The Data Stack Show 251: Data Teams at the Crossroads: Proving Value in a Changing Business Landscape with Ben Rogojan
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Jul 2, 2025 Ben Rogojan, a consultant who helps companies optimize their data stacks and build communities for data leaders, shares insights on the evolving landscape of data teams. He discusses the importance of demonstrating ROI and aligning data outputs with business outcomes. The conversation covers navigating stakeholder expectations, dealing with vanity metrics, and utilizing AI for improved data workflows. Rogojan emphasizes the key skills for data professionals and the need to take risks and embrace creativity for personal and organizational growth.
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Data Teams: Output vs Outcome
- Data teams grew rapidly post-2018 due to cheaper, easier tools like Snowflake and Fivetran.
- However, output often exceeded outcome, raising questions when funding tightened.
Internal vs Client-Facing Teams Stability
- Internal optimization data teams face volatility and cutbacks when budgets tighten.
- Client-facing data teams maintain stability due to direct perceived value to customers.
Data Teams Amplify Existing Success
- Data teams require funding from already successful businesses, so they amplify value rather than create it.
- ROI is harder to prove for data teams than for marketing or sales, causing challenges in budget allocation.
