
Making Data Simple
Hosted by Al Martin, WW VP of Technical Sales at IBM, Making Data Simple cuts through the hype to reveal how data and AI reshape the modern enterprise.Thought leaders, researchers, and innovators share firsthand lessons on leading teams, scaling analytics, and driving real-world impact—delivered in Al’s signature straightforward, witty style.Tune in to Making Data Simple today. From data and AI breakthroughs to leadership hacks, top experts drop actionable gems that help businesses thrive in a data-driven world. #MakingDataSimple #AI #Leadership
Latest episodes

Nov 23, 2022 • 37min
Part 2: "See the Game, Change the Game". More money ball with Paul Bessire, VP of Data, Coterie Insurance. Fascinating stuff.
Send us a textPart 2: "See the Game, Change the Game". More money ball with Paul Bessire, VP of Data, Coterie Insurance. Fascinating stuff. 01:00 Paul's customers<Ok, off the rails on sport psychology> 09:50 Moneyball for insurance15:10 Can you underwrite at the individual level?20:17 In summary24:09 Startups and adverse selection31:10 Three tweetable nuggets?33:00 For funLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulbessire/Website: https://coterieinsurance.com/Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun. Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Nov 16, 2022 • 31min
Part 1: Can't get enough of money ball? Feels more like sports radio. Making Data Simple welcomes Paul Bessire, VP of Data, Coterie Insurance.
Send us a textPart 1: Can't get enough of money ball? Feels more like sports radio. Making Data Simple welcomes Paul Bessire, VP of Data, Coterie Insurance. 05:11 Paul's KC connection07:59 The Prediction Machine08:38 Who is this guy???15:31 Paul's story27:01 And about the Tech?29:48 "Box Score" is all the mattersLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulbessire/Website: https://coterieinsurance.com/Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Nov 9, 2022 • 21min
Part 2: Learning leadership from a 2-star General : "The harder right versus the easier wrong". Hear about the Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP)
Send us a textPart 2 : Learning leadership from a 2-star General : "The harder right versus theeasier wrong". Hear about the Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP)00:12 How to become a 2-Star General01:22 Raising 3 girls4:10 Leadership style05:21 MDMP to civilian leadership09:55 General McConville's book recommendation10:54 How military influences POV14:06 Advice to others15:52 Finally! The lighting roundLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dianne-del-rosso-7950871Website: https://www.ibm.com/products/expertlabsWant to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us atalmartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The MakingData Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM,where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, andleadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Nov 2, 2022 • 30min
Part 1: A 2-star General on the #MakingDataSimple podcast! Dianne Del Rosso, Brigadier General and VP, WW Services, IBM.
Send us a textA 2-star General on the #MakingDataSimple podcast! Dianne DelRosso, Brigadier General and VP, WW Services, IBM. Lab Services : World classconsultants with certified skills providing value-based services via simple,repeatable practices, methodologies, and offerings03:08 Meet the General08:02 Why ditch Westpoint (twice)?!10:10 How do you still balance the Reserves?11:15 Do you hate Navy?12:54 The acquisition space14:57 Why Lab Services, Why now?18:13 The Lab Services mission19:14 Mid and long-term vision20:20 Product vs Client vs P&L23:18 When to use a Partner25:28 Getting in front of clients following COVID27:31 Leaving your markLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dianne-del-rosso-7950871Website: https://www.ibm.com/products/expertlabsWant to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us atalmartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The MakingData Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM,where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, andleadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Oct 26, 2022 • 29min
[Replay} Coaching and Leadership, and I learn what makes a great leader - Conversation with Leadership Coach Lynne Snead.
Send us a textHey folks! Replay this week as we crunch through a backlog of editing. My favorite coach, Lynne Snead, is guest today to discuss Leadership and Coaching, the good, the bad, and the great. Lynne is the founder of Talent Evolution Systems, a behavioral analyst, consultant, training specialist, speaker, coach, Lynne has a back ground in Educational Psychology, and has specialized in organizational performance for over 20 years. Lynne is one of the original Franklin Covey co-authors, has a best seller, she created Franklin Covey’s signature Project Development process and programs, worked directly with Stephen Covey.1:30 – Lynne talks about her background5:40 – Lynne’s coaching specialty and mission statement10:30 – Why don’t all leaders have coaches?12:08 – Why do you differentiate corporate coaching from life coaching?16:27 - Do you believe in the element of natural state? 18:32 – How many individuals have you coached?19:49 – What constitutes a great leader?20:55 – What are the common mistakes in a leader?24:44 – Steer them back on trackLynne Snead - LinkedInTalent Evolution SystemsLynne’s email: lsnead@talentevolutionsystems.comLeadership and self deception How will you measure your life?Connect with the TeamProducer Kate Brown - LinkedIn. Host Al Martin - LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Oct 19, 2022 • 54min
Kill your... whaaa???... Service Desk! Nichola Freund Founder and CEO of Workstream.io
Send us a textMeet Nicholas Freund, Founder and CEO of Workstream.io. Nicholas spearheads a seed-stage technology startup that integrates directly with analytical tools data, and existing workflows, to empower data teams to use data assets in a more effective way.01:50 Meet Nichola Freund05:18 Why leave the golden child : Tesla?14:10 Time to start another data company18:37 A startup in COVID21:30 The Workstream pitch25:30 A use case example29:16 Competitive differentiation34:40 Monetization and growth39:31 Launch complete41:42 Kill Your service desk!46:03 Company culture48:31 Recommended booksLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nick-from-workstreamWebsite: https://www.workstream.ioWant to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Oct 12, 2022 • 21min
Part 2 : A different take on technology. Iain Thomas, Group Creative Director, Virtue talks about the book he wrote with AI. Yes with a non-human called "What Makes Us Human". Why do we suffer? What is the meaning of life? Oh boy...
Send us a textPart 2 : A different take on technology. Iain Thomas, Group Creative Director, Virtue talks about the book he wrote with AI. Yes with a non-human called "What Makes Us Human". Why do we suffer? What is the meaning of life? Oh boy...00:00 Writing a book with AI02:56 Has AI provided the meaning of life?07:37 Can AI sell too?07:56 Do we lose our humanity with AI?12:40 The concern : bias14:15 Buy the book. Here's why.Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iain-s-thomas-7838445/Website: https://product.soundstrue.com/what-makes-us-human/Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun. Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Oct 5, 2022 • 37min
A different take on technology and creativity with Iain Thomas, Part 1
Send us a textPart 1 : A different take on technology. Iain Thomas, Group Creative Director, Virtue talks creativity and humanities, connecting people with technology, and Artificial Intelligence's impact on the creative arts. AI, NFTs, Web 3.0, Metaverse. 01:34 The brand of being Iain Thomas12:47 AI, NFTs, Web 3.0, Metaverse, and Crypto14:36 Have Millennials rented their lives?17:37 All things NFT24:20 AI meets poetry (Sappho)28:16 What does GPT-3 offer that humans cannot?30:06 The idea wrote the book32:38 Al, not A.I., is officially oldLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iain-s-thomas-7838445/Website: https://product.soundstrue.com/what-makes-us-human/Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun. Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Sep 28, 2022 • 28min
Part 2 : Malcolm Hawker, Head of Data Strategy for Profisee, and thought leader in the field of Master Data Management (MDM) and Data Governance. If you're an MDM zealot, let's go deep!
Send us a textPart 2 : Malcolm Hawker, Head of Data Strategy for Profisee, and thought leader in the field ofMaster Data Management (MDM) and Data Governance. If you're an MDM zealot, let's go deep!Show Notes:00:32 The Head of Data Strategy02:00 Make it Easy, Accurate, and Scale05:48 What is Real vs Hype09:00 Profisee's Differentiator14:26 Reach out to Malcolm15:28 How to become a CDO18:50 Focusing on outcomes24:52 The end of the worldLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malhawkerWebsite: https://profisee.com/Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us atalmartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Sep 21, 2022 • 34min
Part 1 : Welcome Malcolm Hawker, Head of Data Strategy for Profisee, and thought leader in the field of Master Data Management (MDM) and Data Governance. If you're an MDM zealot, let's go deep.
Send us a textPart 1 : Welcome Malcolm Hawker, Head of Data Strategy for Profisee, and thought leader in the field of Master Data Management (MDM) and Data Governance. If you're an MDM zealot, let's go deep.Show Notes01:28 Meet Malcolm Hawker06:33 MDM's future09:48 A unique view on data fabric14:07 The rise and fall of AOL19:46 The definition of MDM26:28 MDM reference architectureLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malhawkerWebsite: https://profisee.com/Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.