
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

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.

Sep 14, 2022 • 35min
Back to School Replay! Sales Sales Sales [Part 1] Al & Ayal Steinberg discuss data and AI, market growth, and “Switzerland”
Send us a textWant to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [almartintalksdata@gmail.com] or for faster response, complete this form and tell us why you should be next. AbstractMaking Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Account Technical Leader IBM Technology Sales, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.This week on Making Data Simple, we have Ayal Steinburg VP, WW Data, AI, and Automation Sales Leader Global Markets. Ayal started off in music and then in the late 1990’s shifted to retail where he learned about data and analytics. In the past 20 years Ayal has held various sales rolls during his career. Show Notes9:18 – Ayal’s history11:50 – Ayal talks about his portfolio 16:16 – Market expansion and reducing costs19:02 – Platform and one product21:50 – Why IBM technologies?24:20 – Why are customers moving data?27:56 – Is “Switzerland” a hard or easy sell?30:52 – What is your biggest challenge right now?IBMConnect 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.

Sep 7, 2022 • 51min
Let's talk tech strategy: IBM strategy with Roger Premo, General Manager, Strategy and Corporate Development at IBM. The state of the industry, hybrid cloud, containers, competition. We hit it all.
Send us a textLet's talk tech strategy: IBM strategy with Roger Premo, General Manager, Strategy and Corporate Development at IBM. The state of the industry, hybrid cloud, containers, competition. We hit it all.Show Notes02:00 Roger Premos path to strategy08:37 First impressions of IBM10:42 Hybrid cloud15:33 Facts to support hybrid18:57 Cloud's future21:40 Why containers, Why Redhat?25:55 Addressing lock-in30:08 The IBM bar pitch34:04 Start with outcomes36:10 The most exciting technology38:50 Continuous learning43:09 The chips actLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ropremo/Website: https://www.ibm.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.

Aug 31, 2022 • 25min
Part 2: Money Ball yet again! Nancy Hensley, Chief Marketing Officer for Stats Perform, talks sports analytics offerings, what sports use data the best, AND find out which gender is better at sports analytics. I wonder...
Send us a textPart 2: Money Ball yet again! Nancy Hensley, Chief Marketing Officer for Stats Perform, talks sports analytics offerings, what sports use data the best, AND find out which gender is better at sports analytics. I wonder...Show Notes00:45 Optivision06:57 Which sport gets data? The NFL? 15:48 Was Covid good or bad for business?19:16 Which gender is better at Sports Analytics??!21:45 Guess who Nancy is related to?Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyhensley/Website: https://statsperform.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.

Aug 24, 2022 • 34min
Money Ball is back! Nancy Hensley, Chief Marketing Officer for Stats Perform, gives us the latest on data analytics in sports. If you like sports don't listen unless you have time to be entertained.
Send us a textMoney Ball is back! Nancy Hensley, Chief Marketing Officer for Stats Perform, gives us the latest on data analytics in sports. If you like sports don't listen unless you have time to be entertained.Show Notes04:09 What does Money Ball look like now?07:30 Mrs Chicago's personal update08:40 Fan website: The Analyst11:16 Stats Perform for the rest of us17:25 Sports tech competitors18:34 Monetizing data. $115M for NFL data! What?27:44 Broadcaster and PressboxLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyhensley/Website: https://statsperform.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.

Aug 17, 2022 • 53min
Starting a business that merges technology and medicine: Sean Bozorgzad, CEO Potentia, will make medical rooms near you more efficient via historical patterns, current events, futures, and virtual predictions.
Send us a textStarting a business that merges technology and medicine: Sean Bozorgzad, CEO Potentia, will make medical rooms near you more efficient via historical patterns, current events, futures, and virtual predictions.Show Notes02:45 Sean = medicine + tech10:04 Starting Potentia Analytics16:58 Potentia real-time insights19:04 HIPAA and use cases23:02 How it all works30:36 Knowledge is power37:04 And pandemic impact?39:15 Command center43:20 Potentia clients45:22 Competitors47:07 Using digital twins48:44 Potentia's future50:08 Finally, for funLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-bozorgzad-357ab047/Website: https://www.potentiaco.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.

Aug 10, 2022 • 43min
The most interesting man alive : Neil Sahota, CEO ACSILabs, is taking on AI for Good with the UN. Hear about his UN workings, new book, and think differently with TUCBO.
Send us a textThe most interesting man alive : Neil Sahota, CEO ACSILabs, is taking on AI for Good with the UN. Hear about his UN workings, new book, and think differently with TUCBO.Show Notes02:57 Mr. Neil Sahota05:34 Approaching the UN08:30 The UN pitch10:37 An AI book for ALL of us14:17 AI for Good19:07 Use cases22:46 Own the AI revolution32:13 Think differently with TUCBO38:57 The basketball GOAT41:51 Advice on riskLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilsahota/details/experience/Website: https://www.neilsahota.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.

Aug 3, 2022 • 43min
Of course you're tired of spreadsheets. Data exploration is better. Ryan Buick, Co-Founder of Canvas.
Send us a textTired of spreadsheets? Yes you are. Ryan Buick, Co-Founder of Canvas, has the answer. Canvas is a data exploration tool for business teams to automate manual reporting, build dashboards, and answer ad-hoc questions without SQL. Show Notes02:36 Who is Ryan Buick? 04:43 The Canvas mission06:57 Startups during a pandemic09:36 Problem(s) solved14:33 Modernizing spreadsheets20:12 Current state, desired state23:05 The pitch28:56 Go to market36:46 Biggest fear38:54 Best SF restaurant. You heard it here.Find Ryan : https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanjbuick/Find Canvas : https://canvasapp.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.