Catalog & Cocktails: The Honest, No-BS Data Podcast (Most) Data Teams Are a Waste of Resources with Blake Burch
Apr 17, 2025
Blake Burch, an AI & Data Leader and the first AI hire for RoboFlow, dives into the inefficiencies of modern data teams. He discusses how many teams fall victim to trendy AI pursuits but end up creating unused dashboards. Blake advocates for embedding data experts within business units and developing full-stack practitioners who can directly impact outcomes. He also stresses the need for clear business goals and effective communication in data initiatives to avoid creating "data graveyards." It’s time to rethink how we approach data!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Overhiring Creates Bloated Data Teams
- Many data teams are bloated because executives overhire without understanding what is truly needed.
- Teams often spin wheels on data setup without knowing its business use or value generation.
Begin Data With Business Action
- Start data projects by identifying the business problem and desired outcome before gathering data.
- Work backward from the business action to determine relevant data points and their sourcing.
Influencer Impact Data System
- At PMG with Sephora, a data-driven system detected influencer product mentions that drove sudden sales spikes.
- They automated real-time bidding adjustments to capitalize on influencer-driven demand efficiently.