The Data Chief

It’s one thing for a company to invest in new technology. It’s another for a company to become invested in technology. In this episode, Yao Morin, CTO of JLL explains how she isn’t just adding data to the company workflow, but is instead fostering a culture of innovation and data-driven mindsets across the 240-year-old company through education, and by demonstrating data’s business value across departments. Key Moments:  Yao’s rapid rise at JLL [4:01] Energy efficiency data in commercial real estate [13:26] Fostering creativity and imagination in data teams [16:29] Better understanding of B2B customer pain points [21:24] Yao’s approach to startup investment [23:45] Generative AI and the data/analytics workflow [28:58] Delegating to better manage large data teams [32:27] The underrepresentation of women in data and tech leadership roles [36:02]Mentions: IntuitStubHubJira / ConfluenceInvisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado PerezTom DavenportDiablo IV (video game)“Bohemian Rhapsody” by QueenGet even more insights from data and analytics leaders like Yao 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.

The role of data teams continues to evolve across industries. But in mission-driven fields such as healthcare, data creates efficiencies that could potentially save lives. In this episode of The Data Chief, Cindi is joined by Jeremy Forman of Seagen to discuss the pivotal role his data team plays in driving insights-informed decision-making, and how they successfully collaborate with other departments to improve patient outcomes.  Key Moments: The key challenges for data leaders in healthcare [3:50]How Jeremy’s team supports company-wide initiatives [9:16]Fostering cross-team communication and collaboration [12:08]An ideal data organizational structure [14:39]Driving organizational change [17:09]Building an entrepreneurial culture [20:59]Setting competing priorities [29:01]FAIR data principles [36:34]Jeremy’s career path [41:19]Mentions:Bill and Melinda Gates FoundationGeronimo Restaurant in Santa Fe, New MexicoChatGPTBardAmazon TitanLos Alamos National LaboratoryOracleGet even more insights from data and analytics leaders like Jeremy 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.

When it comes to investing, it’s been said that the biggest risk of all is not taking one. But for many of us, the prospect of figuring out how and where to smartly invest our money is overwhelming if not flat-out confusing. TIFIN is a FinTech company focused on democratizing this process by matching investors to potential investments with AI. In this episode, Raja Musunuru, the Chief Product Officer of financial tech leader TIFIN, covers a wide range of topics, from the importance of understanding customer needs to promoting data fluency across an organization. Tune in to learn:About TIFIN [00:55]Raja’s unique perspective on technology, data, and products [12:01]The costs of cloud computing [16:04]Cloud governance and oversight [20:02]Views on FinOps [21:22]Optimizing the costs of multi-cloud operations [29:23]Promoting data fluency [36:19]Mentions: TIFINAmicus.ioDr. Vinay NairKPMGAmazon Web Services (AWS)Google CloudGrit: The Power of Passion and PerseveranceThe MindsetGet even more insights from data and analytics leaders like Raja 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.

Using data to gain customer insights can be difficult. Using data to gain customer insights from an ever-growing, ever-changing entertainment audience presents a much steeper challenge. In this episode, Elizabeth Stone, VP, Data & Insights at Netflix, explains how her dedicated team reflects the larger Netflix culture, balancing hard data with a mindset of learning and experimentation to make decisions that improve the Netflix experience. Tune in to learn:Elizabeth’s role as head of Netflix’s data and insights team (2:46)How Netflix is leveraging machine learning (11:13)The continued culture of innovation at Netflix (13:44)Using data to inform intuition and choice (18:00)How the data and insights team engages with other stakeholders (22:30)How Elizabeth obtains the resources she needs (25:37)The importance of cross-functional understanding and collaboration (32:13)Mentions:Gartner Data and Analytics ConferenceLyftRandy Bean, author of Fail Fast, Learn FasterChatGPT/OpenAIDaft Punk / Hot Chip / LCD SoundsystemGuest Bio: Elizabeth Stone leads Netflix’s Data & Insights org. Data & Insights is a centralized and globally distributed team that includes: data engineering, metrics development, analytic insights and tooling, research and development of machine learning algorithms, optimization and automation, experimentation and causal inference, and consumer research. The Data & Insights team applies this functional expertise to improve and evolve all parts of Netflix's business including the member-facing product, streaming delivery, content, studio production, games, ads, business operations, and growth. Elizabeth previously worked in finance, both as a trader and as an economic consultant, before transitioning to the tech industry, where she led teams at Nuna and Lyft. She is a graduate of MIT and Stanford University.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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.