Data Product Management in Action: The Practitioner's Podcast

S1 Ep#30: From Engineering to Data Strategy: Driving AI and Decision-Making

Feb 5, 2025

Theo Bell, Head of AI Product at Rimes, brings a wealth of experience from Palantir and Goldman Sachs to the conversation. She shares her journey from mechanical engineering to data strategy, showcasing real-world examples like optimizing client orders during supply shortages. The discussion dives into the importance of integrated data approaches and the challenges of adopting new models. Theo promotes using production-ready pilots over proofs-of-concept and highlights tools like GTD for productivity, all while emphasizing the need for effective communication styles in data management.

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ANECDOTE

Prioritizing Clients

Palantir helped a manufacturer connect their procurement to production.
This allowed them to prioritize client orders during raw material shortages.

INSIGHT

Siloed Data

Siloed data is a common problem across many organizations.
Many companies believe their data problems are unique, but they are often similar.

ADVICE

Start Small, Production-Ready

Start with a narrow, production-ready pilot, not a large proof of concept.
This allows for quick wins and easier scaling.

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S1 Ep#30: From Engineering to Data Strategy: Driving AI and Decision-Making

The Data Product Management In Action podcast, season 1, is brought to you by Soda and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences.

Our guest this week is Theo Bell, a data product manager. She chats with host Nick Zerviudis and shares her transition from mechanical engineering to roles at Goldman Sachs and Palantir, emphasizing the importance of data integration in strategic decision-making. She discusses how Palantir helped a manufacturer prioritize client orders during raw material shortages and explores the challenges of convincing stakeholders to adopt new data models, advocating for production-ready pilots over proof-of-concepts. Theo also offers insights on fostering AI adoption within organizations, using a news summarization tool for a CEO as an example. She recommends the GTD framework and Surrounded by Idiots for enhancing productivity and communication.

About our Host Nick Zervoudis: Nick is Head of Product at CKDelta, an AI software business within the CK Hutchison Holdings group. Nick oversees a portfolio of data products and works with sister companies to uncover new opportunities to innovate using data, analytics, and machine learning. Nick's career has revolved around data and advanced analytics from day one, having worked as an analyst, consultant, product manager, and instructor for startups, SMEs, and enterprises including PepsiCo, Sainsbury's, Lloyds Banking Group, IKEA, Capgemini Invent, BrainStation, QuantSpark, and Hg Capital. Nick is also the co-host of London's Data Product Management meetup, and speaks & writes regularly about data & AI product management. Connect with Nick on LinkedIn and through his newsletter, Value from Data & AI.

About our Guest Theo Bell: Theo is the Head of AI Product at Rimes, where she leads the company’s efforts to leverage AI technology in order to provide cutting-edge data management solutions to clients. Previously, Theo held key roles at Palantir Technologies and Goldman Sachs, where she enabled various industries to leverage data through AI/ML-driven software, notably Airbus' Skywise platform, the NHS, and the UK Ministry of Defense. Theo is dedicated to using AI and technology for global challenges, particularly in improving health, enhancing society, and fostering sustainable businesses. She holds a PhD in Engineering from the University of Cambridge. Connect with Theo in LinkedIn.

All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else.

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