The Joe Reis Show

Tanya Bragin, a product leader at ClickHouse with a rich background in high-growth startups, dives into the fascinating world of open source vs. commercial products. She discusses the balance companies must strike between community engagement and profitability, emphasizing ClickHouse’s innovative analytics capabilities. Tanya also shares insights on enhancing prioritization and delegation skills, the importance of direct user feedback, and the challenges of integrating marketing with product management. Plus, she tackles the realities of the AI hype cycle in today's tech landscape.

Navigating today's tough job market requires more than just sending out resumes. The host emphasizes that obscurity is an enemy and networking is vital for career growth. Practical strategies for building genuine relationships are discussed, from industry events to social media engagement. Personal empowerment and reputation play crucial roles in advancing careers, especially with the evolving landscape of AI. Lastly, listeners are encouraged to participate in upcoming events and share their feedback on the podcast's format.

Chris Riccomini, an engineer with a rich background at LinkedIn and WePay, shares insights on building SlateDB and the intricacies of data infrastructure. He recounts his journey from PayPal to LinkedIn, detailing the shifts in technology and engineering challenges. The discussion flows into writing a collaborative handbook for new software engineers during the pandemic. Riccomini also delves into learning Rust, the role of AI in programming, and strategies for staying relevant in tech, emphasizing the future of data applications.

Juha Korpella, a consultant and co-founder of Helsinki Data Week, joins fellow data enthusiasts Niko Korvenlaita from Reconfigured, Russell Willis from BCS, and Kosti Hokkanen of Supermetrics for lively discussions over beers. They share insights from Helsinki Data Week, highlighting the MetaGrid's importance in data integration. The conversation touches on diverse career paths in data and the values of risk-taking in entrepreneurship. Personal anecdotes illuminate the vibrant Finnish data landscape and the community's camaraderie, especially in a post-COVID world.

The speaker reflects on their experiences at the MLOps World Conference, emphasizing practical applications of machine learning. They dive into the pitfalls of poor data modeling and advocate for coherent structures to boost productivity. A compelling discussion on prioritizing quality over speed reveals how high standards prevent technical debt. Personal updates provide insight into the speaker's professional journey, highlighting upcoming engagements and shifts in focus.

Dive into the world of conferences, where engaging as a speaker takes center stage. Discover the power of asking insightful questions that drive meaningful discussions. Get tips on how to master the art of Q&A, emphasizing conciseness and relevance. Learn what pitfalls to avoid, like self-promotion and distractions. With personal anecdotes from the inaugural Helsinki Data Week, this discussion blends experience with actionable advice for both speakers and attendees.

Wes McKinney, the creator of Pandas and Apache Arrow, now works at Posit on Positron, a cutting-edge data science IDE. He delves into the innovative, React-based features of Positron and its integration with TypeScript and Jupyter. McKinney shares insights on optimizing data science with DuckDB and Wasm, enhancing workflows through AI, and navigating coding complexities. He reminisces about the creation of Pandas during financial turmoil and the evolution of Arrow for improved data processing. Outside of coding, he enjoys video gaming and language learning.

Tech debt is draining a massive chunk of IT budgets, with estimates as high as 60%. Legacy tech in big companies can feel like a ticking time bomb, especially with undocumented code. The discussion raises a provocative question: could AI be the solution to effectively tackle this issue? Large language models might just help in migrating those outdated systems. Plus, there's a peek into personal endeavors in the data industry.

Anne-Claire Baschet, Chief Data and AI Officer at Miracle, and Yoann Benoit, Head of Data at Himaya, tackle the intriguing concept of the 'Data Death Cycle.' They explore how misaligned priorities can derail data projects and stress the need for a mindset shift towards user-centric approaches. By drawing parallels between data and product development, they emphasize the significance of understanding user needs and enhancing collaboration among teams. Their insights illuminate how integrating AI early can lead to more successful outcomes.

Larry Burns, an expert in data teams, shares his insights on how these teams can overcome challenges to add real value to organizations. He discusses the struggle to move beyond being seen as cost centers and emphasizes the importance of integrating data roles into core business processes. Larry highlights the necessity of refining communication skills and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. He also showcases transformative success stories, like a medical supply company’s pivot to a data-driven model, proving how effective data management can enhance customer satisfaction and drive revenue.