

Encourage extreme ownership and proactive problem-solving to foster innovation and holistic understanding in the team.

Deep dives

Picking Effective Metrics for Business Impact

To drive business impact effectively, finding short-term metrics that lead to long-term outcomes is crucial. Retention, though a common metric, can be challenging to influence in the short term. Choosing measurable short-term inputs that drive long-term results through experimentation is key. Keeping metrics simple and ensuring they are easily understood across the company helps in driving tangible outcomes.

Finding Short-Term Metrics for Long-Term Output

00:40

Efficient Document Workflows with Anvil for Insurance Companies

01:40

Efficiency in Rotating Metrics and Choosing Effective Metrics

01:35

Keys to Building a Strong Data Team

02:00

Intro

2min

Insights on Building and Scaling Data Teams

5min

Central vs. Embedded Data Analytics Teams

14min

Strategies for Data Teams and Hiring in a Data Organization

18min

Exploring DoorDash's WeDash Program and Culture of Extreme Ownership

4min

Proactive Approach to Understanding Consumer Behavior and Motivations

20min

Empowering Data Teams with AI and Diverse Expertise

7min

TV Shows, Spy Genres, Korean Sunscreens, and Life Motto

3min

Reflections on Career Influences and Success at DoorDash

7min

Jessica Lachs is the global head of analytics and data science at DoorDash, where she’s built one of the largest and most respected data organizations in tech. In her more than 10 years at DoorDash, she has served as the first general manager, responsible for launching new markets; the head of business ops and analytics; and the VP of analytics and data science. Previously, Jessica founded GiftSimple, a social gifting startup, and started her career at Lehman Brothers as an investment banking analyst. In our conversation, she shares:

• How to structure and scale a high-impact analytics organization

• Centralized vs. decentralized data teams

• How to pick the right metric and aligning incentives

• Advice for data people on how and when to push back

• Lessons learned from building a global data team

• How to foster a culture of extreme ownership

• The role of AI in improving analytics team productivity

• Advice for aspiring data leaders without formal training

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