

The Data Chief
ThoughtSpot
Meet the world’s top data and analytics leaders transforming how we do business. Hear case studies, industry insights, and personal lessons from the executives leading the data revolution.
Join host Cindi Howson, Chief Data Strategy Officer at ThoughtSpot, every other Wednesday to meet the leaders and teams at the cutting edge.
Join host Cindi Howson, Chief Data Strategy Officer at ThoughtSpot, every other Wednesday to meet the leaders and teams at the cutting edge.
Episodes
Mentioned books

36 snips
May 3, 2023 • 51min
Why Online Retailer Zalando Was First to Embrace the Data Mesh
Most data professionals aspire to be leaders within a single industry. It’s rare to see professionals establish and re-establish themselves as powerful influencers across multiple verticals. But this is precisely what Dr. Alexander Borek has done, helping some of the world’s most recognizable brands scale tangible value from data, analytics, and AI. In this episode, he covers a wide range of topics, including his personal career journey, creating cultures of innovation, centralized vs. decentralized data products, and the imminent impact of generative AI. Key Moments: Background on Zalando [2:15]Dr. Borek’s The Ultimate Data and AI Guide [5:32]Becoming a data leader in multiple industries [7:02]Germany’s growing data culture [14:30]The need for a greater sense of urgency in data understanding [17:07]The origins of the data mesh [19:33]The benefits of cross-team collaboration [24:44]Data mash vs. data fabric [31:30]Using data for insight and action [37:28]The rapid expansion of generative technologies [40:10]Mentions: Bernard MarrThe Ultimate Data and AI GuideNetflixVolkswagen ManufacturingCelonisData Warehousing InstituteThe Wall Street JournalKubernetesGartnerIBM Advanced Analytics CenterChatGPTYou can join Alex in person at the Data Masterclass Europe 2023 conference! The conference will be held in Berlin from June 21-23. Apply to join here. Get even more insights from data and analytics leaders on The Data Chief. Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.
Hear more from Cindi Howson here. Sponsored by ThoughtSpot.

14 snips
Apr 19, 2023 • 41min
Delek US on Proving Value as the CDO
The role of the CDO is changing, and with these changes come new opportunities to prove business value. On this episode of The Data Chief, Ido Biger, EVP of Data and Technology for Delek US, explains how he’s breaking down data silos and turning insights to actionHe also takes listeners through several analytics use cases including creating operational efficiencies for frontline workers and reducing customer churn. Tune in to learn:Ido’s role at Delek and confronting his biggest challenge (04:23)How Ido breaks down data silos (11:53)Using data-driven insights to increase operational efficiency - Telco case study (15:15)Using data-driven insights to reduce customer churn - Airline case study (20:01)Why COVID was a huge opportunity for the airline industry (26:20)Turning insights to action - Oil and gas case study (29:08)The importance of finding a sponsor for your data project (32:19)How to prove value as a CDO (33:04)Ido’s work as a professor (35:12)The skills data professionals need to succeed (37:32)Mentions:Roman Empire on NetflixDoug Laney Simon SinekMashinaThe Data Chief Guest’s Pump-Up Songs PlaylistGet even more insights from data and analytics leaders on The Data Chief. Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.
Hear more from Cindi Howson here. Sponsored by ThoughtSpot.

Apr 5, 2023 • 48min
Bill Schmarzo on Why Companies Need to Pivot from Data-Driven to Value-Driven
What is the true value of data? Whether you’ve been collecting data for years or are just getting started, the reality is that data holds zero value on its own. In fact, it’s a huge cost. In this episode of The Data Chief, industry veteran Bill Schmarzo, currently in Customer Data Innovation at Dell Technologies, shares why modern data leaders must let go of the notion of being data-driven and focus on business outcomes. He also discusses how having more data isn’t always the right move, especially when considering larger business goals.Tune in to learn:Demonstrating data’s value in an uncertain economy (7:36)Defining data KPIs (16:54)The importance of data-driven decision-making (22:43)Moving from “data-driven” to “value-driven” (33:24)Modern data culture (42:08)Mentions:Data Analytics Recession PlaybookThe top 10 books every data and analytics leader must readGet even more insights from data and analytics leaders like Bill on The Data Chief. Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.
Hear more from Cindi Howson here. Sponsored by ThoughtSpot.

5 snips
Mar 22, 2023 • 47min
How to Connect Data Strategy to Business Value
Dora Boussias, Senior Director of Data Strategy and Architecture at Stryker, discusses the role of modern data executives, connecting data strategies to business value, emphasizing change management, and the importance of a collaborative culture. Also, the significance of active listening for data leaders, challenges with mindset and pay gaps in the workplace, and the importance of respecting contributions and building credibility.

Mar 8, 2023 • 35min
The Big Data Behind How You Get Paid
The implications of employment shifts have different effects on certain subsets of the population. Understanding these implications in real time helps businesses, governments, and individuals make better decisions about what to do next. ADP serves its customers in more ways than just payroll, taxes, and employment benefits. CDO Jack Berkowitz shares more about these benefits, and the parts of ADP’s business dedicated to reporting and sharing data. Tune in to learn:Managing high data volumes and maintaining data reliability at ADP (03:05)Real-time employment data about equity in the workforce (05:33)Monetizing data and how that has changed (09:35)The end of FTP? (12:06)The role of payroll data plays to tell the truth about diversity and inclusion in the workforce. (19:45)Jack’s personal career shift from the vendor to end-user (27:08)Lightning Round (28:00)Mentions:ADP National Employment Report Edward Tufte https://www.edwardtufte.com/tufte/Randy Pausch https://www.cmu.edu/randyslecture/story/index.htmlhttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/221514864_Storytelling_Alice_motivates_middle_school_girls_to_learn_computer_programmingBeau Miles - Backyard Adventurer https://beaumiles.com/the-backyard-adventurer/the video that I watch over and over: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvT5XS7j-DcGet even more insights from data and analytics leaders like Jack on The Data Chief. Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.
Hear more from Cindi Howson here. Sponsored by ThoughtSpot.

Feb 22, 2023 • 47min
How to Harness the Explosive Growth of ChatGPT for AI Innovation
Historically, computers haven’t been particularly good at determining user intent from real-world language inputs. However, the advancement of natural language processing technologies, like ChatGPT, has led to remarkable improvements in AI systems' accuracy in responding to human queries. In this episode, Amit Prakash, Co-founder of ThoughtSpot, discusses the development of AI and the accountability required to make it ready for daily use.Tune in to learn:What was the problem Amit was trying to solve when he co-founded ThoughtSpot? (04:48)When did Amit first start looking at ChatGPT and natural language processing? (08:16)Why did ChatGPT explode in 2023? (21:00)Is ChatGPT ready for important work and research? (31:26)Will ChatGPT spell the end of platforms like ThoughtSpot? (32:41)Mentions: Elements of Programming Interviews: The Insiders' Guide, By Adnan Aziz, Tsung-Hsien Lee, Amit PrakashElements of Programming Interviews in Java: The Insider's Guide, By Adnan Aziz, Tsung-Hsien Lee, Amit PrakashElements of Programming Interviews in Python, By Adnan Aziz, Tsung-Hsien Lee, Amit PrakashAlan WattsMore coming soon!Follow Amit on Substack and view his series of blogs on ChatGPT and LLMs. https://amit.thoughtspot.com/Get even more insights from data and analytics leaders like Amit on The Data Chief. Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.
Hear more from Cindi Howson here. Sponsored by ThoughtSpot.

Jan 18, 2023 • 50min
Top Data & AI Industry Trends in 2023 with Tom Davenport, Tony Baer, and Sonny Rivera
Everywhere you look, change is redefining the data landscape. From the rise of the analytics engineer to data leaders clamoring to make self service analytics real, it’s clear organizations are looking for new opportunities to put their data to work.But which changes matter? In this episode, we break down some of the data and analytics trends for 2023 that will help you identify key ways to rise above your competitors. Tom Davenport is back for another episode and this time he’s here to talk about AI and the relationship that the workforce should start building with it. Tony Baer weighs in on the great data framework debate. And Sonny Rivera points out the need for better education in the analytics industry, particularly when it comes to data modeling techniques. Tune in to learn:The biggest surprise in the survey findings around the role of the CDO (03:13)Data governance or data enablement? (05:14)CDO’s making a play for CEO in 2023 and beyond (07:27)Legacy companies and AI adoption (08:30)2023 prediction from Tom (13:50)Could we have predicted that data mesh would be such a hot topic in 2022? (23:45)Tony’s prediction for data mesh, data lakes, data warehouse, data fabric? (30:28)Tony’s prediction and hopes for CDOs in 2023 (35:00)ThoughtSpot's new evangelist, Sonny Rivera (35:55)Sonny’s work in the DBT community (41:30)Sonny’s prediction for the analytics engineer in 2023 (44:10)The need for more modeling education in analytics boot camps (45:02)What should your 2023 resolution be as an analytics engineer? (48:06)Mentions:CDO Agenda 2023: Prioritizing business value creationTom Davenport BooksZhamak Deghani on The Data Chief Tony’s reaction to an article article about the best Data Mesh9 data and analytics trends for 2023 - eBookGet even more insights from data and analytics leaders like Tom, Tony, and Sonny on The Data Chief.
Hear more from Cindi Howson here. Sponsored by ThoughtSpot.

4 snips
Nov 16, 2022 • 46min
Six Rules to Dominate the Decade of Data
Today’s digital economy is more competitive than ever, and making smart data decisions can be what sets the leaders apart from the rest of the field. With new technologies now democratizing data at an accelerated pace, how can companies ensure that their data strategy is helping them stay ahead of the curve? As our third season comes to a close, Cindi takes a look back at some of our most insightful conversations to lay out six essential rules that every Data Chief should follow to dominate the decade of data.Tune in to learn:Rule 1: Leverage the best-of-breed from the modern data stack (02:30)Rule 2: Empower everyone with true self-service analytics (10:58)Rule 3: Drive actions with operationalized insights (18:44)Rule 4: Build a flexible data foundation (27:26)Rule 5: Utilize third-party data to build a 360-degree view (35:07)Rule 6: Deliver engaging data-driven UX (38:47)MentionsGilead Sciences’ Murali Vridhachalam and ZS Associates’ Mahmood Majeed on the Modern Data Stack and Data MeshThe Modern Milkman’s Chief Strategy Officer, John Hughes on Using Data to Save Our Oceans from Plastic Afterpay’s Nitish Mathew on Prioritizing Customer Needs, Balancing Governance and Freedom, and Giving Your Team PurposeServiceNow’s Vijay Kotu on the Power of Micro-Decisions and Aligning Data Strategy to Business StrategyThree Must Read Data and Analytics Books with Tim Harford, Zhamak Dehghani, and Brent DykesUnilever’s Vandana Khanna and Deeksha Singh on Demystifying Data, Dreaming Bigger, and Inspiring Business Users with The Art of the PossibleOpenTable’s Grant Parsamyan on How Data and Analytics is Helping the Restaurant Industry Rebound from COVID-19Get even more insights from data and analytics leaders on The Data Chief. https://www.thoughtspot.com/data-chief Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at https://mission.org.
Hear more from Cindi Howson here. Sponsored by ThoughtSpot.

Nov 2, 2022 • 37min
ThoughtSpot’s Cindi Howson on Best Practices for Driving Impact from Data & Analytics (Ep. 26 Refresh)
On this episode of The Data Chief, we look back at some of the key themes from season one, including the rise of the CDO, the intricacies of aligning your department’s goals with that of the businesses, and how you coped with accelerated timelines. While we relive these important conversations, we also discuss why culture and data fluency continue to be the biggest hurdles to becoming a truly data-driven business.Tune in to learn:The Rise of the Data Chief (02:54) Aligning with Your Business Values (08:32)Rapid Technical Innovation and the Shift to Cloud (15:52) Technology Reflects Culture (23:30)Assessing your Data Fluency (31:52)Get even more insights from data and analytics leaders on The Data Chief. https://www.thoughtspot.com/data-chief Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at https://mission.org.
Hear more from Cindi Howson here. Sponsored by ThoughtSpot.

Oct 19, 2022 • 48min
The Modern Milkman’s Chief Strategy Officer, John Hughes on Using Data to Save Our Oceans from Plastic
Each year, around 8 million tons of plastic waste enter the ocean, killing wildlife and damaging the environment for future generations. Much of this pollution originates from the wasteful packaging used for everyday grocery products. But a greener grocery alternative is making waves from across the pond. Joining us today is John Hughes, Chief Strategy Officer at The Modern Milkman, a UK-based grocery delivery company that brings locally sourced goods directly to customers without any single-use plastics. From the startup’s early days, John sought to invest heavily in data modernization. Hear how his data-driven approach has helped the company cultivate a shared mission with customers to make the world a cleaner, safer, and better place for all of its creatures.Tune in to learn:About The Modern Milkman and how John became associated with it (04:46)How data has helped lead to the company’s growth (12:17)The Modern Milkman’s data stack (28:14)The benefits of working with startups (32:40)Advice for larger companies on data stack modernization (38:00)Get even more insights from data and analytics leaders like John on The Data Chief. https://www.thoughtspot.com/data-chief Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at https://mission.org.
Hear more from Cindi Howson here. Sponsored by ThoughtSpot.