Data Radicals

In this episode, CDO Steve Pimblett of The Very Group describes the four pillars of extracting value from data and shares how he’s built a successful B2C data team. Steve shares his advice for CDOs just starting off or maybe years into the role. He discusses optimizing your data strategy, making your business more data-driven, leveraging account managers, and much more.--------“Set up some sort of an internal agency to see how you can make business areas more data-driven.” - Steve Pimblett--------Time Stamps* (2:28) What CDOs should know on day one* (8:44) A deep dive into The Very Group* (14:26) How to approach your company’s data strategy* (20:56) Using data to better approach tough conversations* (22:59) Account managers are your secret weapon--------SponsorThis podcast is presented by Alation.Learn more:* Data Radicals: https://www.alation.com/podcast/* Alation’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alation/* Satyen’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssangani/--------LinksConnect with Steve on LinkedInCheck out The Very Group

With the data space more complex than ever, many people throw their hands in the air, and use solutions that fix many (but not all) of their problems. Today’s guest saw that complexity, and leaned into it. Zhamak Dehghani is the creator of the data mesh. Where others saw chaos, she saw an opportunity. Zhamak dives into decentralization, all things data mesh, how data architecture can empower your workers, and much more.--------“Seeing the real world problems made me curious about the data space—scratching the surface and seeing the discord between the reality of the complex world we're living in with data. The solutions weren't up to the task for dealing with that complexity, so it got me to look further for a solution.” — Zhamak Dehghani--------Time Stamps* (0:00) A brief history of data architecture* (2:45) An intro to the data mesh* (13:08) How analytics impact data engineers* (18:54) The socio-technical approach* (23:26) Getting started in the data mesh* (28:59) Data mesh vs. Data fabric--------SponsorThis podcast is presented by Alation.Learn more:* Data Radicals: https://www.alation.com/podcast/* Alation’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alation/* Satyen’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssangani/--------LinksConnect with Zhamak on LinkedInCheck out Zhamak's book Data Mesh

What if you could combine data across industries and use cases? FAIR data is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable. These are the tenants that Francesco Marzoni, Chief Data and Analytics Officer of Ingka Group, has made central to his data-driven career. In today’s episode, Francesco discusses the FAIR principles, data silos, the importance of data governance, and much more.--------“The biggest lesson I got during the pandemic was the importance of having usability in data assets you can tap into and how much it can hurt you if you don't have usable data assets in times of crisis.” — Francesco Marzoni--------Time Stamps* (0:00) How Aristotle impacts data today* (2:45) Exploring FAIR* (14:07) Francesco used FAIR to navigate Nestlé through the pandemic* (20:52) The reusability of data* (27:00) How Francesco creates data programs* (29:54) Future opportunities in data--------SponsorThis podcast is presented by Alation.Learn more:* Data Radicals: https://www.alation.com/podcast/* Alation’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alation/* Satyen’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssangani/--------LinksConnect with Francesco on LinkedInCheck out Ingka Group

While analysts in other fields face an ocean of data, those in social justice often face a desert. After all, those who abuse their power take care to conceal their crimes. How can data scientists hold the guilty accountable? Today's guest has used data to uncover hidden human rights violations and uphold social justice. Tarak Shah is a Data Scientist at the Human Rights Data Analysis Group (HRDAG), a RAFTO award-winning non-profit. In this episode, he reveals how his work has exposed the crimes of violent dictators and police – delivering justice to the violated and a chance to heal the communities affected. --------“In human rights, the question when we're talking about accountability is about what actually happened, not just what was documented.” — Tarak Shah--------Time Stamps* (0:00) Navigating a lack of data* (2:46) Analyzing human rights violations in Guatemala * (11:45) How data solved a murder mystery* (14:02) Data’s insights into gender-based violence in Chicago* (34:33) How you can help preserve human rights with data--------SponsorThis podcast is presented by Alation.Learn more:* Data Radicals: https://www.alation.com/podcast/* Alation’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alation/* Satyen’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssangani/--------LinksConnect with Tarak on LinkedInCheck Out HRDAG

In the era of “fake news” how do you know what to trust? Today’s guest, Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, has found the last dependable source of truth: Google. Armed with Google trends data, Seth illuminates hidden truths about racism, politics, and sexuality in our world today. In today’s interview, Seth dives into his latest book Don’t Trust Your Gut: Using Data to Get What You Really Want in Life. He shares interesting insights he gathered along the way and how unfortunately, lying and data sometimes go hand-in-hand.--------“Google trends is so powerful because it gives you an incentive to get the information you need. And PornHub, similarly, gives you an incentive to get the information you need. So even in an anonymous survey, there's no incentive for people to tell the truth.” — Seth Stephens-Davidowitz--------Time Stamps* (0:00) Is your data full of lies?* (2:45) Seth’s book Everybody Lies* (6:25) Google trends is a data treasure trove* (11:36) How data can help you online date* (16:25) Taking a data-driven approach to your personal life* (19:33) The data behind happiness * (24:13) Seth’s book Don’t Trust Your Gut and how it can change your approach to business--------SponsorThis podcast is presented by Alation.Learn more:* Data Radicals: https://www.alation.com/podcast/* Alation’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alation/* Satyen’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssangani/--------LinksCheck out Seth's WorkSeth’s book : Don’t Trust Your Gut: Using Data to Get What You Really Want in Life

Business intelligence has dominated corporate conversations for years. It’s an integral component of making data-backed decisions and as well as an important tool for any Data Radical. Today, we’re lucky enough to speak with a business intelligence pioneer, Bernard Liautaud.Bernard is the Managing Partner of Balderton Capital and was the founder of BusinessObjects. In this interview, he and Satyen discuss the origins of business intelligence, what it’s like to found a company, creating healthy company cultures, and so much more.--------“The No. 1 element of creating a culture is by setting an example, because you're going to be modeled after — unconsciously or consciously.” — Bernard Liautaud--------Time Stamps* (0:00) Bernard’s impressive history of making data digestible * (2:45) The history of BusinessObjects* (5:10) Inventing a new way to look at data* (11:39) A deep dive into spearheading business intelligence* (30:40) Creating a unique corporate culture--------SponsorThis podcast is presented by Alation.Learn more:* Data Radicals: https://www.alation.com/podcast/* Alation’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alation/* Satyen’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssangani/--------LinksConnect with Bernard on LinkedInCheck out Balderton Capital

Knowledge graphs are a critical tool in a Data Radical’s toolbox. But how can we make sure we’re leveraging them to the best of our ability? Today’s guest helps us out.Kendall Clark, is the Founder and CEO of Stardog. His non-typical data journey has given him a wealth of knowledge that we’re lucky enough to hear today. He goes deep into knowledge graphs, philosophy’s impact on management, and much more.--------“It's a little bit like asking the first person you ever date to marry you. It's not that that's definitely a mistake and we'll never work out, but it's risky. This is really what happens when you commit to doing integrations in the storage layer.” - Kendall Clark--------Time Stamps* (0:38) The human impact on data* (3:06) Kendall’s unconventional journey into data* (6:27) What is Stardog?* (8:52) All you need to know about Knowledge Graphs* (27:20) How to build culture at your organization--------SponsorThis podcast is presented by Alation.Learn more:* Data Radicals: https://www.alation.com/podcast/* Alation’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alation/* Satyen’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssangani/--------LinksConnect with Kendall on LinkedInCheck out Stardog

Information is power, and data is rarely as subjective as it seems. Savvy data leaders know one thing: data is political. And for many data professionals — that fact can feel discouraging. But it doesn’t have to be.Today, Wendy Turner-Williams, CDO of Tableau, brings us a fresh perspective on how to win at the game of data politics. Shifting corporate culture can be difficult. But with Wendy’s tips and tricks, you’ll be able to transform your org into a data-driven machine. You won’t want to miss it.--------Quote:“When it comes to culture the thing that data professionals never love to talk about is that data's very political.” - Wendy Turner-Williams--------Time Stamps* (00:24) Who is Wendy Turner-Williams* (2:37) Ins and outs of working on data in a software company* (7:17) CDOs as supporting actors* (16:26) The evolution of data governance* (22:13) Wendy’s approach to data culture* (24:45) The politics of data--------SponsorThis podcast is presented by Alation.Learn more:* Data Radicals: https://www.alation.com/podcast/* Alation’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alation/* Satyen’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssangani/--------LinksConnect with Wendy on LinkedInCheck out Tableau

Data is one of our most underutilized weapons in our arsenal. In today’s battles, the ability to gather, disseminate, consume and act on information has become the fundamental capability in the war on terror.In this episode, Satyen speaks with Stan McChrystal, retired US Army General and Managing Partner of the McChrystal Group. They discuss Stan's experiences building a data culture in the US military, evaluating leaders, the concept of empowered command, and much more.--------“Often you have data you don't know you have. ” - Stan McChrystal--------Time Stamps* (0:00) Using data as a weapon* (3:16) Insight into changing massive organizations * (11:33) How to find the best leaders* (18:17) Running military operations backed by data* (29:37) What success looks like for a US Army general--------SponsorThis podcast is presented by Alation.Learn more:* Data Radicals: https://www.alation.com/podcast/* Alation’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alation/* Satyen’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssangani/--------LinksConnect with Stan on LinkedInCheck out the McChrystal Group

The role of CDO is constantly evolving, and Data Radicals need to stay ahead of the curve. Today's guest gives us the inside scoop on how to do just that. Randy Bean is the founder and CEO of NewVantage Partners and author of Fail Fast, Learn Faster: Lessons in Data-Driven Leadership in an Age of Disruption, Big Data, and AI. In this interview, he and Satyen discuss the adoption of the chief data officer role, the challenges of creating a data culture, and the importance of soft skills for CDOs. --------“Data-driven organizations never rest. They're never comfortable. Because they know that unless they continue to do things to stay data-driven—they won't be the most data-driven going forward.” - Randy Bean--------Time Stamps* (0:00) How the Dunning-Kruger effect impacts your organization* (3:10) Randy’s beginnings in data* (6:31) The endless data journey* (10:05) The evolution of the CDO* (19:51) How to know you’re a successful CDO* (23:54) Barriers to building a data culture--------SponsorThis podcast is presented by Alation.Learn more:* Data Radicals: https://www.alation.com/podcast/* Alation’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alation/* Satyen’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssangani/--------LinksConnect with Randy on LinkedInCheck out NewVantage PartnersRead Randy’s Book: Fail Fast, Learn Faster: Lessons in Data-Driven Leadership in an Age of Disruption, Big Data, and AI