S5 | Ep 42 | The Leadership Shift; Running Data Like a Business Function with Carl Smith, Group Data Officer at JCB

In Episode 42, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Carl Smith, Group Data Officer at JCB, where they discuss why everyone hates data governance, the motivation behind his 3-part book series, and why organisations face in implementing effective data strategies, which includes;

• Why everyone hates governance (until they need it).
• How most organisations are stuck in “governance theatre”
• Repositioning governance as a business enabler, not a compliance exercise.
• Using governance to support faster, safer decision-making.
• Concrete tools and templates that make it stick.
• Unmasking the theatre of strategy to avoid PowerPoint-fuelled nonsense that never lands.
• Framing strategy as a vehicle for change, not documentation.
• Fixing the disconnect between strategy and execution.
• Aligning with business outcomes, not buzzwords.
• Designing for agility, relevance, and real-world political constraints.
• Running Data like a business function.
• Moving from delivery to accountability.
• how to own outcomes, not just projects.
• Building the operating model for a modern data function.
• Budgeting, staffing, and positioning the function for credibility.
• Designing services, not just capabilities.
• Navigating exec influence and organisational politics.

For more information on our upcoming Driven by Data LIVE event; https://orbitiongroup.com/driven-by-data-live/

Thanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.

Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.

If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.

At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.

From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.

We take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.

Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at www.dl-academy.com.